The Torch Publications Tomo 73 Blg. 4

Pagkiling sa dalawAng mukha ng imperyalismo Bumungad ang sigalot sa pagitan ng US at Iran sa pagpasok ng bagong taon, patunay ito sa lumalalang kondisyon ng imperyalismong pinapalaganap ng US at ng tumitinding pandaigdigang pag-aaklas laban sa nabubulok na yugto ng kapitalismo. /p08

Ang Opisyal na Pahayagang Pangmag-aaral ng Pamantasang Normal ng Pilipinas | KASAPI: College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) | Progesibong Lupon ng mga Manunulat (PLUMA-PNU)

ISYU LXXII BLG. 4 THE TORCH | ISYU LXXII BLG. 4 OCT-FEB 2020

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THE TORCH | ISYU LXXII BLG. 4

UG programs pass phase 1 of Level IV status JOMIL CHRISTIAN LIZA | JOSE CASTILLO All undergraduate programs of the Philippine Normal University, except the Bachelor of Mathematics and Science Elementary Education (BMSEE), have qualified for the first phase of the survey visit for accreditation level IV status.

In line with this, the BMSEE program will have its Level IV accreditation resurvey visit on March 2-5 that was rescheduled from last November by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities of the Philippines, Inc. (AACCUP).

The AACCUP evaluated 10 key indicators for accreditation namely: Vision, Mission, Goals, and Objectives (VMGO); Faculty, Curriculum and Instruction, Support to Students; Research, Extension and Community Involvement, Library, Physical Plant and Facilities, Laboratories, and Administration.

Planning and preparation Faculties and Institutes have been preparing for the AACCUP survey visit since last year which involved retrieval of documents from the Commission of Higher Education (CHED) and proofs of improvement from the 10 aforementioned areas.

Dr. Gladys Nivera, Associate Dean of the

Faculty of Science, Technology, and Mathematics (FSTeM), said that the preparation began at the university level, meaning, orders from the central administration are passed down to different faculties and institutes for a systematic distribution of area-specific tasks.

“The preparation normally spans [for] years…

Yes, kaya lang it begins at the university level. There are university coordinators, per area. At our level, we have to assign area coordinators per program,” she said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Niño Naldoza, Director for Institute of Knowledge Management (IKM), explained that they formed a task force and conducted workshops at the start of the academic year in preparation for the said accreditation.

In addition, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences (FBeSS) Associate Dean, Dr. Nerissa Tantengco, added that the faculties helped one another by sharing common documents such as flexible learning activities and CHED documents.

Hindering challenges Former Vice President for Research, Planning, and Quality Assurance (VPRPQA) Dr. Rosemarievic Diaz admitted that the University has not

embedded quality assurance in their system before the creation of the Quality Assurance Office in 2013.

“Kung 2013, tapos ang hinahanap na document sa atin noong 2010, 2011, mahihirapan talaga tayo,” Diaz explained.

As a result, Associate Deans pointed out that the search and retrieval of documents were also one of their main challenges in preparing for the accreditation.

“Yung mga previous, di na naman ma-retrieve kasi yung time na nagrestructure [noong] 2013 ng Organizational Structure, we came from CLLL, bago hiniwalay ang Lib Sci then isinama sa SIKM,” the IKM Director explained.

On the other hand, there were several complaints from second year students who were required to render assistance to their respective faculties in order to fulfill requirements and present relevant documents to the AACCUP. Student involvement Majority of the Associate Deans and Institute Directors admitted that they used the help of their student assistants and members of student organizations in photocopying, searching, and retrieving of documents as well as layouting of newsletters and

magazines.

“They volunteered to stay with us. Assisting us in finding the document, in encoding some documents, some of the things that the office staff would be doing,” Faculty of Education Sciences (FES) Associate Dean Dr. Celia Ilanan stated.

Student assistance in the accreditation was counted as compliance to the National Service Training Program (NSTP).

Second year student assistants revealed that they rendered a maximum of 50 hours for their services after classes which they say did not affect their academic performance.

“Habang gumagawa kami ng NSTP… habang gumagawa namin yung pagsusulat ng paper naguusap na rin kami ng acads namin.

Pinag-uusapan namin kung ano yung dapat gawin,” Jhan Elaine Sabas, a student assistant from the FBeSS narrated.

In fact, there were some student assistants who extended their help with faculties overnight and exceeded the number of hours required by the NSTP. In return, the Associate Deans and Directors commended their efforts and said that they will repay their services by imposing working rates as suggested by the Office of Student Affairs and Student Services (OSASS).

Rooms for improvement In addition, Dr. Rowena Hibanada, an FBeSS faculty member who worked as a co-chair of the committee assigned in the extension area, proposed that the University must strengthen its monitoring and evaluation framework and interweave the connection between different areas of accreditation.

“It should be a seamless integration of the three, that what we teach in a classroom as a professor is based on research,” Dr. Hibanada added.

Sabas and IKM student assistant, Allaine Nolasco, also shared that the University must improve on providing supplies for the arrangement of documents, fixing equipment such as photocopying machines and imposing standardized time cards for student assistance.

“Also the machines and some equipment, like sa pagphotocopy namin, we need to wait pa para matapos ang isa na magxerox eh halos isang ream ng bond paper ang pinophotocopy ng bawat isa,” Nolasco explained.

The Center for Planning and Quality Assurance (CPQA) stated that preparations for the second phase of the Level IV accreditation will depend on the undergraduate programs’ time frame.

TEHCL to rise by end of 2020 FRANCES MIRANDA Philippine Normal University (PNU) Administration expects the completion of the Teacher Education Heritage Campus Library (TEHCL) by the end of this year as preconstruction activities for the eight-story laboratory building commenced last September.

The building will rise beside the university library and will serve primarily as a laboratory place for various disciplines. It will also provide added function halls and conference rooms.

According to Dr. Bert J. Tuga, the former Vice President for Finance and Management (VPFA), who sits now as the University President, this project aims to provide additional facilities for the university as they expect the full-blown number of students in the coming years. “We lack facilities at the university.

We lack classrooms and laboratories. I think they need to be improved. I think that the two buildings, not only this one, will address the problem,” he said.

President Tuga

mentioned that the project was initiated by the administration of former University President, Ester Ogena.

However, the university was not involved in the bidding process since there is a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the university and DPWH. To explain how the bidding process worked, Dr. Tuga said that the university received Php 129, 092, 000 for the construction of the building and then transferred Php 172, 000, 000 to DPWH upon receipt.

“It was the DPWH who conducted the bidding and eventually selected the winning bidder,” he added.

The University President cleared that Php 179, 000, 000 was allotted for the construction alone.

He emphasized that the fixture, furniture, and equipment are excluded from the funding. “Siguro mas maganda, habang tinatapos ‘yan, nagsosortout na tayo para ‘pag natapos na, mayroon na tayong pondo sa mga bagay na ilalagay sa loob,” he suggested.

Since the construction of TECHL necessitates the cutting of trees previously situated on the site, Dir. John Natividad of Facilities Management and Sustainability Services (FMSS), confirmed that several trees were either transferred or replaced with seedlings permitted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

In addition to that, he noted that there were around 1,000 seedlings bought in compensation for the balled trees.

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SEC clarifies reasons for moving elections to March JUSTINE PATRICIO Due to several internal problems, Student Electoral Commission (SEC) will not follow the constitutionally mandated schedule of the USC General Elections.

According to Article 16, Section 1 of the University Student Council (USC) Constitution, elections should be held during the 4th week of February of each year.

However, Christian Dave Reyes, SEC Chairperson, explained that because of the cancellation of classes in January due to Taal eruption, SEC cannot push through with the regular election schedule. “Kung ipipilit natin ng fourth week of February, Sobrang ikli ng election calendar,” said Reyes.

Reyes also mentioned that another reason for moving the elections was the processing of necessary documents. He said that one of the major problems was the retrieval of the Line

Item Budget (LIB) proposal of the commission.

“Na-approve na last year pa ‘yung annual budget namin, ang problema ‘yung sa CSC,” he mentioned.

Regarding the budget of the SEC, the proposal must be submitted first to the Student Assembly for reading. Before the reading of the budget proposal, other entities of USC such as CSC, SEC, Interest Clubs, University Chapters and Organizations Association (ICUCOA), and Student Tribunal must also submit their annual LIB proposal.

According to Reyes, failure of one entity of USC to submit their proposal would hamper the processing of budget of other entities because the Office of Student Affairs and Student Services (OSASS) will accept only one budget proposal from the USC. Moreover, Reyes said that their annual LIB proposal was approved by

the commission in October last year. However, one of the CSC councilors was not around to retrieve the budget proposal after its approval. “Nawala bigla ang Finance Officer nila, si Ms. Lovely Batilaran,” Reyes added.

Reyes explained that the absence of the Finance Officer (FO) hindered the processing of their budget for the elections. Therefore, this resulted in adjustments to the election calendar since SEC cannot process its budget proposal without the USC FO. Because of the absence of Batilaran, Reyes said that the CSC appointed Councilor Acsah Vizoro, head of Student Organizations and Accreditation Committee (SOACOM) to assume the responsibilities of Batilaran last January.

He also noted the even with the appointment of Vizoro, the processing of the budget shall start all

over again. “Nag-backto-zero kasi hindi naturnover nang maayos ang mga approved na budget ng ilang entity,” Reyes explained.

However, Reyes also assured that alternatives will be provided in case the budget proposal will not be processed in due time to prevent the failure of elections.

Regarding the failures of elections last year, Reyes pointed out that the main problem of SEC was to find candidates for the elections. “Ang reason naman talaga kung bakit nagfe-failure is last year, kulang ‘yung candidates,” he said.

Furthermore, the commission revealed that aside from general and special meetings where they convene to plan the temporary election calendar, they are starting to open the commission for recruitment of new student commissioners and utilize

every platform to publicize the elections.

Reyes admitted that SEC was not able to adequately publicize the elections to PNU students.

Consequently, the commission has plans to engage in partnerships with other organizations such as The Torch, Kadipan, and The Thespian Society in further publicizing the elections. “Kailangan talaga pati mga BR (Board Resolution) namin ay napapaikot talaga sa PNU community,” he added.

The SEC Chair also clarified that the late appointment of Johnpeter Tredes as the Head of the Board of Canvassers (HBoC), did not affect the election calendar. Lastly, Reyes stated that SEC aspires for a more active student engagement among PNUans this coming election.

