The Work Tabloid (Vol. 70 Issue No. 2)

Features

DevCom

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2019 Elections: A Festival of Fools

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New Clark City: Sa Bingit ng Pagbabago

Literary

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Unheard Voices His Godly Art (In)visible

theWORK

VOL 70 NO 2 | NOV 2018 - JAN 2019

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF TARLAC STATE UNIVERSITY

PAGSULONG. Sa malinaw na manipestasyon ng kahirapan at pagpatag ng kabundukan para sa sinasabing kaunlaran, nananatiling matatag ang mga haligi ng tahanan upang bigyang remedyo ang kanilang kasalukuyang kalagayan sa tagong espasyo ng kanayunan.

(Larawan ni Isaih Kyle C. Umipig) SUNDAN /P.24

Students urged to report sexual harassment cases TSU Museum to rise in 2019

By LORDDAN U. FALLER

THE FORMER director of the Office of Public Affairs and Information (OPAI) pressed the students to report incidents of sexual harassment occurring within the university ground.

Prof. Winifredo L. Luis, now a general education professor, said that sexual harassment, in reality, is a disease not very much emphasized in the society because of many cases that are not being reported.

Luis also said that most victims are frightened to make statement due | to p.5 to the possibility that their

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Call for justice, land reform intensified

BAO implements new procurement procedure SSC seeks help via TSUScooper campaign

By Crystal Gayle O. Rosete

IN TRANSIT. Due to insistent students’ demand, the university shuttle service now follows a fixed pricing system. (Photo by Nica Joy A. Calma)

Lucinda shuttle to follow admin, drivers agreement

By Jerico T. Manalo AFTER COORDINATING with the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Supreme Student Council (SSC) issued

an agreement on November 18 regarding the problems on the shuttle services of Lucinda Campus.

The first section of the agreement reads that the capacity | to p.2 of each shuttle shall

AS PART of the university’s developments projects, two instructional rooms which were previously occupied by the College of Computer Studies (CCS) are now being remodeled into a university museum.

The renovation, which started on October 20, is expected to be completed within 120 calendar days.

The allotted cost for the said project is amounting to 2.2 million pesos.

"During the past years, we have strived to put up better facilities, rooms, and buildings that would be conducive for everybody," Wencie Mañebog, an IMO staffer who is incharge of the project supervision, said.

"Since the old CCS rooms were | to p.6 left unused after CCS was

IECEP outshines 2-time champ in lantern parade

By Jerico T. Manalo

The intricate details of IECEP’s entry made it standout among others.

AMONG 15 participating student organizations, the Institute of Electronics and Communications Engineers of the Philippines (IECEP), with their hexagon-shaped lantern, stood out in the annual Lantern Competition, beating the twotime winner Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers.

IECEP head organizer Kurt Glexther Dela Cruz said that their entry does not only symbolize the star of Bethlehem but also the resiliency of the Filipino people.

“For example, itong mga baybayin na ito na ang ibig sabihin ay baha, lindol, pagguho, bagyo, daluyong, at sunog. Sa kabila ng mga ito ay matatag pa rin tayo,” Dela Cruz explained.

Dela Cruz also said that the

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circuit of their lantern made them worry, considering it as one of the hindrances they have encountered.

“Noong una, maayos na [ang lighting]. Pero noong nag-umpisa na, bigla na lang nagkaproblema.

Bigla na lang nag-blink,” he stated.

The organizer added that the base of their lantern was initially a circle but due to an error on the welding | to p.4

@theworktsu

@thework.pub

SURVEY

76% of TSUians are not in favor of CHED’s decision to remove Filipino subjects in the college curriculum Follow story on p.4

‘Kanlungan’ wins in 40th CMMA

By Mary Klaudine L. Paz OUT OF 36 entries nationwide, College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS)’s documentary entitled “Kanlungan” won Best Student TV Production during the 40th Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA) held at the Star Theater in CCP Complex, Manila.

“Kanlungan” is a 20-minute documentary video produced by the Communication students Amira Arcalas, King Vincent Guevarra, and Danica Diane Isip, featuring underprivileged children in Angeles City, Pampanga who are encouraged to learn indigenous musical instruments.

These children are being taken care by the The Bale-Balayan Museum for the Poor Center for Transformation through | to p.3

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THE WORK

Headlines

VOL. 70 NO. 2 NOv 2018 - JAN 2019

REMEMBER LUISITA Call for justice, land reform intensified

By Isaih Kyle C. Umipig

BY Lander Victor G. Tejada AFTER A four-month long labor, the elevator of the Regional Institute Center for Education (RICE) Building in Lucinda Campus was successfully installed and is now ready for student and faculty use.

The brand-new passenger elevator is designed to operate only between first and fourth floor of RICE Building despite of it being a five-storey building. The elevator can cut the travel time between first and fourth floor from three minutes to under twenty seconds, according to Engr. Mark Louie Guinto, one of the staffers of IMO. The said facility costed P2, 486, 300, and was shouldered by the university’s budget. Under the supervision of the Infrastructure Management Office, Alju Construction & Supplies and Dex International Company handled the installation of the passenger elevator.

Guinto said that the project was planned and accomplished with the convenience of all students in mind.

Also, the project was immediately started to help serve persons with disability and senior citizens.

Despite that, the college administration encouraged the students to give way for lecturers, instructors, professors, and other staff of the college and use the stairs instead under normal circumstances.

Colmenares

film showing, social media rally, cultural night, and holy mass.

“Sa mga kabataan, tumungo sa Hacienda Luisita at makiisa sa masang

magbubukid. Alamin ang tunay na sitwasyon at ilantad ang bulok na mala-pyudal at mala-kolonyal na sistema,” Magdangal added.

Univ-based efforts Led by The Work, other member publications from Tarlac province initiated a round table discussion

CET boasts high eng’g passing rate

By Mary Klaudine L. Paz WITH A registered 97% passing rate for first-time takers, College of Engineering and Technology (CET) attained an overall passing rate of 87.18%, 34 passers out of 39 takers, in the Mechanical Engineering Licensure Examination this year.

CET Dean Dr. Miriam Galvez said that the improved passing rate was because of the eagerness of the faculty to focus on the students’ needs, such as providing available rooms during weekends to conduct reviews and mock examinations.

Galvez also said that she already anticipated that the mechanical engineering students will attain a successful passing rate. This is because in preparation for the examination

of the students, the members of the faculty were delegated to a specific section to monitor their progress, and these students were then encouraged to enroll in review centers to further introduce them to the competencies they need. “‘Yong mechanical engineering, talagang mataas na. Consistent sila dahil natututukan sila, kasi isang section lang,” she stated.

Galvez, moreover, also recognized the passing rates of the other engineering courses and said that the implementation of the correlation subjects was the right strategy to improve the students’ performance. “‘Yong EE at CE, buhat nang nagkaroon ng correlation subjects at review every Monday, tumaas na ang board exam result. Kumbaga, may improvement kahit kaunti. Hindi nga lang bongga, pero nandoon,” Galvez explained.

The dean assured that the

Mechanical Engineering Board Passing Rate  First-time takers

Pledged COEd elevator ready

#HLMXIV. (Left) Student journalists and student leaders take part in a candle lighting ceremony led by The Work in remembrance of the Hacienda Luisita Massacre. (Right) Various activities were conducted in Hacienda Luisita to commemorate the 14th anniversary of the massacre. (Photos by John Dave Benedict Isidro and Isaih Kyle C. Umipig)

 National  Institutional

PROGRESSIVE GROUPS, the youth sector, farmers and peasants from different parts of the country heightened the call for justice for the victims of the Hacienda Luisita Massacre in its 14th anniversary, November 16.

Hacienda Luisita massacre is one of the most prominent massacres in the history of the country and is also considered the bloodiest massacre in the region. Seven martyrs were killed and hundreds were injured.

“Ginugunita natin ang Hacienda Luisita massacre bilang isang tanda ng sama-samang pagkilos ng mga manggagawang-bukid ng Central Azucarera de Tarlac kung saan iginiit nila ang kanilang karapatan para sa lupa at sweldo,” Jhon Marco Magdangal, spokesperson of the League of Filipino Students (LFS)Holy Angel University chapter, said.

In its 14th anniversary, various activities were held to memorialize the historic event such as barrio assemblies inside Hacienda Luisita, multi-sectoral forum, alternative class learning experience (ACLE) sessions,

which aimed to recall the ruthless acts towards the struggling farmers of the hacienda.

“Sa aking murang edad, nasaksihan ko ang patuloy na pagsigaw ng mga tao para sa hustiya at hindi makatarungan na hindi pamamahagi ng lupa.

Saksi ako sa mga welgang idinaos nang ilang beses at ang massacre na siyang nagdulot ng takot sa ilang mamamayan,” The Work correspondent Crystal Gayle Rosete said.

After which, CEGPCentral Luzon took part in the commemoration of the martyrs of Hacienda Luisita massacre through a candle-lighting ceremony at Tarlac State University (TSU) Heroes Park. TSU college publications including The Fusion, Stentorian, and The Bureaucrat have also released statements on social media platforms. “[Bilang mga estudyantemamamahayag,] dapat patuloy tayong maging boses ng masa. Dapat patuloy nating ilahad ang mga bagay na importanteng malaman ng iba upang mamulat sila sa katotohanan,” Rosete added.

2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013

Engineering Department will take measures to implement a new curriculum in the next years that can

boost the passing rate of engineering board exam takers in order to prepare the students for the years to come.

Colmenares recalls Martial Law ‘horrors’

By Isaih Kyle C. Umipig ATTY. NERI Colmenares recollected all his first-hand experiences during the ‘dark days’ of Martial Law of the Marcos regime at the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP)’s UGNAYAN at the President Hotel, Lingayen, Pangasinan, October 21.

During the last day of the three-day event, Colmenares, a human rights lawyer and Makabayan senatorial candidate, delivered a speech to young student journalists about his memories on Martial Law beginning with how unaware he was as a grade six student then.

“Pagdeklara ng Martial Law, dahil grade 6 ka, ‘di mo syempre alam kung ano,” he told the delegates.

Colmenares shared that he was tortured by the state forces during martial law; he

was beaten up by the military and had even experienced the Russian roulette. He was arrested for asking the government to allow the revival of student councils in educational institutions.

“Naging miyembro ako ng Student Catholic Action (SCA) in my province.

During that time, there is a major breakthrough in the church,” he said, “‘The church is the people of God.’ Isang sentence lang ‘yan pero ang laki ng impact niyan in a Catholic nation like the Philippines. Kung ang simbahan pala ay ang mamamayan— kung sinasaktan ang mamamayan, sinasaktan din ang simbahan.”

Meanwhile, he also denounced the statement of Gov. Imee Marcos saying that human rights violations during his father’s term are just political accusations. Amnesty International, meanwhile, claimed that 70,000 persons were jailed, 34,000 were tortured, and 3,240 were killed.

He also mentioned two things which have great importance. “One is that of trust—trust in the capacity of the people to liberate this society.

Kayang-kaya pala natin,” Colmenares stated, “May tiwala ako sa youth at students that they will be able to

discern what their role is in the society.

The moment you trust the capacity of your people, inevitably, you go to ‘hope.’ Pag-asa. Kasi naniniwala ka that the Filipino people will change their destiny.”

With that, Colmenares challenged the youth to become part of change so that during the time that they have

their own children already, they can tell the actions they have made for the betterment of the nation.

“We did what we can during our time. Hindi kami nagpabaya.

At ngayon ang lipunang ito ay pinapangalan namin sa’yo,” he said about what the youth of today will be able to say to their future children.

Lucinda shuttle to follow... from p.1 | be posted and be lessened by one seat per row from its original seating capacity.

It also states that the fixed fare for the shuttle will be P11 but between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m., it will hike to P15.

Moreover, the shuttle service dispatchers will be required to wear a uniform.

On the other hand, if one more passenger can still fit in the shuttle, the one who is on the queue is obliged to occupy the seat, otherwise, he/she will be reported.

“Madalas kasi, ayaw pang sumakay ng estudyante kasi gusto niyang makasabay ‘yong

mga kaklase niya o kaya kaibigan,” Jasper Santiago, one of the dispatchers, said.

“Iyon ang dahilan kung bakit natatagalan ang serbisyo minsan,” he added.

Still, SSC urged the students to raise their concerns about the shuttle service and said that they have the right to get the shuttle plate number which can be used as a reference.

The agreement was formulated in a meeting between the SSC and administrative officials and the head of the university shuttle service held last November 14.

The said agreement took effect last November 19.

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VOL. 70 NO. 2 NOv 2018 - JAN 2019

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TSU gets lower BLEPT rating; 2 graduates land on top 10

By Isaih Kyle C. Umipig and Lander Victor G. Tejada DESPITE LOWER rating compared to the university’s mark last year, two graduates from the College of Education (COEd) managed to land on the top 10 of the September 2018 Board Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers, PRC announced on December 7.

Tarlac State University posted a 32.34-percent passing rate in the elementary level with 119 passers out of 368 test-takers and a 51.73-percent passing rate in the secondary level with 373 passers

out of 721 examinees. Both are lower than the university’s rating last year.

Meanwhile, Ezra Gil Lagman, who has a degree in electronics engineering from the university, placed ninth in the list of passers with a 91.20 percentage score while Stephen John Caducoy, Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Mathematics graduate, placed 10th with a percentage score of 91.

“Never think about the ratings you got, because it does not measure your worth as a teacher,” Lagman said to his fellow LET passers during the testimonial dinner held at Diwa ng Tarlac, on January 21,

2019.

In the same event, Caducoy thanked the College of Education and reminisced his experiences during LET review. “We sacrificed our leisure for review… it was so exhausting that we thought of giving up. But we did not, and it was all worth it,” he said in his testimonial.

Both Lagman and Caducoy received 40,000 pesos as monetary incentives from the university. Aside from that, they also received monetary incentives from the alumni association of TSU and from Carl Balita Review Center.

BAO implements new procurement procedure Student councils, pubs to hold no funds

BY Lander Victor G. Tejada BUDGET AND Accounting Office (BAO) implemented a new procurement procedure that takes away canvassing and purchasing responsibilities from student councils and publications starting this midyear semester, academic year 2018-2019.

The rationale behind this new procedure is to strictly monitor and minimize the spending of the school budget provided by the government through Free Tuition Law. With the procedure, BAO will take responsibility of the canvassing,

purchasing and liquidation of student councils and publications, said Adrian Eliorico, Supreme Student Council president.

This means that organizations will no longer hold their funds.

Their new job is to plan and request through Student Affairs and Services and set the amount to be allotted for the purchase of their needs if they are to pursue a project or a program, he added.

The new procedure earned complaints from student organizations in the university.

Eliorico enumerated the problems that the newlyimplemented procedure drew.

“Dahil student council kami, kailangan tuloy-tuloy kaming mag-function. Pero dahil sa bagong process, kailangan muna naming maghintay ng hanggang two weeks. At once na nakapag-request na, hindi na pwedeng baguhin ‘yong amount na ni-request,” Eliorico said.

Eliorico explained that when the amount allotted is not enough, the quantity of the material to be purchased will be adjusted.

“Kung materials ang bibilhin, Procurement Office ang magkacanvass at bibili. Sasamahan lang namin sila. Kung | to p.4

TSU inaugarates P4M Capas Campus

EXPANDING AMBITION. Capas Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan shares to the audience his achieved ambition of having a TSU campus in his town. (Photo from TSU Capas Facebook page)

By JOseph Carlo M. Pineda TARLAC STATE University (TSU) has unveiled its new satellite campus in Barangay Cristo Rey in Capas to cater students from the said town and nearby areas.

Capas Mayor Reynaldo

Catacutan, who made the project possible, said that he always wanted a satellite campus of the university in his town so college students residing in Capas will no longer need to travel to the city to attend their classes.

“Transportation alone is expensive, costing our students around P200 a day,” he said.

The property, comprising of two single-story buildings, is reported to cost about P4 million.

It was built in partnership with the municipal government.

The town mayor said that the fund for the initial construction of the campus was acquired from the Clark Development Corporation.

He also added that they look forward in expanding the facilities to accommodate larger number of students from the university.

TSU President Myrna Mallari said that the new university ground will be used by students living in Capas who take criminology, elementary education, and public administration courses.

The facilities of the campus include four administrative rooms and three instructional classrooms that can accommodate about 100 students.

The university now has four campuses—a main and two satellite campuses in Tarlac City and the newest campus in Capas.

The inauguration ceremony was led by Mallari and Catacutan.

REDEFINED. Dr. Zenaida Serna gives a lecture on transformational leadership to the student leaders and journalists who attended the Leadership Training Summit in Baguio City. (Photo courtesy of Jhervin Espinosa)

CLSU dean coaches TSU student leaders

By Jehiel R. Asio FORMER CENTRAL Luzon State University (CLSU) Dean of Student Affairs coached the student leaders of Tarlac State University through a discussion during the three-day Leadership Training Summit (LTS) in Teachers’ Camp, Baguio City.

Dr. Zenaida Serna discoursed the idea of this year’s theme “Transformational Leadership” that aimed to progress followers into leaders.

University and college student councils and publications participated the set of activities such as teambuilding facilitated by the university’s guidance counselors.

Dr. Gladie Natherine Cabanizas, Student Development Unit head, meanwhile, tackled the topic “Conflict Management,” while Andie Rafael Quiballo, SDU staffer, lectured the “Habits of Highly Effective People.”

“Pinakatumatak talaga sa akin [sa LTS] ay ‘yong ‘be a charismatic leader.’

It talks about how to lead a group of people bilang isang head, in general, and in order for us to do that, dapat

Finance studes meet PH biggest firm execs

By Lorddan U. Faller TARLAC STATE University – Junior Financial Executives (TSU-JFINEX) had earned business lessons from chief financial officers (CFOs) of leading companies in the Philippines during the first JFINEX conference.

The said speakers include Mariana Zobel De Ayala-Aboitiz, deputy CFO of Ayala Malls, Joel Conrado Pedro, CFO of Laimoyan Corporation, and the Senior Vice President and CFO of International Container Terminal Services, Inc., Rafael Jose Consing Jr. Other present public figures from both government and top corporations in the country were the deputy governor of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Chuchi Fonacier, secretary of Department of Information and Communications Technology, Eliseo Rio Jr., Founder of GoNegosyo, Joey Concepcion, and assistant majority

‘Kanlungan’ wins in 40th... the Arts, a center that gives children the opportunity to engage in the arts for free and appreciate the Filipino culture.

“Nabuo ‘yong title na ‘Kanlungan’ kasi naisip namin na ito ay nagsisilbing kanlungan sa mga mahihirap na kabataan doon sa lugar na ‘yon. Hindi lang sila tumutulong sa paghasa ng talento ng mga bata, bagkus, nagtuturo rin sila ng mga tamang gawain, gaya ng pagdarasal,” Guevarra stated.

CMMA aims to pay tribute to the media products that enhance the total human development of the Filipino audience through serving God through mass media. from p.1 |

“The only reason why we got this victory is we believe that every one of you in the team has something to contribute. Believe that God can turn those battles into blessings. I don’t know how this happened, but I know that it is not by our might nor by power, but by the Lord’s,” he added.

Aside from “Kanlungan,” two more entries were included in the top 8 finalists for the Best TV Production category on November 14. These were “Katha” by Allan Yalung, Kassandra Taduran, Mara Jovelline Dioso, and Ellyssa Diana Loren, and “Yaman ng Kalikasan”

by Arcel Bustamante, Diane Lambino, and Carolina Hipolito.

magtaglay muna ng certain charisma ang isang head of the group,” said Mary Jane Navarro, editor in chief of The Blaze, the official publication of the College of Business and Accountancy.

After a series of lectures, participants went through trainings which were based on their respective positions in their organization.

The said drills which were facilitated by the Supreme Student Council, focused about the functions and responsibilities of their individual positions. After which, a teamwork activity was followed.

The participating student publications were The Fusion of the College of Science, The Oracle of the College of Arts and Social Sciences, The Blaze of the College of Business and Accountancy, The Bureaucrat of the College of Public Administration, The Studio of the College of Architecture and Fine Arts, together with the Supreme Student Council and its apprentices and the student councils from the different colleges.

The summit, which is now on its 20th year, was held last November 10-12.

MAGNUM OPUS. Students and faculty from the College of Arts and Social Science were recognized in the 40th Catholic Mass Media Awards for their documentary film entitled “Kanlungan.” (Photo courtesy of King Guevarra)

leader of the House of Representatives, Michael Romero. “‘Yong opportunity na binigay ng FINEX (Institute of the Philippines), grinab lang natin and knowing that FINEX is one of the premier finance organizations, ‘yong sharings ng mga experiences ng mga speakers are really helpful and it really helps the students when it comes to exploring,” Mark Laurence Guzman, TSU-JFINEX Student Chapter adviser, said.

The seminar was subdivided into five segments: Government for the Youth, Inspirations of the Future, Journey of a CFO, The Millennial in a Corporate Leadership, and From Showbiz to my OwnBiz. The students made focused more on the discussion when ABS-CBN actors and entrepreneurs Enchong Dee and Dimples Romana shared stories on running their own commerce while having a show business in a roundtable confab.

“The best investment that you’re going to make in your life is in yourself,” Romana told the attendees.

“They both clearly taught us how we should take the opportunity, the risk even though we don’t have that much because at the end of the day, it does not really matter how much we have but how are we going to spend it. We should invest on something that would go on the long run,” Adrian Jhov De Quiros said when asked what he had learned from the talk. “‘Yong mas tumatak [sa akin], kung gusto mo, gawin mo, go for it. Kasi hindi lang practical learnings [dapat ang meron], dapat ‘yong confidence nandoon [din],” Rodel Longa, president of the chapter furthered.

Meanwhile, 47 students from the Financial Management Department of TSU delegated the event at the Mall of Asia Arena on September 17.

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Headlines

THE WORK

VOL. 70 NO. 2 NOv 2018 - JAN 2019

Students detest exclusion of Filipino in college

BY Eugene Quiazon and Andrea S. Espinosa IT IS firm among students that the removal of Filipino subjects in the college curriculum is “unacceptable,” as 76.54 percent of respondents expressed their disapproval in a survey taken January 22-29, 2019.

A total of 199 respondents from the sample size of 260 students of Tarlac State University (TSU) responded “anti” or “against” the motion of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to exclude Filipino and Panitikan in the general education subjects in college. The poll garnered multiple forms of disapproving reactions to this revision order of CHED to its “General Education Curriculum: Holistic Understandings, Intellectual and Civic Competencies.”

The respondents who disagreed consider the exclusion as a violation to organic acts of the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino and National Commission for Culture and the Arts, especially the Education Act of 1982.

Jerico Villantes, from the College of Education, exclaimed that “removing Filipino in college deviates the teaching of the Philippine constitution to promote and uphold Filipino as the country’s native language.”

Many but not majority commented that “using Filipino and teaching it in all phases of education promote and preserve Philippine culture and identity.”

Moreover, most respondents disagreed to the statement of CHED that Filipino subjects in college are already taught, and must be taken, in the Senior High School Curriculum.

“Dahil sa pamamagitan ng Filipino at Panitikan nakilala

ang ating identidad, at isa pang dahilan ay tayong mga matatanda ay hindi pa bihasa sa paggamit nito [Filipino],” Miles Ledesma, a freshman from the College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS), said.

The remaining percentage, 54 of 260 respondents, however, said that there is no need to study Filipino because these were already taken in Senior High. On the other hand, a minority of seven students abstained from giving a stand on the issue.

SC’s TRO on CHED In response to side-byside opposition from various organizations and individuals like Tanggol Wika, the Supreme Court (SC) has decided to place a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) in 2015. This holds the motion of CHED to exclude Filipino, Panitikan, and Constitution subjects in college.

“Ipinaglaban ng Tanggol Wika ang kaso kaya nagkaroon ng TRO. Ibig sabihin nito, hindi muna susundin ‘yong ginawa ng CHED kaya nagtuluy-tuloy ang Filipino hanggang ngayon,” Dr. Raffy S. Aganon, chairperson of the General Education Language Department of CASS, said.

According to Aganon, the latest decision of SC, released last year, is to give colleges and universities freedom to decide whether to have Filipino subjects or not.

“Ang sabi raw sa region, tutal may siyam na units na elective naman, posibleng ang tatlong units do’n, gawing Filipino depende sa gusto ng University,” he said.

Issue analysis CHED cites the duplication of subjects as the reason why it proposed revisions in its curriculum.

However, majority from the respondents said that there are no repeated lessons in their Filipino

subjects.

In response to the issue, Aganon said that there is no repetition of lessons because they enhance, deepen, and widen the subjects. He said they created new books, with new contents and new information.

He also explained the social relevance of Filipino subjects in college. “Hindi naman Pilipino lang ang pinag-aaralan. Kasi, pwede rin naman nating pag-usapan sa wikang Pilipino ang mga isyung nagaganap sa lipunan natin,” he said.

What is important to him is the existence of these subjects in college. “So kung tatlong units lamang, edi okay. Basta hindi siya mawala sa kolehiyo,” he added.

He also explained the possible loss of jobs especially among Filipino instructors under job orders.

IMMERSED. Student journalists from Central Luzon took part in an educational discussion in Tondaligan to further understand the plight of the masses. (Photo by Pauline Grace B. Manzano)

TSU joins CL scribes, covers plight of Pangasinan fisher folks

By Isaih Kyle C. Umipig STUDENT JOURNALISTS from the Central Luzon region covered the pressing problems of the worker sector in an immersion in different municipalities in Pangasinan as part of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP)’s regional convention, October 20.

The delegates went to Tondaligan, Binmaley, San Fabian, and other municipalities of Pangasinan and interviewed the basic sector to further understand the condition of the workers and fisher folks.

The delegates discovered that

the urban poor communities and the fisher folks in the province were affected by black sand mining and other destructive activities on the environment.

The guild, with the aim of exposing realities that contribute to the nation’s crisis, stated that the situation requires an in-depth reportage to reveal the conditions of affected and marginalized communities by the oppressive system.

“Isa siyang effective way para mas maramdaman mo ‘yong struggles nila at makilala mo ‘yong masa kasi never silang excluded sa atin (It is an effective way to feel the struggles of the masses and meet them because they can never

SSC seeks students’ aid on facility renovation

By Jerico T. Manalo THE SUPREME Student Council (SSC), through its “TSUScooper Campaign,” has called on students to provide a report about broken facilities of Tarlac State University (TSU).

SSC President Adrian Eliorico

IECEP outshines 2-time... process, they changed it to a hexagon-shaped base which was also inspired by their organization’s logo.

“It took two weeks bago natapos ‘yong parol; yet, kahit medyo matagal, worth it naman,” Dela Cruz said.

Aside from the title, IECEP also received a special award which was the most colorful lantern.

The Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, on the other hand, retained their second place spot with two special awards, the most active organization and biggest delegation.

Meanwhile, the COESSE – The Psychological Society landed on third place, Philippine Institute of Industrial Engineers on fourth place with a minor award of best in lighting, and Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants on fifth place. Also, the most indigenous lantern was awarded to the Junior Marketing Association.

The said competition was spearheaded by the Student Development Unit under the leadership of Dr. Gladie Natherine Cabanizas with this year’s theme, “Resilience amidst changes.” from p.1 |

said that this campaign, which was launched on November 8, is a mechanism to allow students to voice out their concerns and the problems they encounter within the four campuses of the university.

“TSUScooper serves as an online box for every TSUian, kung saan pwede nilang ibato sa amin ang mga concerns nila, not only for their rights and welfare but also for the [betterment of our] infrastructures.

‘Yong [sa infrastructure] ang major na naisip namin na pwede nilang ibato,” he explained.

Eliorico also said that since

TSU is already a tuition-free institution where students no longer pay for breakage fee, their only responsibility now is to take care of the university facilities.

“For example, may [nakita silang] nasirang cubicle. You can take a picture of it and send it to us.

Then, kami ang magsasabi sa admin para gawan ng aksyon,” Eliorico said.

He also added that students are also free to give suggestions to the council on how to solve these problems and cooperate with the administration as one of the goals the campaign.

Meanwhile, Marjea Antonio from the College of Architecture and Fine Arts said that she is glad that the council is pushing this kind of service.

“Malaki ang maaaring maitulong ng TSUScooper.

Maliban sa magiging maayos ang pamamalakad ng TSU, magiging madali na lang din ang pag-aaral ng mga estudyante sapagkat mababawasan ang mga problemang aming kinahaharap [sa mga pasilidad],” Antonio stated.

The said campaign will be in effect for the whole term of Eliorico.

English Era faces venue eviction, creates ‘avant-garde’ finish

EN(CHANT)ED. Amid sudden change of venue due to preparations for SCUAA, LPEE managed to execute a vibrant English Era before the end of the semester. (Photo by Isaih Kyle C. Umipig)

By Isaih Kyle C. Umipig DESPITE SUDDEN change of venue, the College of Education (COEd)

has still painted the mats with vibrant colors as they celebrate this year’s avant-garde-themed English Era at the back of the Regional Institution for Education (RICE)

Building, December 6.

A letter of permission to use the Laboratory School court for this year’s English Era was approved.

However, due to the newly-painted grounds as a preparation for the upcoming State Universities and Colleges (SUC) III Olympics, the letter was revoked.

With this, the league pushed the event at the back of the RICE Building as an alternative.

“It was a stony road lalo na’t nasa field kaming mga seniors [for practice teaching] at ang mga freshmen naman ay naghahanda para sa final exams nila,” League of Prospective English Educators (LPEE) president Jose Carlo Angelo Espinosa said in an interview.

English Era is an annual event of the LPEE which highlights speech and arts performances like the opening production, speech choir, jazz chant, Chambers Theater, and broadway.

“English Era is one of the college’s most anticipated events. Dito naipapamalas ng mga LPEEians ang

be excluded from us),” said Janelle Pamela David, a delegate from TSU. Aside from the opportunity of involvement with the masses, the delegates were also given educational discussions about the various sectors and the issues they are facing.

“Gustong-gusto ko ‘yong ganoong diskusyon kasi parang gusto mo pang maging bahagi dahil nalaman mo kung ano ‘yong hindi naituturo ng mga eskwelahan. To be a part of it is a big step para mas maging mulat (I like the discussion because it makes you want to learn more since you have understood the things that schools do not teach. To be a part of it, it’s like a big leap for total consciousness),” David added.

BAO implements... from p.3 | food naman, iko-coordinate siya sa Coop,” Eliorico furthered.

On the other hand, Eliorico said that the new procurement procedure trains the student councils to be more effective in planning and organizing their projects.

Since the Free Tuiton Law does not shoulder the midyear budget of the university, student councils will be able to collect their funds.

The process does not apply to small student organizations recognized by the Student Affairs and these organizations can still collect organizational fees depending on the amount their constitution and by-laws specify, the council president ended.

kanilang galing na talaga namang inaabangan ng lahat,” he said.

Avant-garde is this year’s theme because the league tried to explore what is unconventional. It can be recalled that during the previous years, English Era was themed with Disney, De javu, and Vintage.

“There was a moment that I wanted to postpone the event but everything was already set. Medyo madami ang adjustments na kinailangang gawin with regards to time and with the booths. Buti na lang at kinaya,” he expressed.

Aside from the performances, English Era is also a week-long activity for academic contests which are related to the English language.

These contests include quiz bees like Mix and Match, Borrow my English, Hear What I Hear, Translate It, Under The Line, You’ve Been Sentence, and more.

VOL. 70 NO. 2 NOv 2018 - JAN 2019

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Students urged to report... professors or bosses in the workplace will retaliate.

“Do not be afraid to report kasi may support mechanism naman. In fact, minamanduhan ng batas ang mga institusyon, mga eskwelahan at working environment na gumawa ng aksyon kapag may reported cases of sexual harassment at mayroon silang kaparusahan kapag ‘di nila ginawa ‘yon,” Luis said.

He also said that it is very important to make students and would-be workers aware of the sexual harassment instances because these take place in all institutions where most of the cases go unreported.

“Kung nahihiya man tayong magcomplain at napanghihinaan tayo ng loob para mag-complain, the best thing that we can do is to know the acts of sexual harassment so that they can be prevented,” he said.

Republic Act No. 7877 states that sexual harassment is a series of acts which may be committed physically, verbally or visually, or with the use of communications technology that would result in an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment for an individual.

This Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 also covers actions committed by employers, teachers, instructors or any other persons of authority who will commit “any unwanted, unwelcome or inappropriate sexual advances, request or demand for sexual favor, or makes any offensive remark about the victim’s sexual orientation.”

Violators of the said provision will be penalized by imprisonment of not less than one month nor more than six months, or a fine between P10,000 to P20,000.

