UPLB Perspective Tomo 43 Issue 4

016 UBRE 6, 2 T K O • A PAHIN BLG. 4 • 12 • I II L X O TOM

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OS S LOS BAÑ A IN IP IL P AD NG UNIBERSID om G N L A R ve@gmail.c ti G-AA c A e M p rs A e G p M uplb N NG PAHAYAGA A ctive N L A Y uplbperspe om ANG OPIS ordpress.c .w e v ti c e p uplbpers tive plbperspec u / m o .c u u iss

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balita STUDES WALKOUT, DEMAND DIALOGUE FROM ADMIN

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kultura BEST JOKES OF MADAM MIRIAM

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lathalain ANG PAPEL NA TUMAPOS SA KAGUBATAN

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opinyon A CALL FOR RESOLUTION

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UPLB PERSPECTIVE

EDITORYAL

OKTUBRE 6, 2016

T N E M M O C O N When pressing issues like the death of a student happen, the University should immediately tackle the problem by issuing a statement. But when University officials advise the students involved not to issue a statement then there lies a big problem.

It seems that the university officials are more concerned with the image of the university rather than the welfare of the students. It cannot be refuted that the University’s image has been connected to rape cases. Time and time again, this has plagued the OVCCA and OPR on how they will put a spin on the news and try and save the image of the university.

However, image is not the problem here and putting spin on news would not prevent students from getting raped just as silence would not help a family in grieving.

were nowhere to be found? It is funny to think that with all their busy schedules, they were able to sit down and formally think of a plan on what to do with Uriel’s case which was to keep mum about the topic and let it pass. University officials did not even think of offering their condolenses to the family in grieving. It can be noted that the College of Veterinary Medicine was only informed of Salera’s death through a family friend who called the concerned college. The strategy was clear for the UPLB administration, contain the news with only a few people so it will die a natural death, a very passé strategy for an internationalizing university.

The case on the death of Uriel Salera has been a challenging coverage for the publication. For one, it was the first time that the publication was covering a news story on the death of a student.

The editorial board has had no prior experience on how they will conduct an interview with grieving parents, friends and even orgmates. The loved ones of Uriel wanted to give him justice and stop further rumors from spreading and this was a heavy task that the publication did not shy away from.

Uriel’s family wanted to know what really happened to their unico hijo during that faithful day and the slow process that the Student Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) is doing would not help the family have closure. The preliminary hearing of Uriel Salera’s case was already conducted last month and a second hearing is already underway.

RS UPLB PE

It is also amusing to think that student institutions who claim to be advancing the welfare and rights of students were hesitant to give a statement on the matter. The best they could give the publication was to issue their condolences to Uriel’s loved ones upon advise by the publication. This particular student institution is also in a tricky situation. They are pushing for Organization Registration Guidelines and with the recent death of Uriel Salera, it could also come crashing down. But why would it affect Org Reg guidelines? Why was this student institution so scared of issuing a statement on their constituent’s death? The publication can never tell and only time will tell if they would have the guts to issue a formal one.

What happens when applicants chose to join an organization is kept behind closed doors and organizations have the right not to disclose this information. From what happens during the presentation of, applicants to the final rites of organizations all of these are kept secret. The applicant would put their sole trust to their future org mates keeping in mind that everything they do to them is for their good.

However, organizations should check if what they are really doing is for the good of their applicants.

Review their current organization process and make sure they are not putting someone’s life in danger.

Organizations must remember that an applicant is not just a toy that they can play around with, they are still people who care for that person.

Forty five days after Uriel’s death, silence is still heard. Is this what UP education has become? Giving silence as an answer to pressing issues that have repercussions. UPLB officials and student leaders can do better than this. For now, our student leaders and university officials would just keep silent and maybe wait for this news to die down. [P]

How come that university officials were able to meet as a whole and discuss matters on the rumors surrounding Uriel’s death but when the parents of Uriel were seeking an investigation they

ress.com ctive.wordp uplbperspe l.com ai gm e@ ctiv uplbperspe

Different media outlets have gone to the UPLB Perspective saying that the UPLB administration was refusing to issue a statement on the matter. For the record, they were also doing the same with the publication.

E PECTIV

S LOS BAÑO PILIPINAS RSIDAD NG NG UNIBE L RA AA MGA MAGective YAGAN NG /uplbpersp AL NA PAHA issuu.com ANG OPISY

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Punong Patnugot Jose Lorenzo Lim Kapatnugot Czarina Joy Arevalo Tagapamahalang Patnugot Albert John Enrico Dominguez Patnugot ng Balita Caren Malaluan Patnugot ng Lathalain Mary Anne Gudito Patnugot ng Kultura Diana Jane Plofino Patnugot ng Paglalapat at Grapiks Vicente Morano III Tagapamahala ng Pinansiya Charity Faith Rulloda Mga Kawani Ysabel Dawn Abad ⋅ Monica Laboy ⋅ Jey Filan Reyes ⋅ Deniel Sean Macapal ⋅ Julianne Afable ⋅ Miguel Carlos Lazarte ⋅ Ranielle Averion ⋅ John Joshua Azucena ⋅ Jandelle Cruz ⋅ Ana Dominique Pablo ⋅ Angelica Marie Paz ⋅ Paul Carson Mga Apprentice J. Villanueva ⋅ M.A. Laurio ⋅ M.A. Arboleda ⋅ J.M.Caayao

tungkol sa pabalot STUDENTS’ “WELFARE” Dibuho ni Jandelle Cruz

UPLB PERSPECTIVE

BALITA

OKTUBRE 6, 2016

IVORY TOWER VICENTE MORANO III

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Students’ calls against the neoliberal attacks on education were raised during the September 22 #UPLBWalkout.

Studes walk out, demand dialogue from admin Hundreds of students walked out of their classes last September 22 to forward their experiences and concerns on the commercialization of education and campus repression to the University administration.

Dubbed as the “Walkout for Free and Accessible Education”, about 500 students joined the snake rally which began at the Old Humanities Building at about 10 in the morning. By noon, the marchers came from the Student Union building and carried on anew to the Main Library.

As the marchers arrived by 3 in the afternoon, a blockade formed by the Community Support Brigade (CSB) and the University Police Force (UPF) impeded the march to continue inside the Main Library.

WORDS l PAUL CHRISTIAN CARSON & MICHELLE ANDREA LAURIO

Representatives from the University Student Council (USC), the College Student Councils and the UPLB Perspective entered the Main Library and sought dialogue with the University administration; returning by 7 in the evening as the marchers stood vigil.

The walkout was spearheaded by the Rise for Education Alliance – UPLB and the UPLB USC, and was also in solidarity with the National Day of Action against Neoliberal Attacks in Education.

Commercialization, repression ‘key issues’ Among the central issues that were raised for the walkout were the org recognition policy; the impending removal of organization tambayans in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) and the College of Forestry and Natural

Resources (CFNR); the continuing implementation of the eUP Project; increasing presence of military forces in campus premises; the encroachment of the curfew rule in the University; and further business opportunities in the Student Union building.

USC also updated the Students’ Agenda and List of General Demands (UPLB SAGD), which outlined the various problems faced by the students and proposed alternatives.

Merwin Jacob Alinea, UPLB USC chairperson, said that the current issues faced by the students were only “clear manifestations of the ongoing offense against student rights inside and outside universities”.

“The continuous anti-student projects and policies are clear manifestations of neoliberal attacks against the students

and the youth. It is high time to level up the call for better student services, and quality and accessible education for the Filipino youth,” Alinea added.

SCs, admin discuss issues USCsubmitted the SAGD and sought a dialogue with the administration.

While student leaders expected the Chancellor to attend the dialogue, the latter was out of the country due to an appointment abroad. However, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Portia Lapitan faced the student leaders and carried on with the dialogue. After about four hours, the administration and the USC capped the talks.

Vice Chancellor for Administration Crisanto Dorado addressed the issue on organization tambayans, saying that organizations should

UP starts search for 21st Prexy

forward proposals for the construction of such to the land use committee of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development (OVCPD). The OVCPD then will evaluate and approve the request.

Meanwhile, CAS Councilor Edmar Aladdin Oducayen pointed out that most requests for land use related to tambayan construction were denied by the OVCPD, including a case when a tambayan was removed for the arrival of Japanese Emperor Hirohito.

On the inquiry of the organization tambayan removals in CAS and CFNR, Dorado said that student organizations’ request were then upon the approval also of deans of respective colleges.

Lapitan also opened the plan for the building of a student center in the CONTINUE TO PAGE 5

WORDS l CAREN JOY MALALUAN

The search for the next University of the Philippines President is on.

The Office of the Secretary of the University (OSU) released the official list of nominees for the 21st UP President.

A total of ten candidates comprise the official list.

From the ten candidates, the UP Board of Regents (BOR) is expected to elect the next UP President who will assume the position of the current President Alfredo E. Pascual. Pascual’s term started last February 2011 and is expected to end on 2017 of the same month.

The 21st UP President Nominees: 1. DR. CONSOLACION R. ALARAS Dr. Alaras took her A.B. in English, M.A. in comparative literature and PhD in Philippine studies at UP Diliman. She formerly served as the chairperson of

the committee on Cultural Information & Special Events of National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

She stated in her Vision Statement to do the following if elected: •Strive to maximize the potentials of UP Open University

•Ensure that UP Media will lead in captivating the imagination of our Leaders, Citizens, and Communities regarding the recovery, proclamation, and institutionalization of The Filipino Civilization studied and prophesied by the CONTINUE TO PAGE 6

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UPLB PERSPECTIVE BALITA Call for genuine CNA incentive continues OKTUBRE 6, 2016

WORDS l PAUL CHRISTIAN CARSON The All UP Workers’ Alliance (AUPWA) clarified that the recent release of the Health and Wellness Benefit (HWB) was “a product of the workers’ and academic employees’ clamor to respect past agreements under their Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA)”.