DEFEND DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS, DEFEND PRESS FREEDOM! The Official Statement of The Torch Publications on ABS-CBN Shutdown The Torch Publications strongly denounces the state-proliferated attacks and restrictions against the press, to clearly attempt for the absolute deteriation of democracy.

This is a response to the recent filing of a quo warranto petition to shut down the franchises of ABS-CBN Corporation due to alleged 'highly abusive practices.'

Beginning with a crackdown against selected media outlets like Rappler and Philippine Daily Inquirer, along with numerous alternative media organizations such as Altermidya and Bulatlat, the administration is now on attacking the biggest

media franchise in the country. With all of these, we can vividly discern the propaganda effort of the Duterte regime to showcase his total authority and control over decision making through the rebirth of dictatorship.

Similar to Marcosʼ tactics during the Martial Law Era, censorship of the press is a medium to eradicate potential roots of rebellion and to eliminate any alliance that do not conform to state power.

Such a government cannot tolerate any avenue of free expression as this can unshackle their grip on power, resulting to recent waves of suppression against

the purveyors of truth.

As we believe that Press Freedom is one of the foundations of a democratic society, we, The Torch Publications, strongly condemns this form of political manipulation.

We deserve a government that permits us to exercise our rights.

We stand with ABS-CBN, along with the estimated 11,000 employees with their livelihood at risk, in defending the freedom of the press! We stand with our fellow media workers in upholding the truth and denouncing the injustices of the state!

From: Student Electoral Commission

ERRATUM: In a news article by Ezra Galauran headlined “Magat vows to strengthen student involvement,” paragraph 2, the article refers to the University Student Council’s Constitution instead of the election code.

The statement should, therefore, be read as: “Based on the Election Code, if the voter’s turnout reaches only 50% or lower, the Student Electoral Commission (SEC) shall declare the failure of elections.”

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Nagpapatuloy ang laban para sa kalayaan sa pamamahayag - NUJP

THE TORCH | ISYU LXXII BLG. 4 Matapos ang mahigit isang Hustisyang hindi ganap dekadang paglilitis sa kaso ng Ampatuan Massacre, idineklara Mula sa 197 akusado, 101 ni Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes pa lamang ang humaharap nitong ika-19 ng Disyembre sa husgado, 90 sa mga ito 2019 ang pagpataw ng reclusion ang nakulong, samantala, perpetua kina Andal Unsay si Sajid at ang 10 pang Jr., Zaldy, Datu Anwar Sajid, kapulisan ay nakalaya matapos Datu Anwar Sr., at Datu Anwar makapagpyansa. Ang natitirang Jr., at sa 24 pa nilang kasama, 80 pang hinihinalang suspek na itinuturing na mga utak kabilang ang 15 Ampatuan ay at pangunahing may sala sa inabswelto sa kaso at nanatiling pananambang at pagpapalibing malaya. Mahigit 50 suspek nang buhay sa 58 katao, kabilang ang apat na sina Datu kabilang na ang 32 na mga Sajid Ampatuan, Datu Akmad mamamahayag.

Ampatuan ay napawalang sala rin.

Ang trahedyang ito noong Itinuturing ito ng National ika-23 ng Nobyembre 2009 Union of Journalist of the ang pinakamarahas na atakeng Philippines (NUJP) bilang inisyal sinapit ng mga mamamahayag na tagumpay sa mahabang sa bansa. Dahil dito, tinagurian pakikibaka para sa ganap na ang Pilipinas bilang pangalawa hustisya. Bagaman tagumpay, sa pinakamapanganib na bansa hindi buo ang hustisyang para sa mga mamahayag sa naibigay dahil sa bilang ng mga buong mundo. hindi naparusahan at sa tagal ng inabot ng kaso, ayon sa grupo.

THE TORCH 4 ng hukuman na dapat ay pasya Sa kabila ng tagal| ISYU ng LXXII BLG. malaya sa impluwesya at interes panahon na inabot para sa ng iilan. paglilitis sa kasong ito, nanatili pa ring kapos at atrasado ang sistema ng hustisya sa bansa.

MIDYA AT Impyunidad Hindi rito nagtatapos ang laban para sa hustisya ng mga naiwan Isa ang Ampatuan Massacre ng mga biktima ng masaker. sa mga pangyayaring Ayon sa mga pamilya ng mga nagpapakita ng patuloy na biktima, masaya man sila sa panunupil sa midya, mga hatol ng korte, hinding-hindi pahayagan, mamahayag, at mga na maibabalik ang panahong progresibong sektor. nawala sa kanila dahil sa korap Bukod sa naganap na na sistema ng hustisya. masaker, marami pang mga pagGiit ng Altermidya, unang atake ang lantad na nararanasan hakbang pa lamang ito upang ng mga mamahayag na wakasan at tugisin ang mga direktang lumalabag sa nakaligtas sa parusa. Patuloy Republic Act No. 11458, batas na ang laban upang mapanagot nagbibigay proteksyon sa mga ang may sala at maihain ang mamahayag sa anumang uri ng hustisya ng buo, gaano pa man paniniil, pambubusal at iba pang ito katagal. uri ng pagkitil sa karapatan na Bagaman makikita na may magbalita. pag-usad ang kaso, lumulutang Ayon sa kay Luis Teodoro, pa rin kung paano naapektuhan dating dekano ng University of ng mga makapangyarihan at the Philippines - College of Mass naghaharing uri sa lipunan ang Communication, mula Hunyo 30,

2016 hanggang Abril 30, 2019, may naitala silang 128 na mga kasong umaapak sa karapatan ng mga mamamahayag.

Implikasyon ito na hindi lamang sistema ng hustisya ang may problema sa ating bansa. Makikita na sa kabila ng ipinapakitang simpatya ng pamahalaan sa pamilya ng mga biktima, hindi maitatago na kulang ang aksyong ginagawa nito upang matigil ang mga kaso ng karahasan sa mga mamamahayag. Kung tutuusin, marami pa sa bilang ng pambubusal, panunupil, at karahasan laban sa midya ay nagmumula mismo sa mga matataas na opisyales ng gobyerno.

Kung tunay na pag-supil sa krimen at karahasan ang tunguhin ng mga nagdaang administrasyon, hindi kinakailangan na tumagal ng lampas isang dekada ang

paglilitis sa kasong may malinaw namang kasugutan kung sino ang may sala.

Malaki ang kahingian sa patuloy na pagpapatalim ng pangil ng midya, gayundin, ang kahingian ng pwersa ng masa upang tumindig at manindigan upang hindi na maulit ang kahit na anong porma ng karahasan laban sa malawak na sector ng lipunan kabilang ang midya.

Ang pagbalikwas ay mananatili hangga’t may katotohanan at may lumalaban para makamtan ito.

ARTIKULO NI: Ma. Nathalie AvendaĂąo DIBUHO NI: Kyril Jon Velasquez PAGLALAPAT NINA: Justine Patricio

Allyssa Marie Salvacion

Verbal threats & assault

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THE TORCH | ISYU LXXII BLG. 4

Hinaing: SSL V, hindi makaguro!

Noong Enero ng kasalukuyang taon, pinirmahan ang Republic Act (RA) 11466 o Salary Standardization Law V (SSL V) na nagtataas sa sahod ng mga kawani ng gobyerno, kasama ang mga pampublikong guro. Sa naturang batas, daragdagan ang sahod ng mga entry-level na guro mula Php 20,754.00 patungong Php 27,000.00 sa loob ng apat na taon.

‘mapanlinlang na iskema’ Ayon sa datos ng Kagawaran ng Edukasyon (DepEd), tumaas ng humigit-kumulang Php 24,000.00 ang sahod ng mga guro mula sa Salary Standardization Law I ni dating Pangulong Fidel V. Ramos hanggang sa kasalukuyang administrasyon sa ilalim ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte.

Kung susuriin, nadagdagan lamang ng humigit-kumulang Php 1,000.00 o mas mababa pa ang sahod ng bawat guro kada tranche sa loob ng tatlong dekada.

Maituturing na maliit at mabagal pa rin ang pagdagag sa sahod ng mga guro, taliwas sa sinasabi ng

pamahalaan na malaki ang itinaas nito. Ito ay sapagkat nananatiling hindi sapat ang kanilang kinikita upang tustusan ang kanilang mga pangangailangan.

‘Kakarampot at hindi nakabubuhay’ Ayon sa General Secretary ng Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) na si Raymond Basilio, kakarampot at mabilis lamang na kakainin ng mga bayarin at buwis ang Php 1,562.00 na dagdagsahod kada taon dahil sa ipinapatupad na Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN).

Matatandaan na ipinatupad ng gobyerno ang TRAIN Law noong 2018.

Sa unang package nito, tinatanggal ang income tax, ngunit tinataasan naman ang iba pang mga buwis gaya ng excise tax sa langis, na isa sa mga dahilan ng lalong pagtaas sa presyo ng mga bilihin.

Makikita rin na ang kasalukuyang sahod ng mga guro ay hindi tumutugon sa mga probisyon ng Magna Carta for Public School Teachers. Ayon sa nasabing batas, nararapat na bigyan ng sapat at nakabubuhay na kompensasyon ang mga

guro upang makasabay ito sa tumataas na presyo ng mga bayarin.

Malinaw na hindi makatutugon sa pangangailangan ng kaguruan ang magiging sahod nito sa mga susunod na taon kung magpapatuloy ang epekto ng mga palisiyang ipinapatupad ng pamahalaan gaya ng TRAIN na lalong nagpapahirap sa mga mamamayan nito.

‘Hindi inuuna’ Matatandaang ipinangako ni Pangulong Duterte ang taas-sahod sa mga guro, pulis at sundalo.

Ngunit noong 2018, tanging ang mga pulis at sundalo lamang ang nakinabang sa pinirmahang Joint Resolution 1 na nagtakda ng pagtaas ng sahod ng mga ito na umabot mula 50% hanggang 100%.

Itinakda ng nasabing resolusyon ang pagdoble ng sahod ng Police Officer 1 (PO1) ng Philippine National Police (PNP) at sundalo na may ranggong Private mula Php 14, 834.00 patungong Php 29,668.00. Gayundin, kataka-taka na may sariling sistema ng pasahod sa mga ito na labas sa SSL V, gayong sila ay kabilang at itinuturing na mga kawani

ng pamahalaan.

