tWS 2019-2020 17th Issue

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TOWARDS A PROGRESSIVE CAMPUS PRESS VOL. XCI NO.18 | FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2020

theweeklysillimanian.com

ONE SILLIMAN. Standard Bearers of the two political parties of the university expressed acts of unity and friendship, right after the SUSG Election Forum held at the SU Hall, last March 2. Photo by Francis Ryan Pabiania.

CAUSE and SURE meet at Election Forum,

Vital Issues Discussed

by Jean Aldemer Salgados, Ian Zane Esparaga, & Agustin Vicente Bas

CANDIDATES RUNNING for College Representatives of Concerted Action for the Upliftment of Students' Endeavors (CAUSE) and Students' Union for Reforms Party (SURE) participated in the Election Forum organized by SUSG COMELEC and students from the School of Public Affairs and Governance with the help of the Weekly Sillimanian (TWS) last March 2, held at the SU Hall.

The Election Forum was divided into three rounds. After the three rounds, the Standard Bearers are given a chance to provide a closing remarks. However, they are not allowed to campaign for themselves or for their party.

During the first round, the candidates were given "YES" and "NO" cards to answer the questions concerning different issues on SU. Some of the questions were talking about: mandatory Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) for college students, installation of CCTV cameras to all dormitories, safe-spaces inside Silliman Univeristy (SU), increase of wage for the Silliman University Faculty Association (SUFA), and more.

In the question, "Are you in favor of mandatory ROTC?" all of the college representatives in both

parties raised their "NO", except for the IRS Representative coming from the CAUSE Party. Majority of the representatives of both parties answered "YES" to increasing SUFA's wage, relocating the SU Clinic to a more accessible location, a free on-campus transportation, and reviving the Silliman Net Radio.

However, in regards to the effectiveness of the Grievance Toolkit of the current Student Government, the two parties have opposite claims. Most of the SURE Party representatives raised "NO", while most of the CAUSE Party representatives raised "YES".

In the second round, each party was given 5 seconds to choose a college representative, then the representative was only allowed to answer the moderated questions within 2 minutes, and a rebuttal from the other party was permitted.

The moderated questions were talking about: amending the Silliman University Student Government (SUSG) constitution without interference, the biggest problems in their respective colleges and how would they address them, their stand regarding the Collective Bargain Agreement between the SU Admin and the SUFA, involving the students into the decision-making process of the Student Government, and the rising demand for study spaces inside the campus.

The third and final round was an

INSIDE THIS ISSUE twsfeatures twsopinion Sacred Process i love icls Pinoy Baiting at its "Finest" creative steals Cure the Infected Dream taguro bimby Of love and leap years

Token of Appreciation

open forum with questions that were coming from the live audience of the Election Forum. The live audience consists of the people inside SU Hall and those that were watching the live stream online on TWS's Facebook page.

The questions raised during the open forum talked about the mandatory ROTC for the college students, SUFA's demand on increase of wage, SUSG's Grievance Toolkit, monopoly of the SU Cafeteria, Silliman Net Radio, making sure that the Kiosks stay in SU, and the discrimination that the international students are experiencing due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

During the two parties' closing remarks, SURE Party Presidentiable Seth Regine Serdan, thanked everyone who made the event possible. Afterward, she appealed to the student body to exercise their right to vote. "You need to choose the leader that will never compromise your needs," Serdan said.

The CAUSE Party Presidentiable Jose Paolo Echavez, on the other hand, highlighted three points during his speech. First, their party knows the current issues that are going on in school. Next, they know what to do, and they have concrete steps regarding resolving the issues. Finally, they are doing their very best to represent every single student at SU. SUSG President Aprille Juanillo

Dreams Made Manifest: Rent EDSA I: When People Fought and Won

twsnews

SU ROTC Unit achieves superior rating in RAATI 2019-2020 SUSG President attends Int’l Youth Assembly

twsbackpage

SILLIMAN CROSSWORD DIFFICULTY: HARD

COMIC: Adorable Home

SUMSA, MTSOC spearhead Blood Drive Event SU to push through the honor’s day

twsspecial

SUSG ELECTIONS 2020 LIST OF CANDIDATES

questioned each party on their specific strategies and measures in forwarding the concerns of the students in the current bureaucratic system of SU. A follow-up question was then asked by SUSG VicePresident Rhyn Esolana specifying further as to how the candidates can lobby student concerns despite the disparity between the students and the school's administration.

During the Facebook Live of TWS, questions coming from the live viewers were also raised. Some of the questions were talking about the mandatory ROTC, leftists, and activists in SU, being a partisan despite being elected as an officer of the SUSG, proper implementation of the zero-waste policy of SU, and more.

On March 6, the COMELEC will hold a Miting de Avance, which will be held at the amphitheater. The Miting de Avance will discuss topics regarding the different platforms and strategies of the two parties and their Standard Bearers. It will be moderated by Raffy Cabristante, the News Editor of 106.3 Yes! The Best Dumaguete. He is also a graduate of the College of Mass Communication at Silliman University.

TWS will hold a live coverage of the Miting De Avance on March 6.

It will be available on their Facebook Page and Twitter account.

Faculty bags 2 golds, hailed as 1st runner-up

by Ian Zane Esparaga

ASST. PROF. MANOLITO Saldivar bagged two golds and was hailed as the overall 1st runner-up in the Asia Pacific Art Festival with the theme “Youth Friendship for Peace.” The competition was held in Malacca, Malaysia last February 22.

In last year’s edition, Saldivar applied for the competition and was qualified on the grounds based on his performance as a semifinalist in the Pilipinas Got Talent Season 1. He won two gold medals and became the first runner-up in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. His performance gave him an automatic qualification for this year’s event.

This year, Saldivar garnered two golds in the opera and sacred category. In the opera classification, he competed against a hundred music competitors including instrumentalists and pianists and reached the top 5. The top 5 performed once again and Saldivar was hailed as the overall 1st runner-up.

“I can help promote all that is true and good about our country through my music and showcase Philippine talent to the world,” Saldivar said.

According to him, there was no cash prize in the competition Continued on page 6

FineArts Students showcase their exhibit

by Hannah Patricia Abril

SENIOR FINEARTS (FA) students showcase their artworks at the semestral art exhibit, last Feb. 28 at the Ariniego Art Gallery.

The exhibit features the artworks of graduating FA students as a part of the culmination time of their program and other works from the lower levels as well.

According to Prof. W Don Flores from the College of Performing and Visual Arts, the exhibit is the result of the seniors’ year-long thesis.

One of the graduating students, Anch Montecalvo, focuses on the issue of overconsumption of clothes, utilizing second-hand garments from donations and ukay-ukay.