In Ikot-Unyon, a forum organized by the All UP Academic Employees Union – Los Baños (AUPAEU-LB) last September 21, the AUPWA explained the history of the struggle of workers and academic employees for labor rights in the University; which brought the CNA and the requested incentive.

AUPWU and AUPAEU each have their CNAs – the last agreed upon in 2015 – which is likened to Collective Bargaining Agreements in private companies with a unionized workforce.

The AUPAEU defined the CNA incentive under Section XXI of the agreement as an incentive “granted as an act of goodwill, in recognition of joint efforts in accomplishing performance targets at lesser cost in attaining more efficient and viable operations”.

Wellness benefit ‘arbitrary’ - workers Amounting PHP 15,000, the HWB was awarded to faculty members, Research, Extension and Professional Staff (REPS) and administrative staff with employer-employee relationship with UP. A prorated amount was given based on their months of service in the University.

Felix Pariñas of the AUPWU clarified, however, that the HWB was “arbitrarily issued” by the UP administration in response to the continuing protests of UP workers and academic personnel to immediately release the CNA incentive.

The HWB was released by the UP administration through PAEP Memorandum 16-47, days after the AUPWA, together with students from UPD and UPLB, held a dialogue with the Board of Regents and UP President Alfredo Pascual last August.

Pariñas further stated that the CNA incentive they have long requested was in the document itself and is supported by circulars from the DBM, namely DBM Circular 2015-2, among others.

UP admin ‘should be transparent’ Pariñas also added that they have also been calling for the UP

administration to be transparent on its finances, as the CNA incentive, among other labor incentives, were to be based on the University’s savings on its Maintenance, Operating & OtherExpenses (MOOE).

The University has held the incentive as it said that there were no savings left in its MOOE for the past years.

However, the AUPWA stated that the University administration needed to show proof of the status of its finances.

“Magmula doon sa pagtitipid, saan napupunta ang malaking chunk ng MOOE? Kung ito ay dahil sa pagpapasweldo ng mga contractual employees, ay usually chinacharge sa MOOE, malaking problema ito lalo na kung may panawagan tayong regularization. Kung ito naman ay napupunta sa mga transportation ng mga VIP na tumitira sa mga hotel kapag nasa abroad, may problema talaga tayo sa ganyang klaseng pamumuhay,” he said.

Workers to UP: do your part The non-presentation of financial statements has long been the problem of University employees and workers, which also cast doubts on how the

University operates.

With this, Pariñas is asking how the University does their part in ensuring their commitment to “adopt measures to promote productivity, efficiency and economy of operations in fulfilling all its objectives and performance targets,” as mandated by their CNA with the administration.

Pariñas, also a university worker, said that the University has saved on costs by banking on personal finances for certain jobs. He still uses his own prepaid load and car fuel for various errands in the University to contribute on frugal practices encouraged by the University. Some also use their own money to buy equipment for repairs.

“Gusto natin makita kung ano ang ambag ng mga administrador sa pagtitipid,” he stated.

Other agreements sought to be followed Aside from the HWB, the AUPWA has long aimed for the workers to receive the Annual Incentive Grant (AIG), which amounted to biannual payments of PHP 6,350 per employee.

The second tranche of the AIG was requested by the AUPWA to be delivered by September this year, however, no such incentive has been released for this time.

The AIG comes from past CNAs, evolving from the Merit Incentive Grant from the CNA in 2008, a similar incentive yet was replaced since it was given on a performance basis.

Ombudsman case filed vs PAEP With the stall in following past agreements, the AUPAEU has filed a case against UP President Alfredo E. Pascual in the Office of the Ombudsman for violation of the CNA, DBM Circular 2015-2 and unfair labor practices.

This came from what the union said to be “attempts of the administration to undermine the CNA and the AUPWA”, as Pascual and the Office of the Vice President for Administration under Maragtas S.V. Amante “set aside” mandated mechanisms and processes for the implementation of the provisions under the CNA – which was also said to be a “clear violation of the CNA and existing labor laws”. [P]

CVM SC speaks up on stude’s death Uriel Salera is a sophomore PreVeterinary Medicine student who died on August 20, 2016 due to cardio-respiratory arrest.

“Nakikiramay ako sa pamilya ni Mr. Salera in behalf of the student council. Kaisa ng student council ang family at ang RC [UP Rodeo Club] sa paghahanap ng justice sa nangyari kay Mr. [Uriel] Salera. Willing naman ang student council kung ano ang pwedeng maitulong nito sa ikauusad at ikakaresolve ng kaso,” College of Veterinary Medicine Student Council (CVM SC) Chairperson John Carlo Alberto said in an interview with UPLB Perspective.

CVM-SC Chairperson Alberto acknowledged that Uriel Salera’s case was not formally raised in any of the student council’s general

assemblies primarily because of various activities that the council was attending to during that time.

Some CVM students expressed their surprise about the indifference of their college on Salera’s death.

“Actually kahit yung admin mismo – CVM and UPLB, walang statement or condolences man lang. Parang kung ako ‘yung family, mao-offend ako kasi parang wala silang pakialam na namatay yung anak ko,” a CVM student said.

Mr. Orlan T. Salera, Uriel’s father, said in an earlier interview with the publication dated August 29, 2016 that as of August 28, the CVM administration is still unaware about the death of his son.

“Kahapon ko lang nalaman na hindi pa alam sa kolehiyo nila na

PANANAW

Submit your works and get published.

PANANAW, the literary folio of the UPLB Perspective, is now accepting entries.

The submission deadline is October 31, 2016. uplbperspective@gmail.com Fore more information, contact Meanne (09126459452)

WORDS l CHARITY FAITH RULLODA wala na siya. Hindi alam sa College of Vet Med. Ang nagsabi na hindi alam [sa CVM] ay ‘yung asawa nung kaibigan ko na nagtuturo sa BIO 30, si Ms. Villa. Kaya sya pa nagtatatawag sa CVM na wala na nga,“ he said.

When asked about his feedback regarding the sentiments of some CVM students on the issue, Alberto admitted that it was a shortcoming on the part of the student council.

“Posibleng wala ngang nagawang statement or pakikiramay yung student council,” he said.

Uriel’s case under SDT’s investigation In an exclusive interview by the publication with the Salera family last August 29, 2016, Mr. Orlan Salera disclosed that they sent a letter of inquiry concerning his son’s death to the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) dated August 30, 2016.

“I know my son joined of his own volition, but I feel like the organization was sorely lacking in ensuring the safety of its applicants. I also feel like it has not done enough to assuage the grief my family and I feel. Uriel was an only child. I am making this request so that an incident like this can be prevented in the future,” a part of the letter reads.

The Office of Student AffairsDirector’s Office received Mr. Salera’s letter on August 31, 2016.

On September 13, a preliminary investigation regarding Salera’s death case was conducted at the Student Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT).

Attending parties were some members of the UPRC, Uriel’s father, aunt and grandmother.

“Basta sabi nila [OSA], they’ll be taking actions naman daw,” the Salera family said after the first preliminary hearing.

According to CVM SC Chairperson Alberto, the UPRC affirmed that the family was not resolved on the first hearing that happened.

“They say they will investigate further and will interview other students who know Uriel. We are still waiting. They could be interviewing those students already, we don’t know,” said Dr. Leila T. Salera, Uriel’s aunt, on September 29.

SDT assured that they are doing things for the progression of the case and added that they would not be disclosing any information to the public unless the case is resolved as it is treated with full confidentiality.

UPRC preferred not to comment on the developing events of Uriel Salera’s case.

CVM SC to possibly convene CVM orgs, frats and soros “Posibleng i-convene ang mga organizations; na unang una, alamin

yung health condition ng mga aplikante nila. Regarding sa process, hindi madidiktahan ng student council kung ano talaga yung process pero pwede natin i-remind yung mga organizations, fraternities and sororities na dapat huwag umabot sa punto na yung mismong aplikante ay hindi macompromise yung condition nila,” Alberto stated.

Alberto also disclosed that as of press time, the UPRC is firm on their decision of not releasing an official statement.

“Kung ano yung decision ng organization, hindi naman yun pwedeng panghimasukan ng student council,” he added.

The CVM SC Chairperson assured that the council’s hand is extended to whatever assistance it may offer to the involved CVM organization and the late CVM student’s family.

“Siguro kung kailangan ng suporta ng UPRC or halimbawa gustong ipatawag ang student council sa SDT, kuhanan ng info, willing naman ang student council,” Alberto stated.

Furthermore, he said that the student council will possibly release a statement about Uriel’s death. He also encouraged the whole UPLB community to unite in seeking for justice on Uriel’s death – both for the sake of the family and the UPRC. [P]

UPLB PERSPECTIVE

BALITA

OKTUBRE 6, 2016

from page 3

HANAPBUHAY VICENTE MORANO III

Bago matapos ang araw, hinahango ng mga mangingisda ng Patungan ang kanilang huli mula sa laot upang may ihain sa hapag. Ang mga mangingisdang ito ay may kinakaharap na banta sa kanilang hanapbuhay dahil sa tumitinding problema sa demolisyon.

Duterte requests 6-month extension on fight vs crime, drugs President Rodrigo Duterte asked for another six-month extension on his selfenforced deadline to solve the crime and drug problem in the country.

