VOL. 64 NO. 1
email: thetorchpub_pnu@yahoo.com
telefax: (02) 528-4703
Workers from different sectors united during the 125th International Day of Workers to call for a just compensation.
PHOTO CREDIT: JOHN CLIFFORD SIBAYAN
Merging of classes experimented
Studes demand for consultation Joanna Marie R. Tabafunda
This is the initial reaction of the students who experienced and disliked the idea of the experimental merging of classes as they marched around the PNU grounds and demand for a student consultation regarding the
matter, June 13. According to SG Pres. and Student Regent (SR) ArnoldJohn Bulanadi, the one-page proposal for the merging of classes did not undergo any consultation even from the faculty. Moreover, SG and other organizations were disappointed
regarding the experimental program and the improper process it underwent. “Nakakagulat talaga! Hinihingi lang natin sa admin na magkaroon ng consultation lalo na sa mga immediate na taong maapektuhan,” ANAKBAYAN Chairperson Roxanne Ricablanca expressed. Ricablanca also pointed out
NEWS
EDITORIAL
OPINION
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isapproved.
Bagong pamunuan ng SC p.8
Hambog na price hikes p.3
Gaga over RH Bill p.4
that there are a lot of areas involved in this program, particularly the academic and financial conditions, and that the administration failed to recognize the condition of the students and professors who are the immediate affected people as regards the merging of classes. “Ang pagtingin namin dito ay hindi maganda dahil maraming aspekto ang sangkot. Nagiging at stake ang kalagayan ng mga estudyante at guro,” she said. SG officer and Filipino major Rhealyn Quing-quing San Jose shared her experience regarding the issue in an interview with The
LITERARY Workers p.10
Torch, “Magulo at mahirap kasi major subject yun. Tapos yung classroom na binigay ng Registrar is good for 45 persons lang. Napakacrowded at nag-uunahan sa chairs lalo na sa umaga, pati ang schedule magulo.” Further, Bulanadi said that the merging of classes and lack of facilities are not only experienced in the Manila campus but also by other campus such as PNULopez. “Magkakaroon pa tayo ng mas malawak na pagsisiyasat mula sa hanay ng mga estudyante at faculty, at makikipagugnayan sa PNU administration upang maresolba ang isyung ito,” he ended.
FEATURES Where freedom exists p.12
2 Photo credit: Eric Matibag
BAYAN, KMU denounce VFA reimplementation Donnadette S.G. Belza
PHOTO CREDIT: PINOY WEEKLY
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oisting their calls, militants advanced from Plaza Salamanca to US Embassy to condemn the approval of another round of Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), April 5.
This agreement, as part of the US-RP Mutual Defense Treaty, allowed US to deploy its troops all-over the country with humanitarian mis-
sions and civic actions which, according to the progressive groups, are only sugar-coated fronts of the military to perform Oplan Bayanihan (OB) –
Studes stage protest at 47th BOR meet,
a counter-insurgency program of the Aquino administration. Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) Secretary-General Renato Reyes Jr. stated that the nine years of VFA implementation mean nine years of sovereign intervention because of the persistent meddling of US and its troops in the political and military conflict between the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), New People’s Army (NPA), National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), and other radical groups. “Ang Balikatan Exercises ay paghahanda sa giyera ng Amerika, gaya ng ginagawa nila sa Libya. Ito rin ay lantarang panghihimasok sa ating bansa na sinasabing for humanitarian aid daw,” Reyes stated. He also denounced the US troops for establishing intelligence posts and for engaging in the counter-insurgency programs in places where progressive groups are expanding in terms of membership and logistics like Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Bicol region and Mindanao. He believed that this is to repress the emerging militancy in urban and rural
areas which in effect increased the number of human rights violations and extra judicial killings. In addition, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) Chair Elmer Labog explained, “gumagawa sila ng panlilinlang through social actions pero di talaga sila naglilingkod sa mamamayan bagkus sa interes lamang nila sa Southeast Asia at sa buong mundo.” He said that the implementation of an unjust agreement like VFA favors US for sourcing the Philippines out of raw materials and cheap labor, investment of surplus products, and for network widening in Asia. Subsequently, May 17, various sectors rallied anew near the US Embassy to denounce the arrival of the nuclear-weapon aircraft carrier US Naval Ship Carl Vinson, which allegedly contains 3,000 to 6,000 US troops to be deployed in Manila – the next target place to launch military exercises. As stressed by the progressive groups, the successive mass protests against another round of VFA in the Philippines mean defiance to another US imperialist’s intervention.
BOR scraps 5-year ladderized TOFI John Javir A. Laserna
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ictory! The student protest led by the Student Government (SG) and mass organizations (MOs) during the 47th Board of Regents (BOR) meeting resulted in the termination of the Board Resolution No. U-1253, series of 2007 or the 5-year ladderized tuition and other fees increase (TOFI), Maceda Building, April 4. The 5-year ladderized TOFI is a scheme ratified under the administration of then-PNU Pres. Lutgardo B. Barbo that permits the University administration to impose TOFI on incoming freshmen for five consecutive years. In this scheme, the administration will impose 10% increase in tuition and 20% increase in miscellaneous fees; however, since the resolution’s ratification, the administration’s attempts to impose TOFI are always deferred due to persistent student protests led by SG, ANAKBAYAN, GABRIELA, and ACT Teachers Party-list.
SG Pres. Arnold-John S. Bulanadi underscored the clamor of the students against the resolution, “ilang taon nang kampanya na ma-scrap ang 5-year ladderized TOFI. Maliban sa walang naganap na consultation sa hanay ng mga estudyante, marapat lamang na maibasura ito lalo pa’t sa panahong tumataas ang presyo ng mga pangunahing bilihin.” More, Bulanadi also pointed out that the students protested the BOR’s attempt to disenfranchise Hon. Mikko James Rodriguez, the Student Regent (SR) then, as the representative of the PNU student sector. “Hindi natin hahayaan na madisenfranchised ang representative ng primary stakeholders ng pamantasan. Marapat lamang na kasama ang mga estudyante sa formulation, implementation and evaluation ng university policies,” he added. Other than the disenfranchisement of the SR, the students also protested the entry of two private sector regents in the BOR
and the furtherance of commercialization in the University. Tackling the issues on commercialization and privatization, ANAKBAYAN Chair Roxanne Ricablanca stressed, “kung pahihintulutan ng mga estudyante ang 5-year ladderized TOFI, di malayong mangyari na tumindi ang komersyalisasyon sa pamantasan na tiyak na magreresulta sa patuloy na pag-abandona ng pamahalaan sa state universities and colleges (SUCs) tulad ng PNU at maisapribado ang mga ito.” Further, she pointed out that due to exorbitant TOFI, the number of SUCs in the country was trimmed down from 254 to 111. This, according to Ricablanca, caused the decrease in the enrollment rate of various SUCs as well as of private universities and colleges. “Marapat lamang na ating tutulan ang TOFI at ang mga antiestudyanteng polisiya tulad ng 5-year ladderized TOFI para sa mga susunod pang isko’t iska na maglilingkod sa bayan bilang mga guro,” she expressed.
Expressing their disappointments, students rallied around PNU grounds together with their calls.