Sa pagtataya ng ACT, mas mataas pa rin ang basic pay ng mga nasa hanay ng Sandatahang Lakas ngayong taon kumpara sa magiging sahod ng mga guro batay sa SSL V. Ipinapanawagan din ng pinakamalawak na unyon ng mga kaguruan na kahit papano ay ipantay ang kanilang sahod sa sahod ng mga nurse na makatatanggap ng Php 32,053.00 sa bisa ng SSL V. Ayon sa grupo, hindi pantay ang pagtingin ng pamahalaan sa mga empleyado at kawani nito.

Maliwanag na ang hindi pagpaprayoridad sa mga guro ng estado ay mistulang pagpapabaya rin sa edukasyon na lantad sa patuloy na pagkakaroon ng budget cut sa nasabing sektor. Sa halip na ilaan sa mas kapaki-pakinabang na mga bagay, mas pinipili ng gobyerno na pondohan ang intelligence fund at ang Sandatahang Lakas na nagagamit lamang ng estado sa patuloy na militarisasyon at paniniil sa mga subersibong grupo.

‘Nagpapatuloy na pakikibaka’ Inihain ni ACT Teachers Partylist Representative France Castro sa Kongreso ang House Bill 5990 na naglalayong itaas ang sahod ng Teacher 1 mula Php 22,316.00 patungong Php 30,000.00.

Ayon sa mambabatas, ang naturang halaga ay tiyak na makatutugon sa pangangailangan ng mga guro upang makasabay sa patuloy na paglobo ng presyo ng mga bilihin at paglaki ng mga buwis.

Hangga’t lantad ang pagsasawalang-bahala ng estado sa kapakanan ng mga guro, magpapatuloy at hindi matitinag ang mga ito sa paglaban para sa mga karapatang ipinagkakait sa kanila, kasama ng mamamayang naniniwala sa papel na ginagampanan ng mga guro para sa pagunlad ng bansa.

Comparative Salaries in Government 2020 with SSL V in effect SALARY GRADE

MONTHLY SALARIES

SG 1

Php 11,551.00

SG 11 (Teacher I)

Php 22,316.00

SG 12 (Teacher II)

Php 24,495.00

SG 13 (Teacher III)

Php 26,754.00

SG 31 (Legislators, Cabinet Members)

Php 262,965.00

SG 32 (V. President)

Php 313,512.00

SG 33 (President)

Php 395,858.00

POSITION

MONTHLY SALARIES

PO 1

Php 29,668.00

Private

Php 29,668.00

Nurse 1

Php 32,053.00

Teacher 1

Php 22,316.00

ARTIKULO NI: Shaine Christian Ocampo

DIBUHO NI: Kyril Jon Velasquez

PAGLALAPAT NINA: Justine Patricio | Allyssa Marie Salvacion

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PBJT to offer more undergrad straight programs ALIZSA MARTINEZ In the aim to produce adequate quality teachers, President Bert J. Tuga (PBJT) plans to include Honor’s Program to the current curriculum and open more slots for master’s and Ph.D. courses.

Correspondingly, Dr. Tuga also emphasizes student involvement and the improvement of university facilities as his priorities in the coming years.

to create more impact and influence on the teaching sector.

Moreover, he also mentioned maximizing the possibility of offering an online program to support offshore alternatives and modern teacher education “I’m thinking about cloudservicing in teacher education,” he shared.

New offer

Dr. Tuga ensures improvement of campus facilities through the infrastructure development program he had prepared as the former Vice President for Finance and Administration (VPFA). This includes the two building projects that are currently under construction. The President also reported that the twelve-story Student Center Building, beside BPS Building, is on its 56% progress under Phase 1.

“3rd floor muna yan hanggang December 2020 tapos ang 2021 yung kanyang completion,” Dr.

Honor’s class is a straight program that allows students to graduate as master’s degree holders.

“They will not start as Teacher 1 because they’re already MA holders. They belong in the proficient level already not the novice teachers,” he emphasized.

Also, Dr. Tuga recommends an additional graduate program for all disciplines to accommodate more teachers trained under PNU. Dr. Tuga explained that this is to address the challenge to the university

Facility improvement

Tuga added.

The building will provide space for student-activity area, student offices, classrooms, training rooms, and conference rooms.

On the other hand, Teacher Education Heritage Campus Laboratory (TEHCL) building will serve as the university’s wet and dry laboratory. The eight-story building will also include rooms for conferences and training.

Dr. Tuga will add minor improvement to the PNU Library as part of the renovation project for the Basic Education Library and turns it as a student lounge with a café. He stated that space will serve as a student hall.

“May mga naka-design for small discussion room, may sofa and may café.

Importante yung café tapos may printing area and photocopying area,” Dr. Tuga stressed.

Furthermore, he also plans to fix the exterior of the three buildings as well as the treatment for

Teachers launch donation drive, alternative classes for Taal eruption victims KYRIL VELASQUEZ To respond to the needs of Taal eruption victims, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), the largest union of educators in the country, delivered donations and goods to several evacuation centers around Batangas, Cavite, and Laguna which were severely affected by the calamity.

According to the National Chairperson of ACT-Philippines, Joselyn Martinez, their team delivered adequate

amount of goods to cater hundreds of families in several evacuation centers.

Kaya sa mga naghahanap po kung nasaan ang mga aktibista na mahilig mag rally, nandito po kami kapiling ng masa,” Martinez remarked.

More than 20 schools around the National Capital Region (NCR) participated in the donation drive led by ACTNCR. Teachers from various schools including students

E M U S RE

and alumni of Philippine Normal University (PNU) also volunteered in the packing, distribution, and delivery of food supplies, face masks, and other necessities to the victims.

Prior to the donationgiving, volunteer-teachers conducted alternative classes to students in numerous evacuation centers giving utmost importance to the continuance of education amidst a calamity.

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S K L A T E C A E

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W NO The Torch PUBLICATIONS

the drainage system with a budget of 94 Million to be funded next year.

Meanwhile, the 2nd floor in BPS Building is being prioritized this year while the renovation of its first floor will start next year.

Dr. Tuga also hopes for an additional power substation to address the campus’ increase in electrical load.

On Student Participation PBJT shows support in improving student involvement as he calls for regular student dialogue.

He expects the presence of all the officers of student organizations and representatives of the student body including The Torch Publications in this quarterly assembly.

“We do it quarterly para doon pwede kong imbitahan lahat ng opisyales so pag may concern right there and there masasagot ang mga concern, “he compelled.

Moreover, President Tuga shows full support

for the advocacy of the publication. “Isa ako sa mga taong nakakaintindi ng press freedom. So I have no problem with that, “he assured.

With the utmost need of having a leader in the sustenance of the student’s rights in the university, Dr. Tuga vows to strengthen his relationship with students and commits to addressing their needs and concerns.

“Basta I’m always here 100% supporting student’s development, “Dr. Tuga ended.

New set of Officials

Board of Regents (BOR) Resolution No. U-1915, s. 2013 authorizes Dr. Bert Tuga to identify and designate members under his management. Last January 31, Dr. Tuga appointed new officials to few positions of the administrative staff. PBJT informed the university community that the announcement of the complete set of new officials is on April 8.

NEW SET OF PNU OFFICIALS ATTY. ANTONIO V. FERRER

Vice President for Finance and Administration

DR. RONALD ALAN S. MABUNGA

Vice President for Research Planning and Quality Assurance (in concurrent capacity as Director of the Center for Planning and Quality Assurance until new Director is designated)

DR. LORDINIO A. VERGARA

Vice President for University Relations and Advancement

Dr. Maria Antoinette C. Montealegre Vice President for Academic Affairs (until April 7, 2020)

DR. RUTH A. ALIDO

Dean, College of Teacher Development

DR. ANTRIMAN V. ORLEANS

Dean, College of Graduate Studies and Teacher Education Research

DR. CELIA M. ILANAN

Dean, College of Flexible Learning and ePNU

DR. JOSE M. OCAMPO, JR.

Dean, Office of Student Affairs and Student Services

DR. ROSANNA A. DIANA

Director, Institute of Physical Education, Health, Recreation, Dance, and Sports

DR. DARRYL ROY T. MONTEBON

Director, Institute of Teaching and Learning

DR. NIÑO D. NALDOZA

Director, Institute of Knowledge Mangement

8

EDITORYAL

THE TORCH | ISYU LXXII BLG. 4

Pagkiling sa dalawang mukha ng imperyalismo Bumungad ang sigalot sa pagitan ng US at Iran sa pagpasok ng bagong taon, patunay ito sa lumalalang kondisyon ng imperyalismong pinapalaganap ng US at ng tumitinding pandaigdigang pagaaklas laban sa nabubulok na yugto ng kapitalismo.

Pumutok ang banta ng pandaigdigang giyera matapos na patayin ng US ang isa sa mga pinakamataas na heneral ng Iran na si Qassem Soleimani habang nasa misyon ito ng pakikipagayos sa Saudi Arabia, alyadong bansa ng Amerika. Kasama ang ilan pang matataas na opisyal ng sandatahan at gobyerno ng Iran, walang laban na inatake ng US ang bulnerableng mga kaaway nito sa Baghdad na nagpapakita ng pagkadesperado nitong manatili sa rurok ng pandaigdigang kapangyarihan.

Banta ang prominenteng kagaya ni Soleimani na siyang bumubuo sa malawak na armadong pwersa sa labas ng Iran, partikular sa India at Lebanon. Kaya naman, buong pwersang sinisikil ng US ang kahit na anong porma ng kapangyarihan na maaaring banta sa paghahari nito sa daigdig lalo na sa mga bansang nasa kanlurang Asya na mayaman sa langis.

Nananatiling dominante ang pwersa ng US dahil sa pagtatatag nito ng imperyong nakasandig

sa pananakot at karahasan. Sa kasalukuyan, may hindi bababa sa 800 na base-militar na nakatayo sa humigit-kumulang 70 na bansa.

Kung kaya, patuloy na dumarami ang lumalabang mga bansa, kabilang ang mga mamamayan ng Pilipinas, na nagkakaisa sa tunguhin na ibagsak ang paghahari ng US. Patunay nito ang agarang paglulunsad ng pandaigdigang protesta na nananawagan para sa pagtatapos ng karahasan at impyunidad na ipinalalaganap ng imperyalistang bansa.

