Nov- December 2011

Half million spent for waste mgt

By S ean M arben P. G uinoo and A rrabelle S. M arie A mata with reports from E nglebert A. V illegas

T

he University administration had already shelled out almost half-a-million pesos for the implementation of “a more sustainable

and environment-friendly set of programs and policies” in the campus.

Hoping to “protect and preserve the environment,” Ateneo de Naga University’s Half Million | P15

BIKOL

An mahika kan Asusuge

page 8

FEATURES Tangled:

How Gloria Lost Her Glory

page 12

INQUIRY Hoodoo of a Peace Deal

page 6

SCon hastens to ratify MC Laying out plans Efondo said that from the last time the With limited time the Student Congress SCon met regarding the MC, there are still (SCon) has, Speaker of the House and College of no updates. Currently, the document is being Education Representative Marian Efondo said, furnished by the Student Welfare Committee, “pigru-rush mi ang Magna Carta (MC) ngunyan after which, resolutions will be accommodated, pero yaon pa man syempre diyan ang mabusising and will be passed on to the Ateneo Directorate pagproseso ta dae man kaya iyan basta-basta.” of Student Organizations.

According to her, the SCon reviewed The body also plans to conduct further the document twice since it was drafted last deliberations and a referendum by January next semester. The same body has been also tasked year. as an executor of the MC, a document for the “Ang time frame mi para sa pag-present protection and empowerment of student rights. kang mga natapos na [authorized] MC and new

By E nglebe rt A. V i l le gas

Sunday foils expected donors turnout

By R achel V ivien P. G riego B ernadette A. E stipona

and

A nne

Was it because of the day?

Sunday became the excuse of the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) for not reaching their expected 300 blood donors for Dugong Atenista’s fifth year.

The event, which was held last 4 December at the Xavier Hall, set another record of bloodletting obtaining 265 donors compared with last July’s 263 blood donors.

According to OSA Deputy Director Rodolfo SB. Virtus, Jr., they were confident in reaching their target donors because of “proper

information dissemination through social networking sites, the public address system and text brigades.”

He added, however, that they did not meet their target because the event was set on a Sunday.

“If the event were conducted on a Saturday, many would have participated.”

‘Sustainability’ OSA, in collaboration with the College of Nursing and the Bicol Medical Center, took charge of the event.

According to OSA’s statistics, the number of regular donors increases every bloodletting activity. This served a proof of the sustainability of the program. “When we started the program in July 2007, only 86 donated,” shared Virtus.

He furthered that 61.51 percent of the total donors of Dugong Atenista were regular participants. Of the total number, 223 were students, 18 were faculty members, staff and administrators, 17 were Alumni and seven were

Sunday foils | P5

Consti[tution] and Election Code eh before election next year, 20 February ata ito para saruan lang—tipid at para feel ang momemtum kang mga estudyante. Bako itong putol- putol,” said Efondo.

According to Efondo, “after two-thirds of votes from SCon members are gathered, the SSG President can now sign the MC and submit it to the administrators for consideration, implementation and observance.”

If the MC is successfully ratified, “baka magpaluwas kami nin sarong book about the consti[tution] consisting of the MC ta dakol man SCon hastens | P3

Above and Beyond the Call A Tribute to a Remarkable Campus Journalist

By J oseph A drian V. C oncepcion E ditor in C hief , A/Y 2009-2010

I feel inclined to say damn it as I write this; partly because writing about a recently deceased alumnus of this publication was never in the itinerary for our ThePILLARS@50 series, but mostly because the deceased was very dear to me.

How can this be true? Is he really gone?

I can definitively say that the rest of our ThePILLARS family, at some point, shared the same grief and asked the same questions of disbelief. As for the matter of this article, Ateneo and Beyond | P9

EDITORIAL

2

Land to the Tiller One of the latest yet blatantly overdue rulings issued by the Supreme Court (SC) tells that Hacienda Luisita Inc.’s (HLI) 5,000-hectare estate will finally go to 6,296 land tillers. it may be on the one hand; it can be without its fair share of risks, on the other.

One thing to ensure is that the owners of HLI follow what SC has ordered. President Aquino, a scion of the Conjuangcos himself, said so, even reminding the people that he had divested himself of his one-percent interest in HLI’s share of stocks.

Ironically, while the president implied obedience to SC’s order, he must have assumed himself to speak of the agrarian reform infallibly. He then went on flaunting that the goal of agrarian reform—his mother’s centerpiece program—is to empower the farmers and to ensure that landowners are justly compensated.

To empower the farmers is always imperative. At the very least, the fact that they waited for almost 43 more years (because the land should have been under the ownership of the farmers since 1968) is enough payment to justify that they are entitled to any form of support from the government; regardless of whether it is the government’s duty or not. By then, social justice comes beyond apportioning the HLI estate.

Senator Honasan said the next step is to educate the farmers, organize them into agrarian reform communities or beneficiaries and most importantly, support them. Another thing to bear in mind is giving the farmers the necessary facilities and equipment especially that they have nothing but bare land.

Nonetheless, to ensure that landowners are “justly compensated” comes into question, if not, favors only Aquino and his HLI relatives. The president, hence, theorized that there is a need to return capital to landowners which in turn will provide investments and job opportunities later on. That remains to be too ideal a theory, however.

In serving justice and adhering to the tenets of genuine agrarian reform, no compromise can be achieved. At such point, President Aquino cannot disfigure the issue by providing a twofold agrarian reform plan—one that seeks to serve the interests of both the landless tiller and the capitalist landowner. A choice should always be made in favor of those who have less.

For, by all means, the government itself must be a dynamo of social justice and real land reform. Following the fate of the HLI, the same must go off for other land estates where tillers toil and sweat blood in vain.

“

A choice should always be made in favor of those who have less.

“

Underlining the crux of “genuine” agrarian reform, Chief Justice Renato Corona went on saying that unless there is land distribution, there can be no agrarian reform. And so, SC’s decision meant the ultimate revocation of the Stock Distribution Option (SDO) scheme at HLI which provides farmers the choice to own share of stocks in lieu of land.

At the least, giving back to and guaranteeing the farmers the right to become owners of the soil they till could be the first move in instigating what SC call “social justice.” Such move might also imply a hopeful end to the decadeslong and even violent dispute over the vast land owned by Aquino’s kin.

At the same time, however, the high court’s ruling inevitably drew even the slightest doubt as to its timing. SC’s 14-0 vote (in favor of nullifying the SDO scheme at HLI) seemingly comes at the peak of the tension between the government’s executive and judiciary branches—a move seen by many as more than coincidental and suspicious.

But there are not enough grounds that the SC-Malacañang conflict has something to do with the HLI issue, thus says Senate Committee on Agrarian Reform Chair Gregorio Honasan. What could be more in the limelight is the truth that it has taken SC more than long enough to carry out the principles of agrarian reform in the case of HLI. And at any rate, meting out social justice to the tillers could be a betterlate-than-never effort. Praiseworthy

NEWS

3 Politicians clash on HB 4820

CamSur split forum divides Ateneans

By K ristiana M ichaela P. E mbate

Despite the university administration’s intention of educating the Ateneo de Naga University community on HB 4820, also known as “An Act Creating a New Province of Nueva Camarines,” students remained uncertain on the issue.

“Dae mi nahihiling, dae mi namamati... an namamati mi issue between images and people, not between districts and government,” said Remontados Debate Society President Arcci Relloso voicing out her opinion during the forum held last 18 November entitled “To Divide or Not: What’s in it for us?”, hosted by the Office of Student Affairs and Ateneo Social Sciences (SocSci) Department.

Relloso said there was nothing in the justifications of the HB 4820 proponents and opponents that clarified to the students why there is a need to divide Camarines Sur (CamSur).

“I agree with Relloso,” said a 2 BSA student when asked about her views during the forum. She said it was a political charade because “the guests were all politicians...from political dynasties, who, during the forum, aimed only to display and throw allegations to each other.”

who emphasized the theme of University President Fr. Primitivo E. Viray, Jr. SJ’s message on integral development. Fr. Viray said that truth, though elusive, “shall set you free.”

“I think that is putting this forum in its proper context,” Villafuerte furthered.

Villafuerte, who during his stint in the defunct Batasang Pambansa had once planned the creation of a province in 1984, said that divisions and subdivisions are “not something new and unique in itself.” He said that divisions are observed not just within the province but also throughout the Philippine archipelago, and the church.

He deemed the division of Camarines Sur as “an essential step to extend the services

and

M aolin S. M acatangay

of the provincial government throughout the province which, as a single entity, is too big.”

“The division of CamSur will also bring local government closer to the people and to refocus on a well-balanced development plan according to priority imperatives,” highlighted Villafuerte.

However, Naval countered that their focus is on the “technicalities” of the house bill.

He denounced Villafuerte for the “conflicting provisions” of the proposition’s “defective product”.

“Sa lawig kan istorya,mayo pa lamang sa grupo ninda, mayo sainda an nagdi-discuss kun ano an laog kan bill,” he added.

He also questioned the impartialities of

Face-off

During the forum, CamSur 3rd District Representative Luis Villafuerte faced off with Provincial Board Members Angel Naval and Warren Señar. Villafuerte is one of HB 4820’s proponents while Naval and Señar were both against the division of CamSur. “All of us will be in search for truth...I restrict myself to the truth,” said Villafuerte

DEEPENING CHASM. Camarines Sur 3rd District Representative Luis Villafuerte, author of HB 4829, sparred with Provincial Board Member Angel Naval and Warren Senar in a heated debate over the split of Cam. Sur into two new provinces.

Photo by: Marie France Diane Relucano

Time for Booters

Ateneo Football League kicks off

By A lvin M ae M. B adong

It was almost always about dribbling and shooting hoops. Now it’s time for ballkicking.

Now on its semi-finals, the Ateneo College Football League 2011-2012 Season 1 kicked off its first game last 3 October.

The league is now down to its top four teams: United Education and Computer Studies (UECS), Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (JPIA), College of Arts and

Sciences (CAS) and Ateneo Nursing Students Association (ANSA).

The tournament will follow a modified seven versus seven (7v7) match format because of the size of the field to be occupied during a game. Only half of the full size of the football field will be utilized. Games will be held once a week every Friday at 4:30 PM. Football coaches Ferdinand Tuy and Thomas Deeg initiated the league. Tuy is

Ateneo Football | P14

What’s on the website: http://www. thepillarspub.com • MISS EARTH BeAUTIeS VISIT ATeNeO • PINAGLIBAN AT PINAGKAIT • IN THe KNOW: MAGUINDANAO MASSACRe • THe SILeNCe OF THe VOICeS • ADNU EXSITe Watch video coverage of events in the Ateneo including past Knights games, Cam Sur Split Forum, Phil Rice Forum, No to Mining in Palawan.

Add us on Facebook & follow us on Twitter: thepillarspub@gmail.com and more.

Video Coverage available at http\\:www.thepillarspub.com the bill’s provisions, 24 of which were subject to deletion, two for substitution, and another two for modification.

According to him, last 15 August, there were faulty provisions that were discovered during the Provincial Board Meeting. He said that some of the included provisions in the bill were only applicable for municipalities but not for provinces.

Two days later, Camsur 4th District Representative Arnulfo Fuentebella wrote to the senate that there were indeed provisions which were “inadvertently committed and included.”

Naval said it was important that the bill must be “perfect” before passing it.

Until now, Naval said that “the Senate Committee on Local Government has not yet convened to respond to the proposition’s suggested amendments.”

Still, foul words Later at the open forum, despite the mechanics given beforehand—no crossexamination, no foul words—the two parties bumped after each party’s bragging and slinging.

“Ironically, the division of CamSur is what will unite this waggling and quarrelling political leaders in this province,” said Villafuerte, stressing the reconciliation between the Fuentebellas and the Alfelors.

However, he insisted that his son, CamSur Governor Luis Raymond “L-Ray” Villafuerte Jr, remains against him. This act, according to the congressman, is what the socalled “political motivation” means.

“He wants to put his son, my grandson Miguel, to fight me as a governor,” Villafuerte ended.

He even urged the opposition to “focus on the essential issues not on the peripheral issues,” recommending that if the other party wanted to improve the bill, they should “suggest improvements but do not torpedo

CamSur Split | P14

SCon hastens... an mayong aram tungkol sa mga articles duman,” Efondo furthered.

Meantime, if the need arises and issues concerning the MC must be resolved, “plebiscites may also be conducted.”

The SCon also decided to tap teachers by passing a ruling to incorporate MC in NSTP courses so it will be early introduced to students “kasi iba pa rin talaga ang impact pag itunuturo ito in a classroom setting.”

Efondo shared that even though they lack four out of the 18 members needed, the SCon is doing their best to finish the approval and ratification of the MC. Participation matters When the proposed MC was presented to the student body last September, only a small percentage of the Ateneo population took part, admitted Efondo. “Kaipuhan na maray ang participation kang mga estudyante ta para man sainda ini; para maaraman ninda kung paano mai-aassert ang saindang rights na may pinagbabasehan.”

Looking forward to the dream of a “strengthened Supreme Student Government (SSG),” Efondo stressed the importance of accomplishing their goals with the help of student support and involvement.

Hoping to “hear from the students,” the SCon organized “Harampangan

from page 1

2011—SSG Page: Live!”. Through the activity, some provisions of the MC will be revisited and a timeline of SSG activities will also be presented. It will also serve as a venue where students can raise their concerns and suggestions, to be conducted per college from 12 to 16 December at the Madrigal and Arrupe Halls.

Pushing stude rights MC, patterned from other Ateneo universities and “a Buklod Atenista-inspired endeavor,” outlines the materialization of students’ and organizations’ privileges and duties as well.

Efondo exclaimed “kung estudyante ka, maogma ka ta may mga rights ka” and emphasized that SSG is teaching students to be proactive and responsive to any situations concerning their academic or non-academic activities.

“Matapos man ang termino mi eh at least mamati kang mga estudyante ang SSG, na may naitao lamang kami, na marhay an trabaho mi tapos pati serbisyo. Tapos sana lang makisumaro man sinda samu ta bako man lang kami makikinabang; at ‘yung Php50.00 na binabayad ninda per sem eh sulit,” emphasized Efondo.