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Hambog na price hikes
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ayukdok na sina Juan, Pedro at Jose sa maghapon at arawaraw na pagtatrabaho habang taas-noo ang mga pangunahing bilihin, toll fee, Public Utility Vehicles (PUV) fare at langis dahil sa sabay-sabay na pagtalon ng mga presyo nito. Masasabing ang sunod-sunod na pagtataas ng mga pangunahing bilihin at iba pang serbisyo ay bunga ng overpricing sa langis. Mula noong Enero 2011, 13 beses nang nagtaas ng presyo ang langis na tinatayang pinakamalaking pagtataas mula Hulyo 2008. Nitong Abril 1, P10.67 kada litro ang nadagdag sa presyo ng diesel, P6.98 kada litro sa petrolyo, at P6 naman sa light diesel at kerosene oil. Dinadahilan ng naglalakihang kartel ng langis – Caltex, Petron at Shell (Big 3) – na tumataas ang presyo nito sa pandaigdigang merkado at nagkakaubusan na ng suplay kaya ‘kailangang’ magtaas presyo. Ngunit sa katotohanan ay nais lamang ng mga negosyanteng ito na kumubra ng malaking tubo sa ngayon sa takot na maaaring mawalan ng suplay ng langis sa mundo dahil sa giyerang nagaganap sa Middle East at North Africa, hindi dahil sa aktwal na kawalan ng suplay. Kaugnay rin nito ang pagmomonopolyo ng Big 3 sa industriya ng langis sa bansa. Dahil dito, nagpapatong-patong ang mga tubo nila na naipapasa sa mamamayan. Dagdag pa, malalakas ang loob ng Big 3 na mag-overpriced dahil sa Oil Deregulation Law (ODL) o Republic Act No. 8479 na isinabatas noon pang 1998. Sa ODL, malaya silang magtaas presyo dahil hindi na hawak ng gobyerno ang pamamahala sa mga industriya ng langis kaya nagsisilbi na lamang ‘monitoring body’ ang Department of Energy (DoE). Isama mo pa ang ipinapataw na 12% E-VAT sa lahat ng produkto kabilang ang petrolyo na lumalaki habang tumataas ang presyo. Noong 2010, nakalikom ang pamahalaan ng P47 B mula sa VAT sa langis kaya masasabing kahit ang gobyerno ay may nakukuha sa overpricing na ito. Samantala, apektado ang mga estudyante at iba pang commuters sa pagtataas ng minimum fare sa dyip, mula P6 hanggang P7, at bus, mula P9 hanggang P12. Nais pang humiling ng mga tsuper at operator ng dagdag P2.50 sa pamasahe dahil sa di maawat na pagtataas ng presyo ng langis. Kahit ang mga magsasaka at mangingisdang may bangkang de-motor ay nasa kaparehong kondisyon din. Isama mo pa ang lumalaking gastos ng mga kabahayang gumagamit ng LPG at kerosene, maging ang pagtaas ng P2 sa bawat kilo ng bigas. Malinaw na panlilinlang at pakitang-tao lamang ang rollbacks at subsidies ng pamahalaan noong mga nakaraang buwan upang pansamantalang punan ang lumalalang problemang ito sa halip na aksyunan. Kung magpapatuloy ang ganitong sistema, patuloy ring tataas ang presyo ng mga bilihin at serbisyo dahil pangunahing pangangailangan ang langis sa transportasyon ng mga produkto. Magbubunga rin ito sa dumaragdag na bilang ng unemployment dahil bababa ang operasyon ng iba pang mga industriyang gumagamit ng langis. Kung gayon, kahirapan pa rin ang daranasin ng mamamayan. Mainam na ibasura ang ODL at isabansa ang mga industriya ng langis upang gobyerno na ang may karapatang magdikta ng presyo nito. Sa kasalukuyan, habang hindi pa ito agarang nareresolba, marapat na ibigay ng gobyerno sa mga manggagawa ang hinihinging P125 across-the-board na dagdag sahod upang kahit papaano’y may pantawid gutom ang pamilya nina Juan, Pedro at Jose na ubod higpit na ang sinturon dahil sa lumilipad na presyo ng mga batayang pangangailangan.
Threat or Treat
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here are some treats that pamper me after some strenuous mind activities. If in any case those petty luxuries were removed, I don’t know what to do. It refreshes me when I see the not-so-green fields at the heart of PNU (for at least we’ve gotten something green in the city). It refreshes me more when I buy cheap merienda at one of the stalls near the luncheonette. But, it refreshes me no more when the cost of fruit shakes increased from P10 to P12 (medium cup) and P15 to P17 (large cup); same feeling when I can’t lodge in the newly built dormitory in the Alumni Home because I do not have P5,000 to rent a single bed space. As I notice, PNU is gradually accepting franchised food carts, offering space rentals, and even considering merging of classes to maximize and augment its short budget. If these things continue to exist, then it won’t be surprising when PNU becomes commercialized and privatized because the dominant stakeholders of the university might become
the businessmen and/or private companies, instead of the students. This also means tuition hike like
PNU amid these threats of self-sufficiency must assert that education, as a right, must remain a right. what happened to the University of the Philippines (UP) where tuition per unit whooped to P1,000 in 2008. Well, our student-leaders’ calls against tuition and other fees increase, privatization and commercialization, and budget cuts are no news at all since we, the Iskolar ng Bayan, are targets to be self-sufficient and self-dependent – as what the government insisted suggested during our struggle against budget cuts for this year. It’s no news if the majority of the Board of Regents wants two private sector representatives, if the Normal Hall undergoes an overhaul, if the Alumni Home (with Chinese restaurant and dormitory) only caters non-PNUan occupants because the threats of PNU commercialization and/or privatization knock every
year. However, these things will be newsworthy if the students object the ‘experimental’ merging of classes, the increase in prices of goods bought in the stalls, or of miscellaneous fees per semester. In this light, Education gradually becomes a privilege, not a right. And education as a privilege means high dropout rates, low enrolment rate, more out-of-school youth, and in the case of PNU, less future teachers for a better world (as stated in PNU’s vision). So if PNU, students, faculty, and administration, remains passive and unable to oppose the threats to be self-sufficient and selfdependent, it won’t be surprising (again) if one day, all the aspiring and PNU-produced teachers (including myself) desire to work abroad, or put headsets on and say ‘Hello mam/sir, how may I help you?’ or ‘Good morning mam/sir, welcome to McDonalds!’ These are all decent jobs, but how about the next generations of youth waiting for us, teachers? PNU amid these threats of self-sufficiency must assert that education, as a right, must remain a right. This is highly recommended especially during this economic crisis when prices of basic goods and services fluctuate from time to time. If this assertion will mean holding of plackards, chanting in front of the Department of Budget and Management, and marching along Congress and Mendiola, then go. I see nothing wrong about that. Again, if in any case those treats were removed, now I know what to do.
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ila isang fairytale ang nangyayari ngayon sa gobyerno sa dami ng knights in shining armor na gustong iligtas ang damsel in distress—ang dating Pang. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at isa na nga rito si Merceditas Gutierrez, dating Ombudsman Chief. Hanggang sa huling pagkakataon ay abswelto pa rin si Arroyo sa mga krimeng kinasangkutan niya tulad ng fertilizer fund scam, ‘Hello Garci’ scandal, NBN-ZTE deal at marami pang iba dahil sa pagbibitiw sa puwesto ni Gutierrez at sa mga pulitikong suportado pa rin ang dating pangulo. Abril 29 nang mag-resign si Gutierrez, 10 araw bago ang impeachment trial niya sa Senado. Kinasuhan siya ng be-
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he ratification of the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill will save lives. Of that, I am certain. It doesn’t matter if you love HIM… The RH Bill has been the talk of the town prior to its 1st deliberation at the Lower House on January 27. If tyang Amy and the Trio Tagapayo will consider the bill controversial and debatable enough to be featured on Faceto-Face, I am quite sure that the religious institution will be on the white side and certainly, the government on the red side (but yellow inside). Who will prevail over the other? Well, considering the noble advisers, I don’t doubt that the spiritual adviser will side with the white; the legal adviser with the red (or more likely, yellow). I’m not certain of the psychological adviser. O! Will this infamous TV show settle the issues? Definitely NO!
PITIK
BULAG
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agong academic year na naman, bagong admin at syempre may mga bagong estudyante, hehe. So let me introduce this page, dito lang naman hinahatulan ang mga taong may ginagawang kababalaghan, hehe. Matatalim man ang mga salitang ginagamit dito masasaktan ka lang kung TINATAMAAN ka. Tamah!
Merci: Tagapagtanggol ng nang-aapi Hamon ito kay P-Noy at sa susunod na Ombudsman na kailangan nang gumawa ng hakbang upang magbayad ang mga may utang sa sambayanan. traying of public trust dahil sa malalaking corruption cases na hindi niya inaksyunan o pinaimbestigahan man lang. Ito ang unang beses na nagsampa ng impeachment sa mismong anti-graft and corruption chief. Dinahilan ni Gutierrez sa pag-alis sa pwesto ang kanyang inang maysakit at pamilya na apektado sa isyu. Ngunit sa
katotohanan ay balak lamang niyang tumakas sa mga batikos at mahatulan ng pagkakakulong sa dami ng kasong isinampa sa kanya ng iba’t ibang organisasyon. Ang mga kasong isinampa sa kanya ay kaugnay ng P728-M fertilizer fund scam noong panahon ni Arroyo, at obstruction of justice at perjury dahil sa paglabag nito sa Seksyon 3 (e) ng Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Sa kanyang pagre-resign ay mas pinapatagal lang ni Gutierrez ang pagdinig sa mga kaso ni Arroyo na isang taktika upang pagtakpan ito. Sa tingin ko, higit pang hindi nakabuti ang desisyon ni Gutierrez dahil lalo niya lang pinaigting ang galit ng
mamamayan sa pagkaantala na pagbayaran ni Arroyo ang kanyang mga kasalanan. Hindi maikakailang tuta siya ni Arroyo dahil nang magkaroon ng pagtatalo sa Kongreso tungkol sa kanyang impeachement case ay hindi sumang-ayon ang kampo ni dating pangulo kabilang ang kanyang mga anak na nasa Kongreso rin. Para sa akin, tama ang ginawang hakbang ng House Justice Committee na ipagpatuloy ang impeachment laban kay Gutierrez upang mangamba naman si Arroyo at iba pang pulitikong pinaligtas ng Ombudsman noon. Sa ngayon, hindi prayoridad ni P-Noy ang mga kaso ni
Gaga over RH Bill It doesn’t matter if you love HIM… Now and then, the opposing sides have been clashing like the Titans; however, the masses, amid this volley of arguments, tend to miss the point of RH Bill. A street vendor, just as a call center agent, would wonder, ‘what’s the fuss all about?’ Readers, is it all about the plain condoms and the pills that the government will distribute for free? Is it simply about responsible parenthood and family planning? Is it about the growing population and the failure of the government to provide its basic needs? Is it about the bill, ‘encouraging’ premarital sex and abortion? Is it about the threats of civil disobedience, excommunication, and sedition? Is it a matter of who’s more or less Pitik # 1: Sino itong kemerloo na ito na dating no. 1 ( kaw na da best!) Violator ng student’s rights? Syempre! Proven na yun. At ngayon, no.1 pa rin ata siya! Kanya na ang korona! Sa tingin ko, mas gagamitin pa niya ang power niya para mang-repress ng mga estudyante dahil hawak na niya ang mga importanteng dokumento. Sana hindi abutin ng taon bago marelease yan ha! Naku goodluck na lang mamsir-it kung magtatagumpay ka!
