UPLB Perspective Volume 39 Issue 3

ISSUE 3 .

VOLUME 39 .

UPLB PERSPECTIVE

“Towards a world-class university”

Faculty conference presents strategic plans

WORDS | MARK IAN BILLANTE Chancellor Rex Victor Cruz, together with the vice chancellors and faculty, gathered last September 2628 for the 2nd UPLB Faculty Conference in Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club, Lipa City, Batangas.

With the theme “Towards a World Class University,” the conference focused on strategies to make UPLB “one of the best universities in the country and in the world.” Different thematic areas were discussed, including tips on mentoring, strategies for gathering the best students and teaching staff, research and publication trends, resource generation activities and the implementation of K-12 program.

This time, the 2nd faculty conference included three student representatives, namely: Ynik Ante, University Student Council (USC) Chairperson; Mark Ian Billante, Editor in Chief; and Reniel Villaflor, College of Arts and Sciences Student Council (CAS-SC) Chairperson.

As for the second part of the conference, the faculty members and student representatives formed different groups to formulate action plans for the thematic areas mentioned earlier. These were presented at the latter part of the program.

RESPONSE TO THE K-12 PROGRAM The K-12 program, implemented at the beginning of school year 2012-2013, was also discussedin one of the plenary talks. The curricula for junior and senior high school were presented, particularly the inclusion of technical and vocational programs and how it will affect the Revised General Education Program (RGEP) courses of UPLB. One scenario stated was by the time the first batch of graduates enter UPLB in AY 2017-2018, it

will be assumed that several GE subjects including ENG 1, ENG 2, and other NASC subjects were already discussed in the junior and senior high school. This will call to a revision of the RGEP in order to adjust to the changes implemented by the K-12 program.

GATHERING THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST As part of the university’s strategic planning, different suggestions were considered regarding the admission of

students and faculty staff as well with additional incentives on gaining a US (University Scholar), CS (College Scholar), and HR (Honor Roll) status for one semester; an official recognition of students’ achievements; and regular stipend. For the faculty members, the suggestions included lesser teaching loads for those taking their masters degree and incentives for research and publication.

However, all these suggestions are still subject to Chancellor Cruz’s approval. [P]

Undergrad students up first sem, ‘12-‘13

WORDS | GUIEN EIDREFSON GARMA

The number of undergraduate students enrolled first semester, AY 2012-2013 in the University of the Philippines Los Baños increased by 5.86 percent compared to the same period last year. This is 10.05 percent higher compared to the number of enrollees during the second semester, AY 2011-2012.

According to the Office of the University Registrar (OUR), 11,305 students enrolled in UPLB in the first semester, higher than 10,273 students enrolled WORDS | JOANNA CERRILLE CALAPINE during the previous semester by Dr. Leticia Afuang, Office failure of compliance. This, 1,032. It is also 626 higher than of Student Affairs (OSA) according to Afuang, is stated as a 10,679 students registered during Director, and Zenaida Loberiza, form of written agreement during the first semester of the same academic year. representative from the the recognition process.

Counseling and Testing Division The College of Arts and Sciences (CTD), reiterated that new Afuang furthered that the period freshman (NF) students should where students are classified (CAS) had the highest number decline invitations to join as ‘new freshman’ is the period of enrolees with 3,788 students. organizations, most especially where the students from different It was followed by the College of fraternities and sororities. cultures adjust to different aspects Engineering and Agro-Industrial of university life. Afuang stated Technology (CEAT) with 2,344, and According to Afuang, there that if these students undergo by the College of Agriculture (CA) is no clear sanction against the such processes of getting into an with 1,338. recruitment of NF students organization at an early stage, it will College of Economics and in joining academic or other be hard for them to adjust to the Management (CEM) had 1,163 organizations. However, it is clearly new environment. students, followed by the College of iteratedintheUPStudentGuideunder the Revised Rules and Regulations According to Zenaida Loberiza Human Ecology (CHE), 892; College Governing Fraternities, Sororities, of CTD, students are being of Development Communication and Other Student Organizations, subjected to counseling in order (CDC), 730; and College of Veterinary which was approved at the 1091st for them to realize the reasons Medicine (CVM), 504.

BOR Meeting in October 24, 1995, why they are restrained from that fraternities and sororities are joining organizations at their first clarified soon so that there will no highly discouraged to recruit new semester in the university. She longer be misconceptions about freshmen in their organization, or admitted that there are those the recruitment of freshmen. They those who have not yet earned at who seem to be interested in both hope for a way to make the least 30 units in their curriculum. doing so, that’s why they try their students understand the vague Failure to comply with the rule best to guide the students. She regulation that was implemented will lead to the suspension of the added that being a member of regarding this issue. officers of the fraternity or sorority an organization is one of the top for one year.

10 reasons why students fail their “This is to protect them. They courses along with family and should appreciate this. It is an This rule will also apply to other financial problems. action of love, actually. It’s not types of student organizations an action to control you,” Afuang with forfeiture of OSA recognition Afuang and Zenaida Loberiza stressed. [P] for the next academic year upon both agreed that this rule must be

NF Recruitment clarified

Meanwhile, the College of Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR) had the least number of undergraduate students, with 469 enrolled in the first semester.

These data do not include cross-registrants, non-degree and Certificate in Forestry students.

The BS Biology program had the most number of students, with 868, followed by BS Computer Science with 762 students. BS Development Communication was the third largest degree program with 730 students, followed by BS Agriculture with 639. BS Chemical Engineering was the fifth largest degree program with 605 students.

Despite the increase in the total undergraduate population of UPLB, the number of new freshmen enrolled in the university last semester decreased compared to the same period last year. 2,477 new freshmen entered UPLB in the first semester, down from 2,617 last year.

The same pattern was observed in the number of new transferees, where there were 82 new transferees, down from 90 during the same period.

The number of Certificate of Forestry students went up to 138 last semester from 109 during the same period and 98 during the second semester, AY 20112012. There were 25 non-regular (non-degree, cross-registrants and special) students last semester, down from 49 last semester and 50 during the first semester last year.

All throughout UPLB, including Certificate of Forestry, nonregular, and Graduate School students (1,321), a total of 12,789 students were enrolled in the first semester. [P]

Jeepney slams UPLB gate post Driver dies after accident

The jeepney driver, later identified as Jimmy Galang, was driving en route to UPLB last October 8, 2012, around 9:45 PM when the incident happened.

According to Efren Perez, Jr., a Community Support Brigade (CSB) member, Galang suffered from cardiac arrest by the time the jeepney passed along Grove, Los Baños. He was not able to slow down, rather he continued to step

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NEWS

gate. ‘Yung tao [CSB member] nakatalon, kaso ‘yung asawa ko nahagip tapos tumalsik dun,” said Buboy Tinghen, Roselle’s husband. Roselle was rushed to the Los Baños Doctors’ Hospital Due to its impact, the vehicle (LBDH) after acquiring physical rear was severely damaged and injuries. accelerated almost three meters Meanwhile, the driver of the from its stationary position, while the jeepney swivelled on crashed vehicle, Beth Grafilo, is a the other side of the road, hitting member of Zion Emergency and Roselle Tinghen, a sampaguita Disaster Rescue Unit (ZEDRU) vendor, before ramming to the who immediately attended to Galang right after the collision.