Ninanakaw ng US ang soberanya at kalayaan ng bawat bansang kinokontrol nito kagaya ng Pilipinas. Kinakailangan ito upang matustusan ang militarista nitong oryentasyon na primaryang kumukuha ng pwersa mula sa mga kaalyado nitong bansa gamit ang mga mapanlinlang at hindi makatarungang kasunduang nagsisilbi sa interes ng imperyalista gaya ng Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) at Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

Salungat sa inaasahan, kamakailan lamang ay naglabas ng abiso si Pangulong Duterte upang opisyal na tumiwalag sa kasunduang nakapaloob sa VFA. Ito ay inaasahan na magiging epektibo 180 araw matapos ang pagsusumite ng abiso. Kung tutuusin, matagal nang sigaw

ng laksa-laksang mamamayan na bumalikwas na ang Pilipinas sa mga parasitikong kasunduan kagaya ng VFA at EDCA. Samantala, hindi pinutol ng Pangulo ang kasunduan base sa usapin ng pambansang soberanya at kalayaan kundi bilang tugon sa pagkansela ng US sa Visa ng Senador at dating hepe ng pulisya na si Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa dahil sa iligal na pagkakakulong sa Senador at oposisyon na si Leila De Lima.

Sa pag-usbong ng kapangyarihan ng Tsina na isa pang imperyalistang bansa, alam ng US na nanganganib ang kanilang dominasyon sa daigdig. Kaalinsabay ng patuloy na pagpapalawak ng Tsina sa mga teritoryo nito, dumadagdag pa ang lumalalang kontradiksyon sa pagitan ng imperyalistang US at mga kontroladong bansa nito. Sa ganitong kalagayan, naiipit at humaharap sa dalawang imperyalistang mga bansa ang Pilipinas.

Tsina ang bumubuhay sa bagsak na ekonomiya ng Pilipinas na bunga ng economic policy ni Duterte. Ang malalaking pautang at sunud-sunod na pagpapapatayo ng mga negosyo at istablisyimento na eksklusibo para sa mga Tsinong ang resulta ng pagsandal ni Duterte sa Tsina. Nagiging alipin ang mga Pilipino sa sarili nitong bansa.

Kaya naman, hindi tunay na

kumakawala na ang PIlipinas sa gahum ng imperyalismo sapagkat pinapalitan lamang ng Pangulo ang among susundin nito.

Kung totoo ang hangarin ni Duterte na talikdan ang mga dominanteng kapangyarihan sa daigdig at magtatag ng makamasa at malayang gobyerno, hindi kinakailangan pumili sa pagitan ng US at Tsina. Ang pagtatatag ng sariling industriya at pamamahagi ng lupa sa mga magsasaka ang siyang tunay na bubuhay sa bumabagsak na ekonomiya ng bansa. Ngunit dahil said na ang pag-asa ng mamamayan na matupad ang tunay na kalayaan sa pamamagitan ng pamahalaan nito, hinahamon ng panahon ang bawat isa na kumilos para sa pagpapalaya ng bayan at ng mundo.

Sa pagharap ng bayan sa dalawang dambuhalang imperyalistang mga bansa, ang sama-sama at nagkakaisang paglaban na lamang ng malawak na pwersa ng mamamayan ang makapipigil sa hangarin ng mga ito. Malaking hamon din sa mamamayang Pilipino ang pagbubuo ng pinakamalawak na pandaigdigang samahan na tatapos sa paghahari ng imperyalismo sapagkat kaalinsabay ng pagpapalaya sa bayan ang pagpapalaya sa lahat.

Hinahamon ng panahon ang bawat isa na kumilos para sa pagpapalaya ng bayan at ng mundo.

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THE TORCH | ISYU LXXII BLG. 4

9

Ang Alamat ng Pagiging Guro sa Pilipinas JOEL COSTA MALABANAN malabanan.jc@pnu.edu.ph Ang sistema ng pagtuturo ay tulad rin ng kalsada, salubungan.

Minsan, nagturo naman talaga ang guro at ginawa ang nararapat. Ang problema ay ang kawalan ng sigasig ng mag-aaral na nagbubunga ng kawalan niya ng kakayahang mag-isip nang kritikal. Malimit, alamat ang "teacher factor."

Madaling sisihin ang sistema ng edukasyon at ang guro kapag hindi natututo ang mga magaaral. Marami talagang mali sa sistema ng ating edukasyon na kolonyal pa rin at nakapadron sa "labor-export policy."

Ngunit hindi overnight ang pagwawasto at hindi ito kayang mag-isa ng pinakamatalino man at pinakamakabayang guro. Kolektibong pagkilos ang kailangan at mahabang proseso ng "Pagtatahip-Dunong" sa edukasyon.

Ang unang dapat pagtuunan ng pansin ay ang pagbibigay ng makatarungang benepisyo sa mga guro. Sa K-12 Curriculum, maraming pagbabago ang inilatag kasama na ang pagdadagdag ng taon ng pag-aaral sa hayskul at pagbabawas ng GE subjects sa kolehiyo ngunit nakalimutang isama ang pagtataas ng sahod ng mga guro at kawani ng edukasyon. Nanatiling alamat ang pangako ng bagong pangulo na dagdag sahod at walang ipinagkaiba sa ipinapangakong buhay na walang hanggan ng alinmang relihiyon. Ang nanatili ay pag-asa na "may bagong umagang parating" kagaya ng awit ni Bayang Barrios.

Kung mismong ang karamihan sa mga kabataan ay tamad mag-aral at mas ginugugol ang panahon sa social media, talaga bang ang mga guro ang dapat sisihin? Hindi ba't ang papel lang ng guro ay pukawin ang interes ng mga mag-aaral na makinig at tiyaking ang diskurso sa loob ng silid ay tunay na naghahatid ng oportunidad para sa kritikal

na pag-iisip? Ang mas malaking obligasyon sa pagkatuto ay sa mga mag-aaral mismo magmumula at sa motibasyon ng mga magulang na nagbibigay gabay sa kanila. Sa lipunang abala ang mga magulang sa paghahanapbuhay ay naipapasa ang mabigat na tungkulin sa paghuhubog ng isip at ugali ng mga mag-aaral sa mga guro.

Ngunit hindi super-teacher ang mga guro sa Pilipinas lalo pa sa mga pampublikong paaralan na lampas 100 kung minsan ang estudyante sa bawat klase.

Dahil sa malaking class size sa mga paaralang sa Pilipinas kung kaya hindi angkop ang konsepto ng multiple intelligences ni Gardner at ang differentiated instruction lalo pa sa pampublikong elementarya at hayskul . Kailangang matugunan muna ang pangangailangan sa dagdag na klasrum at mga aklat at matiyak na ang kagamitan sa paaralan ay tunay na tumutugon sa mga angkop na kapaligiran sa pagkatuto. Sapagkat kung siksikan sa mainit na klasrum ang mga bata, ang tanging magagawa lamang ng guro sa 40 o 50 minutong klase ay ang malikhaing sining ng pananaway.

Pangatlong dapat ayusin ay ang kurikulum.Hindi dapat pinalabnaw ang pagtuturo ng kasaysayan sa elementarya.

Hindi rin dapat itong inalis sa hayskul lalo pa ang kasaysayan ng Pilipinas. Ang kawalan ng matibay na pundasyon sa kasaysayan ng ating bansa ang dahilan kung bakit may mga kabataang nagtataka kung bakit "laging nakaupo si Mabini" at nakukumbinsing "si Marcos ang pinakadakilang pangulo" ng Pilipinas. Hindi rin dapat binawasan ang oras sa pagtuturo ng Edukasyong Pagpapakatao dahil ito ang panahon na nangangailangang patatagin at payabungin ang malasakit ng kabataan sa kapwa. Ang

metapora ng kabataang nakaearphone at abala sa kanyang gadget ay kabataang walang pakialam at bingi sa nagaganap sa kanyang paligid.

Ang pagtuturo ng Filipino ay hindi rin dapat alisin sa kolehiyo sapagkat kung sa tingin ng mga kagaya nina Isagani Cruz at Patricia Licuanan ay "more of the same" ang pagtuturo ng sariling wika, ito ay malaking pagkakamali. Ang intelektuwalisasyon ng Filipino ay hindi magaganap kung hanggang sa hayskul na lamang pag-aaralan ito. Kung hindi pa sa pagkilos ng Tanggol Wika ay hindi pa mahihimasmasan ang CHED. At kahit pa naglabas na ng panibagong memo ang CHED noong Hulyo 18, 2016 na nagsasabing dapat panatilihin ang Filipino sa kolehiyo ay may mga paaralan pa ring hindi sumusunod dahil nabuwag na nila ang kanilang mga kagawaran sa Filipino.

At nang nagdesisyon na ang SC na legal ang K-12 at CHED Memo no. 20, noong 2019, lalong lumakas ang loob ng ibang paaralan na alisin na nga ang Filipino at Panitikan sa kolehiyo kahit pa mayroon namang CHED Memo no.57 na inilabas noon pang Hunyo 16, 2017 na nag-uutos pagpapanatili ng 6-9 units ng Filipino sa kolehiyo.

Kasama sa dapat na manatili ang 3 units ng Panitikan para sa kumukuha ng kursong kaugnay ng Humanities, Social Science at Communication. Ang CHED ang dapat magpatupad nito sa mga SUCs at pribadong mga kolehiyo.

Mabuti na lamang at sa PNU, nananatiling 9 units ang Filipino sa Gen Ed. curriculum.

Ang kailangan ng ating bansa ay isang edukasyong kumakalinga sa inaaping sektor ng ating lipunan tulad ng mga katutubo, Lumad at mga maralita sa lungsod at kanayunan.

Ang edukasyong ito ay dapat

makatulong sa paglikha ng oportunidad para mabuhay nang disente at marangal ang mamamayan at hindi nakatuon sa labor-export policy na dahilan kung bakit maraming bata ang lumalaking kulang sa pagkalinga. Ang edukasyong kailangan ng mga katutubo at Lumad ay ang edukasyong malayo sa karahasang dulot ng militarisasyon sa mga kabundukang kinakalbo at pinapatag sa dikta ng mga dayong kapital. Ang edukasyong kailangan ng ating bansa ay edukasyong may pagkalinga sa kapwa at nagpapayabong sa ating kultura at nagpapanday ng ating pagkatao bilang lahi.