My point is, the ratification of RH BILL will allow women obtain sex education, responsible parenthood and family planning, and free contraceptives (not abortifacients) moral? I say NO. It is all about eve. It is about women (and lesbians). It is about making alternatives—reproductive health information and services—available and accessible to them. It is about women empowerment.
It doesn’t matter if you love HIM… Now I imagine what those epic machos* and chauvinists out there would say, ‘what the hell this feminist is trying to say?’ Hold your reins man, do I—we—have to be a feminist to think about women’s rights? Hell, NO! To think that your nanay is a woman, your ate is a woman and you(?) are a woman—women, like men, must assert for respect of human rights. And it is a woman’s right (and man’s as well) to use contraceptives or not. Women, as they’re the ones who bear a child, are prone to commit induced and/ or self-induced abortion and to say ‘hi!’ to the Grim Reaper on account of maternal mortality and
Arroyo na nakahain sa Ombudsman, bagkus ang paghahanap sa bagong Chief ang pokus niya. Indirektang nag-aambag si P-Noy para maabswelto si Arroyo dahil hindi siya gumagawa ng malinaw na hakbang upang wakasan o pagbayarin si Arroyo sa mga nagawa nitong anomalya. Marami man silang knight in shining armor hindi pa rin nila mare-rescue ang damsel in distress. Mananagot at mananagot si Gloria sa lahat ng ginawa niyang pagpapahirap sa taong bayan sa siyam na taon nitong panunungkulan. Hamon ito kay P-Noy at sa susunod na Ombudsman na kailangan nang gumawa ng hakbang upang magbayad ang mga may utang sa sambayanan.
cervical cancer. Figures are not needed because one case is enough (if the statement does not make sense to you, well, according to the World Health Organization [WHO], every day, 1,500 women die from pregnancy or childbirth-related complications). My point is, the ratification of RH BILL will allow women obtain sex education, responsible parenthood and family planning, and free contraceptives (not abortifacients) amongst others—such reproductive health information and services will lessen the cases of abortion due to unwanted pregnancy and maternal mortality in the country. Of that, I am certain. O by the way, RH Bill does not discourage natural methods. It doesn’t matter if you love HIM… as long as you love HER, too. *from aggerated
machismo, an exsense of manliness
Pitik # 4: Last pitik! Na dapat Pitik # 2: Naku nakakalerkey Pitik # 3: Naku si mam-sir-it itong sunod na Pitik! Pumipitik ta- eh need ata mag-enroll sa cour- talagang pitikin dahil malaki ang laga! Umaastang accredited org, tesy workshop kulang na kulang atraso sa mga estudyante. Sikat pero in fact hindi naman talaga siya nito eh. Oh my! Diba basic na sikat na itong org na ito dahil sa anomalyang kinasangkutan nito. sila isang organisasyon. Hmmmm requirment ito kapag diyan ka Haha! Kasi naman forever na ata ano ba sila? Ah! Alam ko na Liga ang isyu, as in hindi nilulubayan ng ng mga Ampalaya (wow parang nagtatrabaho kasi everyday may isyu ang org na ito. Anu bang latestudyanteng mangungulit sayo. Ampalaya Anonymous). Ang est? Ayun! Ang nawawalang kaban siste ng mapagpanggap na org Hindi dapat masungit friend! Pa- ng bayan hanggang ngayon lost pa na ito ay hingin ang number ng rang forever kang highblood. Naku rin, hindi pa rin nananagot ang salmga bagong estudyante sa kung mahilig ka ata sa baboy. Mam- arin. Oh my! Ilang taon na ba ang anong kadahilanan, hindi ko na sir-it, estudyante po ang kausap lumipas, hmp! Hanggang ngayon alam. Ano kaya ang hidden agen- mo hindi tindera sa palengke. hindi pa rin sila napaparusahan buti na lang at may mga taong da nila? Naku ang mga bitter mahindi nakakalimot sa ginawa nila. hilig manira. Ganun talaga, everything tastes like licorice kapag ang gustong-gusto mong maasam*HABAGAT: ANG PITAK NA ITO AY BUKAS PARA SA LAHAT NG NAIS ay hindi mo nakuha, hehe.MAGBIGAY NG OPINYON HINGGIL SA MGA ISYUNG UMIINOG SA LOOB AT LABAS NG PAMANTASAN.
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anahon na naman ng pagsusunog ng kilay, butasan ng bulsa, at pudpuran ng sapatos. Sira na ang lumang sapatos ng kapatid ko na nasa hayskul, dahilan upang ibili siya ng bagong sapatos ni nanay. Tuwang-tuwa siya. Bigla naman akong napaisip nang sinabi niya na “sana tumagal ito, sana matibay. Kayang-kaya kahit ilusong sa baha at pwede sa mahahabang lakaran!” *** Naalala ko tuloy ‘yung mahahabang martsa kasama ang mga iskolar ng bayan para ipanawagan ang hindi pagbabawas sa badyet ng edukasyon at ni Inang Pamantasan, hindi pagtataas ng matrikula, langis, pamasahe, at iba pang panawagan kung saan minsan ding nasira ang sapatos ko. Nagpatindi rin sa sira nito ang mga martsa sa loob ng pamantasan. Huwag hayaan ang pagtataas ng matrikula at iba pang mga bayarin, at tumindig para sa interes ng mga estudyante. Ayon sa kwento nila ate at kuya, bago pa maluklok sa pwesto si dating Pres. Barbo hanggang sa pagtatapos ng kanyang termino na siya namang inabutan ko, binaha rin nila ng mga
U
hlahlah... Grabeyxious na talaga ang mga pangyayaring itechiwa in our country! Left and right na ang FISH KILLING! Eewww! So yuckers, so lansa! Kailan kaya maglalaho na parang bula ang malansang amoy ng isang Fish na living dati in an Aquarium na naninirahan now sa kwadra ni gurlalush na pwedeng mangagat anytime? Sana si Fish na lang ang makagat noh para magka-rabies siya and totally maglaho na sa karagatan ng PNU. Oh my gulay! I’m becoming an evil Kabute wishing for it to happen.
* kilos-protesta ang kanyang administrasyon dahil sa mga di maka-estudyanteng patakaran na sumisikil sa kalayaan at karapatan nila. Sa panahon ni Barbo isinulong ang 5-year Ladderized Tuition and Other Fees Increases at pagpasok ng komersyalisasyon sa PNU. Hindi sumasapat ang pondo mula sa national government na siyang nagtutulak sa pagtataas ng mga bayarin at pagpapaupa ng lupa sa mga negosyante para mapunan ang mga gastusin at operasyon ng pamantasan. Sa ganitong punto, makikita na ang edukasyon ay isa nang komoditi na may malaking halagang kapalit. Ngunit dahil sa masikhay na pagkilos ng mga iskolar ng bayan at ng iba pang kaisa laban sa pagtataas, naibasura ang ladderize TOFI. Nariyan din ang pagsikil sa akademikong karapatan ng mga estudyante, lider-estudyante, at mamamahayag pangkampus na hindi nakatutuwa.
Fish kill Kase naman mga ka-friendships, talaga namang naging pahirap ang Fish na ito sa iba pang Creatures under the sea. Aba, di ata uso sa kanya ang warning (3 warnings) at talaga namang walang kawala ang ibang fishes, first violation pa lang ang naabot ay tila na-hold na in-a-single-snap ang kanilang Good Moral Certificate (GMC). At ang kakaiba sa Fish na ito, kahit walang violation ang ibang fishes, bigla-biglang
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Bagong PNU Naabutan ko mismo ang panahong ginigipit ang pondo ng publikasyon kaya nabinbin ang paglalabas ng regular na mga isyu na nagsisilbing tinig sa hinaing at opinyon ng PNUans. Sumulpot din ang mga iregularidad at ilegal na bayarin tulad ng Insurance Fee na dating P50, ngayo’y P100 na. Nakakaloko na ipinatupad ang nasabing bayarin nang hindi pa aprubado ng Board of Regents (BOR) at huli na ang student consultation. Hindi rin nakaligtas ang mga estudyante ng ibang kampus ng PNU sa harassment ng mga gwardiya. Partikular noong inimbita ang Progresibong Lupon ng mga Manunulat ng PNU (PLUMA-PNU) ng The Torch para sa isang pulong kasama ang Student Regent (SR) kung saan hindi sila agarang pinapasok, sa halip ay pinaghintay pa sa gate. Hinanapan ng letter of permission mula sa OSASS samantalang mayroon na mula sa Office of the SR at Student Government na marapat na kilalanin ayon sa PNU Student Handbook. Sino nga naman ang matutuwa?
nagkakaroon. OH MY FISH! Nasaan na ang 3-Violation Policy? Wag mung i-say na nalunod na. Oh my FISH talaga! Buti na lang may isang Sea Creature na hindi pumayag na lunurin ng tuluyan ni Fish. Aba! nang finally nagdecide na si Sea Creature na maglingkod sa sanlibutang karagatan eh bigla ba namang ayaw nang i-release ni Fish ang kanyang GMC at may nagawa raw itong labag sa batas ng karagatan. Aba! Aba! umalingasaw talaga ang kalansahan ng Fish na ito, grabe, ang sakit mo sa hasang! Ay wala pala akong hasang, ang sakit mo sa MUSHROOM’S CAP!