“In my thesis [I talked] about the over-consumption of clothes, like why people always disregard or discard clothes even though it is still useful. So that is what I’m trying to communicate with my viewers,” said Montecalvo. “It is part of my work and statement that we should practice sustainability.”

Ysiniah Barte, another FA senior student, showcased her thesis art through the use of books, it was said that an average of 70 secondhand books was utilized.

“It’s about text and texture and how do we really read a book.

How we experience text in a lot of different ways.” Barte stated.

Continued on page 6

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the weekly sillimanian March 6, 2020

Pinoy Baiting at its “Finest”

EDITORIAL

Sacred Process Democracy is a system of government in which the common people hold political power and can rule either directly or with representatives.

The essence of power derived from the masses has always been a struggle for the Sillimanian environment. Where neophyte candidates are met with established students in a popularity poll that is participated by roughly a third of the population. The yearly charge of overseeing the election season falls to select individuals who are equally experienced or new to the scene. tWS urges the students of Silliman University to exercise their rights to vote, to choose the candidate that will bring about the change they want to see. We urge the students to vote according to personal choice and not because of loyalty nor popularity.

This election season, we must shy away from the idea of “vote straight.”

This eliminates many of the choices an individual can make when choosing for their candidates. We mustn't follow blindly but rather we must look to the candidate and the principles that they stand for and the ideals that they fight for. There are a lot of promising candidates this time around, and our duty is to be observant and critical about our thought process in determining if their platforms will truly benefit the school.

Therefore we must take a brief period to reflect on the promises and platforms the candidates have put on the table before making the decision.

Once the voter has a firm choice, almost no external factors can change that decision. In the end, a candidate’s ability to follow through with their promises will be the reward of the voters who chose them. If a candidate doesn’t fulfill their platforms then that is on the voters for choosing poorly. tWS bids the running candidate’s good luck this election. For the students, tWS believes that we must vote not simply for a person, but for a principle wherein all Sillimanians can benefit.

Ever seen a video from YouTube where foreigners include Filipino related content? Well, this era is the digital age where everyone’s lives revolve around the online community.

People love to watch videos of any content for entertainment purposes, but there are times when we see a video recommendation from YouTube, where a foreigner reacts to Filipino food, music, places, and others. M.A. Buendia, a vlogger and a content creator, addressed in his tweeter account the existence of Pinoy Baiting.

It was him who coined this term last January, and it gained a lot of reaction among the Filipinos.

Buendia said, “it is a marketing strategy used by creators to attract Filipino audience & fans. Foreign YouTubers and their exaggerated reaction videos to our singers, series, TV shows and films involving the Philippines in their plotline. It’s effective coz our thirst for global validation is real.”

Even a foreign YouTuber made a video regarding the existence of Pinoy baiting. In reality, Filipinos stand proud

"To finish college." That's every single college student's dream. May it be with flying colors, or for some, no colors at all, the dream stays the same. Students have fought, struggled, and survived long enough so that they could hear their names announced while slowly walking up on stage wearing their black togas. But what happens if, after those sacrifices, the dream of graduating would arrive late only because of an outbreak that the school didn't expect?

That's right. That is what's happening at Silliman University (SU) right now.

A faculty member from the College of Arts and Sciences stated that the Commission on Higher Education has already set the first week of March as the deadline for the final grades of

the graduating students. That's not a problem at all, as graduating students are to submit requirements earlier than those non-graduating students so that the school could immediately have the final list of graduating students.

But then COVID-19 came. No one in Silliman expected it to become a massive threat in the school. At first, I couldn't even believe that of all places in the Philippines, Dumaguete City was one of the primary destinations of the infected Chinese tourists. I mean, this small city? Right?

Things in school escalated, and it resulted in an almost 2-week no work and class situation inside Silliman University. I have nothing against it. I even wish to applaud Silliman for all the precautionary and safety measures that it is doing to ensure the safety of everyone on the campus.

But for the graduating students, a week of class and work suspension could also mean a week of delay for their submission of requirements. A student from a huge college department even told me that their teachers didn't give them an amount of consideration due to the outbreak incident. Instead, the idea of graduating by summer was handed as a response.

Understandably, a requirement is a requirement (this goes to both teachers and students.) But the class suspension wasn't anyone involved's fault. Yes, the students could have finished everything

The start of 2020 was inarguably awful. Disasters and calamities wreaked havoc worldwide. Volcanic eruptions, the Australian bush fires, flash floods in Indonesia, heavy snows in Pakistan, the imminent threat of World War 3, and the JaDine breakup. Yes, you read that right, the JaDine breakup. It is easy to get lost in a sea of pessimism with these kinds of events, but February may mark the end of terror hopefully. Why? Because it’s the month of love! And for a bonus, it’s a leap year!

February ends in a few days, and as we move on to the next month, some may notice that there is an extra day in our calendars. That’s right; this year is a “leap year.” A leap year has 366 days compared to the 365 days of an ordinary year. We add a leap day on February 29.

The Earth takes precisely 365.24 days to orbit the sun. This explains the leap day, which must be added every four years to keep us in sync with the cosmic clock.

February 29 may be crazy as it is confusing for its birthday celebrants called “leaplings” that comprise 1/1,461 of the population. But nothing could

be more insane than the idea that during the early 1900s, women were using the Leap Day to propose to the men of their lives called the Bachelor’s Day or Sadie Hawkin’s Day. So to my crush who is probably reading this, beke nemen. What even is perhaps the craziest celebrated thing during February is that crazy little thing called love. Yikes.

It is interesting to see that most single people, including the author of this column, comprise the majority of the population during Valentine's Day; they are alone, independent, and more than happy to show to the whole social media world their advocacy of single awareness. On the other hand, Valentine's Day is a day of sweetness for all the couples, whether legal or illegal, and, of course, the unfortunate high school couples paired during a blind date event sponsored by the Student Governments. However, the 14th is not exclusive for lovers only; it is also used to spend time with our loved ones, our families, and friends.

With a leap year only happening twice a decade, it is essential to make

Compiled by Natha Le Louise Bureros

Lower levels disrespecting of higher levels Bullying and all forms of harrasment Rhea Samantha Migullas

What questions would you want to ask to the current candidates for this year's SUSG Elections?

Is activism a valid point to take if formal complaints and dialogue are still viable means to address an issue?

Heinstein Marc Catan Amparado Regarding the SUROTC issue that has come to light recently, what can you do to ensure the safety of the students and to make sure nothing like this happens again?

Albertha Lachmi Obut Do you think that the SUSG should be or shouldn't be partisan?

Maria Mayang If you think that your platforms are essential, would you (or your party) be willing to let the majority party run the platform, in case your party only wins a few seats?

