Setyembre-Disyembre 2017 by UP Baguio Outcrop

MAPAGPALAYANG KAISIPAN SA MALAYANG PAHAYAGAN Setyembre-Disyembre 2017

WAR BOUND Dutertenomics and the 2018 national budget \\ Quimberlyn Ranchez

ar is an art, and President Rodrigo Duterte and his allies sure know how to acquire the materiels they need to master their craft.

With the congress supermajority railroading the 2018 national budget and the new tax reform bill, plus the support from major foreign powers, Duterte’s wars will be funded generously. NOT JUSTIFIED BUT INTENSIFIED The 2018 national budget paved the way in fortifying the US-Duterte regime’s “kill, kill, kill” program. It has allotted Php 313 billion worth of taxpayers’ money, funding the implementation of

counterinsurgency program Oplan Kapayapaan and the war on drugs. Duterte’s war chest includes Php 3.4 billion for paramilitary groups to continue their operations in peasant and Lumad communities. These groups serve as instruments in inflicting terror, and perpetrating human rights violations in farflung communities, under the direct control of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). “The whole budget for Oplan

Kapayapaan is possibly meant to promote and expand martial law, while continuing the military war against the poor peasants, Moro and indigenous communities, human rights leaders, progressive organizations, and revolutionary movements” KARAPATAN stated. To support Duterte’s war on drugs campaign, the 2018 national budget has allocated Php 1.4 billion continued to page 2

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Marcos-Du30 Martial Law castigated \\ Charlene Favis

n September 21, the rage against the Duterte administration reaches its peak as protest movements by different progressive organizations, colleges, and universities took place nationwide.

Thousands of protesters held programs in different parts of the country to remember the impunity and injustices done in Marcos Regime and how it is evident in Dutere’s present administration. Different progressive organizations were gearing for the protest actions all over the country when Rodrigo Duterte declared September 21

as a “National Day of Protest.” Classes and work hours were suspended all around the country. The president was eager to proclaim Martial Law nationwide if the protests on September 21 turns out to be violent and bloody. In Baguio, students were not deterred by the rain during their march down Session Road, with

calls to end martial law and to condemn state tyranny and fascism. Students from the University of the Philippines Baguio held protest actions and exhibits in the campus, in preparation to the said protest. Opposition against Martial Law was expressed through human installation art, chalk art and Desaparecidos exhibit.

UNJUSTIFIED YET INTENSIFIED On May 23, Duterte declared Martial Law in Marawi and later on extended it to the whole of Mindanao. The government justified the proclamation of Martial Law in Mindanao with the war instigated by the terrorist group Maute. However, according to the national minorities in Mindanao,

Duterte’s Martial Law only intensified militarization of their communities resulting to more human rights violations, forced evacuation and killings. Now, the war in Marawi has ended yet the Martial Law remains to exist.

RAGE AGAINST TYRANNY Students and people from different sectors in Baguio city joined the mass action, as part of the movement against the rising tyranny unfolding in the present administration, on September 21, 2017. The mass action marked the 45th anniversary of the declaration of Marcos’ Martial Law with calls for justice for all the victims of state fascism and rights violations.

\\ Kuha ni Divine Penaflor

WAR BOUND continued from page1 which will be utilized in hiring additional police officers and government spies in the war on crimes, drugs and criminality. This funding reinforces the already worsening witch hunt and killing spree of smalltime drug users, including the innocents, and perceived “enemies of the state.” Clearly, the war-funding mechanism of the 2018 national budget intensifies Duterte’s wars against the people. THE TRUMP CARD Duterte’s wars perpetuate as it gains support from the imperialist United States (US). US President, Donald Trump announced that he

will be giving $111 million as military assistance to the country, primarily for the implementation of counterinsurgency program Oplan Kapayapaan, while $7 million will be given to the antiillegal drug campaign. The US, world’s number one imperialist power, has brought death and destruction to countries like the Philippines. Trump, who currently leads the US, represents the interests of US monopoly capitalism and the military-industrial complex. With the support given by the US, the increase of military presence and number of troops in the country will be expected, along with the

Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) which allows the installation of US military facilities in the country. This Duterte’s warsupporting mechanism of Trump will only violate national sovereignty and human rights of the Filipino people. Since 1950 to 1970, US has consistently used the Philippines as a launching pad for its wars against Korea and Vietnam. Until today, US is launching wars all over the world. With this, we face grave threats of going into wars that are not even ours. Also, with the US military presence in the country, human rights violations were propagated. Multiple harassment and rape cases in

places near US military bases in the country, like in Subic, were recorded. These human rights violations will perpetuate with the US military presence in the country. LOOT COLLECTION AND DISTRIBUTION Duterte’s art of war secured its funding through the new tax reform bill, the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) bill. Revenues generated from the taxes, under the TRAIN, will go towards infrastructure projects that hardly benefit the people, while funding for much-need social services will be cut or remain stagnant.

According to Ibon Foundation, there will be higher consumption taxes through the removal of value-added tax exemptions, such as on socialized and low-cost housing and power transmission; new excise taxes on fuel, sugarsweetened beverages (SSB), and automobiles; and reduced personal income tax rates, estate taxes, and donor’s taxes, under the TRAIN. Measured as a share of their total income, the poorest 60% will pay three times as much as the highest income 40% including the richest Filipinos. This only show that the poorest majority of Filipinos bear a heavier tax burden than the rich

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Cordilleran IPs join Lakbayan 2017 National minorities unite to fight common foes \\ Nicole Falcasantos

ordilleran youth and indigenous peoples (IPs) voice out issues of mining, dams, right to self-determination and the privatization of higher education institutions, during Lakbayan ng Pambansang Minorya 2017, on August 31 to September 21 in Metro Manila.

Started in 2015, national minorities nationwide gather for Lakbayan to fight against oppression and call out to the administration the exploitation of both their culture and natural resources. DEVELOPMENT AGGRESSION For years, indigenous peoples from Benguet and Abra has been standing against large-scale mining operations by multi-national corporations, Lepanto Consolidated Mining Corporation (LCMC) and Philex Mining Corporation. However, these corporations continue their mining operations leading to the destruction of residential and agricultural areas of the region. As of present, 66% of the total area of the region is subject to different mining and energy projects. The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) also approved five proposed dams without the consent of the Kalinga communities, which also threatens the residence and livelihood of the IPs living there. Due to the continuous exploitation of their ancestral lands by the administration and foreign corporations, Cordillerans strengthen to fight for their right to selfdetermination.

ATTACKS ON IP YOUTH According to Julie Doroja of Kabataan Partylist, commercialization of education in the region intensifies as colleges and universities undergoes privatization. Out of 45 universities, 37 are private institutions while there are only 7 public colleges and 1 military school in which most of those are located only in Metro Baguio. Furthermore, aside from the commercialization of education, inaccessibility of education continues to spread throughout the country. Due to this, alternative schools like the Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development (ALCADEV) and the Tribal Filipino Program of Surigao Del Sur, Inc. (TRIFPSS) are established for other Lumad youths.

anniversary of President Ferdinand Marcos’ declaration of Martial Law, on September 21, minorities and youth mobilized

in Mendiola and Luneta to condemn the state fascism that is going on in the country. It is also to call out to the

Duterte administration to end the Martial Law in Mindanao and to stop extra-judicial killings.

HUSTISYA, KAPAYAPAAN AT SARILING-PAGPAPASYA. Nakiisa ang mahigit 3,000 mga Moro at Katutubong Pilipino sa ginanaap na Lakbayan ng Pambansang Minorya, noong ika-1 hangang ika-21 ng Setyembre upang isulong ang karapatan sa sariling pagpapasya at makatarungang kapayapaan, at labanan ang rehimeng US-Duterte sa pagpapatindi ng pang-aagaw sa mga lupang ninuno’t teritoryo at tumitinding pasistang atake ng estado sa mamamayang Pilipino.