UPLB gate post.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation “Nagsimula ‘yung jeep dun sa (CPR) was performed on Galang KFC tapos dire-diretso siyang but to no avail. [P] bumangga sa sasakyan tapos sa on the accelerator until he became unconscious. This resulted to a collision between the jeepney and a private vehicle parked in front of a convenience store.

CRASHED. The wrecked jeepney became a temporary display at the UP gate before it was towed the following day.

UPLB PERSPECTIVE .

VOLUME 39 .

PHOTO | TRISTA ISOBELLE GILE

In addition to the increasing death toll in the Los Baños community, a driver lost control of his jeepney, hitting one civilian car and a sampaguita vendor.

WORDS | ROBERT DAVE ALONZO

ISSUE 3

UPLB sets Bracket A as default bracket

Various TOFIs strengthened of Regents (BOR), the highest On September 20, 2012 the Board , approved the implementation tem decision making body in the UP sys Socialized Tuition and Financial the in of the Bracket B certification incoming semester.

Assistance Program (STFAP) for this l be a shift in the default bracket, In the approved certification, there wil 0 Php per unit. Previously, students making it bracket A with tuition of 1,50 cket B and will have to pay 1000 Php were automatically placed under Bra ir gross family income is more than per unit unless they declared that the eme, students have to submit their 1 million per year. Under the new sch a vicinity map of their residence andl family’s annual income tax return, for Bracket B. Failure to do so wil other requirements in order to qualify er Bracket A. result into automatic placement und 20 BOR meeting, Student Regent In a statement about the September inistration, through its decision Adm Cleve Arguelles said that “the UP rove new laboratory fees and the de app y to undemocratically and unjustl ned the public character and people’s facto tuition increase, fully abando youth’s right to education.” university nature of UP as well as the

TOFI in other UP units

WORDS | PAULINE ANGELA REYES AND JUSTINE WILLAUER GRAPHICS | EZEKIEL TROGILLO LAYOUT | JEROME OLIVER ALIGORA

Tuition hikes indeed

This move by the UP administration has been perceived by many as a form fee increase. Various student groups have labelled this revision as a smoke of tuition screen for increase in the base tuition fee in the university.

“Nasasabi nating may pag-increase ng tuition or tuition hike sa Bracket B certifi cation dahil tinatanggal ng Bracket B certification yung essence or yung pagigin g defaul t ng Bracket B,” said Allen Lemence, coordinator of UPLB STOP TOFI, an allianc e of different organizations and individuals in UPLB against implementation of the Bracket B certification scheme.

By requiring the students to apply for Bracket B, the administration raised the tuition by 50 percent, a fact that UP President Alfredo Pascua has effectively article by the Philippine Collegian, Pascual stated that there is no increal denies. In an tuition fee, because there never was a default bracket. Furthermore, he saidse in the base of implementation regarding the Bracket B certification was a flaw in the that the lack STFAP. This change in the default bracket is inconsistent with the policy approv ed by the BOR itself regarding the bracketing system. Also, there was no form of studen t consultation regarding the Bracket B certification, which is a violation in itself.

It violate s the unassailable right of Filipino youth to education and defeats the charac national university. Student Regent Arguelles has, in behalf of all UP studenter of UP as a to uphold the original policy and rule that any changes involving the brackets, proposed must undergo student consultation and BOR approval. According to him, ting system BOR decided to implement the change in default bracket because of the however, the income collected by the administration as well as the fallacious reasoning “increase in that this will prevent students from being dishonest.”

Other than the Bracket B certification the “request of authority for UP Cebu to scheme, the BOR also approved adopt previous UP BOR approval to charge 500 Php as laboratory fee for man agement (MGT 186).” This was added only minutes before the meeting beg behalf of the students because of “wrong com an. Arguelles opposed this on such as including the salary of the faculty putation for the laboratory fees the national budget and utility charges whiwhich is already appropriated in through the energy fee included in the ch students pay every semester miscellaneous fees and failure to old alliance an follow the BOR-approved policy on student of al iv ev R con sult atio ived last August 27 n regarding increase and new laboratory fees which includes the eral student organizations revalso known as UPLB sev nt, fro me ho r ou stud in ent re cou ncils and OSR in the He process.” The BOR reasoned that similar ition and Other Fees Increase, courses in UP Visayas require a the UPLB Sectors Opposing Tualliance originally established to fight the tuition fee laboratory fee; hence the approval.

STOP TOFI, a multi-sectoral The College of Music in UP Diliman increase in 2006. educating the fees from students for the maintenance also proposed to collect laboratory s wide campaign focused on pu cam a ed nch lau FI of mus s. A solidarity TO ical sse OP cla instruments used in its ST courses. Again, the Student Regent opposed m campaigns and alternativeght against TOFI. A roo tomroo ing hav this by beca try use the increase in the studen in the student’s fi tuition fee since 2007 should cover the mai d on August 29 to formally begiversity and was signed by more than nten hel s anc wa e of faci rch litie ma s, as wha t was un approved by the BOR itself in 2006, and d around the manifesto of unity was passe g the entire duration of the campaign and was passed Regent (OSR) was not included in the pro because the Office of the Student rin du eight hundred students is required according to the BOR-approve cess of student consultation which ng. d poli cy.

Aft er the deliberation, the to the OSR for the BOR meeti BOR moved to approve the laboratory fees se… It’s more of about the tuition fee increa education that t jus t no is FI TO OP ST B refused to recognize the policy it has in principle, but still undeniably an “UPL The alliance believes in to education,” said Lemence. se who can afford to pay. With the rate of tuition for the maintenance of facilities approved on using income from ht rig r ou t for tho the students. The Department of Kineticrather than passing the burden to is accessible for all and not jus university, the right to education of the youth is s of UP Dili the man of also ts proposed to collect laboratory fees from the students, increases in the tuition it. It is an insult to the studen t ord aff to e abl but un for ed the der sam ren e reas ons as that of the issue of the College of Music, the Stud trampled upon as they are t would subsidize the fees they have to pay when par behalf of the students. The BOR decided ent Regent again opposed this in to offer them a regulation tha parents and all Filipinos are being funnelled into the to defe r the imp lem enta tion of this next semester and subject the proposal to of the sweat and blood of theircause of providing the future generation of this nation a review.

UP system already, all for the Given all these proposals concerning with quality education. changes in default bracket, there is no additional laboratory fees and administration is seeking to increase the room left for doubting that the tuition students have to pay to get the famed UP education. It is alarming how Promissory notes barre To the relief of student own policies by allowing such fees to pus the BOR repeatedly violated its d s wh o fai consultation which is necessary before anyh through without prior student semester, the implementation of the led to accomplish STFAP application the pr Their actions eradicate the public nature of implementation can take place. it will be implemented next academ Bracket B certification was deferred in UPLB. evious Filipino to education. Tuition fee increase UP and violates the right of each administration ordered that student ic year. But students faced a new dilemma, as thInstead, s make the university less accessible the enrolm s e to the common Filipino and makes UP mor ent period will not be all who are unable to pay the full load of their tuition UPLB e ow of during a univ ed ersi pr ty om that iss cate rs to the 2012, the University Stude ory notes this semester. rich alone.