“Huwag matakot [magsumbong] because the law protects you. Panahon na para alisin na sa mundo ang mga manyak,” Luis said.

These statements of Luis were among the primary agenda during the Work Ethics and Anti-Sexual Harassment Seminar that took place on June 28 at the university gymnasium.

Luis was one of the speakers of the said event.

The activity organized by the Counseling Testing and Career Center, in collaboration with the Center for Gender and Development (CGAD), is a compliance to the revised guidelines for student internship program in the Philippines under Commission on Higher Education memorandum order no. 104 series of 2017.

Students undergoing on-the-job training were required to attend the event to be acquainted with their rights and responsibilities when it comes to their internship site, as said by Laarni Capinding, staffer of the Career and Job Placement Office. from p.1 |

“Kaya tayo nagka-conduct ng mga ganitong activity ay para maging aware ang mga estudyante. Kaya ang GAD ay nagpo-promote ng mga ganito ay para may mag-report sa kanila na estudyante at maaksyunan natin properly,” Capinding said.

Capinding also stated that there were already employees and teachers in the university that have been excluded from the service because of sexual harassment. However, she refused to give further details for these are said to be confidential.

“Know your rights. Know when to say stop and report. Don’t be victims of sexual harassment,” she added.

BY Eugene Quiazon THE OFFICE of the Student Affairs (OSA) of Tarlac State University has confirmed in midOctober that the university is reviewing its existing incentive program to make it more comprehensive and just for the board examination passers.

OSA Dean Dr. Edwin Caoleng, chairperson of the proposal, said that they want

Electronics, civil eng’g board takers beat nat’l passing rate RESULTS FROM the Philippine Regulatory Commission showed that the Electronics and Civil engineering graduates of Tarlac State University (TSU) surpassed the national passing rate of their respective licensure examination.

In the electronics engineer board exams, a mark of 66.67 percent was attained which was higher than the previous rate of 49.49 percent.

Also, TSU recorded an overall passing rate of 47.74 percent in the November civil engineering board exams, exceeding the previous 45-percent mark.

Eight out of 11 (72.73%) TSU first-time takers for the electronics board passed the national examination, while the 65 from the 121 (53.72%) TSU first-time

takers for civil board succeeded the national passing rate.

According to Dr. Miriam S. Galvez, the dean of the College of Engineering and Technology (CET), they have added correlation subjects into their curriculum to help the graduates adjust with the review. “‘Yong correlation subject kasi, three units ‘yon, na ang gagawin lang ng teacher ay i-review ‘yong mga bata sa Mathematics at sa mga previous subjects nila,” Galvez stated.

She also said that the Electronics Engineering Department conducted an in-house review wherein they hired assessors from review centers to assist the graduating students.

In relation to the passing rates of the engineering students, the dean said that CET will continue to direct students by expanding the inhouse review for other engineering departments.

Gender sensitivity seminar cites teachers’ duties, responsibilities

By Isaih Kyle C. Umipig STUDENT TEACHERS from the College of Education (COEd) took part in a seminar on gender sensitivity and their duties and responsibilities as teachers at the university gymnasium, September 17.

According to Student Teachers Organization (STO) President Michael Gandola, it is important to cater future teachers with seminars and fora like this to educate them about important matters that they need to consider when they are already in the field.

“Kaya tayo nagka-conduct ng mga ganitong seminars kasi as future teachers, we are expected to uphold the profession very well (The reason why we conduct seminars like this is because as future teachers, we are expected to uphold the profession very well),” Gandola said.

The symposium includes relevant discussion on the legal rights, privileges and obligations of Filipino teachers, some backgrounders on board licensure examinations, and the pressing gender-related issues in educational settings such as discrimination.

“Meron tayong mga gender-related seminars para maging aware tayo

kung paano natin ititreat ang ating mga estudyante, kung paano natin sila titignan na wala dapat nava-violate na rules or rights (We provide genderrelated seminars to create awareness among future teachers on how they will treat students, on how they will look at them without violating any rules or rights),” Gandola added.

Jenny Espedilla, a pre-service teacher, said that because of the seminar, she was able to have a background about related articles that will justify her actions as an educator.

She furthered, meanwhile, that she has not yet encountered problems regarding the genders of her students. But when asked about the probability of those issues, she is concrete with her potential approach and solutions for that particular matter.

“Siguro mas lalo pang magiging sensitive kasi sa panahon ngayon, kailangan na ang pagtrato sa mga estudyante ay pantay-pantay. Kailangang

5

Incentives review for board passers poses higher packages

FIRST IN HISTORY. The Work has been hailed as the best performing student publication in the region after dominating the group and individual categories of the 18th Regional Higher Education Press Conference.

By Albritch Adam Labiano

THE WORK

i-treat natin ang bawat isa equally regardless of their genders (We have to be more sensitive because at present, it is necessary that our approach to our students is equal. We need to treat them equally regardless of the genders they present),” she said.

The speakers of the said event were Dr. Corazon Aguilar-David and Melanie C. Tapnio.

The said event was initiated by STO in partnership with the Gender and Development Office.

to give incentives to all board passers provided that they meet the compensatory requirement of making their colleges as one of the top performers in the country.

“This incentives review is not as high as what the private institutions offer, as they have all the privileges, but it can at least compensate the efforts of the graduates of the university,” Caoleng said.

When the college department of the board passers ranked fifth to first place in their licensure examination, all graduates who passed will receive monetary incentive, as per stated in the proposal presented in September.

In the proposal, all passers will receive 2,000 pesos each when their college department ranked first, 1,500 pesos for second, and 1,000 pesos for third to fifth.

Meanwhile, top-notchers will receive an amount ranging from forty thousand (40,000) to

The Work: Region 3 ‘best student publication’

By Lorddan U. Faller FOR THE first time in its history, The Work, the official student publication of Tarlac State University (TSU), has prevailed as the best performing student publication in the 18th Regional Higher Education Press Conference.

Editor in Chief Pauline Grace Manzano said that The Work’s past participations in the regional competition yielded only runnerup awards. Thus, she considered this year’s result as a “memorable exit.”

“Sobrang saya lang kasi actually, halos lahat kaming mga editors ga-graduate na this semester at alam kong bago kami umalis nakapag-iwan na kami ng legacy sa publication at alam kong itutuloy ‘yon ng mga maiiwan sa mga susunod na taon,” she said.

The publication raked awards in both group and individual categories during the three-day conference. It received the Best Tabloid, Best Newsletter, Best Magazine, and 6th Best Literary Folio awards for its group entries.

The Work obtained a total of 24 group awards and 19

individual awards, ranking first in both categories.

Crystal Gayle Rosete, a new staffer of The Work, said that they will give their best for the next academic year because she hopes to maintain this year’s glory.

“It’s my first time to join RHEPC and I was surprised and proud of the whole staff for doing their best. As a new staffer, I feel pressured because our seniors set a high standard so we’ll also give our very best,” she said.

Eleven of its delegates will advance to the Luzonwide Higher Education Press Conference as representatives of the Central Luzon region.

“I will read and write more in preparation for LHEPC not just for my inner satisfaction but also for The Work,” Rosete said when asked on her plans for the upcoming Luzonwide press conference.

Manzano said that she was proud of her staffers and fellow editors who mostly sacrificed their academic works to prepare for the contest.

The regional conference was held at TSU Lucinda Campus on January 9-11.

Here are the results for the group and individual categories:

AWARDS IN GROUP CATEGORIES BEST TABLOID

BEST MAGAZINE

1st place, News Page 1st place, Development Comm. Page 1st place, Feature & Literary Pages 1st place, Page Design 4th place, Editorial & Opinion Pages 6th place, Sports Page

1st place, News Page 1st place, Development Comm. Page 1st place, Page Design 2nd place, Editorial & Opinion Pages 2nd place, Cover Design 3rd place, Sports Page 3rd place, Features & Literary Pages

BEST NEWSLETTER 1st place, News Page 1st place, Editorial & Opinion Pages 1st place, Development Comm. Page 1st place, Sports Page 2nd place, Feature & Literary Pages 4th place, Page Design

6TH BEST LITERARY FOLIO 4th place, Literary Concept 4th place, Cover Design 5th place, Page Design 7th place, Visual Arts Page 8th place, Literary Content

AWARDS IN INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES Pauline Grace B. Manzano 1st place, Comic Strip Drawing Filipino 1st place, Photojournalism English 5th Individual Highest Pointer Kenneth Leo V. Pamlas 2nd place, Literary Graphics Filipino 2nd place, Editorial Cartooning Filipino 7th Individual Highest Pointer Joseph Carlo M. Pineda 2nd place, Copy Editing and Headline Writing Filipino 2nd place, Layouting 7th Individual Highest Pointer

David

eighty thousand (80,000) pesos, depending on their individual rank in the top ten, as with the existing program.

Caoleng said, once approved, this proposal will be effective immediately this academic year 2018-2019.

University President Myrna Q. Mallari, meanwhile, has formed a board to work on this proposal.

Comprising the board were cochairperson Dr. Agnes Macaraeg, dean of the College of Arts and Social Sciences; members Dr. Theodore M. Timpac, dean of the College of Criminal Justice Education; Dr. Miriam Galvez, dean of the College of Engineering and Technology; and Ronnie Dungo, executive assistant of the College of Education.

They were also ordered to benchmark other schools and institutions to at least provide a competitive incentive package.

Andrea Nicole B. Sapnu 1st place, Poetry Writing English Lorddan U. Faller 1st place, News Writing English Crystal Gayle O. Rosete 3rd place, Feature Writing English 1st runner-up, Ms. YJAR 2019 Eugene Quiazon 4th place, Dev. Comm. Writing Filipino Lander Victor G. Tejada 5th place, Sports Writing Filipino Janelle Pamela R. David 7th place, Feature Writing English

Gabriel Jann S. Inocencio 2nd place, Editorial Cartooning English 4th place, Comic Strip Drawing English 8th Individual Highest Pointer

Adam Albritch A. Labiano 10th place, Poetry Writing Filipino

Isaih Kyle C. Umipig 1st place, Dev. Comm. Writing English

Jerico T. Manalo 10th place, News Writing English

Nica Joy A. Calma 1st place, Photojournalism Filipino

Jejomar B. Contawe 10th place, Opinion Writing English

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THE WORK

VOL. 70 NO. 2 NOv 2018 - JAN 2019

COS yields board topnotcher

By JOseph Carlo M. Pineda

TSU ranks 1st among crim schools in CLE

By LANDER G. Tejada TARLAC STATE University’s College of Criminal Justice Education has once again emerged as the country’s top-performing school in the December 2018 Criminologist Licensure Examination (CLE) after posting a 98.25-percent passing rate, as announced by the Philippine Regulatory Commission on January 12.

Fifty-six out of 57 fresh graduates who took the examination passed, which means a marginal decline from last year’s 100-percent passing rate with all the 55 first-time takers passing the CLE. Having produced 56 new criminologists, CCJE has surpassed the national passing rate, 34.66-percent, by a widemargin. The King's College of The Philippines tailed behind with 96.23-percent passing rate while Cavite State University ranked 3rd with 95.38-percent.

Meanwhile, 14,324 out of 41,341 examinees passed the CLE nationwide.

Since CCJE’s inception in 2012, this is the second time it has been named as the topperforming school.

AN ALUMNUS of the College of Science (COS) ranked ninth in the list of top examinees of the October 2018 Chemical Technician Licensure Examination.

James Adriel Ysais, who obtained a percentage score of 88, said that he did not anticipate that his name will be in the top 10 since his aim was only to pass and not to ace the examination.

Along with his latest achievement, he also passed the chemist licensure examination which was held prior to the chemical technician board exam.

Considering himself as an average student in college, he took both examinations hoping to pass just one. But when someone from the COS faculty informed him about the results, he was surprised that he even made it to the top 10.

The newly licensed chemistchemical technician said that he is grateful for the outcome despite having only short period of preparation for the examinations.

“Sobrang bait ni God dahil ibinigay niya sa akin ‘yong dalawang ‘yon [licenses]. May bonus pang kasama,” he expressed.

He plans to practice his profession immediately after getting his licenses. “Gusto kong makapagtrabaho agad para makatulong na rin sa aking mga magulang.”

Moreover, the university has recorded an 80.85-percent passing

Tongol

TSU alums take top spots in CPA board

By Lorddan U. Faller TWO ALUMNI of Tarlac State University (TSU) notched the sixth and seventh places of the October 2018 Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Licensure Examination.

Aubrey Nicole D. Jimenez and Samuel Joshua C. Tongol posted a rating of 90 percent and 89.83 percent, respectively.

The two topnotchers have received P40,000 reward each from the university as part of the incentive program for board examination achievers.

Moreover, the university recorded a 66.67-percent passing rate for the first-time takers and an overall passing rate of 46.67 percent against the 25.19-percent national mark, with 21 passers out of 45 test-takers, as declared by the Philippine Regulatory Commission.

Chemist board exams With only three out of 25 examinees making the cut, TSU registered a 12-percent passing rate in the October 2018 Chemist Licensure Examination. This is the lowest recorded rating since the inception of the college’s Chemistry Department.

The university’s passing rate started to decline in 2017 when it posted a 14.55-percent rating, lower from the previous years’ percentage rating.

Ysais said that one probable reason for this year’s low rating is the addition of a new subject in the examination which was expected but not prioritized by TSU graduates during their review.

Another examinee said that they did not know what type of questions will be given in biochemistry, the newly-added subject, since there are no reference questions they can refer to.

The national passing rate in the chemist board examination was 45.05 percent.

As part of the the college’s strategy to improve the university’s passing mark in the said examination, the department is planning to implement a retention examination policy.

Once implemented, all chemistry students will be required to take the retention test and are only allowed to fail it once.

Yokohama renews partnership with TSU

By JeJomar B. Contawe

Jimenez

rate against the 87.32-percent national passing rate, producing 38 new chemical technicians.

A MEMORANDUM of Agreement (MoA) was signed between the Yokohama Tires Philippines Inc. (YTPI) and Tarlac State University (TSU) to revive the pact of the two institutions in terms of granting academic scholarship program among the students of the university.

YTPI’s Public Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility officer Wenri De Guzman said that through President Myrna Mallari’s persuasion, YTPI lessened the 2.0 retention policy to 2.5 at the end of each semester, with no incomplete grade.

“YTPI has always been an advocate of societal change that could be addressed through the generous nature of corporate philanthropy,” De Guzman said.

With the implementation of the free tuition law, YTPI assured its scholars that they would still shoulder their tuition and miscellaneous fees, giving them

full monetary benefits including a monthly allowance as well as a book allowance per semester.

Meanwhile, on September 17, scholars of the said program paid a visit at YTPI’s main plant in Clark City, Pampanga and were given a chance to witness the machineries, facilities as well as the workers, many of whom were TSU alumni.

TSU alumnus and now YTPI’s junior systems engineer, Neil Justine Crisostomo, encouraged the aspiring scholars through his dialogue, narrating his trials and tribulations in being a YTPI scholar because of the 2.0 requirement grade, which was, according to him, too high to attain as an engineering student.

He was then the sole YTPI scholar from TSU who survived and was immediately hired by the company.

Yokohama Tires, which was advertised as “a Japanese product with a Filipino craftsmanship,” was rebranded by Mallari in her privilege speech as a Japanese product with “a Filipino heart.”

FINISHING TOUCHES. Tarlac State University Museum which will be sheltering the university’s victories and research innovations is now on its final polishing. (Photo by Pauline Grace B. Manzano)

TSU Museum to rise... moved to San Isidro Campus while TSU continuously gains awards and recognitions, it was proposed and has been decided that it would be great to have a place for our victories and research innovation," he furthered.

Mañebog also said that in February 2019, the project’s target schedule of completion, the museum will rise to preserve the long history of TSU for over a century.

However, due to College of Engineering and Technology’s façade construction, the museum’s completion date will be delayed.

“As of January 31, 2018, 82

from p.1 |

Math-Sci affair pushed amid technical snags

By Isaih Kyle C. Umipig DESPITE GLITCHES encountered with the sound system, the culminating activity of the Math-Sci month of the College of Education (COEd) was pushed through at the Laboratory School Court, Lucinda Campus on October 12.

Originally, Math-Sci Month is held during the month of September. It is spearheaded by two COEd organizations—the Association of Future Science Educators (AFSE) and the Mathematical Society (MathSoc).

This year, the two organizations have decided to move the said affair to October to avoid conflicts with the schedule of the college’s midterm examination.

However, the culminating activity went off-track as they have encountered technical problems specifically with the produced sound of the microphones.

“Iyong microphone, medyo masakit sa tenga. Kapag may nagsasalita, it’s either high-pitched or ‘di malinaw (The microphone's sound is not bearable for the ears.

When someone speaks, it's either high-pitched or unclear),” Mitzie Ibañez, one of the candidates of Mr.

‘Trese’ reaps Ugnayan fruits

By Isaih Kyle C. Umipig OBRA: TRESE, the literary folio of The Work for the previous editorial year, earned numerous commendations during the cultural and awards night of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP)’s Ugnayan, October 20.

Andrea Nicole B. Sapnu, former literary editor of The Work, said that OBRA is one of the most anticipated releases of the university publication which is why they need to live up to the expectations of the students in terms of providing them the content they both want and need.

“The dilemma here is always what to write about. We decided

that the theme of last year’s literary folio (Trese) should hit close to home—something that is ultimately Tarlaqueño,” she said.

Aside from that, The Work’s editorial board and staff have agreed that the literary pieces should center on a pressing issue in adherence to the socio-political nature of OBRA. “To this day, Trese is still relevant.

Nonetheless, as long as struggles of workers are still prevalent, the documentation of these events through creative expressions such as prose and poetry would still be generated by us, the writers,” she added.

Sapnu said that as the anniversary of Hacienda Luisita Massacre approaches its 14th year,

percent na siya, ‘yong construction.

Aabot naman sana sa target date kaso sumabay ‘yong project do’n sa engineering gate. Nahirapan sila magpasok ng mga gamit and we encountered some problems in the construction area,” Mañebog said.

The construction of the museum has been extended for another month until March 11 after it faced a threepercent delay in construction.

"As far as I know, the University Museum is totally free for bonafide students of TSU and visitors or accreditors. Its main gallery and two offices inside are widely open for those who want to know more about our beloved TSU," he ended.

it is undeniable the battle of the farmers against oppressive forces are yet to cease since reports on violence perpetrated unto them are still surfacing.

“Who knows, maybe Trese shall have its sequel this year?” she hinted.

Trese, meanwhile, was named as the best literary folio in Central Luzon. Its collection of poems, short stories, flash fiction, photographs, and artworks are commemorative of the 13th anniversary of the Hacienda Luisita Massacre.

Currently, The Work, celebrating its platinum year, is crafting yet another literary folio which covers the plight of the labor force of the country. The said literary folio will be published in 2019.

and Miss Math-Sci, said, “Iyong mga kasama kong contestants din, sinasabi rin nila na hindi maganda ‘yong feedback ng boses nila sa microphone.

(The other candidates also pointed out the issue because their voices become terrible when they use the microphone.)”

According to AFSE president Alexis Quizon, they have requested microphones from different offices and units but before their event, their call for equipment was rebuffed because of its unavailability.

In the face of the encountered difficulties, they still consider it a successful event. “We were able to give the best definition of what MathSci celebration should be. It is what the theme wants to imply—to sustain scientific and mathematical alliance,” he said.

Aside from the established union between the two organizations, the month-long celebration also aimed to show tribute to the greatest mathematicians and scientists of all time.

Quizon said that the event also served as an avenue for the students to showcase their enthusiasm and knowledge in both subjects by joining various competitions.

Despite the technical problem, the culminating activity has completed other sub-events like Mr. and Miss Math-Sci 2018, Math-Sci Jingle Competition, and the awarding of winners for the various contests.

Cover page of OBRA: Trese

VOL. 70 NO. 2 NOv 2018 - JAN 2019

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THE WORK

7

TSU’s 112th founding anniversary CELEBRATION

THROUGH THE DECADES. Various student organizations from the three campuses of Tarlac State University painted the walkways with vibrant colors during the streetdance competition and Mr. and Ms. TSU as the highlights of the celebration of its 112th founding anniversary, October 13-20. (Photos by Isaih Kyle C. Umipig and John Dave Benedict Isidro)

San Isidro breaks Lucinda street dance supremacy

BY Eugene Quiazon and Jerico T. Manalo SAN ISIDRO Campus has finally shattered the supremacy of its rival, Lucinda Campus, and broke its threeyear streak as champion, October 17.

Team San Isidro, comprised of the Colleges of Architecture and Fine Arts, Computer Studies, and Engineering and Technology, dominated the streets with Sagayan—a known warrior dance of the Maguindanaoans— and showcased artistry in their fined props and costumes.

Teams Lucinda and Main Campus performed the Panagbenga and

Masskara festival dances. However, fortune favored San Isidro this time, and they ruled the competition with an 89.8% score.

Nikko Aranda, governor of CAFA Student Council and one of the organizers of Sagayan, said that their sweat from practices and sleepless nights doing props paid off as they finally achieved the championship.

“In the past two years, we've been aiming the Street Dance Championship, but we keep on falling short and every year landing on the same spot," Aranda said after the awarding. "Fortunately,

we got it this time. The joy we have right now is unexplainable,” he added.

When asked about the challenges they faced along their victory, he revealed that the lack of budget and insufficiency in number of dancers gave them a tough situation.

“With the help, effort and support of all the officers from different colleges, the production staff and even volunteers, we surpassed it,” he said.

Team Lucinda, on the other hand, which comprised the Colleges of Education, Criminal Justice Education, and Science, expressed

their disappointment for not being able to defend their title but remain determined for the next season.

The ways and means officer of COEd Student Council and the organizer of Panagbenga, Karen Antonio, said that they will do even more, not for the sake of reclaiming the championship, but to exceed their performance instead.

Meanwhile, Team Lucinda swept all the special awards in street dance parade competition: Most Colorful Participants, Most Cheerful Participants, and Biggest Number of

CBA dominates hiphop, Latin dance tilt

BY Creisha Mae S. Dimabayao and Jessa A. Sombrito

COS student claims univ-wide singing title

THE COLLEGE of Business and Accountancy (CBA) seized the championship titles in all categories of Hip Hop and Latin Dance Contest, October 16.

By Jerico T. Manalo A STUDENT from the College of Science shined as she took the title for this year's Singing Competition at the University Gymnasium, October 19.

Maureen Angel Muldong, a freshman taking up Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, garnered a total score of 96.33 percent after singing Lani Misalucha's hit "Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin."

"I didn't expect to win, yet I am still very happy since one of my goals was achieved," Muldong said in an interview.

Muldong also said that singing is really her passion which was the reason she joined the competition and is planning to join again next year if she has free time.

"Keep on dreaming and pursue your goals and also always pray because we can't have all of these achievements without Him," Muldong said when asked what advice she can give to all aspiring singers of TSU. She also revealed after the awarding that she is the vocalist of Morakee Band which also competed in the Battle of the Bands later that day.

Meanwhile, Guiane Pasetes from the College of Arts and Social Sciences and Jahnel Andrea Baris from the College of Public Administration and Governance placed 1st and 2nd runners-up, respectively.

Participants.

Team Main Campus claimed the first place in the Float Making Competition despite landing on the last spot in the festival dance.

Later announced, the newlyestablished TSU Capas Campus will join the next year's street dance competition.

Hip Hop Contest The CBA’s lead dancer Chris Vino said that they are grateful for breaking the three-year reign in the dance floor of the College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS) Hip Hop Group.

“Syempre una, hindi kami nagexpect sa routine namin kasi, gumawa kami ng routine para i-enjoy lang namin. Naghanap kami ng mga music na enjoyable lang,” he said.

Meanwhile, the CASS took the second spot, followed by the College of Computer Studies.

Crim, public ad studes take colleges’ first pageant titles

BY Crystal Gayle Rosete AND Jehiel R. Asio REPRESENTATIVES OF the College of Criminal Justice Education and the College of Public Administration and Governance took over the Mr. and Ms. Tarlac State University (TSU) 2019 at TSU Gymnasium, October 17.

Frederick Galang, the new Mr. TSU and one of the crowd favorites, also won minor awards namely Mr. Stillustrata, Mr.

Halimuyak Philippines, and Best in Talent.

"Sobrang saya kasi as in answered prayer 'to. Maraming salamat sa pagsuporta sa akin, without knowing na magagawa ko 'to at mananalo ako," Galang said in an interview.

Meanwhile, CPAG's first ever title holder, Erica Salas, also bagged a special award for Best in Talent. "'Di ko pa rin siya ma-imagine until now. 'Di pa rin nagsisink-in sa'kin ‘yong nangyari, pero grateful and blessed ako," Salas said.

Salas also said that she had

not done a lot of preparations.

"Pray lang. Kasi do'n lang talaga ako kumakapit, sa prayer lang po talaga. And naniniwala ako na if it's destined, it will happen," she answered when asked about the pre-pageant preparations.

"You can be a beauty queen with or without a crown, 'cause it's all about responsibility," she ended.

The said event was spearheaded by the Supreme Student Council and was scheduled for two separate days for the talent segment and coronation night.

Latin Contest With the dashingly shaking of hips and graceful hand waves, the CBA once again prevailed and took the first place in all the categories in Latin Dance Contest. The said categories were Latin Duo Female Dance Contest, Latin Duo Male Dance Contest, and Latin Samba Small Team Dance Contest.

In Latin Duo Female Dance Contest, the College of Education (COEd) bagged the second place while the CASS and College of Engineering and Technology (CET) both landed on the third spot.

CET reaped the second place in Latin Duo Male Dance Contest followed by COEd. Moreover, in Latin Samba Small Team Dance Contest, COEd snatched the second place, followed by CASS.

8

Opinion

THE WORK

VOL. 70 NO. 2 NOv 2018 - JAN 2019

NATION:

Jail Break

I Cartoon by Gabriel Jann Inocencio

IRIDESCENT WORDS

Missed Hits by the Iron Fist PAULINE GRACE B. MANZANO BS CIVIL ENGINEERING

Editor in Chief | pau.manzano12@gmail.com

NATION: The development and productivity of the country depend on many factors. It includes the workforce and knowledge that the leader and his countrymen must possess. Consideration of each factor involved in the planned projects must be taken before undergoing implementation.

“H

uman rights to me means giving Filipinos, especially those at the society’s fringes, a decent and dignified future through social and physical infrastructures necessary to better their lives,” President Rodrigo Duterte said in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 2018.

The Philippines suffers from unemployment and poverty because of poor infrastructure. The year 2017, the Duterte’s administration launched its ‘Build, Build, Build’ (BBB) Project that intends to accelerate infrastructure spending and develop industries that will create jobs and improve the lives of Filipinos.

This could be, somehow, the legacy that our president could bring to our country by the end of his term. But after the start of his implementation, how was it now? How do the projects moving? Can the Philippines really afford the bunch of debts acquired through this?

Determined start ‘Build, Build, Build’ BBB program is the priority of the Duterte’s administration as its goals to achieve the “golden age of infrastructure” here in our country. This could be the possible solution in reducing poverty by means of attracting foreign investments, making transport of people and goods more efficient and generating lots of jobs. The National Economic and Development Authority has identified 75 projects under the BBB Program.

To this time, only seven have started in construction.

The government is now spending more on projects such as new roads, bridges, railways, and airports. Its fund comes from the revenues generated from the TRAIN Law implementation that gave abuzz to the life we used to. Before we achieve the great change that this program can bring to our system and country, the administration must be able to finance it as the said project will have

THE

an overall cost ranging from eight to nine trillion from 2017 to 2022.

Rebuilding the debts According to the 2017 World Economic Forum’s competitiveness report, the Philippines ranked 97th in the world in terms of infrastructure. Foreign investors are being discouraged by the country’s

“

If we want to develop a nation, we should not only prioritize the physical buildings but most importantly, the people.”

weak infrastructure and heavy utility cost. For them, investments are crucial to creating well-paying jobs for the millions of poor unemployed Filipinos.

Duterte’s economic team is seriously heating up the iron as they are firmed to push the BBB Project until the end.

Their team has already settled up with heavyweights like China which has offered $7.3 billion in infrastructure investments

WORK

and even overhauled the country’s tax structure just to finance the ambitious plan.

The administration settles in loading up on large amounts of foreign debts to finance their ambitious infrastructure projects. In line with this, it seems that our history will repeat itself as the Duterte administration is creating the same mistakes done by the term of Marcos in the late 1970s that led the economy into bankruptcy.

Just like what happened to the case of Sri Lanka, as their president Mahinda Rajapaksa turned to his Chinese allies for loans and assistance for the ambitious port project and they fall into its debt trap.

China charges an interest rate of 6.3 % for its loans, while the interest rates on soft loans from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) are only 0.25-3%. These debts are turning into ownership for Chinese firms and there’s a possibility that this situation might happen also in our country.

Involvement of the locals Central Luzon ranked second in having the highest percentage of plan-tobuild infrastructure by the BBB project here in the Philippines. The Clark Green City (also referred to as New Clark City) commenced last January. It will house satellite offices of all the branches of government. In addition, it will also feature a commercial center, a disaster risk, and recovery facility, as well as affordable rental housing units.

Beside of these amusing plans, is the occurrence of having a big disadvantage in the life of other Filipinos especially to those indigenous people who are defending their ancestral lands. The New Clark City will cover parts of Capas and Bamban, Tarlac wherein number of aeta community and other tribes used to live.

The government promised them that they will lend other government lands for them to shelter on when the infrastructure project had already started. To make it clear, the land that would be provided will be only temporary because still, it is a government property and time will come that it would be used in other upcoming projects. After that, what would be next for them?

If you put the fish out of the water, it will die. Addition to this, the said BBB project aims to give opportunities to unemployment. But the question is, are all of unemployed are in line and capable in the field of what this project can give?

Unclaimed problems It is very obvious that there’s a lack of capacity in our construction industry.

There are doubts arising in its lack of capacity because the infrastructure projects under the BBB program involve huge numbers of manpower, including technical, skilled and common labor. Let’s include to the context that looking for

EDITORIAL

n today’s goings-on where Philippines has been gently overpowered by China and the economy rapidly degrades, the feud between the Filipino people and the Marcos legacy continues.

Imelda Marcos, the wife of the former president and dictator Ferdinand Marcos, was found guilty for seven counts of graft when she was a government official from 1968 to 1986 which involves a stockpile of about $200 million or P10.6 billion in Swiss foundations.

These illegal private foundations were created during the entire rule of her husband’s regime which gives justification to the family’s unexplainable wealth – benefitting both their children, Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos and former Senator Ferdinand “Bong-bong” Marcos Jr. It is a punch in the face for Filipinos, although a known fact for decades, that their hard-earned money was used and stolen for the Marcoses’ personal interest which have lived their whole lives on a “lavishing lifestyle” while people suffer from impoverished poverty.

They have not only put the whole country in doom when the late dictator declared martial law and killed thousands of Filipinos, they also have ransacked billions and remain innocent trials after trials.

After the Sandiganbayan’s pronouncement over Imelda’s cases, the 89-year-old widow was sentenced to a minimum of six years and one month and maximum of 11 years in each case to total of 42 years and seven months to 77 years of imprisonment.

Apparently, Imelda is improbably to step foot behind bars appealing to her “advanced age” and health issues. The graft convict has appealed for motion of reconsideration and was allowed by the Sandiganbayan to post-bail for P300, 000 and was perpetually disqualified for the 2019 elections before the Fifth Division of the anti-graft court.

Imelda Marcos, a current Ilocos Norte representative, has been openly planning to run for candidacy in 2019 and replace her daughter as governor. The Sandiganbayan’s treatment over the lady was debatably generous. It is more likely that Imelda would dodge imprisonment and run again, especially now that President Duterte seems to side with the Marcoses.

If the woman is suitable and adequately fit to plan on running for a political position, she might, as well, be suited enough for jail.

However, the impartiality of the system lies between the powerful and defenseless. If a commoner is to steal bread and canned goods on a local grocery store, an arrest would be filed right away. But an ex-first lady despoiling billions of money from the people may be deferred despite the fact of being guilty.

It has been long overdue since the fight of the people versus the Marcoses. Twenty-seven years is way too long for graft cases that were obviously steered down by this family of tyrant. Age as a form of defense should not be a hindrance for being accountable for crimes, utterly when it comes to stealing from other people’s hardwork.

It might be too early to celebrate because knowing the Philippines’ judicial system, a justice delayed is justice denied. The iron butterfly’s lawyers have a way of delaying the efforts of courtmartials which may soon again lead to the 1993 case where Imelda served as a chairman – during the dictatorial regime – and was found guilty for an alleged atypical contract between the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRT) and the Philippine General Hospital Foundations.