Masalimuot ang suliranin sa edukasyon na hindi maaaring isisi palagi sa mga guro. Hindi drama lamang ang paglalantad ng mga CR na ginagawang faculty room.

Kung ang mismong DepEd ay walang respeto sa mga guro nito, sino pa ngayon ang rerespeto sa mga gurong kakaunti na nga ang sahod ay naoobliga pang gumastos mula sa sariling bulsa para lang maging komportable sa paaralang pinagtuturuan at makagawa ng mahusay na visual aids?

Maging ang taunang paggunita sa Pandaigdigang Araw ng mga Guro tuwing ika-5 ng Oktubre ay kosmetiko lamang hangga't hindi naitataas ang sahod ng mga guro at napoprotektahan ang seguridad sa trabaho. Sapagkat kung tutuusin, bawat araw ay tunay na "teacher's day" sa mga gurong patuloy na kumikilos upang makapag-ambag sa paglikha ng lipunang mapayapa, maunlad at makatarungan.

Sama-sama tayong kumilos para sa pagbabago ng ating edukasyon.

Kung tutuusin, bawat araw ay tunay na "teacher's day" sa mga gurong patuloy na kumikilos upang makapag-ambag sa paglikha ng lipunang mapayapa, maunlad at makatarungan.

THE for TORCH | ISYU LXXII BLG. 4 Melita Limjuco, a grade two teacher 29 years, was threatened

by F to quit her job after she was reported over the alleged maltreatment of a Tulfo in Action' because the child was ordered to stay outside the classro according to the mother, causes trauma to the child. Tulfo phoned the ac trial by publicity violated the teacher's right to due process.

Teacher Melita's experience is just one of the many struggles that te low monthly salary, unhealthy working conditions, and heavy worklo support to teachers and lack of standards in student discipline pu Justice.'

CALLING R I N G I N G

In pursuit of resolving these issues, the Alliance of Con and the Makabayan bloc proposed the House Bill 0220 o support mechanisms for school teachers and school perso protect them in cases related thereto. This bill provides a c responsibilities of teachers in instilling discipline to who are competent to investigate, propose, and This bill, if passed, will make a harmonious Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploita

SPEED DIAL

In pursuit of resolving these issues, R the Teacher Protection Act of 2019 whic regarding student discipline and classro description of the disciplinary procedur give a clearer designation of the auth This bill, if passed, will make a ha Children against Abuse, Exploitat

INSU

Teaching as a p also involves that techniques and p the content of th At present, te These challen Everyday Te steps.

ARTICLE BY: Erica Mae Gozo

GRAPHICS FROM: Pexels

LAYOUT AND DESIGN BY: Justine Patricio

THE TORCH | Raffy ISYU LXXII Filipino broadcaster TulfoBLG. on 4 national television a student. The student's mother complained to 'Raffy oom after failing to surrender his report card that ccused teacher and persecuted her publicly. Tulfo's

eachers have to face daily aside from lack of facilities, oad. This incident mirrors the lack of institutional ushing parents to settle on mediocrity such as 'Tulfo

G 9-1-1...

ncerned Teachers Party-list Representative France L. Castro or the Teacher Protection Act of 2019 which institutionalizes the onnel regarding student discipline and classroom management to clearer description of the disciplinary procedure and the rights and o the students. It will also give a clearer designation of the authorities d apply responses and interventions. association between teacher's right and Republic Act No. 7610 or the Special ation, and Discrimination Act.

DIAL L O N G

PRESS 1

Rep. France L. Castro and the Makabayan bloc proposed the House Bill 0220 or ch institutionalizes the support mechanisms for school teachers and school personnel oom management to protect them in cases related thereto. This bill provides a clearer re and the rights and responsibilities of teachers in instilling discipline to the students. It will also horities who are competent to investigate, propose, and apply responses and interventions. armonious association between teacher's right and Republic Act No. 7610 or the Special Protection of tion, and Discrimination Act.

INSUFFICIENT BALANCE D I A L I N G

DBM (+632-490-1000)

profession requires progressive learning not only in what they will teach but also in implementing discipline inside the classroom. The bill t DepEd must provide pre-service and in-service training for teachers regarding child behavior and psychology, classroom management positive discipline for them to develop professionalism. Besides, teachers and school personnel must annually receive instruction related to he guidelines, under the implementation of this bill. eachers face a great challenge in classroom management because of the overwhelming workload and the 1 to 60 teacher-student ratio. nges become heavier since the only reference and guide that they have is the Department of Education's PDET or Positive Discipline in eaching which is good only in theory but difficult to put into practice because of its limited methods and broad discussion of the outlined

EMERGENCY

CALLING +63...

The teachers' role in the holistic development of students is challenged by these problems. Nonetheless, the institution must help the individual teachers to carry the entire duty in handling these issues. It is more than necessary to provide sufficient institutional and governmental support for teachers.

Since the state shows no interest in addressing these issues, it is rightful for teachers to collectively seek protection from abuse, malicious accusations, and administrative oppression. The worsening teacher situation requires militant and progressive support.

More than ever, teachers must be encouraged to fully voice out their calls for protection alongside the struggle for genuine and substantial salary increase.

More than ever, teachers must be encouraged to fully voice out their calls for protection alongside the struggle for genuine and substantial salary increase.

‘

THE TORCH | ISYU LXXII BLG. 4

Dahil kahit mahaba ang tatahaking proseso ng pakikibaka, darating ang panahon na ang midya at kalsada ay magtutugma ng landas.

Mula SOCIAL MEDIA patungong kalsada Halos isang taon na rin nang nagkakilala tayo sa social media. Paano ba naman kasi, naging mainit ang usapan natin patungkol sa isyu ng aktibismo.

Pilit mong pinapaunawa sa akin ang konkretong kalagayan kung bakit nga ba makatwiran ang lumaban sa inhustisya. Hindi nawala sa usapan natin ang mga pangunahing isyu ng bayan, mapa-chat o tawag. Umabot pa nga sa gusto mong magkita tayo at bigyan mo ako ng educational discussions.

Sa tuwing may nagte-trending na isyu, lagi kong nababasa ang iyong mga saloobin sa social media. May mga ilan na sinusuportahan ka, may mga ilan naman na binabatikos ka; “bidabida” “npa” “sayang tax namin sa inyong puro rally lang ang alam,” madalas na pasaring nila.

Gayunpaman, matiyaga at obhetibo mong sinasagot ang bawat tanong, negatibo man ang pagkakabigay nito sa’yo.

Napapanatili mo ang pagiging rasyunal sapagkat nilalatagan mo sila ng mga datos.

Dahil sa pagiging kritikal mo, lalo kitang hinangaan kahit hindi kita lubusang kilala. Ginaya kita, nagbasa ako ng mga balita sa mga alternatibong midya.

Binigyang tuon ko rin ang mga softcopy ng mga reading materials sa google drive na tinweet mo.

Para mas mapansin mo pa ako, nakisali ako sa mga diskurso patungkol sa mga isyu; ilan dito ay ang usapin sa press freedom, free education, mga lider-aktibistang siniset-up sa crackdown, at iba pang mga isyu na sa tingin ko ay kaya kong magpahayag ng saloobin.

Gaya mo, samu’t-saring kritisismo ang natanggap ko ngunit mas nangingibabaw ang suporta ng mga taong nakakaintindi sa kahalagahan ng pagiging kritikal sa mga isyu.

Nagtitweet na rin ako ng mga tula, retrato, at mga political cartoon bilang ibang porma ng pagsipat sa kalagayan ng lipunan.

Natuwa ka sa progreso ko ngunit iniwanan mo ako ng isang mensahe -- hindi lamang natatapos sa birtwal na pakikisangkot ang pakikipaglaban sa mapang-aping estado. Hindi kamo sapat ang 280 na letra upang makasama sa pakikibaka. Dagdag mo, baka mauwi ako sa birtwal na aktibismo na limitado ang pakikialam sa pagpo-post sa social media.

Hinamon mo ako na sumali sa mga pangmasang oraganisayon sa aming unibersidad para mas mapalalim kamo ang pakikisangkot ko. Sinubukan kong lumabas sa aking comfort zone at nakiisa sa kanila. Isa itong pansariling kagustuhan at siniguro kong internal na pagpapasya ito.

Inaamin ko, nung una ay hindi ako masydong mapakali dahil sa panibagong danas. Kahit na madalas akong sumama sa mga educational discussions at kumustahan, nandoon pa rin ang katanungan kung kailangan ko ba talagang gawin ito? Pinagdudahan ko rin ang sarili ko at dumaan sa maraming kontradiksyon sa pamilya pati sa mga kaibigan.

Gayun pa man, nanatili ako sa pangmasang organisasyon, dahil dito, mas naintindihan ko ang mga napapanood ko sa balita. Habang tumatagal ako sa organisasyon, mas lumilinaw kung bakit ba patuloy na naghihirap ang mga magsasaka, bakit ba hindi pa rin sapat ang sahod ng mga guro, at kung bakit may mga kabataang lumalaban. Naintindihan ko ang kahalagahan na mag-organisa at pag-aralan ang kalagayan ng lipunan, mula loob ng unibersidad hanggang sa labas nito.

Nasubok na rin ang aking katatagan ng sumali ako sa mga kilos-protesta. Inaasahan ko nga na makita kita dun dahil nakikita ko ang mga larawan mo sa Facebook na madalas kang nasa kilos-protesta. Ngunit mali ako, hindi man kita nasilayan sa martsa patungong mendiola, nakita ko naman ang aktwal na representasyon ng masa.

Nakita ko ang mga bitbit nilang panawagan tungkol sa kanikaniyang suliranin. Nakita ko na

DOMINIC KEAN CALAVIA calavia.dkm@pnu.edu.ph

hindi lamang tulad kong magaaral ang patuloy na lumalaban bagkus marami kami, tayo, maraming naniniwala na ang tunay na laban ay sama-sama.

Mas lalong naging makatwiran ang pagkilos para sa akin nang makausap at makadaupang palad ko ang mga biktima ng opresyon.

Naunawan ko rito na may mas malaki pang mundo kesa sa birtwal. Napatunayan sa mga kilos-protesta na ang kumakapal na hanay ng mamamayan ay nagpapakita ng mas tumitinding sigalot sa pagitan ng mayayaman at mahihirap.