“Just give me little extension of maybe another six months. I did not have any idea that there were hundreds of thousands already in the drug business,” Duterte said in a press conference in Davao City last September 18, 2016.

The president stressed that he did not realize the severity of drug problem in the country until he was elected in position. “I cannot tell you now, but we are trying our very best to put order in this country. We are wrapped with so many problems—kidnapping in the south, terrorism, drugs which is really pulling us down. I can say that we would need time to put everything in order.” he said.

Duterte then also addressed the alarming number of 700,000 drug users and pushers who have surrendered to authorities to date. “I didn’t have any idea that there were hundreds of thousands of people already in the drug business. And what makes it worse is that they are operated now by people in government, especially those in elected positions. So it would be government versus government” he added.

The president also added that his administration is doing its best to address crime, drugs and other security concerns.

During the presidential campaign, Duterte’s firm stance and ambitious promise to end crime in his first six months in office was questioned yet gained him a landslide win during the elections.

Extrajudicial killings Duterte’s statements were released two days after Edgar Matobato, a self-

WORDS l ANGELICA PAZ proclaimed Duterte’s hit man, claimed he was a member of the death squad tasked to kill drug dealers on orders from Duterte when he was still Davao City’s mayor.

Matobato testified against President Duterte took charge over the extrajudicial killings of almost 1,000 criminal suspects and political opponents in Davao for the past two decades. “We were tasked to kill criminals every day,” Mr. Matobato said last September 15, 2016 at a Senate hearing investigating extrajudicial killings.

President Duterte broke his silence and said Matobato’s testimony was nothing but a lie. “When you egg a person to testify even if you know it’s a lie and you have an active participation in it, it is subornation of perjury,” he stated.

He further stressed that he does not care about the investigations that will be conducted against him for he is firm on his job and promised to wipe out drug related crimes in the country.

Duterte’s former spokesman Salvador Panelo denied that Duterte supports extrajudicial killings. “The president-elect has not endorsed — cannot and will never endorse — extrajudicial killings, they being contrary to law. He does not condone the killing of journalist nor any citizen, for that matter, regardless of its purpose,” Panelo said in a statement.

Concerns on human rights violations Reports identified 1,140 drug personalities who have been killed in legitimate police operations while 2,073 are victims of extrajudicial or vigilante killings. Overall, 3,213 persons were

killed under Duterte’s tough war on drugs at 3,213.

The Citizen’s Council on Human Rights (CCHR) urged the Philippine government to conduct an investigation.

The CCHR is currently conducting its own investigation on extrajudicial killings.

“Based on our investigation, if people are found to have violated human rights, we can make recommendations to the proper authorities to file charges against these people,” CHR Commissioner Gwen Pimentel-Gana said.

The office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights also expressed their sentiments about the rising cases of extrajudicial killings in the country. The group believes that “drug users deserve a second chance, people do not lose their human rights because they use drugs.”

As of September 15, 1,606 deaths due to drug-related incidents is under scrutiny. [P]

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Studes walk out

former UPLB Post Office. She said that this will be replacement for the Student Union Building, which will be then renovated. Meanwhile, as the plan is yet to be realized, Lapitan said that they “were going to make the most of what is currently available”.

On the curfew hours, the administration said that cases on harassment due to the CSB and UPF’s whisking of students after curfew hours “is not tolerated,” and should be reported and well-documented.

Alinea then cited the increasing cases of military presence in the campus. USC Vice Chairperson Shaira Cledera noted the past protocol of former Chancellor Rex Victor Cruz, which notified the University Student Council and the UPLB Perspective whenever military forces were entering the campus.

Free entry and exit of military and

police units, except in cases of hot pursuit, are prohibited due to various accords signed by the University with state departments; including the Ramos-Abueva accord, the League of Filipino Students – Department of National Defense (LFS-DND) accord, and the Sotto-Enrile accord.

Lapitan then declined the institutions’ request to notify them of the entry of military units. “It is added work…

We are not compromising your welfare.

It is asking too much if I would have to inform you,” she added.

As the dialogue ended, student leaders were welcomed by the marchers by about 7pm, finishing the day through the singing of the UP Naming Mahal.

On September 30 another dialogue was scheduled with Chancellor Sanchez to discuss furthers matters presented on the September 22 walkout. [P]

WiSik community gathers in UPLB

WORDS l MAC ANDRE ARBOLEDA Artists, musicians, and members of lecture-demonstration Pintigan by the local community gathered on Sept. Hibla Sanghabi; an intimate artist talk 24, 2016 at the D.L. Umali Hall. WiSiK, with Manny Garibay; and a sketching which stands for Wika, Sining, at Klima, session led by UP Painters’ Club. Several is an independently-organized arts exhibits and installations including festival that intends to be an alternative Daniel Sta. Romana’s “Burden”, venue for artists and craftsmen to “Oiran” by Jeteendra Marcelline, Wood installations by Yvette Co and a showcase their work.

Grace Odal-Devora opened Freedom Wall was put up in the area.

WiSiK, an event co-founded by WiSiK with “Pagbabas sa Kalahatan sa Pagbubukang-Liwayway”, a Sunrise Precious Leaño of Art Relief Mobile Ritual around UPLB’s Fertility Tree to Kitchen, also organized a Community Potluck Lunch that fed close to a mark a new day of giving and sharing.

Musical performances by hundred people.

“It’s been an absolute community Harmonya: The String Ensemble of UPLB, Manila-based collectives effort,” said Marvin Oloris, founder of Idioterne, Inc. and Pixel Collective filled MakiSining and organizer of WiSiK the air of the bustling artists’ market. An since its inception in 2012.

Oloris recalled there were only 20open mic program was also held for participants to share their original song 30 artists then, comprised of people from MakiSining, UP Painters’ Club, and compositions and poetry.

Aside from the musical Samahang LAYB. Now in its fifth run, performances, WiSiK also held a lecture more than 20 student organizations, on animation by De La Salle – College collectives, and groups and about of Saint Benilde’s Chino Wasan; an 300 attendees were present in the air painting session with Lito Ballaran; celebration of arts and culture. [P]

“Ladies and gentlemen of UPLB, help me in this march for truth.”

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago (1945-2016)

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UPLB PERSPECTIVE

BALITA

from page 3

OKTUBRE 6, 2016

UP starts search..

UP PRESIDENT NOMINEES

Philippine National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal, with his best friend Czech Patriot Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt •Lead UP to be an instrument of Divine Intervention for National Reconciliation, Healing, and Unity for Peace and Prosperity •Initiate the collaboration of faculty, students, and staff for group research, training, and publications •Share the concept of Barangay Education inspired and guided by Dr. Jose Rizal, Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt, and the Katipunan as the Philippine Revolutionary Movement 2. PROF. DANILO L. CONCEPCION Conception is the current dean of the UP College of Law and Executive Director of the UP Bonifacio Global City Campus.

He has a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering from De La Salle-Araneta University, Bachelor of Laws from UP College of Law and Masters of Law from University of London.

In his Vision Statement, Conception highlighted five major points on how UP should have an “honor and excellence with compassion” culture.

•The University’s academic thrust should reflect its concern for the welfare of its primary constituency - the nation.

•UP’s admission and financial aid system should respond to the needs of all deserving students.

•UP should endeavor to deliver efficient and effective services to its constituency within the campus and extend meaningful support to all its personnel.

•As its contribution to prudent management of public resources, UP should conceive of creative ways to boost its income without abandoning the campaign for increased government subsidy.

•UP should contribute to national development.

3. PROF. GISELA P. CONCEPCION Conception is the current UP Vice President for Academic Affairs. She earned her Bachelor’s and Doctoral degree in Chemistry at UPD and Master’s degree in Biochemistry at UP Manila. Conception is currently a Scientist III and a Professor at College of Science, UPD. Conception’s Vision Statement consists of ‘four pro-active visions’ for a ‘U.P. Suprastructure as “Utak at Puso para sa Bayan”’.

•Focusing UP’s Meaning and Purpose - One UP for National Development (U P’s Competence and Commitment) •Envigorating and Flourishing UP’s Suprastructure - Impact of One UP on National Development (UP’s Competence , Commitment and Compassion) •Strengthening the Foundation of UP’s Suprastructure - Caring for the One UP Community (UP’s Compassion)

(From Left to Right) Dr. Consolacion R. Alaras, Prof. Danilo L. Concepcion, Prof. Gisela P. Concepcion, Dr. J. Prospero E. De Vera III , Prof. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara, Dr. Orlando S. Mercado, Prof. Benito M. Pacheco, Dr. Roger D. Posadas, Prof. Caesar A. Saloma, Prof. Michael L. Tan

•Strengthening UP’s Support Structure – Working towards Sustainability of One UP (UP’s Competence and Compassion) 4. DR. J. PROSPERO E. DE VERA III Dr. De Vera earned his BA in History and PhD from UP and MA in Social Sciences from De La Salle University. He is serving as a commissioner at Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and an adviser to the Government Negotiating Panel with the National Democratic Front (NDF)/ Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)/ New People’s Army (NPA). Also, he was the former UP Vice President for Public Affairs.

As pointed out in his Vision Statement of ‘Reaffirming UP as the University of the People’, Dr. De Vera will pursue key initiatives centered on three themes, namely: •Equitable and inclusive access •Broadening and deepening of academic excellence •Transformative impact through service 5. PROF. ROWENA CRISTINA L. GUEVARA Guevara currently holds the position of undersecretary for Scientific and Technological Services at the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

She also served as the dean of College of Engineering at UPD from 2004 until 2010. She accomplished her BS and MS in Electrical Engineering at UPD, and obtained her PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan.