POKUS POKUS
Maliban pa rito, ababababababababababa, naging Swimming Webs t e r D i c tionary itong si Fish ng buong karagatan at i-define ba raw ang pagkakaiba ng F*CK, este ng FACT and FICTION. Okeyyy, ikaw na, the best ka eh!
: Tanong
Pabor
ng OFFICE OF THE UNIVERSITY REGISTRAR?
request na papeles tulad ng Transcript of Records (TOR). Naiwawala pa ng registrar yung grades sa ibang subject. Pokus#3 Hindi. Mabagal po ang proseso esp. sa pag-a-apply ng mga document. Another thing is that mali minsan ang mga info. Like yung sa reg. form, mali-mali ang mga gender. Pokus#4 Hindi kasi mabagal sila lalo ‘pag bayaran/enrollment, nagiging mahaba yung pila at maaabutan ng lunch break kahit maaga. Pokus#5 Hindi kasi nakikita ko na walang kaayusan ang proseso ng enrollment, maraming 1st year ang walang reg. form. Pokus#6 Hindi student-friendly! —M.I.J.
KABUTE
At di pa nakontento itong si Fish. Dahil sa tuluyan na siyang pinalayas sa kanyang home sweet Aquarium, ngayon sa kwadra naman ni gurlalushna-pwedeng-mangagat-anytime nagkalat ng kanyang kalansahan. Hindi na HEALTHY yan! Ai basta, ayokong magkasakit dahil sa malansang amoy na humahalo sa hangin. Kaya kung ako sa inyo, bibili na ako ng MASKSSSSSSS. Yes! maraming mask para di ko malanghap ang kanyang kalansahan. O di kaya, ibaon na natin siya sa lupa gaya ng mga isdang na-FISH KILL. Ingat ingat ah at baka malason kayo. Babushhhhhhhhhhhhh!
NATIONAL
LOCAL Satisfied ka ba sa serbisyo
Pokus#1 Hindi kasi mabagal ang pagpo-proseso ng mga papeles. Pokus#2 Hindi kasi maayos ang proseso at sobrang tagal/bagal yung mga nire-
Ilan lamang iyan sa marami-rami pang ipinagmartsang di-makatarungang kalakaran sa loob ng pamantasan at sa mapanikil sa pamumuno ni Atty. Lutgardo Barbo. Noong nakaraang apat na taon bumaha ang maraming isyu, kung saan hindi naging mabuting sapatos ang admin upang protektahan ang PNUans. Madaling nabutas at nasira ang tiwala ng komunidad dahil hindi talaga ito nagsilbi sa kanilang interes sa edukasyon. Sa ngayon, mga bagong pangako ang inilahad ng bagong administrasyon ni Dr. Ester B. Ogena kung saan nilalaman ng kaniyang 8-point agenda ang pagtampok sa pagpupuno ng mga kakulangan, pagpapakahusay sa linangan at paghuhubog nang mahusay sa mga susunod na guro ng bayan. Umaasa ako sa isang tapat at matatag na administrasyon ng Pamantasan. Sa ngayon, naniniwala ako na kaya niyang tumindig para sa kapakanan at karapatan ng mga iskolar ng bayan. Parang isang sapatos na
makakasama at makakatuwang upang marating ko ang pangarap na makapagtapos ng pag-aaral na may mababang matrikula at iba pang bayarin. Ngunit higit kong ikatutuwa, maging ng aking mga magulang, kung ang pagtatamo ng edukasyon ay isa talagang karapatan at hindi isang pribilehiyo lamang. Posible naman di ba? Posible na walang banta ng TOFI at pribatisasyon. Friends ng lahat ang admin, maunawain ngunit objective, at higit sa lahat hindi repressive upang makamit ng bawat estudyante ng PNU ang de-kalidad na edukasyon. *** “O, ayan ha, bago na sapatos mo…paabutin mo yan hanggang college,” biro ko sa kapatid ko. Makakaabot pa nga ba sa kolehiyo ang bagong sapatos niya? Gaano naman kaya kalayo at saan ako maihahatid ng bagong sapatos ng pamantasan? Sana’y maging matibay at magsilbing proteksyon ito ng mga paa ko sa mababato at/o sa binabahang kalsada ng edukasyon na nagpapahirap sa tulad kong estudyante at sa aking mga magulang. Tatagal sana sa mahahabang lakaran patungo sa pagiging tunay, responsable, mabuti at makabayang guro.
Bill? H R a s ka ba
an. g kababaih rotection n p a s n ri para ort na. ng RH Bill s e nag-ab e awa kasi a v ti in p G e . c o a tr O Pokus#1abihin na gumamit ng con maraming n ng mas o s ro ig a ib k i a d k g in H s ma asa ito ma kapag nap il h a d i d in Pokus#2MHaria Eloisa Fetalvero ll aspect men but a o w — ly n n o io t rt o fn abo ll welfare o s the overa te o m ro p It o. a. Pokus#3 tyO —Ma. Irene Inventor on sa bans ie c o s g populasy n e a n a of th s a w maba n na para hindi lang hil panaho a d o O 4 aihan. Pero b a b a k a g Pokus# ang m o… —nz… g gobyern tahan nito n k n te a ro n p o y o s in lu o dahil p an at so Pokus#5 nOg isyung dapat pag-usap a naman ito
Sagot:
T
he workers of the world united to assert their rights and to fight for a good living condition. Bringing into the streets the voices of the people, militants from various progressive groups representing the marginalized sectors assembled in front of Liwasang Bonifacio to demand for reasonable wages in line with the commemoration of the International Labor Day. Afterwards, they advanced to Mendiola and sang the hymn of the workers – the Internationale. Workers The day of outrage has come! Marking the commemoration of International Day of Workers as the Worker and People’s Day of Outrage, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) led the march of the marginalized sectors to voice out their issues and concerns to the Aquino administration.
“Ang pagkilos na ito ay pagmamarka ng galit ng mga manggagawa at mamamayan sa pamahalaang Aquino,” KMU Chair Elmer “Bong” Labog said while stressing that the Aquino administration is no way different to Arroyo administration in which the workers were oppressed and exploited. Labog asserted that the present minimum wage of P404 in National Capital Region (NCR) and P382 in provinces does not suffice the basic needs of the workers and their families. In spite of its declaration of P900 worth of cost of living allowance (COLA), the government failed to increase the wages of workers in keeping with the rapid increase in oil and basic needs’ prices. “Matindi ang ating paggiit sa pamahalaan na ipasa ang umento sa sahod ng mga manggagawa na P125 wage increase acrossthe-board nationwide,” he accentuated. Furthermore, KMU called that the government must scrap the Oil Deregulation Law and the
Various sectors
125th Internatio The Torch Staff
Contractualization Law amongst the policies that have been hampering the rights of workers to just compensation and security of tenure. Peasants Ikaw ang nagtanim at nagalaga, iba ang kumakam at nagpakasasa. Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) National Auditor Antonio “Ka Tonying” Flores continues to fight the crisis on agrarian reforms that the
farmers have been experiencing since the administration of the late Pres. Corazon Aquino.
