The Work Tabloid (Vol. 67 Issue No. 1)

VOLUME 67 NO. 1

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JUNE - JULY 2015

TSUians warned: No excuses for ‘fake’ med clearances ∎ DAN G. OBLIGACION Ignorance of the law excuses no one!

Criminal offense may be charged to students who will violate school policies prohibiting the use of falsified medical certificates to meet the requirements in joining off-campus activities, the university physician cautioned as they set new rules for medical clearance in June.

Dr. Rommel Hernandez, director of Medical Service Office, instructed on-duty nurses to certify only those certificates that they specifically issued after the applicants had undergone medical assessment in the university clinic.

Hernandez urged students to avoid any form of cheating like tampering medical certificates to comply with field trip and seminar requirements.

He added medical certificates which licensed practitioners issue have corresponding legal implications not only in the university.

Under Article 174 of the Revised Penal Code, any private person who shall falsify a medical certificate shall face the penalty of arresto mayor or imprisonment from one month and one day to six months.

Meanwhile, Article 175 states that anyone who shall knowingly use a false certificate shall be detained within one day to 30 days, termed as penalty of arresto menor.

SEE ON PAGE 5

thework THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF TARLAC STATE UNIVERSITY MEMBER: COLLEGE EDITORS GUIILD OF THE PHILIPPINES

BANDAGE SOLUTION. Chain of circumstances inside the university alarms the Civil Security Office to impose actions to strengthen campus security. One of measures enacted by the department is information dissemination by posting signage in the academe reminding students to be cautious on lawless people.

Student leaders attend int’l confab Dux Gregis talks world issues

∎ AQIYL B. ENRIQUEZ

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE. University clinic personnel give fundamental health assistance to the victims of catastrophe during the earthquake drill.

TSU prepares for ‘The Big One’ ∎ JHAYVI C. DIZON

WHAT’S INSIDE

In participation to the national awareness campaign, Tarlac State University executed an alertness program with actual enactment of situations in an earthquake drill at TSU-Main grounds on July 28.

Asis Puno, officer of the Emergency Response Team, said logically comparing Bohol’s earthquake which affected Cebu, a magnitude 6.8 tremor is expected to shake Tarlac if a big one (with approximately 7.2 magnitude) will hit Manila which is only 121-km apart from the province.

“Ang drill na ito was for the preparation for the student body talaga kasi hindi naman kami (as emergency response teams) ‘yung first respondents ng mga ganitong sakuna kundi kayo. Na’ndito lang naman kami para ma-inform kayo kung paano yung mga gagawin niyo lalo na

NEWS

sa mga bagay na ganito that happen without notice,” Puno said.

(This drill was really for the preparation for the student body for we are not (as emergency response teams) the first respondents of this disaster but you. We are only here to inform you on what to do especially on these matters that happens without notice.)

Puno cleared Tarlac is not marked by any fault line but is bounded by earthquake-prone areas in Nueva Ecija and Zambales, making the province vulnerable to “sinkholes”.

Vital evacuation spots along the stretch of Romulo Blvd., Engineering grounds and Heroes’ Park and certain open areas at the back of the main campus were also mapped.

Meanwhile, the traditional “duck, cover and hold” is still advised SEE ON PAGE 2

EDITORIAL

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In-depth deliberations concerning global matters became the focus of the 1st Dux Gregis: International Youth Leaders Convergence in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on June 25–28.

Dux Gregis, a Latin word for “leaders of all leaders”, aims to provide the International Youth Leaders Community and Organizations, with 21st Century Advanced Youth Program and Community Development Concept Plans, Operational Systems, and Development Designs and Templates.

In an interview with Miguel Paolo Nunag, Supreme Student Council (SSC) president and one of the delegates, he considered same sex marriage and the rejection of the

SEE ON PAGE 5

TSU alumnus, new ASEAN Engineer

∎ OLIVER JOHN S. TABAQUERO

A batch ‘90 alumnus and now President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a big time Quezon City based industrial corporation received his certificate and medallion last June 4 along with other applicants from different industries and academic institutions.

Engr. Eric Jude Soliman, a graduate of BS Mechanical Engineering, brought honor to his Alma Mater as he was the first TSU Alumnus to be deliberated by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to be part of

OPINION

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members of LGBT as one of the most alarming issues in the world which needs to be addressed.

“Our emotions must not become a hindrance to our decisions,” Nunag answered expressing his affirmation towards homosexuals.

He said one of the arguments in the conference which is worth commemorating is the discussion where a speaker promoted a specific religion saying there’s no such thing as great decision making for people with a different religion.

“Kapag umalis ka sa TSU at nakapunta ka sa ibang bansa, ‘pag ang naka-debate mo ay taga ibang bansa pa, mapipilitan kang mag-English para makausap sila. Mas marami kang matutunan du’n mismo sa mga tao at sa seminar na pwede mong ma-

Nang madapa si Magnifico

the ASEAN Engineering Register (AER).

According to Engr. Romeo Pulmano, one of his former mentors in the university, Soliman met all the requirements for becoming an ASEAN Engineer.

“Marami siyang experience.

Tapos sinubmit niya ‘yung mga credentials niya. Bago ka kasi maging ASEAN Engineer, may qualifications ‘yun,” Pulmano said.

Active Student

Pulmano said that when Soliman was still a student, he actively participated in different SEE ON PAGE 5

DEVCOMM

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SPORTS

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Earning the highest accreditation…

PASUC, CHED hail Mallari as univ professor ∎ JAHRED BERTOLFO

Dr. Myrna Q. Mallari, university president, gained the highest accreditation after being awarded as a university professor out of six national qualifiers by the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) awarded.

The accreditation started on a university evaluation followed by a regional certification which includes assessment on research, extension programs, and leadership experience.

After qualifying for national accreditation, Mallari presented herself to the panel of judges and passed the final interview, making her and the other university professor from Bulacan State University (BulSU) two of those who were accredited.

EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS Mallari said she needs to live up with the expectation of the academe.

“Kasi kapag university professor ka nga, you are looked up as the highest position. You need to prove you are worth of the accreditation,” she explained.

(When you are a university professor, you are looked up as the one in the highest position. You need to prove you are worth of the accreditation.)

In line with this, she mentioned institutionalizing Outcomes-Based Education (OBE) in the university as a good strategy for quality teaching and education. OBE is an educational theory which focuses on outcomes that the students are expected to SEE ON PAGE 4

News

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The Work • June-July 2015

Land rights delay flood fix ∎ JHAYVI C. DIZON

The pathway in front of the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) remains submerged in flood waters after maintenance officers from the university disclosed alterations cannot be made to the structure due to its ownerships.

The building, located near the main campus’ third gate, is owned by the Local Government of Tarlac City.

Ronald Aquino, General Services Office (GSO) director, said the main reason that caused water stagnancy along the pathway was due to the elevation of the nearby

ground at the back of the university’s gymnasium.

“Nag-umpisa kasi yan nung nagkaproject yung SSC, umangat siya ng 1 meter tumaas siya, sumunod yung sa Citywalk, nataas din. Ang naiwan niyan ‘yung level natin.

‘Yung plano naman, ililipat na yung pathway,” Aquino mentioned when asked on possible courses of action.

(It all started when an SSC project [altered the vacated lot at the side of the gymnasium] which made the neighboring soil 1 meter higher, then came the construction of the mall which left [the pathway] on a lower level. The plan is to construct a new path [for students].)

Plans and funding for the said fix have already been readied, however, the office also stated that the lack of manpower pushes back workloads, and project prioritization.

“Ang tao namin 26 lang serving 3 campuses, ganu’n kakonti,. So ‘yung mga trabaho na ini-ischedule hindi pwedeng sabay-sabay,” Regina Chico of the Physical Plant & Facilities Office, added.

(The office only has 26 persons for manpower which caters 3 campuses, so the scheduled works can’t be done all at once.)

Pallets made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are currently in use as a temporary solution for the flooding.

PROLONGED AGONY. TSUians still endure the brunt of passing by along the flooded premises near the Office of Student Affairs building.

SDO launches contest for campus orgs ∎ JOSEPH C. DE JESUS

Student Development Office (SDO) proposes search for Ten Outstanding Student Organizations’ Projects of TSU through a competition.

In accordance with the mechanics of the competition given

by SDO, proposals of projects shall be submitted with the application for recognition of student organizations.

Every project shall consist of three collaborating student organization and the project shall be included in the General Plan of Action (GPOA) of each organization when approved.

Participants are also encouraged to join the student fair three weeks after the start of classes of the first FLASHLIGHT. Sama–samang sinindihan ng mga aktibong lider–estudyante at mamamahayag–pangkampus ang kandila na nagsisilbing tanglaw tungo sa pagiging positibo at serbisyong bukal sa puso habang pinapatugtog ang kantang Flashlight bilang bahagi ng ika–15 Leadership Training Summit na ginanap sa Teachers’ Camp, Baguio City.

College pubs join LTS ‘15 ∎ JOSEPH C. DE JESUS and BONJOEBEE R. BELLO

For over the past 14 years of providing the needs of student councils, opportunity for campus journalists from different colleges opened once again to participate Leadership Training Summit (LTS) on its 17th year.

“There is a need to include student–writers because they are also student leaders. Writers deal with students too.” Professor Gladie Natherine G. Cabanizas, director of Student Development Office, stated.

In an interview with Kristine F. Umali, The Browser– Editor in Chief (EIC) of the College of Computer Studies, this kind of seminar is vital for journalists since they also exercise leadership skills.

Dr. Myrna Q. Mallari, TSU president, addressed the plans of the administration in attaining the goal of becoming one of the premier universities in Asia.

“We should have an

access among the students in our community by providing scholarship, programs that they could want to enroll to, by providing the needed facilities, etc.” Mallari said on how to catch up in the new Vision and Mission of TSU. With the theme, “DYNAMIC STUDENT LEADERS: Inspire, Influence, Achieve!” five modules were discussed to more than 150 students by different speakers.

Ms. Noorain S. Sabdulla, TOSP Alumni batch 2008 and Chairwoman of BayaniTayo, tackled the Youth’s Role in Nation Building.

Forum was followed by Dr. Zenaida M. Serna, PAASA–Region III founder and CLSU Alumni Affairs Director on her talk entitled “You and Your Personality”.

Function and Responsibility of Council Officer and of Editorial Board and Staff were discussed by

TSU prepares for... to practice as the first emergency response for survival.

TSU-Civil Security Unit (TSUCSU) tied up with the local Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management

Mr. Algene Ricart M. Ramos, SSC president year 2006–2007, and Ms. Mae Anne D. Creencia, former EIC of The Work and TOSP–Region III qualifier, respectively.

As the last speaker, Dr. Grace Anne G. Hasegawa, PESO Manager, stressed on her K 2B Me: Fifty Shades of Leadership of how strength starts in individual.

Meanwhile, Miguel Paulo Nunag, SSC president, and Bonjoebee R. Bello, The Work EIC, shared their messages in the last day of the seminar.

At the end of the three day summit, Prof. Cabanizas pushed student leaders and journalists to appropriately manage their financial matters in their respective organizations in the coming academic year 2015–2016.

LTS was held at Teacher’s Camp, Leonard Wood Road, Baguio City on June 17–19.

semester to promote their own projects.

The search, on its first year, is expected to become productive and shall engage and bring fun to all TSUians.

“Basta ang pinaka-puso ng search na ito ay gumawa tayo ng bago at makabuluhang ingay sa university.

‘Yung tunay at may sense hindi puro pang-personal na motibo lang. ‘Yung projects na may puso at higit sa lahat, fun!” Ms. Christine Angelique Yanga, staff of the SDO, said.

(The heart of this search is for us to do new and worthwhile noise in the university. A real [project] and with sense, and not for personal motive only. Those projects with heart and more than anything else, fun!)

Entertaining int’l spectators…

TSU stages Phl culture ∎ JOSEPH C. DE JESUS

After receiving an invitation from the French Embassy, TSU– Performing Arts (PA) wowed the audience on their Philippine folk and ethnic dance performances at the Festivals du Sud in Spain “It’s our humble way of introducing Philippine culture through folk and ethnic dances to the world and at the same time exposing the talents of our students and the good image of our university.” Mr. Marcelino Balanquit, director of the Culture and the Arts, stated.

Among the 22 folk dances performed, Tinikling was the most acknowledged presentation of TSUPA during the festivity.

Balanquit added “leaving a mark on global festivals such as

Festivals de Sud is a rare opportunity for a state university like TSU.”

FESTIVALS DU SUD Festivals de Sud is an annual series of folklore festivals in southern Europe which takes place during the months of July to August, uniting folkloric groups around the world which is the spirit of the event.

It comprises four festivities namely, Festival internacional de los pirineos in Jaca, Spain, Festifalk Festival in Alcala de la Selva, Spain, RITE Festival in St. Girons, France, and La Fage Festival in St. Juliens, France.

Each festival covered almost a week and participated by 20 countries including China, Germany, Greece, Iran, Italy, and Russia.

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Council (PDRRMC), Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM), Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Red Cross (PRC) and ROTC to make the simulation possible.

The earthquake drill was done to

support the attentiveness campaign organized by the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

WORLD CLASS. TSU– Performing Arts impresses the international scene on their spectacular performance during the Festivals du Sud in Spain.

News

The Work • June-July 2015

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‘Kalayaan Atin Ito’ presses TSUians to lead on China dispute ∎ JAHRED F. BERTOLFO

Kalayaan Atin Ito organization urged student leaders and journalists of the university to become frontliners in saving Scarborough Shoal against China on a forum at TSU–Main AVR, July 25.

“It’s the youth whose future is at stake. That’s why I see it very important for the youth to be part of this (cause),” Nicanor Faeldon, a member of Kalayaan Atin Ito, expressed.

He mentioned adults have failed the youth and have not taken the correct actions and measures in protecting our territory.

Kalayaan Atin Ito visits different provinces all over the country to encourage the youth to join “Freedom Voyage” to Palawan initially scheduled on November 30 to December 30 this year.

Freedom Voyage, a part of Kalayaan Atin Ito’s mission, is intended to send youth in Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) and witness the sight of China’s taking over at Scarborough Shoal.

ANTI-PROP SENTIMENTS A total of 40 students from TSU will join the said voyage according to Kalayaan Atin Ito. “Una, nakikita ko na masyadong malaki ang impact sa pagtawag ng world attention kung youth ang mga makikita nilang mag-initiate ng ganung action.

Ikalawa, dahil naniniwala ako sa point nila na tayo, as youth, ang may time and guts para sumama dun,” Jayriz Dungca, one of the participants, said.

(First, I can see the big impact in calling the world attention if they witness the youth initiating this kind of action. Second, because I believe to the point the we, as youth, have the time and guts to join as such.)

On the other hand, Miguel Paolo Nunag, Supreme Student Council (SSC) president, said he is not willing to risk the lives of the students.

“Kung nga ang mga fisherman ay binomba (ng China) ng tubig, what more kung pati tayo nandu’n?,” Nunag expressed.

(If the fishermen where bombarded [by China] with water, what more if we [students] are also there?)

Nunag takes online campaign as an alternative propaganda for sympathizing to Kalayaan Atin Ito’s advocacy.

“There are a lot of propagandas that we can help as a youth pero kung ang hinihingi nila eh ang i-frontline tayo, kung ako lang, hindi ako papayag,” Nunag added.

(There are a lot of propagandas in which we can help as a youth, but if they are asking for us to become front liners, if I were asked, I will disagree.)

AUTHENTICITY CHECK. A nurse from the university clinic examines the health of a student who will participate an activity in the academe.

TSUians warned...

Hernandez told the university is complying with the existing Commission on Higher Education memorandum in ensuring student safety in every offcampus activities and is already in effect even before Madlum Tragedy occurred in 2014, killing seven students from Bulacan State University.

The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs requires applicants for educational trips and seminars to submit their authenticated medical certificate or clearance from the university clinic, parental consent, photocopy of parent’s or guardian’s valid ID, program of activities, and transportation insurance.

AUTHENTICITY ANOMALY The medical clinic in Main Campus in June reported two unnamed students, bound to an organizational convention, who have submitted photocopies of illegally tampered medical certificates for authentication.

The doctor said it is the first time the clinic encountered such incident.

Jay Harold Panlilio, attending nurse, found the forms were not authentic as

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the photocopies came from a tampered clearance circulating in the organization of two violators.

Panlilio, who identified his signature in the medical certificates, confirmed those written in the forms’ name, age, and address section are not his handwritings. He also found identical diagnosis in the clearances including a same illness history of Typhoid Fever.

“They got the data from a different individual. Later on, if something happened to them, there will be repercussions. Actually, it’s a criminal offense. You can go to jail by that,” Hernandez stated.

Hernandez appealed to students to set medical appointment early before their activities to avoid delays.

He added the certificates are valid for six months and only photocopies of the document are needed to be presented in for authentication.

“Medical certificate is a certification that you are physically fit so do not look at it as something you just need to comply with. It is important to know their

physical fitness,” Hernandez explained.

SANCTIONS The Student Discipline Unit immediately banned the violators from participating in their convention as their initial sanction. However, suspension was not awarded because the students were not enrolled in the Summer Semester of June and July.

Rodrigo Juguilon, Disipline Unit coordinator, said the office is still reviewing the case but the director has considered removing the students from their respective organizations.

Hearing will resume in the first regular semester.

Falsification of official documents are dealt under Chapter 31 of the Student Handbook. Sanctions for the first commission range from one month to one year suspension.

In addition, sanctions for the second commission range from one year suspension to non-admission to the institution while non-admission to the institution plus suspension to expulsion for the third commission.

Engineering infra undergo renovation ∎ OLIVER JOHN S. TABAQUERO

EXPANDING TERRITORY. The College of Engineering ensures the foundation of quality education through the renovation and retrofitting of the building.

The engineering building gets an upsize.

Expanded laboratories will soon be in use as part of the P21-million renovation and retrofitting project in the TSU– College of Engineering (COE) building this year.

Engr. Edwin Dela Vega, professor at the Civil Engineering department and the overall in-charge of the renovation, said laboratories were developed to comply with the appropriate measurements depending on the size of the equipment and apparatus.

“Kung anong size ng mga equipment mo, dapat magkakasya

doon sa laboratory na paglalagyan mo. Kung mechanical engineering laboratory, mga boilers ‘yan. Pag sa testing lab naman, kay Sir Camilo [Rivera], may equipment rin na malalaki.”, Engr. Dela Vega specified.

(The laboratory should provide enough space for the equipment to be installed there. Mechanical Engineering laboratory has broilers.

On testing laboratory, of Sir Camilo Rivera, it has also enormous equipment.)

Dela Vega added their technical committee is conducting a study if it is possible to add another story to the building.

With regards to future plans, the engineer said other phases for further

improvement of the building will be determined by the disbursement of funds.

The upgrade is also in line with the college’s bid for accreditation in the Washington Accord, an international agreement for professional engineering academic degrees among bodies responsible for accrediting engineering degree programs.

STUDENTS’ RESPONSE Engineering Student Council (ESC) Governor Jeisemer Ronquillo supports the renovation but asks for a better scheduling of classes.

“Okay lang naman ‘yung may SEE ON PAGE 5

VPSA pushes orgs on sound accounting practice ∎ DAN G. OBLIGACION

The Office of the Vice president for Student Affairs (VPSA) in June conducted accounting lectures for student organizations to lessen repeated erroneous practices in disclosing financial transactions, to strengthen fund monitoring and control.

Based on the previous years’ liquidation reports from IAS, formerly handled student audit, several “loophole” were discovered such as unfilled forms and the use of invalid documents to support expense claims.

In June 10, 11, 23, and 24, Ms. Jinky M. Guzman, in-charge in fund management of student councils and publications, presented guidelines on the release of organizational fundings from the university collection, and on

the proper liquidation of cash advances used in student activities and projects.

Assessment exercises were given to participants and questions were also entertained.

After student fund management was vested to VPSA, reporting period was mandated to be submitted within 30 days after every activity.

Guzman said organizations with unsettled expense reports hindered them from claiming their budget for their succeeding projects and activities which delays student services.

She added they want to expand and improve the usual accounting seminar that Internal Audit Services (IAS), set in the previous years in such a way council officers and campus journalists would know the “correct” liquidation procedures.

She explained the common dilemmas are those of the improper use of receipts like attaching liquidation reports with order slips, delivery receipts, and even official receipts with expired validity. She stressed these are unacceptable as proofs of payment.

In addition, she affirmed some organizations have submitted liquidation reports of budget spending on activities which did not received any approval from the VPSA. Activities which lacks resolution of approval are strictly prohibited by the administration.

POLITICS Guzman agreed liquidation problems may also be linked with organizational relations like political conflicts.

CERTIFIED TRUE AND CORRECT. Compilation of liquidation reports on the table are still in the process of verification by Ms. Jinky Guzman, in charge of student councils and publications fund management.

In some colleges, she said, some student leaders tend to leave their positions without proper turn-over of accountabilities to newly-elected officers so the latter burdened in finances.

However, Guzman pointed

graduate students will not be able to take their credentials if they have unsettled responsibility from their respective organizations.

She explained student leaders are role models so they must set a good example in handling finances.

News

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The Work • June-July 2015

No age req’t for scholars says Canlas ∎ DANIEL CARREON

‘ISKOLAR NG BAYAN.’ A student from the College of Education complies with all the requirements needed to avail scholarship grant.

Amid allegations filed by an applicant, Dr. Elsie M. Canlas, Director for Endowment and Scholarship, cleared there is no age requirement for TSU students to be granted an academic scholarship.

The issue came up after a 22-year old College of Business and Accountancy (CBA) student claimed that a scholarship was not granted solely due to her age.

“I was applying for a college scholarship grant since I have met the needed GWA, and then someone from the scholarship office asked me how old I am. When I said I’ll be turning twenty-one on the next day, I was told that I am no longer

qualified to be granted an academic scholarship. It is unfair because I really think I was deprived of what is rightfully mine. I believe the scholarship grant must not be measured by the applicant’s age,” the student, whose identity was requested to be withheld, shared her sentiment in Filipino.

However, Dr. Canlas claimed she had not yet encountered cases similar to the CBA student’s.

“Maybe she has only encountered student assistants who we have every enrollment to assist student applicants, but they [student assistants] might not be well-informed about the age requirement,” she said.

Canlas also noted the age

limit requirement for scholarships always depends upon the type of scholarship program the students are applying for, with various programs imposing age requirements long before she became the head for scholarships.

“Private sponsors, for example, are very strict that they manage to check the age of the students who apply for them. I believe they required this [age limit] because when you turn 21, you are already independent. If you had a continuous schooling, then at this age you should have already graduated.

That is why age limit is required for these types of scholarship, but not for the academic scholarship program,” she stressed.

CCS Bldg. constructed; Left wing ready for August ∎ JENIKA BIANCA ICASIANO

OLIVER JOHN S. TABAQUERO

SAN ISIDRO CAMPUS – The left wing of the new College of Computer Studies (CCS) building with eight lecture rooms is all set for occupancy.

Phase one, which includes the foundation and the two floors for the left wing, and Phase two, consisting of the third and fourth floor, were completed on August.

The portion of the infrastructure is a four story building with two classrooms where each costs 34 million pesos.

The construction of the whole building will cost approximately 93 million pesos upon completion.

Engr. Marlon Gamido, CCS Dean, said the right wing with five floors and three rooms per level is now under construction. The center wing was approved by the Board of Regents for awarding and the winning bidder is now complying with the requirements.

“Hopefully, by second sem 2015-2016, kung mabilis matapos, magagamit na namin ‘yung buong building”, Prof. Gamido gladly stated.

(Hopefully, by second semester 2015 –2016, if the construction will be

accomplished quickly, we will be able to utilized the whole building.)

He added the rooms of the new edifice will be sufficient to house the growing population of CCS students.

Arch. Marco F. Bildan, dean of College of Architecture and Fine Arts, heads the planning of the architectural schemes.

“There will be lecture rooms. There will be laboratories, since CCS siya.

Plus merong 250 seater na AVR sa top floor ng center wing. Sa gitna, ground floor, merong stage for activities ng estudyante. Magkakaroon din ng open hall for exhibits, researches, activities, locker areas and others” Prof. Gamido said, as he explained the features drawn by Arch. Bildan.

(There will be lecture rooms.

There will be laboratories, since it is intended for CCS [students]. There is also a 250 seater AVR at the top floor of the center wing. At the middle, ground floor, there is also a stage provided for the activities of students.

An open hall for exhibits, researches, activities, locker areas and others are also included in the design.)

Moreover, the new CCS building is to be part of the technological campus of TSU in San Isidro.

PASUC, CHED hail... accomplish by the end of the course.

Mallari dared TSU professors as she reached highest accreditation as a University Professor.

“I want to become a role model for TSU. We are encouraging faculty members to do research, to do extension, to become better leader, to promote instructions,” Mallari said.

Mallari also mentioned professors should be enthusiastic on teaching and on giving their best.

“If you [teachers] are not happy with what you are doing, you cannot give the best of you. And if you cannot give the best of you, you better resign,” she emphasized.

QUALIFICATIONS AND PROCESS In accordance to the guidelines of Position Classification and Compensation Scheme For Faculty

Positions (PCCSFP), Common Criteria for Evaluation (CCE) is established which includes a set of factors consisting of services and achievements which establishes the relative performance of a faculty in the institution.

PASUC and CHED developed the CCE placing more emphasis on advancement and performance rather than on educational qualifications.

CCE follows a pointing system of which includes educational qualification, experience and professional services, and professional development, achievement and honors as major factors for maximum scores.