On nt Co No un ve m cil be he r 26, ad ed by Chancellor Rex Victor Cr Chairperson Ynik Ante had a meeting with uz reg ard in g th is iss ue . Simultaneously with th student groups held a pic is However, Cruz disapprov ket to assert their rights to education while aw meeting, various ed aiting the results. th e submission of promissor 10 million from AY 1971 y no tes as loa ns ha ve -1 97 rea 2 to 2011-2012. Instead for student assistants as , he insisted that openin ched to Php we ll as providing more emerg g assistance of the student ency loan will address th more slots s. e financial

With all these under consideration, it is hard to believe that this government realizes its duty to provide its youth what indubitably belongs to them: education. An alarming fact is that the reform of higher education that our President proposes aims to lessen the number of public universities, dissolve courses that do not cater to the needs of the global market, increase income generating activities of state universities until they are self-sufficient, and the implementation of STFAP not only in UP, but also in other SUCs. In a call to defy the alarming violations committed by the UP administration and the government against students, the Student Regent said: “we cannot expect this government to defend and advance our right to education.” [P]

ISSUE 3 .

VOLUME 39 .

UPLB PERSPECTIVE

N E WS F E AT U R E

3

WORDS | PAULINE ANGELA REYES

GRAPHICS | TRISTA ISOBELLE GILE & EZEKIEL TROGILLO

The Philippines has been cited by the Asian Development Bank as “one of the emerging economies in Asia that moved quickly to put in place the necessary laws and structures to attract more private investment under the public-private partnership program.” This statement seems to be accurate; the Public-Private Partnership Center of the Philippines said on their official site that a total of nine projects would be bid out to interested investors before the year ends.

But what exactly is PPP?

IN A NUTSHELL Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is a contract between the government and a private party in which the latter provides financial, technical and operational support to a project initiated by the public sector authority. A government project is made available for auction to the private parties, and the highest bidder will be awarded the contract. If we are to use lighter terms, PPP means that government projects are being funded and, therefore, “born” through the pockets of the elite.

The project gets accomplished, the people get to enjoy better services, and the private entities get to have a say in how the project is going to be run. It appears like a “win-win” situation, where everybody goes home happy.

LAYOUT | TRISTA ISOBELLE GILE

PITFALLS IN THE PLAYGROUND

PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP NOT AS SOUND AS IT APPEARS

PPP seems to be a major strategy in President Aquino’s six-year plan as leader of this country, seeing how majority of the projects are being put under this program.

He has set up a bunch of new rules and guidelines concerning the bidding that takes place to settle who gets what; these “regulatory guidelines” will, in theory, prevent anomalous dealings to occur in any of the ventures they will undertake.

But when has guidelines or laws ever stopped anomalous dealings in this country where money is the biggest player?

SUCCESS STORIES AND MORE PROMISES

PITFALLS IN THE PPP PLAYGROUND

During his latest State of the Nation Address, President Benigno Aquino III very proudly flaunted the different projects concerning infrastructures and other social services his administration has “successfully” delivered for the Filipinos. Existing national roads and airports have received a lot of attention and are now in a much better condition than in 2010. Also, it was mentioned that there will be more of this improvements in the remaining years of his term.

Public-Private Partnership is not an entirely new concept to the Philippines; it has been done before. For example, the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and the Light Rail Transit (LRT) are both products of a public-private venture. The South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), two roads that has made travelling easier for people, were also brought to existence through this program.

These projects have been proven to be beneficial for Filipinos, that much is true. Also, the private sector that funded and developed them has indeed delivered well. But this is at a cost of the incapacity of the people to access it due to prohibitive prices. In 2011, the MRT and LRT rates went up by more than fifty percent. And who could forget the whopping increase in the SLEX and NLEX toll fees of the same year?

By 2015, there will be an elevated NLEX-SLEX connector road that would make travelling easier for the Filipinos. Another project that is currently being processed is the LRT 1- Cavite Extension project. The existing train system, which runs from Roosevelt in Quezon City to Baclaran in Pasay, is set to be extended to Bacoor, Cavite. According to the Public-Private Partnership Center (Phils) official site, “The system upgrade is expected to benefit an additional 500,000 commuters living south of Metro Manila—Parañaque, Las Piñas and the province of Cavite.”

If we are to base on Pnoy’s speech, it would appear that he has complete and utter faith in the inherent goodness and soundness of PPP. So much faith, in fact, that he has seen it fit to put not one but nine projects of great proportions under this program in a single year. And he wants us, the Filipino people, to put in as much trust in it as he does. We don’t have to read between the lines of his speeches and interviews; he explicitly says that this is good for our economy and our country’s development.

The cost of these services increased because of the demands of the private sector that funded it, in accordance to their own profit targets.

This is, of course, expected because of the large amount of money they spent for the development of the project. PPP is a contract, after all, and not a charity work. The problem is that people cannot or could hardly afford the high costs of these services, but at the same time could not do without them. This problem leads us to another problem: debt.

In their position paper about PPP, the Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) of the Philippines made their opinion about the program very clear. It only adds to the debt our country. A paragraph in their paper is cited here for a clear explanation: “(PPP) has invariably increased our debt burden due to provision of sovereign guarantees. The economic reality is that the private sector credit market, intrinsically speculative in nature, does not like to provide credit to companies involved infrastructure projects because such projects have long gestation periods. They have to be enticed to provide credit for companies, and this enticement must come from government backing of private sector debts. The problem here is, sovereign guarantees strip off the private sector partner of any financial liability, transferring it all to the government and blowing up the country’s Contingent Liabilities.”

The government is wrong to assume that Public-Private Partnership is the answer to our poor infrastructures and social services. Other ASEAN countries are spending directly on their infrastructures to entice investors; how come we are enticing investors to improve our infrastructures? PPP is just a band-aid solution to a deeply rooted problem, and the worst part of it all is that after providing a mediocre solution to a big problem, it adds even bigger dilemmas in the form of high costs and debts for our country.

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The private sector is not and should not be made as the main engine for national development; it is the government’s job to spur this development through the taxpayer’s money that they are always so eager to collect. The people shouldn’t have to pay unbelievably high prices for services they deserve to get from the government they put in power. It is now a challenge for our president to realize this and think of a better way to provide these services that he owes to his “bosses”. [P]

F E AT U R E S

UPLB PERSPECTIVE .

VOLUME 39 .

ISSUE 3

WORDS | LADYLOVE MAY BAURILE & ROBERT DAVE ALONZO GRAPHICS | EZEKIEL TROGILLO LAYOUT | JEROME OLIVER ALIGORA & PAUL CHRISTIAN CARSON

TATAK ELBI

PAKIKIPAGSAPALARAN SA LUPAIN NG MALALAGONG PUNO’ T HALAMAN

Tuwing sasapit ang buwan ng Agosto, nakagawian nang paghandaan ng high school students na nasa ikaapat na taon ang pagkuha at pagsulat sa UPCAT forms – ang daan upang makatunton sa isa sa mga pinagpipitagang pamantasan sa bansa, ang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas.

Sa panahon ding ito, nakikipagbuno ang mga mag-aaral sa kanilang mga sarili sa pagpili ng dalawang importanteng bagay: ang campus at kursong kukunin sa kolehiyo.

Ang pagpiling ito ay hindi basta-basta dahil para nga sa iba, pangarap at kinabukasan nila ang nakataya.

DILIMAN VS. ELBI DREAMERS Sa kasaysayan ng University of the Philippines College Admission Test o UPCAT, nakagawian na ring UP Diliman ang pinipili ng mga mag-aaral para sa kanilang first choice ng campus samantalang ang iba pang campus tulad ng UP Los Baños ay madalas nagiging second choice. At kung hindi man sila pinalad na makapasok sa Diliman sa unang pagkakataon, may mangilan-ngilan din na muling sumubok pagkatapos magaral sa loob ng dalawang semestre sa isang UP constituent campus. Tunay ngang hindi mawawala ang mga tinatawag na “Diliman Dreamers”.