Alvin Baldoza Llagas

Editor-in-Chief Associate Editor Managing Editor News Editor Features Editor News Writers

Feature Writers

Photojournalists Cartoonists Web Manager

Jean Aldemer S. Salgados Kevin Q. Alaban Hervey Angelo F. Avenido Deogracia William Bemida Jeck G. Tirambulo Francis Ryan B. Pabiania Edan Sam G. Pancho Ian Zane T. Esparaga Hannah Patricia T. Abril Maria Fiona A. Labucuas Diamay Klem D. Balacuit Junelie Anthony Velonta Momoka Yamamoto John Macklien A. Olandag Kyle Andree C. Bolhano Natha Le Louise B. Bureros Adrian S. Limbaga Jorlene Grace A. Elgario Edwin Isaac Iñigo Nathan Angelo B. Cruz

CREATIVE STEALS Vic Bas

Rov Adonis Ricarte

Adviser Ms. Winona Jane C. Agir

The Weekly Sillimanian is published every week by the students of Silliman University, with editorial and business addresses at 1/F Oriental Hall, Silliman University, Hibbard Avenue, Dumaguete City 6200, Philippines. SU PO Box 24.

Telephone number (35) 422-6002 local 243. https://www.facebook.com/tWSilliman/ https://www.twitter.com/tWSilliman/ https://instagram.com/weeklysillimanian theweeklysillimanian.com weeklysillimanian@su.edu.ph Opinions expressed in the columns are those of the columnists and not of tWS or of Silliman University. Comments, questions, and suggestions are highly appreciated. All submitted manuscripts become the property of tWS. Manuscripts will be edited for brevity and clarity.

Member: College Editors Guild of the Philippines

I LOVE ICLS Will Bemida

watching a video trying to find out how other nationalities would see us.

Content creators knew that there is high viewership in the Philippines, for example, in some American TV shows, they inserted a Filipino reference or a Tagalog speaking guy. Then the attention and interest of Filipinos have been directed towards the show, and they start to binge-watch.

We can’t blame the marketing strategy of foreigners because people will go for ways to gain money, and as Filipinos, we are partly responsible in these situations. The choice starts with you, it’s either you choose to watch click-baiting videos or ignore them.

Cure the Infected Dream

sillimaniansspeak What recent issues should the incoming SUSG officers address next school year?

when they learned that the world is recognizing a person or product, and it’s always in the attitude of the Filipino people to feel delighted. This attitude was taken from hundreds of years of colonization and were brought up into the modern age. For the sake of gaining viewership, foreign content creators would react positively and bring the topic into a light mellow.

The big issue here is the honesty of an individual; they seemingly forced themselves to react or give positive comments. As humans, we tend to like and dislike something, and content creators would tell they like our food, but their statement lacks authenticity.

Instead, they opt to tell lies in front of the camera.

Creating a video content means a lot of money, the more views and subscribers, the higher the money.

Many people around the world made a great living by merely posting their videos on YouTube. By adding some Filipinoish words, they can click the curiosity of a Filipino, and their sense of nationalism instantly activates. It is tempting to click and spend hours

else earlier by doing their work at a much faster pace. Yes, the students could also have worked during the class suspension, but that class suspension wasn't just because of an essential national holiday, it was a virus outbreak.

How about those requirements that would require the students to have a face-to-face encounter with others?

The university even advised the students to avoid crowded places (as per SU Advisory #2). These things should be considerable cases, as it puts the students' lives at risk of being infected.

I believe that there is a much better resolution to this. Something that would make the teachers and students meet halfway. A consideration that would still make the students submit on time and not submit a rushed mediocre output. This setback is not a reason for them to give up or move slowly. It should be something that would motivate them to finish their requirements on time, especially when March graduation is right around the corner.

A teacher shouldn't be a hindrance to a student's graduation, especially if the student deserves it. Graduating is a dream that every student has, and teachers should serve as an encouragement to these students, not an obstacle—especially when graduating was also once a teacher's dream.

Of love and leap years

TAGURO BIMBY Edan Sam

the most out of it. The year is new, and many opportunities abound. Leap years are a rarity, and so much more is true love. The 29th may be just like any other day of the year, but it is also unlike nothing of them. It’s an extra 24 hour period one should embrace for all of its worth. So the next time you hear your friend wishing that they had more time, remind them that they do and not to waste it. The same goes for love.

the weekly sillimanian March 6, 2020 Photo by Francis Ryan Pabiania

Token of Appreciation

by Diamay Klem Balacuit

Dreams Made Manifest: RENT

by Nathan Angelo Cruz

Through the years, Jonathan Larson's hit Broadway musical, "Rent," has proven itself to be no ordinary play. It is no less than a cultural phenomenon that has taken the world by storm since its premiere more than two decades ago. Its legacy, as well as the one of its late creator, will live on.

The world has seen many iterations of the show. Since its Broadway premiere in 1996, it has seen a run in West End, alongside tours in North America and the United Kingdom. A movie adaptation, featuring some of the original cast members, was released in 2005.

Three years later, the final Broadway performance was filmed and released as “Rent: Filmed Live on Broadway.” Just last 2019, Fox broadcasted a partially live staging of Rent as a television special.

With the wide variety of shows that grace the Luce Auditorium year after year, it’s certainly not often that it sees the staging of such a revered Broadway musical. Directed by Miren Fernando and produced by the local Summit Theatre Productions, it undoubtedly has a lot to live up to.

Seasons of Love While Rent’s predominantly rock soundtrack is something straight out of the nineties, its story is timeless; the themes it tackles are still relevant to this very day, despite still being the very same issues two decades ago—sexually transmitted diseases, LGBTQ+, and starving artists, to name a few. Through its plot and characterizations, Rent has a lot to say and ponder upon.

It’s essentially a story about a group of bohemians (i.e., unconventional, artistic people) in New York City trying to make their way in life and love. It began on Christmas Eve—December 24th, 9 p.m.

Eastern Standard Time—where two of the main characters, filmmaker Mark Cohen (Stephen Ramirez) and musician Roger Davis (Eli Razo), struggle to keep themselves warm. The two roommates learn that they are now due the rent of the past year from their former roommate and current landlord, Benjamin “Benny” Coffin III (Jed Alerta).

As the show unfolds, the stories of the show’s colorful cast of characters begin to intertwine. We meet Mimi Marquez (E.G. Arganza), an exotic dancer and heroin junkie who lives downstairs from Mark and Roger. We meet Maureen Johnson (Jessa Cabading), a performance artist and Mark’s ex-girlfriend, as well as her current significant other, the lawyer Joanne Jefferson (Ima Castro). We meet Tom Collins (Earnest Tinambacan), an anarchistic philosophy professor, and Angel Dumott Schunard (Gino Ramirez), a drag queen who saved him after he was beaten up on Christmas Eve. At heart, these characters are all deeply flawed in their way; they are not moral paragons with a heart of gold. For one, Angel, who is usually seen as the kindest person in the group, killed Benny’s dog for money upon being introduced.