She also expressed the necessity “na mag-double time ang members kang SCon, maging mas responsible ‘tas dae maghale na mayo man lang naginibo sa mga pigparasabi kadto pang nakaaging election.”

On CEGP’S 80TH Year

Lunduyan ’11 unites campus journs

By Sean Marben P. Guinoo and Rachel Vivien P. Griego

San Pablo City, Laguna—Concomitant to the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), this year’s Lunduyan once again brought together student journalists from all over Luzon.

The Luzon-Wide Student Press Convention which was housed in Dioko Resort and Butterfly Farm, San Pablo City, Laguna last 22 to 26 October featured basic, intermediate and advanced training and workshop for college writers.

A total of 187 delegates from 39 tertiary student publications from Regions I to V, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and National Capital Region (NCR) came together not only to sit in classroom discussions and fora, but also to commemorate victims of political injustices and to integrate with the basic masses.

ThePILLARS (Ateneo de Naga University), Universitarian, Gearcast and Budyong (Bicol University) and Façade (Universidad de Sta. Isabel) were the only student publications from Bikol which attended the convention.

With the people Meaning ‘sanctuary’ in Hiligaynon, Lunduyan serves as an avenue for studentwriters in enhancing their skills and honing their crafts especially in campus journalism.

With its basic theme “A writer’s sanctuary is with the people,” this annual convention “aspires to link the personal and political struggles of a campus journalist with the marginalized sector”.

CEGP believes that campus journalists are not secluded with the expansive masses.

They exist with them, suffer with them, and fight with them.

Re-elected NCR Overall Chair Romina Austudillo (Trinity University of Asia) said that “writers and journalists draw strength from their readers. The inspiration comes with the goal of awakening and educating the people of the social realities in our country.”

In formalizing this goal, the convention brought the delegates up close with the marginalized sectors through Basic Masses Integration (BMI). The students visited and exposed themselves with the situations of typical workers, women groups, peasants, farmers and Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgenders (LGBTs) in some of Laguna’s remote areas.

A flow of knowledge The participants were also equipped with Journalism Skills Training, advanced workshops and current events-based fora and discussions.

The organizers invited outstanding speakers for the discussions. The list included renowned UP Professor Jun Cruz Reyes who discussed the Use of National Language for Country’s Development.

UP Professor Mykel Andrada also gave a discussion on “Wika at Pop Culture” while National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) President Einstein Recedes talked about the current Philippine Education Situation.

Candles alit One of the highlights of the five-day gathering was the commemoration of the 23rd month of Maguindanao Massacre.

A candle-lighting activity was offered to remember the two years of unresolved case for the victims of one of the gravest

Lunduyan ‘11 unites | P14

Nuanced Christmas. Vividly colored Christmas lanterns light the busy Panganiban Drive at night. One of the lanterns features an infant Christ in a manger in its center.

Photo by: Marie France Diane Relucano

H

UGONG NG

USTISYA

Nina Jeazally Joy S. Quiros

at Alvin Mae M. Badong

Alas sais pa lamang ay pumapailanlang na ang maaanghang na pahayag ni Romeo Olea sa radyo ukol sa mga balitang nakakalap niya.Kilala siya sa walang-takot na pambabatikos ng mga mali sa lipunan.

Alas sais muling umaga, isang ordinaryong araw pa rin ng trabaho. Subalit, sa pagkakataong ito’y hindi tinig ni Romeo o ang kanyangmatapang na mga komentaryo ang maririnig, ngunit ang kagula-gulantang na balita na ang laman ay siya.

Limang buwan na ang nakalilipas nang paslangin ang tanyag na brodkaster—limang buwan na sumubok sa katatagan ng loob ng pamilya Olea. Limang buwan dingnanatiling nakalutang ang pagnanais na marinig muli ang kanyang tinig sa radyo at mahagkan siya tulad ng dati. Limang buwan na pinanghawakan ang hangarin na mabasag ang kanilang pangungulila. Limang buwan ng pagsisikap na unti-unting maibalik sa dating giya ang buhay na winasak ng isang trahedya.

Ngunit, hindi sapat ang limang buwan upang makalimot sa isang masakitna alaalang pagkawala ng isang anak, asawa, ama, kapatid, at mamahayag.

Tugonng Anak Ika-13 ngNobyembre, nagtungo kami sa Iriga upang hanapin ang pamilya Olea. Hindi namin inaasahan na ang lalaking unang mapagtatanungan namin ay ang mismong panganay na anak ni Romeo, si Jester.

“Nagjo-jogging ako kaito saUSANT (University of Saint Anthony), June 13, 2011, first day of school sa USI (Unibersidad de Santa Isabel). After kuta mag-jogging, mapa-Naga na ako… mag-iba daa ako ta si papa nabadil. Pagduman mi sa RMC (Rinconada Medical Center), nahiling ko si papa mayo na.”

Ayon sa kanya, bago pa man ang insidente, madalas mabanggit ng ama na mag-iingat siya, “Dae niya pinapagamitsako ang motor niya ta baka daa mapagkamalan akong siya.” Dagdag pa ni Jester na wala

naman daw nabanggit ang kanyang ama sa mga banta sa buhay nito. Naroon marahil ang takot ni Romeo na madamay pa ang kanyang pamilya sa mapanganib na mundong pinasok niya.

Ngunit sa kabila ng pag-iingat at pag protekta, na ganap ang kinatatakutan. Kinitil ang buhay ni Romeo sa tama ng tatlong balasa likod.

Simula ng araw na iyon, binalotnang takot ang buhay ng mga Olea.Kung dati’y maaring pumunta saan man nila gustuhin o kaya’y umuwing dis oras ng gabi, ngayon ay hindi na.Samadaling salita, hindi lamang isang ama ang inagaw sa kanila, maging ang kanilang katahimikan at kalayaan ay ninakaw na rin ng mga pumaslang kay Romeo.

Tanging hustisya na lamang ang nagbibigay pag-asa kay Jester ngunit ang hustisyang ito ay hindi madaling makamit.

Ngunit “Ang hustisya sa Pilipinas natatapalan nin kuwarta lalo na kun ang mga kalaban mo maimpluwen siya,” ani Jester.

Nagdaramdam man, hindi nito kayang tibagin ang pagnanais na papanagutin ang mga may sala.

Saludo si Jester sa kanyang ama. “Garo si papa soldier na microphone ang weapon,” wika nito.

Bilang mamamahayag Matapos makapanayam si Jester, tumungo kami sa DWEB sa Nabua, Camarines Sur kung saan na masukan si Romeo bilang komenteytor. Takot at kilabot ang tumambal sa amin hatid ng mga impormasyong nakalap namin mula kay Jimmy*, ang security officer

ng nasabing istasyon.

Ayon sa kanya, isang taon pa lamang ang nakakaraan ng barilin din ang isa pang mamahayag ng DWEB na si Mike Belen sa lugar kung saan din pinaslang si Romeo.

Dagdag pa nito, maging ang ibang mamahayag sa istasyon ay nakatanggap rin ng banta noong nakaraang eleksyon. Maging ang tagapag-munong istasyon na si Jing Florece ay nakaranas din ng pagbabanta. Kwento nito, isang nakatayong bala sa unang baitang ng hagdan ang natagpuan ni Florece habang papasok ng istasyon.

Walang takot namang nagpatuloy sapagpapahayag si Romeo ng mga maiinit na isyu. Isiniwalat nito ang mga baho ng mga mapanlamang na tao—dahilan upang patahimikin ang kanyang matapang na tinig.

Ang sabi ni Jimmy, noong ilibing angbrodkaster, iilan lamang ang dumalo sa pangambang mamukhaan sila at pabaunan din ng bala sa kabaong.

‘Pag silbi nang walang takot at kinikilingan’ Sa bilin ni Jimmy*, upang makakuha ng karagdagang impormasyon ukol sa kaso ni Romeo, tinungo namin ang istasyon ng pulis sa lungsod ng Iriga. Doon din nagtatrabaho si Raquel, asawa ni Romeo.

Ayon kay Raquel, pista noon at nasabahay siya nang alukin siya ng kanyang katrabaho na pumunta sa prisinto. Noong una’y inakala niya lamang na pinapatawag siya ng hepe ngunit may kakaiba sa kilos ng kasama.

“Buhay o patay?” tanging tanong ni Ugong ng | P14

news NEWS-FEATURE

5 Video Coverage available at http\\:www.thepillarspub.com

Mining in Palawan slammed

By Jeremy M. Badong

Scores of old growth forests—untouched ecosystems and the country’s last—are slated for mining bids and operations in Palawan according to ABS-CBN Foundation Managing Director and anti-mining advocate Gina Lopez.

The one-time Ateneo commencement speaker conferred with an Honorary Doctorate in Humanities deprecated mining activities in the island of Palawan in front of a jam-packed Arrupe Convention Hall last 10 November.

Lopez is a poster child for the Save Palawan Movement, a group pushing to put a cap on mining activities in the Philippines, particularly in Palawan.

The anti-mining advocate urged Ateneans to sign up for the “Yes to No to Mining in Palawan” campaign, saying that 10 million signatures are needed for the Save Palawan Movement.

The group will later lobby the signature campaign in the Senate.

The country’s last Lopez reiterated that she was not against all mining, but that it should be banned in “island ecosystems” like Palawan where 17 key biodiversity places, seven protected areas, and two world heritage sites—including the famed Tubataha Reef and the Underground River – are found.

“We’re not Canada, Mongolia, Australia and Chile with deserts and big tracts of land. We’re island ecosystems, you have one accident here, you’re finished!,” explains Lopez.

The Philippines’ last frontier is also home to the country’s few remaining old growth forests.

The country had 90% old growth forests in pre-Hispanic times. But by 2000, only 3% remained—and all are found in Palawan. “That’s why we’re fighting so hard to keep Palawan.

Kinuha na nila [mining companies] lahat,” Lopez adds.

An emotional Lopez said mining will destroy biodiversity in the island: “Mining and logging go together because you cannot mine without cutting trees. Reforestation does not bring back lost biodiversity.”

Currently, two large mining companies are conducting operations in Palawan: Rio Tuba which has been mining in the island for 36 years, and Citinickel whose nickel mining operation is located on top of Palawan’s rice granary.

Threat to biodiversity Lopez presented a study by the Chicago, Illinois-based Field Museum showing the Philippines as a teeming sanctuary of wildlife being one of 17 megadiversity countries—where 70% of the world’s wildlife lives.

The country is also the world’s center of endemism and boasts Sibuyan Island, home to the world’s densest forest, where preponderance of its flora and fauna are found nowhere else.

However, she said that these may eventually disappear, particularly in Sibuyan where 15,808,010 hectares of land had been approved for mining operations and where 35,784,102 hectares are open for mining

applications criss-crossing major agricultural lands and forested areas.

Palawan is currently also suffering a more rigorous battle with mining activities.

In a written report Lopez distributed, Ateneo’s Institute for Environmental Conservation and Research (INECAR) Director Dr. Emelina G. Regis documents that mining companies were able to replant 800,000 trees in 238 hectares of mined-out land in Palawan.

But the non-native species of trees planted pose a greater threat. The toxic tolerant trees transfer the heavy metals in the ground to surface soil through its decomposing leaves and stems. Animals then eat the chemical-laden tree parts.

Dr. Regis also said that mined metals mix with rain water and loosened soil creating a toxic run-off affecting marine organisms found in island ecosystems. “The steep slope [of islands] cause for the run-off to reach the sea and kill marine organisms,” she writes.

The problem is further exacerbated by typhoons. Yearly, 20 typhoons batter the Philippines, making it the world’s most typhoon-hit country.

Heavy downpours caused by typhoons disturb deposits of mined mineral leading to a phenomenon called acid mine drainage—a phenomenon linked to usage of acids like sulfuric acid and cyanide to extract mineral ore.

Run-offs also result in laterite soil, an amalgam of residual metal ore deposits and

Mining | P14

Sunday foils...

By: Lorenzo O. Aye, Jr.

“It was not advertised well,” a participant of this year’s Student Organizations’ Festival (Orgs’ Fest) said in Bikol as the reason why only few students frequented the booths at the Xavier Hall during the event.

According to the participating organizations, the event which was held last 5 to 9 December, was “good.” However, student participation was low.

Student Development and Student Organizations’ Formation and Training Program Officer Trish Penelope Araña said that less than 30 student organizations signed up for the event.

OSA-initiated The Office of Student Affairs (OSA) spearheaded the said event to showcase the different organizations in the university. Araña said that the event was conducted to give the organizations the chance to recruit for the second semester and make profit through Income Generating Projects (IGPs).

She added that this began only last semester but OSA intended to make it an annual affair. She also cleared that this event “should be distinguished from the Supreme Student Government (SSG) sponsored Orgs’ Fair.”

Only the OSA-registered extra- and co-curricular organizations were invited to participate in the event as well as organizations under probationary status.

Time Constraints Initially, the Orgs’ Fest was scheduled for the first week of November but was put off due to time constraints and to give the organizations more time to prepare.

As early as November, OSA started the preparations by sending letters to the organizations and by meeting with them. The office also prepared guidelines for the activity.

Participating organizations, according to Araña, were permitted to put up exhibits and conduct recruitment or IGPs. However, organizations willing to conduct an IGP must submit a concept paper stating the nature of the products and the recipient of the profit.

from page 1

non-Ateneans. He also mentioned that students were “still the top blood donors.”

Form of Heroism “An pagdo-donate ng blood is a form of heroism,” said Virtus. He said that it is heroism “where one needs not to die in order to save a life”.

Virtus considered Dugong Atenista a formation activity for it is a way of thanking God. He even said that donating blood is an active manifestation of sharing one’s blessings.

He also pointed that it motivates people to maintain a healthy lifestyle since donating blood requires one to have health-conscious habits.

Opportunity for recognition Virtus said that prior to the bloodletting activity, OSA provided an orientation to the donors. An awarding ceremony also followed where donors who have donated more than five times were recognized. Among them were College of Arts and Sciences faculty member Juan Bautista Janthe Bagadion who donated ten times, Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (JPIA), EAGLES for Environment, GABAY Scholars’ Organization, Couples for Christ-Youth for Christ (CFC-YFC), Red CrossYouth and Chaplaincy Student Volunteers (CSV).