Halos isang taon na akong miyembro ng pangmasang organisasyon. Naramdaman ko na mayroon akong mga kasama at marami kami. Labas sa konsepto ng bilang ng kaibigan sa facebook at followers sa twitter ang kahulugan ng “kasama” na naranasan ko dito.

Ang pananatiling walang kibo ng estado ay simbolo ng represyon sa masang api. Laging pag-aralan ang lipunan at patuloy na lumubog sa masa. Dahil kahit mahaba ang tatahaking proseso ng pakikibaka, darating ang panahon na ang midya at kalsada ay magtutugma ng landas.

THE TORCH | ISYU LXXII BLG. 4

Hindi dapat natin hayaang manipulahin ng administrasyon ang kalayaan sa pagsisiwalat ng impormasyon.

KUHA NI: Adrian Cortez JERSEY CACALDA cacalda.jb@pnu.edu.ph

Trabaho lang, walang personalan

Hindi bababa sa 11,000 na manggagawa ang pinangangambahang mawawalan ng trabaho kung sakaling tuluyang harangin ang pagrerenew ng prangkisa ng ABS-CBN Corporation na nakatakdang mapaso sa Mayo 4.

Kung susumahin, mahigit sa 60,000 pamilya ang direktang maaapektuhan kapag biglang ipinasara ang kompanya.

Gayundin, maaaring maging rason ito upang mawalan ng tiwala ang mga investors na mamuhunan sa bansa dahil senyales ito ng kawalan ng katiyakan sa pagnenegosyo sa bansa.

Sa ngayon, mayroong hindi bababa sa 11 na panukala sa Kongreso ang pabor muling pagbibigay ng panibagong prangkisa sa ABS-CBN. Ngunit hindi nito napigilan ang pagsasampa ng quo warranto petition ni Solicitor General Jose Calida sa Korte Suprema.

Nakasaad kasi sa Konstitusyon na dapat 100% na pag-aari ng Pilipino ang isang media company. Kaya naman para kay Calida, nilabag umano ng ABS-CBN ang konstitusyon dahil sa pagbebenta ng Philippine Depository Receipts (PDR) nito sa mga banyaga. Subalit, nilinaw ng ABS-CBN na ang PDR ay investment sa ABS-CBN holdings at hindi sa ABS-CBN Corporation.

Isa pa, binusisi at aprubado rin ng Security Exchange Commission (SEC) ang mga PDR ng ABS-CBN bago ito inalok o ibinenta sa publiko.

Ayon sa Philippine Stock Exchange, hindi dahil may hawak na PDR ng kompanya ang isang foreigner ay nangangahulugang isa na siya sa may-ari nito sapagkat hindi ito katumbas ng share of stock kaya walang voting rights sa kompanya ang sinumang mayroon nito. Malinaw na walang kahit na anong nilabag sa Konstitusyon ang ABS-CBN. Matatandaan na noong nakaraang taon, sa pangunguna rin ni Calida, inakusahan ng “foreign ownership” ang Rappler dahil sa pagbebenta nito ng PDR sa dalawang banyaga. Patunay na hindi na bago ang akusasyon ng sa mga naglalakihang kompanya ng midya lalo na kung kilala bilang kritiko ng pangulo.

Ginagamit na makinarya ng gobyerno ang mga legalidad at iba pang kapangyarihan ng estado upang isa-isang dahasin at pabagsakin ang mga kritiko na bumabatikos dito.

Samantala, Disyembre noong nakaraang taon, Si Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte pa mismo ang naghikayat sa pamilya Lopez na ibenta na lamang ng ang ABS-CBN bago pa man mapaso ang prangkisa nito.

Suportado naman ni Duterte ang pagkainteresado ni Dennis Uy, kilalang kaalyado ng pangulo, na bilhin ang istasyon. Kung tutuusin isa itong malaking banta na maaaring maging manipulado ang pamamahayag sa bansa na nakakaling sa administrasyon.

Gayundin, sinusulit ng pangulo ang kapangyarihang hawak nito

upang madaliin ang paglalagay ng mga bagong oligarko na nakasandig sa gobyerno.

Sa kabilang banda, iginiit ni Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, na walang kinalaman si Duterte sa paghahain ni Calida ng quo warranto petition laban sa ABS-CBN. Sariling inisyatibo raw ni Calida ang pagsasampa ng kaso. Ngunit, kabalintunaan ito sapagkat si Calida ang tumatayong abogado ng buong administrasyong Duterte.

Bagama’t malaya at autonomous ito, itinuturing pa rin na kaalyado at tauhan ito ng gobyerno kaya imposibleng walang alam o ideya ang pamahalaan sa hakbangin ng opisina ni Calida.

Halos walang kawala ang ABSCBN sa mga galamay na gustong harangin ang pagpapanibagong prankisa nito. Pano ba naman, kahit hindi patulan ng Korte Suprema ang petisyon ni Calida, kailangan pa rin nitong lumusot sa Kamara at Senado. Ngunit, sakali mang mangyari ito, maaari pa ring i-veto ni Duterte ang panukalang ito. Patunay na kung gugustuhin niya ito, kayang-kaya niya itong manipulahin gamit ang kaniyang kapangyarihan.

Noon pa man, sinabi na ni Duterte na hindi niya hahayaang ma-renew ang prangkisa ng istasyon. Ito raw ay bunsod ng hindi pagkaka-ere ng kaniyang patalastas sa istasyon noong kasagsagan ng kaniyang pagtakbo bilang presidente. Kung totoo man ito, lumalabas na may

nangyayaring pang-aabuso sa kapangyarihan lalo pa’t nagagamit ito ng pangulo sa kaniyang mga personal na galit at motibo.

“If you are expecting na marenew ‘yan (franchise), I am sorry.

I will see to it that you’re out,” pagbabanta ni Duterte sa ABSCBN sa isang talumpati noong Disyembre 2019.

Halos wala itong pinagkaiba sa galawan ng diktador na si Marcos nang minsan niyang pinasara ang ABS-CBN upang supilin ang midya sa malayang pamamahayag noong panahon ng Martial Law. Ang ganitong taktika ay malinaw na pag-abuso sa kapangyarihan at paggamit ng katungkulan para sa sariling ganansya.

Bagaman hindi natin isinasantabi na may mga isyu sa paggawa ang inilalaban ng mga manggagawa ng ABS-CBN, hindi ito sapat na rason upang muling maharap sa kritikal na kalagayan ang malayang pamamahayag sa banta ng nalalapit na pagpapasara ng kompanya.

Kung nakakaya ng gobyerno na pabagsakin ang malaking kompanya sa dominanteng midya, mas magiging madali na lang sa kanila na patahimikin ang mga kritiko nito sa alternatibong midya.

Hindi dapat natin hayaang manipulahin ng administrasyon ang kalayaan sa pagsisiwalat ng impormasyon.

14 KOLUM

THE TORCH | ISYU LXXII BLG. 4

Hinuhubog ng sulatin ang kasaysayan at hinuhubog naman ng kasaysayan ang sulatin.

Sa ika-108 taon ng opisyal na publikasyon ng Pamantasang Normal ng Pilipinas, dumaan na ito sa hindi mabilang na hamon at pakikibaka. Nilukob na ito ng kontradiksyon at paulit-ulit na umigpaw sa mga ito dahil sa huli, walang ibang kahingian kundi ang magpatuloy. Mga salita at pagkilos ang armas ng bawat miyembrong naging kasapi nito sa pagharap sa lipunang pinaghaharian ng iilan.

Isang siglong naratibo Naitatag ang pahayagang pangmag-aaral ng noo’y Escuela Normal De Maestros o ang kasalukuyang Pamantasang Normal ng Pilpinas noong 1912, higit isang dekada lamang matapos ng pagkakatatag ng paaralan.

Umpisa pa lamang bilang The Torch Newsette, nakasandig na sa prinsipyo ng pagseserbisyo sa masang mag-aaral ang pahayagan bilang tagapagbalita at tagapagtala ng mahahalagang kaganapan sa loob ng paaralan.

May kolonyal na bakas pa ang mga sulatin at gumagamit ng wikang espanyol ang mga manunulat hanggang matapos ang panahon ng giyera.

Saksi rin ang publikasyon, sampu ng mga miyembro nito, sa karahasan at diktadurya ng pamahalaan ni Marcos. Nagsilbi itong isa sa mga boses na nagtaguyod ng karapatan at kalayaan sa gitna ng ligalig na dala ng pamamasismo ni Marcos.

Buong tapang itong naging mga tagapagbantay at kritiko ng awtokrasiya habang nakalubog sa tunay na kalagayan ng masa.

Inilathala nito ang kwento ng tunggalian ng mamamayan at ng naghaharing uri mula sa mga magsasakang naghihikahos para sa lupa, mga maralitang nilukob ng kahirapan, hanggang sa mga kwento ng kabataan at ang paglaban ng mga ito para sa makabayan, siyentipiko, at makamasang edukasyon.

Kasama ang The Torch sa tagumpay ng pag-aalsa ng masa noong EDSA People Power.

Inihayag nito ang hamon ng mamamayan para sa bagong administrasyon na binansagan ang sarili bilang tagapagtaguyod ng demokrasya at kalayaan.

Naging kritiko ito sa pang-aagaw ng mga Aquino sa tagumpay ng mamamayan na mapaalis sa palasyo ang diktador.

Binantayan ng publikasyon ang pamahalaan ni Aquino hanggang sa ipakita nito ang tunay nitong motibo na pagharian ang pulitika at mga yaman ng bansa. Kinundena ang sunudsunod na atake sa hanay ng mga magsasaka na umabot sa mga masaker sa Mendiola at Hacienda Luisita.

Nagpatuloy ang kritikal na pamamahayag at pagtatampok ng The Torch sa mga isyu ng lipunan mula sa pag-upo ni Corazon Aquino hanggang sa anak nito na si Benigno Aquno III. Nagorganisa ito ng hanay na humarap sa isyu ng campus publication defunding, libreng edukasyon, at ng laksa-laksang usapin sa loob at labas ng pamantasan.

Pagharap sa bagong berdugo Noong mailuklok sa pwesto ang ngayo’y pangulo na si Rodrigo Duterte, alam ng

publikasyon na haharap ito sa panibagong mukha ng ligalig.