This, however, is no detriment to the play. Their fallibility as a character made them seem more like relatable people, even if their personalities may be a bit exaggerated. It makes them compelling; there's no fun in seeing a character perfect in every way beyond the novelty. Hence, it's not hard to find a favorite character to empathize with. They were all treated with enough respect and focus through their personal developments over the story. In the end, they became quite different from when they started; they’ve resolved to be more, and that’s what makes them each interesting. That said,

while they are at least interesting enough on their own, there is much joy to be had seeing the characters together as an ensemble.

Throughout the show, we see the characters interacting in ways that, for a musical, are largely organic. Just about each musical number that isn’t a solo develops their relationships with each other without feeling too contrived. By the end of the first act, it is evident just how tightly-knit the main characters are with each other. This becomes arguably one of the musical’s greatest strengths— the bonds the characters share.

And the effect of this character development is monumental for the show in landing the emotional gut-punch that is the second act.

The group the audience has come to fall in love with during the first hour or so of the show is slowly being torn apart. Mark “sells his soul” and gets a job at a news company. Roger and Mimi have a falling out, because of the latter’s drug addiction and the former’s jealousy towards Benny.

Maureen’s flirtatious tendencies lead to her and Joanne leaving each other after an ultimatum. Finally, Angel dies of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), leaving Collins, who also has it, behind. Though it's been foreshadowed, what with the characters themselves having mentioned the illness beforehand, Angel's sudden death still hits hard as it does.

Though the group goes their separate ways after this tragedy, they eventually reconvene and reconcile once Mimi falls ill too. Almost miraculously, she is seemingly revived by the voice of Angel, telling her to stay with Roger.

This ending, though slightly cheesy ties up the theme of friendship very well—that after all, they've been through, they all remained the closest of friends.

Even through death, through poverty, through distance, through illness, their friendship has flourished.

They've lived a year in a life measured not in minutes, but love. That's the true beauty of Rent.

Defying Gravity Although the show was packed with dense and mature themes, it managed to be exhilaratingly enjoyable. This much was evident in both the cast and the audience. Just about every member on stage loved what they were doing, and it was palpable in the way they performed.

Of course, it’s not hard to feel this way when listening or belting some of the most popular songs in Broadway history—a key reason for Rent’s popularity. “Seasons of Love,” the first song of the second act, has transcended the bounds of theater to become an iconic song within pop culture. The song that bookended the first act, “La Vie Boheme,” is a highoctane celebration of the unconventional pleasures in life. And when Collins began to sing in “I’ll Cover You (reprise)” after Angel’s death, emotions ran high.

These songs are done justice, as the main cast is comprised of total powerhouses of theater that draw you in almost immediately. Of particular note is Castro’s take on Joanne, whose incredible charisma was more than a fit for the character as she continually stole the stage whenever she had the opportunity to though not to the point of completely overshadowing the others as in her duet with Stephen Ramirez in “Tango: Maureen.”That’s not to discount the others, too; Stephen Ramirez as Mark is highly reminiscent of Anthony Continued on page 6

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Last month, love is celebrated.

It is a love that does not only focus on shallowness. It is a love that encompasses everything—a love that can repay one's hard work and dedication.

Working out different pieces that are accompanied by sweat and tears, and sometimes messy life, often result in great things. These become their anchor to emulate their passion.

It is the passion that burns inside their hearts in which no one can destroy. It is the love for the arts—a strong foundation for every artist to go on with their lives.

Last February was their moment to be appreciated—a moment to be loved and be valued.

Unseen no more Every person has his or her passion for doing. These are the things embedded in the depths of every heart's desire. With the competition for survival, everyone tends to choose their passion in line with what is essential to the community—but not all of them would want this. There are these people who are passionate about what motivates people to continue living—the arts.

Literature, music, performing, and visual arts color the lives of everyone.

But when someone chooses these as their passion in life, there's this different frown bestowed to them— saying that they cannot survive the realities of life if they accept these as their way of survival despite the colors that these things brought.

The negative connotation that the people bring makes every one of them be afraid of expressing what they truly love. This brings them to a stage of feeling unworthy.

Despite all of these, the odds are in their favor when the National Arts Month was declared—a celebration of appreciating their efforts in expressing their passions. The feeling of unworthiness changes to a sense of worthiness.

A Gift The gift everyone can give is love. The sharing of this gift started when the month of February was declared as National Arts Month. It was intentionally made for artists— to recognize their sweat and tears in translating their thoughts and feelings to different art forms. These are the translations that would touch every human heart through beautifying with what it seems to be bland. With this celebration, the

Dumaguete City Tourism Office created an event called Kisaw, a citywide month-long celebration of showcasing different art forms.

One of the highlights of this event is called "Biyaheng Dumaguet-Art." It is participated by the various local visual artists in which their chosen artworks are showcased by the city's main transportation, the pedicabs.

One hundred pedicabs are chosen from this to become a public art gallery.

The said art gallery is intentionally made for the commuting public to see and appreciate the works of the local visual artists' community. It was made for them—for everyone to give value to the hard work of these talented people and to eradicate those judgments that make them feel useless completely.

Appreciate before it’s late When the people gaze around, they see those different arts—ranging from the simple ones to the complex ones. Those things are what they hear, see, feel, taste, and touch. Those are the things that continue to bring colors to the lives of everyone. They made the people to always look for the bright side of everything—to cherish forever the things that express love and care.

EDSA I:

When People Fought and Won

by John Macklien Olandag

Radyo Veritas had been on-air for three days already. Their reports covered a massive solidarity between familiar and unfamiliar faces, on the wide stretch of an avenue famous now for what happened on those significant moments. The tanks rolled but its crew did not fire its turrets or their handheld weapons, but they reached out their hands as women gave them flowers in support of that peaceful revolution.

The famous Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) was crammed with hundreds of thousands of people as the song of unity filled the air. On the third day, reports circulated that the president, his family, and his loyal high officials had been evacuated to an American chopper en route to Hawaii, to ultimately seal the fate of a 21-year reign that cost lives and people’s liberty.

Kim Komenich, a Pulitzer Prizewinning photojournalist captured the moments where the masses stood strong against a powerful dictatorship together with the might of his armed forces. He gave the world a concrete picture to the world of how the unified strength in numbers can topple a

government in defense of a common liberty that was fought for by the nation’s forefathers. Former President Ferdinand E. Marcos reigned for two decades with a regime that sparked the rise of corruption and abuse of power that were practiced by high-ranking officials and uniformed personnel alike if not himself. The EDSA People Power Revolution I is the first of the two bloodless revolutions in the Philippines that pioneered a great weapon of defeating a powerful force using the power of solid numbers.