“Pang eighth time na naming magdonate ng blood since 2007 pero di naman kasi yun ang aim namin. Ang aim namin makatulong,” said EAGLES for Environment President Jerson Miranda.

“It was a celebration, not only of Xavier [Day] but also of the fifth year of Dugong Atenista’s gain and success,” said Virtus. He furthered that it is “an opportunity for us to recognize individuals and organizations who generously responded to our call.”

To end the event, OSA also gave processing sessions after the activity to encapsulate the donors’ experience. Virtus ended that through this, donors will be encouraged to remain constant in supporting the activity.

Few studes partake in Orgs’ Fest

Saving lives. Although short of donors, the Dugong Atenista reached a milestone in its 5th year

of blood letting this semester. The donated blood are used by the Bicol Medical Center for patients needing blood transfusion.

Pillars Archives

DIA studes display masterwork

Very Few “So far, so good,” said Uswag Junior Eagles President Jobert Jarabo when asked about the outcome of the event. He added that it was a venue for the students to know the various organizations in the University. It was also “an opportunity to raise profit [through IGPs].”

Other organizations shared the same view but only the lack of students’ participation became their problem. According to them, very few students came to the venues to sign up or make purchases.

By Alvin Mae M. Badong with reports from Gerald O. Enguero

The University’s Department of Digital Arts and Computer Animation (DACA) celebrated its 10th Ateneo Digital Art and Animation Festival (ADAAF) in salute of another year of innovative efforts undertaken by BS Digital Illustration and Animation (DIA) students in the field of three-dimensional (3D) animations.

This year’s festival was held once again at Arrupe Convention Hall last 17 to 19 November.

A panel of judges, comprised of respected Department of Computer Science alumni, chose from the entries of DIA students for the portfolio of threedimensional (3D) animated videos for the exhibit.

This year’s ADAAF Awards was divided into segments: the Portfolio 2011,

the 3D Fest consisting of the 3D Animated Commercial, the Animated Music Video and the Animated Short Film, and the Ateneo’s Elite Circle of Animators Awards.

The Portfolio 2011 was the collection of the chosen masterworks by students since their first year as DIA students. It displays digital arts from image manipulation, digital painting, & photo montage.

The 3D Fest Awards was a competition for senior DIA students to produce their best output for their last semester in the Ateneo.

Meantime awardees for Ateneo’s Elite Circle of Animators were those senior individuals who had submitted entries in all categories and had exemplary displayed skills in the field receiving awards as

finalists.

Awardees were chosen by BS DIA Alumni through voting.

Ena Francia Manondo’s Innocent Pacifist topped the Portfolio awards. For Animated TV Commercial, Juan Cancio D. Dandal’s Cherifer bagged the grand prize.

The Best Animated Music Video went to Pewee Angelie A. Dolor ‘s Bahid. Meanwhile, Gil Joseph A. Sanchez’s Sanayan lang ang Pagpatay got the grand prize for Best Animated Short Film.

Qualifying for the Ateneo’s Elite Circle of Animators are Gil Joseph A. Sanchez and Pewee Angelie A. Dolor.

Consequently, Ateneo FatherPresident Primitivo E. Viray, Jr. SJ recognized DIA studes | P9

inquiry

6

T

he series of pitched battles between the government and rebel fighters ignited the hoodoo of a peace deal. And despite the government’s swift, decisive actions to clean a nation stained with violence and injustices, peace remains half-perceived.

In fact, the ongoing peace talk among various bodies is being rendered ineffective by the small wiggle room for pursuing the peace without abandoning justice. This happened when the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rejected the peace proposal submitted by the Government of the Philippines (GPH) on 23 August.

The proposal, which was made in response to the MILF’s peace panel proposal in February for a Bangsamoro substate, involves “three important components for one solution to the Bangsamoro problem.” The components include a political settlement or a peace accord with the MILF, massive economic development in Mindanao, and cultural-

historical acknowledgement.

GPH Chief Negotiator Marvic Leonin furthered that the government’s peace proposal does not only provide a “lasting peace to the troubled south” but also pursues an avenue to “heal the wounds of conflict, mobilize and capacitate Bangsamoro leaders and therefore increase understanding among all Filipinos of every ascribed identity.”

On the other hand, the MILF remains firm in vying for independent, sovereign sultanates by which Moros can govern and be governed in their best interest and advancement; launching a substate in Mindanao that gives them the chance to chart their fate, after decades of government negligence, competition over attention, loyalty, and fund source.

A truthful case The 14 year-old struggle for peace can be better understood within the context of historical marginalization of the Islamic groups, called Moros,

by Spain, United States, and the Philippines since its independence in 1946.

It was in January 1987 when the Moro National Liberation Front, from which the MILF was formed, considered the offer of the GPH to give the regions with sovereignty. As a result, the establishment of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) came after. This, however, was rejected by the MILF. In a strange twist, a general cessation of hostilities between the government and the MILF was signed after a decade. However, only three government’s years had passed before the agreement was negligence. abolished by the Philippine Army under former President Joseph Estrada. In effect, ‘Bite the bullet’ the agreement between the two It is strange that the became less probable “roadmap” for peace is yet to For the MILF, the clashes take another spiralling path. between the Filipinos and Moros The MILF, throughout the are a continuing challenge to course of peace negotiations, relented regain sovereignty over their and refused to the government’s for homeland. It implies that several times. The MILF insisted, therefore, the Moros are aiming that there should be a concession on the issue for a state wherein of ancestral domain. This would have almost they could spare been resolved when in 2008 former President themselves Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed the Memorandum from the of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD). The said memorandum entailed the establishing of the Bangsamoro Judicial Entity. Meanwhile, the provisions of the MOA-AD almost paved way to creating ARMM which, once again, resulted in several discrepancies with the context of constitutionality.

Meanwhile, the GPH must observe that mere throwing of details and rules may just lead to the demeaning of government veracity. The government seemingly considers the peace process as mere precondition towards peace, when in fact it is a time-honored responsibility of the government.

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brought about the loss of thousands of lives, destruction of properties, separation of families, and untold sufferings of the communities in Mindanao. The old conflict, in the first place, never happened because of simple disagreement but because of negligence.

The government must not be complacent with maintaining peace only when clashes occur. More so, the government must neither fall short on rescuing

aggrieved families in times of militaryrebel skirmishes, nor fail to promote relevant projects in the South of the archipelago. The welfare of the people must come first.

Indeed, the two parties must learn the lesson that people, aspiring for justice and peace, must work hand in hand for the common Indeed, the good of the people themselves— agreement between the which is the true meaning of GPH and MILF is, time peace. The gap between the and again, undermined two must be viewed in a by different frames. On just prism and fine filter. the one hand the MILF Only through this path says that the proposal will genuine peace be of the GPH is “way achieved. below” their expectations; on the other, the GPH maintains that its provisions are guided by the constitution, thus providing only what is y possible. The government maintains that it only rve a protects the country from division.

H y: “Their [MILF] refusal is a blow to the peace b t process,” said Senator Francis Pangilinan, arguing Ar that the militant group “should not play hardball lest it be tagged a terrorist organization.”

As recent as 18 October, another clash in AlBarka, Basilan left 19 soldiers dead, casting a pale shadow over the already shaky peace process.

Several soldiers were actually captured alive and were killed in the custody of the MILF, or in other words, denied the sanctuary of our Republic Act 9851, also called the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, and the Rome Statute or the charter of International Criminal Court which protect them against “violence of life and person, in particular murder of all kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment and torture.”

“The MILF should be willing to do the same,” furthered the senator.

Absolute Fate The three-decade long rebellion waged within the country has

inquiry

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The

BATTLEfor

TRANSPARENCY

By C hristian S. T aduran

T

he Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill will be prioritized, he once proudly said. As President Benigno Aquino III successfully assumed presidency last June 2010, he promised this much. But to this day, this much remains unreasonably unseen, unfelt, and unheard of.

The right to know The FOI Bill, re-filed by Quezon City 4th District Representative Erin Tañada among others, obliges every government agency to disclose, if not publish en masse, documents, records and data concerning its contracts and projects. Not only does it criminalize acts of defiance by the government, it also stops the culture of secrecy from metastasizing further.

However, no progress had been made since the first version of the FOI bill was filed 19 years ago. Since then, several versions of the FOI bill have been filed and re-filed by its advocates, but its enactment remains farfetched.

The farthest it went was during the Arroyo administration— in the 14th Congress when it won through the bicameral conference committee and the Senate. It stopped, however, in the House of Representatives.

A constitutional right When democracy finally loomed over our country and the 1987 Philippine Constitution was made, our inherent right to information came with it.

As stated under the Bill of Rights, Article III, Section 7, “The right of the people to information on matters of public concern shall be recognized. Access to official records and to documents and papers pertaining to officials’ acts, transactions or decisions, as well as to government research data used as basis for policy development, shall be afforded the citizen, subject to limitations as may be provided by law.”

Furthermore, under the Declaration of Principles and State Policies, Article II, Section 28, “Subject to reasonable conditions prescribed by law, the State adopts and implements a policy of full public disclosure of all its transactions involving public interest.”

However, without support legislation such as an FOI law to back up such inherent rights and punish those who act against it, the rights has been rendered useless.

Ironically, we are a democratic country by name, but not by story. The very foundation of democracy—which is exacting accountability from those we have given the power to lead us and promoting citizen participation in decision-making are not exactly upheld most of the time. The FOI law bolsters our need for a true democratic country.

An FOI law is needed to have a truly democratic country. It is the “backbone” of a democratic country; it is a “premise, a predicate law” as Philippine Center Invetigative Journalism (PCIJ) Executive Director Malou Mangahas puts it. In the same way, corruption does not truly cease unless an FOI law specifically designed to prevent it exists. It is a counterattack to a secretive government.

No transparency If there is one thing the FOI law should be able to stamp out, it is what appears to be a secretive government.

A research conducted by the PCIJ proves that, quite apart from P-Noy’s transparency campaign, there are still a number of government agencies left languishing in the shadows of a culture of secrecy.

The PCIJ sent 35 letters to 27 governments agencies requesting for their Statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALNs), curriculum vitae, and other documents necessary for some agencies. Aside from that, another set of request letters were faxed and 149 follow-up calls were made.

However, only 20 requests were approved out of the 35 letters sent by the PCIJ. While some 23% still have pending disclosures beyond the 15 working days deadline, the remaining 20% knocked out the requests with either inaction or plain buckpassing.

What the current administration has been saying about transparent governance might have gone astray. Surprisingly, the Office of the President turned out to be the one of the agencies stingiest with the information that should otherwise be readily available for public inspection.

The said research also found out that the “integrity agencies” such as the Office of the President and the Ombudsman are the most secretive about their officials’ SALNs and that most of the requests were approved beyond the 10 and 15 working days deadline for SALNs and other documents, respectively. Furthermore, some agencies are said to be tossing requesting parties from one agency to another.

For the people One reason why the Aquino administration is delaying the FOI law is that information might be “misused”.

How the people can misuse public information is still far from being understood.

However, the argument might be coming from a completely different perspective. P-Noy is known to be not very fond of media.

More specifically, he is not very fond of journalists who use government information against his regime; he is not very fond of columnists who say that his governance is in dire need of improvement, if not replacement. The last thing he wants to do right now is to aid his critics.

In any case, that is a selfish decision. An FOI law does not only come close to aiding the media; it comes even closer to aiding the civilians. And that is the first thing P-Noy needs to do right now. Manifested by an FOI law, the people’s constitutional right to government information becomes more substantial.

But, that does not end at acquiring information; it also starts from using such information to help fight corruption. Should an FOI law be enacted, the ordinary civilians will be able to request information and analyze where their taxes go and whether their money is being exhausted into justifiable projects

and contracts. The more information are circulated, the less likely information would be misused as the people are being given the straight facts and not crooked judgements.

On the flipside, the bill will also empower P-Noy’s campaign against corruption. They will be able to zero in on the erring officials who need sanctioning.

Furthermore, the people will be able to separate the chaff from the wheat, the corrupt leader from the honest leader. It is basically reinforcing the people’s trust in the government.

What now?

This year, P-Noy failed to certify Tañada’s version of the bill during the two Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (Ledac) meetings held last 28 February and 16 August because he needed to “balance” the interests of the public and the government. He then formed a committee that would study the advocates’ versions and draft their own version of the bill as well.

It was only last 18 August, after the two Ledac meetings, that the Aquino administration’s version of the FOI bill was filed. Just the same, it is excluded from his list of priority bills. Without the green light from the president, the head of the

Art by

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liberal party, the bill will continue to be stalled.

Long way ahead Since 24 years ago, no FOI law has been enacted. The battle for transparency has apparently gone. From the president’s dillydallying to the Palace’s multiple excuses, an FOI bill might be a hard one to pass.

But in the face of such problems, the fight for an open government should not die down, nor should it diminish in any way. As long as we do not succumb to the whims of the government, as long as our political will does not drown itself in the maelstrom of deceit, the battle does not end.

Sources: http://www.cmfr-phil.org/2011/09/05/ palace-draft-of-freedom-of-info-bill-focus-onrestrictions http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/68015/aquinoon-freedom-of-information-bill-it-might-bemisused http://pcij.org/stories/some-open-spacesmany-closed-corners

Hale sa diary nin sarong makuapo

Kun tano, dae ko man masabutan asin habo niya man sabihon. Alagad, naalang man sana an luha man asin nagpoon na siyang magparaistorya. Kun an mata? ano si saiyang buhay-buhay, kun ano na si mga Pano kun pananom niya sa badang, kun ano si pangaran biglang mapatod an kan bago niyang orig. saiyang hinangos mantang ako Dara kan kagurangan, maluya na an an nakatunga? Pano baya magbareta saiyang boses asin hinaharamil niya na an mga nin kagadanan? tataramon. Alagad makusog man giraray siyang magkakan. Naubos niya tulos su manggang dara 28 Mayo mi.