Flores maintained that the land grabbing, land use conversions (LUCs) and other development aggressions are still existent that cause famine among regions such as Sierra Madre, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and Mindanao. K M P, together w i t h ANAKPAW I S , PA M A L A -
KAYA, AMIHAN, UMA, and NARRA-Youth, chiefly called for the ratification of House Bill 3059 or the Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill (GARB). They also called for the termination of Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program with Extensions and Revision (CARPER) and Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). Teachers Ang guro ng bayan ay nasa lansangan, nakikipaglaban! Calling for the ratification of House Bill 2142: An Act Upgrading the Salary Grade (SG) of Public School Teachers from SG 11 to 15, the militant teachers of Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) joined the workers’ march to commemorate the International Day of Workers. ACT Sec-Gen France Castro expressed that the teachers and the workers must unite in urging the government to address the issues and problems that the sectors have been bearing for a long time, especially on issues on contractualization and unjust compensation, “gaya ng mga manggagawa, nananatiling di sapat ang sahod ng mga guro. Gayundin, marami ang biktima ng kontraktwalisasyon.” Castro also stressed that Pres. Aquino’s Kindergarten plus 12 or K+12 program will only reinforce the crisis in the teachers and the education sector. She enumerated the points why teachers must say no to K+12: 1. contractualization of kindergarten teachers; 2. P6,000 monthly salary; 3. longer teaching hours; and 4. insufficient number of classrooms, chairs, books, etc. More, Castro said that the national government and the Department of Education (DepEd) are not ready for the upcoming school and academic year, “nananatiling chaotic ang public school system lalo na sa basic education.” Meanwhile, ACT called to scrap the Oil Deregulation Law which caused the stream
of increase in oil and other basic needs’ prices. Youth Equal work for equal pay. The youth sector took part in the commemoration of the International Labor Day for the clamors of the workers are not isolated from those of the youth, including the call for P125 wage hike, security of tenure, abolition of Contractualization Law, and the appropriation of higher budget for education. League of Filipino Students (LFS) Sec-Gen Miguel Cruz stated that the youth sector has been a part of the workers’ struggle, “ang mga magulang ng kalakhan ng mga estudyanteng nag-aaral sa mga pamantasan at unibersidad, lalo na sa mga pampublikong paaralan ay mga manggagawa rin na pinagsasamantalahan sa napakaliit na sahod.” In addition, ANAKBAYANNational Vice Chair Anton Dulce expressed that the majority of the workers fall under the age bracket of 15-24 and are still part of the youth sector; therefore, the approval of the P125 wage hike will also benefit them. Dulce also pointed out that the youth workers are targets of exploitation. He exemplified that the call center agents, who superficially receive high salary, are in fact receiving small pay when juxtaposed with the company’s income, let alone its profit. Meanwhile, the various LFS chapters recently conducted Basic Masses Integrations (BMIs) in factories nationwide to survey on the oppressed situation of the workers. Women “Presyo ibaba, VAT tanggalin, sahod itaas!” Thus spoke GABRIELA Women’s Party-Intramuros chapter Pres. Hilda Fabri as regards the continual price hikes in oil and basic needs while the workers’ wages remain low. She also pointed out that the wages brought home by their husbands are not enough to support their daily needs, “napakababa ng sinasahod ng mga asawa namin.
commemorate
onal Labor Day Napakahirap magbadyet kung wala namang ibabadyet.” Likewise, a representative from GABRIELA Women’s Party-Smokey Mountain chapter stressed, “napakababa ng sahod ngayon. Kung tutuusin, dapat na talagang tanggalin ni Noynoy ang Value Added Tax (VAT) na siyang pahirap sa maralitang Pilipino.” She also added that P-Noy should look and visit Smokey Mountain to see the real situation of the country. “Ang lagi na lang nakikita ni P-Noy ay ang mga taong nasa paligid niya na hindi naman dumaranas ng kahirapan at kagutuman. Dapat pansinin niya ung mga nasa komunidad kasi ito yung mga maralitang manggagawa at kababaihan na walang trabaho,” she said. GABRIELA Women’s Party also supports the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill which will lessen the cases of maternal mortality and abortion. Health Upgrade health workers salary now! Alliance of Health Workers (AHW) Secretary-Sec-Gen Robert Mendoza expressed that the health sector is part of the call for a higher salary. He exemplified the need to upgrade the doctors’ salary from SG 18 to 24. He also stressed the need to upgrade the salary of utility health workers, like the janitors, to P6,000 or SG 1; however, Mendoza pointed out that it is still insufficient considering the COLA of approximately P30,000/month. Further, Mendoza asserted, “tuparin ang pangako na bigyan ng nakabubuhay na sahod ang mga manggagawa. Ipatupad ang Salary Upgrade.” Migrants Trabaho sa Pinas, hindi sa ibang bansa! Calling for more decent jobs in the country, MIGRANTE International (MI) joined the battle for reasonable wages in commemoration of the International Day of Workers. MI Sec-Gen Gina Esguerra
shared how OFWs were starting to fight for their rights in other countries, “yung mga OFWs sa labas ng bansa ay hindi na lamang nananahimik, lumalaban sila para sa kanilang karapatan.” But in spite of this, she lamented the way they were being terminated by their employers because of lack of labor rights. Further, she expressed how not all OFWs were given financial assistance, “hindi makatatanggap ng P10,000 na financial assistance ang mga OFW mula sa Madagascar dahil hindi naman sila tulad ng mga umuwi galling Libya kung saan may civil war.” However, she explained that all OFWs were paying US$25 to Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and thus, must benefit from the financial assistance. Moreover, Esguerra said that the legal assistance given by the government is not enough for the OFWs who are on the brink of death. As of May 1, there are 124 Filipinos who are in the death row in MI’s list: 78 in China, 16 in Saudi Arabia and 30 in other countries. “Pag malapit nang bitayin saka lang sila [government] magbubuhos ng effort,” she lamented. Government Employees The Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE) hoisted the banner of ‘Wage Fight’ with the workers expressing their demand for a substantial wage increase. COURAGE National Pres. Ferdinand Gaite stressed that despite the P30,000 worth of COLA per month, the government employees only earn a minimum salary of P7,575 monthly. In line with this, COURAGE called for a P6,000 increase in minimum pay for the government employees and P125 across-theboard wage hike in the private sector. “Ang gobyernong ito ay patuloy na nagbibingi-bingihan, nagtutulug-tulugan. Asahan niyong magkakaroon pa ng mas
malaking pagkilos para sa mga manggagawa,” Gaite ended. Church For the love of God and his people. Expressing the empathy of the Lord, the National Council of the Church in the Philippines (NCCP) and Student Christian Movement of the Philippines (SCMP) joined the mobilization to commemorate the International Day of Workers. “Prophetic task ng taong simbahan ang pagtataguyod ng buhay ng mga manggagawa at higit sa lahat, tungkulin ng pamahalaan na iangat ang buhay at protektahan ang mga manggagawa,” PCPR Sec-Gen Nardi Sabino said. Also, he added that the workers must be protected against contractualization and other means of exploitation like unreasonable wages. Meanwhile, SCMP Chairperson Biyaya Quizon stressed their disgust against the injustices done to the workers and the rampant killings of union leaders. She added that the government must prioritize the workers and their families’ livelihood and education. Media Lights, camera, act now! ABS-CBN Internal Job Market Workers’ Union (IJMWU) Vice Chair Alain Cadag underlined the need to form the union due to lack of Labor Standard Benefits (LSB) like 13th month pay, holiday pay, security of tenure, etc. According to Cadag, the network deprived them the right to security of tenure despite that the majority of the workers are already 5 years in service.
Moreover, out of 1,400 IJM workers of ABS-CBN whose works focus on technical operation and production like cameramen, audio men, video engineers, among others, 100 of them were offered regular contracts with unjust conditions. In the end, 114 IJM workers were dismissed without getting paid. Artist Tangkilikin ang sariling atin! Celebrating the hardships of the workers by singing revolutionary songs, the People’s Chorale sang ‘Ang Gerilya ay Tulad ng Makata’ (Guerilla is Like A Poet) to celebrate the 125th International Day of Workers. Concerned Artist of the Philippines (CAP) member Boy Dominguez expressed the need to increase the workers’ wages, “malawak ang panawagan namin sa pagtaas ng sahod ng mga manggagawa at ang magsisilbing epekto nito ang bubuhay sa aming mga artista. Paano titignan ang mga gawa namin kung mismong abala ito sa paghahanap ng ip-
anglalaman sa tiyan?” Further, Dominguez pointed out how commercialization and mental colonialism, popularized by the elitists, killed our culture and history, “ang kasaysayan ang halawan ng sining pero ang kasaysayan na meron tayo ngayon ay hindi kasaysayan ng batayang masa, bagkus ito ay kasaysayan na pangmayaman gawa ng mga elitista.” He also expressed how censorship in art like painting, music and films has been keeping the people from seeing and hearing their works which depicts social reality. Meanwhile, with the unjust division of wages between the artist and the gallery, wherein the former gets the 40% while the latter takes the rest, UGATLahi called for “poor job justice” both for the artists and the workers sector.