A month prior to the revolution, President Marcos called for a snap election after an American journalist, David Brinkley, dared him in support of the question of the nation’s faith in him. He proceeded to run as a president with a woman with a strong personality, a widow of Senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr., who was assassinated three years earlier allegedly backed by political rivals. She ran with a yellow ribbon pinned on her, fearless and bold as she challenged the existing dictatorship and backed the restoration of democracy.

Mrs. Corazon C. Aquino accepted the challenge to lead the nation into liberty she originally enjoyed. The results were

a split decision. The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) declared Marcos a winner but the National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) declared Aquino as the victor. The contrasting results led to a violence catalyzed by the international observers’ comment that the COMELEC did not heed the explicit provisions of the Electoral Code requiring “that the tampered or altered election returns be set aside during the final counting process, despite protests by representatives of the opposition parts.” Thorough investigations further proved the existence of election-related violence and fraud, so it came into people’s senses and the church called the nation to boycott the COMELEC’s results which already had a number of programmers walking out due to the fraud that was happening.

These events had thrown the nation into full arms to fight. Filipinos all over the country had looked at the Philippine flag and realized its cry of freedom so everyone regardless of religion, ethnicity, literacy, and Continued on page 6

gallery

SINGING A LOVE SONG. An original composition that depics a reminder to always treasure his partner, "Here Without Us" by Cris Guiller Aguillar bested nine other finalists as the champion for The Valentine Songwriting Competition 2020, held at the Luce Auditorium last Feb. 29. Photo by Adrian Limbaga.

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the weekly sillimanian March 6, 2020

SU to push through the honor’s day

by Ian Zane Esparaga

CADENCE. Cdt/Cpt Shaun Michael Mohamento 2CL leads the march of Golf Company during this year's RAATI at the Cimafranca Ballfield last Feb 22. Photo by Adrian Limbaga.

SU ROTC Unit achieves superior rating in RAATI 2019-2020

by Edan Sam Pancho

THE SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY– Reserve Officer Training Corps (SU ROTC) unit obtained a “Superior” rating and garnered an overall score of 90.98 at its Regional Annual Administrative and Tactical Inspection (RAATI) conducted by the 7th Regional Community Defense Group (7RCDG) under the Army Reserve Command (ARESCOM) of the Philippine Army held at the Filomeno Cimafranca Ballfield last February 22.

The cadets and cadet officers got 299.7 points in the Administrative Inspection.

The drill test resulted in a score of 196.42 out of 200 with 48.62 out of 50 points in the Ceremonial Parade, 49.63 points in Company Drill, and 48.62 in Rank Inspection. In the theoretical aspect test, the unit scored 203.71 out of 260.

The unit also scored 209.95 out of 240 in the Military Stakes test. This includes the Assembly and Disassembly of M16 Rifles, Military Courtesy and

Discipline, First Aid/Disaster Response and Rescue Operations, Map Reading, and Small Unit Tactics.

The overall score was 909.78, equivalent to 90.98, with an adjectival rating of S for superior. The evaluators based the SU ROTC unit's score in its administrative and management efficiency, tactical and field test management, theoretical aspect as to the proficiency, and quality of training gained by the Corps of Cadets.

Dr. Earl Jude Cleope, Vice President for Academic Affairs and the National Service Training Program Director of Silliman University, opened the program by giving his remarks. Group Commander of the 7RCDG Ricky P. Bunayog, INF Master in Natural Security Administration, PA, graced the event as the guest of honor, while RAATI Chairman Lieutenant Colonel (LT/COL) Ruel R. Jugalbot INF PA (RES) led the inspection team with LT COL Leonilo G. Paulin Jr. INF PA as Vice Chairman.

The rest of the inspecting team members were Major Arvin Dugho (INF) PA, Master Sergeant Alejandro Despabeladero (INF) PA, Technical Sergeant Ernani Bering (INF) PA, Sgt Roldan Fadriuela (INF) PA, Staff Sergeant (SSg) Eufracio Omag (INF) PA, Ssg Joji Baga, and Corporal Jose Bernie Bernal (INF) PA. Prominent people from the university, including the university president, Dr. Betty C. McCann, Minister for Student and Campus Chaplaincy Reverend Wella De Rosas, and the SU ROTC unit commandant Major Lucelo Betinol (INF) PA also attended the event.

SU ROTC is known for being the regional champion in the RAATI 2013 and its outstanding performance of last year’s event. It also holds the first ROTC museum in the country and is once known for its cadets that made up 45% of the strength of the 75th Infantry Regiment of the United States Army Forces in the Far East during World War 2.

SUSG President attends Int’l Youth Assembly

by Francis Ryan Pabiania SI LLIMAN UNIVERSI T Y Student Government (SUSG) President Aprille Roselle Vince Juanillo was among the three Filipino delegates who attended the 25th Session of the Youth Assembly (YA) in New York City, USA last Feb. 14-16.

The theme of YA was: “It’s Time: Youth for Global Impact,” and it gathered more than 600 young leaders from 100 countries to discuss and make solutions on the emerging global issues.

According to its official website, the Youth Assembly is a platform that cultivates a global network of young leaders and changemakers through exchange, education, and entrepreneurship.

“It aims to empower the next generation of leaders with opportunities to connect with like-minded peers, trailblazers, and influencers, develop global competence and critical skills, and transform their vision for a better future through innovative action,” it added.

Meanwhile, Juanillo was among the almost 60 delegates who chose the Global Development Leadership program, which took her to visit the United Nations and several offices, attended a special event in the DC capitol and intensive discussions.

The discussion focused on the topics of Human Development, Environment, and Peace. She was joined by two other delegates from the Philippines, Rezen Andaya and Enzo Castro, who were both representatives from Luzon.

Tune In Juanillo said that she was aware and started to follow the assembly since its

23rd session. She added that she knew several people who also joined it.

“I have always sought to be part of the Philippine delegation to YA. To me, it was a life-changing opportunity that impacted all its participants,” she said.

She recounted the first time she heard about the event, privileges, and stories of experiences from an SU alumnus, Jude Amiscaray when the SUSG invited him as a speaker in an Advocacy Capacity Building Camp.

Juanillo added: “In fact, it is in YA where he [Amsicaray] came across what would be my daily reminder to myself as a leader—’The greatest challenge of a leader is to be strong but not rude, kind but not weak, humble but not timid, proud but not arrogant.”