Hale ka sa alpog asin sa alpog ika mabalik. (Genesis 9:13) Dae naghaloy nasibot naman kami pauli *** nin huli ta banggui na asin ciertong pighahalat na Para sa makuapo na nagtataram sa diary, ini sarong personal kami sa harong. na bersyon nin fairy tale. Sosog saiya, igdi tunay na maninigo Dae ko na maguiromdoman kun ano su an ending na “and they live happily ever after”. Bako nin huli ta mga huring tataramon na binutasan ni nanay nagpadagos an buhay kan saiyang lolahon kundi nin huli ta tuninong na samuya. ngunyan an kalag kan lola niyang si Soledad.

Garo mga aking sadit, an mga taong nakidumamay poon kan 15 Mayo maratay si Soledad sagkod na siya maputulan nin hinangos, nagtubod sa Nag-agui an pirang semana bago kami mahika nin asusuge, na ini mapangyayaring ibalik an kusog kan iguwa asin buminalik sa lugar kun saen mayo nang masabat palabaon pa an saiyang buhay sa tahaw nin kagurangan. samong gurang na may tambod sa payo, labakara Nag-asa man sinda na maipapamana sa kun siisay man na masuwerte na nakasabit sa baga asin daeng pundo sa pagan asusuge asin iyo ini an magiging kasimbagan sa saindang mga limitasyon. istorya.

Kun may magmana kan asusuge ni Soledad, maipapadagos man an mito na Baldado na si nanay, sosog sa samong mga posible an maging imortal o mabuhay nin lampas sa normal na edad. kapinsanan. Hararom an saiyang pagkaturog, Alagad an istoryang ini, totoo man o bako, patunay na an ibang mga sarado an mga mata alagad nagpipintig pa an komunidad, nagtitinir man giraray sa suanoy na pagtubod na dae nanggad puso. Dae na siya nagsisimbag. Dae niya na kami maipaliwanag o luwas sa pagkasabot. Asin minsan an mga pagtubod na iniyo iyo bisto.Tibaad kaiba niya na an mga tawong lipod an nagiging patugmadan kan pananarig. Ini an nagiging relihiyon kan siring na na saiyang mga katood sa balyong salog nin buhay. komunidad. An mga taong may siring na pagtubod, maaapod na mga archaic man.

Bago mag-puli, pinurbaran mi siyang Sosog sa librong Cultural Anthropology, “Basically magic and religion have certain kaolayan ta tibaad magsimbag pa man. Alagad similarities. Both arose from emotional and psychological needs for which people find no rimong-rimong na sana baya an saiyang appropriate solutions or answers.” binutasan.

Nin huli ta nagdadanay an pagmate konta rason, nakukumbinsi an sarong tawo na uyunan na sana an sarong pagtubod. Sa kaso ni Soledad, napatos nin mito asin manlaen16 Mayo laen na superstitions an saiyang pakikipaglaban sa kagadanan nin huli ta siya bisto man na Luminalala pa an kundisyon ni nanay. parasantigwar. Dapat ekstraordinaryo man an saiyang pagbaya sa buhay.

Dinara na siya sa ospital. Amay-amay pa lang, Alagad kun nadipisilan man si Soledad na butsanan an saiyang hinangos, ini nin huli binareta ni mama na nagpundo na daang maghiro sa saiyang sikolohikal na puwersa na puwede suboot na nagpupugol saiya na magpationod sa an saro sa mga ugat kan saiyang utak. Dae ko sabot kagadanan. Nahaloy na magpundo an saiyang pulso nin huli sa saiyang boot na mabuhay. an medikal na implikasyon kan siring na bareta.

Tibaad ngani dae pa siya handa na sabaton an katapusan. Dae pa gayod siya handang bayaan an saiyang mga aki asin makuapo. Igwa pa gayod siyang mga itinambon na sikreto na boot 17 Mayo niyang iheras kun para man lang sa ikakatuninong kan saiyang kalag.

Kan nag-uli an samong mga magurang “It is time that the Filipino come to realize his own ability, that what he has is not a mysterious, ngunyan na banggui, binareta ninda na pigluwas paranormal, supernatural, unmanageable something but a real power, controllable, researchable, na daa si nanay sa ospital. Dae nin huli ta rahay normal,” sosog ki Jaime Bulatao sa saiyang artikulo na Altered States of Consciousness in Philippine na siya kundi mayo nang maguinibo an mga Religion. parabulong.

An pagtubod sa asusuge sarong pagnegar sa sadiring kakusugan nin tawo. Ini Sabi ninda, kan nag-agui daa si ambulansya pagnegar na iguwa kita nin mga limitasyon, partikular na an kagadanan. Ata na sa tunggod kan harong, naghiro si nanay asin Kan enot na panahon, may sarong 1 Mayo Hona ko huri na an pagsantigwar sa mga ngani ta ini satong kinatatakutan asin pig-iiwasan. nagbula an nguso, pirit na napapataram na garo babae na an ngaran Soledad* na nakaistar Kun magbisita ako sa Santiago**, dae kayang guibohon ni nanay. Dae palan. Kaya niya Alagad, dawa anong iwas ta igdiyo, ini tuyong maabot. Sosog baga boot sabihon na diyan nakaistar an saiyang sa sarong kubo sa tahaw nin badang sa kumpleto kun dae ko mahiling si nanay (apod man palan labanan an kagadanan. ngani ki Sophocles, “There is nothing greater than man, but, mga makuapo. sarong dae bistong baryo. mi sa samong lolahon)— si nanay na pirang Kaiba an sakong tugang, nagbisita kami against death, he has no cure.”

Comatose na dapat siya. Kun hahaleon an Si Soledad may agom asin beses mi sanang makaibanan sa sarong istaran, ngunyan sa Santiago.

Saro lang talaga an swero na nagsusugpon sa saiyang buhay, tulos na sinda may anom na aki na anas si nanay na paraistorya, si nanay na malanit pinakarason kan samong pagduman—gusto daa *dae totoong pangaran an paghayop kan saiyang hinangos. nagdarakula, nakakua nin sadiring makakudot, si nanay na paramámá, si nanay na kaming mahiling ni nanay. **dae totoong pangaran kan Alagad kabaliktaran su nangyari ta dawa mga prinsipe asin nag-araki parasantigwar.

Palibhasa, haloy mi naman siyang dae baryo hinale na su suwero, padagos man giraray an mantang an saindang ina nagtinir Kun pirang beses ko siya nadalan nahihiling, maogma kaming duminalagan pasiring pagbaba-taas kan saiyang daghan dawa napapagal sa saiyang kubo sa tahaw kan magsantigwar, dae ko na mabilang. Basta tanda sa saiyang istaran, halos trenta minutos na biyahe asin maluway. badang, naghahalat na magsara ko an paghapiyap niya sa maitom na medalyon an rayo hale sa samong eneerukan..

Asusuge. an kurtina asin magluwas an (agimat daa) bago magpoon, an pagsukol Pagbaba mi sa dyip, sinabat tulos kami kan Asusuge daa an nagsusumpay sa saiyang “The End”. niya kan bitis gamit an dahon nin niyog (kun mahiwas na kaomahan. Nilakaw mi an halipot buhay.

Halat. Bako ining dae pantay an sukol, nakaigo man nanggad na basug asin sa puro sinabat kami kan samong An asusuge, sosog sa sakong nadangog fairy tale. Mayong happy an pigsasantigwar), an paglahid niya nin lana tiyahon. sa orolay-olay kan mga gurang, sarong klase nin ending igdi. An istorya sa latang pinggan asin pagpapaariw kaini Diit man sana an pinagbago kan lugar puon pananom na pigtutubudan na kayang magpugol sa hale sa sarong makuapo sa ibabaw kan sulo nin kandila. Pagkatapos kan huri ming pagbisita. An mga kaharungan kagadanan asin kayang mintenaron an kusog kan asin nagpoon… maariwan,mamansayan niya an pinggan, nakatugdok sa mahalnas na basud, guwardyado sarong tawo sa tahaw kan paggurang.

Taon dos mil riripasohon na maray sagkod na mabuo an nin mga poon nin kahoy. Yaon pa man giraray Arog kan pagiging asuwang, ini puwedeng otso, bulan nin Mayo. manlaen-laen na katauhan. an kadakulang mangga na may nakaistar daang manahon.

Igwa man ini nin manlaen-laen na kolor.

Tag-init. Nagpapakol Nakaigo ka nin tawong lipod nene. Udoy kapre, an poon nin pili na kuripot magbunga, an Pula,puti, itom. An kay nanay puti daa. Mahahali an matinding o, nakatindog sa may salog. Naigo mo gayod mga kahoy na lokal na bersyon nin strawberry. An sana an asusuge kun an tawong iguwa kaini financial crisis sa su istaran. Dae ka gayod nagpatabi bago ka daga duman malaboy asin mahalnas kun tag-uran Ni: mainom o kakarigoson nin suka na hale sa niyog. banwaan.

Igdi nagkarigos kaya naanggot saimo. asin maalpog kun tag-init.

Chr ist Sa kairaruman kan banggui , pigsubol ako ine mabagsak an An aking pigsasantigwar matango-tango Duminiretso tulos kami sa estaran nin M ae na bantayan si nanay.

Mabuhat kaya siya?

Mataram kurtina para asin an magurang hihilingon nin matarom an aki sarong tiyaon kun saen nakikidagos si nanay.

Ma ria nin huring tugon? Ipapasa an asusuge sa kun siisay no kay Soledad. nin huli ta nagkarigos palan nin daeng paaram.

Tuminuro an luha ni nanay kan kami mahiling.

CUE

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the collaborative efforts of individuals responsible for producing “skillful students” possessing the potential to promote animation in Naga City.

According to DACA Chairperson Fr. Danilo Isidro the World Bank had inquired about degree courses offered in Ateneo, exploring opportunities for students from other countries to engage in the field of 3D animation.

Isidro said that the University does not offer short courses; however, he said that “it takes time to learn and master skills needed in 3D animation”. He added that this

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contact with the staffs of other campus publications.

the Middle East where professionals of their kind are highly in demand.

He added that there is no imminent need for them to go abroad to find high-quality animators because many skillful individuals are present in Naga City. “We just need evolution in exploration of these skills through companies and institutions for future career makers in this field,” he ended.

Finally, Fuy was a friend unlike any other. He could see, in his own fashion, into the hearts of others, but was more readily moved to sympathy and understanding than to scorn. He could easily notice if any of us were going through rough times, and would be ready with open ears, mind and arms.

He understood, probably more so than the rest of us, that the publication was

is because they want to produce competent students who have the capability on par with the best in the field.

According to Digital Artist League in Ateneo President Daryl R. Layson, Ateneo animators have won numerous awards through the years. He said that many of these award-winning and “animazing” animators are now employed in animation and computer game companies, production houses and TV networks in Metro Manila.

He added that a growing number of graduates are now working in Singapore, the United States, Canada and

DIA studes display...

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Though we could scarcely believe the news, we clung to what little hope and solace we had left. Fuy had entrusted the publication

He was gone by early morning on the next day.

In these and in many other matters Fuy became dear to those who knew him. Thus, the hour of his passing, unexpected as it came, landed like a heavy blow on our morale; more so because of the circumstances prior. Barely twelve hours before he died of cardiac arrest, he dropped by at ThePILLARS office to give some urgent reminders and designate lastminute tasks for an upcoming activity. He was his usual self: businesslike on publication matters, but hearty and never skimping on his laughter. That was the evening of November 11.

people who could think and feel. He understood the needs of different kinds of people. He was there through the best and the worst. To many of us here at ThePILLARS, he was an elder brother or a father. He kept the ship afloat no matter the storm we faced.

ThePILLARS@50 Sadi from page 1 t l a n i g n Jusa ing s n Be the fact remains that akon ned K ict M a it’s so difficult to have s g u i s o Biko l-Na las to write about the dead, kan s gpon lan berso. ga especially if the dead asin akong d g meant a lot to you in life. ila may Gerardo Piamonte o naisu nin lan Jr. was officially part of this publication’s masthead for five man rat ko sa gkaw; years.

But non-permanence of tang na n tenure did not stop him from a gpap (par putting in another year of guidance a sa a tindi nin s Mag and assistance; a year that, sadly, i n uind mga bik g k proved to be his last. otso w anao tima enta n g k M a y k n Turu tang assa andi We at ThePILLARS knew him mah cre) a l a n i as Fuy, a dear friend, and as Fuy, one of i mus rog pa a n h guiro g mat iling a mos nm the best editors to devote his college life m u n kan ga dum to the publication.

He was both friend and isip ninong mga m sind on... , na in a Maa a ma mentor in one package.

This proved true t a kam ng asin osen g from the day he took his post as Managing o a Mal ahon. gharale ng nagh n mga te m ipot Editor, until his final term as a Senior Editor. . ga ti kagh . ahal Mab He had the uncanny knack of being either n s aron at a bit nin p umbo a amicable or authoritative at the right moments. b aagi klay sa g i k i t na tula ha m asin sog na m k. na kaag tubi n an su agapo; Fuy was a thorough and efficient Managing espa un s Cinc ay su g, log k n d a a Editor.

The rest of the editorial board was thus able u a l e t o inais sa sa an num nta y to preoccupy themselves with the technical aspects pang s s e a kal of the publication, while he took charge of operations. tugd ro kan iete dug lamp ayo. o. m o T n He could turn potentially disastrous situations into a g a w a no su b a la apud an Mah anin unique opportunities for the publication to further g o o l i a anap n p n ku n ma ot pa ot .

Sind exercise its function as a public trust. None of us could kaka n k y a nind d m D non uta na plan ahead for or troubleshoot problems in our activities u a m g a linig o e t atin a nin p tang n quite like him. a g , bado mah anin mai ao, s u g ? mal Fuy also passionately advocated campus press iwan sa pagSa s og. tang ba-hub a u a a a r freedom and the development of campus journalism skills. It gira g a l n i b ay n may kan s ing ba ray n man was as if he could never stress enough to us how important a n a naka agduru pagtug training was. He reminded us to keep our skills sharp. He also Nam aindong lnawan d l p a o believed that it was our duty, as the flagship publication of the a, n, a i n naka ob, r an lu a na sa a.