Five years of delayed trials, she won her appeal and got acquitted by the Supreme Court.

“Move on,” as Imee Marcos, daughter of the Ex-first lady, told the public. But how can Filipinos just stand there and watch as the Marcoses enjoy their lives with golden spoon in their mouths knowing that they do not own the wealth they claim to have? How can Filipinos just observe while they suffer from poverty? Jail the graft convict before their camp could brainwash the remaining fair and just officials in the government.

However, at the very least, slow progression is still progression.

There may be downsides to this case but it is getting there; the Filipinos who resisted the dictatorial regime won this time. But the battle is still on. As long as Imelda Marcos is unrestricted to run around and party all night, enjoying her temporary freedom, the call of the Filipino people to overthrow this fabulous lady to jail and reclaim the riches that was meant for Filipinos and Filipinos alone will always be waiting for an unbiased answer.

skilled workers, welders, electricians or even to recruit foremen would be hard because not all of us are in line with the said field of work this program could give us.

Until now, not all of the Filipinos are having the quality of free education that our government has offered because of many different factors and we all know that only a degree holder can be put in the line of these job opportunities. *** Seemingly, the administration only focuses on the legacy that their term can make but not considering the transition

of both positive and negative change it can bring to the nation. If we want to develop a nation, we should not only prioritize the physical buildings but most importantly, the people.

A building could not stand with just a piece of a floor plan, as well a nation can’t stand alone by just having an ambition.

In order for a structure to stand still, workforce and relationship of the project manager and its workers must collide in order for the development to start. Our leader must consider all of us regarding our different sectors in this country in order for their or our system to work.

EDITORIAL BOARD AND STAFF A.Y. 2018-2019

PAULINE GRACE B. MANZANO Editor in Chief | ISAIH KYLE C. UMIPIG Associate Editor in Chief/ Development Communication Editor | JESSA A. SOMBRITO Managing Editor | ANDREA S. ESPINOSA, CREISHA MAE S. DIMABAYAO Managing Editors | LORDDAN U. FALLER, LANDER VICTOR G. TEJADA News Editors | JEJOMAR B. CONTAWE Features Editor | JANELLE PAMELA R. DAVID Literary Editor | ARSENIO S. SANTIAGO JR. Sports Editor | JOSEPH CARLO M. PINEDA Layout Editor | KENNETH LEO V. PAMLAS Graphics Editor | GABRIEL JANN S. INOCENCIO Senior Cartoonist | NICA JOY A. CALMA Senior Photojournalist | ANDREA NICOLE B. SAPNU, ALBRITCH ADAM A. LABIANO, GIANNE MERIELLE P. GONZALES, JAN GUSFEL C. DUNGCA, PAMELA ROSE G. REYES, MARY KLAUDINE L. PAZ, JERICO T. MANALO, EUGENE QUIAZON, CRYSTAL GAYLE O. ROSETE, JEHIEL R. ASIO, CAITLIN JOYCE C. GALANZA Correspondents | NIKKIE JOY T. PACIFICO, EDILBERT O. ALICANTE II Cartoonists | HELEN GRACE C. DE GUZMAN Layout Artist | JOHN DAVE BENEDICT C. ISIDRO Photojournalist | DR. GLADIE NATHERINE G. CABANIZAS Adviser Address: 4th floor Business Center Building, TSU Main Campus, Romulo Boulevard, San Vicente, Tarlac City | Email: tsu.thework@gmal.com

Opinion

VOL. 70 NO. 2 NOv 2018 - JAN 2019

PRIMARY COLORS

Young, Dumb and Woke ISAIH KYLE C. UMIPIG BSED ENGLISH

Associate Editor | lambertokatigbak@gmail.com

WOKE CULTURE: We facing these walls of blatant corruption, ruthless killings, apparent poverty, and total incompetence, being apolitical, lowkey, and chill are certainly not in the trend.

O

nly through militant struggle can the best in youth shall emerge.

The country is now swamped in the morass of disputes basically ranging from our educational institutions and its neo-liberal policies, on culture versus development, international relations, the bourgeoisie-feudal tendencies, and even to the very tip of the president’s tongue. With these pressing issues being mounted, there is no other way to eradicate these but through collective efforts of the masses, and of course, the impact of the youth.

It has been months since a group conversation of Upsilon Sigma Phi, a prominent fraternity of the University of the Philippines, leaked and drew flak among netizens. This leakage now became an ‘awakening’ for more clamoring problems to arise such as physical and verbal harassment, macho-fascism and misogyny, Lumad killings, historical revisionism, frat-related violence, and whatnot. But the answer will not come from Upsilon; the real answer will essentially come from us. This instigates an impending need for the people to respond to these pleading calls. Every youth’s voice is a trigger to society’s gun of insurgency.

Apparently, no matter how committed the current administration to cover it all up, it can never succeed to deny what is plainly obvious – one of which is that the country is currently in the state where its people are dying either because of killings or starvation. Filipinos are in serious hunger because of the skyrocketing prices of goods. Despite that, the regime stands still with no concrete solution. Filipinos are, as well, in grave crises due to

F

rom the time when the Spanish troops of Magellan conquered the seas to colonize Philippine lands, so did the slow loss of our national sovereignty began. The Spanish colonizers left their centurieslong colonial rule over the country with ethnocentric and religious values that are still prevalent in our culture up to this day. Meanwhile, in the coming of the American troops, the surge of imperialism, or in definition, “a state government, practice, or advocacy of extending power and dominion, especially by direct territorial acquisition or by gaining political and economic control of other areas,” has also began. This paved the way for the U.S. to instill in us their Western cultural values.

History has shown the brutal and relentless struggle of our Filipino men and women to defend our freedom from foreign intervention and interests, spurring revolutions upon revolutions to drive away those that seek to seize Philippines as their own. Moreover, the battles that the revolutionary movement has won from centuries back hitherto have attributed to the fact that these forces are as resilient as ever in protecting the country and upholding its sovereignty.

Though in the present times, where contemporary culture is slowly erasing the essence of history and its importance in building social reform, the talk of national sovereignty is also being watered down. Philippine democracy, for instance, has become an idealized concept that has failed to emulate the genuine freedom

the implementation of TRAIN Law, coupled with the effects of intensifying inflation, and the apparent poverty of workers because of contractualization.

In Mindanao, Martial Law incessantly attacks our Lumad brothers and sisters. Bombings and brutality are some of the faces of militarization which do not only

“

Every youth’s voice is a trigger to society’s gun of insurgency.”

relentlessly inflict physical violence but also deform the significant role of the Lumads to our culture as Filipinos.

In the countryside, meanwhile, farmers and peasants perpetually cultivate not their own lands only to serve the interest of the ruthless landlords which is also reflective of the worsening feudal setting in the country. It is quite problematic because the farmers who feed the nation are being mercilessly killed in return as their unjust salary. If the state attacks the ones who produce and provide sustenance to us, it is

only equivalent to its attack on the primary consumers—the people.

While the regime infuses violence to its people, it is only normal to see persons who condemn these twisted acts. Most of them, nonetheless, are being red-tagged and termed as mere terrorists; some are perceived as the blockage for the nation’s progress, some are seen as threats.

The country has long revolved around a semi-colonial and semifeudal system. We have been victims of the reactionary government, reformist policies, and corrupt officials for a long time already. We are still locked up in cages which are being continuously filled with more screeching struggles. We should widen our thinking and start freeing ourselves from this system which has long shackled us away from total liberation.

The answer to these problems is not only making the fraternity held liable for their wrongdoings.

Remembering the important role of fraternities and sororities in ousting dictatorship, we must also continue to arouse, organize, and mobilize.

In that manner, we will be able to rectify and resist all at once. It was once proven that the youth skillfully frightens fascists and dictators because they alone, despite the constant crackdown, have collective rampant hopes on changing and improving this society which can never be put down. The state is terrified with our ability to create upsurge and uprising in the streets where the most brutal bloodshed took place.

When we say we want to put an end to frat-related violence, this does not only apply to the killings, but also to all smaller umbrellas of violence under it which are committed in the name of fascism and impunity. We facing these walls of blatant corruption, ruthless killings, apparent poverty, and total incompetence, being apolitical, lowkey, and chill are certainly not in the trend. We, the youth, are blessed with the gift of time so we should take advantage of this, use all platforms available for our voices to be heard, use our potentials as well as our agility to further improve our nation.

Through unity, militancy, resistance, and emancipation, we will succeed in advancing people’s rights!

PERSONAL RECORDS

The Forgotten History of Sovereignty ANDREA S. ESPINOSA

BSBA MARKETING MANAGEMENT

Associate Managing Editor | aandreaesp@gmail.com

AUTONOMY: The present times where contemporary culture is slowly

erasing the essence of history and its importance in building social reform, the talk of national sovereignty is also being watered down.

“

The foundation of national sovereignty is a society that recognizes genuine freedom as a national interest.” that our revolutionary ancestors have yearned for the succeeding Filipino generations. More and more Filipino people nowadays

have settled with the belief that the country has enough freedom to call itself a democratic society. And while this is a clear manifestation of the differentiations in our social classes, what prevails is the fact that majority of the population has a misconstrued perception of what genuine freedom and sovereignty really means.

The Philippines has long been suffering under the ghost of U.S imperialism. The West’s economic expansion demanded from us many major economic policies that are of oppressive nature, such as easy access to our natural resources, cheap labor, repressive trading policies, and the control of our economic markets.

Moreover, it extended its imperialist reach in our political realm by directly controlling the Philippine government with its military and diplomatic policies that are vehemently assaulting our right to sovereignty.

The Philippines, with its glorious lands and strategic map position, has become another one of the pawns of the Imperial U.S.

THE WORK

H

ow intelligent are you?

This is surely one of the most intimidating questions one may face.

In response, one may tell his grades or compare his measurement of his intelligence to his dumb colleague.

Or if the person answering this question is stupid, he’ll try to be smartass.

But if the person is too humble or lacks the confidence, she may shrug her shoulders, deflect or ignore the question, or slowly furl into a shy kitten.

Any of these responses tells something that we cannot directly take as an answer, for answers to this question better describe the respondent’s self-concept. So instead of asking that question, we should be asking this: How can we measure intelligence?

A question 15 years ago I asked myself and, until now, I find no definitive answer. But I

9

of multiple intelligences, and I found many. One is the general intelligence theory by Charles Spearman, which states that person’s performances in different tasks, even seemingly unrelated, have positive correlation. That means a person good in solving mysteries in a fictional piece may also be good in mathematics.

Spearman’s theory is more convincing than Gardner’s. It provides the most accurate prediction of educational, economic and social outcomes among all other psychological theories.

On the other hand, the theory of multiple intelligences fails in predicting such outcomes. It even fails to define ‘intelligence’ itself – it broadened the word for everyone to claim. Gardner equated the word intelligence with ability or talent, which are totally different qualities (Sternberg, Eysenck, and Scarr).

However, the theory of multiple intelligences, despite of its scarce

THE FRACTAL CLOUD

Think Again LANDER VICTOR G. TEJADA BSED SOCIAL STUDIES

News Editor | lvgtejada@gmail.com

CLASSIFICATION: People fear being branded as intellectually inferior. As a result, they have developed mechanisms to counter their fear. In fact, there are people who have hopelessly clung onto a theory that lacks evidence to assert that everyone is unique but equal. had a hypothesis back then: all brains are equal in prowess and no measurement was needed. I thought that what sets us all apart is what we had at home when we were young. In my case, I had shelves of books on science and religion, and a pair of teachers.

However, when I entered school, I met two stratifications.

Both isolated me in their extremities.

I performed well inside the room, but my feet would not tango outside.

As a result, I got medals deemed too many by other parents and bruises on my legs.

Grading system, I thought, is a lie – it tells that I’m intelligent, but my dance teacher told me that I’m stupid.

As a bachelor of secondary education, I had readings on multiple intelligences by Howard Gardner. His theory says that there are eight intelligences (some say seven or nine) which I will no longer mention. For him, a math genius is not superior to a great dancer.

At first, I found relief in the theory. But having seen things unfold in this country, how people act foolishly, how they make up their own stupid principles and speak about different endeavors, and how they assert authority to feed their egos made up my mind – not all brains are equal in prowess, some has to be stupid for sure.

So I looked for criticisms and refutations for the theory

evidence, has taken over our education. Its popularity in the Philippines is what I interpret as desperate desire to be someone not at the bottom of intellectual stratification.

This desire may be conscious or unconscious, but nobody wants to be branded as bobo.

Everyone wants to be recognized as someone who is good in something, and as equally good as everyone else.

“

We are so afraid of knowing what we lack when, in fact, lacking does not make us any less.”

Despite the current administration’s obvious disdain for U.S. imperialism, its influence on our country still predominantly exists. In August, President Rodrigo Duterte was quoted saying that our alliance with the U.S. “was a friendship imposed on us because when they won the Spanish-American war, the Philippines was handed to them

However, nobody works genuinely to be intelligent.

Instead, they try to discredit or degrade other fields. For instance, “English is not a measure of intelligence,” a cliché I always hear. One cannot simply say that eloquence in English is worthless when he also speaks terribly in Filipino (I badly want to emphasize this). I say language is one sure measurement of intelligence.

However, they see English as a form of intellectual oppression, hence the hate towards it.

The same applies to mathematics. “Paano ka bibili sa palengke? Sasabihin mo ba na ‘pabili po ng x ng kang-kong at y ng bagoong’?” Despite of unknowingly using algebra every day, we ridicule its practical use (we just do not name things as x and y). In fact, studying grammar in English is like understanding how algebra works.

We are just taught to treat them

| to p.10

like a chattel.” While this only stemmed from his anger on the U.S. government for its criticism on his war on drugs, Duterte still held this political grudge against U.S. However, with the Americanimposed policies still existing, it is unclear whether he truly wants U.S. imperialism out, or if he only talks | to p.11

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Opinion

THE WORK

GUTS AND ROSES

Severing the Mother’s Tongue ANDREA NICOLE B. SAPNU AB ENGLISH

Correspondent | andreanicolesapnu@gmail.com

LANGUAGE: Understanding the language itself is crucial; it binds people. One must know not only how to use the language primarily before putting it into practice to avoid impending barriers in communication.

I

have always been fond of beautiful words. The way I figure it, some words can be characterized as such – exquisite and soothing – because when enunciated, these words seem to pour out from the mouth like honey and jam. These are the words you wish you could use in your every sentence and still make sense because the interweaving of the tongue, teeth, and lips in generating the resonances to that comprise these words is, in itself, a dreamlike act.

For example, I have always loved the feel of the words ‘whimsical’ and ‘labyrinth’. Articulating the words themselves put me in a euphoric, yet calm state. (In fact, during class discussions, I have this furtive desire to get selected to read a particular text aloud because of the therapeutic equivalent that phrases and sentences endow to me. This will be our little secret, for now.

For my four years of education under the English program, I have known quite well that language cannot be restrained to a single, solitary definition, given that language alone is too complex of a concept to be reduced and delimited.

However, it is universally accepted that language has for its purpose the function of enabling communication.

In a broader sense, language can be viewed as a mirror that reflects the people and their culture. On another note, language can also be appreciated for its aesthetic value – how language itself is already art on its own.

As far as I could ever ponder, two of the loveliest words in my current

vocabulary range are instituted within me during a class in our course Introduction to Language Study – the ‘lingua franca.’ What makes these words even comelier, aside from the fact that the sound of these words is harmony even to the untrained ear, is the meaning that they convey.

To put it simply, a lingua franca is a language that is established to be the common language of speakers whose native tongues are different.

In a figurative take, a lingua franca is a language that unifies – one that builds bridges and mends breeches, all at the same time.

Filipino is undeniably the Philippines’ unifying language. It is the medium of our literature – of our prized prose and poetry which had withstood the test of tyrants and resisted repressive regimes. It is the language of our oaths and our anthem – it is the language we use to broach our non-defeatist patriotism.

It is the vessel for our transactions and interactions that we make in our day to day lives with our countrymen, regardless of class and social status.

However, it is just recently that reports of the Filipino subject being questioned for elimination from the required list of subjects in higher education have been circulating on the web. In an interview conducted

by ABS-CBN news, Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma expressed that the Commission on Higher Education proposed the removal of said subject because of the need to “rationalize the curriculum following the adoption of the K+12 program.” The commission firmly

R

eaching the 18th year old mark, everyone from my family and circle of friends expect me to be a legally registered voter and get a copy of my own Voter’s ID and it is pressuring.

I admit, not coming to the registration site is part of my intentions. Merely because with how politics is currently being ran in our country, I can’t find my eagerness to select from the pool of politicians that actually have the heart and power devoted to the Filipinos. To elect an effective and efficient leader, one must weigh correctly the pros and cons that the future leader may bring. Doing your own background research about a candidate would greatly help, especially if you want to know his/ her achievements and faults to the community. However, majority of Filipinos do not consider taking this step before voting. What is more saddening is how they just easily rely to a candidate’s surname and judging how good or bad they are with the works of previous politicians of their same kind.

In an article written by Michael Henry Yusingco for the Asia Times, he noted that the percentage of legislators in the congress belonging to political dynasties is a huge 75%. Blood ties in the Philippines’ political system is a serious issue that every voting individual must look upon as it neglects the true essence of leadership.

I remember having a friend I was really close with and he owns a very popular surname in our hometown. His life is perfectly planned as he is the typical guy who likes taking down notes of his

believes that the additional two years will allow the Filipino subject to be accommodated in high school, making the interdisciplinary practices the sole focus of college education.

As an English major, I find the news as disappointing and as appalling, as well. Despite my program of choice, I could express the same extent of exasperation as any other individual who also has a high regard for national character, having mentioned beforehand that language and culture are inter-reliant elements.

In order for a language to stipulate understanding, it is crucial that one must understand the language primarily before putting it into practice. This is also central in impeding barriers in communication.

While others might argue that

“

A country of low regard for its language hardly regards itself, for language is its identity.”

language acquisition, which is the natural assimilation of language, is already sufficient, a conscious and formal learning of language is also vital in so that one be an adept translator and communicator as a whole.

It is of utmost importance, with the petition being ratified, to ensure that learners in the secondary level shall be equipped with adequate knowledge in the Filipino language to render them competent enough before advancing toward the higher

BITTERSWEET ENDINGS

Politics as Sweepstakes CAITLIN JOYCE C. GALANZA

BS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Correspondent | caitlingalanza15@gmail.com

GOVERNANCE: Finding a person who willingly gives time, effort and patience to people under his or her rule could be hard.

Someone who sacrifices things that matter for the betterment of everyone else; someone who does not take leadership as a competition and a business. future whereabouts. Moreover, he expects to graduate from medical school by the end of this school year and by that time, he was sure to himself that he can get all the little and huge pleasures of life may offer. Yet, a problem suddenly came like hell and high waters, whipping apart his high hopes and dreams for himself as his father, who is compelling and has a soaring position in the municipality, asked him to join the dirty game of politics by using their popular surname to gather votes and instantly guaranteeing his position.

At first, he was really hesitant if he could fit, or if he has what it takes to be a good leader, because joining politics is not in his plans. However, his competitive father pushed him to do it, revealing later on that it was only for continuing their family’s legacy.

A little moment later, when I asked my friend what urged him for the shocking change of mind and plans, he answered “sabi kasi ni Papa maraming pera

“

Politics is not a dirty game, the players are.”

sa politika.” That made me very angry how easily could people treat governance as a mere business, when it is the people’s taxes and trust bestowed to them. Truly, at this point in my life, I believe trash people make trash business..

This, people, is the start of his never ending game with other kids

VOL. 70 NO. 2 NOv 2018 - JAN 2019

education level. As a soon-to-be proofreader, I have observed from the number of publicized posts, flyers and basically any reading material in Filipino that grammatical lapses and spelling and punctuation errors are still surfacing. The balarila has been frequently taken for granted, and deemed as “not much of a big deal, as long as messages are effectively being transmitted from speaker to listener and vice versa.” This mindset inhibits learning to take place as it settles to simply delineate the language into something that is utilized for practicality’s sake.

I find it unfitting to dismiss the Filipino language as merely a medium used to send and receive messages, for it is what characterizes and distinguishes us from the rest of the world. A country of low regard for its language hardly regards itself, for language is its identity. *** I have come to the conclusion that language cannot be understood by those who do not dare grasp it for its immensity. It is only when one fully esteemed the gift for a national language – one that binds his people and heals his overt and covert disputes – that one truly begins to care and to be flustered by the possibility that it could near its demise one day. (Like people, languages die too) In time, we would be inculcating foreign languages in our curriculum.

We will be speaking the tongues of the whites, blacks, browns, and yellows. There is nothing wrong in learning a manifold of languages, as learning new tongues is the key for us to catch a glimpse of whole new sets of values and ways of life, familiarizing us with cultures not known to us before.

Then again, in the process of learning and acquiring, one must retain his ground in order to avoid confusion in identity and origin. Or else, he might not be able to decipher what is meant by the words ‘silakbo’ and ‘humaling.’

He may forget how it feels to snicker when he hears the words ‘siping’ and ‘kalabuyo’ or to marvel in the melancholy brought about by the words ‘malamaya’ and ‘balisa’.

Most importantly, he will never get to fathom what it truly meant to be ‘malaya.’

who are also situated to do the same. And so, again, the greed for money and power won, killing little fantasies that should have been brought to real life.

This problem also roots to a parent’s way of thinking. If you think that you hold the life of your sons and daughters and you have the authority to control it until your death, then you are wrong, and sorry not sorry but also evil. Letting your children to pursue the career they really yearn for will not only make you a good parent, but also you are giving the youth a little light of hope that they can be what they truly desire to be.

Situations like these are very prominent in every corner of our country. Young bloods who came from a political family are often forced to do the same without having any choice on their own.

And the cycle goes on and on.

It is not the people who benefit anymore, but rather the ones who are seated on their disgusting thrones.

If this toxic culture continuously prevails, then my hope for this country is lost. Of course, taking little baby steps towards eradication of this system and the youth’s freedom could already mean a lot to our society’s progression.

However, let’s face it. There is no perfect leader that could rule a perfect country. All these mishaps happening in our country are necessary for the leader to be truly flexible at all times.

Therefore, taking politics as a serious issue and not just a way of getting monetary needs and boosting popularity is also a way to improve quality of life

Think Again from p.9 | differently, hence our wrong notion that math geniuses cannot be good in English and vice versa.

I can go on mentioning other ridicules on science, history, and other subjects that actually require ‘brain juice.’ These are what I interpret as unreasonable laziness and unwillingness to undergo a long process. Nobody becomes intelligent overnight. Although some geniuses are born, experience, hard work and openness made my mother, who was once an iskul bukol.

Despite of embracing wholly the general intelligence theory, I am aware that it does not provide the whole picture. The g factor, as they call it, is undefined. Just like the theory of multiple intelligences, it does not exactly define intelligence, but it just measures the presence of it (just like ‘dark matter’ in physics).

In other words, good performance in one field guarantees good performance in other fields, but why it is guaranteed is unknown (given that the reason of the good performance is not talent, which cannot be considered as intelligence).

Although it is hard to accept, brains are not equal in prowess.

Intellectual stratification exists. We are just afraid to be intellectually inferior to others. This is what I interpret as fear of one’s own ghost.

If you are intellectually superior to someone, you will treat him as a lesser human. In other words, we are afraid because of our insecurity.

If I could provide my definition of intelligence, which both theories I mentioned above did not, I will define it as this: the awareness of own ignorance. Sounds cliché, but tough to bite. But it is the awareness of what we do not know that pushes us to philosophize, to reflect, to ask questions, and to look for answers. Regardless of mental prowess, when one starts to think of his ignorance, that begins his enlightenment and his ascension on the intellectual stratification.

Sadly, we grow up with different awareness of our ignorance. Instead, we ridicule each other to feed our insatiable egos. Deep within ourselves, we think we know a lot and if we think otherwise, we do not care. In fact, we are restructuring our society from one that values objective truths more than emotions to one that values emotions more than anything else. In other words, all that matters is self – a self that hates structures and loves complications.

Honestly, I suspect that even if science finds a way to precisely measure intelligence and define it, people will find a way to falsify it.

We are so afraid of knowing what we lack when, in fact, lacking does not make us any less – it is the rejection that does.

The only way to counter intellectual stratification is to accept its existence.

So to you who feels less because you are intellectually inferior to a friend, embrace the feeling and learn from someone who knows better than you until you beat the hell out of your smartass friend.

Having less means you have more to gain.

References: https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/ unique-everybody-else/201311/the-illusory-theory-multiple-intelligences https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.com. ph/&httpsredir=1&article=1468&context=tpr https://kelvinsmythenetworkonnet.wordpress. com/2016/05/12/howard-gardners-multiple-intelligences-theory-sounds-good-but-the-basis-is-wrong/

amongst people who are under the governance of the deserving one.

Reference:

https://www.google.com.ph/amp/www.atimes.com/ political-dynasties-philippines/amp/

Opinion

VOL. 70 NO. 2 NOv 2018 - JAN 2019

WORDS OF WITSDOM

Puns for Fun CRYSTAL GAYLE O. ROSETE BS CIVIL ENGINEERING

Correspondent | crysgayle.rosete@gmail.com

MEMES: By their very virtue of being a “pun,” memes can lull their wide audiences into a state where presented information is not questioned at all.

I

t took me weeks to finally come up with a topic for my first ever column. Since it’s my first, I want to write something different and interesting.

However, due to my extreme procrastination, I laid down for hours; scrolled and tapped my phone for so many times—sharing random posts and tweeting senseless stuff.

One of my guilty pleasures, I admit.

Memes are everywhere.

While I was busy scrolling my Facebook feed and continuing to see meme after meme come up on this social network site, I began to see a trend—and I was able to write this down. It’s the system and the social algorithm we tend to follow. For what exactly? To belong.

Have you ever realized how we remain with not a word escaping our mouths as we stare into the rectangles of life? Have you ever noticed how many times you keep on checking your notification bar? How about how many post you have been sharing for the past days?

Ever since life became a race for comments and likes, and people became numbers based on how many tapped their fingers, I didn’t know where to stand—but I ran anyway.

Delving into the world of internet, it seems to me that 2018 has been a year of pictures centered around with bold, white letters on the top and bottom—memes. While

thousands of subcultures around the world have developed to fit the niche sensibilities of very seasoned “meme lords.”

“

Small lies that are told for the sake of humor can be nonchalantly taken for truths.”

Frankly, there isn’t a time where I browsed my Facebook account without seeing shared memes by most of my FB friends. If society holds these memes in such high regard, should we consider these memes art? Should we consider it as something valuable?

The term “meme” was coined

R

ecently, various government agencies led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) have kicked off the rehabilitation program of the bay that is known for its golden sunset. Through the initiation of the government, the heavily polluted Manila bay has already been reestablished to its former grandeur. However, weeks ago, news come out that there are individuals, particularly students, that were caught littering at the newly-cleaned bay.

In a news report published by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, a citizen has raised her concern in social media that “she personally saw some students throwing cigarette butts and plastic wrappers in Manila Bay.” The citizen furthered that these students even buried some trash under the sand. But when she called them out, she was only met with laughter from the youths.

These kinds of student actions evidently manifest their lack of care in the environment. Our country is presently in front of numerous environmental issues such as overpopulation, pollution and waste disposal. The Manila bay rehabilitation project simply shows that the government, howsoever, is making efforts to lessen complications on environment.

As students, we should be the pioneers of making the surroundings uncontaminated. What the students have done shall not be imitated by anyone. Discipline is an important factor to have hygienic vicinities.

Making it free of rubbishes through prevention is better than setting off cleanup drive programs.

Perhaps, it is merely a minimal lapse; yet, its impact may possibly upset the entire community. If those pieces were simulated by people dwelling near the zone and those individuals who pay visit just to

by Richard Dawkins, a biologist, in his book, “The Selfish Gene,” in 1976. He used the term to explain the rapid spread of ideas or cultural phenomena. Therefore, he said that “anything that rapidly gains popularity and reaches diverse populations around the world could be considered a meme.”

In an ever-changing world of technology, we see many things evolve with the times. With the assistance of the internet, we have learned to use our online voice to stand up for things we feel strongly about. Yes, I am one in a million. We are no longer passive. And in fact, our opinions are stronger and our voices are louder than ever.

In the Philippines, meme culture has skyrocketed to its finest. Memes have captured the overall gist of what is it like to live as a Filipino and have become somewhat a “reflection” of how we react to certain issues.

So literally, “it’s more pun in the Philippines!”. With a combination of creativity, sarcasm, wit and mindblowing editing skills, Filipinos can be counted on to put a pun for fun.

No sugar coating or anything, but these memes have captured my “laugh cells” even in the midst of negativity that is happening around me. They make us laugh and they make us roll our eyes, but sometimes they also do something else: they inform us. Unfortunately, for those who gather news or information from funny pictures found on the internet, mind you, they do not always carry correct “info’s”.

However, I have noticed a big change in our local meme system that is widely dominated by millenials and kids from Generation Z. Most memes are intended to make someone laugh. But sometimes, these silly creations are made with actual motives.

For instance, numerous memes maintain patently false information about Jamill’s or Michelle Dy’s recent controversial remarks, while others contain untrue statistics and information about government

DAUNTLESS

Trash Talks LORDDAN U. FALLER

BSBA FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT News Editor | lufaller@gmail.com

WASTE: As students, we should be the pioneers of making the surroundings uncontaminated. Making it free of rubbishes through prevention is better than setting off cleanup drive programs. glimpse at its scenic panorama, it would possibly come back to its former outlook – unfriendly and polluted.

Irrefutably, youths of today gradually became too discourteous.

No one can be held liable of their own stances, not their teachers nor their parents. They regard all things that take place as a comic story and most of the times, they feel humiliated for seriously meddling to all countrywide issues being addressed.

Everybody knows as well that the current administration has many shortcomings in running the Philippine government from economic to political and justice system due to lot of misunderstandings and disputes concerning human rights and others, this should be the time that we must be integrated. Natural environment crises are worsening and it was obviously seen that the volume of solid waste has declined as a result of rehabilitation program made in Manila bay.

Along the restoration project, the government, as well, is looking after the removal of over 220,000 informal settlers families living along the creeks. They even talked to the National Housing Authority to properly relocate the said communities, and it only displays the eagerness of the government to

“

Youths of today gradually became too discourteous.

No one can be held liable of their own stances, not their teachers nor their parents.”

lower the volume of wastes.

In fact, early December, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has collected over 100 tons of garbage during their cleanup drives. It follows several rules employed by the DENR for tourists and Local Government officials for the maintenance. DENR even reminds local government unit officials there that whoever violated environmental laws that resulted in the massive pollution in Manila bay will face appropriate charges.

THE WORK

programs. The Korean-Filipino language debate for the past month, for example.

I know that some you are already doubting what I’m saying. “Aren’t memes just jokes? Can we really be expected to take them seriously in any sense?”

My answer is ‘yes’. Just because they are passed on through the spirit of humor does not mean that they don’t have something to speak of. By their very virtue of being a “pun”, memes can lull their wide audiences into a state where presented information is not questioned at all.

Does memes dehumanize a controversial issue? Perhaps, it does.

I have seen anger and hurt feelings spill out over multiple mems. It’s now 2019, and we still allow images with words to influence us in one way or another, whether the information is cruel, hurtful or even true.

People love them. That is one of the main reason why memes have exploded into the public, defining the characteristic of our generation.

They are always available and offers constant content that is always evolving—for most netizens, memes are put in such a high regard—for they are considered as a glimmer of laughter.

But memes are, after all, a perfect wagon for spreading false information. Small lies that are told for the sake of humor can be nonchalantly taken for truths.

In today’s society, memes aren’t just a comedy pastime for netizens, they have real cultural impacts and are continuously shaping 21st century—we are caught up in the middle of the pun itself and we don’t even notice it. At this point, they very likely could never die. But what we can do is not let them define our identity, personal, political or otherwise, based on our shared posts.

To sum up all, a quote from Metal Gear, an action hack video game, ironically hits the bull’s eye.

“Free will is a myth. Religion is a joke. We are all pawns, controlled by something greater: memes.”

At present, it’s very difficult to instill self-restraint among the youths. The impact of social media and the influences of other people’s detrimental conduct, undeniably, contribute many of their individual behaviors. They always considered the lot as just for fun. They do not notice that these grounds, sometimes, lead to cyber bullying and gender violence. Even coarse languages became their communal expression. That is why sometimes, it is better not to advise them to know their boundaries because they would only label you as “mapagmalinis.”