Kabi-kabila ang mga patayan bunsod ng pangunahing kampanya ni Duterte laban sa iligal na droga. Nagpatuloy ang militarisasyon sa kanayunan at makailang ulit na nabigo ang usaping pangkapayapaan dahil sa pagpo-protekta ng estado sa interes ng iilan.

Lumala rin ang kalagayan ng ekonomya habang nagsisilbing instrumento ang pangulo sa imperyalismo ng US at Tsina.

Nabunyag ang korapsyon sa hanay ng kapulisan, nagkalat ang mga propaganda ng administrasyon at ang mga manipuladong mga balita sa pamamagitan ng online trolls.

Habang naghahari-harian ang mga oligarkong pinagsisilbihan ni Duterte, naghihikahos naman ang bagong henerasyon ng masa.

Sa patuloy na pagsikil sa oposisyon at mga kritikal sa pamumuno ng Pangulo, lalo rin namang umiigting ang pagkakaisa ng mga biktima ng hindi makataong pamahalaan. Sa lahat ng ito, nakabantay at sumasabay ang The Torch sa mga kaganapan na nakaangkla sa interes ng mamamayan.

Muling pagpapakilala Higit daang-taon na ang nalampasang kontradiksyon ng publikasyon. Sa kasalukuyan, ang tumitinding burukrasya ng sistema ng pamahalaan ang kinahaharap nito. Mas pinatatagal ng proseso ang kakayahan nitong makapagsilbi sa mga mag-aaral ng higit pa sa dati na nitong ginagawa.

Kabalintunaan ang patuloy na korapsyon sa mga ahensya ng

gobyerno sapagkat ang maliliit lamang ang naapektuhan ng paghihigpit at ng mga bagong palisiya nito habang ang mga nagkakamkam ng malalaking ganansya at pera mula sa kaban ng bayan ay kung hindi maparurusahan ay ibinabalik pa sa kapangyarihan.

Kung tutuusin, maliit na hamon ang kinahaharap ng publikasyon kumpara sa paghihirap ng malawak na hanay ng mamamayan. Subalit, minamanhid ng maliliit na inhustisya ang paglaban ng mamamayan at untiunti nitong ginagawang lehitimo ang mas malalaki pang inhustisya.

Sa pagsalubong ng publikasyon sa bagong panahon at mga hamon na bunga ng luma at nabubulok na sistema, nananatili itong nakatindig para ilathala ang tunay na kalagayan ng lipunan. Hindi magsasawa ang mga salita na mailimbag sa mga pahina kung ang tunguhin nito ay ilarawan ang lipunan sa mga mata ng uring pinagsasamantalahan.

Sa kabila ng hinaharap na kontradiksyon, magpapatuloy ang publikasyon na mag-imprenta ng dyaryong babangga sa nananamantala, magpupuna sa maliliit na kamalian, at magtatampok sa boses ng kabataan, guro at mamamayan.

Hindi nagtatapos sa pagsulat ang gampanin ng publikasyong nag-aasam ng malayang bukas.

Sa pagdaan ng panahon, mananatili itong nakakiling sa pagseserbisyo sa masang magaaral at sa mamamayan. Kikilos ito ayon sa paulit-ulit na pagsusuri sa kalagayan ng lipunan at sasandig sa uring pinagsasamantalahan hanggang sa tagumpay.

Hindi nagtatapos sa pagsulat ang gampanin ng publikasyong nag-aasam ng malayang bukas.

Kyril Jon Velasquez

velasquez.kjr@pnu.edu.ph

PAHAYAG NG PAHAYAGAN

BALITA

THE TORCH | ISYU LXXII BLG. 4

PNUC receives top prizes in nat’l choral tilts

15

LAKBAY-ARAL 2020

MICARL ABRANTES Philippine Normal University Chorale (PNUC) won second prize in the 46th National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) Senior Youth Category, and first prize in the 3rd Biñan National Choral Festival (BNCF).

46th NAMCYA and 3rd BNCF

Last November, PNUC’s performance placed second among the other five competitors in Senior Youth Category. PNUC sang the following songs during the final round: Marcos 10:14, O Sapientia, and Mori Quasi Il Mio’ Core. The finals and awarding ceremony were held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).

This performance was a comeback for PNUC since its last participation in 1996.

“Sumali yung PNU Chorale dati, year 1996. Champion yung PNUC doon,” said Audrey Mana-ay, PNUC President.

NAMCYA is an annual festival of arts in which young musicians can showcase their talents. This is led by the NAMCYA Foundation, an organization founded in 1973 which aims to discover and train outstanding young Filipino musicians.

Recently, PNUC also dominated the 3rd BNCF, an event initiated by the local government of Biñan, Laguna in celebration of the city’s founding anniversary and the National Arts Month.

PNUC’s interpretation of the songs Bagong Umaga and This is the Moment stood out among

the other community, church, and school choirs. The competition took place at the City of Biñan People’s Park last February 3.

“Yung pinaka-recent which is Biñan National Choral Competition na ginanap sa Biñan mismo, dun sa may People’s Park, nag-champion naman yung PNUC dun over 9 competitors,” Mana-ay said.

PNUC’s participation in both competitions was led by Prof.

Luzviminda B. Modelo, PNUC Conductor.

ON INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS

As PNUC almost reaches its 30th anniversary, the cultural group hopes to participate in international competitions again.

Meanwhile, John Rufiel G. Aniceto, alumni member and former PNUC President stressed that PNUC still has internal problems with its members that need to be resolved before they can join such competitions.

“Lahat naman yun (international competitions) pwedeng salihan, pero yung pumipigil sa Chorale ay yung readiness at availability ng members,” he noted.

On the one hand, PNUC vows to continue serving the PNU community by giving quality performances and winning its competitions.

“Every time din na lumalaban yung PNU Chorale, ginagalingan talaga kasi di lang pride yun ng mismong grupo, pride din yung ng mismong PNU community,” Manaay remarked.

TAKEN BY: Ezra Galauran | Joseph Eli Occeno

PNU Community welcomes Lumad students from Save Our Schools (SOS) Network for Lakbay-Aral 2020 held last January 22, 2020.

Free Tacloban Five! End crackdown against activists!

The Official Statement of The Torch Publications regarding the illegal arrest of Tacloban Five

The Torch Publications strongly condemns red-tagging, leading to recent unlawful arrest of our fellow human rights defenders, consisting of an AlterMidya journalist and four activists in Tacloban City last February 7, perpetrated by at least 150 armed men from joint forces of AFP-PNP based on their purely perverse allegations of illegal possession of firearms and explosives charged from the accused communist rebels.

This blatant act of repression by the current administration brings forth the gradual collapse of democracy, and expresses Duterteʼs inclination in succumbing to a fascist orientation of power execution.

From the preceding illegal arrests of at least 59 members of progressive organizations in Negros last OctoberNovember 2019, this is evidently another part of the governmentʼs crackdown series against its critics through the power of Executive

Order No. 70.

Based on the last update of the rights group Karapatan, the biggest number of incriminated human rights defenders reached its peak throughout the span of Duterteʼs regime, with a record of at least 2,370 cases from 2016 to 2019. The empowerment of the armed forces serves as the means of the state to actualize its elimination of opposition, maximize state-perpetuated violence and thus, romanticizes that the most honorable service to the country is best achieved through exercising their duty to enforce the laws of the nation with absolute authority in order to keep the reins of power and the people on leash to that power.

Fear-mongering is the government‘s medium to drive the masses and at the same time to instill the legitimacy of authority and observance of strict but deceitful peace and order. The accumulation of fear is justified

through the notion of national security, by conflating activism with terrorism, trying to convince the mass that there is a potential threat to the national sovereignty and civil safety that makes fear as an agreeable practice of governance and a reason to resist insurgency by keeping the silence.

We, The Torch Publications, as human rights defenders and members of the press, refuses to stay silent now that the very heart of our freedom of speech is being carried away by the state.

We call for the immediate release of Tacloban 5, and urge everyone to continue to arouse, organize, and mobilize in the name of social progress. Let our voices continue to be heard, for there is no government above the people, but always government of the people, by the people, for the people.

THE TORCH | ISYU LXXII BLG. 4

THE TORCH | ISYU LXXII BLG. 4

18

ANUNSYO

An Open Letter to the Newly Elected University President After nearly two years, Philippine Normal University-Manila finally elected its official President in the name of Dr. Bert J. Tuga, former Vice President for Finance and Management and Provost of PNUVisayas.

The election of Dr. Tuga is of utmost significance to PNU and all of its stakeholders, since, the president shall serve as the lead carrier of the ideals, principles, and goals of the university.

To: Dr. Bert J. Tuga President, Philippine Normal University Amidst the worsening political turmoil and economic crises, the university must play its crucial role in advancing the people's rights, especially, in the sector of education. It shall lead the country in developing progressive, nationalist, and excellent educators responsive to the needs of the country and its people.

This mission is vested greatly upon the shoulders of the University leader. The PNU community, most importantly the faculty and students, shall enjoin themselves in carrying these duties until its fruition.

Hence, you, as president, are facing a laborious and herculean task of putting the University not only in greater height but also in greater service.

We at The Torch Publications, along with the broad alliance of progressive students, urge the new President to support our pursuit for a nationalist, scientific, and mass-oriented education.

As the National Center for Teacher Education, PNU must radically push to reshape the inadequate and sparse educational system in the Philippines - the same educational landscape that discriminates the poor and maintains the highly capitalistic and exploitative societal structure.

In a highly globalized, utilitarian, and cynically extractive world, it is a grueling endeavor to maintain an educational mold designed for people and their practical necessities.

The Philippines, on the other hand, remains fettered in a semifeudal and semi-colonial orientation by the primary roots of poverty: feudalism, colonialism, and bureaucrat capitalism. These give birth to the societal structure we experience today. No wonder why our educational system remains at the very bottom in comparison to other ASEAN countries and one of the least in the world ranking.

Under the Presidency of Rodrigo Duterte, the general political and economic situations worsen. Political persecution and violations against human rights became even more rampant. The economic growth is in its slowest run, aggravating the wide gap between the poor and the wealthy. Local agriculture faces crises due to Rice Tarrification Law and other agricultural policies that lean on importation and big businesses while healthcare stagnates to its pauper situation.