Guevara believes ‘the University of the Philippines as the national university that fulfills the aspirations of the Filipino people’.

In order to achieve this vision, she stated that the ‘collective leadership of UP shall do the following’: •Review and update the teaching methods of the University to optimize the learning experience of UP students.

•Review the General Education program to ensure that every UP graduate embodies “Tatak UP” and fulfills the aspirations of the Filipino people.

•Increase the investment in basic and applied research in arts, humanities, science, social science, technology and innovation; and for research outputs to be transferred to society either through deployment by government agencies or community service organizations, or commercialization through startups, spinoffs, licensing or other modes.

•Professionalized administrative support through responsive human resource development to ensure efficient compliance of the University with the government policies and guidelines, and maximize the use of University resources.

•Continue programs of the previous administration, especially ONE UP for all constituent units of the University to flourish.

•Fulfill UP’s promise to the Filipino people through direct involvement of faculty, students and staff in solving the

pressing problems of the country, and contribution to their respective regions and communities where the constituent units are located.

•Catalyze multi- and inter-disciplinary projects and programs within the University, with other academic institutions, government agencies and the private sector.

•Maximize private partnership to provide a learning environment worthy of the national university.

•Mobilize UP alumni to help the University in sharing the “UP spirit” with its students, faculty and administrative personnel.

•Support the artists and performers of the University and help them reach both the Filipino audience and the global community.

6. DR. ORLANDO S. MERCADO Dr. Mercado obtained his BA in Political Science, MA in Communication, and PhD in Political Science at UP. He was also a former Senator (1987-1998), Secretary of National Defense (19982001) and chairman of the National Parks and Development Committee (19861987).

Dr. Mercado envisions UP ‘to evolve into a global learning hub for public service leaders in the Philippines and the ASEAN’. He listed ‘three main action points’ that he would pursue to achieve his vision: •Expand UP’s reach to poor and deserving students and communities.

•Reposition UP as the convener of dialogue on strengthening leadership development for the ASEAN. •Update the courses of UP, mindful of the changing demands for new ways of thinking, competencies and skillsets in the ASEAN region and beyond.

7. PROF. BENITO M. PACHECO Currently, Pacheco is serving as the UP Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

He also served as the Vice Chancellor for Research and Development. He obtained a BS and MS in Civil Engineering from UP Diliman, and a PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Tokyo.

Pacheco’s Vision Statement contains the following points: •The UP landscape while expanding and developing must be kept safe, secure and sustainable.

•And through all this, administrative services must be made and kept effective and efficient, in support of academic excellence.

•UP, as the national university by character and by charter, must uphold that principle for the Filipino people.

•The 21st UP President must prioritize to see that the increasing performance of all administrative personnel will earn recognition through an annual average 10% increase in their net income.

•With UP’s academic leadership established and demonstrated, we must present a stronger case to government that education in UP should be fully supported by the State.

8. DR. ROGER D. POSADAS Posadas served as the chancellor of UPD from 1993 until 1996 and Dean of College of Science from 1983 until 1993.

He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Physics at UPD and Doctoral degree at University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Posadas summarizes his vision for UP using his mnemonic acronym: •T - Treasury of intelligence and wisdom that will serve collectively, system-wide, as the premier Think Tank of the Philippine Government and the Filipino Nation.

•R - Research University with worldclass research productivity in science and technology and Renaissance-like creativity in arts and culture •U - Upholder in each campus of a balanced holistic education •L – Leadership •Y - Yardstick or benchmark or national model of excellence or quality •G - Global University •R - Reformist and Righteous Role in Philippine society •E - Entrepreneurial University •A - Academic Innovator •T - Town-Gown Collaborator for each campus to serve as a Public Service University 9. PROF. CAESAR A. SALOMA Saloma accomplished his BS, MS, and PhD degrees in Physics at UPD. He is a Scientist III and a professor at National Institute of Physics at UPD. He also served as the Chancellor of UPD from 2011 until 2014 and as the Dean of College of Science from 2006 until 2011.

Saloma’s ‘UP Leading by Inspired Example’ Vision Statement for UP contains the following points: •UP should be a veritable source of best practices in the development and implementation of PhD programs, inclusive governance and evidence-based decision-making.

•UP should be a model of an enabling and nurturing environment for faculty, staff and students.

•UP must accomplish its stated purpose as the national university •UP will earn genuine respect and admiration in the global academic community if it is able to provide scientific solutions that improve the quality of life of fellow Filipinos.

•UP needs to invest more to widen access and make UP education available to more Filipinos especially those from underrepresented areas of the country.

•UP must invest seriously to enhance its technical capability and expertise to maintain and secure its vast campuses and to complete publicly funded infrastructure projects in due time.

•UP needs to decongest UP Diliman and UP Manila within the next 25 years •UP needs to apply data-driven analytical tools in effecting faculty and staff promotion as well as in selecting its chief executive officers and administrators.

10. PROF. MICHAEL L. TAN Tan is the current chancellor of UP Diliman. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Ateneo de Manila University (1969-1970) and University of San Francisco (1970-1971). His MA and PhD in Anthropology were earned at Texas A&M University and University of Amsterdam respectively. He earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from UPD. In his Vision Statement entitled ‘UP 2020 and Beyond: A Vision Bold and Clear’, Tan described his vision in two terms, namely, the people we serve and the tools to serve.

Who we serve: •We in UP must give our all for the iskolar ng bayan entrusted to us.

•We need to develop educators, and not just teachers.

•To serve those who serve, the administrative staff, we must affirm the dignity of labor.

• We must find ways to expand the career possibilities of our research, extension and professional staff (REPS), who are already taking on lead roles as we transform UP into a research university.

•Bridging generations through the alumni and retired staff.

The Tools to Serve: •Streamlining our bureaucratic processes.

•As an educational institution, we must maximize opportunities for continuing education, not only for students, but for faculty and staff.

•Among the social services we can offer our constituents, health and wellness must be leading priority, with programs oriented toward prevention of illness and mobilization of each CU’s Health Service or Infirmary for primary healthcare.

•UP must be better steward of resources entrusted to us.

•UP’s excellence must build on equity.

•We need academic programs that are innovative and integrated.

•The heart of our academic programs must be the production and dissemination of knowledge, driven by a research culture.

•UP must develop our mandate of public service and take our place in the community of public schools.

•UP must look out to, and engage, the world.

•UP must wage peace, with justice.

The BOR will deliberate on the candidates for the UP Presidency this October. On October 13, the Search Commitee for the selection of the next UP President will hold a forum at Cine Adarna, UPFI Film Center, UP Diliman. [P]

UPLB PERSPECTIVE

KULTURA

OKTUBRE 6, 2016

7

Best Jokes of Madam Miriam WORDS l DIANE JANE PLOFINO

Ito ay koleksyon ng mga pinakamatitinding jokes at banat mula sa pinakagalang-galanga’t matapang na babae ng Pilipinas. Mga jokes na kahit kailan ay di mamamatay at mananatiling nakatatak sa utak at puso ng mga palaban na mamamayan. Mga banat na nagpakilabot sa mga politikong mapagpanggap.

Kaya ito na kapit mga kapatid, the greatest jokes of all time brought to you by Madam Miriam Defensor Santigao. Ang mga ito ay mula sa aklat niyang Stupid is Forever, Stupid is Forevermore at sa kanyang mga talumpati.

Bumanat. Lumandi. Nagmahal. Nasaktan. Humugot. Gasgas na ba mga banat mo o di naman ay ngayo’y sawi ka sa pag-ibig o sa imaginary pag-ibig mo? Eto mga banat at hugot ni Madam na pandagdag sa iyong listahan 1.Ang crush parang math problem, kung hindi mo makuha, titigan mo na lang.

2.Malabo na talaga ang mata ko. Pwede ba akong humingi sa iyo ng kahit konting pagtingin?

3.Hindi lahat ng sweet ay loyal sa ’yo. Tandaan, sweet nga ang candy, pero nakabalot naman sa plastic.

4.Kung may boyfriend ka o girlfriend na gusto mong i-break after graduation, ito sabihin mo: ‘Password ka ba? Kasi hindi kita kayang kalimutan pero kaya kitang palitan.

5.Did you know that an earthworm has five hearts, whereas an octopus has two hearts? Kaya kung may kilala ka na nagmamahal ng higit sa dalawa, tanungin mo kung anong klaseng hayop sila.

6.Matalinong babae + Matalinong lalaki = Romance Matalinong lalaki + Bobong babae = Affair Matalinong babae + Bobong lalaki = Kasal Bobong lalaki + Bobong babae = Sexually Transmitted Disease Di rin mawawala ang mga malalaman na pasaring sa mga malaalamat na “traditional politicians” o trapo ng bansa.

7.Politics is a word that is a combination of two syllables—’poli’ meaning many, plus ‘ticks’ meaning blood-sucking parasites.

8.The problem with political jokes is that they always get elected.

9.The brain of a Filipino politician has two sides: the left has nothing right in it, the right has nothing left in it.

10.Anong tawag ‘pag nagtapon ka ng basura sa dagat? Sagot: Pollution Ano naman ang tawag kapag tinapon mo sa dagat ang mga pulitikong kurakot? Sagot: Solution.

11.Ang paborito raw sport ng entry-level government employees ay basketball. Kapag lower management position na, ang paborito raw nila ay bowling. Kapag upper management naman, paborito raw nila ay tennis. Ang paborito raw na sport ng high-level government officials is golf.

The study then made this conclusion, kapag tumataas ang posisyon mo sa gobyerno, lumiliit ang balls mo.

At ang mga simpleng punchlines, 12.Punctuation – Sabi ng isang bata, “Daddy, pasukan na next week. Kailangan ko po ng punctuation.”