Apart from Amiscaray, Juanillo considered Keziah Therese Gerosano and Margarita Antonio—both ambassadors and delegate of the 24th session, as her biggest influences that made her join after the two personally invited her.

Gerosano is currently an intern in the United Nations and a Climate Reality Project leader.

Juanillo said, “Her career started in YA. As a Sillimanian and a Filipina, she encourages me to experience the same life-changing opportunity that she has encountered.”

Reason For Juanillo, after she heard all the testimonies and analyzed the program, she realized that it was the program she hoped to join as the current SUSG president.

She reasoned out that her participation will acknowledge the participation of Silliman University itself in the program and as a way of

introducing the university to the Youth Assembly community.

While the SUSG is in time for their preparation “to leave sustainable measures for the next administration.”

She said, “All that I will learn from the program will be vital to what I can contribute in the remaining months of my term, especially in training the next administration during the transition period.”

She added that her reasons for joining include: to gain connections, to build a global network of leaders, introduce several projects, and re-echo what she had learned in the program and among others.

“Finally, I have always wanted to be part of the United Nations. As a graduating student, this opportunity will truly be life-changing as it will take me a step closer to my goal by engaging with people from the UN,” she ended.

Meanwhile, Juanillo shared she “felt utter amazement and gratefulness” to be in a program with global leaders and people who established impact in the global arena.

She said the program was an avenue to build a global network and she appreciated the company of other cultures the entire three days.

“Everyone is all so different from another, with different pain points and movements but all working towards the betterment of the community within their reach,” she said.

Moreover, Juanillo shared that there’s a “return program in place,” and she planned to incorporate it on the tentative second run of the advocacy capacity building camp.

“There is such a big world out there, but every single one of us can also make the biggest impact we can,” she ended.

SILLIMAN UNIVERSIT Y sets the honor’s day on March 20 in the University Gym following its previous cancellation due to the COVID-19 scare. The assembly time for students is set at 2 p.m while the awarding will start at 3 p.m.

A total number of 899 students will be awarded, composed of 430 freshmen, 240 sophomores, 20 juniors, and 50 seniors. One hundred fifty-two students will be awarded as college honors while seven will be given university honors.

Bellaflor Ledesma-De Los Reyes, an alumna of the university will be the

guest speaker. She graduated Magna cum Laude with the degree of BS Psychology in 1983. A recipient of college honors from 1984-86 and university honors in 1986-87.

She is currently working as the senior vice-president and executive territory head of Manulife Philippines. Dr. Giovanni Macahig, university registrar and admissions officer, expressed his desire that this fete will be finally push through following the COVID-19 scare.

University president, Dr. Betty Cernol-McCann and Vice President for Finance and Administration, Earl Jude Paul Cleope are expected to be in the awarding.

SUMSA, MTSOC spearhead Blood Drive Event

by Hannah Patricia Abril

SILLIMAN UNIVERSIT Y Medical Student’s Association (SUMSA), in partnership with MedTech Society (MTSOC), will host a Blood Drive activity on March 7 at the Physicians Hall, Silliman University Medical School building.

With the tagline, “Donate Blood for a Reason, Let your Reason be Life,” the event is annual advocacy of the Association of Philippine Medical Colleges – Student Network to gather blood donors.

According to SUMSA president Victor Giorgio Villegas, everyone is encouraged to participate in the blood drive as long as the donors pass the screening. The blood donor selection is a stringent process to ascertain that both the donor and the receiver are safe.

Exceeding 50 bags is the drive’s target number of donors. One bag can save up to three lives.

“We believe that we leave with

even only a single donor, then we have served the purpose to save lives,” Villegas stated.

The volunteers shall undergo a screening to identify if they are legible to donate blood, and donors should at least weigh 50 kg. SUMSA, through its official Facebook page, will soon post the requirements.

“Aside from helping the community, it’s (blood donation) beneficial for the body of the person, especially for men, because [they] don’t have menstruation [sic], so wala sila’y regular withdrawal of blood, and it’s really helpful [for blood regeneration],” MTSOC president Jansen Coronado said.

The donated blood will proceed to the Silliman University Medical Center Blood Bank.

The benefits of donating blood include good health, reduced risk of cancer, hemochromatosis, liver, and pancreas damage. It also helps with cardiovascular health improvement and reducing obesity.

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REMEMBERING. Director of the award-winning Japanese documentary film "Life Goes On," Dr. Mia Yoon (leftmost), together with two survivors of the March 2011 Japan Earthquake, held an open discussion with the film viewers after the film screening held at AVT, last Mar. 2. Photo by Ian Zane Esparaga.

BIG SCREEN. "Ang Paghibalag sa Kalibunan" a film by Jetmore Banot, was awarded the Best Film and Best Performer of the Year in the Open Category during the Silliman Film Open 5 at the SU Hall last Mar 3. Photo by Ian Zane Esparaga.

twsspecial 5 SUSG Elections 2020 List of Candidates the weekly sillimanian March 6, 2020

STANDARD BEARERS

COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES

College of Arts and Sciences

CAUSE Party

[C]ABONG, Paulyn Therese [S]BULADO, Francis Lianro [C]DAGDAG, Carlwin Love [S]IRABON, Juvil A. [S]LAGUNAY, Lance Howell [S]PUENGAN, Noraine G. [C]RADOC, Joel Dave E. [C]REAMBONANZA, Myka

College of Agriculture

[S]ALABA, John Bethoven S. [C]GANIR, Carl Vincent J. [C]GARNACE, Joel E. [S]MATTI, Julio M.

ECHAVEZ, Jose Paolo LEDESMA, Stefano Rafael College of Business PRESIDENTIABLE VICE PRESIDENTIABLE Administration

SURE Party

[S]BARRERA, Cyle Ellery F. [C]ENTRATA, John Christian [C]MISA, Julmar Joseph B. [S]ORTEGA, Jeff Lawrence S. [C]RALLOS, Roela Denisse A. [S]SALDIVAR, John Jenric C. [C]SORRONDA, Wesley Orson [S]TUMULAK, Gabrielle Maye

College of Education

[S]AGUILAR, Robert Christian [C]JARBONIDO, Jay Louie L. [C]MAPUTI, Alexandra [S]TARIPE, Paean Dyree M.

College of Engineering and Design

SERDAN, Seth Regine PRESIDENTIABLE

BRAÑA, Lord Sebastian VICE PRESIDENTIABLE

STAY TUNED TO OUR LIVE SUSG ELECTIONS 2020 COVERAGE FACEBOOK.COM/tWSilliman

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[C]AGUILAR, Rianne Q. [S]ALATAN, Jovy Leo A. [C]ANG, Trina Dominique T. [S]BATOCAEL, Joseph [S]CELIS, Maria Runela A. [C]DELA, Dhounyl A. [S]PAITAN, Mark Krylle D. [S]PATRON, Rhynard D. [C]REQUIERON, Ma. Rita Sol [C]YOCOR, Thessalonica O.