Media repression and censorship exacerbate as Duterte's policies fail one by one, thus, necessitates him to silence his watchdogs and critics.

As Duterte reaches the second half of his presidency, he exerts every possible effort to empower imperialist countries such as the USA and China by giving away the country's distorted sovereignty through onerous diplomatic agreements.

Given this downtrodden situation, it is high time for the people to come in solidarity. Progressive educators are highly needed in the catalyzing people's movement.

Education workers who strive for the common interest of the people must come from our university. This, however, is only possible under a leader whose primary goal is to establish a principled, scientific, and critical education that is responsive to the necessities of our people.

We set our hopes high with the new University President!

Respectfully, Kyril Jon R. Velasquez Editor-in-Chief, The Torch Publications

THE TORCH | ISYU LXXII BLG. 4

FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF THE TORCH PUBLICATIONS OCT-DEC 2019 UNIVERSITY FUND PARTICULARS

CASH IN

CASH OUT

BALANCE

OCTOBER 2019 Cash Advance for Liyab 2019 Supplies

PhP 121,188.00

PhP 1,526,110.64

NOVEMBER 2019 Refund for Term 2 Dropout (A.Y. 2019-2020) Collection of Trust Receipts

PhP 200.00

PhP 1,534,510.64

PhP 8,600.00

Payment for Additional Security Services during Liyab 2019

PhP 1,525,910.64

PhP 3,324.00

Payment for Food Services during Liyab 2019

PhP 46,350.00

Liyab 2019 Honorarium

PhP 21,000.00

PhP 1,531,186.64

PhP 1,484,836.64

PhP 1,463,836.64

- nothing follows -

IGP FUND PARTICULARS

CASH IN

CASH OUT

BALANCE

TERM 2 (OCTOBER-DECEMBER) 2019 Liyab – NCRWide Journalism Press Conference

PhP 290,200.00

PhP 290,204.80

Equipment of Arts and Media Team

PhP 12,000.00

PhP 278,204.80

Seminar and Workshops Token for Speakers

PhP 1,500.00

PhP 276,704.80

Seminar and Workshops Foods

PhP 1,250.00

PhP 275,454.80

Liyab 2019 Fare and Other Supplies Expenses

PhP 13,324.00

PhP 262,130.80

- nothing follows -

BALITANG ISPORTS 19

THE TORCH | ISYU LXXII BLG. 4

PNU maintains its spot as SCUAA-NCR second-leg ends JERSEY CACALDA Philippine Normal University (PNU) secured its spot in the 3rd place as the second cluster of 30th State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association-National Capital Region (SCUAANCR) Games wrap up, bagging one gold, one silver, and 34 bronze medals as of Jan 24.

Meanwhile, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) snatches the lead in the SCUAA-NCR Games with 88 medals followed by Rizal Technological University

(RTU) with 84 medals.

On athletes support

PNU Varsity Club President, Mattew Lansangan, commends the diligence of PNU Athletes after they placed third among the seven participating schools.

“I am really proud of what we have achieved because all of our hard work was worth it. Some of our teams are medalists and some of our athletes will participate in the SCUAA National..,” Lansangan cheered.

PNU Swimming Team snags 30 medals JOSEPH ELI OCCENO With eight silver and 22 bronze medals, the PNU swimming team completes its comeback to the podium as the 32nd State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association-National Capital Region (SCUAANCR) Games’ swimming events conclude.

On return to the spotlight

Dr. Minerva AtanacioBrillante, a volunteer coach of the PNU swimming team, felt challenged upon learning that the PNU swimming team was the ‘laughingstock’ of the previous SCUAA competition due to its performance. With only a few months of training and a limited number of swimmers, she managed to bring the team to win different swimming events.

“Being an unpopular swimming team for years, we managed to start with 6 bronze medals last year.

Now, we got more, 8 silver and 22 bronze,” Dr. Atanacio-Brillante said.

On lack of facilities

Dr. Atanacio-Brillante believes that the team could have performed better if they had the

needed facilities such as a swimming pool or a support entrance pool fee per training.

“Yung last two weeks namin, talagang nahirapan kami kasi ‘yung [swimming pool] sa Marikina Swimming Complex at Amoranto were not available due to reconstruction.

So, bumagsak kami sa YMCA which cost me Php 100 per head,” she said.

Moreover, she shared that the athletes were also unaccustomed with the swimming pool used for SCUAA since they were training in swimming pools considerably shorter in length.

On elevating the team’s performance

Coach AtanacioBrillante dared the PNU swimming team to push beyond their limits. She also emphasized that the coach is just there to guide the team but the outcome still rests on the hands of the players.

“Gusto ko mag-exit nang may kabuluhan and prove that if you aim high, you can fly high. Next year, I don’t intend to aim for 30 medals, a few will do, but they have to be golds and silvers,” she challenged.

Lansangan also praises the warm support of the PNU community to the athletes. He also acknowledges the efforts of students who allotted time to watch the games, which according to him, motivated the athletes more.

On improving athlete facilities

Lansangan suggested that there are still areas where PNU could improve on to better support the athletes. “I think that the

University could try to build specific sports/event training facilities or courts that can only be used by the athletes,” he emphasized.

He also shared that the athletes wish to have a gymnasium where they can do their loading routines.

Lansangan remains positive and confident that the remaining sport events will also have a good outcome. He also encourages his fellow athletes to give their best to achieve their goals of winning.

“I believe that regardless

of the possible lacking factors, the victory in the game still depends on the athletes,” Lansangan ended.

Meanwhile, due to the eruption of Taal volcano, events from the second cluster such as athletics, beach volleyball, and swimming were moved to the last leg of the SCUAA-NCR Games alongside archery, arnis, boxing, chess, dancesport, Karatedo, and taekwondo.

Over-all Medal Tally as of January 24, 2020 SILVER

BRONZE

RANK

INSTITUTION

GOLD

Polytechnic University of the Philippines

48

40

0

1

Rizal Technological University

45

30

9

2

Philippine Normal University

1

1

34

3

Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology

0

18

20

4

Technological University of the Philippines

0

4

12

5

Philippine State College of Aeronautics

0

0

5

6

Marikina Polytechnic College

0

0

0

7

PHOTONEWS

PNU Arnis Varsity team bags 17 medals for the Arnis Competition during the 32nd SCUAA-NCR Games.

PHOTO FROM: Felix Moreno Ynion

g n i h s i u g n Exti

THE TORCH | ISYU LXXII BLG. 4

y h t apa

led l a c e r fi g n the ragi

As people hurry on their way home from their workplaces, schools and leisure places, a group of PNUans led by Gael, the Secretary of freshmen assembly–can be seen performing near the rainbow-colored pedestrian lane, along Arroceros, two days after a fire incident disrupted most of Sylvia Street’s establishments, along San Marcelino.

San Marcelino is home for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) such as computer shops, eateries, apartments and even dormitories where most students of Adamson University, Technological University of the Philippines and Philippine Normal University reside to save themselves from the daily travel to and out of Manila. Although there’s no casualty, the 5th alarm blaze on September 26 caused great loss to its residents including 60 students from PNU who are left with no place to stay in for a week.

Looking at the hindsight

On a larger perspective, one thing that makes their struggle common to Lumad or indigenous people losing their tribe out of displacement and informal settlers’ homes to demolition is the government’s apathy towards the victims. In Mica’s case as a sophomore of Bachelor in Mathematics, and dormer of San Mar for 3 months, she expected that City Mayor Isko Moreno will take action with regards to the fire incident. However, she didn’t hear any news of him at least addressing the incident when he’s known for publicizing every action that he does for the city through social media.

While it is evident that minorities are the common victims of apathy, forced Lumad displacement has long been an issue in the southern part of the country, yet after years of struggles, they remain unheard. From their lands come rich cultures that they try to cultivate, yet development aggression continuously violates their right to selfdetermination.

While those with high hopes of better living in the city, such as the urban poor residents of Sitio San Roque in Quezon City, suffer the same fate from land-grabbing tycoons. It only shows that urban and rural citizenship does not guarantee someone a place they can call home. As long as you’re poverty-stricken, there is a high risk of losing it to private sectors or industrial corporations. Even our farmers still call for Genuine Agrarian Reform Programs, for them to own the land that they continuously till.

For them, it wasn’t a matter of whether the victims received enough help or not but, as long as they can help, they will. “Syempre future educators, hindi pwedeng matalino ka lang or talented ka lang kasi ‘pag wala kang empathy towards other people, walang wala yung lahat ng skills na meron ka,” Gael argued.

Consequently, Daniel added that what humanity seems to lack nowadays is the willingness to help without asking for anything in return. In support of her friends, Julia believes that it is important to always choose kindness despite all the things that happened.

While change doesn’t happen overnight, making efforts within the local community can create a domino effect to other people’s understanding of what the people in the streets from different sectors are fighting for as they form picket lines, hold banners, and burn effigies in show of resistance.

Warmth of empathy

Stories of struggle and hope in the San Marcelino incident teach us that apathy and ignorance exacerbate social inequality. The true essence of kindness is aiming for the common good and it cannot be attained without having a sense of social responsibility.

If a small group of students can help 60 people within their school community, how much more can a nation do if it starts to immerse with the oppressed and listen to their call?

There are no gray areas with how people see things. If a person hates seeing their people ask for progress and claiming what is rightfully theirs, it is their privilege that makes it easy for them to do so. It may be trivial, but turning a blind eye to other people’s struggle makes a person an enabler of oppression– a fire that burned a lot of lives through generation.

Fore sighting sympathy

As a result of the fire, Mica lost her belongings including important documents such as her form 138 and birth certificate.

After all these, it is undeniably admirable how PNUAns have their initiative to help out the victims like Mica. As a mental health advocate, Gael was deeply troubled when she heard of the incident. She knew she had to do something and instead of letting go of the opportunity to help, she came up with ‘pierce for a cause,’ project. While her friend, Daniel Louis, offered to do face painting for the same cause, they both ended up busking or performing in the streets with Julia, who has always wanted to busk and help through her passion which is singing. With such an act, they were able to empathize with the people even they were not directly affected by the incident.

ARTICLE BY: Nicole Lindsay Ramos

PHOTOS TAKEN BY: Kyril Jon Velasquez

Turning a blind eye to other people’s struggle makes a person an enabler of oppression – a fire that burned a lot of livews through generation.

LAYOUT BY: Justine Patricio