13.Hindi naman ako mataba eh. In fact, I’m so sexy that it overflows.

14.A young boy asked his Dad, what is the difference between confident and confidential?

The father said, you’re my son. Confident ako doon. Yung best friend mo sa school, anak ko rin yun. Yun ang confidential.

15.Kung pangit ka mahilig kang mag-selfie, sabihin mo na lang lahat ng pictures mo ay wacky.

About these ads At naalala mo ba ang banat ni Madam ng nagkaroon ng technical difficulties noong bumisita siya sa UPLB? 16.Ano iyan, sabotage? Nothing could stop me. Maghintay siya ng tapos ko. Hahamunin ko ng suntukan yan!

Ngunit sa kabila ng lahat ng patawa, hinding hindi rin talaga natin pwedeng kaligtaan ang mga hindi malilimutang aral at pangaral niya para sa mga Pilipino.

17.Those who like me, raise your hand. Those who don’t, raise your standards.

18.Dare beyond your strength, hazard beyond your judgement, and in extremities, proceed in excellent hope. Bear the accidents of life with dignity and grace, making the best circumstances.

19.What is the meaning of life? This meaning is not for you to find, but for you to define. The meaning of life is found in the purposes that we pursue as we grow older.

20.I have no illusions about myself, about my life, about leaving a legacy, or making a mark in people’s lives. We are so insignificant.

We are only here for a blink.

“Benta! Hmmm corny! Gasgas na yan! Hahaha Power!” Ito marahil ang naging reaksyon nyo sa mga hugot, banat, at jokes ni madam, subalit kahit gaano ka corny at kagasgas na ang ilan dito, alam kong natatawa ka pa rin dahil kung iisipin isang Miriam Defensor Santiago ang nagbibitiw.

Sa lahat ng bansag sa kanya Iron Lady of Asia, Lioness of Senate, at One of the 100 Most Powerful Woman in the World, hindi pa rin talaga maikakaila na nagsimula at bitbit niya ang pagiging Iskolar ng Bayan para sa Bayan.

This is goodbye. I shall not importune you any longer. I shall fade into the night like Batman. [P]

8

UPLB PERSPECTIVE

LATHALAIN

OKTUBRE 6, 2016

Ang Papel na Tumapos sa Kagubatan SALITA l MARY ANNE GUDITO

Noon ay walang may-ari ng lupa- bata, matanda, mahirap o mayaman ay tinatanggap sa bundok ni Maria. Ang mga naninirahan doon ay tinatawag na hindi tagapagmay-ari ngunit mga tagapangalaga ng bundok, mga taong nanatili upang doon tumira at maghanapbuhay.

Ginagawa nila ang mga bagay na ito habang patuloy na tinutupad ang kanilang pangako na pangalagaan ang bundok.

Isang araw, may mga dumating na inaangkin ang bundok. Dala nila ang isang piraso ng papel na patunay- ito ay ang titulo.

Sa isang iglap, ang bundok ay naging pag-aari ng iilan, at ang mga tagapangalaga ay isinasantabi.

Samahan sa Makiling Ang Samahang Magsasaka sa Mataas na Lupa ng Lalakay sa Bundok Makiling (SAMALUP) ay samahan ng mga magsasaka at kainginero sa Bundok Makiling. Sila rin ang mga nagsisilbing tagapangalaga nito.

Sa kasunduan sa pagitan ng SAMALUP at Pamantasan ng Pilipinas sa Los Baños, ang mga obligasyon ng samahan ay dalawa— 1) hinggil sa konserbasyon, at hinggil sa programang proteksyon.

Sa huli, hinggil sa programang proteksyon, ang obligasyon ng SAMALUP ay ang mga sumusunod: 1. Magsasagawa ng dalawang beses na pagbisita sa mga tanim tanda sa pagitan ng kagubatan at sinasaka; 2. Mangalaga ng mga kahoy gubat na itinanim ng samahan sa lahat ng “reclaimed area” na kinakailangang taniman; 3. Magpahinto o magbawal ng pagdadagdag ng tao sa lugar na sakop ng samahan.

4. Maglalagay ng outpost sa lugar na mga daan ng tao at sa sasakyan para manmanan/bantayan ang anumang iligal na Gawain at magtalaga ng mga bantay gubat.

Tulad ng nakasaad, ang mga magsasaka o ang mga kasapi ng SAMALUP ang nakaatas na magbantay sa mga aktibidad na nagaganap sa Makiling. Sila ang nagsisilbing mga mata at boses ng bundok na hindi kayang ipagtanggol ang sarili sa mga iligal na gawain sa itaas. Kaya’t nang makasaksi ang isang magsasaka ng iligal na pagtotroso sa lugar, agad niyang ipinaalam ito.

Alam na pala ng mga nakatataas; bulag lamang sila tungkol dito.

Bulag din sila pagdating sa isyu ng pagmamay-ari.

Si Martin Onico Bilang founder ng SAMALUP, mariing tinututulan ni Martin Onico ang mga iligal na aktibidad sa lugar. Isa siyang magsasaka, at sa pamamagitan ng pagsasaka niya napag-aral ang lima niyang anak. Ang kanyang asawa ay magsasaka rin. Kapwa sila naninirahan sa Makiling.

Sa panayam sa kanya ay bakas ang lungkot sa mukha at himig ng ginoo. Pinapalayas ang ibang miyembro ng SAMALUP ng dalawang tao na sinasabing may hawak silang titulo sa lupain. Hindi maaari, giit ni Onico. Nakalagay sa kasunduan na hindi iyon pwedeng angkinin ng mga pribadong tao o organisasyon, at ang mga magsasaka “ang unang may karapatang makaapply kapag napag-usapan na ang saligang batas.”

“Ang pinagtataka naming [ay] paano naapply-an ng Meris at Dumlao, na hindi pa naaamyendahan ng saligang batas ng pamantasan,” wika ni Onico. Ang mga pangalang kanyang nabanggit ay ang dalawang nagsasabing may titulo sila na aprubado ng Makiling Center for Mountains Ecosystems (MCME). Apelyido ang kanyang ginamit dahil tulad ng mga kasamahan, hindi nila alam ang buong pangalan ng dalawa.

Hindi lamang pangalan ang ayaw ipaalam sa kanila. Pakiramdam ni Onico ay may kinalaman ito sa usapin ng salapi.

“Nagreklamo kami. Okay daw, wag na naming lakarin,” sabi ng kasama ni Onico.

Ipinakita raw sa kanila ang titulo nung magkaroon ng hearing dalawang taon na ang nakakalipas. Sinisisi nila ngayon ang MCME dahil sa naganap.

Usapin ng Pagmamay-ari Ayon sa Kautusang Tagapagpaganap Blg. 2, Serye ng 1994, na may paksang “Mga Alituntunin at Kautusan Hinggil Sa Konserbasyon, Likas-Kayang Pagpapaunlad at Pamamahala ng Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve”, ang mga magsasaka ang itinuturing bonafide occupants ng lugar: “Ang mga naninirahan o nagsasaka sa Forest Reserve na naroon na bago pa sumapit ang ika-15 ng Oktubre 1990 ay itinuturing na bonafide occupants at maaaring gamitin ang kanilang inookupahang lugar batay sa mga sumusunod na pangkalahatang kondisyones: 1) Walang lupa at siya mismo ang nagsasaka, 2) May katunayan ng paninirahan, 3) Ang inokupahang lupa ay hindi sakop ng kritikal na lugar, 4) Nagsasaka sa pamamaraang hindi nakakasira ng lupain, 5) Ang sukat ng nasasakupang lugar ay hindi hihigit sa itinakda ng UPLB, [at] 6) Kinakailangang lumagda sa isang kasunduan ng paninirahan sa Unibersidad.”

May kopya ng kasunduan si Onico. Katunayan ito ng kanilang paninirahan sa lugar. Matagal na nilang ipinaglalaban ang pananatili roon. “Noong 1978-82, nabuksan ang kaso at muli kaming nagkaharap ng pamantasan ngunit sa kabutihang palad, sa paghaharap naming sa tanggapan ni gobernador ng Quezon, nanalo ako… Hindi ko akalain na [ang] mga departamento ng pamahalaan ay sa akin pumanig. Kaya nakabalik kami dito sa Makiling.

“Ng 1982-84, muli kaming nagkaroon ng usapin ng pamantasan at ng dumating ang panahon, at talaga siguro, adya na rin ng Panginoong Diyos, na hindi na nila kami mapapaalis.”

Tinulungan sila ng Chancellor noon na maipaglaban ang lupain.

“Naging Chancellor si Ruben Aspiras, isang may pananaw sa mahihirap. At ng 1992-93 nagkaharap kami ni Chancellor at iminungkahi nya sa aking magkaroon ng mga samahan sa pamamagitan ng pag-oorganisa ng bawat barrio na may nagsasaka sa Makiling… Matapos ma-organisa, inumpisahan naming ang pagtatayo ng pamunuan. Ipinarehistro namin sa Security System Commission. Simula noon, matapos ang panunungkulan ni Aspiras, humalili si Ruben Villareal.” Hindi kapareho ng pananaw ng dating Chancellor si Villareal kaya’t muli ay nahirapan ang mga magsasaka.

“Noong panahon ni Ruben Villareal na nagkakainitan, nagkaroon kami ng demonstrasyon– rally– sinuportahan kami ng mga estudyante ng pamantasan. Apatnapu’t walong oras, hindi kami iniwan ng mga estudyante hanggang sa naibagsak namin si Villareal… Si [Dr. Francisco] Peñalba, Vice Chancellor ni Villareal, sa amin pumanig… sa magsasaka pumanig.”