College Editors Guild of the Philippines – Bikol, to reach out to h n asin tika a other college-level campus publications in the region and provide a asin assistance and training where we could. And this assistance often Cinc si iba bi n a made g an d tada entailed assessing the situation of campus publications in Bikol. of people; inar uenta y lang na ugta Fuy would always help us renew our commitment to stay vigilant of ado wara siyet living, breathing .

N sa campus press freedom violations through his example of maintaining e .

Fuy was an ordinary man, who chose to rise above the ordinary and perform extraordinary works. He worked for his fellow students, his fellow youth, and his countrymen.

And he did so not upon behest, but out of his own decision to address what he perceived as the needs of the times. He gave and shared in the best way possible; without being asked to.

to u s , even in the past years. He knew that his days as part of the publication had drawn to a close, yet he constantly made efforts to ensure that those who still had years to remain as campus journalists would be able to stay true to their responsibilities. He made efforts, even as an alumnus of this publication, so that ThePILLARS and the Bikolano campus press as a whole would survive and continue to grow.

In life, he embodied the oft-spoken descent from one’s ivory tower. And even unto his final days, he chose to help others and serve rather than be served. He kept the people inside ThePILLARS together year after year, growing in his responsibilities and helping us grow in ours. He remained a friend beyond his role as a mentor and superior.

Above and Beyond...

OPINION

10 HORNS FOR HALOS Christian S.Taduran

hornsforhalos@thepillarspub.com

Naked Truth Kill the journalists.

It balances what biologists call the ecosystem. It slices a large number from our ever growing population. It feels good to those who feel bad about their big sums of money being revealed to be illegally earned.

It’s a good thing journalists don’t get extinct, though. Because if they do—never mind the news articles brought right to our doorsteps every day, never mind the live reports they deliver heroically under a raging downpour every now and then—we would see nothing, hear nothing other than false truth our leaders have worked very hard to come up with. Alas, truth would hide better than the prime suspect in Ramgen Bautista’s murder.

Truth is, as though making a living out of pelts, hunting journalists and silencing them for good have always been a famous job, a common hobby if you will. What with all the blow-by-blow reports about it, that is one truth we should now all be familiar with. Indeed, media killing is already ugly by name, but it is even uglier by story. And the ugly stories keep coming, such as the infamous Maguindanao massacre. Indeed, it was already an atrocious way of disposing 32 pesky journalists en masse, but the figures surrounding it and the other media killings are even more atrocious. And the atrocious figures keep coming, but they don’t get any more comforting.

As of press time, it has already been more than 720 days since the Maguindanao massacre; more than 55 days since the daughter of a Palawan broadcaster was abducted. On 24 January 2011, Palawan Broadcaster Gerardo Ortega was shot dead in Puerto Princesa City. Six days later, Broadcaster Cirilo Gallardo’s decomposing body was found in Bangued, Abra. On 24 March, another broadcaster, Marina FloresSumera, was killed in Malabon City. On 13 June, Iriga Broadcaster Romeo Olea was also killed while on his way to work. Six days earlier, Radio Commentator Jerome Tabanganay was physically assaulted by a governor who also threatened him with death. On 28 October, a Philippine Daily Inquirer correspondent was reported to have also been receiving death threats. Generally, there have already been 146 media killings since 1986; 104 under then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo; 5 under President Benigno Aquino III. And there are still more.

These figures speak of the obvious truth—that our penchant for killing journalists apparently doesn’t promote a culture of transparency. Rather, it promotes a culture of secrecy. It’s either you die or keep the truth from leaking, seeping into our society.

A journalist in a corrupt, unforgiving, and secretive society is like a farmer living in a barren land. It’s either you die or keep struggling, yearning for survival. Not only does it explicitly give the journalists little or no amount of information, not only does it implicitly place restrictions on things that are supposed to be all-out, it also kills them along the way. And like bleached bones buried six feet under the ground, justice isn’t always particularly served most of the time. This does not only promote a culture of secrecy, it also raises the glass for no less than a culture of impunity.

In this case, the journalist is synonymous with the truth, with the burning passion to set that thick layer of secrecy on fire and bring out the truth forthwith. You see, this is exactly why journalists are murdered right in their beds. At the very least, they are truth-seekers and truth-givers, and an excellent lot at that.

Unfortunately, truth, however needed, doesn’t come free in a democratic country; no, not even in the ballpark of being cheap. Truth is costly, somewhere in the ballpark of being deadly.

Because no leader would want truth if he has something hidden up his sleeves, something that reeks of political stench. Truth to the corrupt is like a pesticide to a cockroach; truth to the self-serving is like a warrant of arrest to a prime suspect.

At the very most, journalists are the police and the judges we never had. They merely hold the power of the pen but they want truth just as much as the police, and sometimes even more. They merely hold the power of the written words, but they know who gets justice and who gets punishment just as much as the judges, and sometimes even more. The only difference is that they don’t get swayed by a sudden blow of bribery. And that difference makes the corrupt all the more inclined to silence them.

Every day, journalists from around the world are being killed. One is being slapped with several death threats; the other being covertly tailed down the dark street; and the rest being shot in the head right away. In fact, there’s just too many of them that media killing has already normalized, tangling with the daily events of our lives.

But this is not just a problem of the journalists, or the young journalists in training.

It is also our problem. You kill what’s left of our journalists, you kill what’s left of the truth.

You kill the source of the truth, you shut the whole system down. And there’s nothing more favorable to the corrupt and the self-serving than a democratic country that takes in the best-dressed lies more than it takes in the naked truth.

STRAIGHT CONVOLUTIONS

Jeremy M. Badong

straightconvolutions@thepillarspub.com

The ‘little girl’ who cried wolf

GMA is like the boy who cried wolf, only this time the high court believed her trickery.

That in her guise as the underdog in an infamous battle between her and the Palace, the high court compelled the government to pay for her hospital bills and even give the accused a VIP treatment.

Why should tax payers’ money earmarked for education and health care services be spent on an alleged vote rigging ex-president—one whose crime was not as appalling to her deceased 2004 presidential opponent as it was to the Filipino people

who had to suffer a nine year tyrannical rule.

Never mind that FPJ never got his presidential stint, but to pass the burden of paying for her hospital bills to the innocent is adding insult to an already gangrenous wound.

It is a slap of impunity by the person who is alleged—though most evidence point to her—to be the mastermind of media killings, billions of dollars in corruption and many more crimes that are unfathomable to even mention.

COUP DETACHED Christine Mae E. Mariano

coupdetached@thepillarspub.com

First and last

What kind of happiness comes from being the first?

I ask this to the achievers, the athletes, the accountants, the engineers, the nurses, the psychologists, the philosophers, the professionals and all other rank-oriented personnel who comprise this university and who, in turn, contribute to the maintenance of an academically-competent environment for all of us.

What does it take to be second to none?

I ask this again, though many have asked before, in light of the recent triumphs granted to this school.

The Ateneo animators team, for one, won several major awards in the Animahenasyon 2011 with their short films Sanayan lang ang Pagpatay, Paano Hulihin ang Araw and other animated works. These creative people must have toiled for many sleepless nights just to get things right; and they have earned rightly their rewards.

The Ateneo Golden Knights, for another, bagged its fourth championship title against the NCF Tigers in the 7th Naga City Intercollegiate Tournament, an event which drew hundreds of ervent supporters. “Go! Ateneo!” was the battle cry of the winners.

Our athletes must be happy. They’ve earned the fruits of their rigid practices and numerous sacrifices. The time which they could have spent for an extra hour with their friends, their families and their acad books, went instead to an hour or more of dribbling that ball and targeting the basket.

In the end it’s worth all the trouble.

Another ace is Jerome Austria who topped the October CPA Licensure Examination with a 94% score. In an examination that is nerve-wracking, toilsome and where many are at stake, who could be happier among the takers but the person who beats them all?

I ask you again: what kind of happiness comes from being first?

To you who responds that it is a fulfilling happiness, read no more. You do not deserve my folly.

To you who think that it is an empty happiness, why? Why still do you labour if being on top means nothing? Does achievement always make somebody happy even if it was forced?

The student population may well be divided among the slackers and the truly dedicated. There are those who strive for awards just to please the parents. The same

Juan Dela Cruz has already suffered enough. Nine years of incessant inflation, flagrant corruption that dried up public coffers and a regime worst than Marcos’ is more than enough a suffering for the Filipino people.

So it comes into question as to why the high court, supposedly the bastion of justice, is so lenient—almost protective—of Arroyo.

When Erap was incarcerated for plunder, he was stripped of his political rights as befitting a criminal. However, the ‘little girl’ obviously has tricks up her sleeves, placing her pawns in the right office—one of judiciary connections--at the last minute. If this isn’t a blatant bending of laws, I don’t know what is.

As if this wasn’t enough, Arroyo was to be accorded with “courtesies” to the extent that her Presidential suite at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) had to go a “minor renovation” upon the order of Pasay Judge Jesus Mupas.

What renovation does it need when according to VMMC Hospital Director Nora Legaspi, “no one has used the suite since Erap, but it has been properly maintained.”?

To what cost does “minor renovation”

people who pressed them to take an unwanted path are the same people they feel compelled to appease.

No one permanently belongs to one category. At some point, you, who are dedicated slack off and you, who are slackers, might become dedicated, depending on the circumstances.

To achieve something, you, the dedicated, would spend 90% a day for studying or practicing, 5% for meals and 5% for sleep (a slight exaggeration). You are willing to give up a moment of peace or a moment with friends or refuse to volunteer for community service because you are overly occupied with what you want to reap or with what marks to make in history.

But how many of you will also throw away your wreaths in order to serve the poor and the needy?

The main character’s mother from the Rule of Four* said, “People spend their lives wanting things they shouldn’t. The world confuses them into taking their love and aiming it where it doesn’t belong. All it takes to be happy is to love the right things, in the right amounts. Not money, not books. People. Adults who don’t understand that never feel fulfilled.”

People. People create true happiness and receive them.

What is the use of achievement if you isolate yourself from the society that needs your participation? You may not have a number one branded on your chest but you can be the number one among the common masses.

That is, if you will yourself to be.

Remember magis and cura personalis?

These, I think, are the Atenean principles behind extending a hand to the needy and simply being there when the time and the situation calls for you to be.

A simple youth—a youth who knows and fights for his rights, a youth who studies because his acquired knowledge will be useful to the country someday—would not only study but appreciate the value of life at the same time. It is not on figures alone that we will find true happiness and satisfaction but on how we spend our lives.

Being an Atenean is more than being an achiever. An Atenean is a volunteer. An Atenean must not only excel in whatever undertaking he or she chooses but must also be first among the hearts of his or her companions and among the ordinary people.

One teacher asked the class once…

What is more important: getting ahead or getting a life? *Authors Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason

mean when the average Filipino family is already lucky enough to come close to a 25 square meter living room furnished with a sofa, three 10 sitting dining tables, a kitchen, and a staff room with a common bathroom?

To what cost does “minor renovation” mean when 1/3 of the average Filipino families have barely enough to put a roof over their head because the funds to build their homes were stashed to private personal off-shore accounts?

To what cost does “minor renovation” mean when the average Filipino dies in a rustic public hospital because four billion pesos of the PCSO fund supposedly to cover the hospital bills of the poor had been milked dry?

To what cost does “minor renovation” mean when the average Filipino farmer cannot even feed himself the rice he had tilled because 728 million pesos contracted for fertilizers had fattened up not his crops, but the pockets of the ‘little girl’ and her lackeys?

Arroyo is the ‘little girl’ who cried wolf, only this time, she was the wolf herself.

opinion REALM OF FANCY Jeff Rey T. Sto. Domingo

realmoffancy@thepillarspub.com

Redeeming martyrs

“Still it would not make much difference/ If I fall and succumb among rubbish,/ To be interred by worm and weed/ Without trace, without name”— Emman Lacaba, youth patriot and martyr of the 70’s They are no less than the saints. They are the workers of justice who never played second fiddle to any master but the pursuit of a just social order. They are the journalists who proclaimed the truth at gunpoint. They— young patriots like Lacaba, the 58 blameless victims of the two-year old Maguindanao bloodbath, and those whose convictions cost them their lives—are the martyrs of Rizal’s supposedly promised land.

At first glance, they are those whose purpose caused them their martyrdom. Had it not been for denouncing the oppressive structures of the society or had it not been for wanting change to happen (cliché as it sounds), they would have not risked their lives. They could have remained silent anyway; but if not for their paradoxically “glorious” martyrdom, the government could have never been aware that bloodshed is taking place right in the bosom of the nation.

Still, they are no less than martyrs of the masses. Paying the ultimate price of their actions, they—youthful activists, outspoken critics, and student journalists— have always stood by the masses. They are those who fearlessly promoted what is due to the underprivileged: their rights, their lands, shelter, just compensation, liberty, opportunities, and quality education.

But unlike the eminent saints of whichever faith, they—the real martyrs—do not have magnificent shrines that draw flocks of pilgrims. For, in the first place, we do not singlehandedly build great edifices for our martyrs through which we can venerate them.

We do not merely place candles over their graves to honor them in their feast. Neither should we endlessly mourn over their tombs or just simply “move on” right after. The martyrs deserve justice, too. And so, any Nero must pay the price of justice to any Peter.

Justice, however, does not come by taking away all arms from every slayer and not even by imposing martial rule as we saw it. For, if we were able to do so, we will only eliminate the peripherals of killing and not really the core of it. By then, slayers will again start to have guns and thrive anew. Thus, it will just be too late to start scavenging for justice once more.

More precisely, that which demands justice demands struggle. That struggle is something which the martyrs will never be practically able to carry on by themselves. It

is then an extra piece of burden left to us for whom they died. It constitutes striking the heart of the wrongful systems that martyred them. And at the least, the struggle for justice should come in the form of the sword of justice per se and, above all, by virtue of law.

It must be carried out in the soonest possible time, without needless delay as it has been with the case of the Maguindanao massacre victims. The struggle must be a relentlessly waged battle just as relentless has been the martyrs’ death.