Kung may tinatawag na Diliman Dreamers, meron din kayang maituturing na Elbi Dreamers?

Malamang sa malamang, meron.

SA LUPAIN NG MALALAGONG HALAMAN AT KAAYA-AYANG KAPALIGIRAN Ang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas Los Baños (UPLB), na dating UP College of Agriculture (UPCA) at itinatag noong 1909, ay ang itinuturing na pinakamalawak sa lahat ng UP campuses. Matatagpuan ito sa paanan ng Bundok Makiling, na ayon sa ilan ay nagiging dahilan kung bakit sila tila nahahalinang mag-aral dito, kabilang na ang malalagong puno at halaman, ang preskong hangin at mainit na sikat ng araw.

“Nung first time na nakita ko. . . ‘yung campus, ginanahan akong mag-aral. Para bang gusto kong mag-aral habang nakahiga dun sa mga damo,” ayon kay Kristopher Trenchera, BS Economics ’12 ng UPLB. “I have never felt so free and relaxed,” saad naman ni Allison Danao, BA Communication Arts ’11. Ilan lamang ito sa karaniwan nang pahayag ng mga mag-aaral ukol sa kanilang first impression sa UPLB at dahilan kung bakit nila napagpasyahang dito mag-aral. Ngunit bukod pa riyan, may mangilan-ngilan ding nagpasya dahil sa mga mas mabibigat na dahilan.

BAKIT ELBI? “Kasi taga-Laguna lang ako, mas malapit saka mas gusto ng parents ko na dun [Elbi] na lang ako,” saad ni Aika Montecillo, BS Development Communication ‘10. Ito na marahil ang isa sa pinaka-karaniwang dahilan kung tatanungin ang isang estudyante kung bakit niya napagpasyahang mag-aral sa UPLB. Mas mapapadali ang kanilang buhay at pag-aaral dahil hindi na nila kailangang magbayad pa upang magrenta ng dormitoryo o apartment. Hindi na nila kailangang mag-adjust pa dahil dito na sila lumaki. Higit pa

ISSUE 3 .

VOLUME 39 .

UPLB PERSPECTIVE

riyan, nariyan din ang kanilang mga magulang upang gabayan sila sa mahirap na buhay ng kolehiyo.

Bukod pa rito, may ilan ding pinili ang UPLB dahil sa kamag-anak na nag-aaral o namamasukan sa unibersidad. Malaking tulong ito kung tutuusin dahil may mahihingian sila ng tulong at payo hinggil sa pamumuhay sa pamantasan. “Elbi ang pinili ko kasi nandito ang mga pinsan ko, mas nadalian akong mag-adjust dahil sa advices nila... ‘di na nga ako nag-exam sa iba e, UP or nothing talaga,” sabi ni Ces Abagat, isang BS DevCom ‘09.

KAGALINGANG SA ELBI LANG MATATAGPUAN Higit sa ano pa mang dahilan, maraming mag-aaral ang pumipili sa UPLB dahil sa mga kurso na itinuturo ng pamantasan.

“Aside sa dito nag-aaral ang ate ko, sa pagkakaalam ko rin kasi center of excellence ang Agriculture sa Elbi, e since iyon ang gusto kong course, UPLB ang pinili ko,” saad ni Melvin Baurile, BS Agriculture student ng UPLB. Matatagpuan sa UPLB ang ilan sa research centers kabilang na ang Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) at ang South East Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA).

Ginawaran din ng Commission of Higher Education (CHEd) ang walong degree programs ng UPLB ng Center of Excellence at siyam na research centers ayon sa Presidential Decree.

Kilala rin ang UPLB bilang isang science-oriented campus sa kadahilanang karamihan sa mga kurso dito ay science-based katulad ng Engineering, Mathematics, Biology, Veterinary Medicine, maging ang Human Ecology at Development Communication at iba pa.

CAMPUS CHOICE VS. SHOES CHOICE Mabilis ang panahon. Maya-maya, Agosto na naman at muli na namang haharapin ng mga mag-aaral na nasa ika-apat na taon ang UPCAT. Iba’t iba ang maaaring dahilan ng mga estudyante sa pagpili ng campus.

Pero kung susuriin, hindi mahalaga ang pangalan ng campus o paaralan na pipiliin.

Bawat campus naman kasi ay may maituturing na pansariling kagalingan. Sa parehong dahilan na ang UP Los Baños ay kilala sa kursong agriculture, maaaring ituring na “lakas” ng UP Diliman ang liberal arts, samantalang health sciences sa UP Manila at fisheries naman sa UP Visayas. Ang lahat ay nakadepende parin naman sa estudyante.

Ang pagpili ng campus o paaralan ay parang pagpili ng sapatos. Kadalasan, ang unang titingnan ng mamimili ay ang panlabas na anyo ng sapatos na kanyang bibilhin.

Siyempre, mas bibigyan niya ng pansin ang ganda at taktak ng sapatos. Ngunit habang sinusukat ito, unti-unti niyang maiisip na higit sa ganda, ang mas importante pa rin ay ang pagsasaalang-alang kung magiging kumportable siya habang suot ang sapatos.

Sa pagpili ng papasukan, hindi rin mahalaga ang taktak na mayroon ang isang pamantasan; bagkus, ang mas dapat bigyan ng pansin ay sa kung anong unibersidad at campus ka mas magiging masaya. [P]

C U LT U R E

5

KWENTONGFRESHIE One failure after another ni Treep*

Para ito sa mga taong nagmamahal nang labis, ngunit napagtatanto sa huli na kapag walang natira sa kanila ni kaunting pagmamahal ay bigo rin sila sa kanilang mga balak. Para ito sa mga taong ibinibigay ang lahat sa kabilang iniibig, ngunit napagtatanto sa huli na kapag hindi mo nararamdaman ang tamis ng relasyon ay bigo rin para ipagpatuloy ito.

Alam niyo na naman siguro ang buhay hayskul. Lalo sa panahon ngayon na nadadaan sa peer pressure ang kahit anong isyung harapin ng isang binata, madali ang ‘ girlfriend dito, girlfriend doon,’ tapos maya-maya lamang ay maghihiwalay na rin. Parang 10 percent lang ata ang nagtatagal.

Sinubukan ko pa ring magmahal habang hayskul pa ako. Sa kasamaang palad, papatapos na ako ng hayskul nang kailangan ko na ring iwan si Dney sa kadahilanang ayaw ng mga magulang niya na mag-aral ako sa ibang lugar dahil paniguradong masakit iyon para sa kanya. Kahit malapit lang itong UP Los Bañ os sa amin ay napilitan akong talikuran muna siya.

Dahil na rin sa mga nagsasabing ang kurso ko daw ay mahirap at marami ang bumabagsak, naisipan kong humanap ng aking magiging inspirasyon sa buhay kolehiyo ko. Syempre, hindi lang dahil sa layuning magkaroon ng inspirasyon para magsunog ng kilay sa pag-aaral, ngunit sinabi ko sa sarili ko na ang susunod kong karelasyon ang magiging panghabambuhay kong mahal. Ayoko na kasing magmahal at mabigo sapagkat may masasaktan lamang din sa huli. Madaling sabihin, pero paninindigan ko itong mga salitang binitawan ko.