Sa ngayon ay may bagong kinakaharap ang mga magsasaka—sina Meris at Dumlao, at ang MCME. Ang malaking katanungan, ani ni Onico, paano nakapagpatitulo?

Mensahe kay Chancy Ang mga magsasakang nakatira sa Makiling ay naniniwala na totoo si Mariang Makiling. Kapag mabuti sila, sila ay pagpapalain. Kapag may ginawa silang masama, sila ay parurusahan. Sa kasalukuyan ay nakakaranas ng pang-aabuso ang bundok at ang mga tagapangalaga nito.

Sa panayam kay Onico ay may mensahe siya sa bagong Chancellor: “Ako’y nakikiusap at nagmumungkahi sa kagalang galang na Chancellor na magpatawag ng official na pulong upang mapagusapan ang saligang batas ng pamantasan, upang kung ano man ang mga hakbang na isasagawa ng dalawang panig ay nasa legal, pag-uusapan ng walang personal.

“Kinakailanga’y ang mga pamunuan ng bawat samahan, mga nagsasaka ng Makiling at tanggapan ng Chancellor ay magkaroon ng paghaharap tungkol sa saligang batas ng pamantasan at tuloy malinawan kung papano nakapagpatitulo ang dalawang tao na si Meris at Dumlao samanatalang hindi pa napapag-usapan ang saligang batas, na nagsasaad na hindi maaaring pumosisyon ang sinumang tao hanggat hindi pa napapag-usapan ang saligang batas.”

[P]

UPLB PERSPECTIVE

LATHALAIN

OKTUBRE 6, 2016

kuro-kuro sa pagtuturo SALITA l MONICA LABOY

Ang unibersidad, o ang klasrum ay maituturing ng marami na isang larangan ng palitan ng kaalaman sa pagitan ng guro at mga mag-aaral.

Kung naghahanap ka ng lugar kung saan makatatagpo ka ng iba’t ibang klase ng mga tao, pumunta ka sa isang klasrum. Sa bilang pa lamang ng mga mag-aaral ay tiyak makahahanap ka ng mga tao na may iba’t ibang katangian, kaugalian, pilosopiya, kultura, at marami pang iba. Hindi rin naman mahirap makita ang tao sa silid na nakatayo sa harap ng pisara, sa gitna ng klasrum, ang guro. Sa aliwalas ng ngiti o matikas na tindig palang ay halatang nag-uumapaw na sa kasabikang magbahagi ng kaalaman sa mga mag-aaral. Kaakibat nito ay ang malugod ding pagtanggap ng guro sa nais ibahagi ng mga mag-aaral. Sa kunot ng noo ay halatang may mga kinahaharap na problema rin, pero nagpapatuloy pa rin sa pagtuturo. Nawawalan ng sapat na oras para sa sarili, sa buhay maliban sa pagiging guro dahil sa tawag ng tungkulin, dahil kailangan sila ng mga mag-aaral.

Guro kasama ang mga manggagawa Ang edukasyon ay hindi natatapos sa loob ng unibersidad, sa labas ay nagpapatuloy iyan kasama ang iba’t ibang mga tao.

Noong nakaraang taon, ang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas ay nananatiling ika-70 sa ranggo ng mga unibersidad sa Asya. Hindi lamang ang administrasyon ang dapat nagbubunyi para sa tagumpay na ito. Nariyan ang mga guro na walang sawang nagbabahagi ng kaalaman at nagbibigay ng gabay sa pagtahak sa landas ng mga magaaral. Bukod sa mga guro, nariyan ang iba’t ibang manggagawa ng unibersidad— ang mga Non-Government Workers (NGW’s), na silang nag-aambag din sa mga naaabot na tagumpay ng unibersidad.

Kahit ang gawain ng isang NGW ay kakambal ng akademya; sila ay kinokontrata para gawin ang isang partikular na tungkulin sa loob ng maikling panahon, kadalasan ay hindi sosobra sa limang buwan. Ano nga ba ang masama kung manatiling kontraktuwal ang isang manggagawa?

Ang unang limang buwan ng isang manggagawa ay ang panahon ng probasyon kung saan dapat tiyakin ng boss kung tatanggapin ba siya bilang regular. Sa halip na ito ang nangyayari, ang mga manggagawa ay papalitan bago matapos ang ikaanim na buwan, o kaya’y mananatili sa trabaho ngunit mananatiling kontraktuwal. Alin man sa dalawang sitwasyon ang mangyari sa isang manggagawa, hindi siya makatatanggap ng regular na sahod at ibang mga pribilehiyo na nakapaloob sa Labor Code ng Pilipinas.

Isa ang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas sa mga unibersidad na nangongontrata ng mga NGW na tumatagal ng higit sa limang taon— minsan ay dalawampung taon pa. At ang All UP Employees Union – UPLB Chapter ay kontra sa kontraktuwalisasyong nagaganap sa loob ng UP dahil ito ay lumalabag sa karapatan sa seguridad ng trabaho ng mga tao.

Ang mga NGW’s ngayon ay maaaring mga mag-aaral din noon sa paaralan. Maaaring elementarya, hayskul, o kolehiyo ang kanilang inabot, pero ang pangako ng mabuting buhay na hatid ng edukasyon ay hindi nila natamo. Ang mga NGW’s ay tulad din ng mga mag-aaral ngayon na may nilatag na landas para sa kanila; pawang hindi makabukas ng ibang landas dahil sa represibong sistema na nagbibigay prayoridad sa pagsisilbi sa mga dayuhan, sa ibang bayan bago pa ang kapwa, ang sariling bayan. Ang mga NGW’s na bahagi rin ng edukasyon, ng lipunan ay nanganganib pa rin ang kabuhayan at kasabay nito ay pati na rin ang takbo ng buhay ng guro, mag-aaral, at bawat kasapi ng lipunan.

“

Guro sa sistema ng edukasyon Lingid man sa marami, ang mga guro at manggagawa ng ating unibersidad ay mayroon ding mga problemang kinahaharap. Lingid dahil hindi nila maihayag nang sapat. Tungkulin muna. Nabubuhos ang oras sa paggawa hanggang sa mapagod at pansamantalang makalimot sa kanilang mga problema kaya hindi na nila maipaalam. Maihayag man ay panay pahiwatig na lang dahil may kailangan pa silang gawin. Ito ang naging takbo ng buhay trabaho.

May mga pagkakataong nakokompromiso ng tungkulin ang sariling pangangailangan ng mga guro bilang mga tao; nagagamit ang suweldong pinaghirapan para punan ang kakulangan ng mga materyales at mga kagamitang galing sa unibersidad, para makapagturo nang maayos. Magtuturo kahit may mga problema na sa kalooban.

Magtuturo nang magtuturo hanggang sa bumigay ang isipan, hanggang sa sumunod namang bumigay ang katawan. Ito ang tanging pagkakataon para makapagpahinga.

Hindi muna puwedeng makadama ng sakit at hirap habang nagtuturo dahil kailangan sila ng mga mag-aaral.

Pasan ng mga guro ang bigat ng pagtuturo. Darating sila sa klasrum at inaaasahan ng mga mag-aaral na mayroon na silang ituturo. Ang mga mag-aaral ay hindi alam kung anu-ano ang mga gusto nilang matutunan, pinauubaya na lang sa mga guro.

Ganito ang hinubog ng sistema ng edukasyon ang mga guro at mga mag-aaral.

Hirap sila, ngunit madalas ay tinatanggap na lang nila ang bigat dahil mahal nila ang pagtuturo, mahal nila ang mga mag-aaral.

Guro kasama ang mga mag-aaral Sa loob ng klasrum, nasa harap ng pisara ang guro, nasa gitna ng klasrum. Nag-iisa.

Ang inatas na trabaho ng mga guro ay magturo sa loob ng klasrum pero malawak ang pamantasan; may buhay sa labas ng klasrum.

Pare-parehong nag-aaral at natututo ang mga guro at mga mag-aaral mula sa isa’t isa. Magkakasama. Ganito sana ang pagtuturo. Walang iisang bida, lahat ay bida. Ganito sana. Ang kaalaman ay binubuo nang magkakasama; hindi tapos na at ilalatag na lang na labag naman sa kagustuhan ng isa’t isa. Nagtuturo para ang mga mag-aaral ay maging produkto o serbisyo para sa iba.

Madalas, ang mga mag-aaral ang naghahayag tungkol sa mga represibong problemang kinakaharap nila na nagbabanta sa kanilang mga karapatang pangedukasyon dahil ang mga guro ay nakatali sa kaligtasan ng kanilang trabaho. Ang mga mag-aaral na nasa gilid, nakasandal sa pader, o nakaharap lang sa pisara, at nakatitig sa guro habang nasa loob ng klasrum ay nasa harap at gitna pagkalabas ng klasrum. Ipinaglalaban ang kanilang mga karapatan kasama na rin ang karapatan ng kanilang mga guro at ng kanilang kapwa; magkakaugnay ang mga problema ng isa’t isa. Magkakasama. Isa ito sa mga katuparan ng pagtuturo ng mga guro sa mga mag-aaral na maging mga tao. [P]

Hindi muna puwedeng makadama ng sakit at hirap habang nagtuturo dahil kailangan sila ng mga mag-aaral.

9

“

10

UPLB PERSPECTIVE

OPINYON

OKTUBRE 6, 2016

KWENTONG FRESHIE Freshman year was interesting to say the least. I remember entering the University and taking in everything – the sights, the sounds, the people, the atmosphere. There are too many experiences for me to recount and it would take far too long to recall everything and write them down. But I do have arc words: things that can summarize what I’ve felt all throughout my first year in the University of the Philippines.