In addition, promotions to higher rank and sub-rank shall be subject to Qualitative Contribution Evaluation (QCE) – the process of determining the eligibility of a faculty candidate

ON THE RISE. The left wing of the newly– built edifice is now open to accommodate the students of the College of Computer Studies.

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for the particular rank and sub-rank indicated by the CCE. Qualitative Contribution (QC) is the continuous improvement towards excellence by a faculty member in all four functional areas of the institution namely, instruction, research, extension and production.

The requirements for appointment as College/ University Professor comprise CCE points of at least 195, Doctorate degree, professional accreditation, a pass from a Screening Committee constituted by PASUC and a QC in at least three out of the four functional areas.

Upon recommendation by the institution head concerned, all candidates for the rank of College/ University Professor shall undergo screening by an independent body, to be organized by PASUC.

Gathering facts for ethical media practice…

TSUians partake ‘The Invasion’ ∎ JHAYVI DIZON

JAHRED F. BERTOLFO

With the aim to supplement pertinent information on journalistic writing, media ethics and restrictions, Communication Arts students and campus journalists took part on “The Invasion,” a student forum at Citywalk, Tarlac on July 31.

With the theme, “Ethical Media Practices in the Philippines,” the speakers of the event, including RJ LA

Stone and RJ Halle from UFM 105.5 and Sarah Pineda from PEPTV3, gave insights on public accountability and recalled the Journalism Code of Ethics.

An open forum was opened to cater students’ queries about the matters of balanced journalism.

Ralph Michael Bondoc, a member of Debate Society and one of the attendees, reacted upon what Pineda tackled with regards to how media practitioners exercise their ability to

write news and how they write such.

Bondoc expressed his disappointments regarding to the speakers’ affirmation to the fact that some news media is presenting in the national television is quite manipulated and some of the media practitioners do “one-sided news story” without further asking for the other side of the coin.

The forum was conducted by PEPTV3 in partnership with 105.5 UFM.

TSU-PA houses newly formed dance group ∎ JOSEPH C. DE JESUS

TSU Performing Arts (PA) welcomes its new family member – TSU-PA Hip hop dance group.

Focal Point, a hiphop dance team, ended its three-year journey of grooving the dance floor as the troupe was dissolved resulting to the formation of the TSU-PA Hiphop Dance Group.

Mr. Daniel Dizon, former adviser of the Focal Point said the disbandment was due to the absence of an office that will hold the team which concludes to the unrecognition of the group as an official university dance troupe.

As a result, TSU-PA Hiphop Dance Group was created to replace Focal Point as the official modern dance performer of the university under the office of President’s Committee on Culture and the Arts (PCCA) with Professor Joseph Melegrito as the chairperson of the said organization.

Meanwhile, he explained, the aspiring recruits must undergo audition, training and should accomplish one year of exemplary service with commitment to the

university in accordance to the program of PCCA in order to be an official member of the dance group.

The members of the said dance group will be granted full scholarship and are expected to be given full support from the administration upon the completion of requirements.

TSU-PA Hiphop Dance Group is now in the process of preparation for the upcoming competitions such as the Center for Interinstitutional Research and Policy Studies (CIRPS) on September and the National Dance Championship (NDC).

The dance group now belongs under the TSU-PA together with the chorale, the rondalia and the bands, the cultural dance group and literary and other organizations.

Moreover, the university administration is doing all the adjustments including prioritizing Commission on Higher Education endorsed activities and those should be aligned for accreditations to pursue a more organized supervision.

News Outsiders target TSUians

The Work • June-July 2015

5

Guards to seize more IDs, fix security gaps anew

∎ FRANCIS ETHAN JOHN GARCIA DAN OBLIGACION

The Civil Security Unit (CSU) guaranteed to confiscate more student identification cards to enforce strict ID wearing policy after claiming several reports in June including an alleged tuition scheme by an outsider skipping the Gate Access Monitoring and Identification System (GAMIDS).

The security director, in an interview, said they were strengthening ID monitoring to ensure the safety and security of the students and faculty after they have learned that lawless elements have found their way to penetrate the security using lost IDs including that of the alumni. School drop outs are also slipping in the campus grounds.

Prof. Francisco Blanco, who assumed office last April, explained

the policy involves identifying who are the real insiders and prevent unathorized individuals from touching university premises.

In a memorandum order signed by the university president on June 4, all teaching and non- teaching personnel and staff were also mandated to wear their TSU radio frequency identification (RFID) while staying inside the school for proper identification purposes. The order called for security guards to closely monitor the implementation of the wearing and use of RFID. Blanco also cited lapses of the GAMIDS which includes the malfunctioning of the RFID turnstile scanners.

He furthered unreported RFID losses and those from the school drop outs are not automatically cleared in the registry so outsiders, if not

TSU alumnus,... student organizations inside and even outside TSU.

“Naging president siya ng student orgs. Between 1985 hanggang 1990 very active siya.

‘Yung organizations pa sa labas.

Very active siya,” Pulmano stated.

His former mentor also said that Soliman’s character never changed and that it was his willpower that made him successful.

“Meron siyang will kaya talagang naabot niya ‘yung gusto niya. Gusto pa nga niyang maging international ‘yung company niya,” Pulmano specified.

Looking back The former student and now ASEAN Engineer never forgot

to look back at the university that educated him. Pulmano said that Soliman had a scholarship program for TSUians that started three years ago.

Pulmano also stated that his former student visits TSU a lot of times and that he is willing to help TSU.

“Naging guest speaker pa nga natin siya ‘diba? Nung sa graduation last year. Madalas siyang pumasyal dito. Willing na willing siyang tumulong.

Pag nakaka-kwentuhan ko siya, nagtatampo siya. Alumnus siya tapos hindi nilalapitan eh ang laki ng maitutulong niya,” Pulmano added.

leadership skills,” he said.

In the four–day convergence, the topics tackled comprise of E-Learning Era of Leadership Development Programs, Humanitarian Communications: The New Age of Journalism, The Gender Sensitivity Evolution, Business Globalization through Financial Market, Climate Change and World Disaster Management, World Cultural Arts Commercialization & Licensing, International Leadership Education: Standards and Ethics, and Interfaith: World’s Faith & Battle.

This includes transnational competitions namely, Ten Best Youth Programs of the World, Global Extemporaneous Speech Face-off, World Tourism Marketing Challenge,

renovation kaya lang disturbed masyado ‘yung classes ng estudyante,” Ronquillo stated.

(The renovation is okay, however, the classes of the students are too disturbed.)

The student leader said she came up with a suggestion to occupy the College of Human Kinetics (CHK) building but was hindered due to the fact that the College of Business and Accountancy (CBA) were there first to utilize.

“Dapat gawan din ng paraan ng university ‘yung rooms kasi ang estudyante ang number one customer nila,” the governor added.

(The university should also do actions on the classrooms [which will accommodate the students while the renovation is ongoing] because the students are their number one

ELECTRICAL ENGINEER LICENSURE EXAMINATION

Institutional Passing Percentage: 30% National Passing Percentage: 31.57%

Institutional Passing Percentage: 51.52% National Passing Percentage: 41.92%

1. Asuncion, Harold Jude C. 2. Bravo, Kimberly D. 3. Bergonio, Rex M. 4. Flores, Louie D. 5. Gragasin, Dione Lailane P. 6. Jacinto, Roxanne May R. 7. Lenon, Christian Paul A. 8. Medrano, Fernando S. 9. Pineda, Louie Jie Miguel T. 10. Sarmiento, Kiervyn E. 11. Sese, Gener G. 12. Ruales, Ronald P.

1. Afan, Marlon F. 2. Aguilar, Rafael A. 3. Arandia, Jimmy Jr. M. 4. Brillo, Jay Pee S. 5. Capinpin, Zenith A. 6. Daileg, Roger C. 7. Domingo, Jay Paul M. 8. Dulay, Robin R. 9. Espinosa, Antonette M. 10. Fernandez, Allen C. 11. Jazmin, Enrique Jr. M. 12. Mercado, Julius Dean T.

TUITION SCHEME The CSU alerted tuition payers on the alleged scheme which took P 2,000 sum from a female student during the first summer term enrollment.

According to Blanco, the male suspect presented himself a university personnel and offered assistance to the victim on the lengthy payment process.

However, this is not the first incident according to Blanco. Early in 2015 before he assumed office,

a student was already a victim of a tuition scheme.

The security group has yet to identify the suspect and determine whether the two incidents are part of an established modus operandi among universities and colleges, Blanco told, adding the supposed complainant did not file a written statement about her identity and her case.

Though the report was not verified, Blanco furthered, the CSU is keen in securing no new incident will be tolled.

In line with this, CSU posted notices in the cashiering queue, business center, and gates for the transacting public. Printed in the notices are BABALA: MAGINGAT SA MGA MANLOLOKO and HUWAG MAGPABAYAD NG TUITION FEE KAHIT KANINO.

customer.)

Despite of the difficulties encountered, engineering students expressed positivity on the ongoing renovation.

“Ilang months lang naman ‘tong renovation eh. Ilang months lang naman ‘tong pagtitiis natin. Kapag nadevelop na ‘to tayo din naman makikinabang” Lynn Kressel Layug, fourth year Civil Engineering student, stated.

(The renovation will only take few months. We will only endure for a few months. When the building was already developed, we will also be the one who will benefited.)

REMEDY FOR INCONVENIENCE Dr. Miriam Galvez, Dean of COE, reached out to all the faculty members of Engineering to prepare

FROM PAGE 3

a student’s self-managed learning (SSML) activity where the students would be given advance lessons in case their assigned classroom is not available.

In the letter addressed to all COE professors, the stage, two sections of the student center and lobby of the right and left wing of the Engineering building can be used as temporary classrooms.

Dr. Galvez assured the ongoing renovation would soon be beneficial in the long run for the students.

“Pag natapos ‘yan, magiging conducive for learning na ‘yung classroom niyo. Konting tiis lang,” the dean said.

(When that [the renovation] was done, your classrooms will become conducive for learning. Endure a little for a while.)

FROM PAGE 1

International Heritage Showcase Competition, Community Program, and Development: Research & Proposal Competition.

Meanwhile, Maybielyn M. David, SSC–senator on records; Louise Jhoice I. Gapasen, SSC–senator on finance; Lahanna Jassam De Leon, finance officer of the College of Business and Accountancy, and Kate Lynn Valdez, public information officer of Junior Philippine Computer Society together with Prof. Gladie Natherine G. Cabanizas, director of Student Development Office and Dr. Armee N. Rosel, vice president for student affairs also participated the event.

A total of 150 participants convened in the seminar.

Board Passers CIVIL ENGINEER LICENSURE EXAMINATION

to enter TSU with improper attire such as sleeveless shirts, shorts, and slippers.

Blanco said they already talked with the Supreme Student Council about the implementation. He stressed now is the right time for such change.

Engineering infra undergo...

FROM PAGE 1

Student leaders attend... apply sa leadership,” he stated.

(When you leave TSU and went to a foreign country, when the one you’ve debated with came from a different nation, you’ll be forced to speak in English in order to have a conversation with them. You will learn a lot from the participants and to the seminar per se which you may apply in leadership.)

He added the conference also gave them an opportunity to scrutinize and conduct benchmarking which can be used to improve their leadership particularly in decision making and the university as a whole.

“You are destined to be in that position, so grab the opportunity for you to help more by improving your

noticed and reported in the Student Development Office, can still use them to enter the campus freely.

The security unit opted to implement the rules in the Student Handbook and teach lessons to frequent violators by recommending their names for a one- week suspension order.

Students observed taking their IDs off after passing the RFID scanners were warned during the first wave of implementation but lately were already subjected to ID capture. Civil Security Group listed violators and required them to write promissory notes to bring their RFIDs back.

In addition, all visitors were required to surrender valid IDs to the security guards and acquire gate passes to enter university grounds.

Students were also reminded not

13. Miranda, Aleli T. 14. Rombaoa, Jeffrey B. 15. Tercenio, Jaymar B. 16. Vidad, John T. 17. Viduya, Jerome Q. ELECTRONICS ENGINEER LICENSURE EXAMINATION Institutional Passing Percentage: 20.69% National Passing Percentage: 34.95%

1. Patio, Wiam Keith S. 2. Ponce, John Minjo B. 3. Samson, Jennifer T. 4. Tongol, Kevin Bryle Z. 5. Tucay, Christian T. 6. Tuiza, Alver Constantine A.

OBRA 2015 COMING SOON.

Editorial

6

The Work • June-July 2015

Pulis patola Salubong ang kilay ng ilan sa mga estudyante ng unibersidad nang isama ang pagsusuot ng tsinelas, shorts at sleeveless na damit sa mga ipinagbabawal kasabay nang mahigpit na pagpapatupad sa paggamit ng identification card (ID) sa loob ng institusyon. Isinigawa ito matapos muntikang magahasa ang isang mag-aaral sa loob mismo ng itinuturing na pangalawang tahanan. Ang mga bagong patakaran di-umano ay tila mga pulis sa pelikula na huli sa pagresponde.

Nakapanlulumo mang isipin, may isang estudyante na halos masira ang kinabukasan dahil sa rape na muntik sapitin sa loob ng unibersidad.

Isang kinabukasan ang halos matuldukan dahil sa tila napaluwag na seguridad na dapat sana ay garantisado. Kabilang ang insidenteng ito sa mga patunay na kailangang bigyang–pansin ang batas tulad ng House Bill 3256 o "Campus Security and Crime Awareness Act of 2013" na inihain ni Rep. Sol Aragones, kinatawan ng ikatlong distrito ng Laguna.

Layunin ng panukalang batas na ito na maglaan ng ligtas na kapaligiran para sa mga mag-aaral sa pamamagitan ng pagpapaigting ng mga patakaran at pamamaraan upang matugunan ang mga marahas na krimen sa mga kampus. Kasama rin ang pagpapalaganap ng impormasyon para maihanda ang bawat isa at ang pag-uulat sa taunang bilang ng mga krimeng tulad ng pagnanakaw, panggagahasa at pagpatay na nagaganap sa bawat institusyon.

Ito rin ang magsisilbing daan nang sa gayon ay masupil ang mga masasamang loob na walang pakundangang umaabuso sa mga walang kalaban–laban.

Kung tutuusin, hindi ito ang unang pagkakataon na may naganap na krimen sa unibersidad. Ayon sa Civil Security Office, may isang estudyante di-umano ang nakuhanan ng dalawang libong piso (P 2,000.00) ng isang hinihinalang kawatan na nagpakilalang empleyado.

Naisagawa ang panloloko at pagnanakaw dahil sa pagkagat ng estudyante sa alok ng suspek na mapadali ang pagbabayad ng tuition.

Ito rin ang nagtulak sa isa pang estudyante para basta magtiwala sa taong ‘di kakilala na maaaring nawalan na ng puri ngayon kung hindi nakatakas.

Hindi maikakailang isa ang mabagal na sistema ng enrolment sa naging daan para maisakatuparan ang mga krimen. Isa rin ito sa mga isyung matagal nang pasanin ng mga estudyante ngunit hindi pa rin nareresolba.

Maliwanag na dahil sa mga isyung ito, naghigpit ng seguridad ang kinauukulan. Kabilang umano sa mga hakbang na kanilang gagawin ay ang planong pagpapatupad sa nakasaad sa student manual na nagpapataw ng one week suspension sa mga mahuhuling hindi nakasuot ng ID para sa unang paglabag. Maging ang mga sasakyan ay hindi rin papapasukin kung walang gate pass. Mainam ang hakbang na ginawa ng tanggapan upang masigurong ligtas hindi lang ang mga estudyante kundi maging ang mga guro at empleyado. Subalit, kailangan bang may mangyari munang masama bago kumilos? Kailangan din bang may mapahamak pa para lang umaksyon?

Maraming suliranin ang kinakaharap ng bansa. Maraming katiwalian ang kailangang sugpuin. Marami ring isyu ang dapat pagtuunan ng pansin. Gayunpaman, hindi pa rin sapat na maisantabi ang buhay at kapakanan ng mga estudyante nang dahil sa mahabang listahan ng mga kailangang tugunan. Hindi makatwiran na hayaang nakabinbin ang mga panukalang ang adhikain ay ingatan ang mga kabataang itinuturing na pag–asa ng bayan. Hihintayin pa ba natin na may makitilan ulit ng buhay bago ipasa ang mga panukalang batas tulad nito?

Gayundin, karapatan ng bawat isa na magkaroon ng mapayapang kapaligiran at masiguro ang kaligtasan sa lahat ng pagkakataon. Ang malasakit ng kinauukulan na sinisikap pagtibayin ang seguridad sa loob ng unibersidad pagkatapos ng magkakasunod na insidente ay hindi matatawaran. Sa kung paanong minamahal ng isang ina ang kanyang anak, nararapat lang na maipadama ang kapanatagan ng kalooban sa bawat estudyante habang sila ay matiyagang nag–aaral at maging sa mga empleyado na kabahagi rin sa pagkatuto ng mga mag–aaral.

Samakatwid, hindi dapat maging katulad ng mga pulis sa pelikula na laging huli kung umaksyon ang pagtiyak sa kaligtasan ng mga estudyante.

EDITORIAL

Kalagitnaan ng aking On-the-Job Training (OJT) noon at marami akong natutunang mga bagay-bagay tungkol sa aking kurso at sa magiging trabaho ko balang araw. Ngunit isa lang ang nakapukaw ng aking pansin, ang kwento ni Foreman Ramon.

“Mahirap ang kaunti ang anak.

Malungkot…” pahayag ni Foreman matapos sagutin ng aking kasamahan sa OJT ang tanong ni Foreman kung ilan silang magkakapatid.

K’wenento ni Foreman ang kanyang kalagayan. Apat raw ang kanyang mga anak, lahat sila ay may sari-sariling pamilya at nakahiwalay na sa kaniyang poder.

Inaalala niya kung may magbabantay pa kaya sa kaniya ngayong tumatanda na siya…

Biglang pumasok sa aking isipan: Paano kaya kung tuluyan nang tumanda si Foreman, may magbabantay pa nga kaya sa kanya? Maaring sa ngayon malakas pa siya ngunit kapag dumating ang araw na magkasakit siya, sino kaya sa kanila ang mag-aalaga rito?

Habang nagkukwento si Foreman, naalala ko si lola…

Nitong bakasyon, kinuha ni papa si lola (nanay niya) upang makabawi raw siya rito, matapos pagpasa-pasahan ng mga kapatid nitong babae dahil hindi umano kinaya ng mga itong alagaan ang matanda.

Habang nasa ibang lugar si papa para magtrabaho, si mama ang nag-alaga rito.

Masaya sana ako dahil muli ko siyang makikita ngunit ni hindi man lang niya kami naaalala. Dagdag pa nito ang pahirap kay mama sa pag-aalaga. Ngunit nito lamang Mayo, kinuha ng kapatid ni papa ang matanda sa dahilang ‘di ko alam. *** Sabi ng titser ko noong grade six, may tatlong uri raw ng tao sa ekonomiya: Umaasa, Inaasahan at Umaasa. Ang unang Umaasa ay ang mga kabataang hindi pa kaya ang mga sarili at umaasa sa magulang.

Inaasahan naman ang tawag sa mga taong may trabaho at nakatutulong sa pamilya.

Ang huling Umaasa ay ang mga matatandang hindi na kaya ang sarili at umaasa sa mga anak nilang malalaki (at may trabaho).

Tungkulin ng mga magulang na ibigay ang mga pangangailangan nating mga anak nila at alagaan tayo. Ngunit kapalit naman nito ay ang responsibilidad nating mga anak na suklian ang kanilang mga paghihirap–ang mahalin at alagaan din sila sa oras na sila naman ang mangailangan ng pag-aaruga natin.

Sa kaso ng lola ko, bukod sa kanyang mga anak, inalagaan din niya ang kanyang mga apo. Ngunit ngayong kabilang na siya

‘‘

Hanggang sa huli, pag-aalaga ang ginagawa niya…” sa lebel ng Umaasa, wala ni isang nakatagal na alagaan siya.

Kung aking susumahin, napabayaan si lola. Ginampanan nito ang kanyang tungkulin sa kanyang anak maging sa kanyang mga apo ngunit hindi ito’y napabayaan at napagdamutan sa oras na siya na ang nangangailangan.

Isa lang ang salitang angkop sa mga anak na hindi na kinilala pa ang kanilang mga magulang–walang utang na loob.

Kabilang ang aking lola sa libu-libong matandang napapabayaan sa Pilipinas.

Hindi lubos ang aking kaalaman sa bagay na ito ngunit ito’y ating mapapansin sa kapaligiran gaya na lamang ng mga matatandang nanlilimos sa Tarlac.

Sa tuwing daraan ako sa pathway, harap ng TSU, marami akong nakikitang mga matatandang namamalimos – marurungis, walang nag-aalaga at may kapansanan. Hindi ko makayanang isiping baka isang araw, isa na si lola sa mga namamalimos sa daan.

Nakalulungkot isiping maraming mga anak ang nagpabaya sa mga magulang.

Ano man ang rason ng kapabayaang ito, hindi pa rin sapat na ituring silang parang kung sino lang. Pinabayaan ka nila kaya pababayaan mo rin sila? Huwag sanang mamayani ang galit ay magbunga rin ng galit. Mas magiging mabigat ang isang pakiramdam kung ang isusukli ay katumbas ng isang galit at sama ng loob.

Kapatawaran. Salitang madaling sabihin ngunit mahirap tanggapin. Kaya nga nauso ang panahon, dahil maging ang sugat, naghihilom sa takdang panahon, ganoon rin ang pagpapatawad.

Kung ang ibang tao nga kaya nating patawarin, sarili pa kaya nating mga magulang.

Wala nang mas hihigit pang pagmamahal sa pag-ibig na kayang ibigay ng mga magulang sa kanilang mga anak.

Hindi ito isang bagay na gaya ng cellphone, bag, sapatos, at kung anu-ano pang bagay na kapag nawala ay magtutungo ka sa Google at ise-search mo kung saan makakabili o makahahanap ng mga ito.

Maaring kapag wala na ang iyong magulang, hindi mo sila hinahanap physically, ngunit ang salitang pagmamahal at pag-aaruga ay hindi lamang basta salita, isa itong pakiramdam na hahanapin mo at nais mong maranasan mula sa kanila.

Ang buhay ay hindi isang pelikula na pwedeng ulitin kapag hindi maganda ang isang eksena, na okay lang kahit makailang takes. Sa totoong buhay, walang cut-cut. Kapag tapos na, tapos na. Kapag wala na, hindi mo na marerewind pa.

Hihintayin mo pa bang magkasakit sila, madala sa ospital at saka sasabihin kung gaano mo sila kamahal habang sila ay naghihingalo na, gaya ng mga napapanood sa pelikula?

Gusto ko lang mag-iwan ng katanungang sa lahat: Bukod pa sa buhay nila, ano pa ang kanilang iniingatan? *** Pumanaw si lola mga ilang buwan matapos siyang kunin sa amin. Ni hindi ko man siya nakausap nang maayos at matagal. Ni hindi niya man lang kami naalala at nakilalang muli. Hindi ko alam kung alam ba niya na pinagpasa-pasahan at napabayaan siya o inilibot lang siya sa iba’t ibang lugar. Hindi ko alam ang nasa isip niya.

Bago siya ibalik sa Palawan, lagi niyang sinasambit: uuwi na ako, aalagaan ko pa ang aking mga apo. Hanggang sa huli, pag-aalaga ang ginagawa niya… na hindi niya natanggap mula sa iba.

Nagtatanong lang po...

Natural lamang po ba ang pagbabangayan ng dalawa o higit pang organisasyon? Hindi po ba mas makabubuti na magtulungan na lamang?

Nagtatanong lang po…

Maituturing po bang non-smoking university ang TSU kung ang ilang staff ay lantarang naninigarilyo?

Estudyante lamang po ba ang bawal manigarilyo sa loob ng unibersidad? Nagtatanong lang po…

Maghihigpit lamang po ba sa pagpapatupad ng mga rules kapag mayroong estudyanteng muntik nang mapahamak sa loob mismo ng unibersidad?

Nagtatanong lang po…

Sintagal po ba ng pila tuwing enrolment ang pagtugon sa pangangailangan ng mga estudyante?

Tama po bang unahin ang pakikipagkwentuhan sa cellular phone bago iproseso ang assistance para sa estudyante? Nagtatanong lang po…

Tama po bang maglibang sa labas sa oras ng trabaho? Paano naman po ang mga estudyanteng

nangangailangan ng serbisyo niyo? Nagtatanong lang po…

Ilang taon nang iniinda ng buong TSU ang pagbaha tuwing tag-ulan. Nakasisiguro po bang sa susunod na taon ay maiibsan na ang usaping ito? Nagtatanong lang po…

Kasabay ng pagsisimula ng termino ng mga bagong opisyales ng SSC at CSC ay ang pagkakabuo ng mga organisasyong kinabibilangan ng mga ‘di pinalad na kandidato noong nakaraang eleksyon. Kailangan po ba na kabilang sa isang organisayon bago tumulong sa kapwa estudyante? Nagtatanong lang po…

Pagtulong po ba talaga ang layunin sa pagsali sa isang organisasyon o pagpapasikat at paghahabol lamang sa mga benepisyong inilalaan sa mga miyembro nito? Nagtatanong lang po…

Nakasisilaw po ba kapag nasa posisyon?

Nagtatanong lang po…

Opinion

The Work • June-July 2015

Kung darating kaya ang magnanakaw sa oras na alam natin, maaari pa kaya siyang makapagnakaw?