CALL FOR CHANGE Together with the other national minorities, different protest actions were held as bombings and human rights violations proliferate in IP schools and communities in the country. Solidarity nights were also done to give honor to the diverse culture of indigenous peoples. Along with the commemoration of the 45th \\ Kuha ni Divine Penaflor

for they will pay more for their goods and services. “Studying the 2018 Budget of Expenditures and Sources of Financing (BESF), there is an exceptional 27.5% increase in infrastructure spending in 2018 to Php1.1 trillion from Php 861 billion in 2017,“ Ibon Foundation reported. Also, the government, to fund its ambitious ‘Build! Build! Build!’ infrastructure program, needs an estimated Php 8 to 9 trillion over the next five years, or Php1.6 to 1.8 trillion per year. The Duterte administration is clearly counting on additional tax revenues to help fund its infrastructure programs.

THE PEOPLE ABANDONED The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) reported that the 2018 national budget prioritizes education and infrastructure development program. The highest budget allocation, with a total of P691.1 billion, was granted to the education sector. Despite the increase in budget from PhP58.9 billion to PhP61.4 billion, 43 SUCs are set to earn net budget decreases for 2018. SUCs will suffer cuts in their budget. Alongside this is that the DBM expects SUCs to increase tuition collection from the estimated P7.8 billion in 2017 to P9.1 billion in 2018.

Also, people will barely benefit from this funding. Instead of investing for new public school facilities, the Department of Education (DepEd) utilized the education sector budget in funding the private institutions to accommodate students that cannot be accommodated in public schools due to insufficient public school facilities. Amidst the prioritization of the infrastructure development program, 2018 housing budget will worsen the housing problem in the country. The Duterte regime’s proposed housing budget cuts could affect millions of Filipinos in need of homes. “Of the total budget proposal

for National Housing Authority (NHA), only 28% (Php624.9 million) is allocated for the relocation of informal settler families (ISFs) that will be displaced by infrastructure projects, while the remaining 72% (Php1.6 billion) is for the construction of housing units for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP). Excluding the AFP/ PNP housing budget, the total budget for the construction of housing units for ISFs and the development of existing relocation sites will actually decline by 95%” IBON stated. Indeed, there is no space for the people’s welfare and

for the people’s basic rights in the PhP3.767 trillion national budget. The programs that are designed to further inflict State terror and violence on the poor are secured with the necessary budget and personnel, while public funding for social programs such as housing, health, and education has been deprived.

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Student agenda, crafted during the 5th BSD Call for free, nationalist education continues \\ Hazel Sison

aguio City students wrote a student agenda affirming their right to free and nationalist education during the 5th Baguio Student’s Day (BSD), held on September 16.

Youth from various student organizations, school publications and student councils from different high schools and universities alongside teachers and parents in Baguio united in crafting the student agenda which constitutes issues that present the condition of the education sector and students’ democratic rights in Baguio City. According to National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) BaguioBenguet Spokesperson Paul Soriano, the student agenda aims to serve as the voice of the youth in addressing the issues that they are currently facing through stimulating input and suggestions on the youth’s situation, educating and uniting them to support the fight for free and nationalist education. Among the issues included in the student agenda were the demand for tuition transparency and the call against uncertain, too expensive, and excessive school fees. It was stated that in some universities and high schools in Baguio, students are made to pay repeating fees like medical fee and dental fee. Other issues included in the student agenda were problems on the accessibility of school facilities and equipment, lack of school materials, and gender

discrimination within the schools. Different forms of violence in schools were raised in the BSD. The students raised concerns on campus press freedom violations in their schools. Some of the student publications in Baguio experience censorship, and administrative intervention. Also, tackled in the BSD, the continuing presence of military, through the Reserve Officers and Training Corps (ROTC), propagates violence in some of the schools in Baguio. “With all the issues faced by the students and the youth, be it in the fight for free and nationalist education, or an environment that assures the safety of everyone against violence, it is high time for the students to unite and struggle altogether.” The crafted student agenda was then forwarded to the City Council and other concerned institutions after the event. By City Ordinance No. 42 Series of 2013, the Baguio Student’s Day is a multi-stakeholders public consultation on the youth and students situation which aims to gather, consult and unite the youth and students of the city.

KALIWANG SULOK DOON SA LILIM \\ Kuha ni Divine Peñaflor

WALK THE TALK. To oppose the privatization of public space and to preserve the cultural heritage of the area where proposed multi-level car parking lot podium in Burnham Park will be placed, Baguio locals conducted “Walkabout Burnham Park,” a silent protest, on Sept. 13 \\ Kuha ni Alexandria Ravago

Baguio residents stand against parking podium in Burnham \\ Alexandria Ravago

aguio locals staged a silent protest called www“Walkabout Burnham Park,” to oppose the proposed multi-level car parking lot podium in Burnham Park, on September 13. In an online petition organized by the Baguio We Want Forum (BWW) , it is stated that the proposed structure is the “anti-thesis of what a park should be,” highlighting a continuous threat of shrinking

open and green spaces in the city and “adverse” consequences to the city’s health, culture, heritage, and well-being of the people. ‘FOR PEOPLE NOT FOR CARS’ The resolution to construct a parking podium, requesting for four buildings with five levels each, will accommodate 2,000 cars. An estimated P40 parking fee will be charged for every car. Also, University of the Philippines Baguio (UPB) Chancellor Raymundo Rovillos said that Mayor Mauricio Domogan’s plan is to have shops inside the parking podium. He also said that a mini-hotel inside the parking podium is possible. The parking podium will affect some infrastructures located within the perimeter of Burnham Park such as the Ganza Restaurant, the Children’s Park, and the City Library. The vendors stationed in Burnham may need to relocate due to the proposed parking podium. Rovillos said that instead of building a parking podium, the auditorium should be reconstructed as a space for community-building of the people which would be used for social activities. According to BWW, the century-old park is “for people,

not for cars”. A HERITAGE TO PRESERVE Luchie Maranan, vice chairperson of Tongtongan ti Umili, said that the ancestral land claims were already eaten by large economic zones. Burnham Park serves as a vital part of the city’s heritage due to its socio-cultural, environmental, and historical significance, which can be seen from the three sites affected by the said parking podium. Ibaloi Park was the only space left for the Ibalois’ heritage after being marginalized during the American colonization. Rovillos said, “In recent years, they [the Ibalois] have been asserting their identity and the right to be recognized as a minority within Baguio City.” He explained that transforming the space into a parking podium would marginalize the Ibalois again. “They’re giving up heritage. They’re giving up knowledge areas, spaces like the library for cars,” Rovillos said. Maranan said that the public must be informed and educated “about the implications of this high impact development” and that people’s interest should be considered, not the capitalist’s interest to commercialized public spaces.