Then again, we have learned enough that Hitler would not be able to amass power and execute six million martyr Jews if it weren’t for those who sided with him. That is what Johann Christoph Arnold is exactly pointing out: “as light cannot share space with darkness, so good and evil cannot coexist, and we must, therefore, decide which side we will take.” If we are not for the martyrs—young patriots like Lacaba, the 58 blameless victims of the two-year old Maguindanao bloodbath, and those whose convictions cost them their lives—then we are surely against them.

Nevertheless, as Georg Hegel put it (taking his words not in the context of philosophy nor faith), what we certainly need are “heroes of action” and not martyrs for the next generation. This land has been teeming with martyrs more than enough. And for that reason, there is no more need to add to the numbers of our martyrs. There is no more need to have the news of human carnage make headlines across the nation. Those who have been martyred are enough to serve as immortal epitomes of patriotism and social democracy.

They—heroes of action—are what we need and what we should become. As heroes of action—activists, writers, artists, workers, students, farmers, and whosoever—it is a sacred responsibility to advocate the truth.

The truth is that we need to awaken the society from its slumber, to create a new social order, and to advance social democracy in place of the looming lumpenkapitalismus.

And all the same, if all these things will really have to be achieved, heroes themselves must be convinced of the rightness of what they are doing: “It is enough that the beloved masses awake: / Break from this rotting prison!/ Build a nation of light, yes!/ Light from within…

Acknowledgment to Lacaba’s poem If I die

Nothing loved is ever lost. You’ll remain forever in our hearts, tatay Fuy. in Memoriam

Gerardo “Fuy” DL. Piamonte, Jr. 07 May 1988-12 November 2011

11 THE GAMBLER’S FATE Rica Rose V. Pacardo

gamblersfate@thepillarspub.com

Murdered Democracy You paralyze the essence of protests; in a way, you undermine the soul of democracy.

When progressive sectors united to conduct the campout movement to Mendiola last 6 December, they were carrying one simple aim: to let people see that through the years, the scene has always been the rich taking advantage of the poor. Through the years, our political system has always favored the minority— the 1% richest Filipinos (185,000) with a combined income equivalent to the income of the poorest 30% (5.5 million).

Yet through years, we’ve taken this as a cliché which needs no attention at all.

Occupy Mendiola was a consolidated movement of progressive youth, women, peasants, farmers and workers to echo out the urgent and vital issues we have to address— budget cuts in education and social services, lack of a genuine land reform, lack of jobs and violation of human rights. It wanted to educate and mobilize more and more people to fight towards genuine change. It wanted to free the Filipinos from long years of bondage.

However at the end of the second day of protest, ironically falling on the week of International Human Rights celebration, many were injured due to the violent dispersal made by the fully-equipped state police. Protesters were blocked, water-cannoned, hit by truncheons, dragged, injured and harassed. At least five were arrested for they were allegedly “inciting sedition”. And at the end of the day, all the Palace can do was to call them copycats.

Occupy Mendiola was not a mere show of force nor a replica of the worldwide undertaking of progressive groups to raise political consciousness, the “Occupy Wall Street” which started in US. It served as inspiration for Filipinos to stand against national crises.

Deaf, blind, lame. By neglecting large demonstrations like this, the Aquino Administration abandons not only the protest but also the issues it carries. It doesn’t seem to be threatened especially now that it continuously enjoys the flying approval ratings it receives after riding the anti-Arroyo craze.

It shows how bleak tomorrows will be if today only few will stand up for their legitimate rights.

The campout aims to remind us that the truest struggle in this society is not between Arroyo and the Filipino; it is not Corona vs. the Filipinos; it is the Filipinos vs. the rotten system of governance.

Through the decades, protests have been a never-ending show in the streets.

Worse, it has become a repeatedly played movie that, for some, has no lesson at all— one reason why the administration gains confidence; a reason why Aquino seems not to be threatened by massive movements.

Because of the fascist system, the People— the motivation for demonstrations and the ones these protesters serve—has also grown afraid to speak up.

Protests have been a symbol of democratic rights and the people’s antipathy not only in the Philippines. It is driven by one simple and practical reason—people are fed up and have grown tired of the cycle of injustices.

However, when the moment comes that protests are already regarded as useless by the people itself, the moment the fascist government have stopped the march, that’s the moment you kill the truest sense of our long-fought democracy.

You paralyze the essence of protests, you trim down the echoing voices in the streets, you do not just undermine the soul of democracy—you murder it.

x o VAtene o

On Yue Yue’s death (the two-year old Chinese girl hit by a car) “Garo mayo sindang pagmalasakit sa mga kapareho nindang Chinese. Feeling ko, dawa maunlad ang China, dai man giraray makocompare ang magagayon na qualities kang mga Pilipino na dawa naghihirap na, mahihiling pa giraray ang pagtabang sa kada saro. Miski papano proud pa giraray ako sa pagiging Pilipino.”—Diana Cuibillas, 1 BS A

“Naging pabaya yung ina sa anak niya. Sino ba namang magulang ang hahayaan ang anak niya mag-isa? Tapos matagal pa bago niya nalaman yung aksidente. Yung mga taong dumaan, wala man lang pakialam. Ang pangit talaga ng ugali ng mga Chinese. Natural lang kasi sa kanila ang di makialam.”—Ricianne Yanto, 1 AB BS DC

“Kung Pilipino lang yan, tutulungan yan.”— Karla Borja, 1 BS Bio “It’s pathetic. Basically because 18 people passed without giving a d*mn. I can remember the gay who shot his sixteen-year old boyfriend and the people at SM did not even give a f*ck.

It resembles same with this one.”—Cyrus Buenaventura, 4 AB BS DC On Gloria’s medical leave

“Dai tamang dai pahalion kasi sabi ngani sa batas pwedeng dai pahalion pag threat siya sa public safety and public health. Eh dai man siya threat,

eh tano dai sya papahalion? Mas may weight itong side na base sa Philippine Constitution.”— Aimee Masaluñga, 4 BS Psych “Okay lang na umalis siya pero dapat may security siya para makauwi na siya dito sa Pilipinas para paniguradong di siya makakatakas.”—May Nograles, 1 AB Broadcasting

“Akin lang, parang wala siyang tiwala sa kakayahan ng Pilipinas manggamot. Marami siyang tinatakasan dito kaya siya aalis.”—Shain Leron, 1 AB Broadcasting Dear P-Noy

“Kung bibigyan ka ng pagkakataon na ibalik panahon, pipiliin mo pa ba maging president o hindi na?”—Tessa Noora, 2 BS BSE

“In your two years of being a president, anong mga masasabi mo sa mga taong walang bilib sa’yo?”—Pamela Tolentino, 3 AB Pol Sci “Tano po mayo pa giraray pag asenso ang Pilipinas?”—Jill Rosales, 2 AB BSE

“P-noy, bakit hindi mo kayang i-implement ang all-out war sa Mindanao sa kabila ng kaliwa’t kanang patayan?”—Glenn Consulta, 3 BS IT

FEATURES

12 Tangled:

How Gloria Lost Her Glory

By E llen M ae L. F ajardo

T

he old princess was creating a ditch way out for “better” medication, while controversies slowly shape the puzzle we once refused to solve. Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is finally being investigated and mobbed by the cases that were filed against her.

January 2010. No wonder the PCSO received complaints on their bankruptcy. Previous board members who are said to be involved in the case were named.

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Let Down Your Hair We are near to what was expected of CGMA, the then accused to have committed electoral sabotage and possible cases of election irregularities, plunder, corruption and human rights violation. Arroyo would be held accountable for these filed charges as ensured by justice secretary Leila De Lima. The justice system is knocking for fair and consistent investigation regarding Arroyo’s iniquity.

It was the ‘Hello Garci’ scandal that paved way on probing Arroyo’s administration. Contrary to what Arroyo pleaded “I am sorry,” Virgillio Garcillano denied that it was him talking over the phone.

The phone patch contained Arroyo updating “Garci” about the 2004 election results.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) expressed that Garcillano’s denial on this evidence simply means that he is still under the ‘payroll’ of Arroyo. BAYAN Secretary general Renato Reyes, however, has high hopes in having both Arroyo and Garcillano

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detained. “The denial isn’t surprising,” he said. He added that it will not weaken their efforts to make these people accountable for the fraudulent 2004 polls.

Many have stepped forward in taking their witness stands against the previous Arroyo administration. Every Filipino is bound by the constitution, whether it’s part of the political system or not.

Institute for the Leadership and Advancement of Women Inc. Officer in Charge Veronica Beranquit cited data that Arroyo’s administration got higher percentages of violence women, 75 percent from 20092010.

Another data from Philippine National Police’s Women and Children Protection Center in 2009 recorded increased cases of rape, and incest victims. This pushes a demand for P-Noy to sue CGMA for having offenses against women and children.

Another case goes against former President Arroyo. The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office filed a 10-page complaint in the office of the Ombudsman. Listed on the complaint are two cases of plunder discussing Arroyo’s accumulation of the public funds worth P319.9 Million pesos from July 2007 to

The Treachery 23 November, we have just commemorated the death of innocent victims of the Maguindanao Massacre. In its 3rd year of ongoing trials, not even half of the alleged perpetrators are in jail. CGMA is strongly asserted to be involved in this criminal case by relatives of the 32 journalists. Quezon City Judge Catherine Manodon was provided with a 13-page complaint of Ramoncita Salaysay et al. against Arroyo. Her ties with the Ampatuans made her civilly liable for these damages. The wheel of justice runs too slow; we need more than 20 years to settle only one case, private prosecutor Harry Roque said.

Cases are moving forward with witnesses holding evidence and making testimonies. A 12-0 victory instruction for the administration’s senatorial candidates in 2007 elections was said to be CGMA’s command, according to Ahmad Mamucao, Working Consultant and acting Maguindanao information officer of Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. from 2004 to 2005.

No more surprises. Mamucao said he sees nothing illegal about it, and named some men that were part of Ampatuan’s entourage.

Before leaving for Cotabato, Mamucao was handed P 17, 000 by former Maguindanao Administrator Norie Unas to see Arroyo’s political officer Bong Serrano and explain the special operations. He was contacted by Serrano when he reached Cotabato and was ordered to look for a certain Rudy and Alex.

Rudy was described as a ‘first cousin of Juan Miquel Zubiri’ who was a senatorial candidate of the Arroyo administration then. It was reported last 3 August that Zubiri gave up his senatorial seat denying that he is involved in the said operation.

Mamucao was instructed by Serrano to proceed to a gym. Together with Rudy and Alex, they carried 60 boxes with fruit seedlings inside. He was told to bring these back to Cotabato City. After driving a safe distance, he checked his cargo and saw copies of genuine election returns, certificates of canvass, statements of votes and ballots.

This leaves evidence on CGMA’s involvement and it played the biggest part.

However, there is a possibility that Arroyo won’t be charged for election sabotage in Cotabato last 2007. Commission on Elections chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. said that Comelec is torn between including Arroyo in the case or not. He says that her involvement in the case was not that strong, but she can also be charged because of the two witnesses’ statements.

Meeting the Dragon Is she planning to have an escape? On their flight to Hong Kong, Arroyo and her husband, Miguel ‘Mike’ Arroyo was frisked away by the immigration officers before being allowed into the departure area. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima ordered to stop them from going overseas despite a travel clearance issued by the Supreme Court (SC) for the Arroyo couple.

However, Elena Bautista Horn, Arroyo’s spokesperson still insisted the

Arroyo’s request to have a medication abroad since CGMA has been suffering from hypoparathyroidism—a condition where the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone—and bone mineral disorder.

CGMA, facing seven charges of plunder and electoral sabotage, will be under everybody’s watch. De Lima affirmed her order with the Bureau of Immigration to direct the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to exhaust all their efforts to implement the watch-list order.

The Department of Justice, however, gave a motion to the SC requesting Arroyo’s attending physician to be given a subpoena—a court order obliging an individual to appear before a hearing. The SC administrator and spokesperson Jose Midas Marquez said that the motion has been denied because these physicians have already appeared during Arroyo’s electoral sabotage hearing in Pasay RTC. De Lima sought for reconsideration of the SC decision. She emphasized the importance of the doctors’ availability during the dialogue since there are medical terms the lawyers needed to understand, and for the doctors to explain their findings.

The professional Code of Ethics of the revised 1987 Philippine Constitution, then, renounced that private doctors are not allowed to release medical findings of their client. This strengthens Arroyo’s camp to sue De Lima’s request of the resident physician’s appearance during the oral argument.

However, how would sound justice prevail if CGMA’s condition remains unclear?

Many questioned De Lima after barring the Arroyos at NAIA because eight out of 14 Supreme Court justices allowed CGMA to fly to Hong Kong for medication. De Lima cited DOJ Circular No. 41 as reference to her decision.

The order, which was enacted during CGMA’s last term as president, prohibits any official who is under criminal charges from leaving the country.

The Supreme Court was aware of this.

Could it be negligence from the SC’s part to allow CGMA to fly knowing she is under investigation, or another way that leads to an escape conclusion?

De Lima clarified that the Arroyos will just be barred from leaving and will not be arrested when spotted in the airport. She even sees no health threat to Arroyo’s medical condition if she will not be permitted to go abroad. But Arroyo’s husband was benefited a separate petition and was issued travel permission by the SC. Secret Passages The political scene turned more interesting when the media released mug shots of Arroyo. Senior Superintendent James Bucayu, OIC of Southern Police District, said that they do not know how the pictures were released. It was safely kept at Pasay RTC Branch 112.

On a message that was sent to De Lima, it was said that CGMA was seeking asylum from the Dominican Republic. It was not yet verified according to Arroyo’s legal spokesperson, Raul Lambino. He says that De Lima should quit after releasing a false statement that had no real basis aside from a text message. Foreign Minister Carlos

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features “Arroyo may be the former president and may have health issues, but these should not weaken the stand on quality of justice.”

Morales Tronosco denied that Arroyo sought for sanctuary in his country. Nevertheless, this intensified the idea that the Arroyos had the plan to escape. With her larger connections to other states, nothing would be impossible, so to say.