Hanggang ngayon, iniisip ko pa rin kung nagkataon lang ba talaga o sadyang nakatakda na mangyari ang hindi ko inaasahan, isang gabi. Isang tagpo na kung saan ninakaw ng dilim ang aking kaligtasan, na inagaw ng tulisan ang oras na dapat sana ay para magpahinga matapos ang mahabang araw. Isang pangyayari na nag-iwan ng marka sa aking isipan.

Masaya kong binabagtas ang kahabaan ng kalsada habang sakay ng bisikleta. Matagal na rin kasi nung huli ko ‘tong nagawa. Naging busy kasi sa OJT. Nakasanayan ko na’ng mag-bike lalo na ‘pag gabi dahil gumagaan ang

pakiramdam ko sa bawat pagpedal.

Parang routine na rin. Kaya kahit tanging ang liwanag galing sa buwan at ang mangilan-ngilang poste ng ilaw lang ang nagsisilbing tanglaw ko, kampante pa rin ako na makaka-uwi nang ligtas. Parang binuhusan ako ng malamig na tubig nang matagpuan ko ang sarili na nakabulagta sa gilid ng kalsada, sugatan.

Sa kaunting liwanag na nakita ko, bigla kong naalala ang isang eksena sa pelikulang hindi ko malilimutan–nang masagasaan ang batang si Magnifico.

Marami sa atin ang naantig sa kwento ni Magnifico. Mahirap man ang buhay nila, nakuha niya pa ring ngumiti. Minaliit man siya ng iba dahil mahina ang kanyang isip, nanatili pa rin siyang positibo. Magulo man ang pamilya nila, naging mapagmahal na anak, apo at kapatid pa rin siya. Ilan sa patunay nito ay ang mga eksena na kung saan buong tiyaga niyang ginawan ng kabaong ang Lola Magda niya at ang pagpasan sa kanyang kapatid para tuparin ang hiling nitong makapasyal sa perya.

Ang pagkamatay ni Magnifico na siguro ang pinakamasakit na bahagi sa kwento, ngunit may mas masakit pa kaya kaysa maigapos ng matinding kalungkutan nang walang kalabanlaban?

Napanood ko muli sa telebisyon si Jiro Manio, ang taong nagbigaybuhay kay Magnifico, na minsang nagbigay ng inspirasyon sa bawat isa. Pero ngayon, malayung-malayo na ang buhay niya kaysa karakter na ginampanan noon. Natagpuan siyang pagala-gala sa paligid ng NAIA terminal 3 sa loob ng apat na araw, wala sa katinuan. Mistulang

Pagpasok ko pa lang sa unibersidad na ito, nabansagan na akong irregular, palibhasa shifter-transferee. Bukod sa iba’t ibang section na aking pinapasukan ay iba-iba rin ang mga naging kaklase ko.

Naranasan ko na ring makipagtulakan sa enrolment, maubusan ng slot sa subject, mag-summer class, pumasok kahit bumabagyo dahil hindi ko natatanggap ang mga announcements na suspendido na pala ang klase at marami pang iba pa.

Kaya laking pasasalamat ko nang sa wakas ay nakuha ko na lahat ang mga back subjects ko at nahanay na rin ako sa mga regular students. Sa wakas din ay nasa huling taon na ako sa kolehiyo.

Maaga ang enrolment ngayon. Higit na maaga kaysa nitong mga nakaraang taon. Bagama’t sa Agosto pa ang pasukan, nagsimula na ang enrolment nitong Hunyo pa lang.

pulubi na walang masilungan. Tila isang mandirigma na wala nang ibang pagpipilian kundi ang sumuko na lang.

Nakakaawa.

Dapat maging masaya ako kasi nagpakita na siya uli sa publiko. Dapat sana. Kaso, hindi ko magawa. Di ko lubos-maisip na kabaliktaran ng tagumpay ng kanyang pelikula ang kinahinatnan ng buhay niya.

Isa ang drug addiction sa pangunahing suliranin na kinakaharap ng bansa. Mula elementary, namulat na ako hinggil sa masamang epekto nito. Sa bawat baitang kasi, laging sinasabi na walang mabuting maidudulot ang paggamit nito. Noong una, hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit pilit isinisiksik sa isipan ng mga tao, lalo na ng mga bata, ang usaping ito.

Nakaririndi na kung minsan.

Paulit–ulit kasi. Nagbago lang ang aking pananaw nang malaman ko ang bilang ng mga taong nalulong sa bisyong ito.

Ayon sa datos ng Dangerous Drugs Board nitong 2012, lumobo sa humigit-kumulang 1.7 milyong Pilipino ang naitalang sangkot sa ilegal na droga. Nakapanlulumo mang isipin, kabilang ang dating sikat na aktor sa malaking bilang ng mga drug addict sa bansa.

‘‘

...ang pagsubok ay darating na parang armadong magnanakaw para kunin ang lahat ng meron tayo.”

Ano kaya ang nagtulak sa mga gaya ni Jiro na magpa-alipin sa bisyong ito?

Ang makatakas sa problema?

Ang makalimot sa sakit?

Ang madurog ang puso?

O, ang umasa sa wala?

Mababaw mang pakinggan, ilan ang mga ito sa pinagmumulan ng matinding depresyon na maaaring mauwi sa desperasyon na kalaunan ay magreresulta sa paggamit ng droga at pagpapakamatay.

Sa kaso ni Jiro, maituturing na ang ‘di pagtupad ng kanyang mommy–lola sa pangakong dadalhin siya nito sa Japan para makilala ang totoong ama at ang

Biyernes na at kami ang huling mag-eenrol sa departamento namin.

Maaga kaming natapos.

Hindi gaya ng mga nakaraang enrolment ay mabilis ngayon.

Palibhasa kasi ay inuna ang mga regular students at nakahati na rin kada year level. Tamang-tama dahil may sapat na oras pa kami upang maasikaso pa naming ang mga kailangan para makakuha ng scholarship.

Hindi naman sa pagmamayabang pero mataas din naman ang nakuha ko nitong nakaraang semestre kaya maari akong makapag-apply bilang college scholar. Unang beses kong gagawin ito sa buong buhay ko sa kolehiyo. Pinaghirapan ko talaga ang bawat markang nakuha ko kaya masaya ako na sa huling taon ko ay mararanasan ko ito.

Pumunta na kami ng mga kaklase ko sa OSA para kumuha ng application form at tanungin ang iba pang requirements.

Naroon na pala ang iba naming mga kaklase at sinabi sa amin na may age limit daw sa scholarship. Hindi ko naman ito masyadong pinansin dahil madalas

pagkaka-deny ng kanyang visa ang tuluyang gumuho sa mundo niya.

Hindi ito ang unang pagkakataon na naka-engkwentro ako ng ganitong klase ng balita. Hindi ako katulad nila.

At, hindi rin ako ang tamang hukom para husgahan sila.

Siguro, mali na umasa sa iba.

Siguro, mali rin na magtiwala nang sobra. Subalit, higit na mali ang basta na lang ibaon sa limot ang pangakong binitawan at paasahin ang kapwa.

Normal sa isang tao ang malungkot at masaktan. Natural din na makaramdam ng pagod at panghinaan ng loob. Kahit gaano pa kasi tayo katalino, tao pa rin tayo. Wala tayong kakayahang piliin at kontrolin ang emosyon natin. Sabi nga nila, isa ang emosyon sa mga naghihiwalay sa tao at hayop. Kaya lang, karamihan kasi sa’tin, puro hugot ang alam. Daig pa ang isang musmos na inagawan ng kendi kung magmaktol. Mahirapan lang nang konti, akala mo katapusan na ng mundo. Mas pinipiling magmukmok kaysa umisip ng solusyon para maresolba ang pinagdadaanan.

Hindi naman masamang magpahinga. Hindi rin naman masamang umiyak kung talagang sobrang bigat na sa pakiramdam.

Hindi nakababawas ng pagkatao ang pag-iyak, basta iwasan lang ‘pag sa harap ng maraming tao. Isang malaking hakbang ng katapangan ang ipinamamalas ng isang taong kayang umiyak kaysa magkasya na lang sa pagkimkim ng damdamin.

Isang bagay ang natutunan ko: kaunting tulog, bahagyang idlip, sandaling paghalukipkip, habang namamahinga, ang pagsubok ay darating na parang armadong magnanakaw para kunin ang lahat ng meron tayo.

Sa kung gaanong walang sinasanto ang suliranin, hindi rin nakabase sa edad ang pagkakaroon ng sapat na kakayahan at lakas ng loob.

Mahirap lumaban ng puno ng galos.

Mahirap ding bumangon pagkatapos bumagsak. Hindi man madali, pero pinilit kong tumayo. Nasagasaan man ako ng gabing ‘yon, hindi naman ako nalumpo. Gayundin naman, ilang beses man tayong madapa gaya ni Jiro, hindi naman mababawasan ang pagkakataon natin para iangat muli ang sarili.

Marami mang dahilan para mawalan ng pag-asa at sumuko, sa huli, tayo pa rin ang magdidikta ng hangganan natin bilang mga indibidwal.

Wala pang pagsubok na dumating sa’tin na hindi nararanasan ng lahat ng tao. Siya ay tapat sa lahat, at hindi Niya ipahihintulot na subukin tayo nang higit sa kaya natin. Sa halip, pagdating ng pagsubok, bibigyan niya tayo ng lakas para magtagumpay.

Dumating man ang magnanakaw sa oras na hindi natin alam, makababangon pa rin tayo kahit gaano pa kahirap kung gugustuhin natin.

naman nilang pinagkakatuwaan ang edad ko.

Tumuloy pa rin ako sa paghingi ng form. Bagaman nakakuha na ako ay naisip ko bigla na paano nga kung meron talagang age limit. Minabuti ko nang itanong na lang sa opisina nila kung totoo nga iyon.

Pagpunta ko sa endowment office ay tinanong ko na kung meron ba talagang age limit at ilang taon kung meron man.

‘‘

Sabi nila, age is just a number, pero sa pagkakataong ito naramdaman ko kung paanong apektado ng edad mo ang chances at opportunities na pwede mong makuha.”

Twenty one (21) daw kaya tinanong nila kung ilang taon na ako. Sinabi ko na 21 na. Sumunod nilang tinanong kung kelan

7

Buong buhay natin sa kolehiyo ay puno ng sakripisyo. Sa apat o limang taon ay nararanasan natin ang walang sawang gastos, walang tulugang reviews, pagkain sa karinderya nang paulit-ulit na ulam, pagpapa-photocopy ng malalibrong hand-outs, at sunugan ng mga kilay. Masakit mang isipin, nararanasan pa rin nating bumagsak sa mga exams o ma-reject sa mga requirements at projects.

Bilang estudyante, napakarami ng instances na makararanas tayo ng failure or rejection, sa lovelife, projects, thesis, articles, minsan pati magulang mo nirereject ka rin. Sabi nga nila, kung ‘di ka suwerte, sadyang pinagpala ka lang talaga kung hindi mo pa nasusubukang maranasan ang mga ito.

Naaalala ko tuloy noong bagong salta pa lamang ako sa The Work.

Unang meeting pa lang ay binigyan agad ako ng article na hindi pasok sa field na napag-aralan ko. Puyatan, time management, ilang oras na pagsi-search sa google, pagsakripisyo ng dugo sa kadiliman, lahat ‘yan ginawa ko para lang magawa ang best article na kaya kong gawin, ngunit sa huli, na-reject lang ang pinaghirapan ko. Paulit-ulit kong ginawa ang binigay sa aking trabaho hanggang sa dumating ako sa punto na na-depress ako at nawalan ng tiwala sa sarili kong kakayahan.

Dito ko napatunayan na may mga pagkakataon talaga sa buhay na hindi pumapantay ‘yung best natin sa standards o benchmarks ng mga pinaglalaanan natin ng effort. Iyan din ang dahilan kaya na-rereject ang mga trabahong dugo’t libag ang inaalay natin.

Marahil normal lang ang ginagawa natin na nalulungkot at nagyayamot sa tuwing nagkakamali o nare-reject tayo.

Mahapdi kasi ang rejection o failure kapag may kasamang effort. Hindi hahapdi ang p’wet mo kapag nahulog ka lang sa upuan habang naghihintay, pero siguradong mahapdi ang sugat na makukuha mo kapag nadapa ka sa pagtakbo para lang maabutan kung ano man ang hinahabol mo. Kadahilanan na marahil kung bakit napakahirap tanggapin ng rejection. ‘Pag dumating kasi sa oras na na-degrade na tayo, unti-unti ng lumiliit ang tingin natin sa sarili natin. Masochist ka na lang siguro kung gustung-gusto mong nasasaktan sa paulit ulit na failure mo.

Sabi nga ng kaibigan ko, “Wala naman taong gumagawa ng malaking effort para lang pumalya. Walang engineer na pinangarap ma-reject ang ginawa niyang disenyo, walang estudyanteng nagpupuyat

para ma-reject lang ang kaniyang thesis, kaya wag mo silang sisihin kung depressed sila sa nangyari sa kanila.”

Parte ng kuwento ng tagumpay ni Bill Gates, ang nagma-may-ari ng pinakasikat na company sa mundo, ang Microsoft, ay ang pagka-drop niya sa Harvard University at ang pagbagsak ng unang negosyo na binuo niya. Ngunit dahil hindi siya nagpatalo sa rejection ng unibersidad at ang pagka-sira ng kaniyang negosyo, nabuo ang kumpanyang Microsoft na siya ding dahilan kung bakit ako nakakapagtype ng article ngayon (Thank you microsoft office word 2013).

Bilang isang estudyanteng narereject at bumabagsak, sa aking pananaw, walang mangyayari kung patuloy ka na lang magdradrama sa isang sulok dahil lang sa isang pagkapalya. Nakadepende kasi sa iyo kung paano mo haharapin ang isang rejection. Sabi nga ni Deadpool (marvel comics character), “When you're faced with a horrible situation there are just two reactions that make sense: laughing or crying. And laughter is, after all, nature's anesthesia. Tears hurts too much.” Tawanan mo lang ang isang rejection at gamitin mo ang experience na iyon para matuto ka. Failure, rejection, parte ‘yan ng paglaki, parte ‘yan ng experience na bubuo sa pagkatao mo.

Aminin natin, marami sa atin ang nagpapaka-eksperto sa pagdating sa mga ganitong bagay. Mga taong nagsasabi na “hindi ka babagsak kung mag-aaral ka,” “walang imposible kung ima-manage mo ang time mo,” “basta intindihin mo lang, magagawa mo,” “hindi ka mare-reject ng prof mo kung makikinig ka sa kanya.”

Ang akala kasi nila, basta alam nila ang nakasulat sa manual, magagawa nila lahat ng tama.

Nag-aaral tayo para matuto, pero pansinin mo, lahat man tayo ay nagaaral, marami pa rin sa atin ang hindi natututo. Kahit nga anong effort mo sa isang babae, mare-reject ka pa rin eh.

Hindi kasi sapat na nage-effort ka lang.

No matter how great the efforts, some things just take time. You can’t produce a baby in one month by making nine women pregnant.

Walang shortcut sa tagumpay.

Dadaan at dadaan ka sa mga palikong daan na maghahatid sa ’yo pabalik sa umpisa. Maski ang article na ito ay nareject na rin, at kung nababasa mo ito ngayon, alam mo na kung ano ang pinagdaanan ko. Meron kasing 50/90 rule ang buhay. Kapag mayroon kang 50% chance na makuha ang isang bagay, siguradong mayroong 90% probability na hindi mo iyon makukuha.

ang birthday ko. Masakit man sa loob ko ay sinabi kong bukas.

Ni wala man lang happy birthday, ay sinabi nilang hindi na ako pwede.

Sabagay, ano nga namang kasing happy kung tinanggalan mo ng karapatan ang isang estudyante na maging scholar ng unibersidad?

Nanlumo akong lumabas ng opisina nila at sinabi ko ang masakit na balita sa mga kasama ko. Ngumiti na lang ako pero sa loob ko ay nakaramdam ako ng diskriminasyon. Masakit.

Sabi nila, age is just a number, pero sa pagkakataong ito naramdaman ko kung paanong apektado ng edad mo ang chances at opportunities na pwede mong makuha.

Tinignan ko ang student manual at handbook kung mayroon bang ganoong requirement. Ang sabi doon ay applicable lang iyon sa mga incoming freshmen. Sa pagkakamali ko naman ay hindi ko na naitanong sa opisina nila kung bakit may ganu’ng patakaran.

Gayunpaman, naisip ko na lang na paano kaya kung mayroong estudyante na biniyayaan ng talino ngunit dahil sa hirap ng buhay ay hindi nakapag-aral nang maaga? Paano kaya kung mayroong estudyante na kailangang-kailangan ang scholarship na ito para makapagpatuloy sa pag-aaral pero dahil sa edad nito ay hindi

na pwede?

Maari mo sigurong sabihin na kumuha na lang ng scholarship sa labas ng unibersidad. Maaari. Subalit hindi ba mas magandang matawag na scholar ka ng sarili mong unibersidad?

Hindi naman kasi tama na gawing pamantayan ang edad sa pagbibigay ng mga ganitong scholarship. Hindi naman pwedeng basta-basta mo na lang isasantabi ang intelektwal na kakayahan ng isang tao nang dahil lamang sa kanyang edad.

Maswerte pa rin ako dahil kaya pang tustusan ng magulang ko ang matrikula ko, subalit paano na lang ‘yung iba na mas hirap ang buhay?

Tungkulin sana ng estado na magbigay ng dekalidad na edukasyon para sa lahat nang libre o sa murang halaga.

Subalit sa ganitong mga patakaran, baka tuluyan nang ‘di kayanin ng mga tao na makapag-aral sa unibersidad lalo na kapag dumating ang araw na tuluyan nang tumaas ang matrikula.

Sa pagtatapos ng araw ay nakapagapply ang mga kaibigan ko. Samantalang ako ay kailangang tanggapin na hindi ako pwede dahil matanda na ako. Kung dati ay biro lamang ang pagkatuwaan ang edad ko, sa ngayon siguro ay patuloy kong maaalala na minsan ay tinanggalan ako ng karapatan dahil sa bagay na ito.

‘‘

No matter how great the efforts, some things just take time.”

8

Opinion

STILL YOLANDA Every time PAGASA releases gyrating typhoon photographs from the space, I suppose Filipinos are already benumbed by it. Instead of being petrified for the upcoming catastrophe, students jump off their beds to celebrate for suspended classes as parents twitch a smile for another saved allowance. It is not also hard to imagine that the teachers and other employees jubilee for another rest day.

Filipinos are already used with typhoons, and everyone in the world is a witness as 20 or more penetrate the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) annually. We are resilient that we will still smile on flashing cameras amidst typhoon destruction and political fiasco. However, I also think that every time PAGASA warns us about the typhoons approaching the Philippine soil, we solemnly pray that it is not as dangerous and as deadly as Yolanda.

Super-typhoon Haiyan or Yolanda battered the Visayan regions of the Philippines in November 2013. The provisional toll of dead is at least 7,350, and the missing people are still numbers on the long list. The government fixates on the living, and that is to give back to them their lost houses and to encourage them to move on from such terrible predicament.

The government is right on dealing with the Yolanda victims who enormously need their help, but what makes this a demise is how these affected people still wait for the promises of the government that are left hanging because of the minimal and inadequate help the victims receive from them.

Thousands of affected families still live in makeshift shanties in many villages without

power and water supply. Chaloka Beyani, United Nations’ special rapporteur on human rights of internally displaced persons, said in an Inquirer report that he had a 10-day visit in July for the assessment of the rehabilitation development of the worst hit places, and found out that the help is still not enough and satisfactory as the victims receive decreasing help from the government in spite of massive amount of funds they received from foreign countries and international organizations.

This is, what he calls, depriving the victims from their ‘rights’ and ‘needs.’

Many storm survivors in the Visayan regions have to be relocated from at least three evacuation camps to another since the typhoon flogged their villages in 2013. This report comes with great disappointment on the government, for the account that it is their responsibility to shelter these survivors using the massive funds in their hands, or maybe in their pockets.

As you watch reporters walk along the villages that are still in shambles, you will notice that the painted houses—obviously built for the typhoon survivors—are apparently made of unsatisfactory and inferior materials that make them vulnerable from future typhoons that PAGASA expected to be much stronger than Yolanda.

Since these weakly founded and much more dangerous houses would not withstand typhoons due to substandard materials used, it is no news that when typhoons batter the affected villages again, the families who were asked to live here might also die on the same house they thought was already safe.

Reports from United Nations also said, the

The Work • June-July 2015

∎ DANIEL CARREON

bunkhouses made of woods and corrugated metals are very dangerous for women and girls who are susceptible of sexual abuse and early pregnancy. Because the government has micromanaged the construction of houses very badly, the security of the houses, ergo, for women and girls against criminals is greatly at risk.

The development is indeed extremely dismaying and plodding as recent reports from Social Welfare secretary Corazon Soliman said that over 2000 families are still living in substandard houses, specifically ‘palm-thatched temporary homes.’

President Aquino allocated a more than hundred billion-peso budget for the rebuilding of places after Yolanda. This is said to be one of the major examinations of the president. But with the slow-moving progress of the Yolanda rebuilding, he still is not finished with the examination, although he already technically took it two years ago.

The yellow president said in his state of the nation address (SONA) in 2014 that when Yolanda struck the central islands of the country, his government immediately responded to the people. The yellow minions clapped in unison with this statement, as the yellow president proudly nodded from each side.

Undeniably, the government quickly responded to the victims of calamity. However, it is a flimsy excuse to utilize palm leaves to thatch roofs even if they are only for temporary use, and avail inferior materials to build the walls of houses which are bound to collapse when another typhoon hits the place yet again.

The government said they were happy, for the outcome, but it seems like these temporary houses are literally temporary: no good for three days, would collapse even just by a strong blow of the wind, specifically the palm roofs.

It is not lawful to leave thousands of families moving from evacuation camps to another, time after time, without electricity and scarce water supply, given the fact that more than a hundred billion pesos has been allocated for the rebuilding. Accolades should be given to the government for its quick response, but quick responses do not mean great solutions.

The promises of the government and the said-accomplishments vis-à-vis rebuilding of villages, erecting up houses and rehabilitation of affected regions are still not seminal enough after two years. The houses were built, but built poorly. The villages are being reintegrated, but some are still without electricity and water supply. The living were treated, but treated like dead.

This is Yolanda: some are still finding for the loved ones as numbers on the list, while others are still waiting for the missing to come home.

Some are still temporarily living in makeshift shanties and bunkhouses, while others are permanently living in substandard homes.

Yolanda happened at least two years ago. For us, it is already finished. Yet, for the thousands of the displaced families in Visayan regions, it is still a stain and a tattoo in their deepest, darkest memories. And it may still be a long run before they say it is done.

But what really pains me the most is that two years later, the government is still the government as how Yolanda is still Yolanda.

WHEN FREEDOM TURNS INTO FREE (DUMB) It was June 12, 1898 when the late Emilio Aguinaldo waved the flag of the country at Kawit, Cavite to symbolize the nation’s grasp to its socalled ‘independence’ from oppressors. It was an indication that the nation could start rebuilding its stained and ruined liberty. The Filipino, then, started to tie the different bonds and unite toward attaining sovereignty which must, in a democratic country, reside to people. Today, however, where has the essence of ‘Independence Day’ truly lead us?

I would like to believe that we are free and that we have acquired absolute freedom from the conquerors. Nowadays, you can go out of your house and no one would handcuff you and accuse you of misdeed when, in fact, you are just going to broom the backyard. On the other hand, freedom from other people does not definitely mean freedom of yourself. This is not a freedom that you own because an absolute freedom lies to you upon and beyond your choice and decision. Sadly, this notion apparently became the spreading overlooked problem.

People have different ways of practicing their freedom. They even have their own definition of such. The exercise of one’s freedom bases on his desires and emotions and is affected by his awareness, observation and involvement to his environment.

Undoubtedly, one of the avenues which was given to us to exercise freedom is the advancement of the technology, particularly that of social media. We are enabled to express ourselves and practice ‘freedom of expression’ to the extent that we bash celebrities we don’t like, criticize political personalities we don’t truly know and bully people we look at as underdogs without even taking into consideration what they really are into and what they feel.

Take for example Sen. Nancy Binay. I know you know her. I know that you know and see her as a black lady who does not fit into any dress. I know that you know netizens always bash and criticize her even when they barely know her.

Why? Because they are free and they have socal media accounts to do so.

I wonder, if Rizal ever had his FB account in his times, would he post ‘bashes,’ ‘criticisms,’ and ‘bullies’ toward the Spaniards, too? Would he even post ten selfies within a day and set aside writing ‘Noli Me Tangere’ and ‘El Filibusterismo’ just because he was free?

In addition, numerous people accept that absolute freedom does not limit anyone.

I am telling you, this is why world population consistently grows. This is why delinquencies exist everywhere. Although implemented to prohibit crimes, laws cannot totally control the increasing crime rate. This is why some couples decide to divorce after a day or two of marriage.

This is why people kill themselves. This is why you kill time and chances.

∎ JAHRED F. BERTOLFO

More so, absolute freedom is the reason why you sleep late or do not even take a nap.

This is the reason why you can write your phone number at the wall of a public restroom. This is why you throw your candy wrapper anywhere you want to. This is also the reason why you keep on loving someone who loves someone else even if it is hurting and killing you softly. This is the reason why you choose to be dumb, numb and have a senseless life without you consciously noticing.