Even in our university, trash bins are everywhere but many students still leave all their trashes in all places. Maybe it cannot be avoided that we sometimes forgot to pitch little scraps in a proper ampule but when trash can is just around our corner, try to be responsible even no one sees you. Cliché as it may sound but these days, it is still essential that we were putting into practice all the learning we gain in school. But it seems that everyone fail to bring that to mind. The act of dumping junks on its proper container is already a meek gesture that you abide by the rule of laws; that you’re concerned with our natural settings.

These issues on environment do not only focused on manila bay but also to the whole nation state.

Laws like Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004, Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 and Toxic Substances, Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Control Act of 1990 aim to ensure proper segregation and disposal of solid waste, protect the water and air from pollutions and restrict manufacturing of chemical substances and mixtures that may affect the human health. However, even they govern our environment, what is important after all is your discipline and cooperation.

11

The Forgotten History... from p.9 | out of his diplomatic superficiality.

This is perhaps manifested in Duterte’s warm reception on China’s proposed alliance.

In his first year in the administration, Duterte announced a military and economic split from the U.S. while giving a speech on Chinese lands to pursue economic deals.

Later on, Duterte claims that he is “helpless” to stop China from their maritime interests, in fear of losing a war against them and claimed neutrality and compliance when China continued its reclamation activities in the West Philippine Sea with the construction of Chinese air and naval facilities.

Earlier this year, footage of China Coast Guard officials seizing Filipino fishermen was taken and aired in public, and the Duterte administration’s weak stance on maritime dispute continued to be unfazed despite the Filipino people’s clamor to stop Chinese militarization on Philippine waters.

Duterte’s sentiments towards China do not however stop in settling maritime disputes. This year, his administration also expressed its firm call on China to maintain the forging of the two countries’ alliance to receive aid in Duterte’s Build, Build, Build infrastructure program.

China has also been continually giving out financial assistance and loans to the administration, seemingly luring the Philippines in a trap of national debt.

The case of Duterte’s Philippines-China relationship only proves the amenability and submission of the government to foreign interests. At a time when the country suffers from different forms of social injustice and oppression, it is the government’s obligation to uphold the welfare of its citizens by putting their struggles at the forefront of national discourse, instead of prioritizing foreign interests.

The foundation of national sovereignty is a society that recognizes genuine freedom as a national interest. The government should allow the Philippines to grow its own economic, diplomatic, and military policies that are first and foremost of service to the Filipino people.

Our pseudo-democracy can only go so far as to granting us the privilege of thinking we are free; but the genuine form of independence and autonomy lies in how our country sustains the revolutionary history of sovereignty.

12

Opinion

THE WORK

VOL. 70 NO. 2 NOv 2018 - JAN 2019

OF POETS AND COMETS

Mocha’s Unpardonable Behavior JEJOMAR B. CONTAWE AB COMMUNICATION

Features Editor | jejomarbcontawe@gmail.com

DISCRIMINATION: The video posted by Mocha mocking the deaf community makes us question not only her post as a government employee earning way more than what our genuine public servants, like teachers, receive for compensation; we also question her behavior of fomenting discrimination into the public consciousness.

C

Cartoon by Gabriel Jann Inocencio

ON CAMPUS:

Tight Grip

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EDITORIAL

ow that the university is spending money provided by the government, it has become stricter in its allocation, distribution, and spending of funds. In fact, it has already imposed a new procurement procedure wherein student councils and publications can no longer handle their

funds.

As a result, these student organizations are crawling to push their programs and projects through the academic year and the years to come.

Under the new procurement procedure, instead of having their semestral funds from tuition fees, student councils and publications, such as Supreme Student Council (SSC) and The Work, will have to request every tangible material and service they will need to operate, and the Budget and Accounting Office (BAO) will do the canvassing and purchasing for them. This is not to be confused with General Plan of Action (GPOA) which must be presented by every student organization semesterly to the BAO. What this means is student councils must identify, ahead of time, what they will need for the semester. They will have to list down every material or service they will need in hosting events and in pursuing their programs. That list may include rental for a sound system, rubber bands to keep papers rolled, or even just a sheet of cartolina.

In addition to this, student councils and publications can only transact with stores or sellers that can issue an official receipt (OR).

This procedure imposes strangling effects.

First, student councils cannot make decisive adjustments in their plans because they are already tied to what they have declared and requested. When a need for a material suddenly arises, it can no longer be purchased because it is not included in the request and there is no money allotted for it.

Second, requested services or materials will not be immediately utilized, because the request has to be approved first by two offices, BAO and Procurement Office (PO), then PO will canvass and purchase. Once the PO has purchased, only then the student council can claim the requested material or service and put it to use.

Third, student councils and publications can no longer transact with vendors who cannot issue OR even if the material needed is as basic as Gulaman. In fact, student councils have been taking advantage of these vendors to purchase items at lower prices (pagtawad).

Before this new procedure, the Budget and Accounting Office would just check the General Plan of Action of the student organization, then give their funds semesterly. The student organization had the freedom to operate on their own and would only have to submit their liquidations for further auditing.

However, with the new procedure, student councils and publications can no longer exercise full fiscal autonomy. They will no longer be able to respond to emergencies. This procedure limits their ability to take urgent actions.

One of the rationales of the new procedure is to minimize the expenditures of the university. To do that, the BAO also took charge of the canvassing to make sure that the materials to be purchased are ‘bang for the buck.’

When compared to small student organizations, student councils and publications are at slight disadvantage. Small student organizations are still authorized to collect organizational fees. These small student organizations only host events for their specialization, unlike SSC which hosts the annual foundation week celebration of the university. The earlier needs less and the later needs more.

It would be better to slim down the funds of student councils and publications instead of limiting them. If the distributed funds fall short, that is proper time for the BOA to step in. If they worry about the transparency, a stricter guideline in auditing and liquidation could have been a better option.

However, government money is government money. The university is not to blame from this procurement procedure. But, perhaps, it can bark on the right tree.

It always taught in school that a government or an organization is enabled with money. Also, it operates with a degree autonomy and independency. But if student councils and publications of the university are left to operate with no funds, only to wait for the BAO and PO to purchase what they need, how do they differ from a baby waiting to get dressed? In a way, this is repressive.

onsidering not her being a former sexy starlet but her downright lack of significant political experience and, subsequently, her being a notorious purveyor of fake news, no wonder as to how the general public, most notably netizens, was no fond of the ever so controversial Mocha Uson.

Mocha is so pungent a flavor of coffee that the nation finds itself perpetually “woke” with equally pungent feelings of dislike towards her. Jumping from one controversy to another, the people cannot be upbraided for the collective storm of indignation they provoke to the entire nation every time Mocha behaves in great contrast with how a dignified and civilized public servant should be.

This year marks a horrible year where Mocha Uson distastefully overdosed the public with a carnival of controversies. Her viral dancing video with Drew Olivar, “ipepeidede-ralismo,” to which the former proclaimed to be her unique tactic of promoting federalism, sparked a copious amount of admonitions from the public who are aptly annoyed as to how Mocha ridiculously reduced and trivialized federalism in a suggestive dance number. Even PDP Laban head and former senate president, Senator Koko Pimentel, was categorically maddened that he invalidated his initial statement that Mocha could shore up the discourse of charter change among the common people.

A month after, as if her scandalous ‘federal marketing’ wasn’t enough, comes another flak that once again brewed Mocha in a scorching hot water, which only echoes the latter’s questionable designation as a government official earning a monthly six-digit income.

In a yet another viral post by Angelo James Esperanzate on September 15, a video clip of Drew Olivar can be seen mimicking the sign language of the deaf community, with Mocha filming Olivar and, laughing, said he looked “like a monkey.”

Downright insulted, Philippine Federation of the Deaf President Carolyn Dagani was suitably quick to file a complaint and asked the

Ombudsman to force Mocha and Olivar to issue separate apologies for the deaf community – essentially for dishonoring the Republic Act No. 9442 which “penalizes verbal, nonverbal ridicule and vilification against persons with disability.”

In an affidavit issued by Dagani, it read that “Uson and Olivar were laughing and making fun of us.

Together, they stepped all over us and crushed us, killing our dignity.”

For a public official who earns a monthly six-digit income, Mocha’s

“

What Mocha and Olivar did reflects Philippine society’s seemingly backward movement towards attaining social equality.”

inclusion in the stratum of government was in all bounds deplorable.

The sense of disappointment gets intensified in knowing that the salary she earns comes from every taxpayer’s money. Certainly, the Filipino people would not want their money to end up in the hands of a public official who does not do her job well enough to not get widely reprimanded.

It is but a necessity for government officials to behave as

exemplary men and women of a nation that they represent. They ought to embody the qualities and virtues of a respectable, if not entirely blemishfree, civil servant. This fundamentally includes being a protector of the rights of the oppressed and the marginalized in the society, including the PWD sector that has been a common recipient of insult, bullying and social injustice.

Ergo, with Mocha projecting herself inversely proportional with the aforementioned attributes, we do not only question her post as a government employee earning way more than what our genuine public servants, like teachers, receive for compensation; we also question her behavior of fomenting discrimination into the public consciousness.

What is more, politicians and public officials are given the power to influence the people with their sensible words and exemplary actions.

A sight of them in the television is almost an inevitability. If they are then caught mocking persons with a disability, what are the odds that the children watching will not emulate what they see? What about the trauma and insecurity that deaf children might feel if they learned that a public official just made fun of them and their language?

Indeed, what Mocha and Olivar did is not mere mockery, for it also reflects the Philippine society’s seemingly backward movement towards attaining social equality.

With advocates in the whole world fighting for PWD rights, here comes Mocha cheerfully posting a video mocking the deaf language and, inevitably, the deaf people themselves.

Wait, didn’t Mocha for once said that she would seek to assuage, if not eradicate, bullying in the country? The irony is disturbing enough to make us flinch.

Silver lining, issues are being tackled and people are consensually in rebukes towards Mocha’s unpardonable behavior. Not needless to say, people are still not properly informed as to what federalism entails even when Mocha danced her way to the beat of ipepe-idede-ralismo, nor the video that mocked the deaf community did any good, whatever Mocha’s purpose of posting the video may be.

This has only proven the fact that too much coffee is bad not just to one’s individual health and wellbeing, but also to a nation at large, literally and figuratively. An outburst of criticism against Mocha’s behavior is an outburst of criticism against social injustices afflicting the nation.

Ultimately, we encourage Mocha to sign off and continue whatever advocacy she wishes to fulfill beyond the boundaries of political affairs.

When all is said and done, becoming a government official is not necessary to engage in public service, unless what she wishes to accomplish is to plague the country with a ton of controversies.

STRAIGHT FROM THE FOURTH ESTATE The Work vehemently outcries the brutal massacre of nine farmers, two minors and four women of which are included, in the land cultivation or bungkalan area at Hacienda Nene, Sagay City, Negros Occidental last October 20.

The victims are members of the National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW) in Negros who were taking part on the first night of bungkalan in the 75-hectare Hacienda Nene in Purok Fire Tree, Brgy. Bulanon. Bungkalan is the farmers’ joint response to resonate the campaign to attain genuine agrarian reform and free land distribution. However, what became the answer of 40 armed goons is to rain bullets in the said area.

Initial reports disclosed that most of the victims were shot in the head while three others were burned. Sagay City police identified the victims as Angelipe Arsenal, Alias Pater, Bingbing Bantigue, Dodong

Laurencio, Eglicerio Villegas, Marchtel Sumicad, Morena Mendoza, Neknek Dumaguit, and Joemarie Ughayon Jr. Prior to this massacre, two leaders of NFSW were also killed in Sagay City. Flora A. Jemola, the chairperson of NFSW-Sagay City, was killed on December 21, 2017, in a land cultivation area in Hacienda Susan, Brgy. Poblacion 1, Sagay City. This is a blatant representation that the image of massacre during the previous administrations is only mirroring the massacres happening at present.

Moreover, bungkalan is also a manifestation of the government’s flop of its land reform program and the landlords’ repudiation to distribute the land to the tillers. While farmers militantly inhabit idle lands and collectively cultivate these lands to make it productive, everything seems wrong when the state poses threats and violence as recompense.

Truly, Sagay 9 Massacre is yet another episode of the gruesome

attacks towards our peasants and farmers which also highlights the worsening feudal settings affecting them. It is ironic that the tillers who feed the nation are those who are landless, in perpetual poverty and deprivation, and more likely to suffer from the grave disregard of the state.

It is true that instead of paying attention to the farmers’ plea for genuine agrarian reform, state resorts to maligning the collective protests and efforts launched by peasants and supporters.

The Work stands with the Filipino people in our call for justice for these merciless killings counter to our basic sectors. All the regime’s accomplices shall be held liable for all the atrocities against the peasant sector. We also enjoin the Filipino youth and people to stand with our farmers, for genuine land reform, for free land distribution, and for the termination of impunity and state fascism in the country.

STRAIGHT FROM THE FOURTH ESTATE is The Work’s free space for official statements and standpoints regarding the pressing issues ranging from the borders of the university to the community at large. For further discussions, send us an email at tsu.thework@gmail.com.

VOL. 70 NO. 2 NOv 2018 - JAN 2019

Lathalain

THE WORK

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SOCIAL MEDIA

MINSAN NAG-SELFIE ANG ISANG

Propagandista

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Ni Harvey Lor

agong smartphone.

Bagong kabanata sa buhay ni johnniedelacruz09.

Mula sa luma niyang naghihingalo nang Nokia 3315 (pero matibay pa rin), ngayon ay nabilhan na rin sya sa wakas ng bagong kakalikuting telepono. Ang dating tinititigan nya lang sa mga kaklase nya sa eskwela, ngayo’y nahahawakan at pag-aari na rin nya. Kapag kasi may smartphone ka sa klase, cool ka. Hindi ka napagiiwanan. Progresibo. Mayroon kang pangalan. Masaya ngayon si johnniedelacruz09. Naging mas madali para sa kanya ang makipagkaibigan.

Aminin man natin o hindi, minsan din tayong naging si johnniedelacruz09. Inaamin ko na, ako, oo.

Ang hirap kasi ng peer pressure. Madalas tayong mga kabataan, ganoon eh. Gustong- gusto nating nakikipagsabayan sa iba. Gusto nating kilala rin tayo sa kung saan sila kilala. Mga bata lang naman tayong nakikipagparamdaman noon sa buhay. Nangangapa pa kung sino at ano ba tayo sa kanila.

Naaalala ko, noong bata ako, masaya na ako sa mga laro sa Internet. ‘Yong sa Y8 o Friv o kung anu-anong gaming sites. Wala pa naman ako noong kahit anong social media account.

Aanhin ko ba ‘yon?, tanong ko sa sarili ko. Hindi ko naman kailangan. Mayroon namang text messaging.

Marami naman akong textmates. Kung tama ako, Yahoo Mail lang ang mayroon ako noon na ginawa ng pinsan ko. Sinabi nya noon kasi sa’kin na pwede ko raw doon makausap ang mga lolo at lola ko sa ibang bansa nang hindi masyadong gumagastos ng malaking halaga. Isa iyon sa mga una kong naging interaksyon sa Internet, ‘yong mga panghihingi ko ng mga pasalubong na tsokolate sa mga kamag-anak ko.Grade 5 na ako noon nang magkaroon ako ng unang social media account sa anyo ng Friendster. Ipinanggawa lang ulit ako ng pinsan ko kasi nainggit ako sa mga ginagawa nya. Nakikipalit na rin ako ng themes at disenyo linggu-linggo.

Naging isa siya sa mga pinagkakaabalahan ko.

Noong Grade 6 ako, doon na naging matunog sa klase namin ang Facebook.

Ano na naman itong bagong nilikha? Dahil taga-sunod ako sa uso, nagpagawa ako sa kaklase kong laging nag-i-Internet. Noong naturuan niya na ako kung paano maglogin, para akong ipinanganak ulit sa mundong ibabaw.

Wala akong ideya sa kung anuman ang dapat gawin sa Facebook. Ni hindi ko alam kung paano maglog-out noon (na hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi ko naitanong) kaya naman hindi ko alam kung may ibang gumagamit kapag umaalis na ako sa computer shop. Nang makadaupang-palad ko ang Farmville, nagkaroon ng liwanag. Naging interes ko ang pagtatanim.

Bawat linggo rin, nakakatuklas ako ng iba pang mga laro kung saan nag-aalaga naman ng hayop o hindi kaya’y bumubuo ng mga komunidad. Sa Facebook ko na noon madalas nakakalaro ang mga kaibigan at kaklase ko. Ang Facebook ang naging pangalawa naming bakuran.

Wala pa noon kaming computer sa bahay at masasabi kong isa ako sa mga masugid noon na taga-suporta ng mga maiinit na computer shops sa probinsya. ‘Yong nagsasamang amoy ng pawis ng mga naglalaro ng DOTA? ‘Yong mga nagsisilutungang mura? ‘Yon ang pamilyar noong tahanan ng aking pagtuklas sa makabagong mga teknolohiya.

Akala ko dati, ang Facebook ay para lamang talaga sa katuwaan. Simple pa naman noon ang buhay maski ginugusot na minsan ng modernisasyon ng mga bagay-bagay. Halos gift requests lang naman at mga nag-level up na farm ang nakikita ko noon sa news feed. Ngunit pagtuntong ko sa high school at kolehiyo, tila nagkaroon ng malaking pagbabago. Paanong ang dating palipasan lamang ng oras ay ngayo’y paliparan na ng personal nating pamumuhay?

Nagsimulang maging isang kasangkapan ang social media sa lahat ng ginagawa nating kabataan. Nagsisulputan ang mga sari-saring litrato, mga video, at mga posts tulad ng “just woke up hehe. gud m0rneng.”

Dibuho ni Kenneth Leo V. Pamlas

Naging bukas na baul ito ng ating mga sari-saring ala-ala at mga pangungusap na isa lang naman ang orihinal na layunin: ang ipaalam sa iba kung ano ang kasalukuyan nating ginagawa.

Nauso ang pagshare ng mga bagay mula sa popular na kultura. Nagkaroon ng fan pages, mga advertisements, at mga interests. Sa dami ng mga posible nating makalikot, talagang mapapansin nga na ginawa nang mas malalim ng Facebook ang koneksyon natin. Sa katagalan, nakalimutan na nating magtanim sa Farmville at naging mas abala na tayo sa pagbuo ng pagkatao natin sa social media.

Madalas nating naririnig na repleksyon ng pagkatao natin ang lahat ng ating ginagawa at sinasalita. Totoo naman ito, kaya nga madalas ay hinuhusgahan agad tayo ng iba sa lahat ng mga direkta nilang nakikita sa atin. Lalo na sa social media, madali kang husgahan at mastereotype base sa kung ano ang mga interes mo at isineshare. Bilang halimbawa, kung tungkol lahat sa mga tambalang JaDine at LizQuen ang nasa wall mo sa Facebook, marahil maisip agad ng iba na mahilig kang manood ng telebisyon at magpantasya sa mga piksyong romansa. Kasunod na rito ang mga kumentong “Aral munaaaa!” o ‘di naman kaya’y “Edi wow daming time.” Marahil nag- aaral naman talaga tayo nang maigi ngunit ang kumplikasyon ng social media ay makapangyarihan.

Pinapakahulugan ng mga tao ang mga simpleng bagay ng mga kumplikadong haka-haka.

Madalas, nakikilala tayo sa mga bagay na hindi naman talaga tayo. Itanong mo ngayon sa iyong sarili, sino nga ba talaga ako?

Mapapansin nating tuluyan na ngang binago ng social media ang lenggwaheng madalas na ginagamit nating mga kabataan.

Maliban sa mga karaniwan nang kolokyal na mga termino, naging makulay na rin ang bokabularyo ng mga netizens sa pagsilang ng mga salita na tulad ng scoobs at carps. Ang naunang salita ang umano’y modernong dehins na mula pa sa panahon ni Jolina Magdangal.

Higit dito, naging politikal na rin ang lenggwahe sa karamihan sa mga posts sa social media, lalo na ngayong panahon ng eleksyon. Kung minsan pa nga’y parang nagiging diskusyon na sa sosyolohiya at pilosopiya ang mga kumento dahil sa dami nang teorya at mga fallacies na itinuturo. Gayon pa man, malayo na nga ang narating at nabago sa kung ano ang ilan sa mga inihahayag natin at hindi na pawang ampaw at mema lamang.

Masasabi kong sa social media ko lubusang unang naintindihan ang konsepto ng misogyny, feminism, patriarchy, capitalism, at equality. Doon unang nabuksan ang isipan ko sa mga suliranin ng LGBT, mga paghihirap ng mga Lumad, at mga magsasaka sa iba’t ibang panig ng bansa.

Mas madalas sa hindi, nagpapaalab ang mga nababasa nating mga posts tungkol dito ng kung anong uri ng nasyonalismo sa ating mga puso.

Nagkakaroon tayo ng pakialam. Natutulungan tayo ng mga ganitong mas mahahalagang bagay na kilalanin at itanong sa sarili natin kung ano ba talaga ang ating paniniwala at kung ano ang ginagawa natin tungkol dito. Naghuhudyat pa nga ito minsan ng ating pagpost din ng mga saloobin natin at mga naiisip na solusyon. Ang iba sa atin, hindi naman madaldal sa totoong buhay pero pagdating sa social media ay daig pa minsan ang mga tagapagbalita.

Ang pagkakakilanlan natin sa ating sarili ay nahuhubog ng social media sa paraang hindi naman talaga natin agad napapansin.

Minsan nga’y hindi pa talaga tayo tiyak kung sino na ba tayo at kung nabago nga ba talaga tayo. Pero kung may isang bagay man na ikatitiyak natin, ‘yon ay ang katotohanang lahat ng nakikita, naririnig, at napapanood natin ay nagiging mahalagang bahagi ng ating pagkatao at paniniwala sa buhay. Maraming opinyon sa mundo ngunit tayo ang nanghuhusga kung alin doon ang katotohanan.

Bukas ng umaga, paggising mo, baka magpost ka na naman ng selfie na may hashtag pa na #wokeuplikethis. Masarap naman talaga kasi kunan ng litrato ang mga mukha natin lalo na kapag mag-isa lang tayo at walang nakakakita. Ayan sige, wacky. Pout.

Ilabas mo pa lalo ang dila. Anong filter? Anong caption? Anong maganda sa tingin ng iba? Napakaraming pagpipilian pero ang pinakamahalagang tanong naman talaga ay para kanino ba tayo pumipili? Para kanino ba ang mensaheng gusto nating ipahayag sa iba? Sino ba ang may hawak ng kamera?

Sa kabila ng lahat, ang nakakatuwa talagang isipin ay paanong madalas ay hindi naman talaga tayo kumukuha ng litrato ng sarili natin. Madalas, gusto lang talaga natin pagmasdan sa maliit na screen ng ating mga smartphones ang mga mukha nating nasubok na ng panahon. Iniisip kung paanong sa ilang taon na pamumuhay natin sa mundo ay marami na sa atin ang nagbago.

Lumaking eyebags. Dumaming tighiyawat. Tumubong bigote.

Lahat, tanda ng pagtanda. At karanasan ng isang modernong propagandista.

Na-click mo na ang shutter. Ang ganda ng kuha.

Ipopost mo na ba?

Ang pagkakakilanlan natin sa ating sarili ay nahuhubog ng social media sa paraang hindi naman talaga natin agad napapansin.

Si Harvey D. Lor, 20, ay isang essayist mula sa Lungsod ng Tarlac na kasalukuyang nag-aaral sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas Diliman. Siya ay nagwagi ng ikalawang gantimpala sa kategoryang Kabataan Sanaysay ng Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature noong 2016.

14

Lathalain

THE WORK

VOL. 70 NO. 2 NOv 2018 - JAN 2019

NASYON

Masaker Noon, Masaker Ngayon Sa panulat ni Isaih Kyle C. Umipig

Bawat administrasyon, may mga bagong imprastrakturang ipinagawa, mga batas at palisiyang ipinasa, at mga krisis na kinaharap. Bawat presidente, may isinulong na programa, ipinatupad na ordinansa, iniulat sa taunang SONA, at higit sa lahat, may ibinida sa kanilang termino na sa mga nakalipas ay naiiba.

1985

ESCALANTE MASSACRE Setyembre 28, 1985 Escalante, Negros Occidental

Dalawampung aktibista ang natagpuang patay sa Escalante kung saan mga pulis at militar na may mataas na ranggo ang hinihinalang pumaslang. Gayunpaman, sa Pilipinas kung saan ang hustisya ay hindi dumadaloy na parang tubig-ilog, wala ni isa sa mga pulis na ito ang nahuli; sila ay higit pang nakakuha ng mas mataas na posisyon.

Sa kasalukuyan, marami na ring mga aktibista ang nakararanas ng pandarahas mula sa estado ngunit patuloy ang laban sapagkat ang pagiging mulat at sa mas lumalawak na hukbo, ang reaksyonaryong gobyerno ay unti-unting tumitiklop—tanging bala na lamang ang kayang isagot.

2009

Gayunpaman, kung tutukuyin ang mga nagdaang termino, makikitang bawat administrasyon din ay may naitalang brutal na masaker sa kasaysayan ng ordinaryong masa.

Magsasaka’t manggagagawang bukid, mga peryodista, mga katutubo, at iba pang mga sektor ang binawian ng buhay sa mga nakalipas na dekada. Masaker noon, masaker pa rin ngayon.

1987

2004

MENDIOLA MASSACRE

HACIENDA LUISITA MASSACRE

Enero 22, 1987 Mendiola St., San Miguel, Manila

Nobyembre 16, 2004 Hacienda Luisita, Tarlac

Nasa 20, 000 magsasaka at manggagawangbukid ang nasa ikawalong gabi ng campout sa paanan ng tulay sa Mendiola, malapit sa geyt ng Malacañang. Sila ay nagwelga upang isigaw ang panawagan para sa tunay na repormang agraryo at para maipamahagi ang lupa. Ang naging sagot sa kanila ay mga bala na siyang kumitil sa 13 magsasaka samantalang marami ang sugatan.

Ang laging tugon ng mga panginoong maylupa ay hindi kompensasyon bagkus laging ang mga bagay na siyang magpupuno ng kanilang pansariling interes. Laging karahasan ang lagi nilang ipinantatapal sa mga espasyong dapat nilang punan.

Ang laban ng mga magsasaka para sa pangakong pamamahagi ng 6,000 ektaryang lupa ay nauwi sa isang malagim na trahedya.

Sa kasakulukuyang taon, ginugunita ang ika-14 anibersaryo ng masaker at ang pitong martir na nagbuwis ng buhay para sa tunay na reporma sa lupa. Ang laban ay nananatiling buhay dahil hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin natutupad ang pangakong isiniwalat ng Korte Suprema noon pang 2012.

Umiigting ang pamamasista ng rehimeng USDuterte at mga panginoong maylupa na CojuangcoAquino-Lorenzo. Sa patuloy na pang-aabuso sa mga magsasaka ay mas lalo ring lumalakas ang kontrol at monopolyo ng mga panginoong maylupa sa mayorya ng lupain sa asyenda, kasabay ng mga anti-magsasaka na palisiya gaya ng huwad na pagpaparenta o pagbili ng lupaing pansakahan mula sa mga benepisyaryo ng Hacienda Luisita.

2016

2018

KIDAPAWAN MASSACRE MAGUINDANAO MASSACRE

Abril 1, 2016 Kidapawan, Maguindanao

Limampu’t walo ang natagpuang patay, 32 sa bilang ay mga mamamahayag. Siyam na taon na ang nakalilipas ngunit ni isa sa mga suspek ay hindi pa nahahatulan. Si Sajid Ampatuan, isa sa mga suspek ng brutal na masaker, ay nakapagpiyansa samantalang ang ibang kaso sa iba pang suspek ay ibinaba.

Bawat taon, kabilang ang mga peryodista sa laman ng mga balita dahil sa karumal-dumal na atake sa kanila. Kasama ang layunin na maglingkod at magpahayag sa masa, hindi nararapat na sila ay ituring na kaaway. Ang pamamahayag ay isang marangal na gawa ngunit walang humpay na dinudungisan ng rehimeng ang alingasaw ay hindi maikakaila.

Ang daing para sa tulong na bigas mula sa gobyerno ay nauwi sa isang malagim na namang pangyayari para sa mga magsasaka ng bansa.

Dalawa ang patay, 12 ang nasugatan, at 71 ang ikinulong. Sa kabila ng napakalaking bilang na ito, ang katarungan ay nananatiling wala sa kamay nila.

Nakapanlulumo na kung sino pa ang siyang dahilan ng naihahain natin araw-araw sa ating hapagkainan ay sila pa ang siyang dinadahas ng pasistang rehimen. Ang pag-atake sa mga magsasaka ay para na ring pag-atake sa mga mamamayan na pangunahing konsumer ng palay at bigas. Ibig sabihin lamang nito na ang mga nagsasabwatang administrasyon at panginoong may lupa ay hindi para sa pangunahing pangangailangan ng mga mamamayan kundi para sa pansarili lamang nilang interes.

Nobyembre 23, 2009 Ampatuan, Maguindanao

Escalante. Mendiola. Hacienda Luisita. Maguindanao. Kidapawan. Sagay.

Ang bawat lagim na ito ay sadyang nakaangkla sa madilim na ideolohiya ng mga pulis at militar na dapat nilang protektahan ang interes ng mga nasa kapangyarihan. Hindi natin hahayaan na kitilin ng mga rehimen ang bawat miyembro ng sektor mula sa kanayunan hanggang sa mga maiingay na lansangan. Patuloy na magiging madugo ang ating mga lupain kung mayroon pa ring namumuno na hindi lang uhaw sa kapangyarihan ngunit natutuwa rin sa

SAGAY MASSACRE

Oktubre 20, 2018 Sagay City, Negros Occidental Siyam na magsasaka ang pinaulanan ng bala ng 40 armado sa Hacienda Nene sa Sagay, Negros Occidental. Ang insidente ay ang ikawalong masaker sa ilalim ng rehimeng Duterte. Ang mga nasawi ay nagsagawa ng bungkalan sa 75-ektarayang asyenda upang mas paingayin ang panawagan para sa tunay na reporma sa lupa na siya ring manipestasyon kung paano bumabagsak ang bawat administrasyon sa kanilang programa tungkol sa lupa at maging sa pamamahagi ng mga ito.

Palala nang palala ang mga pyudal na sistemang nakaapekto sa ating mga pesante’t manggagawa. Nararapat lamang na panagutan ng mga pangunahing suspek ang lahat ng krimeng inihandog nila sa mga sektor na ito.

pagdanak ng dugo mula sa tingga ng katawan.

Kolektibo nating paingayin ang mga masaker na ito na hindi kailanman naitala sa mainstream media o kaya naman ay sa mga libro ng kasaysayan. Ang mga ganitong pangyayari ay nangangailangang paigtingin upang ipanawagan na itigil na ang pamamaslang at pamamasista sa mga mamamayang ang nais lang ay mamuhay nang matiwasay.

Mga larawan mula bantayog.org, Jes Aznar, anakpawis.net, Rem Zamora, philippineslifestyle.com, Ramon Acasio, Bullit Marquez

FEATURES

VOL. 70 NO. 2 NOv 2018 - JAN 2019

THE WORK

15

POLITICS

A FESTIVAL OF FOOLS:

THE ‘EPALS’ AND THEIR PALS

IN THE 2019 ELECTIONS

T

he 2019 election is fastapproaching. Inevitably, seats are reserved for those who don’t deserve it. A multitude of political candidates hardly ever involved the likes of The Iron Lady of Asia - in fact, most of the aspirants who are set to run for the nationwide marathon that was the 2019 elections are the former’s polar opposite - a flock of fools who will paint the country repulsively red with their unspeakable faces ubiquitous on political ads that only signals the festival where enormous epalness reigns supreme in all strata of Philippine society.

The filing of candidacy for the 2019 elections have long commenced as of this writing, but that doesn’t permit any of the candidates vying for various elective posts to flaunt themselves off to the voting public via premature campaigning and excessive media presence, as evidenced by the bulk of TV ads sugarcoating things that they did and what they can do more for the betterment of the country. They unremittingly sound so impressive, a politician’s claims of what he is capable of - comparable to that of an established toothpaste brand guaranteeing the eradication of cavities of one’s dental health. Setting aside the comparison, politicians have sure mastered the wicked art of hoodwinking the typical Filipino citizen into believing that the former is sent by no one but God to end the economic hardships of the country and its people.

Du30’s official photobomber If taken into context the proliferation of humongous tarpaulins in public places showing his unmistakable face festooned with his signature smile, the face of President Duterte’s constant companion is arguably the epitome of what ‘epal’ would comprise. Even long before the go signal upon which electioneering becomes permissible, his face (and many other else’s, for that matter) already was emblazoned in tarpaulins, billboards and stickers in public utility vehicles.