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9% of student orgs fail recog, on probe status \\ Angelika Alberto, Romarie Castro, and Keisha Ta-asan

ifteen out of sixty-three student organizations in University of the Philippines Baguio (UPB) were on probation status for the academic year (AY) 2017-2018. The official Facebook page of the UPB Student Relations Office (SRO) released the list of recognized student organizations on September 5, 2017. Last academic year no student organizations were subjected to probation. According to the SRO officer, Professor Christian Ezekiel Fajardo, the reason why there is an increase in the number of student organization on probation is to help the organizations realign their activities to their objectives. “A research conducted by the office shows that 50% of the total activities that were conducted by all organizations last academic year were income generating projects,” Professor Fajardo stated. The organizations were given ample time to meet the specific conditions set by the SRO to lift their probation status. The SRO will re-evaluate the student organizations either at the end of the first semester or at the beginning of the second semester. According to Professor Fajardo, the SRO aims to help the organizations prepare for the incoming freshmen next academic year. “I tell them don’t treat it as a penalty, but rather as an opportunity to grow… take it as a challenge,” he said. Student organizations under probation status include: Anime_HQ, LightLife, Philippine Society for the Study of Nature Jr., Sanlibo’t Isang Kuha, Society for the Visual Arts, State Varsity Christian Fellowship, Tau Gamma Phi, Tau Gamma Sigma, The Anthropology organization, University of the Philippines Cubers, UP Baguio Mountaineers, UP Baguio Organization of Alumni Cadets, UP Baguio Red Cross Youth, UP Samahan ng mga Iskolar ng Kagawaran ng Agham at Teknolohiya, and UP Vanguard Fraternity Baguio Chapter.

Mandatory drug testing approved for HEIs HRVs to surge under the program \\ Franchesca Lazaro

andatory drug testing in universities for the next school year, as part of their admission and readmission process, has been approved by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

Chairperson Patricia Licuanan signed CHED Memorandum No. 64 in support of the on-going war on drugs by the Duterte administration, encouraging all higher education institutions (HEIs) to require mandatory drug testing for admission and readmission; random drug testing, however, will be required in all HEIs. Students who primarily tested positive will undergo a confirmatory test and if still tested positive, will be sanctioned in accordance to the school handbook and policies. HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH Various human rights groups

criticize this new step of the Duterte administration as it holds various complications. Children’s Legal Rights and Development Center (CLRDC) states that this makes minors vulnerable to the war on drugs, where the death toll has risen to 13,000, as of August 2017, wherein 54 are minors. This puts the students at a larger risk once the random drug testing is approved since “Oplan Tokhang,” a police operation where the police will knock on suspected drug users and pushers’ doors and warn them, can be brought into schools and make students an easier target for tagging and profiling.

This also puts students’ right to education at risk as the cost for drug testing for admission will be shouldered by them. SURVEILLANCE AND VIOLATIONS

Privacy has also been an issue as parents and students alike were worried for result leakage. Education Secretary Leonor Briones has assured parents that results will be kept confidential and anyone who leaks results will be subjected to penalties. However, CLRDC still sees it as dangerous as the Philippine National Police have been public about their drug lists to the point of even using draw lots.

The University of the Philippines (UP) has rejected the mandate because they believe it as obstruction to students’ rights. “This not only threatens the students’ right to education but will also make them targets of extrajudicial executions,” KASAMA sa UP, a student council alliance in UP, along with the UP Baguio Student Council (UPB-USC) said in a statement regarding the ongoing war on drugs.

WOMEN RAGE AGAINST TYRANNY. The trumped-up charges against five human rights activists in Cordillera were denounced during the commemoration program of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (IDEVAW), held at UP Baguio Alumni Center Lobby, November 22.. \\ Kimberly Joy Alejo

CAC revamp surprises students, profs \\ Shem Acal

udden renovation of the TV Laboratory, Speech Laboratory, Radio Room in the College of Arts and Communication (CAC) on Sept. 7 has caused multiple disturbances in various classes of the college.

Classes were forced to change rooms last September 12 even when no announcements were disseminated to the faculty and the students before the moving. According to the CAC College Dean Elizabeth Calinawagan, the construction was planned by the college administration

as part of the renovation of the college building. She clarified however that though the college administration was the one who planned the renovation, its date will be up to the construction company that will take over the project. Jermaine Beltran, a professor of the Department of

Communication, added that the construction was also done so that the new equipment bought this year would be used in an environment more suited for its functions. Beltran also said that the Vice Chancellor for Administration (VCA) Office’s last update was that the project is still being bid

off when the renovation started. Due to the lack of information dissemination, students and professors were unaware of the abrupt classroom adjustments brought by the construction project. As of press time, the construction of the three classrooms is still ongoing.

6KULTURA

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SA KAMPUHAN ANG SIMULA S

a apat na araw na pananatili, pakikisalamuha, at pakikibagay sa loob ng Kampuhan o Sitio Sandugo, tila ito’y nagmistulang isang maliit na Pilipinas. Hindi lang dahil napakaraming tao ang dumating dito mula sa iba’t ibang rehiyon sa bawat sulok ng Pilipinas. Kung gaano kagaan ang bag na dala-dala ko, ay ganoon namang kabigat ang katotohanang nadatnan at nakuha namin mula sa aming byahe. Nakakalungkot at nakakapagpa-alab ng damdamin ang biyaheng ito. Madaling araw nang makarating kami sa Kordilyera. Sinalubong kami ng maputik na daan at mga natutulog pang mga kasama sa kampo. Sama-samang agahan, tanghalian, at hapunan ang naging tradisyon namin sa pananatili sa Kampuhan. Maaalalahanin ang mga matatanda, lagi kaming kinukumusta kung maayos lang ba kami at ang mga pagkain namin. Kahit madalas ay Ilokano ang pakikipagusap nila sa isang katulad kong hindi makaintindi ng Ilokano ay dama ko ang pag-aaruga nila sa amin. Nagkaroon ng mga Educational Discussions (EDs) na tumatalakay sa iba’t ibang isyu na kinakaharap ngayon ng mga kabataan at minorya sa Kordilyera. Sa angking kagandahan ng Kordilyera, hindi mo aakalaing nakararanas sila ng marahas na pag-angkin sa kanilang mga ansestral na lupa para sa pagmimina at kanilang mga dam. Sa dami ng mga estudyanteng nag-aaral dito, lalo na sa Metro Baguio, iisipin mong maganda at maayos mag-aral sa Kordilyera, ngunit hindi. Maayos at patas na sistema ng edukasyon ang hinaing ng mga kabataan sa Kordilyera. Kanilang isinusulong na itigil na ang pagsasa-pribado ng mga eskwelahang dapat ay libre at makamasa. Dalawang araw kaming nanatili sa kampo ng Kordilyera. Sa bawat araw na dumaraan, nagkakaroon ng solidarity night na pinangungunahan ng isang rehiyon na nasa kampo rin. Nagbibida ng kultura ang bawat rehiyon sa isang solidarity night. At sa bawat araw na dumaraan, lalo akong lumulubog para sa mga kasama namin. Pagkatapos sa Kordilyera ay tumungo kami sa Mindanao. Doon nalaman namin ang mga karanasan at pang-aalipusta sa ating mga kapatid na Moro na araw-araw binabalewala ng nakararami. Buong pusong ikinuwento sa amin ng isang Moro kung paanong laganap ang ‘islamophobia’ na kanilang natatamo. Sa kabila ng hirap na kanilang nararanasan dahil sa militarisasyon sa Mindanao, dulot ng gyera sa Marawi,