Again, I wonder, if Bonifacio ever had chewed a gum before, would he glue it under his seatmate’s seat? Would he even vandalize only because he was free?

I would like to believe that these are what absolute freedom makes us. We tend to break rules and set our own. We throw unnecessary criticisms toward something we do not entirely understand. We slaughter someone, either physically or psychologically, out of irrational reasons. We do whatever we want whether or not we benefit something or someone other than ourselves. Indeed, absolute freedom is almost always taken for granted.

Rather than following, continuing and bringing the genuine significance of Independence Day to next generations, our freedom has lead us to the discovery of our selfish selves– our own selves who think we can do whatever

we want because we are free even when there is prohibiting us to do so. We have gone to a point where freedom turns into freedumb in the way that we often practice stupidity shown in our deeds, decisions, and convictions.

Now, either you find it substantial or senseless, you can crumple this paper in any way you want because, after all, you are absolutely free.

Opinion

The Work • June-July 2015

We know these fairytales.

When local television shows hit five-minute commercial breaks, they start to pop up on the screens with cool music and slogans. As the lights fade in, men in white, yellow or orange shirt will abruptly emerge on the scene, as if they are fallen saints from heavenly realms.

It is good to call them messiahs as they can send abused, teary-eyed overseas Filipino workers back to the country to reunite with their families. It is also good to call them the kindest as they show video clips of hugging the street urchins and urban poor while giving the cameras wide smiles.

These are the politicians in the season of political advertisements in media, specifically in between television commercials. I would like to call the political ads ‘the crucial minutes’ where captivating politicians sell themselves to the public like darlings of Palmolive shampoo and Coke promotions. In just a span of a minute or two, we are given a television show filled with major characters who try to defeat rampant corruption and endless poverty in the country.

At times, political advertisements which seemed to help the public, do not anymore find it hard to choose the candidates to vote and not to. I suppose, there are times that the public have probably set their standards for their chosen politicians on political ads alone.

After all, these ads say it all: they have done much; they come from a family with long years of credible political dynasty; they go to markets to shake hands; they have been stars in their favorite television shows and movies; they are good-looking—don’t forget good-looking, so that if their skin is a shade darker, they will face a barrage of bullies.

Watching political ads is akin to watching two shampoo products which both say that they make dull hair shine, short hair long, frizzy hair straight in maximum; thus, it becomes harder for consumers to assess which product tells the truth and not.

Politicians in ads have the same agenda that their slogans are just conspicuously paraphrased in others’ ads, or if not, tell the same thing in a

In newspapers, including those which are published on campuses, we get to see both unpleasant and decent news.

Certain people often complain, “Why do writers still publish negative news when in fact they could just publish the positive updates?”

Some even stressed, “Eh, reflection ‘to ng TSU. Ano na lang ang magiging imahe ng TSU at ng mga grupong nabanggit kapag nabasa nila ‘yan?”

We, TSUians, are like most articles in the university publication. We make up the contents of the newspaper and together, we can create an impact. The name of this institution will always be labeled according to the deeds, conducts, and accomplishments of the community living within its terrain. The related write-ups done in the school paper are just one of the bases for the assessment of this university’s outputs. Students, together with the authorities, comprise such outputs. #ProudTSUianHere.

Undeniably, there are those so-called aromatic topics and news which give motivation for students to strive harder. In spite the fact that we have no contribution to the triumph of our fellow TSUian on a nationwide competition, we tend to

more grandiose and persuasive diction.

The sameness of the political ads only tells the viewers that this is what makes the public hooked to the politicians.

The public want cool music and it doesn’t even matter if the promises in the lyrics of the jingle make sense to them. The public love charming politicians who walk in slow motion with hundreds of people behind them, wearing the same shirt and same beam. If they are not charming, at least they have complete molar teeth to give the voters a perfect Colgate smile. The public adore politicians wearing colored shirts while outstretching their hands up in the air, doing their remarkable gestures for their followers to emulate.

As a matter of fact, even if the qualities above do not meet the public’s standards, so long as the political ads have Vice Ganda with his blonde wig while promoting his preferred politicians like promoting ABS-CBN mobile, or Sarah Geronimo with her

‘‘

And the worst is we still believe fictional promises, although we already know they are not real.” golden pipes begging for us to vote her chosen candidates, it will be all right.

We are Filipinos, so it will be completely okay. The sheep will always follow the shepherd, anyway.

This is what the public want, so this is what the politicians give.

The point is that irresponsible voting leads to the nation’s fall, and political advertisements are great contributing factors. What we tend to forget is that we should not base the right politicians to vote on political ads alone. Better if we do not believe these political ads at all without doing a further research of their true character. Some of them might be telling the truth and some certainly not.

Even those who then told the truth now embraces the lies they once mocked.

As how Chanco put it in words, vote not those who are busy showing us Matuwid—which what political ads do constantly—that they forgot to build the

become so proud for them as if we’re the coach. When an alumnus successfully included to top 10 on licensure or board exams, we even share the post on social media outlets with a caption saying, “PROUD TSUIAN HERE!” How about the trophy our college obtained after the intramurals? We became so pleased although we’re not players. We are so happy knowing that we earned positive points to uplift the name of the university. #BeastModeTSUianHere. However, we cannot deny the reality that there are also those putrid issues which are difficult to absorb. Those which are truly disgusting and embarrassing?

How can we convince ourselves to be proud knowing the visitors who came to the institution discover that some of the “comfort rooms” are odorous and in bad condition? Discomforting, right?

Although we are responsible enough on utilizing them. Sadly, we are also being misjudged just because we belong to a particular college with a distinct flaw like

Daan.

It becomes a mainstream to the ears of Filipino voters that we ought to vote very wisely. We must always vote wisely.

But it seems like voting wisely does not exist in the Philippines. And I think it is also the reason why we always hear this advice anywhere when elections come because we always, always do the same mistake.

I will tell you why it is important to vote responsibly. Choosing the right people to lead us is saving forty-four SAF members who died in Mamasapano’s broad daylight, the time when our beloved politicians pointed their fingers to one another in the blaming game.

Choosing the right people to lead us is giving justice to more than 7,300 dead from Yolanda and for thousands of families who are still living in weaklyfounded makeshift houses due to government ineptitude and constant politicking in spite of more than a billion budget allocated for the rehabilitation.

The public are so obsessed with political ads, but when political mishandlings happen, they start to grow hatred to their favorite politicians. That’s when everything is all but late. We are deceived because we decide to deceive ourselves first by voting the wrong people we only know in political ads.

Why do we keep on voting the same people on political ads whose capabilities we very well know are not enough for solving national concerns?

This column is not a long tirade.

What I really want to say is that we already know the right thing to do, yet we choose not to do it anyway.

These ads are pure political hyperbole, yet it is very hard to tell the public not to vote once again these people who we dubbed as crocodiles.

There will come a time that instead of crawling, they would walk. It is very difficult to tell the public to vote wisely.

It is surely hard to tell them that voting based on political ads is just parallel to believing Daniel Padilla that AMA is the best computer and IT school for college students though he is not studying at all.

Political ads are like favorite classic Disney movies, except Cinderella never had shoes, and Snow White never ate the apple. But still, the public seem to not care. The public still believe in the magic of political advertisements. The public still want sweet tongues and repetitive sugarcoated slogans coupled with cool jingles and slow-mo walks.

And the worst is we still believe fictional promises, although we already know they are not real.

We know these fairytales. We know them so well that we forget them all the time.

the complaints raised in TSU Files. In this case, stereotyping is actually inhumane.

During assessment of the performance of colleges and the university as a whole, being a dean’s lister is still not enough because the weak performance of a particular class/department/college will prevail. Let’s just say that were are good in academics, yet, if 70% of the group are sluggish, they will still become dominant.

We tend to say, “huwag naman lahatin,” particularly on nasty stuff associated to the crowd we are counted in. The highperforming individuals are mortified of those disputes. But the judgment to us as a group is inevitable because we are categorized as one community, for

‘‘

But the judgment to us as a group is inevitable because we are categorized as one community.” example: “COEng,” “CAFA-CSC,” “The Blaze,” and of course, “TSU”.

As mentioned before, judgment is inevitable. Just like the articles which

9

Neither quotations like “love knows no boundaries” nor the sensational Facebook hashtag “#lovewins” can belie that there is no room for an absolute freedom. The reason is simple– freedom deviates from the definition of equity and justice. While equity and justice are bound within the limits of law, morals, good custom, public policy, and public order, absolute freedom desires to remove all limitations to the exercise one’s will may it be contrary to practices or not.

Akbayan Representative Ibarra “Barry” Gutierrez with his idea of a same-sex Marriage bill, for one, has exemplified an ambition to amend the provisions of the Family Code, though he’s aware that it would take long period of discussions and that the matter would definitely be opposed by the religious institutions.

Article 1 of Title I of the Family Code of the Philippines defines marriage as a special contract of permanent union between a man and a woman entered into in accordance with law for the establishment of conjugal and family life. It is the foundation of the family and an inviolable social institution whose nature, consequences, and incidents are governed by law and not subject to stipulation, except that marriage settlements may fix the property relations during the marriage within the limits provided by this Code.

The reality where the United States high court’s split decision favored lifting same-sex marriage in all of its states, it seems Filipinos are neither accustomed nor interested to give it a shot. In fact, a survey from Laylo Research Strategies showed 7 out of 10 Filipinos strongly disagree with legalizing samesex marriage while 14% responded

“somewhat d i s a g r e e ,” and the rest answered they are in favor.

W h a t F a c e b o o k ’s r a i n b o w campaign showed is a mere fad for social networking enthusiasts. I remember one who asked how to put the rainbow on her profile picture saying she just found it attractive and she wants to ride on it.

Social media survey is just a thin slice of the pie.

One would tell it is his own freedom to choose the person to love and be with.

Advocates believes it is a basic human right. As for Rep. Barry in his interviews, it is not a religious issue but an issue of legal benefits. Homosexual couples, who used to held their legal vows abroad like in US and Canada, are demanding for an equal treatment and protection of the law.

However, things considered rightful for one’s claim may not be equitable to the general public. The law here provides protection on the very interest of the state– procreation. Thus, the traditional definition of marriage and ultimately of the family life, which raises new citizens and where the nation draws its strength, is protected more than anything else.

Turning into a same-sex marriage bill, in a way, will delimit the context of marriage into a plain economic association of common benefit.

Therefore, it would be a deep regret to disregard the integral function of the family as an institution that promotes preservation of life. *** A certain advocate described the Philippines in his argument on the internet as a society driven by “religiosityfueled tradionalist beliefs”. Except for the sarcasm, this is especially true. Before we forget, it was our traditions and our norms which became our foundations to live by our very nature– as human beings.

are being published. Articles are written to expose information. Negative news are broadcasted not to make dents to the particular group being mentioned, but to inform everyone on the alarming problems and issues. What should we do when we have problems? We need to fix them.

On the other hand, positive news are published to notify everyone about the progress we have made. What happens when we are complimented? We do more affirmative activities to maintain the honor. For once, have we thought of what we can do for the academe?

Some of us are heedless that we are assessed accordingly by different juries, both authorized or not. The results are based on our activities as TSUians.

Sadly, there are several who preferred to remain passive and apathetic, not minding the struggle of finding a stable job after college. Selfish and insensitive in a way that they only think of themselves.

They are so irresponsible that they don’t even know they’re adversely affecting the group they are enlisted in. Some of the vivid examples are not listening during classroom discussions, crab mentality, having chitchat with your bf/gf and set aside reviewing for the quiz, being absent just because you’re feeling cold, continuously being futile in the group, and settling for the mediocre principle, “pwede na ‘yan” at all times.

I know we all have our own choices but for goodness and integrity’s sake, can

we just eliminate our hostile choices?

Can we just remove “latak” among the options? The tuition fee and allowance which we spend were just wasted due to senseless decisions.

Is it enough for us to become proud for the awards bestowed by other students to the university? Why do we keep on practicing the attitude of being “chill” and “YOLO”? Why don’t we become proactive instead? The statements, “sorry, mangmang lang” and “sorry, tao lang. ‘Di perfect” should be uttered with sincerity and not for the sake of making excuses.

These excuses are only acceptable if we are responsible enough and we have committed the fault once. But, these are no longer applicable if we committed the same mistakes repeatedly.

Again, the reasons mentioned are not the proper lines to become indolent to live every single day worthwhile and accomplish the responsibilities to our families. And, I have no idea on the right and appropriate term to justify indolence.

Going back to the first paragraph, “Why do writers still publish negative news when in fact they could just publish the positive updates?” Well, my response goes this way, “why don’t we just dispose and give all lazy people to aliens so that all the hardworking will remain on earth?

It’s possible. If we want good topics over the negative ones, if we want a respected university and a productive community, then, let’s do it.

‘‘

Before we forget, it was our traditions and our norms which became our foundations to live by our very nature – human beings.”

Opinion

10

The Work • June-July 2015

H U L I N G U L AT K AY B O S S :

PAPURI AT PATUTSADA ∎ AQIYL B. ENRIQUEZ

Ito na siguro ang pinakamahabang talumpati ng isang pangulo sa kasaysayan.

Dismayado ang karamihan sa mga kababayan natin matapos ang huling State of the Nation Address (SONA) ni Pangulong Benigno Aquino III na tila naging biktima ng mga “paasa” dahil sa itinuturing na pagkukulang ng kasalukuyang administrasyon na pilit ikinukubli sa pagbibida ng mga nagawa nito.

Taun–taon, marami ang nagaabang sa SONA ng pangulo. Noong una, hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit ang dami-daming tumututok sa kanyang talumpati pagkatapos ay babatikusin din ang pangulo gayong hindi naman sila inoobliga na manood.

Nagbago ang pananaw ko nang maatasan kami sa internship na mag-obserba at bilangin ang mga palakpak na matatanggap ng pangulo sa kanyang huling SONA. Sa loob ng limang taong panunungkulan ng kasalukuyang administrasyon, buong giting na ipinagmalaki niya ang mga proyekto at repormang isinagawa sa bansa. Pangunahin dito ay ang pagsusulong sa Daang Matuwid at ang pagsugpo sa kurapsyon.

Isa sa mga aksyon na ginawa ng pamahalaan ay ang pagpapatalsik kay dating Punong Mahistrado Renato Corona dahil sa tagong yaman nito at ang pagpapakulong sa tinaguriang pork barrel scam queen na si Janet Napoles kasama ang tatlong senador na sina Ramon “Bong" Revilla Jr., Juan Ponce Enrile at Jinggoy Estrada na inakusahang nakinabang sa Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

Ang pagiging matinik ng Bureau on Internal Revenue sa paghahabol sa mga hindi nagbabayad ng tamang buwis ang naging dahilan umano kaya umakyat sa 1.3 trilyong piso nitong 2014 ang naging koleksyon ng ahensya– ang pinakamalaking naitala sa kasaysayan. Ito ay maaaring umabot sa 1.5 trilyon sa pagtatapos ng taon.

Ibinida rin ng pangulo ang pag-angat ng ekonomiya ng bansa.

Masayang ibinalita ni PNoy na

isa ang Pilipinas sa mga bansa sa Asya na mabilis ang paglago ng ekonomiya. Sa katunayan, binansagan tayong, “Asia's Rising Star,” “Asia's Rising Tiger,” at “Asia's Bright Spot.”

Ang naging batayan niya sa nasabing ulat ay ang pagtaas ng ekonomiya sa 6.8 ngayong taon, ang pagbaba ng employment rate sa 6.8% nitong 2014, ang pinakamababang naitala sa loob ng isang dekada, ang pag-abot sa trilyong piso ng nakolektang buwis, at ang foreign direct investments na umabot sa $6.2 billion, ang pinakamataas sa kasaysayan ng ekonomiya sa bansa.

Kasama rin sa panukalang inclusive growth ay ang Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). Sa kanyang panunungkulan, tinatayang nasa 4.4 milyong kabahayaan na ang benepisyaryo.

Isinama rin niya ang pagpapatupad ng K-12 program na pinaniniwalaan niyang susi para magawang makipagsabayan ng bansa sa mundo.

Sa kabila ng lahat ng numero, proyekto at repormang kanyang isinulong ay mas tumatak sa isipan

ng marami ang walang patawad na pagbatikos at pagpaparinig ng pangulo laban sa nagdaang administrasyon. Muli na naman niyang isinisi sa dating presidente ang hirap na kinakaharap ng bansa.

Paulit-ulit na pinagdiinan ang mga anomalya ng nakaraan. Tila kaligayahan na ng pangulo ang magparinig at manisi ng iba.

Kung tutuusin, marami pang suliranin ang bansa. Kaya laking pagtataka ko nang mas pagtuunan ng pansin ng pangulo ang pagpapasaring kay CGMA kaysa pagbanggit sa mga problemang kinakaharap ng bansa.

Una na nga rito ay ang patuloy na kalbaryong kinakaharap ng mga biktima ng Yolanda. Magdadalawang taon ang nakalipas mula nang manalasa ang bagyo ngunit marami pa rin sa ating mga kababayaan ang hindi pa lubusang nakababangon at ayon sa tala ng Department of Social Welfare Development, 2000 pamilya pa ang nagtitiis sa mga bunkhouses na maaaring mawasak kapag may malakas na bagyong muling sumalanta. May mga tahanang wala pa ring kuryente at kinakapos sa

suplay ng tubig.

Muli, nakalimutan na naman ng pangulo ang 44 na Special Action Force (SAF) commando na nagbuwis ng buhay para sa bayan. Nakapagtatakang sa kabila ng panawagan niyang ipasa ang Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) ay hindi man lang niya nabanggit ang mga yumaong alagad ng batas.

Hindi muli nabigyan ng oras na kilalanin ang kontribusyong naiambag nila para panatilihin ang kapayapaan.

Nakaligtaan din ang pagendorso sa (Freedom of Information Bill) FOI Bill na naglalayon ng higit na transparency, accountability, and citizen participation sa pamamahala.

Kung iisipin, kasama ito sa kampanya niya laban sa katiwalian.

Iniwasan naman ang patuloy na paglala ng daloy ng trapiko na pasakit na sa mga mamamayan. Sa kabila ng samu’t saring proyektong isinasagawa sa mga kalsada na pinopondohan nang malaki, tila kasing kupad nang pag-usad ng mga sasakyan sa EDSA tuwing rush hour ang paglutas sa problemang ito.

Idagdag pa ang mataas na pamasahe

sa mga pampasaherong sasakyan sa kabila ng sunud-sunod na rollback sa presyo ng gasolina.

Isama na rin natin ang mga pasaning iniinda ng mga pampublikong eskwelahan sa bansa.

Nariyan ang kakulangan sa mga textbooks at klasrum kaya ang ibang paaralan ay napipilitang magkaroon ng shifting of classes kahit na delikado. Maganda ang layunin ng K-12 program, ngunit hindi po ba mas magandang maresolba muna ang lahat ng kakulangang ito bago ipatupad ang bagong sistema?

Isa pa sa nagpataas ng kilay sa marami ay ang isa-isa niyang pagpapasalamat sa mga taong nakasama niya sa buong termino.

Nararapat na ipadama ang pasasalamat sa mga tumulong at naging inspirasyon. Kaya lang, pagpapahayag ito ng kalagayan ng bansa. Ang pagmamahal na ito rin ba kaya ang dahilan kung bakit parang biased na ang pangulo kapag mga kaalyado ang nasasangkot sa anomalya? May tamang lugar po sa pagtanaw ng utang na loob.

Dahil ba kaya sa edad kaya hindi naisama ang mga ito sa talumpati o sadyang ibinaon lang sa limot?

Ilan lamang ang mga ito sa mga kinakaharap at tinitiis nating mga Pilipino. Mas marami pang dapat aksyunan. Malayo kumpara sa 157 na palakpak mula sa mga taong nasa loob ng Plenary Hall. Ngunit bago maisagawa ang solusyon, kailangan munang aminin at tanggapin na may problemang kinakaharap.

Ang SONA ay pagpapahayag ng kasalukuyang estado ng bansa.

Makatwiran na ipagmalaki ang mga nakamit ng bansa. Wala ring masama sa pagbabaliktanaw sa nakaraan. Subalit, hindi naman makatarungan na paulitulit na manisi ng kapwa. Mali rin na kaligtaan ang mga isyu na kinakaharap ng bansa. Hindi kabawasan sa pagiging magaling na lider ang pag-amin sa mga pagkukulang. Bagkus, higit na respeto ang dapat igawad sa mga pinipiling magpakumbaba sa pagsasabi ng totoo kaysa magbuhat ng sariling bangko.

“Ordinaryong estudyante na ‘ko ngayon e.”

And I was like: Paano ba maging espesyal?

“Kapag lider ka. Tapos maraming likers. HAHAHAHA~” And again I was like: Anong pilosopiya ‘yan? Ha.Ha.Ha. “Kasi nga leaders are not born, they are made.”

Leaders are not born, they are made.

Pero tama nga ba ito? Sa paanong paraan nga ba talaga gumagawa ng isang lider? Sa pagtambay sa office at pakikipagkaibigan sa mga taong nasa loob nito? Sa pagsali sa isang partido na alam mong hahatak ng iyong boto? Sa pagpapa-tarpaulin

ng pangalan at mukha mo? O sa kada event o pagkakataong may exposure ay makikiepal ka rito?

Don’t get me wrong ah! Alam ko rin namang may mga lider parin tayo na hindi tulad nito at kung gugustuhin ko lang rin naman ay kayang–kaya namang pangalanan at saluduhan sa column na ito.

Pero bakit hindi ko gagawin ‘yun? Dahil tulad ko, naniniwala rin sila sa pagsulong ng “ANTIEPAL Bill” at ang katotohanang nakakabwisit ang mga lider na nagche-check kung ilan na ang likes nila sa facebook after nilang mag-post ng mga hashtag nilang “serbisyong lider” sa selfie o groupie na medyo pa fame-whore ang pinapauso. Sadnu? And yes, some truth hurts.

Hindi ako nagtatapangtapangan. Ang totoo, inisip ko rin

naman talagang mabuti ito bago magsulat. Hindi nga naman kasi lahat ng may hawak ng ballpen ay writer. Pero hindi rin naman “photograph” ang tawag sa mga may hawak ng DSLR na camera. Parang, photographer, ata. But I agree on many levels of which there is really a fact in saying leaders are not born and that they are made. Kasi nga,

talaga na ginagawang excuse ang kanilang posisyon para umastang espesyal around their class/ schoolmates?

Sa puntong ‘to, malamang sa malamang, ‘yung mga taong tinamaan ng batong ito ay nag iinarteng pa-artista na ang peg at ituturing na parang showbiz ang column na ito. Babaliktarin nila ang sitwasyon, gagamitin ang title at sasabihan ang writer ng: “Ano ba’ng alam mo?” Well, the fact na tinamaan ka, hindi mo na maikakaila na napakalapit na sa katotohanan ng mga sinabi ko.

Pero ano nga ba talaga ang alam ko? Alam ko na may mga mas nararapat na tao sa lugar na kinatatayuan niyo. Alam ko na mas malakas ang loob (O ayan a! ‘di ko na ginamit yung kapal ng mukha. OA eh.) at determinado kayo sa kanila. Alam ko na nagsasakripisyo kayo ng oras, pagod at minsan pa nga’y lovelife sa dedikasyong ibinubuhos niyo sa pagtatrabaho. Pero sapat na nga bang dahilan ito para sumali kayo

sa isang organisasyon ng dahil lang sa “gusto niyo”? Masarap kasing isipin na ang mga student leaders ay sumasali sa isang organisasyon dahil may maibibigay sila rito.

Hindi ‘yung para bang gagawa at gagawa ng paraan, para lamang masilip man lang o matutukan sila ng spotlight sa entablado. Seryoso?

Uso ba ito?

Mahirap, oo. At alam ko rin ang pakiramdam na ikaw ang nilalapitan ng mga taong kailangan ng tugon sa mga katanungan at pangangailangan. Mahirap, mahirap ang magdunung dunungan sa isang bagay na hindi naman natin naiintindihan. Kaya ibinase ko ang lahat ng ito sa mga naransan ko bilang isang student leader, isang “ordinaryong estudyante” at bilang isang tambay sa pathway habang nag–oobserba ng mga tao.

Sa gitna ng pag-iisip mo na mayabang ang taong nagsulat nito, sa huli, sisipa sayo ang galit habang mahapdi pa rin ang sampal ng katotohanang tinamaan ka ng mga salitang nabasa mo.

PHOTO COURTESY: AJ Bolando | Philstar.com

‘‘

Mahirap magdunungdunungan sa mga bagay na hindi natin naiintindihan.” it is not about the role, but the goal nga naman. Pero ako lang ba talaga ang nakapapansin at sige, I’ll admit, “bitter,” na may mga student leaders

DevComm

‘NO MORE FEARS ON

LETHAL GRAINS’ - TARLAC WATCHDOGS

T

he province of Tarlac was cleared from the deadly threats of the alleged synthetic grain imports coming from China based on the conclusive reports from the Provincial Agriculture Office and the National Food Authorities (NFA) Tarlac.

The Provincial Agriculture Office backs NFA’s claim saying Tarlaqueños should not fear the alleged fake rice from China since there’s no need for the province to import its staple.

The intensified efforts in empowering the local farmers have significantly boosted confidence in sufficiency in terms of production according to Dr. Edwina Tabamo, provincial agriculturist.

She affirmed they are collaborating with the local government units in giving seed subsidies, and other farm assistance in tractors, irrigation, combined harvesters, and warehouse to meet production goals. Backer stocks were also readied to cover three to four months in case of delay.