This was an in-your-face manifestation of the latter’s premature campaigning tactics. It is not unknown to many that this man idolizes his boss so much that he emulated his political stratagem of denying prospects of running for public office. But in reality, he would eventually seize a coveted seat in his Senate bid. And who knows, a decade or two from now, he would make a fantastic history unlike any of his predecessors, enabling the Philippines to go straight to the dogs: from being hailed as President Duterte’s official photobomber, he would, by democratic election, become President of the Republic of the Doomed Philippines. (God forbid.)

The Fake News Queen as a senator It couldn’t be denied that there’s a controversial presidential appointee to whom the general public have insatiably rolled their eyes upon.

We are admonishing not her being a Former Sexy Starlet, but her being the Fake News Queen, who was notorious in spreading false information and misleading content that chiefly target the ‘yellows’ and those that are critical of the Duterte administration; and her being a Hypocrite, who vowed to promote anti-bullying campaign but she herself thoughtlessly made a mockery of the deaf community; and her being Reprehensible, who staged a preposterous and unappetizing dance

BY JEJOMAR B. CONTAWE performance to unsuccessfully market federalism into the consciousness of the common Filipino citizens.

And now she is running as a representative in a party-list that is previously linked to the pork barrel scam of businesswoman Janet LimNapoles. It figures. But why not stick to becoming an entertainer, as how PDP Laban head Kiko Pimentel urged her to? We despise the prospect of this woman as a legislator who would make use of her dancing prowess to introduce whatever bill she wishes to author. The Senate has long been a colossal joke, and the inclusion of this fearless lady would only underscore Philippine politics as a joke that’s not funny but lamentable.

‘Sagot kita, Itaga mo sa Bato’ This was a sticker I saw printed at a tricycle’s facade. On the right side of the text was the ever so smiling (and ever so pornographically bald, though I’m not to judge) former PNP Chief. But we know that the smile he has so pleasantly wore masks an inward vulnerable stone that could easily break if metaphorically slapped by, say, raging internet trolls. A sight of him at his most vulnerable would come to mind, wouldn’t you say?

Being put in an interrogational torture in a Senate hearing would surely make anyone break down in an outburst of sobs. The good old former PNP chief, then, breaks the stereotype: he was in no way in possession of a heart of stone.

And now, he had filed his Senate bid under PDP Laban.

He is damned all set to acquire a spot in the Senate, and all the more equipped to retaliate against those Senate bastards who were responsible for the epidemic internet meme which captured his most pathetic state.

He then seemed to ominously declare: itaga niyo sa bato, mananagot kayo.

‘Kap’s Amazing Stories’ Speaking earlier of the pork barrel scam, this is a candidate who was acquitted of the counts of corruption charges filed at him. This was especially confusing and infuriating a verdict because, while he was absolved from the criminal charges, the Sandiganbayan calls for him to return the money he got from the PDAF controversy. Which is tantamount to saying: You are innocent, Pretty Boy. But please return what you stole. This further proves the lamentable bastardization of our criminal justice system. And as in an Inquirer editorial put it, this particular episode of injustice should be included and shown in our own protagonist’s former show: Kap’s Amazing Stories, entirely for its infuriatingly shocking narrative.

The butt of all Senate jokes It wouldn’t be complete to not mention the Senate’s butt of all jokes.

There’s no point beating around the bush: his ascent towards the senate

presidency and his endorsement by the president to become the next president is deplorable. We are talking about a man who had been linked to a forgotten rape case; called single moms ‘naano lang’; suggested the national anthem’s lyrics be changed, and practically was linked to many controversial things that one could ever think of.

*** Campaign and election period in the Philippines are a perennial spectacle of good-for-nothing (although admittedly good-looking) politicians dominating the show. Those who are far deserving, those who are

whose hearts truly are intended for servant leadership and pro-poor philanthropy get left far behind. The influential and the powerful tend to overpower them.

Be that as it may, what we can do as a people of a constitutionally democratic nation could be doubly powerful. This was proven more than three decades ago, when Ferdinand Marcos was ousted from his authoritarian rule after a typhoon of protest flooded the country, paving the way for the emancipation of the Filipino masses from his conjugal dictatorship with the flamboyant Imelda. That was one hell of a festival that celebrated and exemplified how the collective activism of the people could outdo the seemingly invincible.

Because dear reader, what this piece intends to impart is this: the giant mistake of electing a Marcos brand of governance should not be made again. It’s either the candidates are fools or we are, by voting for the wrong candidates to govern us. It will be made clear once the election results will be made public.

In essence, unless we want our nation to stumble back down the pit of economic and moral crisis (as if we are not already), we ought not to root for candidates whose credentials are blemished. In this very way, we are giving our country a huge favor by not fanning the flames of a laughingstock that Philippine politics have unerringly become.

A politician and a statesman A politician thinks of the next election. A statesman, of the next generation, said James Freeman Clarke, an insightful differentiation that echoes the very notion that politicians enter public office primarily for the perks of prominence, power, and profit. Statesmen, on the other hand, are the ones to whom the electorate should cast their vote towards - for their prioritization of the public’s sake and subordination of their personal interests.

In summation, we should choose to show support for statesmen whose heart were dedicated chiefly in helping the poor, the oppressed and the marginalized; one who inexhaustibly visits and talks to locales to partake in their plight in poverty-laden areas, and naturally pose as a fountain of inspiration and a beacon of hope to them; one who knows what it feels like to lack and actually has something processed in mind on how to be of service to the struggling public without thinking of owning the credit. Because epalness, whether deliberate or not, is never a trait that genuine public servants ever possessed.

As a people, then, the challenge is in the application of our knowledge by voting for the aforementioned statesmen and to shy away from politicians who invariably think of the next election and never of the next generation.

Graphics by Kenneth Leo V. Pamlas

16

THE WORK

MOVIE REVIEW:

Features

VOL. 70 NO. 2 NOv 2018 - JAN 2019

GOYO

Where does loyalty lead us?

BY ALBRITCH ADAM LABIANO AND PAMELA ROSE REYES “Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral” is a film critically essential to the emergence of the story after the tragic death of Gen. Antonio Luna.

It provides the audience historical scenes following the demise of the only general the Filipino army had, with the film starting with Apolinario Mabini’s (Epi Quizon) narration about the revolution that asserts the need for a well-defined revolutionary government.

Although Goyo is a sequel to the successful Heneral Luna, Dir. Jerrold Tarrog envisioned the film to embrace the individuality of the characters, in aspects of principles and decisions. Heneral Luna transitions to Goyo in an epic chase of Gen. Gregorio Del Pilar’s (Paulo Avelino) forces, commanded by Pres.

Emilio Aguinaldo (Mon Confiado), with the characters involved with the murder of Luna—Major Manuel Bernal (Art Acuña) and Captain Jose Bernal (Alex Medina).

Where loyalty does lead us?

In the battle of ideologies and principles, what keeps us standing?

GLIMPSE OF THE PAST Possessing knowledge about the past helps us, the people of today, distinguish the roots of our ancestry.

But acknowledging our antiquities

A

las sais pasado na ng gabi.

Pauwi na ang karamihan sa mga estudyante ng TSU. Samantalang ako, paakyat sa ika-apat na palapag ng Business Center Building upang tumungo sa aming opisina at magpahinga. Himala, wala akong nadatnang tao. Siguro, puyat pa sila dahil kakatapos lang ng mga exams o kaya naman ay may mga gagawin pa silang mga requirements sa kanikanilang bahay. Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit wala pa ako sa kondisyong umuwi. Pinagmamasdan ko ang mga dibuho na nakasabit sa dingding.

Lilinisin ang mga nakakalat na papel sa sahig. Huhugasan ang mga tasang tinimplahan ng mga kape. Magsusulat ng kung anu-ano sa whiteboard para sa mga gagawing plano para sa lingguhang pagpupulong. Uupo at magiisip-isip.

Napagtanto ko—hindi ko na matandaan kung ano ang una kong naramdaman mula noong naging parte ako ng publikasyong ito, tatlong taon na ang nakalipas. Ang alam ko lang, hindi ako pinalad noong una akong sumubok sa Editorial Board and Skills Exam ng The Work. Inisip ko noon na siguro, hindi talaga ako para dito. Hindi ko rin naman maintindihan kung bakit sumubok pa rin ako sa pangalawang pagkakataon at mabuti na lang, pinalad ako.

Sino nga bang makapagsasabi na matututo akong makisalamuha sa mga taong ito? Na ituturing ko sila bilang isang pamilya sa kabila ng aming pagkakaiba-iba ng kurso at personalidad? Tipong tuwing may problema ang isa, problema na rin ng lahat? Sino nga bang makapagsasabi na magiging ate ang minsang naging bunsong katulad ko sa mga bagong pasok sa publikasyon?

Isa ako sa mga naunang nakapasok sa The Work na wala nang natirang ka-batch dahil ‘yong iba nagsipagtapos na. Habang ang iba naman, sinubok ng panahon at piniling hindi na manatili sa publikasyon. Mabuti na lang at may isa pang gurang na rin sa publikasyon, si JC. Hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin natitinag ang tamis ng kanyang mga ngiti. Siguro, dahil siya ang nag-iisang champion sa

waters these roots, letting them grow in the hearts of every Filipino— sprouting and cultivating the love for the country.

The film does not only manage to carry on the bequest between Filipinos and colonialists, it also illustrates personal and societal mischiefs fought by the Boy General and his colleagues, complimented with humor and astonishing cinematography.

While the movie originated from textual history accounts, the scripts and details were infused with illusory theme. However, the accuracy of the scenes represented was near to forthrightness. The casts’ character development throughout the film was cautiously portrayed well. Avelino brought justice to the role of the young general though he seemed to slack in the portrayal of Goyo.

TWO SIDES OF THE COIN: BOY AND THE GENERAL The film revolves around the internal conflict of ideologies heavily backed by the people involved with the revolution. Del Pilar, being the president’s favorite, is halted in his judgment as he battles with his personal demons. He is locked with the image barricaded by fame and honor. With the boy depicted in the scene coated with the uniform and insignias of a high-ranking general, no one would ever look at Goyo with

arising anxiety. Nevertheless, at a young age of 23, he is hailed to be one of the youngest general at the time, winning numerous battles during the revolution.

Avelino has really built up the hype on his role as Goyo. The all-pervading looks did not only attract the townswomen of Dagupan, but as well as the women viewing the film. His flirty ways and mysterious character added up to the over-all charisma of the young general. However, the general, aside from the other women left in every town, woos for the heart of Remedios Nable Jose (Gwen Zamora) while toying with his former lover Felicidad Aguinaldo (Empress Schuck), the president’s sister.

Although Goyo’s love interest was noticeable and obvious, his leadership was questioned. His ego and inner struggles come in the way to make him reflect what or who he is really fighting against. The movie has shifted its form from a scene full of festivities and gatherings into a more light and contemplating manner, with his ideals battling on being an individual character unattached to the shadows of Aguinaldo and on being a puppet of his president.

TIRAD PASS: THE END OF THE LINE The five months of silence in the side of the Americans have fired back when the slacking Filipino troops were surprisingly attacked by the American troops in Central Luzon.

This has stressed the alarm to Del Pilar and Aguinaldo, forcing them and their troops to travel up north.

Mount Tirad marks the hardships of the Filipino troops who were already in hunger due to the days of journey evading the fast-approaching American army following their lead. The mountain marks the last stand of the 60 chosen soldiers of the Boy General with the president on the move to save the falling revolutionary republic.

Pamilya sa likod ng

DYARYO Ni Pauline Grace B. Manzano

pagle-layout sa buong Region III? Kasabay ko sa lahat ng bagay, pati na rin sa paggraduate dahil delayed kami ng dalawang buwan (wow, proud pa e, no?).

Sumunod sa aming katandaan ay ang batch ng anak-anakan kong si Kyle, kasama sina Pam, Sap at Merielle. Solid pa rin ang pagiging cute ng mga ito. Nakakaproud ‘tong mga batang ito dahil nakita ko kung paano sila naging matatag sa loob ng publikasyon. Si Kyle na walang kapaguran. Simula’t sapul ay pabibo, dating correspondent at ngayon siya na ang aking kanang kamay. Si Pam, Sap at Merielle, pare-parehong hindi ganoon kadalas makikita sa opisina pero maaasahan mo sa lahat ng bagay.

Tahimik na darating si Lorddan, payat pa rin hanggang ngayon. Agad siyang uupo sa isa sa mga computer upang tingnan ang mga ipinasang news articles at paalalahanan ang lahat, kaya siguro hindi pa rin siya tumataba hanggang ngayon.

Sinamahan pa siya ni Lander, payat din at matangkad na teacher, ngunit katumbas naman ng patpatin na

katawan nito ang pagkamahusay nito.

Kasama sa kanilang payat club ay si Jej. Isa sa mga batak pagdating sa pagsusulat, na lagi naming inaasar na inaako ang lahat ng sulatin.

Minsan, bigla na lang kakatok ang pinakamalaki at pinakamaliit sa opisina. Si Creisha na may laging bitbit na libro o kung anu-ano kasama si Jessa, ang kanyang katukayo sa Managerial. Magdadaldalan sila, malakas tapos kapag natiyempuhan ay sasamahan sila ng ‘seksi’ na si Andeng, ka-kolehiyo rin nila at lalo pang iingay.

Kahit na hindi ko alam kung kailan at anong oras darating si On, ang sports editor, ay tiyak na alam mong ramdam ang kanyang presensiya sa loob ng opisina dahil papasalubungan niya ng mga ni-

review niyang corny na knockknock jokes at mga expression na tatatak sa buong grupo.

Okaya naman susukahan ka na lang niya? (Ooops!

Haha). Kapag sinamahan pa siya ni Nikkie, ang kwelang cartoonist mula rin sa aming kolehiyo ay tiyak na kakainin naming lahat ay halakhak.

Dinig na dinig mo naman ang malalim na boses ni Adam, ang may telescope sa bahay, kapag siya ang dumating sa opisina, bawat isa sa amin ay kanyang kakwentuhan. Kung gaano naman siya kaingay at kadalas magsalita ay ganoon naman katahimik at kadalang mahagilap si Gusfel pero kahit ganoon naman ay paniguradong andyan siya kung kailangan. Si Nica rin, ang photojourn ng opisina ay madalang magparamdam ngunit champion ‘yan sa RHEPC wohooo!

At syempre, hindi pahuhuli ang mga nag-angkin na sa isang lamesa dito sa opisina, isa pang miyembro ng payat club na si Kenneth at ang madalas na nakasando lang (kahit ang lamig sa office) na si Gab, ang mga artists ng The Work. Talagang

As with the plan, it is a strong ground for the defense, but the tragedy still lies with the immense attacking power of the opposing troops which leaves a weak link behind. Goyo and his troops lose the battle, with him boring a bullet in the head out of carelessness. Tirad Pass marks the end of the line for the revolutionary republic of Aguinaldo. *** Backed up by the beautiful imagery and breathtaking cinematography, the contemplation at the end of the movie sinks into the bones of the viewers. Of how history seems to be on a tragic line of battle, but with a good storyline twisted with intense enthusiasm, a great film will live on, so will our history.

mahuhusay ang mga ito at kung may bahid man ng pintura ang kahit ano mang sulok ng opisina ay tiyak sila ang may gawa. Okay lang na makulit sila dahil madalas din naming ubusin ang mga pagkaing dala ni Gab. Matatanda na nga kami rito, at ngayong taon, nadagdadgan kami ng mga bagong punla.

Sila nga ay pinabibilangan ng mga aspiring writers na sina Pamela Rose, Klaudine, Jehiel, Gayle, Caitlin, Eugene, at Jerico; si Helen na layout artist, Edilbert na cartoonist, at Dave na bagong litratista.

Lahat sila ay masisipag um-attend ng lingguhang pagpupulong, kaya masaya ako na ang mga bagong saltang ito ang aking maiiwanan sa publikasyon. Nakikita kong passionate ang mga batang ito sa kani-kanilang napiling larangan; na bagaman sila’y mga bago sa publikasyon, mayroon silang pagkukusa sa mga bawat responsibilidad na binibigay sa kanila sa loob man o labas ng publikasyong ito. *** Alas sais pasado na ng gabi.

Pauwi na ang karamihan sa mga estudyante ng TSU. Samantalang ako, paakyat sa ika-apat na palapag ng Business Center Building upang tumungo sa aming opisina at magpahinga. Himala, wala akong nadatnang tao.

Sa pagninilay-nilay ko, napagtanto kong produkto lamang pala ng imahinasyon ko ang kaninang akala ko’y bakanteng opisina. Dahil pagbukas ko ng pinto ay sinalubong ako ng mga batang panay ang halakhak at kwentuhan, batid ang saya sa kanilang mukha na tila nagsasabing ang opisina ay isa na ring tahanan para sa mga katulad naming student journalists.

Nalalapit na nga ang aking pagalis sa publikasyong ito ngunit hindi ko makakalimutan ang bawat sandali na iginugol at sayang ipinaranas sa akin nito. Tunay nga na hindi lamang nababase sa daloy ng dugo ang pagiging isang pamilya. Nabubuo ito sa oras na magtagpo ang bawat adbokasiya at pagmamahal sa isang bagay. At doon, nabuo namin ang isang pamilya; pamilya sa likod ng dyaryo.

VOL. 70 NO. 2 NOv 2018 - JAN 2019

FEATURES

THE WORK

17

ARTS AND CRAFTS

By Andrea Nicole B. Sapnu Photos By Isaih Kyle C. Umipig

A

rt has, for its nature, the quality of being uncontainable. This being said, art can be likened to grass – it cannot be forced to remain stationary into a solitary space, rather, it grows recklessly like a wildfire spreading on a pasture. To put it simply, one cannot expect art to adhere to a standard; for when art is constrained, individuality is discarded at the same time.

As an ode to art that breeds diversity and individuality, “Maniam Pukaque” is conceived. Its battle cry, which curators Jared Yokte and Professor Judeo Herrera stipulate, is that even the most rustic and austere of places such as the province of Tarlac could cultivate adept practitioners in the field of art.

Maniam Pukaque, which is derived from the Kapampangan term for “overflowing,” originally launched on the 29th of July 2017, exhibiting the works of 33 pairs of virtuoso homegrown hands that are collectively known as Talaib Artists, wherein the name is referenced to the wild grass – locally talahib – that grows in the province which is the Malatarlak.

While it intended to rebrand Tarlac from a mere travel stopover to a mecca of artistic celebration on its pilot, it aims to fortify the bond of the locals to their roots on its second year – once more, as it showcased yet another collection of yields generated from the artists’ flourishing visions, Maniam Pukaque II proved that in the great scheme of things in the art industry, local creatives have secured their spot as they continually produce laudable pieces that could be considered at par with those generated by artists beyond the extremities of the region.

A MEADOW OF ARTISTIC FLAIR Maniam Pukaque II launched on the 29th of October 2018. It fell on a Tuesday, resulting to heaps

MANIAM PUKAQUE II:

In Praise of Homegrown Art of students swarming the museum front, awaiting the debut of the exhibit to the public eye despite the clamminess brought about by the 4:00 pm heat. The exhibition has become an annual agenda as art and non-art inclined individuals alike continue to patronize the event.

Days prior to the proper, the Talaib Art Group unveiled a teaser video that encapsulates the theme from which this year’s Maniam Pukaque works shall revolve around.

From its appearance in the majority of montage clips in the material, the main highlight is deemed to be the Malatarlak which according to Dessa Reyes, a Talaib Artist, is the an aboriginal word that descends from the Aetas denoting to the species of grass that abundantly grows wildly in the moist and sloping parts of Tarlac.

The foreshadowing of the theme alone had piqued the people’s interests to keep the museum doors brimming and bustling of visitors.

The Malatarlak grass pertained in the promotional is greatly reflected on the 8ft x 16 ft wonder of a canvas that condenses all of the exhibited works into one mixed media painting. Its enormity fulfills one’s quest for an overwhelming experience the moment one enters the room.

In the gigantic painting is composed of elements from each of the individual works displayed in the exhibit; from the boy and his watering can in Roniel Vitamor’s compelling Hope, to the pink bubblegum sunset sky from Ace

Tarlac is undoubtedly what can be considered as the heart of the region as it homes people of diverse roots and values and allows passage to eccentric feet built for wandering.

Marimla’s surrealistic masterpiece When Life Gives You Something Sweet, to the ‘salibatbat’ in Kenneth Pamlas’ elaborate Panata, to the illustration of the MeMo Art Space’s chair which is a constant installation art in the Maniam Pukaque exhibit.

Each element is encompassed into one canvas, all laid out as entities intermingling with each other in a vast grassland – a symbol of accord in the midst of diversity which is the very nature of the Melting Pot that is the province of Tarlac.

The exhibit also features the piercing works of Mike Abueme, Alvin Ancheta, Sariel Ancheta, Chrisanto Aquino, Jen Bernardo, Benjie Bisaya, Bernard Cabugnason, Janos Delacruz, Sonny Fernando, Mark Lander Garcia, Edno Joson, Jayme Lucas, Wiljun Magsino, Venazir Martinez, Abe Orobia, Gyang Pascual, Romer Pavilando, Patsung Ramento, Fernando Ramos, Crisha Sagun, Kadi Santos, Harlem Sunga, Jean Marc Viduya, Elle Simon Yokte and curators Jared Yokte and Judeo Herrera – all with their noteworthy individual contributions toward the accomplishment of the exhibit.

DELVING DEEPER UNDERGROUND If there is such a recurrent theme across the display of works, it is the manifestation of each artist’s state of mind into their oeuvres.

Since the exhibit dismantles restrictions and puts individuality in the pinnacle of its advocacies, each painter and sculptor involved

relished in the freedom the exhibition has provided for them, allowing their innermost feelings to translate into their creations.

A majority of the display pieces can be subject to psychoanalysis, taking into consideration the choice of colors and elements utilized by the artists in their works. One example is JM Tabamo’s Slumber.

Tabamo made use of a cool toned color palette creating a frigid feel to the painting of a bare, human-like entity that rests his head to sleep in a lying position facing downwards with a devastated skull, connoting wretchedness and ruin in the figure’s mind.

David Wubneh’s Solitude III is a painting that perfected the depiction of the taciturnity of isolation as he rendered a naked body of a woman floating in an abyss of jet black and fog. Lady Yalung in her work I Slept Too Much also made use of dark, vivid colors to portray the crushing weight of desolation upon the character she painted motioning as if it just woke up from its slumber.

With these derivations, it can be inferred that these artists not only have the flair for the aesthetic value of each artwork, rather, the exhibit laid a ground for the expression of the melancholy and taunting patchworks of their minds that ‘comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable’.

HOME IS WHERE THE ART IS Tarlac is undoubtedly what can be considered as the heart of the region – geographically and culturally as it homes people of diverse roots and values and allows passage to eccentric feet built for wandering.

In time, it will no longer be delimited into a mere rendezvous where roads intersect and travelers stay in for the night and depart at the break of day. Rather, it shall be an abode to creators and art enthusiasts alike as it shall soon sprout remarkable practitioners in the field of art from the ground up.

In time, when its people long for the consoling remedy of art, they take the path towards home.

18

Features

THE WORK

VOL. 70 NO. 2 NOv 2018 - JAN 2019

Inking Childhood Stories on the Skin

By Caitlin Joyce C. GalanzA

I

nk as his medium, skin as the canvass, and his little dreams as his stories.

It is the happiest moment for a parent to discover that his child is taking baby steps in the career he mastered himself. It gives him a sense of achievement thinking that he successfully passed his legacy to his son.

In Maligaya Poblacion Norte, Paniqui, Tarlac, a small shop named “AÑIEL JAY'S Barber & Tattoo Shop” sits. It is currently operated by Mr. Reniel B. Sese, a barber and a tattoo artist at the same time, who had done hundreds of masterpieces to his clients. However, the highlight of this shop is not the man himself, but his offspring.

He is a nine-year-old boy named Añiel Jay S. Sese.

At a young age, he is capable of drawing intricate artworks and decorative tattoos that made him

instantly famous in Tarlac and other neighboring cities. He also practices in handling hand machines, needles, and colorful inks to give life to his craft. To this day, he still continues to ink stories in the skin of people until time comes that he has mastered the craft himself. It’s true that he’s young but he is more of that.

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON Just like most fathers, Reniel trained his child to be just like a photocopy of himself. Añiel is always invited to visit his father’s shop whenever there are clients for him to watch the process and that is where he got his inspiration in starting this kind of art. During weekends, after Añiel’s assignments are all done, his free time goes into mentoring by drawing tattoo designs on a bond paper. For the record, he already tattooed a total of six customers. All is with different levels of complexity and of course, a price to pay.

“Lagi po akong nagdo-drawing ng mga animals. Marami po kasi akong pet dito sa bahay saka maganda po sila kapag kinulayan,” the young tattoo artist said. True enough that this boy has a soft heart for animals as the first tattoo he drew was a colorful sea turtle on his mother’s legs.

Their bond paved an opportunity where Añiel was given first-hand instructions and beneficial tips. Añiel’s canvass was not yet fully filled; thus, this only means that as an artist, he is open for new learnings and new experiences which would gear him to improve and to better his own craft.

This boy started his ever growing career only by using colored pencils and creating small shapes in his family members’

Photos by John Dave Benedict C. Isidro

“T

his child will be important.”

This was how the father of Imelda Remedios Visitacion Romualdez, Vicente, justified his very move of hiring two physicians and a suite for the imminent birth of then baby Imelda. “This child will be important,” her father said, as though he had spoken to all the gods and was told, in a uniquely prophetic voice, that Imelda is darn set to emblazon an unprecedented mark in the history of mankind. And boy was her father right.

If truth be unveiled, Imelda was not born with a golden spoon: The Romualdezes were known to be a wealthy clan yes, but her father was separately characterized from the clan as an underachieving lawyer whose source of income then began to decline, leading them to unerringly pale in comparison to the hard-earned economic riches of her father’s brothers. And so they can be considered impoverished, enough to

"Imeldific" was so coined in relation to her ostentatious extravagance that could easily acquire her the reputation as Great Gatsby's non-fictitious female version.

be considered as such as young Imelda actually lived in the garage with her family together with a trusted helper named Estrella.

To avoid further conflict, Imelda and her family were forced to live in such a pitiable condition, eschewing away from the wrath of her father’s children from his first wife who eventually died. There was a disagreement between Vicente and his other children for not consulting them about Imelda’s mother, Remedios, and they then bitterly directed their resentment towards the latter, forcing them to experience a makeshift living in the garage; in the stark mire of unwanted poverty.

In her biographical book titled The Untold Story of Imelda Marcos, Carmen Navaro Pedrosa narrated how Estrella, the helper, described their situation in the garage.

“We had no beds in the garage.

And the children and I slept together on long boards propped by milk boxes while she (Remedios) on the long table. In the middle of the night, I could sometimes hear her muffled sobs and I could understand why she did not at this stage want the children to be near her.”

During such despondent days, Imelda could not even afford to buy a single pair of shoes. This was arguably the sole reason why, when Imelda found and finally wedded the handsome Ferdinand Marcos, who would in the future be hailed as one of the greatest plunderers in the world, her obsession for collecting women’s designer footwear, jewelries and penchant for extravagance were brought into existence. So much so that the term “Imeldific” was so coined in relation to her deliberate display of ostentatious extravagance that could easily acquire her the reputation as Great Gatsby’s non-fictitious female version.

Undoubtedly, hers was an enviable narrative of a socio-economic metamorphosis that is as admirable as it is reprehensible. Indeed, who would have thought that a girl who once lived in a garage could become notorious for her stockpile of inexplicable wealth?

You see, such a story of enormous

arms and pretends it was a tattoo.

According to his mother, that was the signal when she knew that Añiel is following the footsteps of his father and she must enhance it with the help of her husband. Now that he’s a little older, he practices with real tattoo materials with the guidance of his father.

He was asked to show some of his works. He did quite a few numbers of his favorites, colorful animals like a turtle, an owl, and a tiger. Aside from having a bright future ahead of him, there is also a huge room for improvement for the child. Time will come that he alone will be the one who will teach younger generations about the art of painting in people’s skins.

REAPER OF FRUITS To exercise his talent further, Añiel bravely joins in competitions despite being younger than his contenders. As expected, this little achiever always bags an award for his exemplary artwork. As of this moment, he already joined a total of five competitions wherein two of those were held in Tarlac and managed to win the first and ninth places in an event called Ligligan III, and got two certificates for joining a tattoo-making contest that was held in Manila.

All his trophies and certificates establish a great wall of his achievements. “Masaya po pero ‘di ko naman nakakalimutan na galing lahat ng natutunan ko kay Papa kaya syempre nagpapasalamat ako sa kanya. Kaya tuwing may nagpapaturo po sa akin, ‘di ko sila pinagdadamutan kasi hindi naman ako pinagdamutan ni Papa,” he said.

FROM RAGS TO ILL-GOTTEN RICHES

An ode to

‘Imeldific’

By Jejomar B. Contawe

wealth acquisition, owing to the insatiable greed and self-importance embodied by those who possess such traits, might involve foul play. Unlike the late Henry Sy’s untarnished ragsto-riches story, Imelda’s wealth is widely deemed to be ill-gotten.

The public at large is no stranger to the conjugal dictatorship of the Marcoses, unless one would unrepentantly label himself an unabashed Marcos loyalist. But for the multitude of Filipino people whose potent weapon against historical

revisionism is through various readings of firsthand experiences and empirical evidences of the dictator’s human rights violations, Ferdinand Marcos was no less than a despot with a knack for putting the people’s rights in subordination of his political ambitions, brainwashing the people through the enchanting erection of tall buildings and infrastructures which enabled the country ironically rich with foreign debt; while Imelda was this glamorous First Lady with a colossal penchant for a Hollywood-

His selflessness despite his accomplishments only shows that he was raised to be a fine boy. Aside from being taught of the basic strokes and concepts in skin art, Añiel’s parents never put the young artist’s morale and character into least consideration.

RISING STAR At this moment, Añiel is set to practice for another competition to be held at La Union. Also, he is scheduled to go to Manila for another interview to be conducted by journalists who want to see his own kind of talent. Surprisingly, he is not very shy to interviewers anymore and very open to anyone interested to know him.

Surely, this young tattoo artist and his art have a long way to go and before we left, he wittily said, “Marami na po akong nagawang animals, hintayin niyo po hanggang sa makabuo ako ng zoo.”

Añiel is now laying groundwork for his future as he now masters the skill of inking stories in the skin of different people. Aside from that, he is establishing a name that would be exceptional and extraordinary.

He may be a successor of his father but when all is said and done, one is unique and can do things differently and cunningly. *** The youth has the gift of time and one should use it positively and efficiently to become productive. As for Añiel, at his young age, he has begun with small steps and he is now ready to take a greater pace towards his own success.

esque lifestyle and was globally known for the “Great Cheese Scandal” (while in mid-flight, she forced the plane to go back to Rome because she forgot to buy cheese) and gatecrashing international events without any of the organizer’s prior invitation.

That said, the people’s tidal waves of ire does not root from enormous jealousy of Imelda’s well-heeled condition in life. Instead, the collective fury of the public was no unjustifiable: despite Imelda’s fair share of riches being ill-gotten, she was acquitted from the three counts of graft charges against her in 1991 despite generous information about her involvements in local corporations based in the Philippines.

Twenty-seven long years after, the righteous rage and resentment that were widely felt by Marcos dissidents had assuaged and morphed into an ounce of optimism when news ran rampant in the month of November which calls for the arrest of Imelda for seven counts of graft charges when she was a government official from 1968 to 1986. The arrest was only to be mildly encapsulated as a progress in the country’s perennially lousy criminal justice system.

But will she really be arrested and be put behind bars?

We proclaim a torrent of protestation toward the likelihood of Imelda getting away with criminal charges. The warrant of arrest would require the latter a jail sentence for six to eleven years in each case; and we can only hope that the criminal accountability insisted from the Asia’s Steel Butterfly would mean a taste of justice served for the victims of the Marcos regime, and not merely a momentary mimicry of justice to perfume the government from its foulsmelling present circumstances.

Sadly, though, there still are a great many who ferociously chant the Marcos brand of governance to the electorate. The common type of shallow discourse instigated by loyalists that lionize the Marcoses tend to border on this: Philippines was the richest country in Asia during FM’s reign, and that anyone who would | to p.19 invalidate such a claim,

Features

VOL. 70 NO. 2 NOv 2018 - JAN 2019

THE WORK

19

SOCIAL EXPERIMENT:

My life as a

BEGGAR

ON THE STREETS OF F. TANEDO

By Jejomar B. Contawe PHOTOS BY NICA JOY A. CALMA

I

t was a fine Friday afternoon at F. Tanedo Street, Tarlac City’s version of EDSA, as a colleague in the student publication put it. The ubiquity of public utility vehicles - chiefly jeepneys and tricycles - was matched only by the congestion of passersby, chiefly students from high school and college.