\\ Daoden Kate Sarmiento

ay may mga taong minamaliit dahil sa kanilang pagiging Muslim. Natalakay sa isang ED na aming pinuntahan sa Mindanao, na may baseng pang-ekonomiya ang pagbobombang nangyayari sa Marawi. Sinasabing mayroong napakalaking oil reserve sa ilalim ng Marawi, malapit sa Lanao Lake. Ang mga pagsabog sa Marawi na nagdulot ng pagkasira ng mga establisyimiyento at kabahayan ay magiging daan upang isaayos ang lungsod na ito ayon na lamang sa interes ng iilan. Bukod pa sa mga nangyayari sa Marawi, malugod ding ikinuwento sa amin ng ilang matatanda mula sa Mindanao ang mga kalapastanganang nararanasan nila mula sa mga dayuhang kumpanya. Ginagamit nga mga dayuhang ito ang kanilang pagiging Lumad at ang kakulangan sa kakayahang makapagbasa at makapagsulat upang malinlang sila sa mga proyektong pagpapagawa ng mga dam sa kanilang mga lupang ninuno. Sa mga panahong iyon, hindi ko na lubos maisip kung paanong naaatim ng mga taong mangloko ng kanilang kapwa. Mula sa Kordilyera hanggang sa Mindanao ay may pagkamkam ng lupa na nangyayari. Sa Caraga kung nasaan ang Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development (ALCADEV), maraming kampo ng militar ang nakapaligid sa kanilang paaralan at nagpapadala ng mga bomb threat. Madarama ng kahit na sino ang takot mula sa mga kabataang nagkuwento nito. “Ayaw na naming makitang pinapatay ng mga paramilitary sa harapan namin ang mga guro namin, kaya nandito kami sa lakbayan,” sabi ni Johndel, isang estudyante sa ALCADEV. “Iba’t ibang tribo kami rito, pero may iisang mithiin” –ito ang mga salitang binitiwan ni Jam, isang kabataang Lumad, bago kami umalis ng Mindanao. Sa mga katagang iyon, alam kong kahit na hindi ako, tayo, kasama sa mga tribong iyon, iisa rin dapat ang mithiin

“Dahil doon, nagkakaisa ang mga tao, at hindi nila tinataguan ang kung ano mang nararanasan nila pero matapang nilang hinaharap ang mga ito.”

natin para sa kanila na makamit ang isang makabayan at nasyonalistikong lipunan. Bago kami bumalik ng Kordilyera, pumunta na kami sa Visayas. Hindi naiiba sa mga karanasan ng mga tagaKordilyera at taga-Mindanao, masalimuot at masaklap ang nararanasan ng mga nasa Visayas. Kuwento ni Kuya Carlo, may mga nang-aangkin ng kanilang mga lupa at nagkakaroon ng biglaang pagpapatanim ng mga rubber at palm oil sa kanila nang walang komisyon. Kung minsan ay binibigyan lamang daw sila ng P150 at para iyon sa buong buwang pagtatanim na nila. Ang nakakagalit pa ay pagkatapos maani ang mga tinanim nilang mga kakaibang halaman tulad nga ng rubber at palm oil, ay hindi na muling matataniman ang lupang sinakahan nila sa loob ng tatlumpong taon o sobra pa. May mga isla rin sa Visayas ang wala pa ring kuryente at matinong edukasyon hanggang ngayon. May mga ipinangakong solar panel ngunit hindi kailan man ito dumating sa kanilang isla. Mayroon ding mga ipinapangakong tulong para sa mga paaralan tulad ng mga libro at notebook mula sa gobyerno. Ngunit, mga transnasyonal na kumpanya na lamang na mithiing magnegosyo sa kanilang isla ang dumating. Bumalik kami ng Kordilyera na may dalang mabigat na pakiramdam at galit na puso. Umalis kami sa kampo na ang mga puso namin ay tuluyan nang nakakabit sa mga nakasama namin, ang pambansang minorya. Labis ang paghanga at pagmamahal na naramdaman ko para sa Kampuhan. Dahil doon, nagkakaisa ang mga tao, at hindi nila tinataguan ang kung ano mang nararanasan nila pero matapang nilang hinaharap ang mga ito. Sa Kampuhan, nakita ko at naramdaman ang paninindigan ng bawat isa. Sumisigaw ng kasimplehan ang Kampuhan pero magarbo ang ibinigay nitong mga karanasan at aral sa akin. Isang pagpapa-alala ang Kampuhan na ang layunin nating lahat bilang mga Pilipino ay ang pakikiisa, paglubog at pagtungo pa para sa masa. Isang pagpapa-alala ang Kampuhan na ang minorya ay hindi na mananatiling minorya dahil tayong lahat ay kasama sa kanilang pakikibaka. Bago pa matapos ang pamamalagi ko sa Kampuhan, ramdam ko na ang pag-alab ng aking puso at ang hangarin kong bumalik at lumubog pa para sa batayang masa. Ang biyahe pauwi ay hindi nagsilbing dulo ng biyahe, bagkus ay naging simula para sa isang panibagong biyahe patungo sa isang makamasang hangarin.

BIYAHENG LANGIT

Iba- iba ang konsepto ng bawat tao sa langit. Sa paglalakbay, maraming bagay ang nalalaman natin, mga kuwentong nililikha ng mga tao at lugar na nakikilala natin. Ito ang langit sa pagbibiyahe, bagong pagtuklas sa isang bagong mundo.

Iginuhit ni Maria Catherine Isabel Garcia Disenyo ng pahina ni Daoden Kate Sarmiento

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PATAYIN PARA SA KWARTA SI JUAN DELA CRUZ Tradisyong mersenaryo ng militar at pulisya \\ John Rey Dave Aquino

abi ng iba, walang pinipili ang kamatayan. Parepareho lang daw mamamatay lahat ng tao, nag-iiba lamang kung kailan at paano. Ngunit sa kasalukuyang estado ng Pilipinas, mayroong tiyak na puntirya si Kamatayan—kasama ang armadong pwersa ng gobyerno—ang mamamayan mismo. SUGO NI KAMATAYAN Sa mga nakaraang buwan, hindi mapaghiwalay sa mga pahayag ni Duterte ang “drugs” at “patayin.” Hindi kumpleto ang kanyang araw hangga’t hindi niya inaatasan ang pulisya na pumatay ng drug addict. Minsan din niyang pinagbantaang bobombahin ang paaralan ng mga katutubong Lumad sa Mindanao, at ipinangako ang sarili bilang protektor ng militar. Hindi lamang salita ang mga ito dahil mga asong nauulol ang militar at pulisya sa pagtupad ng kanyang mga kagustuhan. Gaya ng pagiging sunud-sunuran ng Philippine Constabulary noon kay Marcos, pikit-matang sumusunod ang militar at pulisya sa mga programang lumalabag sa karapatang pantao ng mamamayan. Dahil paulit-ulit ang ganito sa bawat administrasyon, nagiging normal ang mga paglabag sa karapatang pantao. Nariyang mapapanood ito sa telebisyon o mababasa sa diyaryo ngunit dahil sa mabagal na sistema ng hustisya sa bansa, napapabayaan ang mga kasong ito at hindi naibibigay ang katarungan. Walang pakialam sa katarungan ang mga sugo ni Kamatayan sa lupa; basta’t makapamaslang sila, maayos ang lahat. PAMAMARAAN Matagal nang mersenaryo ang Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), sa pamumuno ng mga umuupong presidente, dahil marami itong pinagsisilbihan, ngunit hindi kabilang sa mga ito ang mamamayan. Tumatanggap ito ng pagsasanay at pinansya mula sa Estados Unidos (US), binibigyang proteksyon ang mga dayuhang kumpanya at sinusunod ang kautusan ng mga makapangyarihang pulitiko at burukrata-kapitalista. Ang programang counterinsurgency ng AFP, ang Oplan Kapayapaan (OpKap), ay may layuning sugpuin ang mga armadong grupo gaya ng New People’s Army (NPA) at Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Mula sa Oplan Katatagan ni Marcos, Lambat-Bitag ni Cory Aquino, Bantay Laya ni Arroyo at Bayanihan ni Noynoy Aquino, nagpatuloy ang programang ito na binulabog at dinahas ang mga komunidad sa kanayunan. Alinsunod sa OpKap, ipinatupad sa buong Mindanao ang Batas Militar noong Mayo 23. Layunin daw nitong sugpuin ang teroristang grupong Maute sa Marawi City na sanhi ng pagbakwit ng mga mamamayan dito. Bagaman limang buwan na mula ang deklarasyon, hindi pa rin natatapos ang labanan sa Marawi na dapat sana’y mabilis natapos dahil sa abanteng kagamitan at taktika ng AFP. Hindi sapat na naipaliwanag ng administrasyon ang dahilan ng pagpapatupad nito ng Batas Militar, na sa katotohanan ay balatkayo lamang para sa OpKap. Ginamit ng militar ang kasalukuyang sitwasyon upang maglagay ng checkpoints sa Mindanao. Kasabay din nito ang mga operasyong militar gaya ng aerial bombing. Sa hangaring sugpuin ang grupong Maute, naghulog ng