The statements supported the later findings of the NFA’s Food Development Center and other agencies declaring that the supposed Davao fake rice are merely contaminated with traces of dibutyl phthalate, a chemical used in making flexible plastics, and not synthetic at all.

The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) found rice deoxyribonucleic acids or DNAs which proved the samples are real rice grains.

Earlier in May, Strait Times identified fake rice – made of potatoes and sweet potatoes with synthetic resin shaped like the real one ­– to have reached some Asian nations.

Health experts say consuming synthetic rice may heavily damage the digestive system.

Also, in an Inquirer report, Department of Health confirmed eating plasticizer-containing rice for three times a day for a month may cause one to be infertile.

The NFA’s authentic regular and wellmilled rice are white and long-grained while the suspected machine-generated plastic rice are

too shiny and are molded in same sizes.

Compared to the commercial rice, fake grains have lighter weight and are uneasy to break. In addition, the synthetic rice produces plastic layers when cooked.

MARKET WATCH Before the laboratory results were finalized, NFA-Tarlac situated in Aguso, Tarlac City already conducted radio briefings in DZTC with local broadcasters Leng Tiamzon and Jing Dizon on July 3.

The agency also visited retailers and millers in different municipalities on a series of occular inspections to warn and inform sellers and consumers on how to detect synthetic rice from the original one. Certified NFA rice retailers were given tarpaulins which includes tips on how to stay safe from the threats of ingesting the machine-made product.

Julita Carpio, a certified NFA rice dealer in the city market place, admitted consumers have been asking if their products are among those imported since the news spread.

“Siyempre nagtaka kami kasi bakit may gano’ng bigas. Kawawa naman yung makakabili diba? Nakakasira ng tao ‘yon. Plastic, ihahalo sa bigas,” Carpio explained.

Though the scare did not significantly decrease their sales, most of the customers have been vigilant on where the supplies are coming.

“Tinatanong nila kung ito ba ‘yong may halong plastic. Ay, hindi ‘ka ko, kasi bigas palang natin ito galing ng NFA,” Carpio told.

The NFA and Bureau of Customs seized a total of 1,561 kilograms of smuggled Chinese from three stalls in Manila on July 7 but an earlier report noted Chinese rice does not necessarily be the same as fake rice, the food authorities’ central office posted.

However, the Philippine government does is not issue permits to China. According to NFA Administrator Renan Dalisay, Chinese rice is very suspicious.

∎ DAN OBLIGACION

12

DevComm

The Work • June-July 2015

THE TOXIC TRUTH ON THE ‘NON-TOXIC’ CANADIAN WASTES

RESETTLEMENT FOLKS COMPLAIN HEALTH, SAFETY RISK ∎ DANIEL C. CARREON

fear for my children, because I heard some of the residents who live near the vicinity would catch cold or get feverish and sick very easily. There are even times when they suffer from excreting. As far as I know, that only happened when the container vans were dumped in the landfill.”

This is the heated statement of Albert Timpug, who lives in Village Mainang Resettlement, Bamban, Tarlac, in line with the issue of at least 27 container vans filled with garbage from Canada dumped in Metro Clark Waste Management Corporation (MCWMC), located between the adjacent towns of Bamban and Capas.

Timpug, a father of seven, has been working as a construction worker for the establishment of a new building in MCWMC to provide for his family’s needs and for his children’s schooling.

“Sometimes, when I don’t work in the construction site, I go to the place where MCWMC allows us to tend with the garbage and sell what we can sell.”

The 45-year old worker vastly spends his time working in MCWMC to bring home something for his family. However, since the issue came to their village, he cannot help but be alarmed.

“I am not really sure if it is the effect of the garbage from Canada but since those container vans from Canada were dumped here in the landfill, I have observed great changes in our community. Some of them are even mysterious,” Timpug said.

Timpug and the residents near MCWMC now fear the possible danger these container vans have brought to the landfill – where so many people work just to live.

DISGUISED GARBAGE

“I

In June 2013, Canada sent at least 55 container vans topped up with said “recyclable” materials that our country can supposedly benefit from. Owned by Zim, locally known as Le Soleil, the container vans were left resting and rotting for two years at the Port of Manila until this July.

The waste analysis and characterization study done on Nov. 10, 2014 to three of the 55 container vans, found that they were actually topped up with “municipal solid waste which cannot be recycled and are destined for disposal.”

The container vans include non-recyclable plastics, used adult diapers, kitchen wastes,

broken bottles, glasses, among other rubbish which are not even near to beneficial.

After that, the Environment Management Bureau (EMB) gave an advice to the Bureau of Customs (BOC), who seized the trucks two years ago, and Regional Trial Court for a final disposal of the garbage due to the garbage juice already leaking from trucks.

According to a report, Judge Paulino Gallegos gave an order on April 1, 2015 for BOC to take charge on the disposal of only 34 container vans and for the local shipper to release them. However, on a May 7 report, BOC asked the release of 55 container vans, and contracted some of these container vans to be dumped at MCWMC. “The DENR recommended to do these in Calangitan so we reserved the right to record the opening and emptying of each [container],” Rufo Colayco, president and CEO of MCWMC, said in an interview after the container vans were dumped earlier in July.

AN ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY ISSUE “Every time the heavy container vans from Canada passed by, we suffer from very loud noise and cloud of dust,” Osias Eruela, a student of Tarlac State University and resident of Sitio Pagasa in Bamban, complained.

“I am also scared, because even though only three out of 55 container vans were investigated and proved to be non-hazardous, we still cannot ascertain the dangerous chemicals of the other container vans left unchecked, if there really is,” he added.

Timpug, the construction worker in MCWMC, an also observed scores of changes in his community.

“I am really furious that the stench of the garbage, the mud, the dirt and dust, and the noise of the huge backhoes the garbage from Canada brought and that have reached our village and disturbed our community,” Timpug exclaimed, saying things have even doubled and aggravated the condition of their areas.

“Even the carabaos that stand by silently, very healthy and robust in farms, would die all of a sudden,” he added.

Timpug also said that they live near the mountains.

He fears—but he prays for this not to happen—that if the burying of the garbage from Canada becomes a complete disaster, he hopes that the garbage would not

The Work • June-July 2015

DevComm

13

“

I fear for my children, because I heard some of the residents who live near the vicinity would catch cold or get feverish and sick very easily... As far as I know, that only happened when the container vans were dumped in the landfill.”

reach his area.

“Although we live at hand in the mountains, the flood still gets knee-high. There are times when even the places in the mountains get submerged because of the garbage.”

Presently, there are still six container vans locked and untouched in the land next to the construction site where Timpug works.

Daniel G. Tiwala, security supervisor of MCWMC, said that they postponed the disposal of these containers vans which arrived in July 16, because these container vans arrived during the time when the news alarmed the country and the residents of adjacent towns have complained largely.

“What frightens me most is that we do not know what toxic those at least six other container vans bring,” Timpug said with regard to the secured vans.

As they still wait for the go-signal and instructions from the authorities, Tiwala said that these container vans will remain where they are, un-dumped and secured.

“I am also confused why we accepted them again.

Maybe the country has accepted the garbage because they received money from the shipper,” he continued.

GOLDS IN GARBAGE Despite the safety concerns of many settlers, others have considered the Canadian wastes a blessing. Sheryl Victoria, a resident of Calangitan, Cutcut II, Capas, is one of them.

Like Timpug, the 38-year old mother is also the provider of her family. She goes to MCWMC every time Clark and other waste management companies dump their beneficial scraps, which she tends and sells to a dealer.

“I usually get paid P200 for minimum and P500 for maximum,” she said.

Victoria and her colleagues said they are forced go to MCWMC to provide for their families because of

one very reason – life is hard. Victoria said if people won’t give you any job, then, go and be your own boss.

“I am good with that, instead of sprawling my legs in the house, doing nothing, just watching the children starve,” she told.

For Victoria, that there are no changes at all in their village since the garbage from Canada had been dumped in the nearby landfill.

“I don’t really care whatever they dump on this landfill, as long as what they dump do not have any toxic, and—of course—as long as they give us the chance to tend the garbage and find what we can sell.”

Her other friends, who were busy tending the scraps from another waste management which they call TIPCO, said that the reason why they are not afraid of the toxic is because in their village, Calangitan, a job is needed more than anything.

WITH DIGNITY AT RISK After receiving many complaints from neighboring residents, Gov. Victor Yap asked the suspension of the disposal without any certification from DENR about the nature of wastes as MCWMC already unloaded some container vans as a request from BOC. Colayco, meanwhile, said that a copy of the DENR certification and waste analysis was already sent to Yap July 13 showing that the container vans contain “residual waste, not hazardous waste.”

He explained in a NewsInfo report that the issues raised—under international protocols towards sending back these container vans regardless of their nontoxic nature—is not a valid issue. The landfill authorities nodded to the request of BOC to help the government end the issue immediately.

He also revealed in the same report that the local shipper, Le Soleil, has paid 800-900 pesos per ton—as the garbage weighs 25 tons in total—for investigative

purposes to ensure and prove that these wastes are really not hazardous.

Instead of sending the garbage back to Canada, Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina said in a report that the disposal is pursuant of Section 2608 to the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines.

Customs took legal action against Valenzuela City-based Chronic Plastics, the counterpart of the exporter Chronic Inc. based in Ontario, Canada, for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 6969 or the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Control Act of 1990 and RA 1937 or the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines.

With all these legal actions taken against the dumping of Canada’s 25-ton garbage, the Tarlaqueño protesters from some neighboring towns in Capas and Bamban are still pleading to the government to extradite the garbage from Canada as the infuriating noise, mud, stench and dust from the adjacent sanitary landfill still worry them.

“It is okay that Canada dumped its garbage here,” Victoria, the resident from Calangitan, Cutcut II, Capas, said sheepishly. “Nonetheless, I just hope it that it does not have any toxic. I love my family more than my job, but I still have to work for them.”

With great animosity, Timpug, the resident from Bamban, voiced this is not only an insult to Tarlaqueños, but also an insult to the whole country.

“They are treating our country like a huge dumpsite of toxics and garbage alike. But if we cannot anymore send the garbage back to the owner, will Canada allow us to dump our garbage onto their country as well?” Timpug ended confused and wandering what will happen next to their community.

With reports from: newsinfo.inquirer.net www.philstar.com

DevComm

The Work • June-July 2015

14

BUM PE R- T O - BUM PE R S A UM U U N L A D NA BA N S A

Tarlaqueñong biyahero, motorista todo tiis sa trapikong ‘mala-EDSA’ ∎ JHAYVI C. DIZON at OLIVER JOHN S. TABAQUERO

“Palagi mang isigaw ng mga pasahero, biyahero, tagapagmaneho at mga opisyal na trapik dito sa lugar na ito, sa lugar na iyon at sa iba pa, mananatiling miskonsepsyon ng tao na ang trapik ay kaakibat lamang ng gitgitan ng napakalaking bilang ng sasakyan at ang mabagal na usad ng mga ito sa tiyak na oras na iyon.” – Tarlac City Public Order and Safety Office RATSADA NG MGA LATE SA ESKWELA Tuwing umaga, kinaiinisan ng mga estudyante ang mabigat na trapiko. Isa ito sa pangunahing dahilan kung bakit nahuhuli ang isang mag-aaral sa kanyang klase.

Kwento ni Grace, 20, mula College of Business and Accountancy na mag-aapat na taon nang nagko-commute mula Capas hanggang TSU, nakadadagdag pa sa pagod niya ang trapiko.

“Hassle ‘yung traffic ‘dun sa may Metro. Dagdag 30 minutes. Minsan nga, isang oras pa eh. Maalinsangan na tapos maingay pa. Imbes na iisipin mo ‘yong lessons mo o kaya ‘yong pahinga mo, oras pa ‘yung aalalahanin mo,” hinaing ni Grace.

Sa hapon naman, imbes na agad makakapagpahinga at mag-aral, pinapahaba pa ng trapiko ang oras ng pagbi-biyahe.

“Napilitan akong maglakad mula Magic papuntang F. Tan hanggang sa terminal ng Victoria. Hindi na kasi gumagalaw ‘yung mga jeep sa may likod ng simbahan (San Sebastian Cathedral),” daing naman ni Rodel, 19, ng College of Arts and Social Sciences.

Ilan lamang sina Grace at Rodel sa mga madalas malasin at maipit sa anila’y traffic na nagkaroon na ng maling pagpapakahulugan sa maraming Pilipino.

Ang totoo, ang salitang traffic ay tumutukoy sa mismong daloy ng mga laman ng kalsada tulad ng pedestrians at sasakyan.

Subalit taliwas ang nangyayari sa mga kalsada ng Tarlac.

Madalas maapektuhan ang mga lugar na malapit o nakapaligid sa mga eskwelahan, establisyimyento at mga parke na laging dinaraanan ng mga sasakyan kapag rush hours. Kaya imbes na mabilis sanang makararating sa paroroonan, mabagal na pag-usad ang nararanasan.

RATSADA SA PINAHINANG PASADA

Hindi lamang mga pasahero ang maaaring magreklamo, kundi pati na rin ang mga namamasada. Sa mainit na panahon dito sa probinsya, hindi maiwasan na hindi makapagtimpi ng galit ang ilang driver kung hindi ito napagbigyan ng daan o makapagsakay ng pasahero dahil sa pag-uunahan.

Gayundin, sa isang buong araw na bumabyahe ang mga drayber, bilang hanapbuhay, kadalasan nagkakaroon ng mga sagabal sa daan na nagdudulot naman ng kakapusan sa bilang ng pag-ikot sa ruta na nagiging sanhi sa pagbaba ng kikitain.

Ayon kay Mang Rogelio Salvador, driver ng 3M, imbes na samantalahin ang dami ng nag-aabang na pasahero tuwing rush hour, ito pa mismo ang dahilan upang bumaba ang kanyang kita sa maghapon.

Aniya, masasabing maraming pasahero sa mga oras na iyon subalit ang “luwang” ng daan ang maaaring makapagpabagal sa pagbiyahe. Mabagal ang daloy ng mga sasakyan sa may Osias Colleges na umaabot hanggang sa palibot ng Aquino Bridge at

Boulevard, kung kaya’t ang karaniwang biyahe ni Mang Rogelio na umaabot ng anim na ikot ay nagiging apat na lamang – at kung mamalasin, bababa pa ito sa dalawa.

“Yung traffic lights du’n sa intersection sa may Osias Colleges, nakabit lang y’ung mga yon pagkatapos ang ilang buwan ng trapiko at insidente na nangyari do’n,” dagdag pa ni Mang Rogelio.

Ang mga ganitong sitwasyon din ang nagdudulot ng mga suliranin sa daanan na maaaring resulta ng pag-gigitgitan at salpukan ng mga sasakyan kapag bumper-to-bumper na ang lagay nito.

PALIWANAG SA TERIBLENG ABALA Paliwanag ni Marivic Lim Reyes, administrative assistant ng Public Order and Safety Office (POSO), ang palagiang pagbigat ng daloy ng trapiko sa mga pangunahing lansangan ng Lungsod ng Tarlac tuwing rush hours ay bunsod ng ilang mga salik gaya ng di kontroladong lagay ng panahon, pagsasaayos ng mga kalsada, kipot ng daan at pagkakasabay-sabay ng maraming pumapasok at umuuwi galing ng trabaho at eskwela.

Dagdag pa aniya ang mga lumalabag sa batas-trapiko tulad ng double parking at mga kolorum na sasakyan.

Ang POSO ang pangunahing departamento ng city hall na nangangasiwa sa trapiko ng buong siyudad. Sakop din nito ang pagpapalabas ng lisensya at mga traffic enforcers ng Traffic Management Group.

“Yong six o’clock to eight o’clock busy ‘yon kasi lalabas ang namalengke. Lalabas ang nagsimba. Pupunta ng school. Pupunta ng office,” pagtukoy ni Reyes patungkol sa rush hour.

Dagdag pa ni Reyes, mayroong isinasagawang rehabilitation sa Aquino Bridge na maaaring magtagal hanggang anim na buwan na magpapanatili sa ganitong lagay ng bolyum ng sasakyan.

Binanggit rin ni Engr. Reginald Magsino, isa sa mga civil engineers ng City Engineer’s Office ng Tarlac, ang nakikita nilang paglaki sa bolyum ng mga sasakyan. Inihambing niya ito sa Maynila partikular sa EDSA na nakadisenyo lamang para sa kaunting sasakyan.

“Dumadami na yung sasayan natin pero di naman lumalapad yung daan natin.”

PAGBIBIGAY DAAN SA SOLUSYON Pinapatupad din ng POSO ang city ordinance 05-004 o mas kilala sa New Tarlac City Traffic Code. Dito, detalyadong nakalahad ang mga ruta na dadaanan ng mga pambublikong sasakyan.

“Meron tayong field operation team na tumutulong ‘pag heavy na ‘yong traffic. Pero ang major focus nila is apprehension. Sila ‘yung humuhuli. Sila ‘yung nagpupunta sa mga TODA. Nagche-

check kung legitimate ang mga kakayahang mamasada.

Paliwanag ni Reyes, nitong Hunyo ay nagsagawa ng special operations ang pamahalaang panglungsod upang hulihin ang mag kolorum na na hindi nag-renew ng mayor’s permit ngunit patuloy sa pagbiyahe.

“We address deployment. We address traffic loads through proper deployment and scheduling of enforcers.”

Idinetalye rin ni Reyes ang pagpapakalat ng traffic enforcers.

Aniya, rumeresponde ang mga on-call na traffic enforcers tuwing nagigipit ang isang intersection o kalye. Katuwang rin nila ang Philippine National Police (PNP) sa pagmamando ng trapiko.

“Beyond six o’clock, kung wala na ‘yung tao namin diyan, naiintindihan dapat na PNP na ‘yun. Nagrequest kami through a letter to PNP na dapat 6 in the evening beyond magdedeploy na sila,” depensa ni Reyes.

“Tapos ‘yung saturday at sunday natin, kung may makitang POSO diyan, special operation lang. Ang dapat na nandoon, PNP na,” dagdag niya.

Umapela rin ang tanggapan ng POSO sa mga drayber na mas maging responsable at mapagbigay o mapagpasensya sa biyahe kapag may mataas na bilang ng sasakyan sa mga daraanan.

Kaugnay nito, sa paglalahad naman ni Engr. Magsino, malaking epekto aniya ang disiplina ng mga nagmamaneho sa trapiko.

“Ang side parking kasi natin, kung mapapansin niyo kasi ngayon, hindi lang double parking. Hindi lang triple parking.

May quadruple parking pa,” pagtukoy ng inhinyero sa mga umuukupang sasakyan sa kahabaan ng F. Tanedo.

“Kung makikita niyo sinabi na, nakasulat na, no loading and unloading. Pero ano nakikita niyo, doon parin sila naglo-load.

Doon parin sila pumaparada,” dagdag pa ni Magsino.

Ibinahagi ng inhinyero ang plano nila na palawakin ang kalsada partikular na sa F. Tañedo.

“Kung mapapansin niyo, ‘yung F. Tañedo, diba winiden na namin ‘yun ng konte. Kaya lang, dumedepende kami sa availability of funds. So ang talagang naka-set na gagawin namin diyan ay ituloy ‘yung nabitin hanggang doon. Magkabilaan para mawiden ‘yung F. Tanedo,” pagsalaysay ni Magsino.

Sa pagpapanatili ng kaayusan sa kalsada, nakakaantabay din umano ang POSO at Engineering Office sa paglalagay ng directional at informative signages. Kasama na rin ang pagpipintura sa pedestrian lanes at loading and unloading lanes.

“Pwede kaming magbigay ng suhestiyon, pwede naming sabihin yung mga sa tingin namin maganda, nasa kanila na ‘yun kung i-aadopt nila,” dagdag ni Magsino.

Samantala, ang mga nasabing suliranin ng mga daanan ay inaaksyunan na ng lokal na yunit ng pamahalaan ngunit wala pang tiyak na panahon kung kailan magiging ganap na epektibo na ang biyahe ng mga sasakyan at pasahero.

Features

The Work • June-July 2015

Ang Classroom ni Juan

15

MGA TAGONG BUBBLE GUM SA ILALIM NG ARMCHAIR ∎ JENIKA BIANCA ICASIANO at BONJOEBEE R. BELLO

Tahimik akong papasok sa silidaralan; marumi ang silya – makalawang, sisindihan ang ilaw at electric fan, uupo sa silya at maghihintay hanggang magsimula ang klase. Sa kalagitnaan ng diskusyon, bigla kong nakapa ang ilalim ng aking desk, may nasundot akong malambot na bagay–bubble gum. Badtrip!

Biglang pumasok sa isipan ko: Teka, ilang araw na akong nakaupo rito mula noong pasukan pero bakit ngayon ko lang napansin ang bubble gum sa ilalim ng aking desk? Saka ko napagtanto na marami pa palang bagay ang hindi masyadong kapansin-pansin ngunit alam nating nariyan lang sa ating mga silidaralan. Gaya ng bubble gum na nilimot na ng panahon na hindi mahahagilap ng simpleng paghahanap.

Pananamit ng Propesor Nagkakatinginan na kami ng aking mga kaklase. Kanina pa kasi namin napapansing hindi pantay ang pagkakabotones ng polo ng aming prof. Marahil ay nagmamadali siya kanina sa pagpasok. Ngunit wala ni isang nagtangkang magsabi. Nahihiya siguro. Naisip ko tuloy, minsan talaga pinipili na lamang ng karamihan ang manahimik na lamang para wala na lang issue.

Mga Nalimutang Tape

May mga bagay rin na talagang pinapabayaan sapagkat alam na hindi ito mapapansin. Gaya ng mga nalimutang [double-sided]tape sa blackboard. Mga naiwang tape na pagkatapos ng reporting ay pinabayaan na lamang. Napansin lamang ulit ang mga ito nung nagbura ang aming prof. pagkatapos mapuno ang isang pisngi ng board. Ngunit imbis na malinis na board ang masulatan ulit, isang mala-solar system ang tinambad ng mga naiwang tape na ito.

Mga Sulat sa Braso

Ilang beses na akong nabibiktima ng mga sulat sa braso. Hindi ko alam kung katabi ko ba o iyong mga nasa likuran ko ang may sala. Imposible namang nasa harapan ko. Lagi akong umuuwi sa bahay bitbit ang mga naglalantarang sulat sa aking mga braso. Sinadya man o hindi, ay hindi pa rin nakatutuwang makita na nagmumukha ka ng scratch paper sa dami ng sulat sa iyong braso.

Butas-butas na Armchair

Uso pa rin minsan sa mga klase ang seating arrangement at nagkakataong napupwesto ako sa bandang harapan. Mula sa mga lecture at discussions, notebook ang ginagamit ko. Ngunit kapag exam, bawal ang patungan.

Sa kalagitnaan ng aking page-exam, biglang lumusot ang aking bolpen sa test paper. Huli na nang mapansin kong butas-butas pala ang napuntang upuan sa akin.

Kodigo sa labas ng Bintana

Napansin kong nagtapon ang kaharap ko ng kapiranggot na papel sa bintana, napatingin ako sa labas – naroon ang mga plant box at maraming lukot na papel.

Sa sobrang curious ko, pagkatapos ng klase ay nagpulot ako ng isa at tumambad sa akin ang nagliliwanag na kodigo. Sa pagkakaalala ko, sulat ng crush ko ‘to. Na-imagine kong ganito rin siguro niya nilukot at itinapon ang damdamin ko.

Invisible na mga Kaklase “Ilan ba ang iyong mga kaibigan sa klase? Kaaway? O kaya’y crush? Pero matanong ko lang, ilan ang hindi mo alam na kaklase mo pala? Meron ba o wala?” Marahil mayroon ngunit sadyang hindi mo lang talaga pansin ang existence nila. Hindi natin napapansin ang mga taong tahimik sa klase dahil akala natin may sarili silang mundo at doon lamang ang kanilang boundary.

Tulog na Kaklase

Nasa Engineering Building kami noon. May gusto sana akong itanong noon sa kaibigan ko mula sa likuran. Nang nilingon ko, wala siya, kaya maingat akong humakbang papunta sa kanya. Nagulat ako nang makita ko siyang tulóg sa ilalim ng mesa. Bumalik ako sa aking upuan. Buti pa siya, nakakatulog.

Bakit naman ako pa ang nasa harap?

Mga Late na Kaklase

Mahahalata mong maraming late kapag ang upuan sa likuran ay puro blanko, gaya ng nangyari sa aming klase. Kakaunti ang nakasulat sa attendance sheet. Sa kalagitnaan ng klase, bigla na lang napuno ang kanina’y fill in the blank na pwesto sa

likuran. Ngayon, naniniwala na ako na ang mga ninja ay talagang nage-exist.

Edad ng Kaklase

Maraming bagay ang hindi mapapansin sa isang tao. Lalo na ang edad dahil isa ito sa tinatago ng tao sa iba. Hindi natin ito napapansin hindi lang dahil sa tinatago nila, may mga tao lang talaga na hindi akma ang itsura sa edad. Minsan talaga, ang buhay mapanlinlang.

Gilid ng Classroom

Minsan, may mga bagay na nandiyan na sa malapit ay hindi pa rin natin napapansin.

Parang nung biglang manghingi ng halimbawa yung prof. namin ng mga bagay na may perpendicular intersection. Nasabi na nila halos lahat ng mga naiisip ko kaya nung ako yung tinanong ay wala na akong naisagot.

Gaya nang nakagawian, pagkaalis ng prof ay sumandal ako sa pader.

Paglingon ko ay napansin kong tila perpendicular ang intersection ng sulok nito.