Meanwhile, outside the premises of the Tarlac Cathedral were a number of street mendicants with each hand outstretched, hoping to earn alms from these passersby. Once I went past the church, an old woman can be seen crying, her cries desperate and emotionally arresting that I could not help but stop dead in my tracks to register the words I just heard.

“Maawa naman kayo! Kahit piso lang! Maawa kayo!”

It was an unmistakable cry for help - the tears, at least to me, were untheatrical as it were infectious. And no sooner had I fumbled for some coins in my pocket than I quickly realized I was plainly clothed in a pocketless shorts, a purposely tattered hand-me-down shirt, whereas the uncovered parts of my body were relatively applied with burnt wood. I was also barefooted, and was faking a left-food injury with a long, thin piece of bamboo in hand which I grabbed when I was striding down the gazebo.

I took a bath in the morning, but now I looked like l hadn’t been for the whole damned year. This was as far as I could go to a beggar’s costume.

While I couldn’t give you a blowby-blow account of my afternoon’s worth of beggar experience, I could instead give you a glimpse of what it’s like to be one through a narrative taken entirely from the power of immediate memory.

First and foremost, it was awful.

For the lack of an exact term. Under the wrath of the raging sunlight, you imploringly outstretch your hands towards passing people who would just pretend you don’t exist.

To the plenty others, on the other hand, you exist as a menace.

How they avoided the path in which I stood insinuated it all – you might have been societydiagnosed positive of a communicable disease that could easily transmit to any living creatures who would come in contact with you. Seeing the conspicuously annoyed expression of a middleaged woman the moment i outstretched my hand to beg made me think that I would not earn enough to even buy a decent meal for dinner.

Street vendors, moreover, would call every passing person as suki, (suki, ano ‘yon? Suki! Anong hanap mo? Suki! Mura lang dito) but when some scrubby lad festooned with filth like me passed by, you don’t deserve to be called their suki with whom they can transact or haggle with.

For starters, your appearance gives people the general impression that you are no less than a wandering bacteria, albeit in human form.

Otherwise, you sure don’t have money to buy whatever they sell.

Meager alms that mendicants and beggars collect from good Samaritans would not suffice to buy a shirt that might cost no less than a hundred pesos. After all, basic commodities had become so expensive these days that street beggars and the impoverished multitude at large might not be able to survive somewhere in the future, as surely prices would go high up even more to the point where a peso coin would permanently lose its purchasing power.

However, we can still hope. We

An Ode to ‘Imeldific’ from p.18 | regardless if backed up by factual evidences, are probably members of the Yellow army. Such a way of thinking not only discourages constructive debates that could help persuade the public to take an objective stand, but also permits the looming comeback of the Marcoses’ political agenda towards remodeling

Philippines back to what it terribly was more than three decades ago.

We ask with a tone of immense dismay: what took it so long to file a warrant of arrest against a conspicuously corrupt public official who is known to be ever present in bacchanalian parties but would insist to be in grave possession of chronic

We'll never truly know what it feels like to be like them until and unless we become them. must never lose hope. No matter how brief the experience is, I have rubbed elbows with good Samaritans who did not hesitate to hand in whatever excess coins they happen to have had. Surprisingly, these people who did so seemed to be the ones who are financially incapacitated as well.

illnesses when jail time beckons her over? Why only now, that she can conveniently make use of old age as a strategy to escape accountability?

This collective fury then gets all the more intensified if taken into account how her deliberate display of a lavish lifestyle, whilst our country is poverty-ridden, was a reflection of every Philippine politicians’ subordination of the poor and prioritization for their self-serving agendum. This kind of politicians

How can they bother to hand some money to the their fellows when they themselves are exceedingly aware that they also need monetary donations? As I see it, these are the very people who experienced firsthand how hard it is to have less, or to have nothing at all, in life. They know how hard the situation is that if they met someone who seemed to be more needy than them, they wouldn’t hesitate to give.

Humanity at its finest.

What about we: have we ever, at the very least, reflected on their miserable situation, and someday, once we secured our jobs we can compensate from, we’ll be able to help them in some way? Or did we just turn them down repeatedly, or rolled our eyes in disgust for them to realize that they should get lost because they are annoying the hell out of us?

We should not look past these ragged men with ragged clothes like they’re less than humans. At the end of the day, as living proofs of poverty and destitution in our nation, beggars are imparting a very valuable lesson that we should always bear in mind.

Aside from learning to give and be of service to others, one of the most important lessons that I learned from being a street beggar is the indispensable value of contentment.

I have been sheltered under a roof with a comfortable bed, while there are others who make the streets their makeshift shelter, homeless.

Many times, I would complain about the food that my mother had been repeatedly serving, while there are others who can only afford to eat barely twice a day, thus in constant starvation. There are times that I don’t feel the point of studying, while there are others who want to study but were financially lacking.

And this is what it says not just to me who briefly experienced being

a beggar, but to all of us who do not want to end up like them: Learn to be grateful and appreciative, and complain less, because there are others, as cliché as this may sound, who undergo through much worse.

Prior to my begging, I have interviewed an actual beggar with whom I was able to get a practical preview of what it’s like to be one. Her name was Natividad, an octogenarian, and widowed. Her primary reason for begging in the streets is for her granddaughter who was in second grade. That is, she made begging her “profession” to supply her apo with her daily needs, hoping to accumulate enough money that would enable her and her granddaughter to survive the impending wrath of poverty. *** The Anti-mendicancy Act of the government aims to discourage the public from giving alms to mendicants, saying it “condones” them not to look for decent jobs to earn a living and instead traversing the danger-ridden streets begging.

While it is vital to teach a man how to catch fish instead of giving them one, the noble act of giving should not be prohibited by all means. Let good people be good people.

Furthermore, until such time the government will discourage mendicancy by providing these mendicants long-term opportunities to earn a living, these mendicants and beggars will remain scaterred in the streets, with the least bit of hope to escape destitution by outstretching their hands towards people passing by along.

Some words to live by: we’ll never truly know what it feels like to be like them until and unless we become them.

In essence, the government should never stop making projects that would benefit the poor and the basic sector, and help them get up and stand from where they seem to be rotting from.

This is their heartwrenching reality.

At the end of the day, what the government should kill and execute is poverty, and not the people who are suffering from it.

ought to be nipped in the bud from their electoral delusions to shy our country away from the shackles of abject poverty brought about by rampant bureaucratic corruption.

eschew themselves from, both as individuals and voters during every democratic elections.

To all intents and purposes, this is an ode addressed to Imelda Marcos: it doesn’t matter if you would go to jail decked out in a flamboyant Filipiniana as you theatrically wheelchair your way in a bloody red carpet, so long as you end up there. And when you’re finally there, make yourself at home, and bid goodbye to your Hollywood friends.

*** Imelda’s tremendous story of rags to ill-gotten riches is the epitome of self-serving materialism and corruption fomented by Imeldific politicians themselves. This is what the Filipino people should perpetually

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Unheard Voices

’ve grown accustomed to faces etched in faux pity – eyebrows scrunched up, concern written all over their smiles that never reached their eyes, obviously uncomfortable to still be walking on eggshells when I am around.

It started exactly three months ago, when my dad and I were heading home from the mall late at night after taking me out in a date without mom. We were laughing about a boy’s ridiculous Halloween costume who lived down the street, when I saw a giant truck veer dangerously into our lane. It was too late when my dad attempted to swerve to dodge the hit, but the truck already clipped us through the driver’s seat, and sent both vehicles flipping at the edge of the road. I left the scene almost

MARY KLAUDINE L. PAZ

unscathed, while I couldn’t fathom which overflowed more when the paramedics got to us – my tears, or my father’s blood.

I first saw that look that same night, from the doctors in their navy blue scrubs, as they approached us to break the news.

“We’ve lost him,” they said, as if my dad was just a puppy that slipped out of the front door and never found its way back home.

Euphemism is irrational. I shake off my annoyance, I wish I could say it out loud, but I can’t.

I watched my mother wept, for a week… until she was seemingly trying to pull it together somehow.

Yet, I am still trying to keep it casual, even though my knees wanted give out and I slide down the floor. My mom and I separately consult a psychiatrist weekly who advised me, if I can’t speak, I should

write, because I unintentionally shut people out for seeing it unfair, to see the people around me moving on with their lives, when mine felt like it ended.

Since then, I find peace in the corner of the theatre where I’m out of sight. I’d sit at the back row where the light is barely lit. I gripped the sides of my head and buried my face into my hands to block out the dim light. My shrink etched these instructions in my head in order for me to feel a rush of relief.

“You alright?” I’m startled awake. The windows overhead indicates that the sky is turning into a darker shade of blue. I reached for my tear stained cheeks and frazzled hair, realizing two things: 1. I look like a complete mess, and 2. I slept for 5 hours since lunch period.

I turn

to see who spoke – she is about my age, wearing an oversized pale green shirt that says “I don’t belong here” and a pair of white sneakers and faded jeans. The bell rang and it pulled me out of my thoughts. “I’m sorry. Do I know you?” I look outside, seeing that the halls are starting to empty.

“Apparently not.” She answered, her voice sweet.

“But I know you.

Isobel, right? Aren’t you the miracle kid whose dad died from a car accident months ago?

I’m April Torres, by the way.”

Startled, I realized for the first time in months, someone had the guts to say the unvarnished, ugly truth, without the annoying euphemisms. I just stared at her curiosity winning the best of me.

“You don’t talk much, huh?” she laughs, “You know what? You could use a voice,” she says.

There is chatter from behind us starting to loom close. It’s quiet, but audible. The voices faded away with a slam of a door. “Alright, that’s my cue.” She hops off the seats, started walking to the dimly lit door hidden behind the red curtain, and turned around to face me. “I know that you have zero idea of who I am but I also know that you could use a release besides hiding in this beat up theatre house. Follow me?”

I felt the urge to follow, so I did. She pushes past me and starts climbing up a staircase. This must be where the noise was coming from. When we reached the top, we entered a narrow hallway with grey walls, one flickering light bulb hangs on the ceiling, lighting up the path toward a metal door.

When we closer got closer, she stopped. “Okay, I’m going to be here all the way but, but you do all the talking from this point forward.

Got it?” She says.

“Talking? To whom?” I replied, tensed, knowing I haven’t talked to anyone much since the accident.

“What is this, anyway?” I asked.

She smiled knowingly, “This will rattle your world, you’ll see.”

I still didn’t know what she meant when we turn to see the sign on the building, Single Voice Open for Slam every Tuesdays 7:30pm – 3:00am I can’t imagine how anything in a dimly lit room from a deserted alleyway will rattle my world. Panic coursed through me, what the hell was I thinking, why would I even dare to follow a complete stranger?

I started to turn away, “Izzie,” she sighs, no one calls me by my nickname except for my parents.

Surprised, I turned towards her as she looks right into my eyes and I felt like there is something about the look on her face that makes me want to trust her.

“Fine,” I forced, begrudgingly walking back to the metal door.

Clenching my teeth, reached out and knocked. The door swung open and I am met by a familiar pair of hazel brown eyes. “What are you doing here?” Alex hissed, narrowing his eyes at me.

Standing before me is the person I’ve been miserable to way back in third grade because of his lisp. Everyday my group would follow Alex to class, in the cafeteria, or on his way to school the entire semester, just to mimic him and give it a laugh. Eventually, he transferred to a new school, and we never heard from him then.

“I’m sorry.” I uttered, taking a step back. But I felt April’s arm nudge me forward. Alex cleared his throat waiting for an explanation.

“My friend…” I say, gesturing toward April, who is just looking at me like she’s about to burst out laughing, making it pretty clear that she isn’t going to do anything to help me at this point. He glances over at her and she nods at him.

He scrunches his forehead, but he quickly returns his attention to me. he can say anything, a girl with a long brown hair comes out of nowhere and grabs my arm, bringing me close to the table at the back for the room. “This place is where you’re free to say anything without judgment.” she says with a smile, “I’m Eli by the

way. You’re gonna love slam night.

Welcome to Single Voice.”

Slam Poetry. April looked at me knowingly, and I can’t see a toxic, negative thought for miles. I tensed again, speaking in front of an audience? Reciting a poem? What did I got myself into? Eli must’ve sensed my hesitation, “Don’t worry, for now, you listen.” She says.

Everyone gets quiet as Alex welcomes us. He then introduced the first speaker who is a short haired girl in cute little glasses. She casually climbs up the stage and strides towards the microphone.

“Hi everyone,” she slyly said, “I call this one Be(Lie)ve.” She brings out her yellow colored Post it note then clears her throat dramatically, a refutal, a tragedy the first time my agnostic mouth whispered a prayer to a God is when I saw my father’s blood dripping bloody crimson in a field of green There was a pause. Then a second later, people started clapping and cheering. She curtsies, grabs the double sided tape hung by the microphone’s stand, and pastes a strand behind her crippled post-it note. Everyone was still cheering when she flattens her poem on the filling up space of the walls.

I went home that night with a satisfied feeling. My routine went on that way for weeks. My psychiatrist told me how glad she is that I’m making friends. I talked to her about Alex, who’s been really nice to me since that night, and then I told her about April, who shared she’s going through depression and consulted a shrink before, “But it never worked,” she said, but we’d see each other in the theatre room and she’ll help me work on poems while I eat my lunch.

Tonight is another slam night, after Alex recited his with prepared a guitar making it more dramatic, it was my turn.

I prepared for this day, and as I stepped foot on the stage, I almost cowered, until I found April in the crowd and I felt like a girl who speaks her mind, so I talked… about depression, about death, and about the cruelty of the world for taking daddy away from me.

When I was finished, I looked towards the crowd, she was there, clapping hard, cheering way too loudly, and looking so proud of me.

Smiling, I flattened the edges of my post-it note, and went straight to the wall full of poetries to paste it.

As I returned to my seat where Alex, Eli, and her boyfriend Noah, are sitting, my heart beams as I see that they’re all smiling, but I’m surprised to see April out of sight.

Alex stood up and gave me a hug.

“Ready for tonight?” he whispered against my ear, knowing our plans to have a feast after this, I laughed as he pulled me a seat.

The next speaker climbed up the stage. Noah and Eli are busy watching, but as I scan the room, I can’t find April anywhere. “Hey, you didn’t happen to know where April went, did you? She was just here earlier.”

“April?” Alex asks, his eyebrows scrunched.

“Yeah. I saw her sitting here when I finished, I wouldn’t have made it if not for her. I can’t find | to p.21

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His godly art ANDREA NICOLE B. SAPNU

The sky is a canvass where the old man up there etches his godly art – And the sunset is his museum; He drapes heaven with the colors He bled from his heart.

(In)visible JERICO T. MANALO

Even though they’re teasing me Christening some crazy phrases And throwing devilish laughs Always remember that I am glad Because you are my bestfriend And my unwearied playmate And I don’t really care Whether you are invisible In their naked eyes or not.

The child does not die ANDREA NICOLE B. SAPNU

The unsent letter to the God of War

Oh, the child does not perish when the body that shelters him grows – He embarked on an eternal hide and seek in places only he knows.

ANDREA NICOLE B. SAPNU This is for the homes we blundered for your sake they will never heal.

This is for the hopes Of the children we impaired and the dreams we killed.

This is for the wars fought in glory of your name we finally yield.

Unheard Voices

| from p.20

her anywhere, though.”

Alex’s expression changed from confused to concern. “Izzie?” he says, “Who’s April?”

“Our friend, April. The one who introduced me to this place, remember? She was with me.” I say it with a laugh, but he doesn’t budge. “April Torres?” I repeated.

The color was suddenly drained out of his face, his eyes grew wide. I feel him move a little farther from me. “What did you just say? She brought you to Single Voice?”

“Yes,” I said, “isn’t she the reason why you took me in the first place? She pushed me forward when I felt like backing away.” I can picture it like it was yesterday. But he stared at me like I grew a tree on top of my head. “Wasn’t she?”

“No.” he replied, his voice faint. He looked down, took a deep breath, and faced me again. Noah and Eli listening to our conversation now. “Izzie, the reason why I let you in is because you told me that it might rattle your world. And that caught our attention… but when you came to knock on the door, you were all alone.”

“What? No.” I say, staring at them in disbelief. “I wouldn’t have found this place if it weren’t for April.”

He looked at me with concern dripping from his eyes. That look again, screaming faux pity. It felt like I was back at the day of the accident, the wound starting to feel fresher by the second. He pressed his lips into a tight line. “Do you know who April Torres is?”

“Of course, I do.” I say in confidence.

“Izzie.” He stares at the ground for a long time, and finally, Alex looks at me again. “April Torres committed suicide in 2010.”

Graphics by Gabriel Jann S. Inocencio

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VOL. 70 NO. 2 NOv 2018 - JAN 2019

IMPRASTRAKTURA

NEW CLARK CITY Sa Bingit ng Pagbabago

nina andrea s. espinosa, albritch adam a. labiano aT jerico t. manalo

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akakalula ang mga gusali ng pagbabago; kung hindi sanay, maaaring mahulog at lumagapak, mapagiwanan at tuluyang malimutan. Sa Tarlac ngayon itinatayo ang isa sa mga ibinibidang mega-projects ng administrasyong Duterte.

Bagong siyudad kung ituring, ang proyektong New Clark City na ito sa programang ‘Build Build Build’ ay tinatayang makapanghihikayat ng mas maraming mamumuhunan sa bansa—isang malaking oportunidad na tutugon sa layong mapalakas ang ating komersyo.

Ngunit sa kabila ng mga matatayog na plano’t mga gusaling ito, anong klaseng pagbabago nga ba ang darating? Sino ang maiiwan at sino ang makikinabang?

Sa kabila ng mga matatayog na plano’t mga gusaling ito, anong klaseng pagbabago nga ba ang darating?

Sino ang maiiwan at makikinabang?

KALINGA NG MAKABAGONG LUNGSOD Tinatayang nasa 9,450 ektarya ng lupaing sakop ng bayan ng Bamban at Capas ang lawak ng New Clark City, hindi hamak na mas maluwang pa kaysa sa Maynila. Ilalaan ang 40 porsyento ng lupaing ito sa imprastraktura habang ang natitirang 60 naman ay bubuo sa pang-kalikasang bahagi na papangalanang Green City. Hindi raw bababa sa isang milyon ang mananahan dito sa loob ng 30 taon nitong pagtatayo.

Maihahalintulad sa isang pelikula ang transpormasyon ng patag na sakahang ito sa pagiging isang makabagong syudad, pinangingibabawan ng teknolohiya at agham. Tulad ng sabi ng Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), ang namamahala sa proyekto at konstruksyon nito, ang New Clark City ay “world class” at makikipagsabayan sa matatatag na siyudad ng ibang bansa. Ito ay handa sa bagyo, pagbaha, at lindol—mga pangunahing aspeto

PANGAKONG PARAISO. Sa kabila ng masikhay na hangaring umunlad ay ang nakaambang pagsupil din sa mga katutubong nakagawian. (Mga larawan ni Andrea S. Espinosa)

na tinitignan ng mga negosyante, pati na rin ng mga residente.

Ilang taon na ang nakararaan nang magambala ang pamahalaan ng isang pinangangambahang lindol na ayon sa pag-aaral ng Philvocs ay wawasak sa malaking parte ng Metro Manila. Sa pangalang ‘the big one,’ ang paglindol na ito, dahil sa nagbabadyang paggalaw ng west valley fault, ay nagudyok sa gobyerno upang humanap ng alternatibong lugar para sa komersyo.

Maganda ang heograpiya ng Tarlac, lugar na kanilang napusuang tamnan ng mga gusali, dahil nababakuran ito ng iba’t-ibang kabundukan na nagsisilbing protekta sa mga bagyo.

Ayon sa plano ng BCDA, magkakaroon ang siyudad ng mga distritong nakatutok sa mga sangay ng kaunlaran tulad ng pamahalaan, agrikultura, negosyo, at edukasyon.

GUSALI SA LUPANG TINUBUAN Ngunit kasabay ng nakaririnding ingay ng mga demakinang panggawa sa proyekto ay siya ring nakaririmarim na palahaw ng mga mamamayang unti-unting inaalisan ng karapatan.

Kung ang kanilang lugar ay hindi gaanong nasasalanta ng kalamidad, anong dagok naman sa buhay ng mga magsasaka na makitang kinakamkam ng tinatawag na progreso ang lupang kanilang tinubuan?

Kung dati’y palay ang itinatanim, ngayon nama’y nagtataasang mga gusali— permanente at hindi napipigilan. Hindi abono, kundi semento ang ibinubuhos at higit sa lahat, hindi ang

mga mamamayan ang umaani ng pakunswelo, kundi mga taong mas kinakikitaan ng kontribusyon sa binubuong kasagutan sa problema sa ekonomiya. Darating kaya ang magandang kinabukasan para sa mga itinataboy na mamamayan?

Parte ng kinakamkam na lupain ang anim-ektaryang sakahan ng 63-anyos na residenteng si Ferdinand Manaloto na kilala rin bilang si “Ka Fer.” Siya ay galing sa angkan ng mga magsasaka. Bago pa man maitayo ang bagong republika ng Pilipinas ay sinasaka na ng kanyang mga ninuno ang lupang tinatamnan niya ngayon.

Mahigit dalawang ektarya na ang kinamkam ng BCDA mula sa kanya, at unti-unti pang nababawasan ang kanyang lupain sa pagpapatuloy ng konstruksyon.

Ipinaglalaban ni Ka Fer ang lupain ng kanyan angkan, kasama ng iba pang magsasaka na kinamkaman ng sakahang aabot na sa libo-libong ektarya. Ayon sa kanya, sapilitan ang pagpapaalis sa kanila ng mga tauhan ng BCDA, kasama na rin ang mga armadong militar at private securities.

Nito lamang Hunyo ay nagkaroon ng alitan sa pagitan ni Ka Fer at ng mga nasabing awtoridad.

“Ako lang mag-isa, bale siyam na pulis, labing-walong private security at saka dalawang army.

Wala rin akong nagawa dahil nandoon na iyong mga equipment, pero nagkaroon kami ng agreement na lahat ng matatamaan, kahoy at saka lupa, babayaran nila,” pahayag niya.

Ang kabayarang binabanggit nito ay ang kasunduan sa pagitan ng BCDA at lokal na gobyerno na bayaran na lamang ang mga tatamaang lupa ng New Clark City. Sa halagang 30 kada square meter na kabayaran sa lupa ni Ka Fer, batid niyang hindi ito makatarungan at siya ay dehado dahil bukod sa kinakailangan niyang magsimula muli, walang kapantay ang lupang kanilang pag-aari.

Isinasailalim na rin sa Assesor’s Office ng munisipyo ng CapasBamban ang iba pang lupain at kabahayan upang mapag-aralan

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ang dapat ibayad ng BCDA sa bawat parte na kukuhanin para sa proyekto.

Nakipag-usap na rin sa BCDA ang grupo ni Ka Fer ngunit kahit isang punla ng pag-asa ay wala silang naaaninag. Ayon sa kanya, wala raw patutunguhan ang kanilang hinaing dahil maging ang National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) na siya dapat pumuprotekta sa kanila ay hindi sila tinutulungan. Higit pang nakapangsusubok sa kanila ang tila ba pagpanig ng NCIP sa gobyerno at BCDA para gamitin ang mga ancestral at agricultural lands sa ikatatagumpay ng kanilang proyekto.

Pirmi ang desisyon ng mga lokal na gobyerno ng Capas at Bamban na ipamahagi ang mga lupain sa New Clark City.

“Ang Pilipino ay may karapatang umangkin sa lupa ng Pilipinas. Hindi naman kami dayuhan. Wala pang republika ang bansa natin, nandoon na ang mga ninuno namin,” dagdag nito.

Pinaarangkada ng kumpanyang AlloyMTD Inc. ang mga makinang gagawa sa Phase 1A ng proyektong ito sa simula pa lang ng taon, kung kailan din ginising ng sitwasyon ang kamalayan ng mga nananahimik na mamamayan sa karapatang kailangan nilang ipaglaban.

Tinatayang matatapos sa Oktubre ng susunod na taon ang Athletic Stadium, Aquatic Center, Athletes Village at gusali ng National Government Administrative Center. Pukpukan sa pukpukan at magdamagan na rin ang pag-araro ng mga naglalakihang makina sa lugar dahil sa mga pook na ito gaganapin ang 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Malapit sa lokasyong ito sina Aling Rose Sebastian, residente ng Brgy. Aranguren, na naghahabol din ng sapat ng kabayaran para sa kanilang lupang sakahan at bahay.

Sementado na ang dating sampung ektaryang tubuhan ng kanyang mag-anak sa Capas, at araw-gabi nilang natatanaw ang pagtatayo ng mga gusali sa dati nilang tinatamnang pangkabuhayan.

“Wala na ring magagawa.

Kasi wala kaming laban.

Lalabanan ang gobyerno.

Sabi nga, pinanghahawakan mo lang ay ‘yong rights.

Pero kung magkano lang ang gusto nila, ganoon ka lang nila babayaran,” wika ng ginang na ngayon ay namamahala na lamang na isang sari-sari store.

“Sa ngayon, iniisip ko na lang kung paano namin palalaguin ‘yong binayad nilang pera sa amin,” dagdag naman ng asawa niyang si Manong Jomari na

THE WORK

limang dekada nang sinasaka ang lupaing pinagtatayuan ngayon ng New Clark City.

20,000 ang bilang ng nakaambang mapaalis sa kanilang lupang tinitirhan dahil sa proyektong New Clark City

9,450 ha. ang lupaing masasakop ng proyekto sa bayan ng Capas at Bamban

PINATAG NA BUNDOK Ganito rin ang sinapit ng mga katutubong Aeta sa Capas at Bamban. Hitik man sa angking kultura ay hindi pa rin sila ligtas mula sa makabagong pangako ng New Clark City.

Isa ang Sitio Ye Young sa Brgy. Sta. Juliana, Capas sa mga apektado ng mga proyekto ng gobyerno. Ang kanilang lupain naman ay gagamitin para sa pagpapatayo ng military reservation ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Pangunahing kabuhayan ng mga katutubong Aeta sa Sitio Ye Young sa mga nagdaang dekada ang pagtatanim at pag-aangkat ng kanilang mga produkto. Sa lugar na ito namuhay ang mga katutubong tulad nila sa mga nagdaan na dekada; ngunit sa kabila nito, sila pa rin ay hirap makuha ang ipinangakong karapatan ng ancestral domain sa ilalim ng Republic Act 8317 na pumuprotekta sa mga Indigenous People.

Bagama’t hawak nila ang Certificate of Ancestral Domain Claim (CADC) bilang katibayan at patunay sa kanilang karapatan, wala na raw silang magagawa kung paalisin man sila ng gobyerno sa kanilang lupain.

Hiling lamang | to p.27

“Ang Pilipino ay may karapatang umangkin sa lupa ng Pilipinas.

Hindi naman kami dayuhan. Wala pang republika ang bansa natin, nandoon na ang mga ninuno namin.”

— FERDINAND MANALOTO, 63

LUPANG NINUNO, DEPENSAHAN, IPAGLABAN!

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EDUKASYON

Nina Isaih Kyle C. Umipig at Pamela Rose G. Reyes

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a kabila ng maingay at okupadong kalsada ng siyudad, napakarami pa ring puwang sa paligid ang hindi napagmamasdan.

Hindi maitatanggi na may mga buhay pa ring nasa labas ng ating dakong ginagalawan ngunit hindi mabigyan ng pansin sapagkat abala sa kani-kaniyang pamumuhay ang bawat isa. Napakaraming kuwentong nagnanais mapakinggan – mga salaysay na iisa ang layunin: maibahagi at mapakinggan.

Araw-araw ay may panibagong istoryang naililimbag sa libro ng buhay. Bagama’t ganoon, may isa pa ring kuwento ang walang pigil

“Kaya nga sabi po ng anak ko, ‘Paano niyan, ma, kung magaaral ako sa high school e wala naman tayong malaking pera?’ Siguro makakaraos din kahit papaano, anak.

Pagtulungan namin ng tatay mo kung paano.”

- NANAY JOSIE, 50

na mamumutawi sa puso ng mga mambabasa. Ito ang kuwento ng edukasyon. Marahil sa iilan, tipikal na lamang na diskusyon ang aspetong ito. Kinakailangang magaral upang matuto at maabot ang tugatog ng tagumpay. Subalit sa iba, upang maabot ito, paghihirap at sakripisyo ang dapat gugulin upang maatim kahit kainaman lamang ng tagumpay.

Ang mga lupang ninuno ay karaniwang tahanan ng mga katutubo, nagbibigay ng primaryang pangangailangan katulad ng pagkain, inumin, at higit sa lahat, tahanan. Bagaman hindi pa gaanong naaabot ng makabago at malawakang progreso, may isang natatanging hangarin na siyang nagbubuklod-buklod sa isang malaking pamilya—ang makamit ang tunay na esensya ng edukasyon kasabay ng mga nakaambang problema.

Ang pagpapakasakit na ito ay nararanasan ng bawat pamilyang walang hinangad kundi mapabuti lamang ang kalagayan ng kanilang estado. Sila ang mga handang magsumikap upang kahit papaano ay magkaroon ng maganda at maayos na buhay pero hindi madaling makamit lalo na kung ang kahirapan na mismo ang kalaban.

Hinahangad nilang makilala—mga tunay na representasyon ng pagiging isang Pilipino—kulot ang buhok, kayumanggi ang kulay, pango ang ilong, at higit sa lahat, mahal ang kulturang kanilang kinalakhan. Sila ang mga katutubong Aeta na nabibilang sa mga indigenous groups sa bansa na naglalayong mapansin at

Mga larawan ni Isaih Kyle C. Umipig, Jacob Maentz at ng Volunteering Solutions

maunawaan mula noon hanggang ngayon.

KWENTO SA BAWAT NGITI Hindi na bago sa mga naninirahan sa lungsod ng Capas, Tarlac na mayroon silang nakasasalamuhang mga Aeta. Bawat sitio at barangay sa lugar ay may masisilayan na mga Aeta. Ngunit para sa minoryang pangkat na ito, bawat tao na bibisita sa kanila ay tila ba artista na binibigyan ng mainit na pagtanggap. Sa tuwing maglalakad, hindi maaaring walang masasayang mata na sasalubong, hindi maaaring walang magiliw na tawanang dulot ng galak na maririnig. Bawat paghakbang ay mayroong papuring maririnig.

Sa likod ng mga matatamis na ngiting ito, hindi pa rin kayang ikubli ang pagkabalisa at paghihirap na nararanasan ng mga katutubong Aeta. Halata sa kanilang maningning na mga mata ang

kalungkutan at maririnig ang hikbi sa mga halakhak.

Maaaring ito ang paaran nila bilang pagpapahiwatig na nangangailangan sila ng tulong.

Isang tahimik na sigaw ng protestang pupukaw sa damdamin ng mga taong dumadayo sa kanilang lupang tinubuan.

Mula sa sentro ng Capas hanggang sa mga karatig barangay nito, mayroong mga Aeta na namamalagi sa tagong lugar ng Barangay Bueno. Isa lamang ito sa mga lugar kung saan nakatira ang mga minoryang grupo ng mga Aeta. Malayo man sila sa kabihasnan, masuwerte na kung tutuusin sapagkat may malapit na eskwelahan sa lugar kung saan ang mga bata ay maaaring makapagaral – ang Paaralang Elementarya ng Bueno.

Kung susuwertehin, hindi rin naman mawawala ang mga salik na nakaaapekto rito. Buhat sa perspektibo ni Nanay Josie Mayuyu, 50, isang katutubong Aeta na mayroong 11 na anak, masakit pa rin ang dinaranas ng kaniyang pamilya’t lalo na ng kanyang mga nag-aaral na anak.

Sa 11 na anak ni

May isang natatanging hangarin na siyang nagbubuklodbuklod sa isang malaking pamilya— ang makamit ang tunay na esensya ng edukasyon sa likod ng mga nakaambang problema.

Nanay Josie, lima sa kanila ay nagsipag-asawa na habang tatlo na lamang ang nag-aaral. Wala ni isa sa kaniyang mga supling ang nakatapos ng pag-aaral – ikalimang baiting lamang ang pinakamataas na antas ng edukasyon ang natapos noon ng mga ito.

Laking pasasalamat ni Nanay Josie na nakatungtong ang isa sa kaniyang mga anak ng ika-anim na baitang at may munting pangarap pang ipagpatuloy ang pag-aaral sa sekondarya bagaman hindi magiging madali ang proseso. Gaya na lamang na umaasa lamang silang pamilya sa pamumulso ng kaniyang asawa na kumikita ng P150-P200 kada araw.