Pagkatapos ng graduation ay agad naman akong nakihalubilo sa mga kapwa ko freshie dito sa UP. Agad akong may nakilala at nakapalagayang-loob. Agad din kaming nagkaroon ng relasyon sa kabila ng sa Facebook at cellphone pa lang kami nagkakausap.

Lumipas ang ilang araw at pasukan na sa LB. Agad ko naman siyang nakita dahil pareho kami ng course at swerteng magka-bloc pa. Agad din namang napanatag ang aming loob sa isa’ t isa at itinuloy ang aming relasyon. Ngunit ito ay patago sapagkat ayaw naming ipaalam sa iba ang aming pagmamagandahang-loob.

Dumaan ang mga napakaraming araw at naging masaya naman kami, ngunit dumating sa punto na kami ay nagkatampuhan. Ako ang nagsimulang magtampo sapagkat ako na lamang lagi ang pumupuno sa aming relasyon. Ako ang laging sumusorpresa sa kanya at maging lahat ng aming pagkikita ay ako lagi ang naghahanda. Ako ang gumagawa ng hakbang, siya naman ay tumatanggap lang. One-way¬ , sabi nga nila, o baka umaasa akong may gagawin din siya para sa akin pero hindi ko talaga maramdaman.

Nawalan ako ng gana upang mag-aral ng husto. Hindi na rin ako umasang magkabalikan kami uli sapagkat nalaman ko na may iba pala siya bukod sa akin. Dito pala niya ibinubuhos ang kanyang pagmamahal na dati-rati ay akala kong sa akin lang. Napagtanto ko na wala nang natira sa akin at nakakapagsisi dahil walang naging kapalit ang aking pagmamahal sa kanya.

Sa huli, bigo akong magkaroon ng minamahal. Marahil ay pagaaral muna ang dapat unahin bago ang pag-ibig, sa ngayon siguro. Katulad ng isip muna bago ang puso na laging sinasabi sa akin ni Dney.

Para sa mga babaeng aking inibig: salamat sa pagmulat sa akin nito. [P]

End of the line

kuha ni Trista Isobelle Gile

KWADRADO

*Si Treep ay nabansagang NGSB kaya napilitang magkaroon ng GF dahil sa mga taong nakapaligid sa kanya. Dating nagkakamali dahil lahat ng tao ay nagkakamali, iba na ang pagkatao niya ngayon. Kanina lang ay nabulol siya sa ‘p’ at ‘f ’.

SKETCHPAD Lucky Day ni RLNTLSS*

6

Kung kaya ko lang maging invisible, matagal ko nang ginawa. O kaya magbago ng anyo. O kaya magpatama sa shrink ray. Kahit ano, makatakas lang sa katangahan ko.

Dabest ka talaga, Melvin. First day of classes palang, panalo agad ang impression.

Hindi ko na hinintay kung ano pa ang sasabihin ng lecturer, lumabas na lang ako bigla sa classroom, tutal ‘di ko naman pala talaga teacher ‘yun. Check ulit ng relo. Malapit nang mag-7:30. Sana pala marunong din ako mag-teleport.

Kahit nahihiya, tinanong ko ‘yung isang babae na nakasalubong ko paglabas ng room. Mukhang upperclass. Sana lang ‘wag akong pag-tripan nito. Notorious pa naman daw sila sa pambubully ng mga NF. “Ate, saan po yung CAS A1 102?”

“CAS A1 102? Sigurado ka? Ang alam ko walang 102 sa Annex 1. Check mo ulit ‘yang sched mo.”

Panalo. Sablay na naman ako. CAS 105 pala. Wednesday pa pala ako dapat sa CAS A1.

“Ate, CAS 105 pala. Hehe.”

“Ah. Kita mo yung building sa likod ni Oble? Ayun.”

Gusto ko pa sanang makipagkwentuhan kay Ate. Ang ganda, eh. Pero siyempre kailangan ko munang mag-marathon papunta sa klase ko. Sayang. *** This time, siniguro ko na talagang nasa CAS 105 ako. Isa pang katangahan at sasabog na ako.

Binasa ko ‘yung note na nakadikit sa pinto: ENG 1 SECTION F-1R, NO CLASSES TODAY. SEE YOU TUESDAY NEXT WEEK. -SIR PEREZ

GRAPHICS

Anak ng mahabaging tupa. ‘Di ko alam kung maiinis ako o matutuwa. Tiningnan ko ulit ‘yung schedule ko, 8:30 pa yung next class, sa PSLH A naman. Dyahe naman kung uuwi pa ako sa dorm.

Buti naman may oras na akong magtanung-tanong kung saan ang classroom ko. Dun nalang siguro ako maghihintay para siguradong hindi na ako male-late. *** Mga ilang oras na rin akong nakatayo sa tapat ng PSLH A nang may biglang kumalabit sa likod ko. “Kuya, naiwan mo ata ito,” sabi ng isang babae sabay abot sa akin ng wallet ko. Ikaw na talaga, Melvin. Naka-quota ka na sa dami ng katangahan ngayong araw.

“Naiwan mo ata ‘to sa room kanina. Nagmamadali ka kasing umalis kanina eh,” sabi pa ng babae.

Halatang pinipigil ang pagngiti. Nakita siguro nito ang epic fail na eksena ko kanina. Nice job, Melvin.

“Ah. . . eh. Salamat ah. ‘Di ko na napansin na naiwan ko ‘to. Kapag nagkataon, babalik na naman ako sa room ninyo, edi magtataka ‘yung lecturer kung bakit na naman ako nandun. Hehe.”

“Freshman ka rin ba?”

“Ah, oo. Ikaw ba?”

“Oo. Sabi ko na nga ba dito kita makikita eh. Buti andyan sa loob ‘yung Form5 mo. Magkaklase pala tayo sa Philo.”

Ngayon ko lang napansin na parang pamilyar ‘yung mukha niya sakin. Ito ‘yung tipo ng panahon na alam mong kilala mo ang isang tao, pero sa ‘di maipaliwanag na dahilan ay parang hindi maitugma ang pangalan sa mukha. Maya-maya pa ay napansin kong kumakaway siya sa mukha ko.

Takte, nakatulala na pala ako.

“Uy kuya, andyan na ata si Ma’am. Mauna na ako sa loob ah,” sabi pa ng babae.

“Ah, teka lang. Uhm. . . ano palang pangalan mo?” habol ko. Bahala na.

“Umi.” Akala ko sa pelikula lang nangyayari ang ganito pero nung mga panahon na iyon, naramdaman kong tumigil ang mundo ko. Tama, si Umi nga. For the first time, may nangyari ring maganda sa araw ko. [P]

UPLB PERSPECTIVE .

VOLUME 39 .

ISSUE 3

HODGEPODGE “

...Paglilingkod na ipinararamdam, hindi ibinibida sa kung saan-saan sa intensyong magpabango lang ng pangalan.

#KSP

WORDS | RLNTLSS* Pag-uwi galing eskwela, paborito naming magkakapatid ang maglaro ng holen sa aming bakuran. Ewan ko ba, pero tuwang-tuwa kami sa pagiipon at paglalaro ng mga ito. Para sa amin, kapag marami kang holen, hustler ka. Cool. Astig.