Kung kanina ko pa sana ito napansin.

Alikabok sa Liwanag

Ito ang init na gusto ko, init ng alas-dos hanggang alas-kwatro ng hapon. Ang init na ang sarap matulog.

Nakatunganga ako sa klase at walang balak makinig sa propesor nang biglang may lumiwanag mula sa bintana. Namangha ako sa mga cute na lumilipad na alikabok sa ere. Sa sobrang mangha ko, muntik nang tumulo ang aking laway. Pagkauwi, tinanong ako nung kaibigan ko: kung ayos lang daw ba ako kanina. Kung may problema raw ako, malalapitan ko naman daw siya. May mga bitbit ang liwanag, maaring kasiyahan o contentment. May mga maliliit na bagay talaga sa mundo na maituturing mong importante bamagat maliliit, itatabi mo sa iyong alaala.

Nangingitim na dulo ng Bumbilya

Minsan, noong pumasok ako sa evening class ko, may mga insektong nakapasok sa classroom at tipong nakikipagtuos sa bumbilya. Tipong ilang beses niyang bubungguin yung bumbilya at naririnig mo pa ang pagbunggo niya rito.

Sumasabay sa pagsasalita ni sir. Nang tumahimik, napansin kong wala na ang mga insekto, ngunit ang gilid ng mga bumbilya ay nangingitim. Naisip ko tuloy, ito marahil ang mga pasà na natamo niya sa mga sigang insektong ito.

Mga Nakausling Bakal o Screw sa Upuan

Hindi lahat ng sumusunod sa iyo, type ka. Iyan ang napagtanto ko noong biglang sumunod sa akin ang aking upuan nang bigla akong tumayo. Nakita ko na lang na nakasabit na pala ang uniform ko sa nakausling bakal sa upuan. Pag-uwi ko, tinanong ni mama kung saan galing iyong punit.

May mga bagay nga talagang napapansin mo lang kapag nakasakit na sa iyo.

Mga Tagong Damdamin

Kung ang edad, natatago, paano pa kaya ang mga lihim na pagtingin? Hindi natin alam kung ang pagtingin na ito ay mula sa estudyante papuntang prof., prof. papuntang estudyante, o estudyante papuntang kapwa estudyante? Ngunit ito lamang ang ating nasisiguro, lahat tayo may mga lihim na itinitago maging sa ating sarili na sa huli ay sasabog at sasabog pa rin at kakawala.

May mga bagay sa paligid mo sa loob ng isang payak na araw sa apat na sulok ng isang classroom na akala mo walang saysay, ngunit mayroong halaga. Madalas na hindi mo sila napagtutuunan ng atensyon at marahil pa nga’y hindi mo man lang talaga bibigyang atensyon.

Pero sa simpleng bubble gum na nakapa ko, napagtanto kong may mga maiikling kwento, alamat, epiko at minsan pa nga’y misteryo at aral silang bitbit. Naghihintay lang naman na sa minsang pag-upo, paglalakad, pagmamasid-masid, pag-susulat at pagbabasa mo ay saglit kang titigil para sila’y pansinin.

16

Parang eksena sa pelikula ang dinatnan ni Rita ng gabing iyon sa plaza na palagi nilang pinupuntahan ni Jeff. Humahalimuyak ang mga bulaklak na nakakalat sa paligid at may mga kandilang nag-aanyaya sa kanyang tumuloy sa mesang nakahanda sa dulo nito.

Ito na marahil ang gabing kanyang pinakahihintay. Magpo-propose na ang kanyang nobyo at magsisimula na ang panibagong yugto ng kaniyang buhay.

Masuwerte umano ang ikasal sa buwan ng Hunyo kaya bata pa lang ay pinangarap na niyang maging “June Bride”. Tamang tama, kung sakali, ay may ilang buwan pa para makapaghanda sila sa araw ng kanilang kasal.

*** Sa isang bansang maituturing pa ring konserbatibo gaya ng Pilipinas, hindi pa rin matatawaran ang kahalagahan ng kasal sa pagsisimula ng pamilya. Mula sa mga ninong at ninang, mga abay, motif, venue ng kasal at reception, hanggang sa kung anong isusuot ng magkapareha, masusing binubutingting ang bawat detalye upang maging perpekto ang pinakaimportanteng araw ng kanilang buhay.

Ngunit bago pa man ang lahat, kailangan munang planuhing mabuti kung kalian gaganapin ang mahalagang araw na ito.

Isa sa mga pinakasikat na buwan na pinagdadausan ng kasal, hindi lamang dito sa Pilipinas kundi maging sa buong mundo, ay ang buwan ng Hunyo.

Ayon sa mga kwento, may ilang natatanging mga rason kung paano napili ang buwan ng Hunyo bilang paboritong araw ng pagpapakasal.

Buwan ng Diyosa ng Pagpapakasal Ipinangalan ang buwan ng Hunyo kay Juno, ang Diyosa ng pagpapakasal at panganganak.

Sa panahon ng mga Ancient Romans, kung saan malaki ang parte ng mga Diyos at Diyosa sa pang-araw-araw na pamumuhay, pinaniniwalaang kapag ikinasal ka sa buwan na ito, bibiyayaan ka ng langit at magiging masaya at masagana ang pagsasama ng mag-asawa.

Features

The Work • June-July 2015

Malaya tayo. At may kalayaan tayong magkaroon ng pagpapakahulugan nito maging sa kung paano, saan at hanggang saan natin ito gagamitin.

Kasabay ng modernong panahon kung saan mas maraming nakakikilala kay Marcelo Santos III kaysa kay Marcelo H. Del Pilar at ng mabilis na pag-usbong ng makabagong pamumuhay, saan at hanggang saan kaya nagagamit ng mga TSUians ang kanilang kalayaan? *** Paul, TSU Choir Member Ganu’n lang din naman. Pagdating sa decision-making, actually free na free ako.

Doon ko nae-express lahat ‘yung freedom ko.

Tulad na lang sa...before kasi, nu’ng 1st year ako, ang nag-decide ng course ko is hindi ako.

Siya (dating syota) ‘yung nag-decide ng course na ‘yun para magkasama kami. Pero napagisipan ko na hindi ko kasi gusto ‘yung course na kinuha niya para sa’min, kaya nag-decide ako na mag-shift (from Information Technology to Accountancy). Isa ‘yun sa mga best decisions na nagawa ko ngayon dito sa college life ko.

Jane, Transferee from TSU (Former Accountancy Stutent) Free naman ako, e. Maliban na lang sa mga ano...syempre, ‘yung mga rules ng college kailangan mong tuparin, lalo na BA ako dati. ‘Yung heels, ganyan. ‘Yun lang, pero hindi naman masyadong big deal. Petty issue lang.

Milo, TSU Performing Arts Member Masasabi ko lang na malaya ako ‘pag ‘yung alam ko sa sarili ko na kaya ko na. Ibig kong sabihin, nag-matured na. So, kung sa sarili ko, masasabi ko lang na malaya ako ‘pag ‘yung hindi na ako aasa sa mga magulang ko. Kagaya nito, itong pagiging Performing Arts. Scholar ako. Nakakapunta ako sa iba’t ibang parte ng mundo na hindi ako umaasa o nanghihingi ng tulong sa mga magulang ko. Actually, dahil du’n, naging proud sila sa’kin. Tapos parang binigyan nila ako’ng kalayaan na gawin kung

anong gusto ko. Eh, wala namang masama sa ginagawa ko.

Kim Adrean and Airiz Lumalabas.

Pumupunta sa, halimbawa, sa bahay namin. Nanunuod ng movie kasama ang family. Sa kanya rin. (Kim) May limitation din. (Airiz) Jan Vincent, BS Criminology Student As long as wala akong naba-violate na freedom ng iba. Kunwari, ‘yung rights nila.

Kasi, yung freedom, ito ‘yung pinaka-abused at misused na word, e. And, magiging freedom lang ‘yung isang bagay kapag, ‘yung sabi ko nga, hindi mo naba-violate ‘yung rights or freedom ng iba. And, ‘yun nga ‘yung ginagawa ko. Kumbaga, may limitations ‘yung ginagawa kong actions. Du’n nasusukat ‘yung freedom ko.

Apaul Ross, COED Student Sa ‘kin, as of now, kasi wala pa man akong 18, ‘yung freedom (is) between sa ‘min ng parents ko. May curfew. Ta’s mas marami ‘yung bawal, kasi strict sila e. ‘Yun ‘yung du’n sa freedom. ‘Yun, kasi halos sa parents lang naman umiikot e, ngayong teenager.

Crystal, Graduating COED Student Sa pagpili...ng mga bagay na gusto mo. Halimbawa, ‘yung pagpili mo ng course.

As a student, that’s your freedom. Hindi dapat parents ‘yung nagde-decide. Dapat ikaw, kung anong gusto mo. Kasi, ikaw ‘yung mag-aaral, e.

Hindi naman sila.

Kristel Juive, Civil Engineering Student Nagagawa ko lahat ng gusto ko.

Mga luho ko...nabibili ko ‘yung mga luho ko.

Nakakapagday-out ako with friends. Nakakakain ako ng kahit anong oras ko gusto. ‘Yun lang naman.

John, 4P’s Scholar Nagagamit ko naman siya sa arawaraw. Kung ano ‘yung gusto ko, gagawin ko.

Siyempre, malaya nga, ‘di ba? Sa pag-aaral, sa sports...basketball. Siyempre hangga’t gusto kong mag-basketball, magba-basketball ako.

Kasi, kalayaan nga di’ba?

Joyce, Student Journalist Siguro, sa freedom of expression

Sa kahirapan ng buhay sa mga panahong iyon, nanaiisin mo raw umanong hingin ang lahat ng “divine” na tulong na maari mong makuha upang maging masagana ang panibagong buhay na iyong tatahakin.

Pag-aani at Panganganak Dahil nagsimula ang kulturang ito sa kanluran na kung saan mayroong apat na season, tinatayang pinakaperpektong buwan ang Hunyo.

Sa panahong hindi pa uso ang contraceptives, inaasahan na makalipas lamang ang sandaling panahon ay mapupuno na ang sinapupunan ng babae. Kaya tamang tama umano na magpakasal sa buwan ng Hunyo dahil mangangahulugan ito na sa panahon ng pagbubuntis ay maaari pang tumulong ang asawang babae sa panahon ng pag-aani.

Nangangahulugan din ito na tagsibol na sa araw ng kanyang panganganak. Sagana na ang mga tao sa pagkain kaya mas malaki ang tyansa ng bata na mag-survive hanggang sa dumating muli ang panahon ng taglamig.

Inaasahang nakabawi na rin ng lakas ang ina kaya maari na muli itong tumulong sa susunod na panahon ng pag-ani.

Perpektong panahon para sa perpektong araw Sa ilang bansa naman, popular ang Hunyo dahil tamang tama ang panahon sa buwan na ito. Madaling malaman ang takbo ng panahon kaya madaling planuhin ang ibang detalye ng kasal. Ito rin ang simula ng buwan ng pamumukadkad ng mga bulaklak ng mga pananim kaya marami ang na-e-engganyo na sa buwang ito magpakasal.

Taunang Paliligo Ito marahil ang pinakakakaiba sa mga rason na maaring pinagmulan ng popularidad ng Hunyo bilang buwan ng pagpapakasal.

Ayon sa mga tala, taong 1400 hanggang 1500, isang beses lang sa isang taon kung kelan nakakaligo ng maayos ang mga tao. Sa panahong ito umano ay hindi pangangailangan ang paliligo kaya naman, ini-re-reserba na

lamang nila ito sa isang once a year event na kadalasang ginaganap tuwing Mayo.

Hindi naman nila ito maisagawa tuwing Mayo dahil malas umano ang buwang ito sa pagpapakasal.

Kaya naman, nakagawian na tuwing Hunyo ganapin ang mga kasal kung kelan mabango pa ang mga tao. Sino nga ba naman ang gustong ikasal ng mabaho, hindi ba?

Dito rin umano nagsimula ang pagdadala ng bouquet ng bulaklak ng bride upang kahit papaano ay matakpan ang di kaaya-ayang amoy ng mga ikakasal.

∎ JAHRED F. BERTOLFO

pero limited pa din, eh. Kasi...dahil alam mong may mga magja-judge sa’yo dahil ganu’n ‘yung sinabi mo. For example na lang, sa mga issues.

Once na nag(bigay) na ako ng statement, hindi pwedeng walang bashers.

Rose Ann, Beauty Pageant and Sports Enthusiast Hanggang sa limitations ko. ‘Pag alam ko nang may matatamaan, limitation ko na ‘yun. For example, as a student? Alam natin mga limitations natin. For example, you’re not allowed to cheat kasi pandadaya talaga ‘yun.

So, hanggang du’n. Hindi ako nagchi-cheat, ganun.

Mary, Student Leader Hanggang sa...kaya ko namang maipahayag ‘yung mga gusto kong sabihin pero after nu’n may consequence din. Like yung nangyari last time sa isang department.

Nag-post kami ng about du’n sa department na ‘yun. Then after nu’n, pinatawag kami. Parang nagagamit mo s’ya, freedom of expression, pero after nu’n may consequence ka pa rin na haharapin.

Ate Sharon, School Canteen Crew Depende sa gusto ko. Kasi nasa ‘kin naman ‘yun kung ano ‘yung dapat kong gawin para sa sarili ko, ‘di ba? Depende sa pagintindi...sa sarili mo. Kung paano mo gagamitin; kung susunod ka ba sa tama o mali. Ngayon, kung may kumokontrol sa ‘yo, wala kang kalayaan para sa sarili mo.

Mang Elmer at Mang Edgar, TSU TODA Drivers Siyempre, sa mabuti. Sa disiplina sa pagmamaneho. Yung mabuting kalooban...’pag may naiwan sa toda namin, ‘yung mga cellphone, anumang gamit binabalik namin. *** Samakatuwid, hindi maipagkakailang may limitasyon ang mga bagay-bagay katulad kung paanong may hangganan maging ang paggamit at pagpapakahulugan sa salitang ‘kalayaan’.

Hanggang dito na lang ang lathalaing ito. E, ang kalayaan mo?

Marami pang mga kuwento at haka-haka kung papaano nagsimula ang popularidad ng Hunyo bilang buwan ng pagpapakasal. Ilan lamang ang mga nabanggit.

Hindi na uso ang mga kuwento’t paniniwalang ito, subalit nananatili pa rin ang popularidad ng buwang ito sa mga magsising-irog. Tunay nga sigurong naging parte na ito ng tradisyon at kultura ng bawat bansa kaya napanatili ang kasikatan nito bilang wedding month.

Subalit, higit sa araw o buwan na ito ay ang intensyon ng dalawang nag-iibigan na bumuo ng pamilya at magsimula ng panibagong yugto ng kanilang buhay. *** Cheesy at korni man sa pandinig ngunit nakatayo sa tabi ng mesa ang lalaking pinakamamahal niya.

Sa kanyang paglapit ay unti-unti unting lumuhod ang lalaki at naglabas ng maliit na kahon. Nang buksan niya ito ay napaluha na lamang si Rita.

Hindi niya marinig ang sinasabi ni Jeff ngunit alam niyan tinatanong na siya nito ng…

∎ PAULINE G. GANA

IMAGE SOURCE: www.tomarcherphoto.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/

The Work • June-July 2015

Features

17

S A B A D O SA GI TNA NG SI YUDA D Sa Isang Tahimik na Biyernes ng Gabi Lumipas na naman ang Lunes hanggang Biyernes. Sa paglipas ng mga araw ay tila nagiging mekanikal na lamang ang bawat araw na dumaraan.

Tila mga pugante, na tinatakasan ka na lamang nang hindi mo namamalayan. Walang pasok bukas kaya sa wakas ay tapos na ang klase ko sa buong linggo. Napagtagumpayan ko na rin ang monotonong buhay ng isang estudyante sa loob ng paaralan.

Habang pauwi ng bahay ay may ngiti sa ‘king mga labi dahil sa wakas ay makapagpapahinga na ako bukas at magagawa ang nais mong gawin. Pero teka, ano nga bang gagawin ko?Sa pagtungo ko sa gotohan sa may F. Tanedo para kumain ay ilang ulit nang nagpapapansin ang Plaza ng Tarlac. Tila nagaanyaya ng mga taong naghahanap ng lunduyan.

Baka dito ko na mahanap ang babasag sa mekanikal kong buhay.

Unang Sabado: And Bawat Bato at Sementong Tinatapakan Mo Alas kwatro ng hapon nang dalhin ako ng mga paa ko sa may Cathedral. Sa kabilang daa’y bumungad sa akin ang mga nagtitinda ng bulaklak.

Medyo makipot ang daanan papasok ng Plaza.

Nakakandado pa kasi ang itaas ng gate na bakal kaya mayroon lamang maliit na espasyo na maaring pasukan. Kapansin-pansin rin ang namuong tubig sa semento dala na rin siguro ng pag-ulan kanina lang.

Sa unang sulyap sa aking kanan ay mapapansin ‘agad ang isang basketball court. Sa bawat pagshoot, pagtalon at pagtakbo ay mararamdaman mo ang dagundong mula sa sahig ng pinaglalaruan nila.

Maging ang tunog na nagagawa sa pagkaskas ng bola sa ring ay wala ring batid sa pag-iingay.

Sa aking kaliwa naman ay nakatirik ang isang entablado bilang sentro ng lugar. Maaaring daang tao na ang yumapak doon at nagpakitang gilas sa harap ng maraming tao. Maaari rin namang libong kababaihan na ang nagbahagi ng kanilang kagandahan doon.

Sa ‘di kalayua’y masisilip naman ang covered court na nagsisilbing lilim ng mga taong naroroon.

Kapansin-pansin ang paghugot ng lakas ng mga manlalaro ng volleyball doon upang makapagbigay ng malakas na palo. May mga magarang bangko rin doon na maaring upuan ng mga manonood o di kaya

nama’y pagpahingahan ng mga nahahapong mga katawan.

Hindi ko pa nakikita ang buong Plaza pero bigla na namang umulan kaya pinili kong umuwi na muna.

Ikalawang Sabado: Ang Mga Bagay sa Loob at Labas Nito Sa halos parehong oras noong nakaraang Sabado, sumakay ako ng 3M sa harap ng TSU upang bumalik sa Plaza. Nadaanan ko muli ang mga bulaklak na makukulay. Ngunit hindi sa parehong gate ako dumaan.

Diniretso ko pa ang aking paglalakad upang obserbahan ang mga nakapalibot dito. May mga nagtitinda ng mga kwek-kwek, mga isaw at iba-iba pang mga street foods. Katapat ng mga iyon ay isang mataas na paaralan at sa gilid niya ay ang mahabang linya ng gotohan. Botika naman ang sasalubong sa’kin kung ako ay tatawid sa kabilang daan ngunit lumiko na ako pakanan. Sa dulo ay nakita ko naman ang inuman at isang lumang bahay. Bahagyang nakabukas ang gate ng Plaza roon kaya pumasok na rin ako sa loob. Katulad ng naunang gate ay bahagya lamang itong nakabukas.

Sa tapat ng entablado’y may maluwang na lakaran bilang pinakagitna ng Plaza. Nakapalibot dito ay mga poste ng ilaw na siyang sinisindihan bilang liwanag sa gabi.

Isa rin sa kapansin-pansin dito ay ang malaking istatwa na sa laki nito ay tanaw ito kahit sa labas pa ng Plaza. May dalawang palikuran din malapit dito na sa bawat pagpasok mo ay kailangan mong magbayad ng limang piso.

Umupo ako sa isang pahagdang upuan sa may covered court. Sa paghihimay ko ng mga detalye, nasalamin ko ang pakiramdam ng pagiging bukas ng Plazang ito para sa akin. Mahinahon at parang ako lamang ang narito kaya kaysarap na paliparin ang isip ko upang pagbulaybulayan ang buhay.

Hindi ko namalayang alas siyete na pala ng gabi.

Minabuti kong umuwi na muna at kumain. Babalik na lamang ako sa susunod upang muli kong masilayan ang hiwaga ng lugar.

Ikatlong Sabado: Ang Mga Taong Nagbigay Buhay at Kwento sa Lahat ng Ito Ngayon, pinili ko namang dumaan sa ikatlong gate

∎ JENIKA BIANCA ICASIANO at JOSEPH C. DE JESUS

na ang katapat ay ang entablado. Bago ako pumasok, bumili muna ako sa isang babaeng nagtitinda ng mga mani’t kendi.

May mga batang kasama yung ale. Malalaki ang ilan sa kanilang mga tiyan, maitim ang kanilang mga balat, at sira-sirang damit ang kanila lamang saplot para sa buong linggo.

Napag-isip-isip kong marahil ay anak sila ng babaeng nag-aalok sa akin ng kaniyang paninda.

Kaya bumili na lamang ako ng sampung pisong matamis na mani at sampung piso ring maaanghang na kendi. Naisip kong baka makatulong din iyon sa kanila.

Maraming tao ngayon sa entablado na tila nagpapractice­ ng kanilang sayaw.

Mabilis namang naagaw ng malalakas na hiyawan sa aking kaliwa ang atensyon ko. Mga beki, silahis at ilang mga lalaki pala ang naglalaro ng volleyball. Tila walang kahit isa ang gustong magpatalo. Sa bawat hampas, dapa, talon, luhod, palo at salo nila ay tulad ng kanilang pinagdaraanan sa kanilang kasarian, mahirap ngang patumbahin ang mga baklang ito.

May mga kabataan ding nakauniporme pa ang malakas na nagkukwentuhan. Ang ilan sa kanila ay naghahalikan, yung iba naman ay may hawak at humihithit ng yosi.

Paulit-ulit mo ring maririnig ang pagkaskas ng gulong ng board ng mga skaters sa sahig. Sa bawat rolling, babalentong man o tutumba, sa huli’y bumabangon pa rin upang sumubok muli. Patibayan nga ng loob ang labanan hanggang sa maperpekto nila ang ginagawang stunt.

Muli na namang pabagsak ang ulan kaya naisipan kong umuwi na. May pasok at busy na sa susunod na Sabado kaya marahil ay hindi na ako makabalik.

Subalit kung mabibigyan ng pagkakataon ay muli akong babalik sa mahiwang lugar na ito.

Mahiwaga sapagkat sa iilang sulok lamang ng lugar na ito, maaari mong masaliksik ang libu-libong kaugalian. Akala nga natin dekadang taon pa ang aabutin upang magugul ang mga libong aral na iyon. Ngunit kakayanin pala sa simpleng pagtambay lamang sa Plaza na katulad nito.

Sa bawat ordinaryong araw, panibagong palabas ang mapapanuod mo sa lugar na ito. Hindi ko alam kung paano o bakit. Ngunit nakapagtataka nga talaga, napaka-kakaiba.

Features

18

After a long and tiring day, the most convenient breather is to lull in the sweet comfort of your bed.

But while you’re in paradise, your body still functions as is and does things without your own permission.

As your intimacy with your bed grows stronger, taming your inner Snorlax makes you experience sleep’s oddest side.

Sleep’s Jerk… Hypnagogic Jerk Jerks are all around us and yes, they also exist in your sleep. You might have sensed the feeling of falling or tripping (like what that jerk does to you). You are not the only one. It is the so-called hypnagogic jerk.

It usually happens in the stage of drowsiness or before sleeping. There are no clear reasons why this happens. Some say that it is caused by over fatigue, sleep deprivation, and stress. Whatever the reason is it will jerk the hell inside of you.

Next time you blame the jerk that causes your sleep deprivation, never forget that there is another jerk waiting in the shadows while you are asleep.

Sleep’s Exercise… Rapid Eye Movement Exercise is essential just as movement. Our body never ceases to amaze us on how it assures you that it will create movement at your sweetest stage. If you ever observe a person sleeping, you must be terrified of the closed eyelids but his/her eyes move like there’s no tomorrow.

This is one of the stages of sleep called rapid eye movement (REM). The REM stage is usually the time when the person dreams.

It is the last and most active in the cycle; this phase also paralyzes your arms and legs. The eyes move back and forth which is a sign of having a vivid dream. After such phase of the cycle, the cycle of sleep is repeated again thus having multiple dreams.

Sleep’s Shackles… Sleep Paralysis Another bizarre event in the stage of a sleeping spree is sleep paralysis. This happens when you suddenly wake up after the REM stage. Your body is not yet prepared to move thus being paralyzed which is the complete opposite of the hypnagogic jerk. Dr. White, the medical director of the sleep center at Martha Jefferson Hospital in Virginia, offers an explanation, “…because all of the muscles that control your breathing except for the diaphragm are still paralyzed.”

Sleep’s Voyage… Sleepwalking

If you thought that you have travelled enough for the day, think again.

This is the most bizarre thing to happen to you which is also dangerous.

And the one we thought that only happens in fictional shows.

Sleepwalking is experienced by people who are prescribed of sleeping pills. Dr. Winter explained, “With sleepwalking, you’re coming out of sleep just enough for your body to move, but not enough for your brain to be awake.”

Sleepwalking can cause multiple injuries and odd incidents that you won’t be able to remember and will only be heard by the tampered tales your friends will tell.

Sleep’s Thought… Somniloquy Your ranting mom is scary but there is nothing scarier than a person suddenly talking in the middle of the night. These cases are rare but completely normal. Inspired by the word for self-thought. Speeches can also be packaged into sleep.

Somniloquy is another term for sleep talking. Talking while sleeping is more experienced by kids more than adults and men more than women. This happens in a brief period of time and usually does not last. Such scenario is considered as a sleep disorder but is not really serious. It is said to be triggered by stress, depression, and illness.