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bomba ang AFP sa Marawi na nagdulot ng pagkasira ng mga kabahayan at gusali dito. Ngunit ayon sa Karapatan, binomba rin ang mga ilang komunidad ng Moro sa Bukidnon at North Cotabato noong Mayo 25, higit 100 kilometro mula sa bakbakan sa Marawi. Sa parehong araw, 30 Lumad, Moro at Kristiyanong kababaihan sa Sultan Kudarat at 260 Morong kabataan sa Davao City ang sinita ng militar dahil walang maipakitang patunay ng pagkakilanlan. Marami ring kaso ng iligal na pag-aresto at harassment, gaya ng 12 manggagawa ng Shin Sun Tropical Fruits, Inc. sa Compostela Valley. Nagsasagawa ng strike ang mga mangggagawa nang marahas na baklasin ng 66th Infantry Batallion at PNP ang hanay. Inilunsad ang strike dahil sa iligal na dismissal ng 53 manggagawa at para sa regularisasyon ng 287 manggagawa. Marami pang naitalang kaso ng paglabag ng militar sa karapatang pantao ng mamamayan, hindi lamang sa Mindanao kundi maging sa buong bansa. Naging tulay ang OpKap sa pagtaas ng bilang nito, partikular sa komunidad ng mga magsasaka at pambansang minorya. PATULOY NA KAWALANG-HUSTISYA Mas lalong hindi ligtas ang mga aktibista, mamamahayag at maging simpleng mamamayan sa pamamaslang. Sa ilalim ng kasalukuyang administrasyon, mayroong 91 magsasaka ang napaslang, pawang mga organisador ng magsasaka sa kanayunan. Sundalo, pulis, paramilitar at pribadong hukbo ng mga panginoong maylupa ang maysala sa mga pamamaslang. Nananatili ring malala ang rekord ng estado sa pamamaslang ng mahihirap sa pamamagitan ng Oplan Tokhang. Mayroon nang 13,000 ang napatay sa ilalim ng drug war, at kabilang dito ang mga kabataang gaya nina Karl Arnaiz, Kian delos Santos at iba pa. Tunay ngang mersenaryo ang mga armadong pwersa ng estado: tumatanggap ng utos mula sa nakatataas at pinapatay ang sinumang nais ipapatay ng kanilang pinagsisilbihan. Habang patuloy ang kultura ng kawalang-hustisya sa bansa, mananatiling normal ang ganitong pamamaslang.

“Dahil paulit-ulit ang ganito sa bawat administrasyon, nagiging normal ang mga paglabag sa karapatang pantao.”

Iginuhit ni Maria Elaine Pamisaran Disenyo ng pahina ni Daoden Kate Sarmiento

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UP Baguio Outcrop Tomo 44 Isyu 2 Setyembre-Disyembre 2017

HOARDING POWER E

very administration promises that they will be for the people; that programs and decisions will be aimed at improving the welfare of the nation. But underneath all these false promises are greedy intentions. Every action made by the government is a calculated move making sure they keep their power and also obtain more of it. This is the same for every government that our country had and the Duterte administration is no different. Duterte is fooling the people into thinking that he would be the one to take power from the elites and distribute them to the less privileged. But as we go further into his term, this façade of his starts to crack and through it we can see the bureaucrat capitalist and fascist nature of his administration. Bureaucrat capitalism is the term when the ruling elites use politics to acquire more power for them and their families, and treat the government as a place to gain profit without the consideration of its effects on Filipino citizens. Duterte’s monopolization of power pits ruling elites against each other, those who support his tyrannical rule and those in opposition. He is quick to condemn those who oppose him and accuses them of being part of a conspiracy to remove him from position. He uses government laws and resources and twists them to support his persecution of these rivals. Duterte specifically mentioned the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the Liberal Party as the main parties

“...It wouldn’t be long until more and more Filipinos realize that he is not unlike the past presidents. That the change they want and that Duterte promised he would give is a farce. .”

plotting in overthrowing his regime. Liberal Party senators who are critics of his war on drugs are accused of allying themselves to the communist group, which can be dismissed by looking into our very own political history. More importantly, Duterte disregards the everincreasing number of farmers, workers, youth and other sectors who join mobilizations that criticize his administration. This “conspiracy” that Duterte talks of is actually the growing number of people realizing the corrupt and fascist nature of his administration. With his continuous filing of impeachment cases against those who expose his rotten administration, his quick dismissal of valid demands from our people, his facilitation of fascist attacks, Duterte is getting closer to having an authoritarian rule over the country. When dissents against his government are not quelled, he results to his usual threat of martial law being imposed nationwide. Recently, Duterte created the Citizen National Guard which aims to protect the government from “yellowtards,” a term, usually used in social media sites, given to supporters of the Liberal Party, and “enemies of the state.” The term is also applied by Duterte’s supporters to anyone who criticizes his presidency. Other than yellowtards, groups who were named as enemies of the state are those associated with ISIS, drug cartels, and foreign intelligence agencies that generate international support for the impeachment of Duterte. Even the Communist Party of the

Opisyal na Pahayagan ng mga Mag-aaral ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas-Baguio MAPAGPALAYANG KAISIPAN SA MALAYANG PAHAYAGAN

Patnugutan

OUTCROP

Punong Patnugot Quimberlyn Ranchez Kawaksing Patnugot John Rey Dave Aquino Patnugot sa Kultura Kimberly Joy Alejo Patnugot sa Balita Jemimah Cresencia Patnugot sa Disenyo Divine Penaflor Tagapamahala sa Pinansya Daoden Kate Sarmiento Kawani Maria Isabel Garcia

Philippines and its armed wing, New People’s Army, were included despite the group’s constant call for the resumption of peace talks. These accusations are just stunts to divert the public’s attention from the controversies surrounding his administration. At the same time, these are mere attempts to defend his clear anti- people policies and programs. There is the International Criminal Court investigation regarding the extrajudicial killings his war on drugs has brought. There are also the investigations into his family’s wealth. Duterte explains that his family got their wealth by selling inherited real estate properties, even stating that he already is in possession of P3 million when he was just a fourth year student, although failed to mention where the P3 million came from. These statements contradict those he made when he was just running for president, wherein he said that his family grew up poor. Aside from these, there is the issue concerning claims of smuggling activities thrown against his son Davao City Vice Mayor Paulo Duterte and sonin-law lawyer Manases Carpio. This is just the beginning of the unraveling of his fascist administration. It wouldn’t be long until more and more Filipinos realize that he is not unlike the past presidents. That the change they want and what Duterte promised he would give is a farce; that the acquisition of more power is still the driving force of his presidency.