College of Law

[S]ARAÑEZ, Amiel Andrew [C]BELLINGAN, Algrace E. [S]BUENAOBRA, Ven Albert [C]LOZANO, Tubby Troy Kent

College of Mass Communication

[S]BACASNOT, Kaye Angelie [S]CIELO, Jill Ingrid B. [C]GARZON, Sophia Angelique [C]LEAÑO, Gilmore M.

Institute of Clinical Laboratory Sciences

[S]LLENOS, Daniel Charles C. [S]MONTECINO, Alyssa Marie [C]SARITA, Kyla V. [C]TABADA, Cleo Ray A.

College of Nursing

[S]CALAMBA, Jillian Crystel R. [S]DE LA TORRE, Gia Marie G. [C]ESTOLLOSO, Francis Robert [C]KOLLMAN, Ronald Christian

Institute of Rehabilitative Sciences PERSPECTIVE. Senior FineArts students in their semestral art exhibit that feature their artworks, as part of their requirements of their year-long thesis. The goal of this exhibit is to train them to connect their work to the public. The exhibit, which is located at the Ariniego Art Gallery will remain open until the week before graduation. Photo by Kyle Andree Bolhano.

[S]FELIPE, Sarah Abigail O. [C]MERQUITA, Beatriz P. [C]MERQUITA, Bianca P. [S]SUBITO, Quina Amaryah

Junior High School

[S]ARBAS, Patricia B. [S]ARNAIZ, Arianna Alexa A. [S]BANGLOS, Jhade Ashley E. [C]CARINO, Maria Danica M. [C]CATALVAS, Claudette Jhane [S]CIMAFRANCA, Claire [C]CLAVEL, Franchesca Allyana [S]DIOLA, Karylle Kate T. [C]DIONALDO, Aaron Nathan [C]ENNIS, Jose Philip K. [C]OCONER, Pauleen A. [S]SAN JOSE, Rica Anne A.

College of Performing and Visual Arts

[C]FUENTES, Neve-Rienne [S]GUTANG, Ma. Isabel S. [C]MAGHUYOP, Mayumi Mari [S]MORONG, Krystann Dave

College of Computer Studies

[S]ALVAREZ, Denise Ysabelle [C]INFANTE, Loulizerl C. [S]PEDRANO, Janciel Fidel [C]YAP, Jibrael Juan III P.

School of Medicine

[C]DANGEROS, Reia Joma G. [S]MACROHON, Ray Joshua [C]SIMPORIOS, Mian Antonette

School of Public Affairs and Governance

[C]BARINAGA, Shem Japheth [C]CABUYAO, Allyn Kathrine [S]DAIZ, Jamielyn I. [S]SULARTE, Dexter Lloyd

Institute of Environmental and Marine Sciences

[S]ANG, Glorious Church C. [C]PACLIBAR, Winver Paolo [S]STRONG, Clint Drew R. [C]TABILOG, Matthew Vincent

Senior High School

[C]ALESNA, Cassiopeia M. [C]BABOR, Cedrick Louis Ben [C]BEJERANO, Helen Joie O. [C]BUREROS, Lady Angela B. [S]CLARET, Joey Dian F. [S]CREDO, Marianne Abighail [S]CUASITO, Szymon Johar [S]DADULO, Lloyd Andrei S. [C]DINOPOL, Enrica Marian [S]GAW, Joaquin Miguel S. [S]MANALAYSAY, Parker Shane [S]MAXINO, Marc Kyle V. [C]PANAGUITON, Jude Matthew [C]REGALADO, Angel Lea J. [S]REYES, Luis Enrique P. [C]SHIRAISHI, Ken B. [S]TANAMOR, Nicholas Jamal [C]VELEZ, Vander Lance P.

ELECTION DAY IS MARCH 11 REMEMBER TO CAST YOUR VOTE!

6 twsbackpage

the weekly sillimanian March 6, 2020

RANDOMSPACE: KINDS OF INTERVENTION

the

Interventions, they sound amazing but we're not even sure if we want to have them. From having the loudest bam, up to the loudest maam, interventions could be anything you could think of. Now, if you can, or can't relate, have a look at the three kinds of interventions we have gathered and see if you know any.

SNIPER

TWITTER

DIVINE

The M200 CheyTac Intervention is an American boltaction sniper rifle manufactured by CheyTac LLC. This rifle, primarily used against military equipment, is considered the #1 sniper rifle in the world. Sporting both .375 and .408 caliber variations, this rifle will be seen in active service for years to come.

Nothing scathes more than the Twitter mob.

The sparkly hashtag world of wholesome retweets facades a dark and slimy scene of mob mentality where people apply the twostep kill maneuver otherwise known as the “call out cancel,” which mostly guarantees career destruction and over the top damage control.

On February 26, one Divine Geronimo stormed into the wedding of her daughter Sarah Geronimo in an attempt to slap the groom — Matteo Guidicelli. Though both Sarah and Matteo have been happy in recent days, this kind of intervention is still a powerful one.

Source: History.com

Source: History.com

Source: CNN.com

Compiled by Jean Aldemer Salgados

from page 1 | FineArts Students...

The art exhibit is an integral part of the FA student’s training to connect their work to the public.

“You need to allow your work to go out into the world and that’s a big important factor. Because lots of places would just do workshops and teach their technique, but the training

from page 3 | Dreams Made...

Rapp’s, the original actor on Broadway, the portrayal of the character, and Gino Ramirez injects so much energy and enthusiasm into Angel.

Halfway through the show, the power went out for more than a handful of minutes. The bewildered audience froze as the actors continued performing "Christmas Bells." There was a tense silence, with lingering doubts settling in. Until thankfully, the power went on. Cheers were heard throughout the auditorium as the song was repeated.

"Honest living, honest living," went the window washer for the second time, eliciting hearty laughter. And Gino Ramirez as Angel, clad in fabulous drag, winked at the audience in glee. The show went on wonderfully afterward, without a hitch.

It's in moments like this that proves that the show is just plain fun. It's fun listening to the actors belting their hearts out to catchy tunes with esoteric yet thought-provoking lyrics. It's fun seeing the dancers that would accompany certain scenes. It's fun seeing the set, props, and lighting be used in creative and exciting ways. It's fun watching this group of "slackers" (as Benny in the show puts it) fight the system in the name of the people they love.

here has to include this portion.” Prof.

Flores said.

The exhibit opens at 4 p.m. until the week before graduation. The senior students will man the venue on weekdays from 3 to 5 p.m. It will also open during graduation day to let the parents see the student’s artworks.