There’s more to confirm regarding CGMA’s international ties than the ones mentioned above. After the Dominican Republic’s denial, Senators Gringo Honasan and Miriam Defensor Santiago said that there is a possibility of an International backlash if Arroyo would be sent to police detention facility. Santiago claimed that the country might get “adverse criticisms” and the former president should be put to house arrest.

However, Senators Francis Pangilinan and Panfilo Lacson argued that there can be a bigger backlash if a former president who’s facing charges would be allowed to flee and never return.

Arroyo is under investigation, and it should follow that she needs to be detained.

Our justice system is running smoothly on CGMA. She only has herself to blame, added Lacson. It might “send the wrong signal” to the global community, according to Honasan.

A former president in jail might help them conclude on how the justice system works here in the Philippines. It might bring a possibility of investors cancelling their negotiation with us.

Santiago asked Malacañang to reconsider CGMA’s place for detention. She sees that detaining the former president in jail would humiliate and damage the presidency.

She compared CGMA’s case to Joseph ‘Erap’ Estrada who also faced plunder cases. He was sent to a detention cell five days, put in Veterans Memorial and Medical Center, and was finally allowed to stay in his farm which was a “good decision” because he has no plan of escape. Thus, Santiago is demanding for the evidences on CGMA’s case before deciding on where to detain her. It’s an actual comparison between fairness and exclusivity of the law.

If backlash is an issue, Kabataan Partylist Representative Raymond Palatino said that it will certainly be more embarrassing if we do not abide with our laws just to accommodate a former president. The international community would respect us if they see and hear us punish those who violate our laws. Everybody needs to be equal in the eyes of the law, and house arrest is a “double standard. It is a rest, not arrest,” said Gabriela Representative Luzviminda Ilagan.

Dungeon or Royal Chamber?

Good to hear that Arroyo’s health condition is improving and its turning to be less life threatening. CGMA’s camp is not anymore asking for a hospital arrest which makes De Lima conclude that her condition is not getting worse. Arroyo’s lawyers are silent, so the DOJ decided on pushing forth the detention order instead of a house arrest.

Everyone needs to hear the doctors testify and confirm the said “worsening” condition of Arroyo. Her medical condition makes her cases run slowly, and as every decision-making gets tougher, few people feel pity for her. But choices are still available for Arroyo; the secretary said that other options are private arrest in a government or public hospital or detention in a jail facility.

Weak points on house arrest petition submitted by Arroyo seemed to have caused her demand to fail. The decision would be deferred to the Comelec since they are the primary public prosecutor for Arroyo’s electoral sabotage cases.

President Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III still has no say on the decision of Arroyo’s arrest. He said that he will leave it to the court’s decision. To avoid influencing the decision of the court, P-Noy chose not to comment.

San Fernando Pampanga, the district represented by CGMA, was quiet until different organizations in place signed an appeal requesting the court to order the house arrest at Lubao, Pampanga, her father’s hometown.

Putting her into house arrest would make her health condition better and for Arroyo to face with strength the cases filed against her.

At the same time, to render service for her constituents.

But CGMA requested to be detained in her house at La Vista subdivision in Quezon City, where the high-end life is. Brillantes said that the Comelec’s position is clear: they do not agree on a house arrest, probably not in a private hospital nor in her residence. He also wants Arroyo detained at the Southern Police District Headquarters since she is under its custody after Pasay City RTC issued a warrant of arrest on election sabotage.

The Sick’s Seek It is a public perception that prevents the deciding of Arroyo’s request of house arrest. Let’s put the justice system up and uphold what is right for the accused ex-official.

She is no ordinary person, said a defense lawyer. Her defendants are always asking for “due respect” in running along with her cases due to bone ailment, Diarrhea, and that she’s a former president and a public servant. The law indicated some exemptions but it doesn’t apply to Arroyo’s case.

CGMA: 64, aged enough to handle cases and with health condition that’s recuperating.

Arroyo is currently at VMMC in Taguig City where she is under treatment.

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad released a statement that the government will shoulder Arroyo’s medical expenses. He clarified that the government would just cover the basic services and Arroyo’s camp still needs to shell out some funds for the other extra services. The Philippine National Police Director General Nicanor Bartolome assured that there will be “strict reinforcement” of visiting hours and that there will be no exemptions regarding security measure.

Rapunzel in the tower This could be it. Arroyo’s spokesperson disclosed that the former president is finally ready to face her fate. Her lawyer, Raul Lambino said that if P-Noy could not give the same treatment as what was given to Estrada, Arroyo would be ready for it. They conceded that the chance of house arrest was moved out of the option as it was opposed in the court.

The court has not yet decided on it, though. But the DOJ, SC, and Comelec would keep track on the decisions that would be ordered by the high court. CGMA has decided, she is said to be spiritually, emotionally, and psychologically ready for anything else to come.

Disclosed matters may be stuck up in the courts. They may leave patterns to lead us on a new justice system. The people are more concerned on the consequences rather than the process. Arroyo may be the former president and may have health issues, but these should not weaken the stand on quality of justice.

Sources: Philippine Daily Inquirer 2011 issues: 31 July, 5 October, 11 November, and 5-7 December www.newsinfo.inquirer.net Arroyo eyes La Vista arrest Arroyo formally asks court to put her under house arrest Militant solons press Arroyo’s detention in jail 2 senators say jailing Arroyo positive for the Philippines 2 senators warn Aquino against jailing Arroyo Comelec mulls another poll sabotage case vs Arroyo Arroyo ready for jail—spokesman Group wants Arroyo sued over crimes vs women, children House arrest plea an admission Arroyo ailment not lifethreatening Civil suit vs Gloria Arroyo now in court Aquino clarifies comment on Arroyo arrest Supreme Court junks DoJ motion to summon Gloria Arroyo’s doctors Pasay court summons Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s chief physician Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s constituents want her in Lubao Where to, Gloria?

Maguindanao massacre trial could take ‘55,000 years’ Ampatuan aide claims Arroyo gave ‘12-0’ order www.voxbikol.com Jail looms for GMA www.sunstar.com.ph Arroyo couple blocked at airport ww.philstar.com Arroyo frisked at airport terminal

13 Numbers and Narratives:

Why he’s no. 1

By R ica R ose V. P acardo

It wasn’t a pure luck or a simple Divine intervention; it was an upshot of years of faith, hard work, diligence and perseverance.

According to this year’s CPA Board Exam topnotcher, Jerome Austria, one must pursue his dream no matter what it takes.

Proceed to the heart of the matter whatever the cost may be. Austria, a pride of Ateneo, always believed that one must live with excellence and not with mediocrity.

Also, Austria shared that his dormitory (Xavier Dorm) had been a big help on him. “Nabubuo ang self-discipline sa dorm. Masasanay ka talagang mag-aral.”

Austria graduated as a Cum Laude with a Distinction in Accountancy on March 2010.

He continued, “Pero maganda ang curriculum ng Ateneo at malaking tulong din ang Pre-review kaya most students from Ateneo pumapasok sa top 100.” When asked about how he sees Ateneo’s studying environment, he said, “Not yet the best but certainly hindi sya magpapahuli.”

Out of the 8,525 examinees for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Board Exam on October 2011, Austria topped the 4,066 passers with an average score of 94%. Meanwhile, this year’s national passing rate was 47.69% and Ateneo obtained 53.33%.

Behind the title

A native of Sagnay, Camarines Sur, Austria grew up in a quite big family.

He is the second eldest among the six children in his family. His father works as a Brgy. Kagawad while his mother is an Elementary teacher—this picture, according to him, became his strongest drive through time.

Unlike others, Austria’s goal of becoming a CPA was not an “accident” and also not a parent-driven decision. Right off the bat, all he wanted was to alleviate his family’s poverty and raise their status quo.

“Bako man kaming mayaman eh. Ang main goal ko talaga was to help my family and ang pagiging CPA, dream ko talaga ‘yon.

I am the first in the clan to be a CPA,” he shared.

Brought by eagerness, Austria’s academic life ran smooth; there were no major hurdles along the way except the minor subjects which, according to him, were more demanding than his majors.

He was dubbed as a student with a consistently good performance even during his review in CPA Review School of the Philippines (CPAR). For this, even Austria had somewhat foreseen himself to be one of the students on top. Yet never had he expected to conquer the entire nation during the Board Exam. “I was shocked and overwhelmed kasi nung una, I was just expecting na makapasok sa top 10. ‘Yung manlulumo ako kapag ‘di ako nakapasok,” he said.

Work and fun

Despite the smooth sailing, success did not present itself to him; he had to search for it. And searching meant giving up the things a usual student would have— nightlife, too much entertainment, and the pleasure of hours of rest. He had to spend more time for reviews, he admitted.

But surprisingly, Austria was not the typical nerd-slash-anti social (which might prevail as the first impression on him). During College, Austria became interested in taking part in ampus student involvements and thus, he joined the political party Sigwa. “Active naman ako sa extra-curricular pero hindi ganoon ka-extensive. Kailangan pa rin i-prioritze ang Accounting.” Austria said he lived a “balanced” student life—a proper combination of work and fun.

Ateneo: the mentor

Truly, Austria recognizes that Ateneo was a big factor which contributed to his achievements. “Okay na okay ang Accounting sa Ateneo compared sa ibang schools pero kapag compared naman sa established schools like UP, may mga kailangan pa namang i-improve.”

Counting years from today

His success spread fast. More and more admired him for he drew a significant event in history— he was the first from Ateneo de Naga to top the CPA Board Exam. However, even now that he already achieved such success, the finish line is still far from sight.

Austria said that there is still a sense of pressure because of the many things that are expected of him. “Hindi dahil topnotcher ka eh magiging best ka na sa work mo. Marami pang ibang topnotchers.

Edge ‘yon pero what happens next should really depend on your performance.”

As of now, Austria has no plans of staying in Bikol or teaching in Ateneo.

“Maybe kapag established na ako, I will sponsor a scholarship. As of now, wala akong planong magturo dito. I have to gain experience first. Wala pa akong mai-share sa mga estudyante ko. Dapat may real encounter muna.” Thus, now, he already signed a contract in an auditing firm in Metro Manila. He sees himself working in a private company five years from now.

To the undergrads

It is evident that the Accountancy Program is one of the most challenging courses in Ateneo. It is a survival of the fittest, they usually say. Yet a graduate of the same school had made it to the top.

Austria shared to the undergraduates, “mas mahirap pa ang pre-board sa review centers kaysa sa actual Board Exam. Siguro huwag ninyong isipin na si ganito pumasa tapos ako hindi.”

He continued, “sa mga napilitan naman sa Accountancy, i-try munang i-love.” But if in the nth time there are no changes, decide as early as possible.

He said, “tell your parents para hindi ma-compensate ang future. Kasi baka mediocre ka na, na hindi na nag-eexcel sa acads. Love, survive, and pursue your dream.”

It’s not just the title, not even the bragging rights a topnotcher could have.

It’s more on the self-worth and a seemingly impossible dream materializing at last.

This is harvesting the product of what Austria has patiently soiled for years. That makes him number one.

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14 Ugong ng Hustisya...

Raquel sa kasama habang papunta sa prisinto.

Nang malaman na wala na ang asawa, pag-iyak na lamang ang kanyang nagawa.

Nang madaanan ang pinangyarihanng krimen, agad-agad siyang bumaba ng sasakyan sa pag-aakalang naroon pa ang asawa. “Iniisip ko buhay pa siya. Gusto ko siyang tulungan,” ani niya, ngunit wala na roon ang katawan ni Romeo.

Ayon kay Raquel hindi matutularan ang pagmamahal ni Romeo sa trabaho niya.

Naalala niya, sa isang pagtitipon, tinanong siya ukol sa excellent service. Dahil hindi mapaliwanag ang sagot, tineks nito si Romeo.

Ang sagot ng asawa: “To serve the people without fear and favor”—prinsipyong kanyang pinanindigan hanggang sa huli.

Limang buwan na ang nakalipas, sariwa pa ari nang mga sugat sa pagpaslang kay Romeo. Ramdam pa rin ang galit sa gumawa ng krimen. At dahil sa kakulangan ng ebidensya at mga testigo, malaya pa rin ang mga pumaslang sa kanya.

Sa gitna ng pagdadalamhati, may mga nagpapakilalang saksi sa krimen ngunit sa huli’y mangingikil lamang ng pera. “Ganoon katindi ang kagustuhan kong makuha ang hustisya kaya sa kahit papaanong paraan, kinakagat ko,” sabi ni Raquel.

Sabi niya, dahil sa ilang personal nakadahilanan at para na rin sa seguridad ng kanilang pamilya, hiwalay ang tinutuluyan ni Romeo sabahay ng kaniyang pamilya.

Nito lamang nakaraang Abril 2011 ay pinag-uusapan nila ni Romeo ang nalalapit at muli nilang pagsasama-sama. Pabiro pa nga raw ang naging sagot ni Romeo: “Buhay pa kaya akono’n?” Hindi rin niya inakala na ang birong iyon ay hindi niya na magagawang tawanan pa.

Marami na sila at dumarami pa Marami na ang nagbuwis ng buhay sa ngalan ng pamamahayag—mga biktima ng extra judicial killings sa bansa. Pero paano nga ba patuloy na ipaglalaban ng mga taong naghahanap ng katarungan kung ang mismong mga taong napagkatiwalaan ng hustisya’y hindi gumagalaw?

Mas masaklap ang katotohanang marami ang nabubuhay na nakatikom ang bibig, nagkukunwaring bulag o di kaya’y bingi sa mga paglabag sa karapatang pantao.

Daan-daang Romeo Olea na ang pinaslang, pinatahimik na mas malala pa sa asong may busal ang bibig. Maraming Jester at Racquel na rin ang nagdurusa. Maraming tulad nila ang hanggang nagayo’y umaasa at naghihintay ng hustisya. Marami na sila at dumarami pa.

Lagi’t lagi naman nang nariyan ang takot. Marahil pati sa dibdib ng namayapang si Romeo ay naroon ang malaking pangamba. Pero ika nga, KAHIT NATATAKOT, PATULOY NA LUMALABAN, UMUUSAD AT HINDI KAILANMAN NAKALILIMOT.

Mining in Palawan... soil that renders agricultural lands highly acidic, thus unusable.