Miyembro ng College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) at Solidaridad, Alyansa ng mga Pahayagang Pangkampus sa UP upboutcrop@gmail.com Facebook page: “UP Baguio Outcrop” Unang Palapag ng Alumni Center Building, UP Baguio, Gov. Pack Road, Baguio City

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UP Baguio Outcrop Tomo 44 Isyu 2 Setyembre-Disyembre 2017

Another student drama (but not quite) \\ John Rey Dave Aquino

o doubt our parents told us the importance of education; if not, our teachers did. Just look at how the overused maxim “Education is the key to success” could be found on the walls of every classroom in an elementary school (in mine, at least). Children who don’t study “seriously” would be chastised by their parents and called delinquents. At a young age, the importance of education is drilled to students’ heads, with the aim to make them study well. That is my observation, at least. My parents, however, were not really keen on me studying well. They never told me to do well, to always be at the top, to win contests and so on. It was my fear of the future that made me study as well as I did back then. Back then, I believed in that overused maxim, trusted in the good future education would give me. My education became my top priority as well since I dreamt of many jobs; a biologist, a seismologist, a teacher, a doctor, all the professional jobs. I had confidence that I would end up with a hugepaying job in the future so that I could buy all that I wanted. I was a child back then. College shattered many of those ambitions, but not all. These

”The endgame of education is not, and should never be, occupation.”

days, I daresay I lost much of my interest in studying. Not that I do not like my classes, because I enjoy them especially my literature classes (shoutout to Ma’am C and Ma’am R) but something felt lacking. I only go to class because I cannot go beyond six absences. I read my readings for the sake of knowing the answer when called on to recite. I drink coffee and lose sleep to pass exams, but the excitement, the thrill of studying has left me. My academic endeavors had been reduced to a mere day-today activity, unlike in my younger years when I loved going to school. My goals are still the same: to finish my education and find a job. As a language and literature student, perhaps my future job would be to teach, which my preference is as well. To me, is this the success that education is supposed to give to me? Don’t get me wrong, because my belief is still that all youth should receive education even in the tertiary level. Lo and behold, our lawmakers have decided to make it free and with it the hope of a brighter future for the country. Making education free, however, is not enough just yet. Yes, all the youth would be able to study, but the current educational system

makes it so that the degree programs offered in universities are the more “employable” ones such as hotel and restaurant management, nursing and information technology. Employable programs are offered for their high demand abroad, and even in the country. Students who finish these programs are more likely to leave the country in search of greener pastures, that is, higher income. Mao Zedong once said, serve the people. Indeed, we students should serve our countrymen, but we also face the dilemma of finding jobs that will sustain our families while opportunities to work abroad abound. Also, we have been taught that we study to have jobs, not to be productive and capable citizens of this country. A compartment of our brains tell us: find a job, find a job, find a job. The endgame of education is not, and should never be, occupation. It is for the people; all our research work, our ideas, our inventions, our writings. This system of ours only seek to keep the status quo, to deter us from escaping our individualistic shells to work collectively for the betterment of this country slowly falling apart.

The Safety that Never Was \\ Alexandria Ravago

o me, “safe” does not only mean being free from harm but it also meant being free from the anxiety caused by the uncertainty if an area was secure. “Safe” was a feeling. And I grew up believing my hometown was safe because I felt safe. But I was proven wrong when I became a victim of harassment years ago in the darkness of the night. My fourth year of high school just started and I was only minutes away from my school when a mysterious man harassed me. Ever since that incident, I worried about my safety and thought my family would never let me out of their sight. Yet, here I am in Baguio, eight hours away from them, because they believed it was safe. So did I. Before moving to Baguio, my family explained that I was better off living and studying in Baguio because it was safer than in Metro Manila. As a tiny young girl, I am viewed as more prone to be a victim of street crimes such as theft, kidnapping, and sexual harassment. Girls like me are depicted as “easy targets” because of the notion that girls are weak and powerless. And my being tiny meant I was even more so. I could be easily dragged away and I would not have the physical strength to resist. I am seen as the most vulnerable and the one least likely to fight back. For my two years of living in Baguio, I was indeed convinced that I was safe here. I noticed

that the locals and my fellow students had no worries with walking to places and with coming home late at night. The same applies to kids coming to and from school here. I adapted their behavior and I walked around wherever without the constant feeling of fear of someone suddenly grabbing my belongings or a part of my body. I didn’t feel the need to keep looking over my shoulder to watch for anyone suspicious. I once again had that comforting feeling of being safe. Enter the second week of my third year when I encountered a man probably in his 30s or 40s with his dick dangling outside his shorts just a minute away from my university. Stricken with fear and reminded of what happened to me years before, I bolted. I looked over my shoulder and saw the man calmly and attentively cross the street as if nothing happened. I couldn’t believe what I experienced and I couldn’t believe that my feeling of being safe was once again shattered. And I questioned myself if other girls like me have faced this before. Days later, my question was answered with my female friends informing me of men who touched their legs as they walked, men who shouted “sex” to them, and men who publicly masturbated, and men who straight up came to her face and said, “Hi, miss.” I was reminded of how vulnerable and how easily women could be

“I couldn’t believe what I experienced and I couldn’t believe that my feeling of being safe was once again shattered.”

victimized. But when reports about a missing 17-year-old boy surfaced, I realized that students were targets, too. Vaughn Dicang’s disappearance caused a stir to Baguio students and when he was found dead, fear grew even worse. I became aware that vulnerability wasn’t just limited to women. Baguio residents further shared their experiences on Facebook such as a stranger persistent on making people come with him and a white van that follows people around Camp John Hay. They claimed that this is not the Baguio they know and urged others to take caution. But I began to ponder if Baguio was actually not safe in the first place and that the notion of it being safe was just created to welcome tourists. I also began to think about how vulnerability does not discriminate. Anyone can be a victim, especially with our president’s war on drugs. Lifeless bodies turn up on streets with no actual evidence if the executed were really even drug users. What should be a place that gives a feeling of safety to its citizens, especially to women and the youth, now gives off fear and discomfort. Though no place may ever be a perfect haven, we should still strive and work to establish a much safer environment for all. We should always aim and fight to achieve safety. After all, it is our right.

10KULTURA

indi mahihiwalay ang kultura sa kasaysayayan. Ito ang nagsisilbing pagkakakilanlan ng mga partikular na grupo o lugar. Ito ang sinasalamin ng mga tradisyong nakaugat sa sinaunang pamumuhay ng ating mga ninuno. Ito ang dumadaloy sa bawat henerasyon ng mga mamamayang itinatanghal at ipinaglalaban ang kanilang pagkatao. Mayaman ang kultura ng ating bansa. Binubuo tayo ng iba’t- ibang pangkat ng mga tao na mayroon ring iba’t- ibang paraan ng pamumuhay. Isa sa mga pangkat na ito ang mga taga-Cordillera— kilala sa kanilang pagsusuot ng mga makukulay na katutubong kasuotan, pagsasagawa ng mga ritwal na puno ng awitan at sayawan, at sa makasaysayan nilang pakikipagtungali sa mga kolonisador. Kilala rin natin ang kultura ng mga taga- Cordillera dahil sa mga piyesta tulad ng Panagbenga, Ullalim, Lang- ay, at iba pa. Nawiwili tayo sa panonood ng kanilang mga parada, sayaw, at iba pang porma ng pagtatanghal, at gumagastos tayo ng maraming pera para lamang matunghayan ang mga ito. Sa kasamaang palad, hindi natin maikakailang hindi na rin maihihiwalay ang salitang “turismo” sa “kultura” dala ng ganitong kaisipan at pagturing sa mga taga- Cordillera. Inuudyok ng usaping ito ang mga katanungang, “Ano nga ba ang tamang paggamit ng kultura?” at “Hanggang kailan maisasakripisyo ang kultura para lamang masabing maunlad ang isang bayan?” Kamakailan lamang ay nailathala sa ilang pahayagan ang litrato ng isang Igorot na nakasuot ng bahag habang nasa isang mobilisasyon. May mga pumuri sa kanya ngunit umani rin siya ng maraming batikos dahil hindi raw dapat ginagamit sa mga protesta ang katutubong kasuotan. Si Manong Gherald Chupchupen, 63 taong gulang mula sa Mountain

UP Baguio Outcrop Tomo 44 Isyu 2 Setyembre-Disyembre 2017

“Limang taon na raw siyang nagpaparenta ng mga “costume,” dahil ‘yun daw ang patok na hanapbuhay sa siyudad.”