Wonder. UP is huge, and I haven’t even explored everything yet. I’ve been to the campus a few times in my high school years, but even until now as a second-year student I’m still amazed.

Imagine a fresh graduate from a smalltown school getting dropped off at a campus as big as UPLB’s. Strange.

I may get flak for this, but I felt that freshman year was easy. Or maybe I’ve just forgotten how it felt. It wasn’t easy in the sense that I feel that I am smarter than most – I actually feel more like a normal student here. It was easy because it wasn’t as stressful. Coupled by the fact that I didn’t get any core courses during

Musings of a student WORDS l JANINE MICHAELLA CAAYAO

first-year – with the sole exception of FIL 20, which was difficult for me, and others such as ENG 1 and SPCM 1 but those are also GE courses – I feel that I had it easy.

It felt strange to be taking classes with so many people as well. As an outsider, I thought that UP students were incredibly smart. Now as a UP student, I don’t feel anything different. Not that that implies that I think we’re not intelligent at all, but only that I’ve learned that we’re all just normal people trying to get by and graduate.

Speaking of GE courses, I was incredibly happy when I found out that in college, I could pick and choose a few courses outside of my core degree courses and majors. There were so many on the list when I had to pass my preferred courses when I first enrolled.

And now, thinking about the proposed GE reforms and how they plan to reduce the required units, it disappoints me greatly. I was already sad when I saw how few the courses were in the Arts and Humanities cluster, and then I heard that HUM 2 and quite a few other courses would be slashed, hacked off,

and sewn together. I was shocked, and incredibly grateful that I got to take it no matter how time-consuming it was.

I love the arts, and it will be hard to say good-bye.

But now it makes me wonder why.

The GE courses were a refreshing change of pace in a world of literature and speeches as a Communication Arts student. It opened up a bunch of horizons and gave me knowledge about things I found interesting, such as gender and sexuality in SOSC 3. Weren’t they supposed to make us well-rounded members of society? Aren’t we supposed to learn things other than what our courses prescribed, so that we wouldn’t be stuck in one place once we left for the world beyond the campus? And besides that, it seems like we’re being tailored to become specialists in our fields, not that specialization in itself is a bad thing – it just has implications that we’re being primed for a single field, maybe found in other countries. It seems contradictory to its original purpose to reduce the number of units required just because K-12 is just around the corner, being slowly

na parte lamang ng Patungan, at hindi ang kabuuan nito. Natutong lumaban at sumabay sa tunggalian ang mga maralitang nais lamang mabuhay nang mapayapa.

Simula nang pumutok ang isyu sa lupa, kabi-kabilang paglabag sa karapatang pantao ang naranasan ng mga tao sa baryo. Dito rin nagsulputan ang gawa-gawang kaso laban sa mga taga Patungan. Si Lorenzo Obrado at William Castillano ay iligal na hinuli sa kanilang tahanan. Sila ay kasalukuyang nakakulong sa Cavite Provincial Jail. Pinaratangan sila ng kaso na illegal possession of firearms and explosives. Sa kaso ni Obrado, may natagpuang bomba at baril sa loob ng bahay ng kanyang anak na isang ilaw ng tahanan. Kung susuriin, maaring tanim na bala at granada lamang ito dahil hindi sa kanyang sariling panirikan ito natagpuan.

Ayon sa pamilya, nagpahayag daw ng pagsalungat ang mga nabanggit sa kaso ng demolisyon. Kung tiitingnan, talaga namang planado at gawa-gawa ang kaso para sa mga taong may diwa ng paglaban sa nakakaangat na may kapangyarihan. Dito rin mababatid ang pakikipagtulungan ng elemento ng gobyerno sa mga taong nakakaangat sa lipunan. Ang militar at kapulisan na siyang dapat katuwang ng mga mamamayan upang maiwasan ang karahasan ay ang mismong nagpapalaganap nito. Dagdag pa, mayroong presensya ng kapulisan na naka-kampo sa lugar. Sila ay nagsisilbing bantay sa lugar na nagpapasya kung sino ang pwede at hindi pwedeng makapasok. Hinaharangan nila ang daan

SALITA l CZARINA JOY AREVALO DIBUHO l JUVELLE VILLANUEVA kaya mas pinipili ng iba na magbangka na lamang upang makarating sa Patungan.

Katakut-takot na batuhan. Katakuttakot na sunugan. Nariyan din ang hindi pagpahintulot ng militar at kapulisan sa patay na ihatid sa huling hantungan nito.

Ang armadong pwersa na nagsisilbing bantay sa daan ay hindi pinayagan ang paglibing sa patay. Ito ay mauugat muli sa demolisyon na magaganap kung kaya walang saysay daw ang paglalagak ng labi sa libingan sa Patungan dahil aalis at aalis din naman ang mga residente roon.

Ang daan ay sinilyaban ng mga gwardiya, sunog na goma ang kanilang sandata.

Inabot muna ng araw, katakut-takot na batuhan at girian bago naihimlay ang labi sa huling hantungan.

Nagkabatuhan. Nagkasakitan. Sa araw ng demolisyon noong Setyembre 22, nagpaputok at nagratrat ang grupo ng demolisyon. Dagdag pa, tear gas ay ginamit na tila wala sa konsepto ng mga militar at kapulisan ang pagiging tao. Nakakalungkot pa ay maging ang mga inosenteng bata ay naging saksi sa karahasan ng demolisyon, maging ang tirador nilang laruan ay nagsilbing sandata nila.

Itong mga batang ito ang parehong taong nagkaroon ng banta sa kanilang edukasyon. Ang banta ng demolisyon ay banta sa pagkawala ng paaralang elementarya at sekundarya sa Patungan, banta sa kanilang karapatan sa edukasyon. Sa katunayan, ang mga magaaral na ika-11 at 12 na antas na kabilang sa K-12 kurikulum ay dumadayo pa sa bayan ng Tarnate upang mag-aral.

dragged out of the shadows. But that’s beside the point.

Fear. I was afraid of failing. I nearly cried a few times I failed a few heavy quizzes. I was afraid of exploring on my own because I didn’t know if I was doing things correctly. I was afraid of getting lost because the campus was huge. I was afraid of embarrassing myself before I realized that people most probably don’t care. College was scary. It still is.

Uncertain. Nobody knew for sure how everything would play out. I was incredibly clueless about everything and I was afraid to ask.

Maybe it’s because I was afraid that I’d be laughed at or become an object of frustration because I was only supposed to memorize, and left to fend for myself when it came to actually understanding? At least that’s what I felt when I was an elementary and high school student. Shut up and listen, I guess. “Do you have any questions?” and “Did you understand the lesson?” became filler sentences and stock phrases. A hollow imitation of supposed rapport. And whenever

we did ask, sometimes it left us more confused than we were before.

You could say that it could be felt the most in large lecture classes. Imagine a room with a hundred students or more, all listening to a teacher in the front of the room only facilitated by a microphone – that sometimes didn’t even work, or muffled their voices. How could you ask something in such a scenario? All eyes on you, and you could be ridiculed or laughed at. And even if you could ask during consultation hours, it can’t ever capture all of the questions on your mind at the very moment. You might even forget to ask. I know I did. I just felt around and read.

I’m much happier with the small classes because it gives a lot more room for different teaching and learning styles.

And besides, I can hear the teacher clearly now even if I were seated at the back. We actually connect. I now have a professor or two that knows most, if not all of the classes’ nicknames.

Freshman year seemed daunting, but I somehow survived, and here I am now.

[P]

Kung iisipin, bawat sektor ng mamamayan ay biktima ng kinakaharap na problema ng Patungan. Nariyan ang mga magsasaka at mangingisdang mawawalan ng hanap-buhay sakaling lumipat sila sa relocation site na malayo sa pinagkukunan nila ng kabuhayan. Sila rin ang mga amang nagpapaaral sa kanilang mga anak na may kinakaharap na banta sa edukasyon. Nariyan ang pagkait sa batayang karapatan ng mga kababaihan.

Nariyan ang karahasang dulot ng mga armadong grupo ni Virata at Sy. Angtanong,nasaannaanggobyerno?

Nang-iwan. Tila ba gustong mabura na ng lokal na pamahalaan ang Patungan.

kaso ang mga tao sa Patungan. Tila ba walang pagtanggap at pagkalinga sa mga mamamayan nito. Maging ang kapitan ng barangay ay nilisan na ang kanyang komunidad. Iniwan niya ang kapwa niya sa panahon kung kelan siya mas kinakailangan. Ang gobyerno na siyang dapat na kumikilala sa karapatan ng bawat mamamayan nito ay mas una pang sumuko sa labang patuloy pa rin magpa-hanggang sa ngayon. Baka nga ang gobyernong maituturing ay isa sa mga nangunang nagpasailalim sa mga kapitalistang mangangamkam ng lupa, “Ang mga tao, kapag nasa lilim ko’y buhay.” [P]

Tugon sa lupang panirikan NO FURY SO LOUD

Tunay namang kung anong hindi iyo ay marapat lamang na hindi iyo. Subalit, maraming may mga pansariling interes ang walang konsepto nito. Mula sa tahimik at mapayapang pamumuhay, nagising na lamang ang Patungan isang araw sa banta ng demolisyon.