8 Bagong pamunuan ng SC, itinalaga Pondo noong 2010 nawawala pa rin Geraldine Grace G. Garcia
“
Kasalukuyan pa ring nasa proseso ang kaso.” Ito ang pahayag ni Student Government (SG) Vice President for Internal Affairs John Clifford Sibayan ukol sa pagkawala ng pondo ng Seniors’ Committee (SC) 2010 na nagkakahalaga ng P 400,000. “Noong nagpunta kami sa Manila Police District Office, wala pa ring update ang kaso. Magpasahanggang ngayon, wala pa ring linaw kung sino nga ba ang dapat managot sa nawawalang pondo,” dagdag ni Sibayan. Samantala, tinalakay sa isang pagpupulong na pinangunahan ng Office of Student Affairs and Student Services (OSASS) ang isyu kaugnay sa kung sino ang hahawak sa SC ng taon. Ayon kay Dr. Aurora Fulgencio, Dean ng OSASS, ni-reorganisa ang SC upang tugunan
ang mga ispesipikong problema ng fourth year students gaya ng pagbibigay ng clearance, ngunit wala pang pormal na papel at pagkilala sa mga bagong pamunuan at Advisory Committee nito. “Mas makabubuti kung ilalagay na sa ayos ang SC. Maaari itong hawakan ng OSASS o di kaya ng SG o di kaya ay under ito ng SG, at the same time, kokonsultahin pa rin nila ang OSASS kaugnay ng kanilang mga hakbangin,” ani Dr. Fulgencio. Maliban dito, kasama rin sa pagpupulong ang pagkakaantala ng pamamahagi ng A.Y. 20102011 yearbook. Sinabi ni Dr. Fulgencio na isa sa mga dahilan kaya hindi pa maibigay agad ng Rocha Corporation ang yearbook sapagkat hindi pa rin bayad ang kabuuang bilang ng fourth year students na umorder nito. Sa ngayon, kasalukuyan nang hawak ng
SENIORS’ COMMITTEE OFFICERS A.Y 2011-2012, PHILIPPINE NORMAL UNIVERSITY EXECUTIVE BOARD
PRESIDENT MS. ANGELA DOMINIQUE O. AZUL Department of Early Childhood Education bagong pamunuan ng SC ang MS. LYKA MARIE S. BALONDO mga yearbook. Pansamantalang SECRETARY Department of Humanities inabonohan ng Pamantasan ang natitirang balanse sa Rocha Cor- TREASURER MS. FATIMA REYES Department of Mathematics poration. Kaugnay ng isyung ito ang P.R.O. MR. EMERSON S. LAZARO pagkaka-hold ng clearance ng Department of Physical Sciences ibang estudyante. “Maraming estudyante ang nagtungo sa aming EDITORIAL BOARD tanggapan dahil hindi pa rin sila nabibigyan ng clearance. Tandaan EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MS. MA. KRISTINA G. ESPOSO natin, voluntary ang paniningil ng Department of English grad pic at yearbook,” ani ArnoldMS. YVETTE I. BUCE John Bulanadi, SG-Manila Presi- ASSOCIATE EDITOR Department of Behavioural Sciences dent and Student Regent. Ayon sa SC, nagbigay na sila MANAGING EDITOR MS. MARGARET G. GANADEN ng sulat kay Dr. Nueva Espaňa, Department of Library and Information Science Vice President for Administration, Finance and Development noong EDITORIAL STAFF Department of Elementary Education Abril 4 kung saan humihingi sila ng listahan ng mga estudyanteng nakabayad na. Ang listahang iyon ang magiging batayan nila upang malaman kung lahat nang umor- Ngunit, agad naman niyang kinwestyon ang SC kung alam ba der ay bayad na. Nilinaw ni Dr. Fulgencio na ng mga fourth year student na tanging ang mga estudyanteng kapag nag-order sila ng graduaumorder ngunit hindi pa bayad tion pictures ay nangangahuluang hindi bibigyan ng clearance. gang kukuha na rin sila ng yearbook. Buwelta ng SC, malinaw na nakasaad iyon sa waiver na kanilang pinapirmahan sa mga estudyante. thetorchpub_pnu@gmail.com
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PHOTONEWS
P
ormal na binuksan sa publiko ang bagong PNU Alumni Home na mayroong student dormitory at Chinese and Korean Restaurant na pagmamay-ari ng isang Chinese national na si Mr. Li, Mayo 4. Dinaluhan ni Alumni Association President Hon. Teresita Domalanta at ng limang building managers ang opening ceremony. Ayon sa kanilang ad, nagkakahalaga ng P5,000 ang upa sa single bed ng dormitoryo at P20,000 ang isang kwarto na pang-apat na tao. Hiwalay pa ang metro kung may iba pang kagamitan tulad ng air conditioner. (Ethel Diana Jordan)
Different youth organizations demanded that education must be accessible to all. They protested the rampant tuition and other fees increases in private and other public schools as the new academic year opens. PHOTO CREDIT: Bulatlat.com
JTS’11 held New set of BOE revealed
April Mae G. Carvajal eonette ranges from P5,000 to P7,500 a month, while those at the left side ranges from P4,000 to P7,000 depending on its size and location. In addition, the luncheonette pays the highest fee of P60,000 a month. However, according to the stall owners, their rental fees do not include bills for electricity and water. Each stall has separate meters indicating their monthly consumption. Rosita Bael, owner of stall #28 stated her remorse regarding the payment of the water bill. “Umaabot sa humigit kumulang P800 ang binabayaran ko sa tubig kada buwan pero pang hugas lang naman ng mga kagamitan ang kinokonsumo ko sa tubig.”
T
o hone the journalistic and literary skills, The Torch Publications held its Journalism Training Seminar (JTS) ’11 at Wilma’s Garden Resort, Floridablanca, Pampanga, April 26-30. A panel of speakers from the academe and the mainstream media rendered lectures and seminars on journalism and literature during the first few days of the seminar. Meanwhile, an Independent Screening Committee (ISC) assessed and selected the new set of Board of Editors (BOE) through series of examinations and interview on the last day. The ISC were composed of The Torch alumni, administration representative, faculty representative and media practitioner. The announcement of the new set of BOE was revealed on the last day of the seminar. Donnadette Belza (AB/BSE Literature) topped the examinations and interview,
and got hold of the Editor in Chief post. Here is the complete list of those who make it to the board: Joanna Marie Tabafunda (AB/ BSE Literature), Associate Editor in Filipino; John Javir Laserna (AB/BSE Literature), Associate Editor in English; Geraldine Grace Garcia (BS Mathematics for Teachers), Managing Editor; Ethel Diana Jordan (BSE Filipino), Assistant Managing Editor. Section editors are Jether-Koz Roxas (BSE English), News; Ma. Cherry Magundayao (AB/BSE Literature), Features; Reginald Pradanos (AB/BSE Literature), Literary; and April Mae Carvajal (BSE History), Research. On the last day, the Office of the Student Affairs and Student Services (OSASS) Dean Dr. Aurora Fulgencio, together with Prof. Adonis David and Prof. Sheila Marie Adona found time to visit and check if the event goes well.
News Section
Multi-purpose Cooperative (MPC) still maintains the 6040 share between the MPC members and the PNU administration wherein 60% goes to the former and 40% to the latter. MPC General Manager Rachel Evangelista shared in an interview that the profits earned by MPC were divided among 200 plus faculties and 160 admin officials who are members of MPC. Further, the MPC Board of Directors, chaired by Prof. Michael Nael, decided on the rental fees of each stall. “Ang renta ng mga stalls ay nakadepende kung saan ito nakapwesto, mas malapit sa mga estudyante, mas mahal, pag ‘yung nasa bandang likod mas mura,” said Evangelista. The rental fees of the stalls located near the lunch-
INDIGENEWS
MPC remains 60-40 share
9
PHOTO CREDIT: Jeselle Alfonso
PNU organizations integrated with the farm workers in Brgy. Carmen to help in mass production, know their concrete conditions, and improve their knowledge of the society.
Studes integrate with peasants, Peasants call for GARB ratification ISKO at ISKA! Maligayang bati sa lahat ng pumasa sa QUECALAP 2011, 1st semester!
W
e would never know until we experience it. Seeing the country beyond what urban living can offer, The Torch Publications, together with the Student Government, ANAKBAYAN, GABRIELA Youth and ACT Teachers Party-list conducted Basic Masses Integration (BMI) at Brgy. Carmen, Silang, Cavite,
March 26-April 1. Participants held a LiteracyNumeracy-Arts program for children and a series of educational discussions (EDs) for youth, women and peasants. A cultural night was also held on the last night of their stay to thank their foster families by staging a play and singing some songs that reflect their situation.
Meanwhile, the peasants call for the immediate ratification of House Bill 3059 (HB 3059) or the Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill (GARB) which will cater their needs by directly providing them lands to tilt. “Nasa kanayunan ang realidad, ang atrasado subalit simpleng pamumuhay na dapat tanganan ng bawat Iskolar ng Bayan. Sa BMI, higit na mapagaaralan ang lipunan kumpara sa social science subjects sa apat na sulok ng academya,” ANAKBAYAN member Cedrick Castillo shared in an interview. BMI was organized by ANAKBAYAN Chair Roxanne Ricablanca in coordination with the leader-farmers of Brgy. Carmen.
AKLASAN REGINALD P. PRADANOS
Si Boss, na sinusubsob ka tuwina Na laging nakabungisngis Na sa pera laging mabilis Na mala-apog ang kutis Na parang piyesta kung ngumasab Humahalimuyak ang eau de toilette. Samantalang ikaw, ikaw na pinagpapala maghapon Na araw-araw tone-toneladang graba ang pasan Na binabaha ng pawis hanggang kasingit-singitan Na laging nakakalyuhan at napapaltusan Na hinahagupit ng sinag Na may pamilyang wala man lang kahit pang-sinangag Humahalimuyak na parang toilet. At ‘pag dumating na ang sahuran, Kayo’y magkikita At ang laging balita “Walang kita ang kompanya” Napupunta sa’yo ay laging barya “kaya mag-loan ka na lang ulit” diin pa n’ya Iiwan ka niyang nakatunganga Habang papasakay sa bagong Porsche.
PUTING TUWALYA
Napakaraming titser dito sa amin ngunit bakit tila walang natira?*
EMMANUEL C. BARRAMEDA
DONNADETTE S.G. BELZA
Sabi ni Gloc 9 Nag-a-abroad sila – Upang yumaman, Yumaman, Yumaman.