Province, ang nasa litratong iyon. Miyembro siya ng Metro Baguio Elders Tribal Alliance (MBTELA) sa ilalim ng Cordillera People’s Alliance (CPA) na isa sa mga progresibong grupong kilala sa pagtataguyod ng karapatan ng mga katutubo sa Cordillera. Noong natanong ko kung bakit siya sumasali sa mga rally, naikwento niya sa akin ang kanyang buhay bilang isang aktibistang Igorot. Nagtrabaho rati si Manong Gherald sa isang minahang pagmamay- ari ng isang malaking kumpanya. Taong 2013 noong siya ay sinibak dahil lamang sa kanyang paghingi ng nararapat na sweldo para sa kanilang mga manggagawa. Tulak ng ganitong pananamantala, naging miyembro siya ng isang progresibong samahan. Dito siya namulat sa maraming isyung panlipunan kaya hindi rin nagtagal nang siya ay nahikayat na sumali sa mga kilos protesta. “Tama naman ang mga pinaglalaban ng mga kabataang iyon. Totoo naman ang mga sinasabi nila at para naman sa mamamayan ang mga sinusulong nila,” ani niya. Ilan sa mga suliraning kanyang nabanggit ay ang mga minahan. Ayon sa kanya, nakakasira ng tubigan at mga fishpond ang mga ito. Nangungunang gawaing pangkabuhayan ng mga tagaCordillera ang pagsasaka at pagpapanatili ng mga agrikultural na istruktura kaya’t sa halip na makatulong ito sa kanila ay lalo pa itong naging pahirap. Bukod pa rito, kinakamkam rin ng mga minahan

ang kanilang katutubong lupain. Marami sa kanila ang nawalan ng tirahan dahil sapilitan silang pinalayas ng mga ito. Nawalan rin sila ng mga pagkakakitaan kaya napipilitan silang tumungo sa siyudad, nagbabakasakaling makahanap ng trabaho para buhayin ang kanikanilang pamilya. Natanong ko siya kung ano ang pagtingin niya sa pagbebenta at pagpaparenta ng mga katutubong kasuotan dito sa Baguio. Ayon sa kanya, ang pagsusuot ng kanilang tradisyunal na kasuotan gaya ng bahag sa kalalakihan at tapis sa kababaihan ay hindi maiaalis sa kanila sapagkat ito ang kanilang kinamulatang kultura. Sinusuot ito hindi lamang sa mga ritwal ngunit pati rin sa pang-araw araw na pamumuhay. Isang hapong napadpad ako sa Botanical Garden, nakausap ko ang isang nagpaparenta ng tradisyunal na kasuotan—si Ate Celine, isang Kankanaey mula sa Itogon, Benguet. Dati siyang nagtatanim at nagtitinda ng mga gulay sa kanila ngunit dahil sa pagmimina ay naapektuhan ang kanyang negosyo, kaya nagbakasakali siyang pumunta sa Baguio. Limang taon na raw siyang nagpaparenta ng mga “costume,” dahil ‘yun daw ang patok na hanapbuhay sa siyudad. Naikwento ko ang pangyayaring iyon kay Manong Gherald at nagkwento siya ng parehong sitwasyon. Sinabi niya na sa anim niyang mga anak, may dalawang nakapagtapos na ng kolehiyo sa kursong edukasyon. At marami pang gaya nilang nakapagtapos ng kolehiyo ngunit walang mapagtrabahuan na angkop sa kanilang natapos. Bumabalik sila sa pagsasaka at pagtatayo ng mga fishponds ngunit dahil sa pagmimina, hindi ito umuunlad kaya napipilitan silang pumunta sa mga siyudad. Nawawalan na sila ng pagkakakitaan sa kani-kanilang komunidad kaya nama’y napipilitan silang magtinda ng

KASUOTAN, KABUHAYAN, AT KARAPATAN Ang halaga ng kasaysayan at kultura sa bawat habi ng tapis at bahag \\ Kimberly Joy Alejo Iginuhit ni Maria Elaine Pamisaran Disenyo ng pahina ni Charlene Favis

PIPOL

Ito ay isang bahagi ng seksyon ng ku;ltura kung saan tinatampok ang isang tao, sikat man o hindi. Dito natutunghayan ang mga taong hindi binibigyan ng boses ng mainstream media at mga talk show sa telebisyon.

kahit anong pwedeng ibenta. Umaabot na ito sa puntong kahit ang kanilang pagkakakilanlan ay ginagawa na nilang negosyo. Pinagsasamantalahan na rin ito ng mga korporasyon sa paraang ginagamit nila ang katutubong kultura sa kanilang mga advertisements at kahit ang lokal na gobyerno ay ginamit na rin itong pang- akit sa mga turista. Ang pagdala sa Kamaynilaan ng pinakamatandang “mambabatok” mula sa Kalinga na si Apo Whang-od o Fangod Odday upang ipakita umano ang pamamaraan ng kanyang pagtatato ay manipestasyon ng pagroromantisa at pagpapanatili ng komersyalisadong pagtanaw sa katutubong kultura. Marahil ay mahalaga ring isipin na isang eksibit ng mga produkto, ng mga pagkakakitaan, ang dinaluhan ni Apo Whang- od, at tila isang produkto na rin ang turing sa kanyang pagtatato. “Sa ganitong sistema ay wala tayong magawa kahit gustuhin man natin itong basagin dahil wala na nga silang kabuhayan dahil sa pananamantala ng mga kapitalista at pang-aabuso ng kapangyarihan,” tugon ni Manong Gherald. Malinaw na ang lumalalang kahirapan sa ating bansa ang nagtutulak sa ating mga katutubo na pumaloob sa komersalisasyon ng kultura. Upang matugunan natin ito, kailangan nating labanan ang sistema ng kahirapan at opresyon sa hanay ng mamamayang Pilipino. Mula sa mga kwento ni Manong, hindi na natin maitatanggi ang katotohanang humaharap pa rin ang ating mga katutubo sa patung- patong na problema, at patuloy pa ring nagbibingi- bingihan ang mga nasa kapangyarihan sa kanilang mga hinaing. Kaya’t walang mali sa pagsusuot ni Manong Gherald ng bahag sa isang protesta. Walang mali sa pagpapatuloy ng kasaysayan at kultura ng paglaban.