Ipinahayag din ni Nanay Josie na kung hindi mamumuso ang kanyang asawa, wala na silang ibang aasahan na mapagkukunan. Sa pangunguha ng puso ng saging at pagbebenta nito, sila ay nakakakuha ng P200 sa bawat sako. Napupunta sa bigas ang P100 at ang matitira ay para pa sa kanilang ibang pangangailangan.

“Hindi ko po ipinagkakaila.

Sa totoo lang po, ganoon po ang ginagawa ko. Araw-araw po ‘yon (pamumuso), hanggang Biyernes po. Pagdating ng Biyernes ng hapon, kinabukasan po, namumuso rin po ‘yong nag-aaral ko para may pangrecess po,” aniya.

Mula sa likuran ng Barangay Bueno ay nilalakad ng kaniyang mga anak, kasama pa ang ibang mga Aeta na sinisikap | to p.27

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THE WORK

25

Ethnic Engineers COMMUNITY

BY ANDREA nicole b. sapnu

P

rivilege is a gripping word; it is as forceful as the meaning that it conveys and it is as powerful as the individuals that get to relish and revel in it. The exclusivity of a thing is what tags it as a privilege.

Case in point, education becomes a privilege when it is restricted only to a particular social class; a group of people that possess the capability to send their children to school by having sufficient finances to tide their academic requirements through the year. Access to safe and steady roads could also become a privilege if one never gets to cross rivers and take rides over strenuous, rockstrewn paths towards work. Basically, almost anything can be rendered as a ‘privilege’ as long as not all people get to experience it or be benefited by it.

In fact, even merely having access to sources of light energy such as the lampposts erected on streets or the bulbs installed in homes that, despite being widely patronized, are also considered a privilege, since despite the influences of advances in technology being prevalent, there are still places and people who do not get to possess what it seems to be a common utility for the majority.

The Aeta families of Sitio Kaging and Sitio Gayaman of Anupul, Bamban can attest this so.

There is a subtle tinge of woe in Magda Salvador’s voice as she recounts the nights when they are faced with the necessity to finish supper and put their children to bed at the strike of dawn – making certain that everything that needs to be undertaken must be accomplished whilst there is still daylight. Those were the times when the brightest light that they only could fathom is that of the faint lamination brought by their makeshift lamps and the embers from their bamboo shavings.

Magda had a vision that one day, her people will no longer race with the swift progression of day just to catch every bright ray of sun before it sets in the west and her children will no longer be suffocating from the pungent reeking of smoke from their improvised light source.

Currently, Magda, along with Cita and Rosita who are also mothers of indigenous origins, witness this vision unfold before them every day, for they had contributed hand in hand toward its fulfillment. At this moment, they are not only known as resilient, lackluster women but are also bestowed with a rather rare title that is far too exceptional for one to believe: solar engineers.

Revisiting the Abode of Technology Crafted by Native Hands ENKINDLING THE FILAMENTS The path upward the home of the solar lolas might not be the comeliest route. As we set foot on our quest, it cannot be left unnoticed that the roads comprise a deadly itinerary; that aside from their steep nature, scar-like track marks – of what could be that of a heavyset truck – have been formed throughout the paths, making it difficult for the typical tricycle to surpass, if not for the numerous times its wheels had slipped into the cracks.

As much as it posed as a treacherous path to us, the residents of Sitios Gayaman and Kaging have learned to live with the instability and had overcome the fear of the unpredictable that could occur in this hazardous ribbon of a road.

Miguel* who is one of our guides expressed that these roads remain remnants of unfulfilled promises of the authorities, particularly electoral candidates during their campaigns. To this day, the roads remain untouched by progress.

If one looks closely, it could be observed that electric posts do not go all the way; an indication that remote areas are beyond the extent of what technology could reach. However, this also indicates that one is nearing toward the lofty community of our ethnic brothers and sisters.

A few more kilometers and splinters along the way, we have reached the summit – greeted by warm wide smiles and warmer embraces. At first glance, one might not decipher from their pambahay getup and slippers which have withstood the tests of their gruesome roads that these women before them made a remarkable breakthrough for their community as Aeta engineers. What made it even more heartwarming is that these women address each other as ‘gineer; acknowledging their honorific contributions in the

These homes remain remnants of unfulfilled promises.

To this day, these roads remain untouched by progress.

most modest of ways. To date, Sitios Gayaman and Kaging have three solar lolas in total, namely Cita Diaz, Magda Salvador and Rosita Sanchez – all with their own fair share of wit and skill masked behind the humblest of facades.

Engineer Salvador or Magda as she prefers it, had shared to us primarily that she couldn’t be any less proud than she is now, having shared the fruit of their toil to her people and watching it propagate.

“Masaya ako na nakikita kong

napapakinabangan ‘yong mga solar [panel]. Hindi na mararanasan ng mga bata na ubuhin at magkasakit dahil sa usok ng buho [bamboo shavings].”

On the other hand, Engineer Diaz acknowledged DIWATA foundation, the organization that aided indigenous mothers and reached out to Barefoot Colleges of Tilonia, India where the solar lolas honed their craft. With the slogan ‘Built by the poor, for the poor,’ Barefoot Colleges was established in 1973 by Sajit ‘Bunker Roy,’ who is recognized by Time Magazine as one of the top 10 most influential people of the world, year 2010. It advocates creating ‘a sustainable world from the ground up’ by providing knowledge in Green Engineering and solutions that are environment-friendly. Hence, their innovations such as the solar panels adhere to their advocacy.

To Engineer Sanchez, who is part of the most recent batch to train in Tilonia, India, intimidation is one of the factors that could hinder them from pursuing their courses. During their six-month stay, they immersed with other indigenous women of distinct cultures in countries such as India.

“Nung una, nahihiya kami kasi mga ‘kulot’ kami. Pero nung nagsimula na ang training, napansin kong hindi pala kami naiiba. Ang totoo nga niyan, mayro’n pang mga nag-aaral na may kapansanan; putol ang kamay, [at] hindi nakakapagsalita. Do’n mas lalong lumakas ang loob naming.

Dito, ‘di kami tinuturing na naiiba,” Engineer Sanchez said, to which she added shortly, “Alang marok king susubuk bayung bage.

Nung buri mu, milayri.”

[There is nothing wrong in pursuing new things.

If you can, you will.]

As we listen to their narratives about their first flight overseas, their

encounters with other individuals of diverse cultural origins and food that their taste buds find exotic, their slight skirmish with language barriers, their first experience with tools utilized for engineering solar panels and the numerous times they have been flabbergasted by electric shocks throughout their courses, we could come to a conclusion that their journey was no less than a bumpy ride as well.

If not for the persistence of the solar lolas, the sixty two (62) homes which are presently lit by their solar lamps would not have come to be.

TO SUSTAIN OR TO SUBDUE? One of the homes that have been lit up by the solar lamps installed by the Aeta engineers is that of the couple Alma and Jeremi. It was almost sundown when we arrived at their humble abode. While Alma tends her infant child and Jeremy cleans the camotes he had harvested for supper, their home is illuminated by the light coming from their designated lamp attached to their roof. According to Jeremi, they can now accomplish their day to night chores with ease and convenience.

But as the saying goes, the best things in life are not free.

It was disclosed to us that every month, each family should pay a fee of 200 pesos for the maintenance of the solar lamps and bulbs.

Unfortunately for Alma and Jeremy whose yields sell for less than the amount they need to tide them through a week, thus making them resort to eating root vegetables, rendering the maintenance fee a bit expensive for their means of living.

Lina, who is a mother of 5, also shares the same predicament. While carrying a baby in her frail body, she timidly expressed her sorrow to us regarding the amount that needs to be paid in exchange for their solar lamps. Presently, she has seven months-worth of debt amounting to 1,400 pesos.

“Naipon na ‘yong utang naming.

Pero kahit nahihirapan kami, pinipilit naming magbayad. Wala nang madilim sa bahay. ‘Di tulad ng dati na malungkot,” Lina explained.

Lina and her husband’s collective earnings for a month only amounts to P500. This amount varies seasonally, as tropical conditions such as heavy rain affect their crops and their roads.

Thus, there are times in a | to p.27

Photos by Pauline Grace B. Manzano

26

THE WORK

Devcom

VOL. 70 NO. 2 NOv 2018 - JAN 2019

MINORITIES

STRANGERS OF THEIR LAND

By Isaih Kyle C. Umipig “The identity of the Filipino today is of a person asking what is his identity.” — Culture and History, Nick Joaquin When things are forgotten, it meant to have something which is of greater importance, or we need new ones, or the old things have come

NO ONE IS LEFT BEHIND

W

hen we call our siblings strangers, aren’t we considered strangers, too?

The Philippines is a huge bowl of varieties of religion. The diversity in religious beliefs forwards us to a narrative about the struggle of our Muslim brothers and sisters in explaining their selves to other people. Thus, biases and stereotyping in religion are not new concepts in this world anymore. Actually, these are just like stains and smudges that are continuously being spread throughout the surface.

Our society is an expert at pointing out fallacies about the people and their religion using their subjective opinions but in a deeper sense, have they ever pointed out how unfair

to the point where there is a need to alter them.

Things are forgotten because of reasons.

When people are attacked—physically or verbally, it meant to have something wrong with them, or theirs are different from others, or they were accused of something they were not conscious of. People are attacked because of reasons.

and irrational their own words are?

For Salic Bangadan, a former teacher in Madrasa, the common backbone of this problem is the deteriorating illness of the people where they try to generalize everything. When a Muslim has been involved in a case, the society will say that all Muslims are like him; that all of them are evil. In that manner, the reputation of the whole Muslim community will be flawed just because of one false accusation.

Bangadan refutes the hackneyed ideology of people that Muslims know nothing but wars and rebellions. Religions are built not to establish a new religion called “conflict.” He explained that not all of them are into guns and bullets, most of them moved their homes here in the city to seek jobs that would

Everything happens for a primary reason.

The world is round, thus, it keeps spinning around. But as it goes around, the worlds of some families stop as they take the slippery march towards the discovery of their identities and their genuine place in this society. In this era of ever-changing outlooks and evolving distinctiveness, how could

sustain their families’ long-term needs.

“We are here to find means of livelihood and income,” he added in Tagalog. The society is overexposed to the impression that the Muslims are never a stranger to us, but perhaps, as it becomes a repetitive action, the society has forgotten its essence. Still, it is a risky struggle for the Muslim community to explain themselves that they are not ‘others’.

“Why do other people say we're strangers? This is the Philippines; this is a place for Filipinos. Wherever we are, we are Filipinos. We can't be called that way,” he explained.

Despite the stereotyping and prejudices where the Muslim community stumbles upon, they will never fall down with the same problem more than twice. It might be a coarse route for the Muslims to build a connection

W Graphics by Gabriel Jann S. Inocencio | Photos by Isaih Kyle C. Umipig and from The Work archive

with the society, but declining is never an option to choose.

With this, he further described that the Filipinos, of any complexion, dialect or belief, are non-biological siblings; that there’s only one lifeblood that flows through our veins.

People might differ from family’s heritage and background but at the end of the day, Filipinos are just one extended family. This modest Muslim community in Paniqui is eyeing for a more redefined society where no one gets left behind, where no one is prejudiced and feels inferior.

“All of us should know how to respect that we are all Filipinos. We are brothers and sisters, we are from one nation—with one spirit, we are Filipinos. We should understand one another.

Let us eliminate discrimination,” he further hinted.

An epitome of an ideal society is one that does not talk about labels such as gender, color, social classes, and religion, but one that talks only about people. No labels attached, just people.

SEEDS OF CULTURE IN THE STREETS

‘NATIVE STRANGERS’ hen a fish was removed from the waters, it will die.

Sitio Patal Bato in Sta. Juliana, Capas, Tarlac, Philippines can be described as one of the communities that has not yet reached the level of development and urbanization. Life is simple; regardless of the difficulty of life as long as the welfare of each member of a family is maintained, a grain of rice is considered a rice pot for a family bond.

The flowing water that comes from the mountains is for bath, for washing their clothes, and sometimes playground for the children. It is amazing how difficult their situation is for residing in such small homes, but the current situation of the families and their continued opposition in dismissing them in their homes are even more surprising.

The circulation of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) has continued to intensify between the Philippines and the United States to date. It is an agreement with the aim of promoting the implementation of the Philippine-United States Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT). Because of the need to fully utilize the lands for Balikatan exercises and training of the military, they have had strong proof and enough data to purge the inhabitants of Patal Bato.

Currently, it is still a big question if the permanent removal of the locals is still in place. According to some, there is a one-year extension before they can move home.

However, they are firmly convinced that they ought to stay here because here resides their source of living and this is the land which witnessed their growth.

According to Freddie Gutierrez, the vice-tribal chieftain of the sitio, he asserted that if they try to expel them, they will not allow it. “We are the first person here, the natives. We own it! This is our ancestors’ lands. Where are we going then?” he said in Tagalog.

Every storyteller describes their great value in the land they are treading. Although there are reasons to leave the land, they believe that this can be solved with sufficient documentation and proofs.

If EDCA is used by the military as a weapon to permanently purge the locals, the R.A. 8371 or more commonly known as the Indigenous

a rotting culture be revived and be taken away from its total demise? How could a society who is wholly eaten up by prejudices and judgments finally achieve the respect they were long eyeing for? How could these sole reasons be justifiable in creating a better world?

When will the labelling of the natives as strangers of their own lands stop?

People's Rights Act of 1997 (IPRA) is the sole defense of the natives.

IPRA is a law that seeks to recognize and promote all the rights of Indigenous Cultural Communities/ Indigenous Peoples (IPs) of the Philippines such as those living in Sitio Patal Bato.

Meanwhile, Leo and España Salazar, a couple, agree that IPRA is an effective defense, especially as it is a document that deals with their rights as indigenous peoples. The concept of documents is very important because it serves as evidence especially in matters such as land and other ownership.

"We are praying that this community will definitely not be lost to us, and nothing is impossible if you bring it to Him," Leo added in Tagalog.

According to the vice-tribal chieftain of Patal Bato, they will move their homes as long as they will be provided with relocation sites with adequate livelihood, school, and health center. Perhaps these are the things that the natives really need in case they leave their land. These seem to be the bandages that will momentarily cover their problems.

The calendar continues to tear its pages.

The community people have no idea if removing them in their lands will be pushed through. But their voices are still audible for their claim: When a fish was removed from the waters, it will die.

W

hen we forget our roots, we stumble in walking in the present.

New faces lie in the neighborhood of Maria Cristina Park which opens a new series of a real-life soap opera. They are the native Aetas originating from the basic community in Sitio Burog in San Vicente, Bamban, Tarlac, Philippines.

Carrying out their products from their own land, they built booths to sell them half of the value in the marketplace in the city. But this statement also brings us closer to the clearest stain of their livelihood in the metropolis: places for food parks and shops in the city are spreading for foreign goods; however, it’s ironic that the products which are produced by our native people are only lying on the poor streets.

In a closer focus, Tarlac is considered as one of the richest provinces in the whole region in terms of flat land that can be delved with agricultural crops.

Aside from being a witness to the rich history of the province, the lands also have a huge contribution to the agricultural wealth we are enjoying today.

In the row of the products they are selling, Aida Punzalan, 43, speaks “We are all from a small village in Bamban.” Although her speech has a strange intonation, her lips

exhibit a memorable smile waving for visitors and customers coming. It is a pure representation of living in their community with a variety of personalities but having a common goal – to live with sufficient resources. They come from different families which make up another larger family.

“When Mount Pinatubo has not yet erupted, we do not know anything. We just know how to plant and grow a seed; we do not go down to the mountains,” she said in Tagalog. But over time, along with urbanization, they were taught how to use efficient language in everyday discourse, counting money, and how to budget it.

According to Shirley, Aida’s sister-in-law, they went to the city not only to seek for a living but also to mingle with the people who live in the urban community. However, December is the only month in which they are allowed to sell their products in the streets.

Even though they are given the opportunity of the local government to sell their goods, it also seems that insufficient attention and assistance are being delivered to them. It seems that the continued growth and modernization of the present day is also a forgery of the natives of Tarlac – it is a paradox of having a variety of dining places in every corner of the province, but nothing is available for our own products harvested by our natives. But still, they believe that hope exists in the city.

While receiving government support, they still have the need to continue to cry out to hear the concerns. Aida, Shirley, and others from their community went to the city to seek life, while their children were left in their places to study. Their children carry the next generation of native Aeta and the wholeness of our culture. They want to have enough help and attention for them in the educational aspect to keep up with the flow of rush modernization.

They want to have the right place where they can sell their products so they will not block the façade of the park and will not be called strangers, and so that they could share their culture with some other individuals in the province. Due to the mix of breeds living in the place, our native Aetas were often forgotten that they have been a part of the foundations of our province.

DEVCOM

VOL. 70 NO. 2 NOv 2018 - JAN 2019

New Clark City ng mga residenteng Aeta na bigyan sila ng maayos na relokasyon kung saan sila pwedeng magumpisa, mamuhay ng payapa at ayon sa kanilang naisin.

“Marami nang mga Aeta ang sumubok tumira sa patag pero hindi sila nabubuhay doon. Dito sa bundok ang buhay naming mga katutubo noon pa. Dito ang kultura namin. Dito kami mabubuhay,” from p.23 |

wika ni Brigido Salazar, ang pinakamatandang residente ng Sitio Ye Young.

Bagama’t kasado na ang planong ito, hindi pa rin malinaw kung saan nga ba dadalhin ang mga residente ng Ye Young. Nais ng komunidad ng katutubong Aeta na ilipat na lamang din sila sa kabundukan, kung saan maaari silang magpatuloy sa kanilang

Pag-asa sa Lupang Napag-iwanan mag-aral, ang ilog at ilang kilometrong patag na lupa upang makapasok lamang sa eskwelahan habang ang dala-dala lamang ay ang kanilang mga bag at dalawang pisong baon para sa recess.

Masuwerte na lamang sila kung umabot ng limang piso ang kanilang babaunin para sa buong araw.

“Ilog ang tinatawiran nila pero ‘pag malalim po, hindi po sila makakatawid. Kaya sabi ko po sa anak ko na nag-aaral, ‘pagpasensyahan mo anak kung ilan lang ang baon mo.’

Pinagpapasensyahan po ng mga bata,” dagdag pa ni Nanay Josie.

Minsan, pumapasok ang mga bata na walang laman ang tiyan. Paminsan-minsan nama’y kape lamang ang pumupuno sa pangangailangan na kumain ng pinakamahalagang pagkain para sa kabuuan ng araw. Pagdating ng tanghali ay uuwi ang mga bata at tatanungin si Nanay Josie kung may kanin. Halos lahat ng mga kabataan sa kanilang komunidad ay umuuwi upang ibsan ang gutom pagkatapos ng paggugol sa paaralan. from p.24 |

kung minsan sila ay nakararanas ng pangungutya mula sa kanilang mga kaklase dahil ibang-iba ang kinagisnan na pamumuhay ng bawat panig. Gayunpaman, hindi ikinakahiya ng mga Aeta ang kanilang kabuhayan at paniniwala.

“Minsan po sinasabi po ng mga kaklase nila, bakit hindi

pagsasaka at pagtatanim. Giit nila na mahihirapan lamang din sila sa kapatagan kung sakaling sila ay ilikas doon ng lokal na pamahalaan.

ULILA NG SARILING BAYAN Sa simula ng mga proyektong pangkabuuang kaunlaran ang tinitignan, naiiwan ang iilan sa likod ang mga mamamayang madadaanan. Higit sa kung anong kaunlaran ang pagpapaunlad ng kultura ng mga pangkat etnikong naaapektuhan. Ilang taon na rin

mga tao na namang dadayo.

Ngayong naitanim na ang mga pundasyon ng pagbabago sa mga sementadong sakahan at kabundukan, nanganganib na silang maging dayuhan sa sariling lupain.

Tinatayuan na ang kapatagan ng mga gusali, pinapatag na ang mga bundok, iniipit na rin ng military ang lupaing kanilang sakop—kaya’t ang tanong ng mga mamamayang sinasagasaan ng pagbabagong ito, saan na nga ba sila tutungo?

nagtatrabaho ‘yang mga magulang ninyo? Bakit wala kayong baon? Ano naman pong magagawa namin?” ani Nanay Josie.

EDUKASYON PARA SA SALAT Nangunguna ang edukasyon sa mga solusyon upang makaahon ang mga mamamayan, maging ang bansa, mula sa kahirapan.

Ito ang nakikitang paraan ng gobyerno upang umunlad ang pamilyang Pilipino. Dahil dito, naglaan ang Kagawaran ng Badyet at Pamamahala para sa edukasyon ng mahigit 648.2 bilyong piso

noong 2017, mula elementarya hanggang tersyarya. Sa madaling salita, pinaiigting ng Kagawaran ng Edukasyon ang libreng kalidad na edukasyon para sa lahat ng magaaral, lalo na sa mga pampublikong paaralan at libreng matrikula pagtungtong ng mga estudyante sa kolehiyo.

Mairaos man ang elementarya, mayroon pa ring pangamba si Nanay Josie dahil hindi rin naman garantisado ang libreng edukasyon.

Lalo na ngayon na malapit nang matapos ang kaniyang isang anak sa elementarya at sa isang taon na

lamang ay hindi pa sigurado kung papasok na ito sa pansekondaryang paaralan.

“Kaya nga sabi po ng anak ko, ‘Paano niyan, ma, kung mag-aaral ako sa high school e wala naman tayong malaking pera?’ Siguro makakaraos din kahit papano, anak, sabi ko. Pagtulungan namin ng tatay mo kung paano,” inihayag ni Nanay Josie.

Sa maliit na komunidad ng mga Aeta, ang marinig ang kanilang mga sigaw ay pawang napakaimposibleng maibulalas. Marahil, nadinig ngunit hindi tinugunan o kaya nama’y pinangakuan ngunit magpahanggang ngayon ay hindi inaksyunan.

Mula sa pahayag ni Nanay Josie, sinabihan na sila ng mga nasa tungkulin na magpapagawa roon ng tulay upang hindi na mahirapang tumawid ang mga bata.

Sa kasalukuyan, hinihintay pa rin nilang maisakatuparan ito.

Isa lamang ang hiling ng mga inang kagaya ni Nanay Josie, ito ay ang pamanahan ang kanilang mga anak ng marangal at maayos na edukasyon. Mahirap mang abutin, ito ay isang pangarap pa rin. Hindi lamang sila umaasa sa tulong ng gobyerno ngunit nagsusumikap pa rin upang matugunan ang kanilang mga pangangailangan.

“Ang gusto ko lang po sana kahit matulungan lang po ‘yong anak ko na makatapos. Malaki po ang pasalamat ko kung matulungan po nila ang anak ko. Kahit isa lang po ang makatapos sa akin,” aniya.

Photos by Isaih Kyle C. Umipig

*** Kung gaano kataas ang mga bundok, ganoon din katayog ang mga ipinupunlang pangarap ng mga kabataang Aeta para sa kanilang hinaharap. Kung gaano kahaba ang lakaran mula tahanan hanggang eskwelahan, ganoon din ang haba ng pasensya’t determinasyong kanilang gugugulin tungo sa magandang kinabukasan.

Ang edukasyon ay isa lamang simpleng hangarin para sa mga katutubong Aeta. Mahirap ang maging mahirap ngunit higit na mas mahirap ang walang pangarap.

Ethnic Engineers year when they never thought their selling price of P15 per kilo of root vegetables could fall any lower.

This was also the sentiment of Pinky who is the chapel caretaker.

Similar to Lina, she also has a debt of over 1,000 pesos. Upon visiting homes in Sitio Kaging, we have discovered that most of the families struggle to pay their monthly due.

We were also informed that it has been agreed upon in a meeting conducted earlier on the same day we went, that once a household has exceeded a particular amount of debt, its solar panel will be subject to disconnection.

Chieftain Joel Cosme said that these collections are measures that they take in order to be financially ready in case they need funding for damaged solar lamps and panels.

At the end of each interview, we asked each household this question: “Kung papipiliin kayo, mas gusto

27

tayong naghahanap ng kalinga sa mga lungsod na nagiging pook ng komersyo para mabuhay at bumuhay.

Ngayong napuno na natin ang mga lungsod, sa mga rural na pamayanan naman ulit tayo bumabalik para roon maghanap ng lupang muling bubungkalin para sa mga imprastuktura.

Binubungkal na nila ang lupa sa Capas at Bamban bago pa man ang panggagahaman ng mga dayuhan, at ngayong maayos na ang kanilang pamumuhay may

SA MAPANGHUSGANG MUNDO Higit kumulang 1,700 na kaso ang naihayag na nakararanas ng diskriminasyon sa paaralan kaya naman hindi mapigilan ng ibang mag-aaral na mag-drop na lamang.

Marahil ay nawawalan na sila ng gana upang mag-aral o ‘di kaya’y dulot na rin ng emotional breakdown at trauma.

Isa ring malaking salik ang kahirapan. Kagaya ng mga anak ni Nanay Josie, hindi sila nakapagtapos kaya naman mababang trabaho lamang din ang kanilang nakuha. Kinakailangan nila itong pagtiyagaan dahil kung susuko sila sa trabaho, hindi nila matutulungan ang kanilang mga nakababatang kapatid.

Hindi maiiwasan ng mga magaaral na Aeta ang pagtatanong at

from p.25 |

THE WORK

niyo ba’ng bumalik sa dati niyong gawi kung sa’n mas nakakapagtabi kayo ng pera, o ‘yong ngayon na may solar light kayo pero kailangan ninyong bayaran?”

To our surprise, all responded with the same answer: “Hindi na naming gustong bumalik sa dati.

Kahit na nahihirapan kaming magbayad, mas gusto pa namin na may ilaw kami sa gabi. Kailangan kasi namin to.”

THE FLAME THAT NEVER GOES OUT The lack of funding resonates from the families up to the solar engineers themselves. It is noteworthy to address that the solar lolas do not receive any compensation for their labor other than a partition of the collected fees from the families, which is inconsistent in amount, given that the families do not have a stable income from their farming.

In fact, Engineer Sanchez was even urged by her husband to partake in a better-paying job than maintaining and repairing solar lamps. Despite her husband’s plea, she remains firm that what she really wanted is to live in service for her people.

“Sinasabi lagi ng asawa ko na tigilan ko na lang ang pagiging engineer kasi wala rin naman kaming nakukuhang pakinabang. Pero ang sabi ko sa kaniya, kahit wala akong nakukuha, ang mahalaga, natulungan ko ‘yong kapwa namin. Sayang din ‘yong pinag-aralan kung ‘di ito ibabahagi sa mga katulad namin,” she narrated.

The duties of the solar engineers include maintenance of the solar lamps; this means that every family with installed solar panels in their homes is encompassed within their scope of service.

As the number of families getting bestowed with solar panels increase, so do their range of facility. Engineer Sanchez revealed that they would have to cross rivers and travel by foot to reach remote areas for the sole

purpose of repairing faults, since they were the only ones equipped with sufficient knowledge and education to do so.

It is only then when we discovered that the solar engineers, despite their luminous breakthrough, do not receive formal recuperation for their services. However, the solar lolas understand that their people could only do so much; sell crops only to earn barely enough to cover their daily needs, and even barely sufficient to pay for the solar lamps.

The engineers could only hope for authorities – people who have the means to help – to take notice of their situation.

“Kung may malasakit talaga sila sa amin, tutulungan nila kami,” Engineer Salvador exclaimed.

With all these narratives combined, it can be implied that a domino effect has been taking its toll unto their community. As an aftermath of a recent storm, a majority of their crops and fields have been devastated and their roads blundered. With the minimal number of yields they have gathered come

minimal income and blundered roads result to impossible passage. With only little generated revenue, the households could not instantly save up for their monthly due, and the solar engineers will not immediately receive their pay. Every passing month unpaid upsurges debt until it becomes a too large expanse to recompense, thus putting the people in a more difficult stance as the cycle goes on.

Nevertheless, in spite of everything, their hopes remain unblemished – that one day, their cries would be heeded, and their endless entreaty for financial backing would not be put into waste.

As we left, we were assured by the remarkable solar lolas that no matter what happens, they will still be pursuing their craft, for their technology is what they deem as their ‘gift’ to their folks. Their ‘gift serves a little reminder that all it takes is a spark of faith and courage to overcome hardships and defy the impossible – that even men and women of indigenous ethnicity could create their own legacy.

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Sports

THE WORK

VOL. 70 NO. 2 NOv 2018 - JAN 2019

ON CAMPUS:

Selection Process

E

IN Fairness

Modern Puppets Arsenio S. Santiago Jr. BS CIVIL ENGINEERING

Sports Editor | arseniosantiagojunior@gmail.com

NORMS: The ugly truth is, we always want to please people by giving them

the best image that they want to see from us. We always want to meet and even exceed the expectations set by the society because for us, that matters more than the self-achievement, development, and the welfare of our athletes.

W

ith the official tip-off of SUC-III Olympics here at Tarlac State University this year, Cinderella stories and thrilling comebacks abound, but beneath the annual spectacle of the most prestigious sporting event in the region lies an ugly truth.

Missing-in-action student athletes during regular classes are suddenly coming out of their cages during SCUAA season as they are making a big scene in the field that instantly compensates the notion of forgotten academic responsibilities.

Student athletes have special place in my heart for I am also a student athlete and I completely understand how hard it is to swim in two rivers one at a time and in worse cases, at the same time. Your one foot is submerged with rigid and conditioning trainings while the other is hung for academic loads.

Aside from the expected pressure from the institution, pressure coming from coach and even from the university who have been supporting when it comes to allowance hammer every student athlete to work double time to balance everything and to avoid future conflicts.

As a sports writer and enthusiast, it saddens me every time I hear an athlete who has to give up the love of sports because of incapability to juggle academic pressure and training. However, it lightens me for realizing that at least they are able to find the essence of their existence here in the university- to study, which is actually the wisest choice that a

student athlete can make when the situation gets thinner and thinner.

It’s hard for SDMU to let go such talents who have been a key behind championship and especially for those university name bearer during regional, national, and international competitions. Expectation of the

“

By elevating the pursuit of athletic success over the commitment to academic integrity, they place their reputations at risk.” administration adds up to the pressure for SDMU and the best way to pull off an absolute victory is to preserve the best crops that the university has, talents who are already well-oiled and ready to harvest golds.

It’s awful to think that some university athletes are blinded with the scholarship and support that they are receiving from the university, that for them, pushing their limits and giving their all during games are not yet enough to please SDMU-that the only thing that they can do to pay back the favor is to give medals for the university despite of their academic negligence.

SDMU should play a vital role in the total development of its athlete physically and academically. It should not permit athletes to play and join such competitions if they are not really performing well in their academics.

Guilty athletes enjoy the perks of being a star, of being a priority but out of their creed, SDMU is somehow having a parasitic relationship with them; using them as front liner for university achievement and glory. At a normal perspective, it is a win-win situation for both administration and for the athletes but they are gambling a long-term effect.

With the implementation of monthly allowance every year, athletes should not think that they are paid to play for the university because it’s the government who are actually giving support, neither the SDMU nor the administration. The balancing act mantra of every student athlete has always been a challenge to spice up their love for the sport and kicking up a notch in their studies. They should learn the art of letting go when it’s needed. They are not puppets inside their respective boxes who can be used when they are needed.

The university must recognize the dangerous consequences of tolerating calibrated athletes in their academic incapability just to fit in sports competition like SCUAA. SDMU should stop rectifying and backing up athletes in their academic deficits just to hold them and securing seats for SUC-III Olympics even if they don’t meet the set qualifications.

The ugly truth is, we always want to please people by giving them the best image that they want to see from us. We always want to meet and even exceed the expectations set by the society because for us, that matters more than the self-achievement,

EDITORIAL

arning a ticket to play in SUC III Olympics has become tight during the current administration as Tarlac State University tries to sustain its standing as one of the top contenders in the region.

Maintaining the academic performance while attending intensive training programs does not end the squeezing of an athlete’s exertion in order to qualify and represent the university. The university athletes are also assessed by the Sports Development and Management Office (SDMO) through conducting several tune up games, then deliberating the fate of the hoping teams.

Last September, SDMO withheld the participation of the TSU men’s volleyball team in this year’s SUC III Olympics as they did not meet the office’s standards, thwarting their hope to dig gold or at least maintain their second runner-up finishes for the past three years of joining the sporting event.

SDMO disqualified the team mainly because of their disobedience in training schedules set by the office, severed by the dissatisfaction with the team’s performance during court trainings and tune up games. The office excuses no athlete when it comes to training obedience whether it is season of term examinations. This established policy exhausts every student-athlete as they have to tear muscles while burning eyebrows for their examinations.