Just try not to answer the rants if ever this occurs. The person might be faking it. wink* Some think of Psychology as pseudoscience, countless theories about human behavior and eventually leading to sleeping and dreaming. That’s what the vague element of sleeping brings in science. Although uncovering its veil might be impossible; we will stop at nothing until we prove if the amount of your drool has something to do with your somniloquy.

Pseudoscience or not, one cannot discount the bizarreness sleep brings. Its mere vagueness makes us great philosophers trying to explain where those sweet lullabies take you. Or you can just enjoy your sweet sin of sloth and just let the sweet surrender sleep brings just like that guy we call Snorlax.

• Ano ito? o Isang Avocado po.

• Hindi, pera!

Malamang hindi ka rin nakaligtas sa mapanlinlang niyang tanong. Kung suki ka namang naturingan ay nakakahiyang hindi mo alam ang nakatutuwa niyang biro. At sa pagkakataong naiintindihan mo kung ano ang tinutukoy ko sa puntong ito, malamang ay kilala mo ang henyo sa matamis na birong ito. Si Alfredo A. Doniego, o mas kilala sa pangalang “Manong Sherbet”.

Ang Alamat ng Sherbet Si Mang Fred o mas kilala nga sa tawag na “Manong Sherbet” ay tahimik na naninirihan kasama ng kanyang asawa sa Brgy. Binauganan, Tarlac City.

Lingid sa alam ng nakararami, matiwasay na naitawid ni Manong Fred ang pag-aaral ng kanyang limang anak na pawang nakapagtapos ng hayskul sa TSU LabSchool. Sa mga panahong iyon niya naisipang subukin ang pagtitinda ng sherbet.

Taong 1989 nang magsimula ang lahat.

Nagsisilbi noong care-taker ang kanyang pamilya sa lupang kinatitirikan ng Lucinda Campus. Doon ay nakita niya ang oportunidad upang magsimula ng negosyo at magkaroon ng karagdagang kita upang itaguyod ang kanyang pamilya.

Sinimulan niya ang pag-aaral at paghahanap ng tamang timpla para sa kanyang sherbet. Paulit-ulit niyang binago ang kanyang recipe upang makuha ang perpektong lasa nito. Ayon kay Mang Fred, inabot ng halos isa’t kalahating dekada bago niya nakuha ang tamang timpla ng sherbet. Sulit naman dahil lalong pinasarap ng panahon ang paborito nating meryenda.

Ngunit bago pa man sumikat ang patok sa takilyang buko-cheese at avocado sherbet, isang matamis na pag-ibig muna ang naging inspirasyon ng kanyang meryenda.

Tancho: Ang pomada ng mga gwapo!

Hindi tulad ng ibang sorbetero na gumagamit ng bell, may kakaibang paraan si Mang Fred para tumawag ng atensyon. Dahil sa bawat pahid at hagod niya sa kanyang buhok bago pa man siya magsimulang magtinda ay maaamoy mo na ang kanyang pomada.

Gamit ito ay naging habulin umano ng kababaihan noon ang ating bida. Isang patunay dito ang babaeng tuluyang bumihag sa puso ni Mang Fred at kanyang pinakasalan.

“Iba kasi yung babaeng per kilo sa babaeng pinakakasalan.” Biro niya habang ikinukwento ang naging kabataan at ang iba’t ibang babaeng kanyang nakilala.

Para kay Manong Sherbet, ang pagdating ng kanyang asawa sa kanyang buhay ang naging hudyat na para seryosohin niya ang konsepto ng pag-ibig. Kinakitaan niya ng kabutihang loob at purong pagmamahal sa kanya ang kanyang asawa at pinili nang maging tapat sa kanilang pagsasama.

Pero bagaman may nagmamay-ari na sa puso ng ating bida, hindi pa rin niya inalis ang trademark niyang de-pomadang buhok. Kaya naman, malayo ka palang ay tanaw mo na ang napakaayos niyang hairstyle.

Yung tipong di ka na naman talaga nakatingin sa bawat scoop niya ng sherbet sa baso kundi dun sa pulidong

The Work • June-July 2015

∎ FRANCIS ETHAN JOHN A. GARCIA

pagkakasuklay ng mga hibla ng kanyang buhok na para bang sapat nang dahilan para bumili ka sa tuwing maamoy mo ang pomadang gamit niya.

“HEAVEN” is a place on Earth...

Natural ang pagiging pala-biro ni Manong Fred. Maiituturing na nga itong isa sa mga sangkap ng kanyang sherbet. Hindi kumpleto ang pagbili mo sa kanya kung hindi mo maririnig ang kanyang mga korni ngunit mabentang pagbibiro. Ngunit may isa pang bagay na kapansinsin-pansin sa kanyang paglalako. Ito ay ang mga pinag-tagpi tagping poster ng mga seksing babae sa bubungan ng kanyang tricycle na kung magiliw niyang tawagin ay “Heaven”.

Ito raw ay ang mga simpleng bagay na nakapagtatanggal ng kanyang bagot sa paghihintay sa kanyang mga parokyano.

“Bagong dagdag diyan si Jennilyn.” Aniya habang iniyayabang sa mga lalaking mamimili.

HONESTY IS THE BEST...INGREDIENT! Wala naman daw talagang sikretong pampasarap ang sherbet. Katapatan at kalinisan lamang daw ang pinakapuhunan at sangkap ng kanyang maalamat na merienda. Para kay Manong Fred, pangalawa na lang ang malaking kita sa kanyang pagtitinda.

Naniniwala siya na hindi dapat dinadaya ang sangkap para mahalin ng tao ang iyong produkto.

“Ay, puro ito. Hindi ko tinitipid sa timpla.

Hindi ko hinahaluan ng yelo o tubig. Purong gatas at prutas ang timpla nito,” pagmamalaki niya habang nakangiting inaabot ang kanyang itinitinda.

Mahalaga rin para sa kanya ang kalinisan sa kanyang pagtitinda. Mapapansing sa tuwing may darating na shuttle paakyat ng Lucinda ay agad niyang tinatakpan ang kanyang sherbet at hihingi ng paumanhin sa mga estudyanteng mamimili.

4Ps: Pamilya, Pangarap, Pagpapakumbaba at Pagmamahal Maginhawang pamumuhay. Ito ang unang naging inspirasyon ni Mang Fred sa kanyang pagtitinda. Alam niyang mahirap, ngunit lahat ay magagawa para sa pamilya. Hindi niya na pinangarap pa ang isang malaking pangalan para sa kanyang produkto. Sa katunayan, ilang beses niyang tinaggihan ang ganitong klaseng pagkilala para sa kanya.

“Marami na ring nag-alok na maging kapartner ko sa ganitong klaseng negosyo, minsan na ring sinubukang nakawin yung timpla ko. Pero sapat naman na para sa’min e.

Masaya na ko sa ganito.”

Sa kanyang simpleng mga biro, tapat na pagtitinda at pala-ngiting persona, huling huli ni Manong Sherbet ang panlasa at tiwala ng kanyang mga parokyano. At sa loob nga ng 25 taon, minahal na nga ng mga tao ang kanyang sherbet.

Mapa-guard, driver, estudyante, instructor, professor, principal, dean o kahit University President man ay malugod at matiyagang naghihintay sa bawat pagdating ni Mang Fred at ng kanyang maalamat na merienda. o Manong Sherbet, isang avocado nga po.

Buko-cheese, Avocado at Pomada...

Si Manong Fred:

Ang henyo sa likod ng maalamat na

merienda! ∎ JENIKA BIANCA ICASIANO

Features

IMAGE SOURCE: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Trial_(2014_film)

The Work • June-July 2015

19

THE TRIAL M O V I E

Sa lipunang mapanghusga, may puwang pa kaya ang salitang hustisya para sa mga taong may diperensya sa pag-iisip?

Likas na sa tao ang maging mapanuri o mapagpuna. Halos lahat ng makita sa paligid ay pinapansin, lalo na ang mga ipinapalagay na mali at hindi katanggap-tanggap sa mata ng tao gaya ng kapansanan o kapitasan.

Sa bawat kilos natin, may nagmamatyag. Sa bawat pagkukulang natin, may pumupuna.

Walang sinuman ang makaliligtas sa hagupit ng mga panlalait, pangungutya o kritisismo na ipiupukol ng iba. Isang realidad na kahit anong pilit na takbuhan ay hindi matatakasan. Isang lamat na sukatan ng halaga at kredibilidad ng isang nilalang.

Ang mapait na katotohanang ito ang naging inspirasyon ng Star Cinema para humabi ng isang obra na may sensitibo at napapanahong tema.

Sumasalamin sa pagiging passive na karamihan na piniling igapos ang sarili sa anino ng kahihiyan at pikit-matang magpaanod sa kasinungalingan.

Nagpapakita rin ng patuloy na paglaban para sa hustisya sa kabila ng kaunting pag-asang natitira.

Isang paksa na nag-iwan ng matinding kirot sa puso, malayo man sa mga nakakakilig na love story at mga nakakatawang family comedy na pinipilahan sa mga sinehan.

ANG KWENTO Wag ka nang umiyak, sa mundong pabago-bago pag-ibig ko ay totoo ako ang iyong bangka, kung magalit man ang alon, ng panahon, sabay tayong aahon

Umiikot ang istorya ng pelikulang The Trial sa isang “developmentally delayed” o may kakulangan sa pag-iisip na si Ronald Jimenez, Jr. na inakusahan ng kasong rape o panggagahasa. Si Ronald ay binigyangbuhay ng batikang aktor na si John Lloyd Cruz. Sa gulang na 27, nakapagtapos siya ng elementarya at kasalukuyang nasa grade 7. Dahil sa kakulangan sa pag-iisip, lagi siyang sentro ng katatawanan ng mga kaklase niya.

Hindi niya alintana ang mga panlalait at masasakit na salita. Kahit ang isip niya ay tulad lang ng sa 13 anyos, nananatili pa rin siyang matatag.

Kakikitaan din ng determinasyon sa pagaaral si Ronald. Sa katunayan, nagsisilbi siya bilang hardinero sa pinapasukang eskwelahan kapalit ng libreng matrikula.

May kakulangan man, sinikap niya pa rin itong punan gamit ang talentong meron siya, gaya ng isang normal na tao.

R E V I E W :

∎ AQIYL B. ENRIQUEZ

ANG SENSITIBONG PAKSA Wag ka nang umiyak, mahaba man ang araw uuwi ka sa yakap ko Wag mo nang damdamin kung wala ako sayong tabi iiwan kong puso ko sa ‘yo

Naging malapit sa isa’t isa sina Ronald at Bessy, ang guro na tumutulong sa kanya sa pag-aaral ng mga leksyon at ang pamangkin ng presidente ng paaralang pinapasukan niya. Si Bessy ay ginampanan ni Jessy Mendiola.

Kapwa sila masaya sa piling ng isa’t isa hanggang sa kumalat ang isang sex video na kung saan maririnig si Bessy na sumisigaw ng “Tama na, Ronald!” sa loob ng isang klasrum.

Isang kakaibang estilo ang ginamit ni Julian para depensahan ang akusado.

Nabasag ang katahimikang matagal nang gustong kumawala sa malaking rebelasyon ni Bessy na siyang hudyat ng pagtatapos ng kaso.

Dahil sa pagkalat ng sex video, kinasuhan ng eskwelahan si Ronald. Desidido ang pamunuan na ipakulong siya. Ang tanging depensa na maaaring gamitin ng pamilya niya para mailigtas siya ay ang pagkakaroon niya ng deperensya sa pag-iisip.

Gayunman ang nangyari, patuloy pa rin na lumaban ang pamilya Jimenez.

Nabuhayan sila ng loob nang dumating ang pamilya Bien sa buhay nila. Sa kagustuhang bumawi sa anak na namatay sa aksidente, kinumbinse ni Amanda (Gretchen Barretto), isang developmental psychologist, ang asawang niyang abogado na si Julian (Richard Gomez) na tanggapin ang kaso matapos malaman ang koneksyon nito sa namatay nilang anak na si Martin (Enrique Gil).

Ang kapalit: ang pagpirma ni Amanda sa annulment papers.

Paano patutunayan ni Ronald na inosente siya gayong halos lahat ng detalye sa buhay niya pati ang taong minamahal niya nang buong puso ay itinuturo na siya ang maysala?

ANG PAGSISIWALAT NG KATOTOHANAN Kung wala ka nang maintindihan Kung wala ka nang makapitan Kapit ka sa akin, kapit ka sa akin ‘Di kita bibitawan

ANG PAGHIMAY SA BAWAT HIBLA NG OBRA Sa metikulosong direksyon ni Chito S. Roño ay masining na nabigyan ng bagong mukha ang nakagisnang melodrama sa pelikulang Pilipino matapos ang mapangahas na pagtalakay sa maselang scandals sa internet, ang kasong sexual harassment, ang kalagayan ng LGBT sa bansa, pati ang isyu ng annulment. Isang kwento na sagana sa paksang malayo sa kinagigiliwan ng nakararami.

Gamit ang mala-bangungot na epekto ng kapansanan, ang pagpiyestahan sa social media dahil sa kumakalat na sex video, at ang pagiging biktima ng isang maling paratang ng paggagahasa, matapang na sumugal ang buong produksyon sa pagpili sa nakaaalarma at pinag-uusapang tema, at sa paglikha ng isang makabuluhang istorya. Ipinakita ang kulunus-lunus na kalagayan ng mga walang kalaban-laban na nangangailangan ng higit na pangunawa at gabay.

Nagsilbi rin itong eye opener sa mga manonood hinggil sa dusa na pilit tinitiis ng karamihan sa mga kagaya ng bida sa kwento. Na hindi hadlang ang kanilang kapintasan para pagkatiwalaan natin sila.

Malaya ring nasaksihan ang kasalukuyang estado ng mga taong kabilang sa ikatlong kasarian o third sex.

Mapapanood na unti-unti man silang tinatanggap sa bansa, nananatili pa rin ang diskriminasyon dahil sa paggamit sa kanilang kakaibang oryentasyon para idiin ang nasasakdal.

Bagama’t pampamilyang drama, sinikap sa istorya na bigyang inspirasyon at pag-asa ang bawat sumubaybay. Isang inosente ang nasagip sa pagkakakulong. Isang pagsasama ang muling nabuo sa paglutas ng isang kaso. Isang panatag na kalooban ang natamo sa pagtugon sa panawagan ng konsensya.

Kasabay ng huling araw ng pagdinig ay ang pagsalang ni Ronald sa witness stand. Hanggang sa huli, ayaw pa rin niyang idetalye ang buong pangyayari sa noon ay ‘di matukoy na paraan.

Sa kabila nito, hindi pa rin natinag ang tagapagtanggol niya sa husgado.

Ang pelikulang The Trial ng Star Cinema ay muling namayagpag sa katatapos na Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards (FAMAS) 2015 nitong Setyembre 20. Kabilang sa mga awards na nakuha nito ay ang Best Supporting Actress para kay Sylvia Sanchez, Best Screenplay at Best Story para kina

At kung pakiramdam mo’y wala ka nang kakampi Isipin mo ako dahil puso’t isip ko’y nasa ‘yong tabi

Ricardo L e e , Enrico Santos at Kriz G. Guzman.

Umani rin ng mga parangal at pagkilala ang pelikula sa 31st Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) Star Awards for movies. Hinakot nito ang Movie Actor of the Year para kay John Lloyd Cruz, Movie Supporting Actress of the Year para kina Gretchen Barretto at Sylvia Sanchez, at Movie Scriptwriter of the Year para kina Ricardo Lee, Enrico Santos at Kriz Gazmen.

Kung may puwang sa isipan ng iba ang pagpuna ng kapwa, higit ang espasyong para sa salitang huastisya–maging sa mga normal man o may diperensya sa pag-iisip.

KOMIKS

Literary

20

Sana’y Hindi Na Lang ∎ JAHRED F. BERTOLFO

Maiging isasalansan ko ang mga gamit sa mesa. Buburahing banayad ang mga nakasulat sa pisara at mabagal na wawalisan ang silid-aralan. Aayusin ang gamit at sarili. Lilisa’t uuwi.

Madadatnan ang asawang tutok sa telebisyon, ni hindi mapapansin ang aking hindi inaabangang pagdating. Ibababa ang gamit sa sala. Tutunguhin ang kusina. Magsasaing ng kanin at magpapainit ng tubig. Huhugasan ang mga naiwang pinagkainan niya kaninang tanghalian.

Pagkakulo ng tubig ay ipagtitimpla siya ng kape. Lalapit at iaalok sa kanya. Hihigop ito. Isa, dalawa. At maririnig ang bulyaw niya.

Alam ko, na naman, ang pait kahit bawasan ay palaging nasusobrahan at ang tamis kahit dagdagan ay lagi’t laging nagkukulang.

Walang Pansinan ∎ BONJOEBEE R. BELLO

Kanina pa ako ‘di tinatawag ng prof. sa recitation. Pagod na ako sa kakataas ng aking kamay, kakasigaw ng ‘ma’am!’

Walang pumapansin sa akin. Galit ba sila?

O talagang trip lang nila ako?

Malapit nang matapos ang klase pero ni lingon man lang, hindi nila magawa.

Synopsis

Nagsipag-ayos na ng mga gamit ang lahat, lalabas na kami sa room mula pa sa third floor ng BA building. Medyo madilim dahil sa buhos ng ulan, kahit sa loob ko

∎ JHAYVI DIZON

The Work • June-July 2015

Writer’s Block ∎ PAULINE GRACE B. MANZANO

Malapit na ang dismissal.

Wala pa rin akong maisulat sa blangkong papel sa aking harap.

Bahala na kung mapag-isipan ko pa ang isusulat sa iyo; Kung hindi na, siguro hanggang dito na lang tayo.

gustong kumawala ang kalungkutan.

Nag-CR muna ako, nakita ko ang aking mga kaibigan, nagkekwentuhan.

Pero ngayon, ako ang hindi pumansin sa kanila, bilang ganti sa buong maghapong walang pansinan.

Naghilamos ako ng mukha, pagtingin ko tumambad ang blangkong salamin.

Bumalik sa akin ang pangyayari: wala ring nakapansin sa akin habang kumakaway ako at humihingi ng saklolo.

He stared blankly at an open space…

Cliché, cliché as what he was supposed to describe a picturesque image he has been seeing for about a month now. He stares blankly at an open space. He hardly even noticed he was interconnecting his units as a manner of subjective disposition to a being he likes.

It was in Astronomy where he wondered if she, too, was dazzled by the shooting star in a constellation. It was where he calculated the projectile motion when he threw glances at her in his Physical Science class. He kept on searching for the variables of x’s and y’s to make a parabola and loop it over her and embrace her. He stared at a blank space. At the time he went back to his consciousness, she’s gone.

The bell rang; That’s how his Literature class ended.

That’s how he wrote his synopsis.

That’s how perfect it is, not having to sketch down the conflicts.

That’s how he loved and Time got him wasted.

She ∎

Lapis at Pambura

∎ JAHRED F. BERTOLFO

“Goodbye Teacher” Goodbye Classmates May God bless our way home”

Ikawalong araw Niya na itong naririnig.

Ikawalong araw Niya na itong inaabangan Sa labas ng classroom.

Ikawalong araw Na siyang sasalubong Ng mga batang kaedad niya, Bebentahan sila Ng mga lapis at pambura.

DANIEL CARREON

If eternal recurrence is true, you should’ve had the sense to not come here.

-Paralysis and Early Annoyance, Jessica Zafra I am standing again in the platform of our classroom and holding the white chalk which slowly melts in my fingers. I stare at the mathematical equation written on the abrasive blackboard. It is a combination of ‘x’ and ‘y’ and exponents which I do not notice exist. Had this mathematical equation been an ice, it has already thawed—and probably evaporated in thin air.

“See?” Mrs. Reyes harangues while frowning at me like I am her prey she wants to slaughter. “That is your punishment for being late and for not studying our lessons!”

Mrs. Reyes is a strict teacher. She has burgundy hair swept into a bun, but the silver strands on the side escape rebelliously. She has circular eyeglasses which rest on her askew nose. She is a staunch believer of giving her students punishment through class humiliation—which I probably have experienced for the umpteenth time today.

“I am sorry, ma’am,” I tell her, as if each word is a pain to pronounce.

“Sit now!” she commands with ferocity. “You are just a high school freshman, and you already show your indolence! Idiot!”

I walk toward my wooden chair, feeling the rolling dots of sweat dampening my face. When I take my seat, Mrs. Reyes continues to explain how to solve the quadratic equation. I wipe my face with the back of my hand and look at the board. I still do not understand it, but I would just pretend I do.

Suddenly, the boy named Albert on my right slips a paper in my desk. The paper says “Are you okay?”

I do not want to entertain his question because I know it’s not right.

It is not right.

I wait for Mrs. Reyes to face the blackboard again, and when she does, I turn my head to him. “I’m fine,” I mouth discreetly, although I’m not.

He smiles at me, and I immediately regret talking to him.

When Mrs. Reyes tells us to go home, I abruptly stand from my chair, sling my bag over my shoulder, and walk very fast toward the exit door. I do not want to look at anybody’s eyes because I know they would just stifle a laugh for my idiocy.

When I made my way out, someone holds my left arm. I shove the hand off my left arm and turn my head to look who it is.

“Are you free tonight?” asks Albert. “Please, don’t tell me no.”

I gaze at his large brown eyes which gaze at me back. He is a good and nice guy. If there is a word to identify him, it would be a real man. He has been asking me to come out for a meal with him, but all I answer is “I’m sorry” or “No.” “No,” I say. His smile evaporates. “I’m sorry, Albert.”

I always want to go with him, but I can’t, so I don’t. I run outside the school, and clamber in a tricycle which packs us inside a very confined space.

While outside our house, I already hear cries and reprimands. When I unbolt our wooden door, stale cigarette smoke meets me. I move my eyes and see Ronaldo. He is flicking his cigarette butt and places his Red Horse bottle among with the empty bottles on the table. His eyes are red, like those monsters in low-budget movies. When he sees me, he bows his head in exasperation.

“Where have you been!” he shouts rather than asks. “Elise is hungry! She doesn’t have food to chew on!”

I put my bag down and run fast to my room. When I open the door, I see a little girl crying of hunger and alone in the bed. Her diaper is already leaking, and her face is sprinkled with perspiration.

I coo to her while lifting her tiny body from the bed. I grab a chair and plug the electric fan.

She cries when she saw me, and I just smile at her. I unbutton my white, damp blouse and slip out my breast from my pink bra. I look at Elise while I place my nipple into her mouth and start to feed her.

I lean on the chair and sewed my eyes shut of exhaustion. I think of what will happen tomorrow. Probably, Mrs. Reyes would be mad at me again because I forgot to study my lessons or I was late, or probably, Albert would give me a slip of paper with his romantic letters and feeling of concern which I cannot answer.

I open my eyes and realize that both of them do not understand what my situation is. But it is okay, because I do not understand my situation as well.

Literary

The Work • June-July 2015

Parang Classroom

∎ JENIKA BIANCA ICASIANO

Ikaw, ako. Sa loob Parang classroom, magulo.

Tayo, Parang mga tangang cleaners Nagwawalis sa harap ng electric fan Pilit na nagmamalinis Sa paulit-ulit na buhos ng dumi

Ikaw, ako. Sa loob Parang classroom, maingay.

Tayo, Parang mga daldalan Pagtatalo sa mga walang kwentang bagay Nasasayang na mga laway Sa lintik na pag-aaway Ikaw, ako. Sa loob Parang classroom, mainit.

Tayo, parang maalinsangang hangin.

Lahat ng mahawakan gagawing pamaypay Ramdam mo pero di mo naman gusto Ginhawang panandalian

Walang away.

Walang sigawan.

Walang pagkukunwari.

Walang tayo. Ako lang.

Ikaw. Sa loob.

Walang park. Parang bahay Magulo, maingay at mainit May batas.

May nagtuturo.

May mga kasalo.

May top 1. Ako ang top 2.

Ikaw, ako, Parang classroom Gusto ko nang umuwi.

Ako. Sa labas.

Pwede sa park, ‘wag sa bahay.

Malaya at nakakahinga.

21

Sa Harapan ∎ BONJOEBEE R. BELLO

Si Jake, ang lalaking nasa harapan ko tuwing klase namin ng MAPEH. Actually boyfriend ko siya, kaso hindi kami bulgar. What I mean is hindi namin sinasabi kahit sa mga kaibigan naming, kaya kami lang ang nakakaalam. Strikto kasi ang mama niya.

Martir ba? Ayos lang, mahal naman daw niya ko.

Discussion ng ‘Sex Education’ ngayon. Habang nagtitilian at nagkakadirian ang iba, kinuha ko itong pagkakataon para makausap ko siya, kahit sa sulat man lang.

“Hi!” sabi ko.

Medyo matagal pa bago siya nakapagsulat pabalik. “Ah, hello?”

“Ahm, wala lang. Gusto lang kitang kamustahin bukod sa gabi-gabi tayong magkatext…”

“Ah, ‘eto ayos naman ako. Ikaw?”

“Ayos din naman. Tatanong ko kasi, kailan natin sasabihin sa iba na tayo?”

“Ah. Hindi ko alam eh, siguro, ah, ewan. Ikaw ba?”

“Ngayon na! Sigaw natin sa klase! Hehe,” tumawa na lang ako kahit kanina ko pa gustong sabihin ang gusto kong sabihin, sa kanya.