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ALINGAWNGAW

PAHAYAG

Oppression lives on and so will the revolution. On November 30, progressive youth organizations, student councils, and student publications under the College Editors’ Guild of Philippines gathered in the Metro-Baguio Youth Assembly to commemorate Andres Bonifacio and his heroic deeds. In Bonifacio’s time, Filipinos were slaves in their own country. The Spanish promoted social stratification and placed themselves at the top, enriching themselves at the Filipinos’ expense. The government deprived the Filipinos of education to keep them blind to injustice and oppression. Even if this was unsuccessful, they made it clear that criticizing them and the system they benefited from meant imprisonment, exile or even death. Despite this, Bonifacio educated himself about the Philippines’ situation and resolved to do something about it. Believing that only a revolution would grant the country true independence, he organized the ‘Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan’ (KKK) or simply ‘Katipunan’. Under his guidance, the Katipunan fought against their oppressors to free the poor and the marginalized, who were abused and doomed to grow poorer under the Spanish regime. Bonifacio embodied

BUWANANG DALAW

nationalism. His revolution was for a free, independent nation—not a colony, and certainly not the neocolony the Philippines has turned into. Until today, we are ruled by a system rigged to make the wealthy wealthier, and the poor poorer. Or dead. We remain under the thumb of the imperialist United States. The US already excercises significant control over our abundant resources, importing labor and raw materials at a law cost and exporting the finished products at a higher price. Still it seeks to gain more through the implementation of international trade policies. Furthermore, our farmers, the backbone of our livelihood and economy, are underpaid and have no claim over their own lands, lands they themselves cultivated. And as shown in the Hacienda Luisita massacre, protests can mean death. Our fascist government, using the existence of rebels and terrorists as an excuse to prioritize military development and weapons purchases, vilifies anyone who expresses discontent. Our President buried a dictator in a cemetery for heroes. He supposedly wages a war against drugs, but only kills the poor suspects, bypassing their right to due process. More than 13,000

have died, not all of them confirmed drug pushers or drug users, while the wealthy suspects get to keep their comfortable lifestyles. History has shown that inaction has only ever helped the oppressors, never the oppressed. And history has shown that liberty isn’t free. It has to be fought for. Many of the benefits we enjoy today (e.g. free education, minimum wage, women’s rights) exist because of dissent, because of protest, because of progressive citizens speaking up and taking to the streets to make the government listen to their demands. In line with this, the CEGP calls upon fellow students and citizens to act. Begin by starting discussions and spreading awareness about Philippine social realities. Organize into groups and formulate resolutions in answer to these realities. Keep studying to improve our overall analysis of the Philippine situation. Mobilize and protest. Let the people know this is not how it should be. Generations before us had risen and fallen in the struggle for true independence. It’s up to us to continue the fight.

1. Gaano kabisa ang carless Wednesdays? Not so effective – Migs Wala! Sa Conve sila nagpaparking! – c (1511079) Walang car so obviously effective Sana di masyadong magalit yung mga tao sa mga cars na pumapasok lang kase baka may mga elderly and handicapped din –HBST Sobrang bias kaso nakakaapekto pa rin sa carbon emission ng Baguio kapag sa ibang lugar sila nagpapark. Parang band-aid solution – Gigi Hadid 2. Sang-ayon ka ba sa pagsusuot ng IP attire, tulad ng bahag, tuwing may rally? Bakit? Yaz for stronger representation – 1500892 YEAH! Why not!! – Migs Kultura naman nila yun, anek? – C 15-11079 Depende sa nirarally. Better context for the IP attire, IP related issues. – Gigi Hadid OO, dahil sa paraang ito naipapakita ng IPs na nirerepresent nila ang kanilang grupo in general, given that mayroon din naman silang karapatan sa page-express ng kanilang opinion o kagustuhang pagbabago sa lipunan. Marapat lamang na mairepresenta nila ang kanilang grupo sa ganitong paraan upang mapansin naman sila ng ibang tao sapagkat hindi sila nabibigyang pansin sa lipunan. – 2015-06373

PANTAWID GUTOM \\ Iginuhit ni Charlene Favis

3. Ano’ng masasaib mo sa unang isyu ng Outcrop? Super nice, I love the wika stuff – Migs Pasabog! - unknown Pak na Pak, Labeth – Gigi Hadid

4. I Invoke my right to self-_____ love :( - Migs Education- c Power - Nime Feritilization- **46500 loathe - Gigi Hadid self-ie - Mocha

12KULTURA

UP Baguio Outcrop Tomo 44 Isyu 2 Septyembre-Nobyembre 2017

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THE INTENSIFIED LABOR EXPORT ORIENTATION ON HIGHER EDUCATION \\ Chelsea Joy Serezo

ccessing critical thinking on latest UP curriculum. Loading. Waiting. Oops. Looks like the page you were trying to access could not be found on the human system. It is a Client-side Error which means that either the critical thinking has been removed or moved. The existence of General Education (GE) courses in UP units attests as a symbol of liberal and holistic education the university provides to its populace. The changing framework of GE courses through time serves as an adaptation mechanism to the prevailing social climate of the time. Scrutinizing the specs From its creation in 1958, the GE was a means to foster a sense of nationalism students, given that the Philippines was just reconstructing itself from influence of colonial forces. During the 1986 revision, GE stood as a converging point to UP students d e s p i t e their varying constituents; GEs also served as a way to cultivate a high sense of moral and intellectual dignity to students after

the corruption inflicted by the Marcos regime to the social fabric. The 2016 GE Reform, hence, is grounded in today’s context and circumstances; since, today, the notion of a ‘borderless world’ pervades our social strata, the obsession to succumb to this ‘borderless world’ is viewed as “progress” by the developing countries. Thus, the cases of Academic Calendar Shift to the implementation Republic Act No. 10533 or the K-12 program, are not isolated cases, but they are gradual, sporadic, and planned attacks to adapt our curriculum to that of developed nations, so that labor exportation would come in handy. The priority of reform is for internationalization and not nationalism since this revision aims to “strengthen the specialist or major to meet international program accreditation standards,” thus the reduction of GE would mean abolishing the very fabric of UP - to shape critical and open-minded citizens who are mindful of society’s history and masses’ struggle. This latest reform, however, is geared towards the market value placed on the heads of the students, since trimming down number of units would mean not just lessening of units, but, depriving of subjects that would be a help to view the world. The revision of GE, thus, deepens the reorganization of the university to shape Filipino students into a cheap and ready-to-export labor force. ‘User-friendly’ interface The 2016 GE Reform just had its latest, modified version and users are given less freedom to navigate this version’s newest specification than its previous versions. Past versions of GE program gave unrestricted leeway to Isko and Iska to select their courses; furthermore, when students started to pay for their tuition, the ‘cafeteria’ approach came into existence where students could freely choose their GEs and free electives. However, the trend to specialize arose to meet the demands of specialization; thus, the existence of the newest GE Reform to internationalize the education, and for the country to train individuals who are ready to be exported. The Philippines’ obsession with producing ‘globally competitive’ individuals immediately affects UP constituents, as manifested in the revised GE program (and academic calendar shift) – where courses are reduced for the students to concentrate on their field, thus, treating courses not related to their field as unimportant, and thus unworthy to learn. Since the University is an advocate of shaping Filipino minds to serve the nation, it is confusing that UP now prioritizes the production of cheap labor force to further the colonial demands. System overhaul GE Reform, as well as K to 12 program and academic calendar shift – are manifestations of attack to internationalize education; instead of producing individuals dedicated to serving the country, this reform, however, little this step would be, caters the needs of global market and hinders the growth of our industrial and agricultural sectors. Specialization might generate an alienation into the student’s’ mind, since these step in education highly focuses on sciences and devalues arts and humanities, the students could fall into trap of devaluing other realities that they cannot grasp and comprehend. Most importantly, specialization alienates the students from their heritage,

since their view of the world would be myopic, the students would forget their foundation of themselves and their appreciation for heritage. The quick transformation of GE units from 45 units to 21 units, certainly, are not enough to shape the young minds of freshman students, to introduce them to intellectual realms they could explore; many of them barely know themselves – who they really are, how the society functions outside school walls, and how theories come into practice. The reduction of General Education (GE) courses, one of the primary components that makes UP the institution that we now know today, doesn’t just means lessening of units; it also entails programming students into an automaton devoid of senses, thus, promotes dehumanization as opposed to program’s ideal aim that GE must serve as a common ground to s t u d e n t s d e s p i t e their social differences. Finally, this GE reform veers away from everything UP has stood for in the beginning, thus, this will shake UP’s foundation to its core once it is implemented next school year.