Para makaipon ng maraming holen, madalas kaming makipaglaro sa ibang mga bata. Kaya naman normal na rin sa aming makalaro ang mga tipo ng bata na kung paminsanminsan ay gagawan ka ng kung anuano habang naglalaro. ‘Yun bang tutok na tutok na ‘yung pamato kong holen (paborito kong gamitin ‘yung plain na puti, ‘yung parang sa billiards) sa isa pang holen at nung pipitikin ko na ito ay bigla namang may dadaan sa harapan ko. Nakakainis diba? Panira ng momentum. At ang mas nakakainis pa, tatawanan ka ng batang gumawa nun sa’yo.

Minsan talaga, pakiramdam ko na may mga batang sadyang ipinanganak para mang-bully ng ibang bata. *** Bigla kong naalala ‘yung classmate kong madaldal noong elementary.

Inis na inis kami sa babaeng ‘yun.

Sa murang edad, naranasan ko nang mapasakamay ng isang diktador. ‘Yun bang bilang lahat ng galaw namin. Halimbawa, pagbilang ng isa ng teacher namin, dapat nakataas ang kamay naming lahat, kailangan tuwid. Kapag dalawa, dapat niyuyugyog ang mga kamay. Kapag

“

**Si pitsa ay mahilig sa ice cream, buko pie, graham cake at pizza. Tumatanggap ng libreng konsultasyon sa pag-ibig, este ng libreng McFlurry. Galit sa movies na hindi sumusunod sa physics laws and principles.

Naglilibot sa campus dala ang bag na Fairytail, payong na Apple at pamaypay na may dancing Korean cartoon.

Newbie, Freshie. Filled with wonders, questions. Entered the university with hope of directions, expectations.

Bewildered by the eminent honor and excellence pondered by its constituents. Which in turn, students, like me, learned the value of education, together with its standards, especially the game of pass or fail, rather READ or else I will fail! * * * Lumipas ang mga araw, dama ko na ang hirap na dulot ng minuminutong pag-aaral. Kahit alam kong maluwag ang aking schedule nung unang semestre ko – MATH 17, POSC 1, ENG 1, HIST 2, MATH 1, at PE 1 – ngunit ano itong sinasabi ni prof?

“Search for this article online…”, “Make a reaction paper about…”, “Photocopy today’s lecture slides at…”, “Pay a visit at the main library and read…” * * * Tara’t magbasa!

Bukod sa mauubos na ang pera ko para mag-internet at i-download mula sa Yahoo! groups at FB groups o ipaphotocopy ang lecture slides, mauubos pa oras ko sa pagbabasa. Alam kong Best in Reading ako noong prep, pero hindi sa ganitong pagkakataon, ang magbasa ng sampung pahina, font size 12, single spacing na reading.

Uso ito sa mga GE courses ko gaya ng POSC 1, HIST 2 at ENG 1 kung saan kailangan kong kabisahin at intindihin nang magkasabay ang

ISSUE 3 .

VOLUME 39 .

tatlo, dapat nasa likod ng ulo namin.

Kapag apat, dapat nakapatong sa desk. At kapag lima, dapat nakayuko na kami sa desk, parang natutulog lang. Meron din kayong ganito noon?

Dabest.

Isang araw, sinumpong na naman ng kasungitan ang teacher namin.

Bigla, sumigaw siya ng “ONE!” Alam na namin ang ibig sabihin nun, senyales na para itaas nang tuwid ang aming mga kamay. Sabi niya kung may magiingay pa sa’min e ganun lang kami hanggang uwian. Pagkatapos noon ay bumalik na si Ma’am sa pagsusulat sa pisara.

Dito na umeksena ang kaklase naming madaldal. Wala atang kontrol ang dila niya nang mga oras na iyon kaya sinimulan niyang kausapin ang katabi niya. Napansin niya sigurong hindi siya pinapansin nito kaya nilakasan niya nang bahagya ang pagsasalita. Kitang-kita ko ang paglingon ni Ma’am, nakataas ang kilay at hindi na maipinta ang mukha.

Umuwi ako ng hapong iyon na may nangangawit na braso. *** Klase namin ng math, lecture noong araw na iyon kaya large class.

Bukod sa pagdi-discuss tungkol sa set operations, abala din si Sir sa pagtatanong (kahit rhetorical questions). Na siya namang trip na trip sagutin ng taong malapit sa kinauupuan ko.

Hanga ako sa kanya nung una dahil halos lahat ng tanong ni Sir ay nasasagot niya nang tama. Pero kalaunan, nakakainis na rin dahil may halong pagyayabang ang bawat sagot niya. Kasi pagkatapos malamang

tama ang sinagot niya ay bigla niyang sasabihin sa kanyang katabi: “Sabi ko sa’yo, tama ako eh.” Paulit-ulit ‘yun bawat lecture.

Ang nakakatawa nga lang, nasa large class nga kami at medyo malayo ang distansya namin kay Sir. ‘Yung tipong kahit sumagot ang taong tinutukoy ko mula sa kanyang kinauupuan ay hindi pa rin siya maririnig. Kaya wala ring sense na sumagot siya dahil kaming mga katabi lang niya ang makakarinig ng sagot/pagyayabang niya.

Nakakainis kasi habang abala ang utak ko sa pagsagot sa mga equation na nasa slide e binibigkas na niya ang sagot. Spoiler. Siya na talaga. *** Umuwi ako sa amin makalipas ang dalawang linggo kong pamamalagi sa Elbi. Natuwa ako dahil sa wakas, napansin na rin ng kinauukulan ang baku-bakong kalsada sa amin at ngayo’y under construction na. Pero napalitan ang tuwa ko nang makita ko ang isang pader. Nakapinta doon ang isang malaking “A REFORM PROJECT OF <insert politician’s name here>” Bilang residente ng baranggay na iyon, sanay na akong makakita ng mga ganun sa pader. Pero iba ito ngayon dahil pangalan na ng anak ng mayor namin (na kasalukuyang councilor) ang nakalagay. Makikita pa rin naman ang pangalan ni mayor, maliit nga lang.

Epic pa rin sa laki ang pangalan ng anak niya, karugtong na ng katagang mayor.

Nakakatawa kasi balita ko, sa 2013 pa siya kakandidato. Nakakatawa kasi tila alam na ng kasalukuyang mayor na anak niya ang hahalili sa kanya sa 2013 matapos ang ilang

“

taon din niyang “paglilingkod” (kung kasama sa konsepto natin ng paglilingkod ang pagtatatak ng mukha niya sa mga pader at kalsada, na tila ba pag-aari niya ang buong baranggay.) Nakakatawa kasi walang pakundangan kung ipamukha nila iyon sa mamamayan.

Marahil sa paglalakad mo ay nakakita ka na ng mga tarpaulin na bumati sa iyo ng, “Happy Fiesta!” o kaya naman, ”Congratulations, graduates!” na siya namang susundan ng “Greetings from <insert another politician’s name here>”. Minsan pa may makikita kang ganito: “Congratulations, Mayor <insert politician’s name here, again> for being awarded as the Best Mayor of the Year.

WE LOVE YOU!” Dagdag comedy dahil sa mismong pulitiko din nanggaling ang pagbating iyon. Para mo lang binigyan ng birthday card ang sarili mo.

Wala na atang okasyon ang hindi nila pinalampas na gawan ng pagbati. Kulang na lang, maglagay na rin sila ng “Happy weekend!” o kaya naman, ”Good luck on your hell week!”