Puting tuwalya Ibinayubay sa leeg Walang paglagyan ng linis ang patuyuan ng pawis Puting tuwalya Unti-unting nagbabago Lulutang ang pagal na kulay Nang mabilis pa sa alas kwatro
Sabi ni Titser Nag-a-abroad sila – Upang kumita ng pera, Makapagpadala ng grasya, Sasaya ang pamilya. (Tama nga si Gloc 9.)
Puting tuwalya Tigmak sa halimuyak Nilulunod sa alat at sa mikrobyo nilalantad
Pagtapak sa lupa ng dayuhan, Golden cat nasilayan, Ampao unti-unting napunan.
Puting tuwalya Sa noo ni manggagawa Kinamkam ang pawis Dala ng pagod, mababang pasahod Puting tuwalya Araw-araw tangan Sa makalawa na lalabhan Puting tuwalya Araw-araw tangan Sa makalawa na lalabhan
Literary Ngayon, binitiwan mo ang pala, Sawang-sawa na sa barya, Namatay ang asawa mong dilat ang mata. Kaya, Sa Mayo Uno muling magmamartsa, At handa na bukas, Lalaban ng bala sa bala!
10
Puting tuwalya Araw-araw tangan Sa makalawa pa lalabhan
Puting tuwalya Ngayo’y kulay pula Sa noo’y malayang nakabandana Bitbit ang bandera Kasama sa martsa
Nalalaman mo ba ang palatandaan ng isang timawa? Gaano kahalaga ang Kangkong noong 1896? M K K B S K P B T L G? Baka naman isa ka sa mga baligtad magbasa ng libro? Pamilyar ka ba sa mga tanong sa itaas? Kung gayon, hinahamon ka naming makibahagi sa patimpalak pampanitikan na ito. Kumuha lamang ng pormularyo at alituntunin ng patimpalak sa opisina ng The Torch para sa karagdagang mga detalye. Ang huling araw ng pagpasa ng mga akda (tula/poetry, maikling kwento/ short story, sanaysay/essay) ay sa Setyembre 2, 2011.
Ink your pen, serve the people
Lumipas ang ilang buwan – ‘Masarap ang Hersheys’ Sabi ni Bunso. ‘Astig yung Nike’ Sabi ni Kuya. ‘Sosyal ng Louis Vuitton’ Sabi ni Ate. ‘Mabango yung Christian Dior’ Sabi ni Tatay. Pero – ‘Miss ko na si Nanay.’ Kaya sabi ni Titser – Tiis-tiis. Konting kape at kayod pa Uuwi rin siya. Lumipas pa ang ilang taon – ‘Masarap din ang Cadbury’ ‘Astig din yung Sketchers’ ‘Sosyal din ng Gucci’ ‘Mabango rin yung Calvin Klein’ Pero – ‘Ang tagal ni Nanay!’ Kaya sabi ni Titser – ... Walang balita. Isang araw Pagbukas ng flatscreen TV: Pilipinong guro, bibitayin sa Tsina! Tulala. Bumagsak ang Ferrero sa kamay ni Bunso. Tumigil sa pagsuot ng Converse si Kuya. Huminto sa pagpindot ng Blackberry si Ate. Dumulas yung Lacoste sa kamay ni Tatay. Tulala. At biglang tumugtog Sa flatscreen TV Ang kanta ni Gloc 9. *halaw mula sa awit ni Gloc 9 (Walang Natira)
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Ma. Cherry P. Magundayao
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PHOTO CREDIT: wordpress.com
atiting.
Yan ang di maipagkakailang kinikita ng mga manggagawa sa pribado, gayon din sa mga pampublikong ahensya. Gaya na lamang ng game show na Who Wants to be a Millionaire, ang kalagayan ng mga manggagawa ay laging nasa bingit ng pagkatalo ngunit hindi kailanman sa pagkapanalo at hindi pagkakaroon ng maginhawang buhay. Kaya talaga nga namang kinakailangan na nilang humingi ng lifelines para lang mabuhay. 50:50 Araw-araw, umuuwi ang asawa ni Aling Basyon dalaangkinitasamaghapong pagtatrabaho sa pribadong kompanya bilang clerk. Mayroon silang tatlong tsikiting na pinag-aaral sa elementarya. Mabuti na lamang at bakasyon dahil wala silang pinababaon. Ngunit, bakit kulang pa rin? Paano na lamang kapag may pasok na? O kaya lumaki na ang mga bata at mas marami nang pangangailangan sa eskwela? Para bang habambuhay nang nasa 50:50 ang kalagayan ng pamilya ni Aling Basyon, laging problema ang pagkakasya ng badyet para sa isang araw. Sa P404 na minimum wage ng pribadong empleyado’t manggagawa, dinagdagan di umano ito ng ‘nakatutulong’ na P22 emergency cost of living allowance (COLA), kaya naging P426. Sa kabilang banda, ang panawagan ng mga manggagawa na makabuluhang dagdag sahod ay sinagot ng gobyernong Aquino sa pamamagitan ng pagpapasa ng Executive Order 40 kung saan maaga ng isang buwan ang pagpapatupad ng taunang dagdag sahod. Naging P8,286 ito (halos P276 kada araw) ngunit hindi pa rin sapat kung ihahambing sa daily cost of living allowance, ayon sa National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC), ay P988 para sa pamilyang may anim na miyembro. Kitang-kita na wala pa sa kalahati ng daily cost of living ang sahod ng isang manggagawa na tumatanggap lamang ng minimum sa isang araw. Ipagpalagay natin na ganito karami ang nabibili at nababayaran ng isang maybahay na pilit pinagkakasya ang P426 na sahod ng kanyang asawa: b_gas sa_di_as ku_y_nte t_big r_nta ut_ng Sapat ba? ASK THE AUDIENCE Sino ba naman ang mabubuhay sa ganitong sitwasyon? Aba’y marami! Maraming pamilya ni Juan ang matagal nang nagtitiis sa ganoong kaliit na halaga, ang iba pa nga’y mas maliit pa riyan dahil sa dami ng utang na binabayaran. Dahil kulang ang kita, napapasubo tuloy sa pangungutang ang pamilya. Dahil sa patuloy na pagsirit ng presyo ng langis na nagiging sanhi ng sunod-sunod na pagtataas ng presyo
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MAGKANO BA TALAGA ANG NAKABUBUHAY NA SAHOD? ng mga bilihin sa merkado, inaprubahan na ng NWPC ang pagkakaroon ng supervening conditions sa National Capital Region (NCR). Mabuti na lamang inaprubahan na ang inihapag na supervening conditions dahil ito na ang unang hakbang sa wage process. Sa ilalim ng NWPC Rules and Procedures on Minimum Wage, walang bagong pagtataas ng sahod ang maaaring ipatupad sa loob ng 12 buwan mula nang huling magkaroon ng pagtataas ng sahod (na naganap noong Hulyo 2010) maliban na lamang kung mapapatunayang mayroong supervening conditions—isang kakaiba’t biglaang pagtataas ng mga produktong petrolyo at batayang pangangailangan. Dahil dito kaya wala nang kayang bilhin si Aling Basyon sa sahod ng asawa. Ultimo presyo ng NFA rice ngayon ay pumapalo na sa P28 na dati ay P18 lamang. Kaya naman kung hindi nilagang itlog ang hapunan, malamang ay noodles na nilagyan na lamang ng malunggay. But here’s the catch, sa halip na makabuluhang dagdag sahod ang ipinatupad gaya ng ipinaglalaban ng mga progresibong grupo na P125 para sa mga manggagawa sa pribadong kompanya, at P6,000 na minimum pay para sa mga empleyado ng gobyerno, P22 na COLA lamang ang ibinigay sa mga manggagawa samantalang EO 40 naman ang itinapat sa government employees. Ano bang klaseng tulong ang magagawa nito sa isang pamilya upang mabuhay ng disente? Kung ganito rin naman pala ang itinutumbas ng gobyerno sa pagod ng mga manggagawa, walang saysay pala ang paghingi ng tulong sa ‘audience’.