Hindi siya natuwa sa sinabi ko. Hindi rin siya nagbalik ng sulat. “May sasabihin sana ako, Jake. :(” dagdag ko.

Nagsigawan muna ang mga babae sa room, kalagitnaan na pala ng topic. Nakisigaw din ako, kunwaring nakakasabay sa discussion ni ma’am. “Ano ‘yun?” sabi niya.

“Ano ‘yun?” nang biglang nagtawanan ang lahat at nahinto ako sa aking isusulat nang marinig ko si ma’am, “Kaya ‘yang si Jake, hindi ako makakapayag kung makabuntis ‘yan. Anyway, baby ko ‘yan, wala pang alam ‘yan sa ganyan!” kantsawan. Sa papel, bura, bura, bura.

Huminga ako ng malalim, pumunit ng pirasong papel at muling nagsulat. “Ay, wala pala, hehe. Kalimutan mo na ‘yun Jake. I love you! :)” “Ano ba kasi ‘yun?” Pangungulit niya. Hindi siya sumagot sa ILY ko. Seryoso siya. Namumula.

Blangko na ang isipan ko, sobrang gulo hanggang napasa ko sa kanya ang sulat, “Buntis ako, Jake.”

Patlang.

Kinakabahan na ako. Ayos lang ba siya? Hindi ‘ata. Lalong gumulo ang utak ko! Sasabog na ako kapag hindi pa siya nagsulat! Pero totoo ‘yun. Ayaw kong itago sa kanya, p-pero, babawiin ko na lang. Sinusulat ko na ang salitang j-o-k-e l-a-n-g sa papel nang biglang tumunog ang bell. Tapos na ang klase. Dumaan siya sa harapan ko at iniabot ang nakatuping papel.

Hindi ako nakapag-ayos ng gamit sa bag, nakapagpulbos, o nakapaghilamos man lang. Hindi rin ako makaalis sa kinauupuan ko nang mabasa ko ang sulat: “Ipalaglag mo.” Nakatitig si ma’am sa akin habang papasok ng kotse.

Problema’t Solusyon Pang-abay ∎ JAHRED F. BERTOLFO

Kinabahan ako nang biglang tawagin ako ni Sir sa mesa niya habang lahat ng kaklase ko ay lumabas na at sabik umuwi o kaya ay gumala.

Naku naman. Ano kayang nagawa kong kasalanan? Galit ba sa ‘kin si Sir? Siguro dahil hindi na naman ako nakasagot sa graded recitation kanina. E, ano ba naman ang alam ko sa Pang-abay, samantalang hindi pa namin nasisimulang pag-aralan?

Mas lalo akong kinabahan nang tinignan niya ako at nagkasalubong ang mga tingin namin. Parang kotseng nagbanggaan. Parang ‘yung tingin niya sa akin nu’ng nakita niya akong mag-isa dito sa room kaninang lunch break. Nababagot sa paghihintay.

Naputol ang panandaliang tinginan namin nang may bigla siyang kinuha sa bag niya. Kinabahan ako lalo. Huwag naman sanang Dropout Form. Bago ko pa makita kung anong kinuha niya, iniabot na n’ya sa akin.

“Kumain ka, Iho.”

Balasa

∎ PAULINE GRACE B. MANZANO

Alas-kwatro pa lang ng madaling araw ay gising na ang aking diwa upang makipagsapalaran. Pipiliting ipasok ang mga numero at formula sa utak bago pa man magising si Daisy at Inay. Mag-aayos na upang pumasok sa paaralan at pipiliting iwanan na muna lahat ng problema sa bahay.

Sa pagpasok ng silid ay magsisimula na rin sumakit ang aking ulo. Hindi ko alam. Dahil siguro sa gutom o kaya sa antok. Bigla namang papasok ang aming propesor na hindi tumigil sa pagtitig sa akin habang siya ay nagbabalasa ng index cards.

“Sana hindi ako, sana hindi ako,” bulong ko sa aking sarili.

Hindi katulad ng ibang mga estudyante, ang paglubog ng araw ay ang pagtatapos at siya ring pagsisimula ng araw ko. Pagsapit ng alaskwatro ng hapon, ako’y muling uuwi upang alagaan si Daisy. Sa buong araw, mas ginugusto ko pang marinig ang ingay sa eskwela kesa sa bahay.

Muli akong mag-aayos upang pumasok sa aking trabaho. Langhap na langhap ang halimuyak ng aking pabango sa pagdaan ko sa bawat kanto. Sa pagsisimula sa trabaho ay pagsisilbihan ko ang mga kumakain na may kasamang ngiti. Ngiting hindi nakikita sa aking labi tuwing ako ay nasa bahay. Sa hindi inaasahang pagkakataon ay doon ko rin pala makikita ang taong hindi tumigil ng pagtitig sa akin. At doon, ako’y nabaliw at nagbigay-saya sa taong aking unang nakilala sa aming silid.

Buwan noon ng Marso.

Sa pagkakataong iyon, hindi index cards ang binalasa niya sa aking harapan.

“Sana hindi ako,” binulong ko muli sa aking sarili. Sana hindi ako…

Alas-dose ng madaling araw. Ako’y muling umuwi upang tuluyang matulog mula sa isang bangungot. Sa aking paggising, sa pagsibol ng bukang-liwayway sa aking hardin, isang munting bulaklak na pala ang tumubo na diniligan ng mga luhang lumabas sa aking paningin.

∎ OLIVER JOHN TABAQUERO

Malulula ka sa mga istraktura Mula sa pagiging konsepto nito Hanggang sa maisakatuparan At dahan-dahan itong hahalik Sa langit Ipadarama nito sa’yo na Maliit ka at wala Kang importansya Halos hindi na kita matanaw Sa layo mo Pinaghiwalay tayo Ng distansyang gawa nitong Napakahabang kalsada at Tila nawawalan na ako Ng Pag-asang Magkita ka at Mahagkan Pero posible Magtiwala ka sa akin at Ako ang bahala

Aakyatin ko ang toreng Mataas at tutungtong sa tuktok nito At ipagsisigawan na Higante ako Babagtasin ko ang daang Mahaba at masukal Dahil sa dulo nito Ay may naghihintay Pagkatapos ng maghapon Pàgod at uhaw Pero sabik Dahil alam ko At alam mo Na muli Tayong magkikita.

11:30 Dismissal ∎ JAHRED F. BERTOLFO

Dumating Ka, Alas-onse na.

22

Sports

The Work • June-July 2015

Schrӧdinger’s Intramurals In the domain of sports, no one can truly predict the result of any sporting event not until the game is declared over–similar to the fate awaiting to a cat trapped inside a box that emits poison at any random time which can only be known until the box is opened.

The implementation of resolutions permitting the shuffling of different colleges effective this coming semester resulted the revamping of the rosters who will contend in every sporting event. Now, the intramurals is silently approaching. This brought up several forecasts and expectations among TSUians, speculating the college which will dominate the sports arena and will hoist the championship title this year.

After falling short by a few points last year, the intramurals’ powerhouse are on their last leg to retain their spot at the top. The remainder of the College of Human Kinetics, which comprises of the third and fourth year students, are now challenged to defend the supremacy of their college. Will their experience from the past years and kinesthetic knowledge be enough to threaten their opponents? Or will their diminished population be their ultimate downfall?

Meanwhile, the College of Education will be entering the sports scene with a lot of fire power as they enter the arena soaring as the Golden Eagles. Due to TSU Administrative Order No. 53 s. 14, incoming freshmen and sophomores under the program Bachelor of Physical Education will now be playing alongside them. With these new additions, they can terrify any opposing college. But as they say, anything too much is always bad.

If the Eagles miscarry this power, they just might fail to execute.

The same Administrative Order also permitted the merging of Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Food Technology under the College of Science. Taking into consideration that the pack of the White Wolves expanded, the pool for athletic talent also widened. Likewise, the new members of the pack will roar to boost the morale of their colleagues. If they can figure out the correct solution, their chemistry could steal the spotlight.

On the other hand, the odds seem to be in favour to the College of Arts and Social Sciences for they will still have their physically trained partners at their side. The supposed move of the Criminology department to the College of Law was hindered. In line this, the Blue Dolphins can only hope for the best since their pod remains intact.

Definitely, the biggest sporting event of the university is worth waiting for. Numerous rumours, guesses and hearsays that were derived from specific parameters like history, stat lines and roster chemistry will continue to boggle the minds of the students.

However, these theories will only be proven when the big day comes. This is the reason why sporting events can be likened to the paradox of Schrödinger’s cat. The actual results will only be known when the box is finally opened; once the games are over.

EDITORIAL

We all have similar experiences with the guy pacing together with the players. He is sometimes being reasonable or objective.

He is the guy who wants to make sure that in every blow of his whistle no one will be upset.

Regardless of the way he officiates he can still lure you to respect him, the referee.

Ambobo ng referee This is one of the hackneyed lines that you might hear more than a hundred times in any kind of game that has officials in it. Suddenly turned sports analysts always have words to say for these guys every time they commit bad calls.

Man, although this may sound cliché, everyone commits mistake, everyone has to start from somewhere.

Yes, they studied these things and they have far more knowledge in the game than you. He might even have had death threats due to his line of work. Next time you hear these lines you might want to shout to the guy or yourself, (I guess you’ve done this if you are a die-hard fan) “Hey! Why not step on the man’s shoes?!”

Luto, Benta Basketball is a commodity in the country; and if you have citizens hooked up into the game they need A LOT of mediators. That’s why in every pick-up game in the Philippines, players need referees.

These unprofessional referees are paid part of the wager that the opposite teams agreed to bet. Such mediators could be inexperienced sometimes that they don’t even know what they’re doing.Referees are also humans they cannot turn away from temptations such as

‘‘

Stop shrugging for crying out loud! ”

bribery or threats; but it is also part of their decorum to keep their dignity as officials. From my first premise we assumed that they can also be paid. This results in games that are poorly officiated and less exciting to watch. Then everyone shouts luto or benta.

Any call is irrevocable unless subject to review The largest league in the country is puny compared to the NBA, but man, the action is always intense. This is why every team has a huge fan base. Take for an example the crowd favorite Ginebra. Every time the calls are not favoring the Gin Kings the fans just make their way inside the head of the officials by the classic booing.

However, such calls cannot be taken back; as every call is irrevocable and can only be reviewed whenever there’s doubt. The only thing I want to say here is: stop shrugging for crying out loud!

Benefit of the doubt If you are one of the ill-fated citizens bound to watch the NBA via free TV coverage I sympathize you. You deserve more than comments like “ang ganda talaga ng depensa ng Cavaliers/Warriors” and “malamig ngayon si Stephen Curry/LeBron James”. For those who are privileged enough to pay for cable or have the internet and a PC well, use it! I told you, you deserve more than these shallow insights.

If you ever watched several games live and the commentators are not saying these lousy opinions well you found Marc Jackson. Jackson is always the one who says the phrase “benefit of the doubt” or in my other term favoritism. Wonder why (insert player name here) is always getting the better calls?

Because he has the benefit of the doubt. Looks like our referees have favoritisms sometimes.

There you have it folks. It feels like reading snippets of a referee’s thoughts. Just remember that in every game the referees can be your friends… or foes.

Ending 40 years championship title drought…

Golden State Warriors disarms Cleveland Cavaliers CLEVELAND – Chasing history, Golden State Warriors ended the season with far-flung shooting skills resulting on a 105-97 scoring victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 6, June 17, 2015.

The Golden State Warriors won the last 3 games of the best-of-seven series ending 40 years of championship title drought countering every move of the Cavaliers at Game 6 as the silence fell over the sell-out crowd.

Stephen Curry and Andre Iguodala, scored 25 points each leading the Warriors triumphantly, afflicting the championshipstarved city a while longer.

Cavaliers on the other hand, with injured-laden players, made adjustments as LeBron James operates without Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving beside him on the hard wood.

“LeBron doesn’t have any weaknesses,” said Iguodala, who was his primary defender.

Only the circumstances were different,

∎ JENIKA BIANCA ICASIANO

as the Warriors sought to overcome their ineffectiveness seeing James as the best player impeding their victory.

Meanwhile, Steven Kerr, rookie coach of the Warriors, humbly approached his job as he listened and weighs the advice of his assistants and soliciting comments from his players.

“Pure joy,” said Kerr, who showed up to his news conference soaking wet, fresh off a champagne shower in the locker room.

Furthermore, Andre Iguodala, was hailed as finals’ most valuable player scoring 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists. “I want to be just like Steph (Curry) when I grow up”, Iguodala joked.

Moreover, fast-risen superstar Stephen Curry, taking his toll as the best-selling jersey, owned the regular-season MVP title with an average of 26 pts and 6.3 assists utilizing both his scoring and passing prowess.

Source: media.guim.co.uk

The Work • June-July 2015 Sports gets tough as you get older. Science has shown us that as we pass 35, the muscle buildup and agile strength of a human body gets lower than its younger years. This might be a huge nightmare for every sports athlete around the globe, considering their glory days will come to last.

Giving some thoughts to these situations, here are some factors that athletes should monitor in case they already feel the tingling sensation of the flipping calendars in their ears.

Cardiovascular Capacity Your heart, which is the center of your cardiovascular system, is the one responsible for distributing oxygenated blood to every part of your muscles that helps you run, jump and throw. Due the fact that aging weakens those muscles in our body, the heart itself weakens as time pass by.

One example of this issue was the case of James Fuller “Jim” Fixx (Age 52), an american athlete who died with heart attack while jogging due to the weakening of his heart. Well, poor Mr. Heart, always taking the blame, both emotional and physical. The real masked vigilante of our body.

Flexibility Other than you-know-what-to-do in your bed, flexibility is one of the factors to be heavily considered in sports. And yes, you can use it in chess. That is, if you really want to twist the neck of your adversary. Kidding aside, as we get older, we tend to loose suppleness. Losing flexibility is a heavy loss in sports due to the fact that the more flexible an athlete is, the more agile they can be. This is also the reason why gymnasts retire at a young age, like Nadia Comaneci (a Romanian Gymnast), the first gymnast who scored 10 in the olympics, who retired at a young age of 23.

Injury and Disease Injury is very common in the world of sports.

Especially soccer, injury is so common that they tend to fake it everytime. As we age, losing our flexibility and muscle strength, we become prone to injuries that take longer to regenerate. One example is Curt Schilling (age 48), a baseball player who snapped his tendon at the ankle, though they still won the Game 6 of the ALCS back in 2004, he was added on the disabled list of athletes on 2005. In terms of diseases, cancer and heart disease are more prominent in the older population.

Muscular Strength and Endurance Every task you perform in sports involves the

Sports

GOODBYE ATHLETES; HELLO AGING ∎ GERALD L. TIANGSING

IMAGE SOURCE: www.outbreaksoccercenters.com/news/2014/6/6/

action of your muscles. With low oxygen distribution to the body, muscles tend to go weaker, losing strong level of strength which happens as we age. If you’re playing a more action packed game like basketball where competition between two opposing teams are necessary, losing muscle strength and endurance is quite a breakdown. It is said that Ryan Giggs (Welsh footballer, 41) doesn’t run at full pace to preserve his hamstrings because of sarcopenia, a degeneration of skeletal muscles that happens when people starts aging.

Strategic Thinking There is a legend in the internet that says if you become so good at playing chess, you might unlock your psychic powers at the age of 30, is this true? Sports like chess requires strategic

thinking skills which is so stressing to the mind.

Due to the reason that the brain functions better when it receives oxygenated blood, aging may take this thinking abilities of yours away. Considering that aged people are more prone to diseases like alzheimer’s and dementia, this might take the fun out of chess. There was once a great chess grandmaster, Leonid Aleksandrovich Shamkovich, who retired playing chess due to his age and suffered from Parkinson’s disease which affected his cognitive skills. Just imagine the moment when you’re about to checkmate your opponent, and then he walks away finding his long lost son Nemo who didn’t even exist.

Since science and statistics together is dubious, there are some freaks in the world of sports who can go on for years without showing

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From Hero to Zero:

Athletes gone broke

It’s not hard to see why you have been signed to a multiyear, multimillion-dollar contract by a pro team. You have been tallying astonishing numbers and in addition to that, you can anticipate yet another $20 million and maybe up to $50 million in endorsement deal. You are positioned to be become a legend yourself like LeBron or Messi.

But if you don’t manage those dollars well, you could end up in dirt with an empty bottle of rum as well with empty pockets too. You might also turn up being homeless but having to pay for a home - supporting a child and an ex-wife.

It may be true that many pro athletes take their salaries and invest in sensible business ventures but many others burn their multi-million dollar paycheck on expensive cars, jewelry, mansions and ‘friends’ and when the money stops flowing, they would mostly wind up dead broke. If not bankrupt, they would be homeless.

Here are some of the athletes that proved that they needed a good accountant.

Mike Tyson

No boxer on this planet was as terrifying as “Iron Mike” Tyson. The mighty boxer won his first 19 professional fights by knockout, some of some of which he took down his foes in the opening round. In a very short period of time, he seemed to have strapped on a jetpack as he rocketed to the top, becoming the heavyweight champion of the world. However, in 1992, he was jailed and sentenced three years in prison due

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∎ OLIVER JOHN S. TABAQUERO

to sexual assault. After serving in penitentiary, the jetpack seemed to run out of gas as no comeback match could get him back on top.

Things got worse when he was disqualified due to the reason that he bit Evander Holyfield’s ear during a 1997 fight (Why? Was he hungry?).

After that, he never won another championship.

Money was free-flowing for Mike.

According to the New York Times, he had earnings amounting to more than $400 million in his boxing career. The sad part is he spent most of his earnings on several luxury like mansions, cars and even pet tigers. Likewise, he owed $9 million for the settlement of the divorce of his wife. He claimed debts of $27 million when he filed for bankruptcy in 2003.

Michael Vick

Michael was Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback and was well known for his achievements. Before joining the Eagles, he competed alongside the Atlanta Falcons, who signed him to a $62 million six-year contract.

Three years later, he became the highest-paid player in the National Football League (NFL), when he agreed and signed a decade-long extension worth $130 million. Now that’s a lot of money.

Everything was okay for Michael but as they say, all things come to an end. In 2007, he went to prison for involving in an illegal interstate dog fighting competition. Jail time cost him two years and in the course of him being in prison,

he lost his regular NFL salary and even the endorsements he had including a lucrative Nike sponsorship. With no income combined with financial mismanagement, Vick was forced to declare bankruptcy from federal prison.

Scottie Pippen

Who could ever forget Scottie Pippen?

This 2010 Basketball Hall of Fame inductee won six NBA Championships. He played for the Chicago Bulls alongside the legendary Michael Jordan. He was even a key player defensively, especially during the 1995-1996 season where they took the league by storm as they won 72 games, a record that is still unmatched in the league up to now. He is also one of the players to win both an NBA title and an Olympic gold medal in the same year, and he is one of only four players from the Chicago Bulls to have his jersey retired. Talk about achievements.

In a sudden turn of events, Pippen’s triumph on the court could not stop him from losing career earnings worth $120 million, including over $4 million for a corporate jet that was held down grounded just months after he purchased it. For failing to monitor the sale, his attorneys took the blame and he sued them for $8 million and he won the lawsuit. However, the jury ruled that Pippen had a lot of responsibility for the transaction himself, and he was awarded only a quarter of the reward he wanted.

Marion Jones

Marion Jones had the most inspiring

any signs of slowing down. Great examples are Efren Manalang Reyes (age 61), also known as ‘the magician’ who still reigns supreme as a professional pool player globally; Paeng Nepomuceno, a real badass in bowling who won more titles than any bowler in the world in his 40 year career; and of course, Asi Taulava (Age 42), another badass when it comes to basketball. The presence of these people only shows that age doesn’t matter when it comes to passion.

Sports is a very demanding form of recreation that requires not just physical, but also mental effectiveness. Sometimes, willpower can be strong enough to break the limits locked inside our body, but our body will fall one day, we can’t escape that fact. There’s just things in this world that will never last forever.

story in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Australia.

A track and field competitor, she walked out of the stadium clutching three gold medals and two bronze medals, an astounding performance and achievement that set the bar for female athletes.

However, her ex-husband CJ Hunter gave evidence and testified under oath that he had witnessed her inject steroids into her stomach during the games. She denied allegations to the press and to two grand juries.

The truth will always find a way out.

This was proven as Jones confessed using performance enhancing drugs in 2007 and it cost her a fortune and her name too. Not only she was stripped off all the medals she won in Sydney, she was also sentenced six months in jail custody. Just a few years back, she had earnings as ample as $80,000 per race as well as $1 million in endorsements. But with legal expenses burning down her cash, and not only was her $2.5 million home in North Carolina shut out and foreclosed, but she was also compelled to sell her mother’s house.

Kenny Anderson

Kenny Anderson grossed $60 million during his NBA career after playing for nine different squads. He had gone through the process of marrying three times, and the divorce from his first wife, Tami Akbar, had cost him dearly especially his ego. She challenged the athlete to their prenuptial agreement and won, walking away with half his assets and $8,500 a month for child support. To puncture his ex-husband’s ego even more, she had a custom license plate that read “HISCASH.”

In addition to the financial load he is already carrying, Anderson was also supporting six other children and two other ex-wives, as well making monthly payments for his mother’s house. He had eight cars in his garage in an estate in Beverly Hills. He also gave himself a $10,000 monthly allowance that termed to as “hanging out money”. When it was time for him to file for bankruptcy, he had $41,000 in monthly expenses to pay.

Let this be a message to all young athletes out there. You can keep dominating the court but you should not forget to look after your hard-earned cash. No one lasts forever in sports. Bodies will age, injuries will tear them apart. The bottomline is everyone will leave the arena someday. The question is, when sports is no longer putting food on the table, what would you have to do given that the free-flowing money has now come to stop?

These talented competitors wowed the world in their own respective sport. No question, they all put amazing numbers and tallied impressive records. But staying out of financial trouble was a big dilemma for them. For that, we can say that their game was good as hell but their monetary management was just… hell.

Reference: http://www.therichest.com/celebnetworth/athletes/ athletes-bankrupt

Sports

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The Work • June-July 2015

Phl up by one in SEAG ‘15, retains gold medal tally

IMAGE SOURCE: images.gmanews.tv/v3/webpics/v3/2015/06/2015_06_05_21_22_28.jpg

∎ PAULINE GANA

Picking up 131 medals (29 golds, 36 silvers, 66 bronzes), the country placed one spot greater than they had in 2013 Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) in Myanmar after finishing 6th in the 2015 SEAG in Singapore.

Sending in twice the number of athletes with 459, the Philippines claimed 30 more medals than in 2013 but only managed to match its gold medal tally with 29.

According to the PH team chef-de-mission Julian Camacho, they expected a gold haul of 4550 gold medals this year and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Richie Garcia said that a 3rd or 4th place finish was aimed.

The country dominated in the field of athletics and boxing and claimed its 17th gold medal in basketball despite struggling in the semis against Thailand and a straining finals bout with

Indonesia.

2015 SEA Games also marked the return of the Philippines women’s volleyball team after their 10-year absence in the tourn. They earned their first win in 10 years after sweeping Malaysia in a 3-0 run but failed however to advance in the semis after losing in their matches against Indonesia and Vietnam.

But the most viral event in this year’s games

was the diving mishaps of the PH team after scoring zeros in the men’s 3-meter springboard competition. According to the Philippine aquatics, they only had four days to practice but the PSC is still demanding for an answer for their dissatisfying show.

Overall, Thailand finished 1st place in the games for the second straight time with 95 golds, 83 silvers, and 69 bronzes.

New SDO Director: We have no ‘springboards’ The Sports Development Office (SDO), now headed by the newly-seated director, Dr. Ligaya S. Salangsang, submits to transition with the aim to cope with necessary improvements and to patch “left-over” matters with definite plan of actions.

In her underlying concern, Dr. Salangsang said the office is now having difficulties on retrieving important files that were needed for basis such as records in SCUAA and other sports-meet participations of the university which were left un-archived for use.

“Ang hindrance kasi nito, dahil walang naturn-over or na-back-up, is you go back to zero, as compared with if you have your foundation, madali na lang or pwedeng iimprove,” Dr. Salangsang added.

CONCRETE STUDENTRY-PLANS In accordance to the outline of sportsdevelopment in Dr. Salangsang’s term, the SDO had already pushed on its campaign with the student body starting off with the summer sports fest in preparation for the intramurals.

Moreover, the office considered the lack of written proof of a “sports program” which

∎ JHAYVI DIZON

is supposed to serve as a basis in catering to the welfare, benefits, scouting and vital improvements for the university’s delegation.

“We are actually at the 80% [of completion] at ‘yung black and white proof is now handled by the planning director then hihintayin na lang ang approval ng committee, board and council,” Dr. Salangsang said referring to the sports program.

The office also stated having no “approved program” greatly affected the scouting of potential athletes since there were no itemized benefits to offer but the scholarship laid out by the former offices will still cover Dr. Salangsang’s term.

2015 INTRAMURALS The traditional 1 (one) week celebration will no longer be in effect.

This adjustment is to cover the regular classes without affecting its schedule and to avoid games on late night hours for the safety of the studentry.

Furthermore, only selected events will only coincide with the last day of the foundation week celebration such as basketball, volleyball,

A JOYFUL BEGINNING. Dr. Ligaya S. Salangsang, the new director of Sports Development Office, explains her plans and programs for the improvement of the department.

beach volleyball and futsal tournaments while the remaining games will be played from the opening ceremony and even on Sundays.

“Nagkaroon kasi ng miscommunication with the student body. Bakit daw ang habahaba, one month.” Dr. Salangsang stressed.