After receiving the news, the volleyball team still underwent trainings and did their usual routines to show their eagerness to play and represent the university. However, the office’s decision was firm and final.

As the Olympic event comes near and with home court fans anticipating the team to kick up a notch, they have to accept the decision brought by their actions.

The disqualification of the indoor volleyball included the men’s beach volleyball team which is known to be a threat in the region after their recent championship matches and bronze medal finishes.

Both indoor and outdoor teams are composed of rookie players since the ace players have already graduated. The current players are yet rerouting their tracks to follow the foot steps and defend the legacy left by their senior players.

One may agree with the sudden changes and abrupt decision made by the SDMO because it will instill discipline to the studentathletes; another may argue that the withdrawal of the teams may cause disadvantage to TSU’s Olympic bid. But what’s for sure is that the office is not courageous enough to give the rookies a chance to improve and prove themselves. Besides, trainings and preparation to fuel the Firefox youngsters for the game still have long way to go when the decision was made.

It is inequitable to think that SDMO has to disqualify a team that has been contributing to the university’s medal tally only because of a week of disobedience--a week that could be intended for their academic priorities.

Playing a part in the unreasonableness of the decision is the fact that there are teams which do not actually harvest medals for the university during the regional Olympics yet are still allowed by the office to participate annually.

This connotes that the qualifications to participate in SUC III Olympics are not only determined by the academic and training performances, but could also be on how well sticked your coach is to the management. For instance, a team which gives not much recognition to the Firefox team is constantly able to secure ticket for SUC III Olympics each year. One possible reason for this is because of their tenured coaches.

However, one may also defend that the administration has its full commitment to support the university athletes. This can be seen on how they are given consideration with their academic loads, on their monthly allowance, free uniforms and branded shoes; that is why it is fair and just to screen the athletes at the strictest manner. The rigorous selection process of the SDMO on who will be receiving the shower of benefits from the administration is a part of an equitable system.

Moreover, SDMO encourages student-athletes to continue whatever they have started. The office is always open for potential athletes who are willing to be trained, but will still implement the screening process for SCUAA delegates.

The current filtration process, however, closes the doors for a number of athletes to step on a bigger court and feel the pressure of playing in an official game, like with the case of the men’s volleyball team.

As the saying implies, training calibrates athletes but experience is still the best teacher. Even so, SDMO may not share the same principle.

SDMO, as stated by its name, is an office of development. It is not too much to give chance for those athletes waiting for their break to learn and develop their inward and physical strength from the real floor of the court.

Some athletes pump blood and tear muscles to please the office to earn a ticket for the SUC III Olympics stint, while others get it easily.

In some instances, qualification does not start from the physical skills and the athlete’s performance in the academe, screening may also start from “who you know” and “how well you are known.”

This practice is now beginning to transform into a culture and soon will surely bruise and cause stagnancy in the landscape of the sports development that Tarlac State University has.

development and the welfare of our athletes. Of course, we will do every tactics and strategies that we know just to clinch that goal and that is using them without considering the future consequences that may affect their total development and competence outside the university premises—the real world.

Watering down academic standards harm both school and the athletes. Colleges and universities are institutions of learning, first and foremost; by elevating the pursuit of athletic success over the commitment to academic integrity, they place their reputations—and in worse cases, even the future of athletes—at risk.

Sports

VOL. 70 NO. 2 NOv 2018 - JAN 2019

SOCIAL PARADOX

Bouncing Back EUGENE QUIAZON AB ENGLISH

Correspondent | quiazon.eugene@gmail.com

SPORTS DEVELOPMENT: Philippines is a home of sports phenom wrecked by its own misconstruction. Sports fest, Intramurals, Division and Regional meets are always present in all phases of our education but developments seemed to be hard to attain.

T

he war is coming— tough, unwavering, and of its mere antecedent, glorious. Luck, in every uncertainty, is its only promising sympathy.

One evening I was called by our neighbor, a 63-year-old ordinary citizen who loves sports.

In his kindling posture, he remains active. Our country, he said, unlike America and Germany, doesn’t have much vision in sports rather than political benefits.

It was until before I go to school the next day, as I passed through a seven-year-old boy playing basketball, when I realized Filipinos deal with sports seriously like a ‘war for glory,’ but goes for it with rusting weapons.

While Filipinos love sports, it can be contrasted in our sports rundown that we do not yet know the plays of our system.

Philippines is a home of sports warrior. From the historical bronze medal of Filipino swimmer Teófilo E. Yldefonso in 1928 summer olympics up to the silver medal of Hidilyn Diaz in weightlifting in 2016, it is more than obvious that Filipinos can overpower other countries if we would just want to.

Everything that excites us drives us towards another light of hope. Not our age can stop us from admiring Pacquiao and joining him in his fights. Covered courts in every Barangay describes our devotion to basketball. When Azkals came, we never doubted in patronizing this American concept despite our Filipino bloodline.

We start liking a concept as soon as we though it’s new and cool, or if it frees us from the toxins of life. We don’t stop wanting, leaving the old behind: used, faded, and stripped of its least value like

the “laro ng lahi” we forgotten as history passes by. If this sounds great, I would be running on traffic jam.

There are always two sides of sports: the skills showmanship and its essence to player’s morale and personality, and the sympathetic effect to the audience. Now that side-to-side sports activity rises in our backyards—from the colleges’ sportsfest in our University up to the upcoming Asian Games hosted by the Philippines—I’m watching over issues that have been long tackled but remain untouched by changes.

Countdown for the 2019 Sea Games has drawn big preparations from the government, and students are already preparing for their college sportsfest and intramurals.

It’s just saddening how, out of million Filipino players, we could only train and hail few athletes to represent us in different sports competition and why we could just provide limited equipment accessible to all aspirants. The absurd part is when some officials give lesser importance to sports but would appear instantly when someone from their hometown nailed a recognition, mostly denying that they did not support.

Sportsfest, Intramurals, Division and Regional meets are always present from elementary to college but developments seemed to be hard to achieve. We’ve been exposed to the funding issues in sports; and we’ve been used to have volleyball and basketball

THE WORK

as commerce-sponsored sports, obviously neglecting other games.

To tackle this story of Philippine sports is to also cite our perception and attitude as one of the most problematic of all.

We only support sports if it’s season for sports. Players are only having opportunities when participation is mandated. As we say sports is not just about skills,

“

We’re just bouncing back to why athletes can’t seem to get it right, all over again.”

we are practically pertaining to the essence of it: the discipline, sustainable development, and passion. If to end others’ fight is to begin one’s journey in the battleground, then we also say that to ‘begin working on changes is to end the long wait of sports excellency.’

29

As big battles are approaching, Filipinos will once again rise on their seat to see players uplifting their will stronger than their being and motivation bigger than their dreams. Like in a war, we lay weapons to build our defense in the name of pride and honor. Like anyone else, I am excited to the time that sports would never be an untouched issue in the Philippines.

Sports capacitates players, mostly students, of the skills prerequisite to their enhancement and maximizes their potentials.

Going through competitions is like gambling for 50-50 chance; practically risk-taking and a matter of faith-and-luck scenario. The words of my neighbor may have been opened me to line of thinking we have in sports.

For us, it’s about bringing honor, bagging medals, and leaping to top. We never considered the Filipino hearts that prevail in every player. I would’ve been blind if I didn’t notice the “strategic” solution of the Sports Development and Management Unit of our university during the 2019 Regional Olympics held last December in Tarlac. Some team didn’t compete and players were trimmed down.

There may be more rusting concepts in sports that need our attention. Laying our game plan together, of course, is the real challenge. The best teaching of sports, to be united, must not be brushed off; and so when the buzzer sounds, we would be aces of our play.

SPORTS FEATURE

LOVE AT FIRST STRIKE

THE BIRTH OF NEW FIREFOX HITTERS

By Arsenio S. Santiago JR. And Eugene Quiazon

A

fter all, not all plan works; sometimes, situation goes unlike to what is outlined. As the baseball team of Tarlac State University takes risk to put fresh recruit players to replace graduate-veterans in the baseball field, pressure encloses higher standards and expectations as the twin factor of the name they have established over the years.

How would these newbies conquer the play, defend the title, and pamper spectators?

MASTERS OF SUSTAINABILITY Amidst the prevailing competition in the region, the Firefox baseball team still catches victories as the third placer in 2015, second in 2016, and first in 2017 during State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) competitions, bringing the glory up to the national level where they hit gold.

It was hard to attain those spots, according to Jimmy Agustin, first year team catcher, but determination geared them indestructible, like nothing is impossible.

They also invaded the national and international fields in 2017, when they were referred by their competitors as the new faces of champion, earning pride and admiration.

But more than the medals and trophies they received through these achievements, it is their story behind every play that matters more, according to Agustin.

Unmatched experiences had extended their potentials, particularly when they need to overcome individual problems and sacrifices in a unified strategy as a team. Agustin said sacrifices and memories created along the way sweetened their success.

Like any other team play, these successes were also pitched by the collaborative efforts of players working beasts in the field, coaches serving ways and means, and the Sports Development and Management Unit (SDMU) supporting from financial needs to moral demands.

While SDMU wishes to see these players longer at the field, they are also achievers of the academe and dreamed profession; graduating at a time. Half of them have exited the university last May 2018, which according to Ligaya Salangsang, director of SDMU, is another challenge for them.

To complement the missing units of the team, the SDMU added 12 new players, all of whom have undergone the skills assessment prepared by Ferdinand Bolo, baseball coach.

the National SCUAA in 2019.

Canlas is on his last playing year in SUC-III Olympics and hitting on revenge after falling short against their long-time rival Bulacan Agricultural State College (BASC).

Canlas is renowned in the region and was able

PROSPECTS FOR BASEBALL PHENOMS As new recruits were added to the official team to compete in various sports tournament like SCUAA, pressure and demands compensatory to what SDMU aims for the team welcome them like prospected successor.

Balancing academics and trainings is part of the pressure. Aside from the scorching sun and vigorous

PITCH PERFECT Karl Canlas, TSU batters’ main pitcher, is eyeing for the championship bid this year and earning an early ticket for

to make his name even in national games for his floater pitches. After their first runner-up finish last year, Canlas was still scouted to play for Region 3 together with chosen teammates which he considers as a “nice exit.”

activities they need to endure the necessity to exert extra effort in coming on-time to call out trainings and classes is also putting them to their extremes.

For a newbie like Agustin, this angle of their baseball journey is like a robot draining their remaining energy. Early in September 2018, they started the first phase of their training, ranging from moderate to rigid, which is actually advanced compare to other categories.

Going through trickier trainings did not overpower their covetous passion.

It might put them on the verge of their capacity but only to outstretch new potentials, and unveil the slumbering greatness within them.

According to Coach Bolo, he intentionally made the

practices trickier than how the old players were usually trained because he needs to expose the players to the real scenario of how plays in the SCUAA are “skills to skills, and battle as in battle.”

As coach, he still considers the physical limitations of the players and keeps trainings fit to what they can only accomplish. He pointed out the importance of healthy and fit body as their capital to the victory they are defending.

Going through trickier trainings might put them on the verge of their capacity but only to outstretch new potentials, and unveil the slumbering greatness within them.

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Sports

THE WORK

VOL. 70 NO. 2 NOv 2018 - JAN 2019

Firefox boxers rule Marines, Gears share second spot finish

BY ARSENIO S. SANTIAGO JR.

CORNERED. Firefoxes’ Raven Lance Abagat corners BulSU Gold Gears’ fighter in a final match of the boxing tournament held at San Vicente Covered Court. (Photo by Arsenio Santiago Jr.)

Gold Gear, Firefox throwers secure spots in nationals

BY JErico T. Manalo

FIREFOXES’ RONAN Abagat completed his five-year winning streak in javelin throw, earning a SUC III Olympics supremacy as he added another gold in the Firefoxes’ medal basket for the overall champion race.

Abagat marked a 48.09 meters finish on his second throw in the final round, exceeding his 46.59 score in the qualifying round.

Although unable to exceed his 51.23 meters record last year, Abagat still earned a ticket to book a seat for the National SCUAA in March 2019.

“Lahat naman ng mga ginagawa ko is not only for TSU, it’s for Region 3, para marepresent ko ‘yong region natin sa national games,” Abagat

explained.

On the other hand, Rodney Javelo and Jess Dela Cruz, throwers of Aurora State College of Technology (ASCOT) and Central Luzon State University (CLSU), landed on the second and third places with 43.57 and 42.97 meters finishes, respectively.

Meanwhile, Gold Gears’ Jenie Uptohan bested her competitors in Women’s Division after her powerful release as she was able to tally a convincing 30.21 meters finish, leaving NEUST’s Irish Suyusa and CLSU’s Kaelyn Joy Cuya with 26.92 and 21.41 meters for second and third spots.

Abagat and Uptohan will be representing Region 3 for the upcoming National SCUAA Olympics, vying to reclaim the title for the region.

EXCITING COMEBACKS electrified the atmosphere as Tarlac State University (TSU) Firefox boxers swung to victory and fanned flames of vigor to overpower their opponents in this years’ boxing tournament held at San Vicente Covered Court.

Hailed as overall champions of the ring, TSU finished the tourney with convincing three gold medals from Raven Lance Abagat, Jerwin Remedio and Arjay Basangan in light welterweight, lightweight and bantamweight categories, respectively.

On the other hand, Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) Marines are deemed

unsinkable in this year’s boxing joust as they finished strong with two golds, leaving the 1st runner-up seats to the pesky Bulacan State Univeristy (BulSU) Gold Gears.

Marine challengers Joebert Ramirez and Keith Jeyuin Tinggasang staged a furious start, showering loaded punches towards BulSU contenders to secure the titles for lightweight and light heavyweight categories.

Meanwhile, BulSU’s Michael Agustin and Joshua Ibanez were able to squeeze two golds in flyweight and welterweight categories, leaving the ring with a total upset from their last year’s strong finish.

Firefoxes’ Abagat expressed his words of relief after ruling the ring against BulSU, “Iba ‘yong feeling this time, sobrang saya kasi at last, naka-gold din ako, ‘yon lang naman hiniling ko before akong tumuntong sa ring.”

As for his preparation, Abagat manifested persistency as he expressed that he is always attending rigid trainings in order to recover from last year’s defeat.

“Kahit hindi sabihin ni

coach, nagte-training talaga ako kasi alam kong iyon lang ang makakatulong sakin para masanay ‘yong mga kamay at katawan at maging ready sa laban,” he added.

Abagat was disqualified from last year’s championship match because of high blood pressure. “‘Di naman maiiwasan iyon lalo na kapag ganitong may mga competition. Ang mahalaga siguro ngayon ay nakabawi ako at nakatulong talaga ang mga trainings sa career ko as a boxer,” he furthered.

The Firefox boxer also took part in the athletics events last year. However due to health complications he had faced, Abagat left the game and focused in boxing fight this year.

“Nandoon ako o wala alam kong mananalo ang TSU kasi matagal ko ring nakasama ang mga ‘yan, alam ko malalakas sila,” he concluded.

Nevertheless, Abagat undoubtedly redeemed himself as he induced one of the swiftest knockouts in the history of this year’s boxing competition, knocking over one of his opponents in the elimination rounds in a brief timeframe of nine seconds.

Firefoxes retrieve baseball...

GLORIOUS. Firefoxes’ Ronan Abagat proved his supremacy after gripping a gold for the fifth time. (Photo by Pauline Grace B. Manzano)

Capulong carries Firefoxes

from p.32 | Gold Gears to fuel themselves and gain momentum.

Since day 1, Firefox batters already showcased their ferocity to the spectators, their strong point after their merciless battle against President Ramon Magsaysay State University (PRMSU) Blue Jaguars, recording an 11-1 score, succeeded then with another murderous match between Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) Marines, 23-0, that booked them a seat in the semi-final jiff.

Central Luzon State

University (CLSU) Green Cobras, meanwhile, was also conquered by the Firefoxes in the semis yet still notched the bronze medal after their game against Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST) Phoenix with a score of 7-2 in the last inning.

On the other hand, Bulacan Agricultural State College (BASC) Reapers, who nabbed the throne from TSU last year, did not make it even in the semis in this year’s State Universities and Colleges Olympics in Region III.

TSU bags 1st gold after 5 years

BY Lander Victor G. Tejada

RENZ CAPULONG of the Firefox basketball team shifted to fifth gear to compensate for Firefoxes’ sluggish start and rallied his team against the Honorians, 79-66, earning TSU’s first gold in men’s basketball after five years at TSU Gymnasium, December 15.

Capulong, with eight field goals and seven successful free throws, scored 25 points, which was enough to rout the Honorians at the fourth quarter.

Honorians established an early 10-point lead at the end of the first quarter, 12-22. Francisco scooped 10 points across the high post, while Gania fired two 3-pointers and scored 10 points. Firefoxes’ disoriented defense required coach Mamucod to call for early time outs.

Firefoxes inched closer with a counter-offense and an adjusted defense in second quarter.

Castaneda yielded eight points, including one 3-pointer. Firefoxes deflated the lead down to two points by the end of the first half, 32-34.

Capulong began his oneman assault of the Honorians in third quarter. He broke through

Wildcats’ low-post defense and forced several three-point plays – a field goal and a free throw – immediately scoring 11 points.

Confronted with a sticky man-toman defense, the Wildcats’ paled, and were ran over by the home squad with a two-point lead, 4543, at the last three minutes of the third quarter.

To fend off the Firefoxes, Morales’ 3-pointer and Garcia’s field goals equalized and ended the third quarter in a deadlock, 54-54.

The deadlock did not last long after Firefoxes unleashed a gamebreaking run at the fourth quarter.

Capulong and Gapasen reversed the first-quarter scenario by burying Honorians with a 10-point lead, 72-62.

Gapasen, Bautista and Pamintuan nailed the Wildcats’ coffin with combined five points.

With less than a minute on the clock with the ball in Firefoxes’ possession, Wildcats’ Santos and Morales shot their last four successful free throws and dropped their claim for the gold.

“Nagkulang tayo ng defense no’ng first part [quarter], so nagadjust ako noong second quarter.

Nagkaroon kami ng adjustment from zone defense to man-to-

man pull or pressure and then na-execute namin nang maayos.

Naidikit namin ‘yong laro, and [from] then on, we strategized kung papaano namin malalamangan ang opponent. Buti na lang, sumunod ang mga players at nakakondisyon sila,” Firefox coach Mamucod said in a post-game interview.

“Talagang napakasarap sa feeling, hard to explain. Hard work ng mga bata ito. With the help of Sir

Julius Dela Vega, my assistant coach, SDMO, our president, the management of TSU na sumusuporta sa

amin and keeping us supported all throughout the campaign.

Nagpapasalamat din kami sa mga tao na sumuporta sa amin, nagbibigay ng opportunities para kami ay ma-expose sa mga laro.

It’s a job well done. Hard work pays off,” he furthered.

Also, the Firefoxes endured a grueling game with the defending champions, BulSU Gold Gears, and ended

their fiveyear reign in men’s basketball last December 14.

“Masaya kami dahil nakapasok kami sa finals, pana-panahon lang naman ‘yan at, ‘yon nga, eto na ‘yong chance namin para sungkitin ulit ang gold,” Capulong, yesterday’s most valuable player, said when asked regarding their triumph over the Gold Gears in the semis.

“Sobrang masaya kasi pinaghirapan talaga namin. Nagtraining kami nang maayos at sobra ‘yong pagte-train sa amin ng coach namin. Sinunod lang naman din namin ang lahat ng sinasabi niya,” Capulong said regarding their successful quest for gold.

DETERMINED. Firefoxes’ Capulong purposefully defends the ball for the team’s comeback.

(Photo by Karl Guillermo)

Sports

VOL. 70 NO. 2 NOv 2018 - JAN 2019

THE WORK

31

Atencio, Manalo defend sand titles

BY ARSENIO S. SANTIAGO JR.

BACK-TO-BACK. Firefoxes’ Jerich Ralph Lobo and Gold Gears’ Czyries Anne De Castro, the successors of last year’s king and queen from the same institutions, are ready to claim the national crowns once more. (Photo by Isaih Kyle C. Umipig)

BulSU, TSU reclaim SUC 3 crowns, tickets to nationals

BY Isaih Kyle C. Umipig & andrea NICOLE B. Sapnu

HISTORY HAS just repeated itself.

This year’s State Universities and Colleges (SUC) 3 Olympics named the candidates from Tarlac State University (TSU) and Bulacan State University (BulSU) as the king and queen of the sporting event yet again at the TSU Gymnasium, December 12.

TSU’s Jerich Ralph Lobo and BulSU’s Czyries Anne De Castro will be Central Luzon’s representatives for the upcoming National SCUAA Olympics. It can be recalled that during the previous year, the region’s delegates were from the two said universities, thus making the shoe baggier to fill in by this year’s winners.

Previous to the competition, Lobo anticipated that the chance of winning the title is one in a million because he does not have the qualities the other candidates possess.

“Pero as days go by, three days before the pageant, noong magkakasama na kami [candidates] sa isang hostel, parang sabi ko na lang sa sarili ko, nandito naman na ako [so] why not give my best?

Iyon na lang din ‘yong naging motivational force ko para sa pageant na ‘to,” he added.

He also revealed that he was only asked to represent the university two weeks before the pageant. “Sa buong two weeks na ‘yon, nag cross fit [ako], proper diet, and of course, ‘di ko pinabayaan ang acads ko,” he said.

Lobo is fully motivated for the upcoming national pageant despite stresses from his academics and duties as a graduating student.

“For National SCUAA, I will give my best-est—two times, five times, ten times, kahit ilang times pa ‘yan—to win this for TSU, back to back again,” he concluded.

De Castro, meanwhile, was pulled out from her on-the-job training since November 14 to focus and to prepare for the pageant. Aside from missing rest and quality time with her family, she also missed her flight today to Palawan.

“I think the crown awaits me more than the beautiful paradise

of Palawan and I am happy that I was able to defend it. I just can’t help but feel happy,” she added.

She said that she has a lot of time to prepare so she will find time to have a good rest while undergoing training for the national pageant.

“I am looking forward to address issues, most importantly,

student athletes and coaches who are suffering from mental health issues. I want to raise awareness for them to be educated. I think that proper action for that issue should be required,” De Castro hinted.

The national pageant is anticipated to be held in March next year.

Digging golds in the sands Tarlac State University (TSU) vied for a back-to-back championship title as they took the sands in a neck-to-neck championship stretch during the State Universities and Colleges of Region III Olympics in Women’s Beach Volleyball championship game held at Tarlac State University Lucinda Campus, December 10-14.

Despite of lack of preparation for the tourney, TSU’s Janel Patricia Manalo and Jessa Atencio tandem still completed a total sweep, nipping all their opponents during the elimination and semi-final rounds before pounding the threats of President Ramon Magsaysay State University (PRMSU) in a nerve-frazzling 18-21, 23-21, 15-11 series to guard their crown in Women’s Beach Volleyball tournament.

Jessa Atencio’s defense and court sense helped to set good tosses for sharp attack for Manalo but PRMSU’s Maya Miranda served an ace and showed off the heart of a champion as they are able to snatch a set against the Firefoxes, 18-21.

Firefoxes’ Manalo fired buried attacks in the second set to tie the match with one set a piece in a 23-21 finish that helped their momentum going up to the third

set, 15-11.

“Masaya kami kasi nakuha namin ‘yong back-to-back title this year sa home court natin,” Atencio said. “Magre-ready na rin talaga kami nang mas maayos for National SCUAA,” Manalo added.

Meanwhile, Gold Gears staged an impenetrable defense to limit the hopeful Firefoxes in Men’s Beach Volleyball tournament in a thrilling 29-27, 21-18 triumph.

An early showdown of buried attacks filled the court in the first set. Kier Roque fired four consecutive spikes to outsmart the Firefoxes with 12-8 lead and to make their noses ahead to the championship title.

TSU’s Kenneth Mesa helped his team to creep and narrow the lead, 12-11, and continued to exchange cut shots to force the defending champs Gold Gears to a deuce but eventually lost the grip in a 29-27 dismay.

Composure and tenacity helped BulSU to establish their momentum as they entered the second set, BulSU’s target Gerald Cudal tried to manufacture points to help his partner, but BulSU was able to read Firefoxes’ offense and defense pattern, forcing them to a total demolition, 21-18.

“I know that it’s hard to beat a team na nasa home court nila. Kapang-kapa na nila ‘yong corners ng court,” Roque exhaled after burying an attack for the championship title.

TSU archers’ lackluster performance

ARROWPOINT. Archers from different state universities and colleges aim their shots during the early rounds of the archery tournament at Tarlac Recreational Park. (Photo by Pauline Grace Manzano)

BY Eugene Quiazon

NOBODY KNOWS why, but the performance of Firefox archers for this season of State Universities and Colleges of Region III Olympics had

notably lowered compared last year when they reaped more podium finishes.

Elimar Isidro bagged the gold in 30-meter distance category, silver in 50- and 70-meters, and ranked second in the overall score tally.

In women’s, Divina Mappala won gold in 30-meter category, bronze in 60- and 70-meters, and had secured the second place in the Olympic round. However, she only ranked fifth in the overall tally.

Steven Claude Dayrit won gold only in the 30-meter distance.

The former top performer of the Firefox archers, Christ Marzan, slipped off the top three of all the categories.

Although they struggled individually during the prematches, Firefoxes still proved they work better as team, snatching the bronze in the mix team category in men’s.

Meanwhile, the bullseye releases and slashing arrows of the Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST) Phoenixes concluded the Archery battle in their favor, reaping eight

golds, three silvers, and two bronzes.

The Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU) Tamaraws also made the battle tough, snatching the other seven golds, eight silvers, and four bronzes.

NUEST ranked overall champion, followed by Central Luzon State Universities (CLSU) who got three golds, five silvers, and bronze.

TSU only ranked fourth this season compared from last year’s first runner-up finish, harvesting 10 golds, 6 silvers and 5 bronzes.

“Archery is not a ball game sport but it follows the concept of ‘bilog ang bola.’ Nagkulang kami sa preparation due to academic difficulties and naging factor talaga ‘yon sa conditioning namin,” Mappala, Firefox archery team captain, said.

TSU remains 4th, to host... respectively.

The glorious Ronan Abagat remained supreme during his last playing year in the javelin throw, leaving a five-year gold medal legacy.

TSU batters staged a furious comeback after a flawless field domination against tight woes to retrieve the nine gold medals nabbed last season.

Meanwhile, Firefox boxers ruled the ring in convincing technical knockouts as Raven Lance Abagat carved history after his swiftest knockout from p.32 |

in nine seconds against a PMMA contender.

Firefoxes’ bet Jerich Lobo reigned during the Search for Mr. and Ms. SUCO-III 2018 as he brought back the crown for TSU. During the last day of stretch, TSU men’s basketball team ended their five-year championship absence and demolished the established Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University (DHVTSU) with the aid of Renz Capulong who played spectacularly in defense and offense.

“Proud tayo kasi kahit papaano,

RETAINED. Dr. Ligaya Salangsang, SDMO director, receives the trophy of the TSU Firefoxes after they maintained their last year’s spot as third runner-up in the overall medal tally. (Photo by Ralph Laurenz Si)

na-meet natin ‘yong goal natin, which is ma-maintain nga at least ‘yong rank natin sa SCUAA III,” Salangsang added.

SDMO, moreover, is looking forward for another successful SUCIII Olympics as TSU is set to rehost the event for the next season.

FEATURE

BASKETBALL

/P.29

The Birth of New Firefox Hitters

MR. & MS. SUC0 III

/P.30

TSU bags 1st gold after 5 years

Sports

/P.31

BulSU, TSU reclaim SUC III crowns

theWORK

VolUME 70 ISSUE No. 2 NOV 2018 to JAN 2019

TSU remains 4th, to host SUCO-III ‘19

Firefoxes retrieve baseball nat’l ticket

BY ARSENIO S. SANTIAGO JR.

BY ARSENIO S. SANTIAGO JR. and jerico T. Manalo

CARRYING THE devastation from last year’s defeat, Tarlac State University (TSU) Firefoxes struck five consecutive wins to sweep the Baseball tournament held on December 10-14 at Jose V. Yap Recreational Park, Tarlac City, reclaiming their stolen ticket for their flight to National SCUAA last year.

Firefox Baseball Team regained the diamond supremacy after the outlying game against Bulacan State University (BulSU) Gold Gears in their championship match, pounding them with 15-3 finish after the seventh inning.

Despite the glaring one-point lead of Gold Gears in the third inning, 2-1, Firefoxes remained calm and determined to generate homeruns in the fourth up to the last inning, thwarting | to p.30

BACK AT IT. Firefoxes’ Karl Canlas is all-geared to throw the ball as they are set to claim the throne they once owned during the baseball finals held at TRP. (Photo by Ralph Laurenz Si)

HOME COURT BATTLE TSU welcomes SUCO-III delegates

BY ARSENIO S. SANTIAGO JR.

AFTER ITS last hosting in 2010, Firefox is now afire as Dr. Myrna Q. Mallari, president of Tarlac State University, officially opened the State Universities and Colleges Olympics (SUCO) 2018 at Tarlac Recreational Park Sports Complex with a home court advantage, vying a higher spot in the region

with this year’s theme, “The will to win within.”

The sky is perfect with ash gray clouds as the collision of colors started the opening ceremony with the parade of athletes from different schools in the region. Athletes were presented by their respective schools followed by their assembly in the field accompanied by their sports directors and

FIRE OF UNITY. Tarlac State University’s torch bearer Ronan Isaac Abagat lights the cauldron during the opening ceremony of the SUC III Olympics 2018 at Tarlac Recreational Park Sports Complex, December 9. (Photo by Isaih Kyle C. Umipig)

officials.

Tarlac province Governor Susan Yap and Tarlac City Mayor Ma. Cristina Angeles extended their words of hospitality as they highlighted the importance of sports in the total human development of every student.

Angeles encouraged everyone to support local athletes to prepare them in a bigger field while Yap pushed athletes to train hard with discipline as she motivated them to aim high and achieve higher possibilities because according to her, “our youth is our future.”

Senator Sonny Angara, meanwhile, graced the opening ceremony and lightened the atmosphere with his pickup lines while seriously discussing the insufficient support of the government in the sports sector.

Angara imposed his support to the SUCs in their campaign to elevate the quality of sports facilities and athlete that they can produce by allocating fund to augment the needs.

“Walang mabilis na daan sa sport. There are no shortcuts, only sacrifices, but that what makes

the winning team even sweeter,” Angara said as he ended his speech persuading the coaches not to stop honing talents.

The sun got brighter as ever when the lighting of cauldron took place. Ronan Isaac Abagat led the lighting of torch together with the other National SCUAA gold medalists. The lighting of the SUCO-III 2018 cauldron signifies unity and camaraderie among the participating SUCs in the region.

“I just cherish every remaining SCUAA moment I have,” Abagat said, who is on his last year of playing after his four consecutive years of gold medal finishes in the national games.

An emphatic silent drill exhibition from the Cadet Officers of Regalia Battalion Class of 2019 mesmerized the crowd followed by the closing remarks of DCSUC III CIRPS President Cornelio Garcia.

“I envisioned Region 3 to be the overall champion for National SCUAA 2020,” Garcia stated, leaving a strong message that set the note high for the best crop who will be advancing for the national games.

DESPITE THE unexpected trims, this year’s host Tarlac State University (TSU) remained fourth in the region during the recently held State Universities and Colleges Olympics (SUCOIII), December 10-14.

TSU pulled off a richer harvest of 31 gold, 31 silver, and 45 bronze medals compared from last season’s 16-48-42 medal haul drought.

Dr. Ligaya Salangsang, Sports Development and Management Office (SDMO) director, expressed her words of appreciation to the Tarlac City and TSU administration who, according to her, made things possible to host the biggest sporting event in the region.

“Too many names to mention but the success of the event is a team effort,” Salangsang said.

This year’s SUCO-III surprised the spectators after not seeing the usual teams playing.

SDMO faced big shift prior to the competition after dissolving expected teams and reviving new breed of teams who were foreseen to contribute gold medals. “‘Yong action na ‘yon naman ay ating pinag-isipan. Kung director ka kasi, dapat madiskarte ka. Dapat alam mo kung saan mo dadalhin ‘yong team mo,” Salangsang stressed.

SDMO gave life to the revamped team of volleyball women, softball, football and futsal men which actually took silver, bronze and semi| to p.31 final appearance,

SUC III OLYMPICS 2018

TSU FIREFOX OFFICIAL MEDAL TALLY

31 GOLD

31

SILVER

45

BRONZE SOURCE: SportS DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OFFICE