CALL A F(r)IEND Kung kani-kanino na humihingi ng tulong ang pamilya ni Aling Basyon para lamang makapangutang at nang may makain ang kanilang mga anak. Bukod sa utang ng lahat ng Pilipino sa mga dayuhang bansa, nakalubog pa sila sa sariling putikan na kailangang maalpasan. Ayon sa Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) at Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), ang pagtataas ng sahod ng mga manggagawa ay mangangahulugan ng malawakang pagsisibak ng mga trabahador at pagsasara ng mga maliliit na kompanya na magiging sanhi pa lalo ng unemployment. “Sa basic wage kasi, mas malaki 'yung added cost on the part of the employer, while 'yung COLA, maliit lang 'yung added cost," sabi ni Raymundo Agravante, Regional Director ng NCR Wage Board. Ipinapakita lamang nito na ang desisyon ng gobyerno hinggil sa usapin ng sahod ay nakabatay pa rin sa mga negosyante. Sapagkat, iginigiit ng mga ito na malulugi sila kapag naipatupad ang dagdag sahod na ipinaglalaban ng mga manggagawa. Pero sa katotohanan, umaabot lamang ng halos 15% ang mababawas sa sobra-sobrang tubo ng mga ito na halos hindi makakaapekto sa pinagpapakasasaan nilang kita. Ano ba naman ang maliit na bawas sa tubo nila? Sa kabilang banda, sinasabing nakatulong ng malaki ang administrasyong Aquino dahil sa pagpapatupad ng EO 40 na epektibo simula unang araw ng Hunyo kung saan naging mas maaga ng isang buwan ang pagpapatupad ng Salary Standardization Law 3 (SSL 3). Ngunit sa katotohanan, hindi pa rin ito nakasasapat sa pangangailangan ng mga
manggagawa batay sa daily cost of living at nagsisilbi lamang itong bandaid solution. Sa ilalim ng SSL 3, may ginawang paghahambing ang gobyerno sa iba’t ibang rehiyon para maipakita kung gaano kalaki dapat ang itaas ng sahod. Sa iskedyul na inilabas ng SSL 3, P9,000 ang sagad na itataas ng sahod pagdating ng 2012. Sa gayon, mula P7,574 noong nakaraang taon, aabot lamang ng P8,286 ang sahod ngayong 2011. Maaga man ito ng isang buwan sa normal nitong pagtataas, wala pa rin itong epekto para sa isang karaniwang empleyado sapagkat epektibo lamang talaga ito sa mga nasa matataas na posisyon sa national government agencies (NGAs), government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), at government finance institutions (GFIs). Ang mga empleyado sa local government units (LGUs) ay nangangailangan pang maghintay ng matagal-tagal para sa iskedyul na tutukuyin ng LGU batay sa income class at financial capability. Ibig sabihin, gaya sa isang pribadong kompanya, depende ito sa kakayahan ng LGU kung susunod sila sa SSL 3 o ipagpapaliban pa ito ng ilang buwan. Bukod pa rito, sa pamamagitan ng Wage Regionalization Act of 1989, nagkakaroon ng benchmarking o pagpapantay ng sahod sa mga rehiyon at sa National Capital Region (NCR). Ibig sabihin, kung P8,286 lamang ang sahod sa NCR, pantay lamang o mas mababa pa ang matatanggap ng mga manggagawa sa mga lalawigan. Imbis na makatulong pa ang mga employer ng mga manggagawa, sila pa lalo ang nakakapagpalawig ng paghihirap nila na nagreresulta sa
pangungutang nang dahil sa kakarampot na sahod. TRUE LIFELINE Sa gitna ng kahirapang pangekonomiko, ang gobyerno dapat ang unang-unang umiintindi at gumagawa ng paraan upang matulungan ang tulad niAling Basyon at ibang mga kababayan na naghihikahos sa buhay. Kaya naman, ang itinutulak ng Anakpawis Party-list sa Kongreso na House Bill 3746 at House Bill 375 lamang ang makakatulong sa ating mga kababayan kahit kaunti. Sa ilalim ng HB 3746, dadagdagan ng P6,000 ang sahod ng government employees; samantala, sa HB 375, makakatanggap ng P125 ang mga pribadong empleyado’t manggagawa. Kapag naipatupad ito, sunod-sunod na ang pagtataas ng sahod ng mga manggagawa sa iba’t ibang mga rehiyon. Kapag naisabatas ang mga panukalang ito sa Kongreso, mapupuno na ni Aling Basyon ang kanyang listahan ng bayarin: bigas sardinas kuryente tubig renta ut_ng Marahil ang lumulobong utang na lamang ang hindi pa kayang bayaran nang tuluyan, dahil kung tutuusin ay kulang pa ang pagtataas na ito para mabuhay nang maayos ang pamilyang Pilipino sa gitna ng nagtataasang presyo ng mga bilihin at serbisyo. Gobyerno na mismo ang dapat naggigiit ng makabuluhang dagdag sahod sa simpleng kadahilanang ang lakas paggawa ng mga manggagawa ang puhunan ng mga industriya sa bansa. Hindi ang P22 COLA at EO 40 ang sagot sa kahirapan ng mga manggagawa kundi ang mga panukalang batas sa isang makabuluhang dagdag na sahod. Kaya naman si Aling Basyon, masaya na sa napanalunang konting pagginhawa ng buhay nang dahil sa totoong lifeline na tulong ng iilang mapagkawanggawang kababayan. Sources: Hernandez, Z., (2011, May 22). P22 COLA, hindi umento sa sahod, para sa NCR workers.ABS-CBN news. http://www. absbnnews.com/video/business/05/09/11/ncr-workers-get-p22cola-instead-wage-hike Salamat, M., (2011, May 11). Noynoy’s paltry P22 allowance insults and deceives, groups say. Bulatlat. Retrieved from http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/05/11/p22-ecola-an-insult-adeception-say-progressive-labor-and-partylist-groups/ Human Rights Online Philippines, (2011, May 10). [Press release] P22 COLAis bad not good news – Partido ng Manggagawa. Human Rights Online Philippines. Retrieved from http://hronlineph.wordpress.com/2011/05/10/ press-release-p22-cola-is-bad-not-good-news-partido-ngmanggagawa/ DOLE NWPC. (2011, April 15). NWPC affirms Supervening Condition in NCR. Official Website of National Wages and Productivity Commission. Retrieved from http://www.nwpc.dole. gov.ph/news_archive/04-15-11.html
a social hall for the students, for the SG officers and some rooms for classes. In 1980-1981, Pres. Bonifacio P. Sibayan released a memorandum ordering the transfer of classes into another building. This was to provide more space for the students’ extra curricular activities. Aside from that, Pres. Sibayan ordered the Office of the Student Affairs (OSA) to transfer their office in the SC; however due to small space, OSA did not stay there for long. In 1996, the PNU planned to demolish and reconstruct the SC at the same area but this plan was deferred because there was no clear declaration were the budget would come from. Also, there was no plan where to locate the organizations that settle in the veranda.
HERSTORY...
Student Center today
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Gratefully dedicated to the Philippine Normal College by the students and their leaders in the years 1959-1967. This building symbolizes youth’s unquenchable thirst for freedom, truth and love of country.” Student Center Building cornerstone Over the years, the Philippine Normal University (PNU) Student Center Building has been marked as one of the important ‘residence’ for the PNU students. A place where students from different majorships were united by common passion and interests embodied by different organizations and institutions. A venue where students organize different types of activities. A venue where students do their rehearsals and spend leisure time with classmates and friends. A place where every student of the university enjoy the freedom to express their views and opinions. Like the establishment of different institutions and organizations, the Student Center itself was built through united efforts, contributions and perseverance of former leaders and students of the University.
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Tracing the history of Student Center Building Research Section
Memories of creation The Student Center (SC) was built through a resolution authored by J. Sablay Jr. in 1959. Under the Student Council Resolution No. 84, the Philippine Normal College (PNC) was authorized to levy an amount of P2 on each student every semester including summer until an amount of P115,000 was collected. The money would be used for the construction of the three-storey Student Center Building. There was also an agreement that since SC is a government building and stands on a government lot, it follows that the building must be administered by PNC. The starting amount needed for the construction of the building
was P100,000, but PNC only had P25,000 during that time. With this, PNC under Pres. Emiliano Ramirez filed a loan of P75,000 on Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), and the lot where the SC would be built was used as the collateral of the loan. This was under the condition that the amount will be paid in three to five years using the two-peso collection from the students. However, GSIS did not approve the loan because the lot which PNC used as collateral is a government property and it was not under PNC’s custody. For this reason, the construction of the SC was delayed. In 1964, the bidding for planning and construction of the SC was done. The original three-
storey plan was changed into a two-storey building due to the lack of fund. According to the revised plan, the first floor would accommodate a cafeteria, refreshment parlor, and a store for school supplies, while the second floor would serve as offices for Student Government (SG), SG advisers, and area for student activities. In 1965, PNC had only collected P120,000, less than half of the supposed amount of P250,000 to complete the project. Despite this budget constraint, PNC still pursued the construction. Eventually, as PNC gained budget, the construction gradually surfaced until March 8, 1966. PNC Exchange, an authorized institution that offer food and refreshments in the university, moved to the basement of Student Center Building with the second floor still unfinished. Within this year, the construction of the second floor continued until November. On March 9, 1967, the City of Manila finally turned over the Student Center to the PNC SG with Manuel Ortega as the SG President. The birth of significant changes Student Center was divided into different areas. There was
Student Center, commonly known today as the Student Veranda serves as the home for different Interest Clubs and University Chapter Organizations (ICUCOs) and other institutions, a sanctuary for the young minds who strive to pursue their passion. Today, student’s freedom is apparently manifested in planning and organizing various activities for students’ welfare even without asking the permission or any intervention from the administration. Eventually, more students gain knowledge and awareness; freedom from repression and silence were earned. Students’ independent minds are evidently aired in the veranda that is shown by how they practice autonomy and maximize the place in all their activities. Freedom of expression and unity turns into life every time the students mobilize to show their side to the administration as the major stakeholders of the university. Its walls and pillars symbolize the PNUans who worked together in carrying out all means possible to achieve their goals and become student leaders of small groups. Its corners speak of the memories of the students who breathed life into it. Sources: PNU Records management office The Torch issues (1964, 1967, 1996)