“So can these miners, that go to our islands and ravage our resources, can they assure us that they will never [ruin the land]?,” Lopez admonishes. “Well I know at every step of the way there are accidents,” she adds.

‘Mas kailangan natin ang bigas’ Mining has also been linked to dwindling food supply in Palawan, which may affect the National Capital Region’s food source.

Palawan currently supplies 50% of marine goods for Manila. However, frequent and large scale mining accidents threaten the capacity of the island to produce food and affect the health of the people consuming it.

In March, a Rio Tuba barge dumped an overwhelming 183 tons of nickel when it capsized during a storm. Nickel is found to be carcinogenic. “The fish will eat the nickel and guess who eats the fish?,” says Lopez.

In 11 May, Citinickel ravaged 979 meters of corals when its Chinese vessel rammed into a reef near the island.

Citinickel also has mining operations in Narra, Palawan’s rice granary.

Residents of Narra, in a documentary Lopez showed, reveal that laterite soil had rendered some farmlands too toxic for growing rice. “Kailangan natin ang bakal, pero higit sa lahat mas kailangan natin ang bigas,” explains Pastor Jobs Lagrada in the film.

‘Resource curse’ A ten year poverty incidence study of UP School of Economics Dean Arsensio Balicasan

CamSur split... the bill for reasons that are not relevant, for reasons that are not pertinent.

Naval countered, “An ugali kan aki ko, sagot ko.”

Politics Alone The forum aimed not only “to provide an avenue where the university can raise student understanding” but also to “help critical analysis and opinion forming.”

“Though we already have prior knowledge [about the issue], na-inform man nanggad kami,” said a 4 BS IT student.

However, with regards to using the forum as an avenue of establishing student

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Ateneo Football... a faculty member of Ateneo College of Engineering and has been a football player for 23 years. Meanwhile, Deeg manages Café Europe, and has been playing for 33 years. He also last played in the pros for SPV Hassia Pingen in Germany.

Tuy and Deeg pointed out that their primary purpose for organizing the league is to “promote football in Ateneo.” They also mentioned that this is a way to encourage students to play other sports aside from the most popular sports in the university like basketball and volleyball.

Consequently, the students’ response is positive. Six teams—one from each of the six colleges within Ateneo—were formed.

Some of them were organized by the students themselves without any help from any faculty member or any personnel from their college involved.

Deeg said that “responsibility, respect, discipline and teamwork” are developed in students.

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When asked about the students’ performance, Deeg commended their fighting spirit and will during play-offs.

“They would not hesitate to go on with it even if the weather would impede them,” shared Deeg.

He added that “they would have to work on [with] their skills. [However,] they’re improving in communication, organization and especially in punctuality… they will be great in time.”

Deeg also asked for “more support from the university…that [the Ateneo community] may realize that it’s not only basketball. There are also other sports.”

He also commented on the need for more coaches.

Similarly, Tuy suggested that the university administration may at least come up with a program to discover students’ talents in different sports. “Maraming estudyante pero hindi nakikita [ang skills] and it wouldn’t even cost the Athletics Office a lot,” he ended.

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showed that poverty is prevalent in the mining sector--growing doubly from 27.84% to 48.71%. “For all the [mining companies] making yabang what they bring [to] this country…there is even higher percentage of poverty in mining than in agriculture,” explains Lopez.

She also said mining is a resource curse: “[The people] is subsidizing their [mining companies] profit. The communities are suffering and we are subsidizing the lifestyle of the rich, is this fair?”

Lopez says there is a proven alternative to mining – ecotourism.

“Puerto Princesa, Palawan’s capital, is a booming tourist destination,” Lopez said. She explained that the city’s mayor had banned logging, and cyanide, muro ami and trawl fishing and is benefiting from this move.

Already, Puerto Princesa rakes in about 2.4 billion pesos in tourism income and had posted 263, 942 tourist arrivals in 2009.

Lopez also cited that her sustainable ecotourism development at Ugong rock has tremendously helped the people avert poverty. From nothing, each family working at the Ugong rock site is now earning “15,000 pesos a month and has net savings of 400,000 pesos in the bank.”

She added that according to Dr. Regis, people in the mining sector earn less through quotations per month without benefits. “We got those [same] people out of poverty, can the miners boast of that?,” Lopez said.

from page 3 stand regarding the issue, most of the students asserted that the people are still left with nothing but politics.

“Mas magayon man ngani ta dakol an nag-participate tapos gamay kan mga guests an isyu,” however, he said that “nadisappointment man ako ta garo an pig¬advertize, mga pulitiko.”

SocSci Department faculty member Tito Valiente, in his reaction after the two parties had delivered their respective speeches, said that, in the end, “we are dealing with a very poor province and politicians through history who have not cared.”

FIGHTING FOR PALAWAN. Joining the bandwagon, Ateneo bars mining in the country’s last frontier in an effort to save what is left of the 3% old growth forest in the country. Save Palawan Movement advocate and ABSCBN Foundation Director Gina Lopez gives a talk about mining effects in Palawan.

Photo by Mary Dian France Relucano

Lunduyan unites... extra-judicial killings under the Arroyo administration.

Altogether, participants lighted the candles and let afloat on pool. The candles symbolized each killed journalists and innocent supporters of now Maguindanao Governor Ismael Mangudadatu in the 23 November 2009 Maguindanao Massacre.

Dead Justice Aside from the commemoration of the Maguindanao Massacre, the participants also honored the death of slain journalist Gerardo ‘Doc Gerry’ Ortega who was based in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

Ortega, also a broadcaster, anticorruption crusader and environmentalist, was shot dead on 24 January 2011. The

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gunman arrest led to the identification of former Palawan Governor Joel Reyes as the probable mastermind.

Ortega’s eldest daughter Michaella also shared “hindi kasalanan ang magsabi ng totoo.” She also shared her disappointment on the gradual turn of proceedings on the case of her father.

She also realized that most of the people being killed out of innocence were the ones who usually told the truth. This added to her frustrations on the country’s justice system.

The commemoration ended with students signing on the freedom wall signifying the fight for justice for the late journalist.

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15

Half million spent on waste management Materials Management Program, dubbed as “Blue and Gold Revolution,” has started August last semester in promoting solid waste management throughout the campus.

“The advocacy has been present for a decade. Not because we were late to realize our responsibilities to the environment … doesn’t mean that there is nothing to be done, or that we cannot do anything about [saving] it,” said Office of Administrative Services Director Romeo Fajardo.

Green start Meanwhile, the university is not alone in its campaign towards a “greener environment.” The same program is also being implemented in other Jesuit institutions in the Philippines in response to the call of the recently concluded 35th General Congregation (GC 35) of the Society of Jesus.

The congregation brought about decrees that resulted from debates on different issues related with “the mission, the structure, and the identity” of the Jesuits.

Fajardo stressed that the program was also in line with the city government’s Ordinance No. 96-049, “promulgating rules and regulations on segregation and proper disposal of garbage by commercial, business and industrial establishments, and institutions and all households in the city of Naga.”

However, he said that the ordinance was not totally being observed. This prompted the administration to push through with the program.

“Di na gumagalaw ‘yung government, di na dapat gayahin pa,” the director said.

Originally, the project was conceived as the Materials (Wastes) Management program, until it was named as “Blue and Gold Revolution.”

It came from the idea that when the colors blue and gold were mixed, it will result to the color of green, which is the universal representation for the environment.

Though it is only implemented inside the campus, the program still aims for more.

It hopes to create what Fajardo pertain to as “ripple effect to other units of the community”.

“Baka sakali lang naman magising sila. Di na nga tayo nakakatulong, wag na tayong pabigat,” the director said.

Willing to spend According to Fajardo, the administration is eager to spend to support the program. He shared how Father President Primitivo E. Viray Jr., S.J. said the easy part of this campaign is to provide money, and that the harder part is to ask for support from the school’s stakeholders.

The fund would go to educational and awareness campaigns, seminars and forums, brochure printing, infrastructure support, logistical requirements and implementation procedures.

A 3-BS A student commented that the budget allocated may have been overly estimated. Yet, after learning where the fund had been disbursed, she concluded that perhaps it was enough.

With this, the administration is hoping that the whole Ateneo community will reciprocate all the efforts given to the program through strict compliance and active participation on the program.

On waste segregation The project proposed to establish different facilities and logistical requirements through the help of the program’s implementing arm, Physical Plant Administration (PPA).

As of now, the PPA had designated Waste Receptacles with clear labels for segregation of different types of solid wastes. The office also conducted an orientation with the university’s janitors and maintennance.

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Segregated receptacles were distributed at strategic places in offices and corridors and outdoor-type bins were placed in parking spaces. These containers are allotted for disposable, recyclable, biodegradable and yard wastes.

A “Halfway House” will serve as a sorting area for the collected wastes from the receptacles around the campus. Collection of the sorted wastes is on a daily basis.

All disposables, and if there are hazardous materials, will be properly stored for the city Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO) garbage trucks’ collection.

Recyclable wastes such as plastic bottles and tin cans will be stored in the Recyclable Area which will be maintained to be free from unpleasant odors and pests.

Recyclables will be then sold regularly and the proceeds will go to the maintenance and operation of the program.

With this, trash can literally be converted to cash, according to Fajardo.

Biodegradables like food scraps, including tissue papers, will be transferred in secured containers to the sorting area for proper composting. PPA already made a compost area somewhere in the university grandstand.

Yard wastes that include swept leaves and branches will be placed in the base of trees or any suitable corner the backyard decay. Burning of yard wastes is prohibited and since they can become fire hazards, leaf piles should not be too big.

Engaging other goals The aim of the program does not only include proper handling of solid wastes but also covered proper usage of facilities.The school is now venturing on the usage of waterless urinals for males, limited flushing of water in toilet bowls, more efficient use of power and internet and the like.

Fajardo also shared that the new building which is currently under construction was being designed to be environmentfriendly.

The four-storey structure, which will be called Fr. Raul J. Bonoan, S.J. Building, will hold two cafeterias in its first two floors, and eight classrooms in the third and fourth floors.

On the other hand, the use of styrofoam as cups, packaging and other forms of containers in canteens are also being prohibited.

“If you bring (styro product) here [in the university], bring it out. It has no place in the university,” Fajardo shared.

More support The administration is encouraging the whole Ateneo community to help out in this environmental campaign.

As the program started its implementation, some conflicts were considered. One problem, as Fajardo referred to, is about how the Ateneo community fully depends to maintennance and housekeeping members in segregating the wastes.

“Ang estudyante, dai tatao magsegregate [maski] may mga pangaran (label) na,” a janitor from Davy’s Janitorial and Manpower Services complained. He added that they still have to check every bag of trash to ensure that wastes are properly segregated.

The coordinating personnel from the same agency said that students overlook the essence of segregation thus all trashes are still mixed up.

Meanwhile, one student said that the observance of the program is like a “quiz” to him and his friends where one “takes too much time just to determine where to put the trash.”

Yet, he insisted that there should be wide information dissemination for students’ awareness and that there should be strict compliance to the new system of waste management.

A 2-BE Ed student said that their class is in firm conformity of the program. They even appointed a “green man” to ensure that the class is complying and that wastes are properly segregated.

“Sana, first, mahiling na mismo si power; si objective na ma-meet. Sana ang effect niya, pang-long term na,” he ended.

Ready for kick-off The program will be formally launched to the Ateneo community some time next year, before the current semester end.

A “symbolic kick-off” had been planned through the coordination of other offices such as Institute for Environmental Conservation and Research (INECAR) and Office of Student Affairs (OSA).

Students and employees will have to expect series of orientation, theatrical play by INECAR, a Blue and Gold Concert and others.

A commitment signing involving different sectors will highly encourage members of faculty, students, administration, personnels and other stakeholders of the university to pledge for the compliance of the project.

“Get it going’ The committee is calling for all the university’s stakeholders to help in formalizing the program’s objectives and to spread the information regarding it.

Fajardo shared his frustration with the school’s performance for when it comes to waste segregation; he said “huling-huli na tayo.”

He also stressed the campaign is not just the committee’s program, but also the community’s program.

After all, the success of it still depends on the whole community itself.

“Let’s get it going,” the director ended.

Who

F orgets who

FORGIVES

Two years after the Maguindanao Massacre:

L

ike the appalling memories of the crime that shook the Philippines two years ago, the families of the victims still seek out for the justice which is, perhaps, not even half-perceived yet. The hilly patch reminds them a peek to the ghastly-chased memory of the crime.

by the area, were killed.

On 4 December 2009, Former President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo placed the province of Maguindanao under a state of Martial Law. The proclamation was made right after putting the province in a state of emergency.

As of press time, there are 196 defendants in the case, who have been reportedly slapped with 57 cases each. “That’s 11,172 cases. And international studies say that it takes five years to try a single case in the

Unnecessary as it seems, the incident is one of the massive incidents that have happened in the Philippines under the Arroyo administration. The ball is now in the hands of the Aquino administration. What happened?

A Suit for a blind Last 22 November, the families of the Maguindanao massacre victims filed a 15 million pesos damage suit against former President Gloria Arroyo for turning a blind eye “even as the Ampatuan clan committed a culture of impunity in Maguindanao.”

Despite the legal clashes in court, which may have become more concentrated, justice remains missing. The case is still too far to be on the other side of the law – a resolution of 200 defendants.

Prosecutor Harry Roque

On 23 November 2009, a massive crime in the town of Ampatuan, Maguindanao stalled the life of the rest of the province’s inhabitants: 57 people were killed; 32 were journalists, two were lawyers and a number of men and women, who just happened to be passing

recommended the trimming down of the number of defendants from 196 to 35 so as to hasten up the hearings. Furthermore, Roque affirmed that the trimming may enable the system to focus on those who were primarily responsible for the planning and killing two years ago--increasing the number of extra-judicial killings--of 57 people.

and

Philippines. So that’s 55,000 years,” Roque said to the national media.

After two years, beside the victims’ families, the whole nation still mourns. The seeking of justice for the victims may take a long time.

However, the time should not quell the burning hunger for justice; it should not serve as an impetus to turn such case into yet another inquest of who forgets and who forgives – Never forget, never again.