Watching this show gives an unmatched feeling—like floating on air in ecstasy, and you can’t be pulled down.

I Dreamed A Dream Perhaps this particular staging of Rent's greatest tragedy is not in its plot and characters, but in how it only ran for one night—7 p.m. of Feb. 22.

As of press time, no other plans have been announced on Summit Theatre Production’s Facebook page.

The two other times it would have run was canceled due to concerns regarding the Coronavirus. While the move was understandable in the interest of public safety, it was unfortunate that of the 525,600 minutes in the year, the people of Dumaguete could only watch it for a little over 120 minutes total.

That's because it's no small feat pulling off a grand production of a Broadway musical with a star-studded cast and highly competent crew. But Rent has been Director Fernando's dream for the longest time, and it shows in just how much love and care was put into this production.

Truly, Summit Theatre Production's adaptation of Rent to the Sillimanian stage is more than just a cookie-cutter second-rate imitation of a worldrenowned musical. It's a dream made manifest by the passion of its cast and crew, and the experience was worth far beyond its ticket price.

SILLIMAN CROSSWORD DIFFICULTY: HARD

from page 1 | Faculty Bags... but prestige and honor for the country.

He dedicates his victory to the Filipino people and to the entire nation, and he hoped that his performance would inspire other Filipino performing artists.

"Sir Mano", as his students call him, highlighted singing as his passion from page 3 | EDSA I: When... personality gathered together bringing with them not weapons but candles, flowers, placards, and letters. The then-defense minister Juan Ponce Enrile and Vice Chief of Staff Fidel V. Ramos resigned their posts and joined the nation into this massive resistance.

Radyo Veritas covered these events and drew the people closer as these two personnel also told their fellow government officials via live broadcast to “stop this stupidity already.”

As the civil resistance swelled, the government troops desperately cut down the main transmitter of Radyo Veritas, which impeded their broadcast and coverage to provinces. The radio station was proven to be a powerful communication media that fed the “rebels” information. Nevertheless, the station switched to a standby transmitter with limited range. People witnessed this desperate move by the government and this only made them grow in numbers. Entertainers came into the streets as they perform and entertain people in a festive mood but retaining their opposing atmosphere.

Everybody became one entity as fighter for freedom.

Later, at the 22nd day of February, the avenue became a center of what the world witnessed as an uprising without arms, an army of weaponless but passionate and dedicated Filipinos who braved the rolling tanks as the military try to silence the masses, but it’s the masses who got them when they offered these exhausted soldiers flowers and even food as they also decided to get off from their tanks. Then with the turrets silent, their shouts became the war cry that their forefathers chanted, and they locked their weapons, laying

twscomic ACROSS

1. First-ever issue of the Weekly Sillimanian.

2. SU Hall's windows are made of ____ shells.

3. PH pres. who visited Silliman a century ago.

4. A gate; near the Portals.

5. CHED granted Silliman a full ___ status 6. Officially declared as a department last 1950.

Show us your answers!

Tag us in your social media posts, IG: @weeklysillimanian Twitter: @twSilliman

DOWN

1. Masbate island with a farm owned by SU. 2. PE course that was once taught in SU. 3. Structure in SU that was designed by I.M. Pei. 4. SU's first campus radio.

5. First Filipino Silliman president 6. In our hearts without a ____.

7. PH President Garcia's dorm.

8. SU is a founding member of community of a group of Christian institutions of higher learning in Asia.

9. First Filipina student.

10. SU program that was top 1 in 2009; center of excellence

LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS P O K RO T A L

M T L U C E U C S S K A T C A T A C O M B S L E O O N C G E R MA N R M S E V S S I B I Z A D I C N C I N G E G A S I A

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and not his profession. He advised the young Sillimanian artists to dream big, aim high and always remember that it takes a good attitude to fulfill one’s dreams in life.

He added that believing in oneself and a strong commitment will make

things happen. “Keep your desire burning because it is the fuel of fulfilling your dreams, be full of excitement as you pursue with what you want in life and keep yourself in focus because along the way, there are a lot of distractions,” he added.

them down to go hand in hand with their women and children who became the part of this great crusade.

Radyo Veritas would become the channel, the underground tunnel of these people through the growing desperation of the government. Foreign journalists also covered the event as the sea of people became actors of history, that a Spartacus kind of uprising without arms had happened finally for the first significant time in the books and annals. No blood was shed, but the blood of those who fell during Marcos’ authoritarian regime became their catalyst. In the minds of these unified warriors are the memories of the fallen students, teachers, politicians, writers, and their fellow warriors who vanished or perished fighting for the democracy their sons and daughters would enjoy.

The 23rd of February grew more dramatic as General Artemio Tadiar threatened to open fire to the crowd as they dash their way to the rebel camps.

The Filipinos braved the barrels of guns that faced them and sang “Bayan Ko” while retaliating to government troops with bread and cigarettes. The Holy See, as a spiritual consort for the people, even pleaded Marcos through a letter from Pope John Paul II to resolve the issue peacefully.

Even the United States government backed democracy as it expressed support on the widow’s government over the dictator’s rule. On the 24th of February, in the heat of the ongoing peaceful revolution that the world had witnessed, then-US President Ronald Reagan asked Marcos to step down.

Marcos, sensing a diminishing number of loyalists, asked its remaining few to go to Mendiola to show their support of the declining regime.

With the people still encamping the streets on the 25th of February, the two opposing presidents held their inauguration address. Mrs. Aquino took her oath before then-Associate Justice Claudio Teehankee, Sr. at Club Filipino, Greenhills, San Juan.

Meanwhile, President Marcos also swore his own oath at Malacañang in front of then-Chief Justice Ramon Aquino. Hours later, Radyo Veritas delivered a news that was greeted in jubilance by the people. Around early afternoon, Marcos, his family, and a handful of loyalists were flown by the US authorities via chopper to Hawaii therefore ending Marcos’ score-long reign. The people further made the matter more public by climbing into the palace, looting everything that reminded them of the dark past and scarred them for decades.

Hegelian perspective said that EDSA People Power Revolution I was an undying expression of the spirit that is inherently present in the people since the beginning. Dissatisfaction isn’t just the endpoint of reason why the people were bold enough to show their strength in numbers against the reigning government. The consciousness of freedom among people sparked the manifestation of this spirit.

“People Power” became a sharp weapon since history witnessed this peaceful revolution. Other countries soon took the step in utilizing this weapon like the Orange Revolution in Ukraine which resulted in a successful revote, and only one casualty had been recorded due to a heart attack.

This was a moment in history when people without swords, clubs, or rifles won the seemingly hardest battle one could imagine. This was EDSA I.

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