Ang Barangay Sta. Mercedes, mas kilala bilang Patungan sa Maragondon, Cavite ay isang tahanan, isang paraiso para sa mga taong naninirahan dito ay kasalukuyang kinakamkam ng makapangyarihang sina Maria Theresa Virata at Henry Sy. Ayon sa mga paglalahad, ang pagpapaalis sa mga residente nito ay para sa pag-unlad ng eko-turismo sa Patungan. Ang Patungan Cove ay maliit na parte lamang ng malawak na katubigan na matatagpuan sa dalampasigan ng Maragondon, Cavite at Nasugbu, Batangas. Mayroong minahan sa nasabing lugar. Malapit sa Patungan, matatagpuan ang Pico de Loro na pagmamay-ari rin ni Henry Sy. Kung babalikan noong 2013 mula nang itinayo ang Kaybiang Tunnel, mas malawak na porma ng komersalisasyon ang naganap sa mga dalamapasigan ng Cavite at Batangas. Kaliwa’t kanang nagsulputan ang mga kabuhayang pagmamay-ari ng mayayamang kapitalista. Kaliwa’t kanan din ang pangangamkam ng lupa, kaliwa’t kanang banta ng demolisyon.

Ang banta ng demolisyon ay nagsimula noon pa mang 2013.

Sinasabing nabili ni Virata taong 2012 ang lupa ng Patungan na batay sa tala ay maliit

Masalimoot ang usad ng kaso sa gobyerno ng Cavite, kung hindi kaso sa lupa ay bababaan ng iba’t ibang

UPLB PERSPECTIVE

OPINYON

OKTUBRE 6, 2016

11

UNDER SCRUTINY A call for resolution WORDS l PAUL CHRISTIAN CARSON GRAPHICS l JUVELLE VILLANUEVA

building; and the unrivalled and unhampered entry of military and police agents in the University.

This, among all other demands that students have called for so long – encased in this year’s Student Agenda and List of General Demands (SAGD)

SKETCHPAD

“Hoy! Gising na!”

Sabi sa akin ng katabi ko sa klase.

Teka, katabi ko sa klase?

Lumingon ako sa paligid habang maraming tanong ang tumatakbo sa aking isipan: “Nasaan nanaman ako?”

“Anong nangyari sa envelope?!” “Gawa sa bakal ‘yun kaya ba’t ‘yun napunit sa ‘king panaginip?!” “Panaginip, panaginip lang ba talaga ‘yung lahat?”

Kinalimutan ko muna ang lahat ng tanong na bumabagabag sa isip ko.

Inalala ko na lamang kung saan ko nailagay ang envelope para mabasa ko na ang Part 3.

“Part 3 Nakarating ka na sa wakas dito sa pangatlong parte. Oh, eh san ka na nakarating? Ano na ang mga nakita mo? Naramdaman mo?

Congrats nga pala at sinunod mo naman ang inutos ko sa’yo na basahin ang mga papel sa tamang order. Akala ko di mo susundin ang utos.

Talagang ikaw ang Enrico na iniisip

ko. Akalain mo, nalalaman din ng time machine ko ang naiisip ng mga tao mula sa nakaraan, At oo, mula sa simula’t sapul, di ka pa nagbabago, Enrico.

Pero okay yan, sumunod ka lang nang sumunod. Nakita mo naman, tinupad ko naman ang usapan, “walang destruksyon ang mangyayari kung susundin mo ang ipinapagawa ko”.

Siguro nagtataka ka pa rin hanggang ngayon kung san galing yung mga nakita mo sa panaginip mo.

Pinagtataka mo rin kung totoo ba ‘yung mga ‘yun o hanggang panaginip lang.

Iniisip kong sabihin sayo kung oo nga ba o hindi, pero ‘wag na, see for yourself. Ayoko nga ng spoilers.

Nae-excite ka pa rin ba?

Kinakabahan ka na ba? Meron ka pa mamayang ipe-play na CD. “ Hindi ko nga alam kung anong mararamdaman ko sa nabasa ko.

Inisip ko ulit kung mali bang kinuha ko pa ‘tong envelope na ‘to. Takte, kung

submitted prior to the dialogue.

Meanwhile, the widely-condemned Student Academic Information System (SAIS) and the entire eUP projectremains; projected to be carried on for the next semesters.

Despite the uproar, the eUP Project Team called the countless cases of inconvenience and troubles with the SAIS as “birth pains”. However, the figures remain true: a study held by the UPLB University Student Council and the Rise for Education Alliance showed a 68% “very dissatisfied” rating for SAIS. While almost a thousand students trooped to the Main Library on August 3 in hopes that the administration settle this issue and give immediate action on the matter, not much was really delivered.

In spite of the students’ clear calls to junk SAIS, what the administration – represented only by the University Registrar – offered were mere extensions. Sadly, it was not a clear and specific response to the SAIS and eUP. More than a month later, the stigma of August 8 remained. Last September 22, the Main Library looked like a sorry semblance of a barricade, stemming from the glass door of months ago – that, according to eyewitness reports, broke from the University Police’ resistance.

Yet again, concerns were raised by the University Student Council and this publication to no avail. Various considerations were sought to the thousands that were given none.

Organization’s tambayans were in the mercy of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development’s approval. The studentcrafted organization recognition guidelines faced no approval whatsoever, and the administration expressed only a willingness to craft new guidelines with the studentcrafted guidelines – applicable for the next school year.

The Student Union Building, which, according to the administration, shall be replaced by a student center, was also discussed; to which the administration said that they “will make the most of (the building)” until the new one is constructed. The administrators cited an expansion of the University services as the cause for the construction of the new student center.

Meanwhile, the curfew remains; which ironically gave students away to the dangers in nearby communities. As the university remains safe after curfew hours, those with events and activities that ran past 10 in the evening were forced out of the campus.

As with student centers, the administration should tell its police force to not whisk away students in campus facilities on curfew hours; as the university’s safe grounds remain the students’ solace.

Addressing the cases of military presence in the campus in past weeks, the administration argues that they can only be allowed for academic purposes – a statement that offends academic freedom, and a clause not found under University accords with the Department of National Defense and with the League of Filipino Students and former University President Jose V. Abueva.

In light of these answers, we ask: what keeps the administration from giving in to the demands of its most notable stakeholders? Moreover, what keeps the Chancellor – who is mandated to serve the University’s stakeholders – from attending to the needs of its largest ones?

The repeated absence of Chancellor Sanchez from these dialogues may promote fears that the administration cares less for its students and its constituents. We, students, raised issues as they were urgent and pressing, yet (again) were met with no clear resolution.

With this, it leaves to be said that as long as the administration delivers solutions to its stakeholders’ complaints, the protests will continue. We students know better: we are clearly experiencing the results of administration policies on our lives as students in the University.

As students speak up more about irresolute policies inside and outside the University, the hope is that future dialogues and experiences shall not be met with another “yet again”. [P]

Basahin mo Ito IV: Pagbabago?

SALITA l VICENTE MORANO III hindi ko sana kinuha ‘to eh siguro andun pa rin ako sa klase ni Ginang Concordia. ‘Di ko pa alam kung dropped ba ako sa klase o sinko ‘yung ibinigay nya.

Pero ginusto ko ang tinahak ko.

Nararamdaman ko mang malaki ang responsibilidad ko dahil sa envelope na ‘to, alam ko dapat na may matututunan din ako sa labas ng klase.

Naeexcite na ko kung anong laman ng CD. Ano kayang nasa year 3000? Pano kaya kung meron nang mga lumilipad na kotse? O di kaya baka meron nang hoverboard o mga android na kasalamuha rin ng mga tao. Grabe, ano kaya ang nasa 3000!?!

Iniisip ko kung saan ko pwedeng i-play ‘tong CD. Sa library? Eh sobrang lamig dun saka baka may makakita pa sa bubuksan ko. Sa computer shop kaya? Eh baka wala nang CD player mga computer nila..

Bakit ko nga ba pinoproblema ‘to,

eh may laptop naman ako sa dorm.

Galing talaga ng mga problema ko.

Pagdating ko sa dorm ay wala ang mga room mate ko. Perfect timing, ako lang makakakita sa kung ano ang nasa CD. Dali-dali kong ipinasok ang CD sa laptop. Nag-autoplay ang CD. Wala. Walang kakaiba sa year 3000. Anong klaseng future ang

“

Pero ginusto ko ang tinahak ko.

Nararamdaman ko mang malaki ang responsibilidad ko dahil sa envelope na ‘to, alam ko dapat na may matututunan din ako sa labas ng klase.

meron?! Bakit ganoon? Hanggang sa future paborito pa rin ng mga tao ang Jollibee. Hanggang sa future may tuition fee pa rin sa UP. Grabe, akala ko naman totoong time machine na ‘yung nagawa ng future na ako. Eh ba’t sa dun sa video ganun pa rin yung itsura ng Pilipinas?

At dahil nacurious pa ako sa kung anong pupwede pang laman ng envelope, kinalkal ko ito at may nakita pa akong isang maliit na papel na tila iba kumpara dun sa mga una kong nakita. Para syang sticky note.

Inisip ko tuloy baka may naglagay lang nito rito, pero binasa ko pa rin.

Napaisip ako sa nakasulat dito.

At dito ko napagtanto kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng buong envelope na ‘to.

“Oo, mula to sa year 3000. At oo walang nagbago sa sistema - sa Pilipinas. Anong ipinagtataka mo?

Ano bang ginawa mo para baguhin ito?” [P]

“

Much can be said about the student walkout last September 22.

Yet again, almost a thousand students went beyond the classroom – calling for immediate resolution on various issues.

Students from all walks of life and experience walked out in defense of their tambayans and in support of the student-crafted organization registration scheme; against the continued entry of business opportunities in the Student Union

DETERMINATION RATE Illustrated by: MAC