Siyempre, hindi dapat mawala ang mukha nila na sakop na ang halos kalahati ng tarp.

Naiisip ko tuloy, meron na bang natuwa dahil pinagawan sila ng mayor nila ng tarp na may happy fiesta? Kung nagpa-party sana para sa kanila si mayor, baka pwede pa. *** Sa pagtanda ko, isa-isa kong nakasalamuha ang iba’t ibang mukha ng mga tinatawag nating “epal” at ang mga taong kumakatawan dito.

Nariyan ang mga taong pinanganak

...Ngunit kung iisipin kung obligasyon ko bilang tao ang magbasa, malalaman ko nang buong-buo at may tinutungo ang bawat pangungusap ng isang akda.

readings para sa exams at kung minsan pa nga’y gagawan pa ng reaction paper o synthesis paper.

Reimagining Philippine Politics.

Gusto ko ang subject na ito. Bukod kasi sa magandang pag-aralan ang pulitika ng bansa, isa ito sa dream course ko. Bilang patunay, first choice course ko ito sa UP Diliman nung UPCAT at second choice naman sa isang kilalang unibersidad sa Cavite. Balak ko din kasing magpatuloy ng Law balang araw. Unang linggo pa lang ng klase ay nababanggit na ng aming professor na pwedeng makakuha ng kopya ng kanyang lecture slides, para sa buong semestre, sa isang photocopying center sa Grove. At bilang paboritong subject ko nga ito, kumuha agad ako ng kopya nung gabing iyon. Laking gulat ko na ang kapal-kapal pala; hindi na nakapagtataka na humigit kumulang isang-daang piso ang binayad ko. Ang masakit, hindi updated ang lecture slides na ipinaphotocopy sa amin at maglalagay naman pala siya ng kopya sa Yahoo! group. Heto at exam na, kailangan nang mag-aral: public office, corruption, military, media, congress.

Hindi ko nga gustong magkabisa, hindi nga rin ako nagre-recite sa large class. Pero kahit papaano, pumasa ako sa exams. Ang masaya pa nito, nung inilabas na ang final grade namin, nasa ika-labing-apat ako

UPLB PERSPECTIVE

sa mga pinakamatataas sa buong lecture class ng 178 na estudyante.

Amazing!

Asia and the World. Isa din ito sa gusto kong subjects, ang history.

Hindi man ganoon kaganda ang history subject background ko nung high school - iisa ang author ng reference books namin simula 1st year, at marahil kilala mo ito – malaki pa rin ang pagrespeto ko sa mga historyador ng bansa. Kaya nung nag-HIST 2 ako, kailangan ko pang mag-adjust sa mga bagong kaalaman at tamang pananaw sa kasaysayan ng Asya laban sa Western approach nito. Inaasahan ko na rin ang tambak-tambak na photocopies ng lecture slides na halos lingguhan kung ilabas. Nang matapos ang semestre, halos magkasing-kapal na rin ang lecture slides ng HIST 2 sa POSC 1 ko; hiwalay pa ang mga readings ng recit na halos nangalahati din. Ang daming requirements gaya ng synthesis paper at reaction paper sa life documentary ni Mahatma Gandhi, Rizal lecture series ni dating Chief Justice Reynato Puno, Rizal documentary ni Howie Severino, at iba pa.

College English. Walang tatalo sa GE na ito nung unang semestre ko sa paramihan ng ipapa-photocopy at babasahin lalo na ang readings sa recit. Bukod sa dahil English ito, pahirapan pa sa pag-intindi ng contextual meaning ng bawat essays,

“

*Si RLNTLSS ay isang tao na mahilig maglakbay ngunit takot lumabas ng bahay. Maingat sa buhok ngunit hindi nagsusuklay. Mahilig sa gulay maliban sa okra, ampalaya at malunggay.

para mang-asar, mandamay ng iba sa isang kasalanan, magpa-bibo, at magpabango ng pangalan. Epal silang lahat dahil nakakaasar sila.

Nakakalungkot isipin na dahil sa mga epal na ito, may batang naubusan ng holen, nangawit ang kamay, hindi nasagutan ang math problem at higit sa lahat, may mga taong bumoboto base sa kung ilang tarpaulin o pinintahang pader ang nakita nila. Base sa huling nabanggit, nakakainis na dahil lamang sa popularidad ng isang kandidato kaya siya binoboto at hindi dahil sa kakayahan niyang mamuno.

Nakakainis dahil sadyang may mga taong epal sa mundo. Sa parehong paraan na naiinis tayo kung bakit nabuhay pa ang lamok, ipis, ahas, buwaya. Oops.

Sana dumating ang isang araw na alam kong umuunlad ang mga kalsada at gusali sa paligid ko nang walang kaakibat na pinintahang pader at tinatakang semento.

Sana kasabay ng pagiging best mayor ng namumuno sa amin ay maramdaman kong tunay ngang nakatira ako sa isang best city. Sana nagtatrabaho nang hindi nagyayabang.

‘Yan ang matatawag na tunay na paglilingkod sa bayan. Paglilingkod na ipinararamdam, hindi ibinibida sa kung saan-saan sa intensyong magpabango lang ng pangalan.

Nagsisisi ako dahil pinalampas ko ‘yung unang tatlong klase ng epal na nakasalamuha ko. Pero ‘yung sa pang-apat, umaasa akong hindi pa huli ang lahat.

Alam kong may magagawa pa ako.

May magagawa pa tayo. [P]

MUMBLINGS Reading Readings

position papers, at poems gaya ng ‘College Majors Don’t Matter Much’ ni William Raspberry. Idagdag pa ang readings sa lecture gaya ng ‘You Are What You Eat’. Sa dinami-dami ng readings, kinailangan ko na ring bumili ng clear book para sa bawat subject nang sa gayon ay maging organized ako.

Gabi-gabi akong nagbabasa ng readings o nag-aaral ng lecture slides.

Ngayon tungkol sa constitution at Buddhism, mamaya essays nina Harriet Goldhor Lerner at Benjamin Franklin, kinabukasan ibang topic naman. Nang tumagal ay nasanay na rin ako na magpuyat para magbasa.

Kahit tadtad na ng requirements, tuloy lang. At dito ko nakita ang aking pagbabalik-loob sa tamang pagtingin ng PAGBABASA. * * * Passion o kinahihiligan ng isang tao ang pagbabasa; kung hindi man ako mahilig magbasa ay wala na sa akin at sa ibang tao iyon; ito ang pananaw ko dati.

Ngayon, dama ko, na mas matimbang ang ‘responsibilidad ang pagbabasa’ kaysa kinahihiligan lamang ito. Kung ang pagbili ko ng Harry Potter Series ni JK Rowling at ng Kiko Machine ni Manix Abrera ay bunga lamang ng aking hilig na magbasa ng fiction at comics, at dahil ito ang kinahihiligan ng aking mga kaibigan, hanggang

WORDS | PITSA**

sa ganoong pananaw ko lang makikita ang pagbili at pagbabasa ko nito. At ang pananaw na ito ay mali, kulang. Malabong makita ko ang mas malawak na kaisipan o mensaheng gustong iparating sa akin ng may-akda. Ngunit kung iisipin kung obligasyon ko bilang tao ang magbasa, malalaman ko nang buong-buo at may tinutungo ang bawat pangungusap ng isang akda.

Ngayon, isinasabuhay ko bilang responsibilidad ang magbasa ng lecture slides dahil kailangan ko ito hindi para pumasa sa exams, o may maisagot kung sakaling tawagin sa recitation, ngunit para mas maging matibay ang pundasyon ng aking kaalaman sa mas mataas na antas ng pag-aaral.

Ang hilig sa pagbabasa ay may kinikilingan, tanging gusto mo lamang na mga akda ang babasahin mo; ang maging responsibilidad ang pagbabasa ay walang takot at walang pangamba, sapagkat nakukuha mo ang bawat anggulo ng istorya o pangyayari. Ang magbasa ng buhat sa responsibilidad ay may alam kaysa magbasa buhat sa hilig; mas maraming impormasyon, mas balanseng pagtingin.

Mas maraming alam, mas may pakialam. Ito ang tunay na Iskolar.

Ang pagbabasa ay hindi na passion, responsibilidad na dapat ito. [P]

OPINION

7

EDITORIAL

When freedom becomes a crime

A signature is so powerful that the moment after your pen separates from the document, after the last stroke that comprises your signature has been written, an agreement has been established; an action is expected to take effect. Just after President Benigno Auino III signed the controversial Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 last 12th of September, the practice of freedom of speech and expression was put into suppression, as any single post, tweet, share, or just even a like of a post, can let you experience jail in no time.

A number of cybercrime-related bills were already previously passed; however, these weren’t found to be sufficient to address the need for a legality of crimes committed with the use of a computer or its software, most of which are concerned with online interactions; thus, the birth of RA 10175, thanks to its father, Senator Ed Angara and a number of sponsors who supported the bill.

However, just like any other proposed law which has failed to receive any scrupulous assessment, RA 10175 has its own share of careless and dangerous societal effects, as it posed serious threats to freedom over the Internet, which gagged every netizen concerned.

For instance, libel was extended to cover the cyberworld, it is where every strong and usually negative comment made on can be used as ground for imprisonment. Continuing but to posts this practice obviously threatens freedom using accessible participate in and direct medium to express opinions online, where people should not take comments as offensive opinions but accept such these as constructive points of view. For a country exercising democracy, it is but healthy to participate in such conversations not just because you want to degrade an official due to his not just because wrongdoings or remises but you opt to be concerned with the current status of the government and being affected, you have you want to something to say about it.

“

...

healthy

conversations degrade...

But still, with no questions, President Aquino signed the bill, not wary even on how its revisions may affect freedom of but you opt to be expression and the country’s data security. *** with The Supreme Court has received 15 petitions, all of which were the deferred only because the high court en banc has a quorum with 10 justices present. Questioning the constitutionality of the law, these petitions criticize the bill as it criminalizes libel, increases crime penalty under the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines, as well as it allows the government to access private data. However, these did not stop even the online community, showing rage by turning down all profile pictures, turning them to black, some with the image of Guy Fawkes to signify a protest. Anonymous Philippines, a group of ‘hacktivists,’ turned down one government site after another to show discontent with the passing of the said bill.

On the 15th of January next year, the Supreme Court (SC) will entertain oral arguments on, after a 120-day hiatus in the form of a temporary restraining order (TRO). The TRO, however positive it may sound, simply suspends (if not delay), the effectivity of the implementation of RA 10175. It allows one side of the court to a longer time frame to protect its ability to present better decisions. Shall it be a remedy, it only maintains the current status quo, preserving what the country already has before any law or its provisions may come to effect. It doesn’t even indicate an overview of what the SC is currently thinking about the law, leaving the public in awe if the SC thinks that the law is either unconstitutional or not. *** If only Senator Tito Sotto is wise and brave enough to compose his own ideas put into his own words before delivering speeches to campaign for a no for RH Bill, if he’s guilty enough to commit his multiple acts of plagiarism and submit an apology (albeit late) to the entirety of Filipino, if no senators are ignorant of the consequences of the submitted bill even before at the period where it is being proposed, then 120 days and beyond, we would still be living a free and open web for a free and open world.

No act of plagiarism must be tolerated especially if found guilty; if in the university level, respective penalties are practiced, why can’t the Senate assert this? No 120 days must be spent not for implementing a law just because a member of the Senate experienced cyberbullying, but for immediate time to respond to issues that concern the country more (do I have to mention RH Bill?). Nevertheless, no single user of any social networking site must be barred of his rights of freely expressing his opinions, online and offline, by any signed law. [P]

concerned

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status quo...

SA NAKARAANG

CAMPUSFORUM Ano ang theme song ng first sem mo?

I Dreamed A Dream from Les Miserables. May pinagdadaanan akong matindi last sem eh. Nagkasabay-sabay ang problema, nadamay acads.

Mukhang ‘di na matutupad ‘yung dream kong makagraduate on time. Akmangakma yung lyrics. “But there are dreams that cannot be and there are storms we cannot weather. I had a dream my life would be so different from this hell I’m living . . . now life has killed the dream I dream.”

April Venus, BA CA ‘11 The Scientist ng Coldplay: “Nobody said it was easy... oh take me back to the start” cause I really didn’t do that well. Hahaha Ma. Angelica Taeza, BA CA ‘11 Power of Two ng MYMP. Kasi I have always seen myself as a double-person with opposite personalities. Somewhat bipolar, oo ‘yun ‘yung tingin ko sa

sarili ko and sa kantang yan, I was actually referring to the power of my two selves. Haha. You see last first sem, nagjoin ako ng org and I needed the encouragement of the other and the criticism of the other. So the clash and balance that my two selves brought me really paved my way through first sem, sama mo pa kasi ‘yung acads at reporting. Haha. Talk about process blues!

Allison Danao, BA CA ‘11 I Won’t Give Up ni JASON MRAZ. Kasi ‘yan talaga isa sa mga lakas ko nung medyo struggling ako last sem.

Ziach Aguirre, BS Nutri ’12 12:51. Kasi laging puyat. (acheche) Alexis Tajas, BA Soc ‘12.

Backend of Forever, bakit? Because I wish I would never hurt again </3 Amandla Med Castro, BS Math ‘10

I Won’t Give Up... kase ‘yun yung batch song namin.

Jonjon Salamanca, BS FT ‘11 Kaibigan Lang Pala by Jaramie. Frinendzone ako nung isa ko pang crush. Buti na lang marami akong crush.

Nyahaha. JK. =)) Jopao Nalica, BS Econ ‘12 Akala by Parokya ni Edgar. Dahil dun sa line na “Wag kang matakot na baka magkamali; walang mapapala kung di magbabakasakali...”Bukod jan, ang isang pinakathemesong ko nung first sem is yung Doin Just Fine ni KYLA originally by Boyz II Men. Parang every hour ko siya pinapatugtog para maalala ko na ok pa rin ako no matter what.

Charles Tumbaga, BS DC ‘10

CAMPUSFORUM

1

Sinong gusto mong tumakbo sa USC-CSC elections, sa anong posisyon, at bakit?

2

Apektado ka ba ng Sin Tax Law? Bakit o bakit hindi?

I-comment sa Campus Forum post sa facebook.com/uplbperspective o i-tweet ang @uplbperspective ang inyong sagot, at ‘wag kalimutang ilagay ang iyong pangalan, course at batch!

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UPLB Perspective is a member of: College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) and UP Solidaridad: UP systemwide alliance of student publications and writers’ organization

EDITORIAL

UPLB PERSPECTIVE .

VOLUME 39 .

ISSUE 3