NEWS

06
From Repression to Rebellion
Youth Sector to Stage Anti-Budget Cut Strikes
Features
News
08
Defective Deals
Culture
10
Hikahos
Strike Back!
Graphics
GRAPHICS
12
Cutting Edge
Editorial
02 NEWS
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2011
HOR Approves P600M
Increase on Health
Health Groups Call for Higher State Appropriation
YODHIM GUDEL GEPTY DELA ROSA AND MARK JASON SANTOS FLORES
I
n the final reading of the 2012 budget proposal, the House of Representatives
(HOR) approves an additional P600 million allocation on the health budget.
The Coalition for Health Budget Increase (CHBI) and Alliance of Health Workers
(AHW) however, deem the increase “insufficient” and vow to push for higher state
appropriation.
Budget Increase, Scrutinized
The P600 million increase brings the
budget of health sector close to P42.893
billion. According to sources from the HOR,
P200 million from the additional budget
will go to the Department of Health (DOH)
and its fellow institutional hospitals such as
East Avenue Medical Center, Jose Fabella
Memorial Hospital, and Research Institute
for Tropical Medicine.
ALMOST BUT NOT QUITE. In order to impress and eventually be accredited by PAASCU, the College
of Arts and Sciences is now on its last leg of renovations. Photo by Kessel Gandol Villarey.
Suspects of UPLB
Rape-Slay Case Charged
Inadequate Security Blamed on Budget Cut
EZRA KRISTINA OSTAYA BAYALAN
A
corpse was found chucked in a canal near the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB)
Road in Barangay Putho Tuntungin, Los Baños on October 11. The body, which
was handcuffed, bruised, choked and shot, was identified as Given Grace Cebanico,
a 19 year old Computer Science student from the University of the Philippines Los
Baños (UPLB).
According to UPLB Chancellor Luis Velasco,
Given Grace left her dorm at around 8
PM on October 10 to do a group project
in a classmate’s place. The abduction then
happened around 3 AM upon Given Grace’s
return to her boarding house. Residents of
Barangay Putho Tuntungin found her body
sprawled in a canal a few hours later.
On the other hand, the suspects have been
identified and have been charged with rape
and homicide on October 14.
Justice for Given
The UP community mourned as the news of
Given Grace’s murder spread.
Meanwhile, most of her Facebook friends,
with the inclusion of the UPLB faculty,
changed their profile pictures to a black
ribbon with an embedded “Justice for
Given” text.
UPLB Students led a candle lighting
ceremony on October 13 before her body
was brought home. Chancellor Velasco
shared his condolences and was remorseful,
but stated that the crime was something
“out of control.”
The following day, students and faculty alike
conducted an indignation rally inside the
university grounds to call for justice and to
offer prayers for the victim.
Suspects Charged
According to Criminal Investigation and
Detection Goup Chief Director Samuel
Pagdilao Jr., the suspects, Percival de
Guzman, a tricycle driver, and Lester Ivan
Lopez Rivera, a security guard of Philippine
Savings Bank, have been formally charged
with rape and homicide.
On October 13, a witness identified de
Guzman as one of the two suspects and
was then arrested. The 38 year old suspect
allegedly confessed to the crime and told
the investigators that they took turns
in raping the victim before slaying her.
Rivera, the second suspect, turned himself
in Floridablanca, Pampanga a day after de
Guzman was arrested.
Compromised Security
Questions concerning UPLB’s security
erupted due to the rape-slay case of Given
Grace. The zone where Given Grace’s body
was found was only about five meters from
On the other hand, the remaining P400
million will be shared among GovernmentOwned and Controlled Corporation
hospitals namely, the Philippine Heart
Center, the Lung Center of the Philippines,
the National Kidney Transplant Institute,
and the Philippine Children’s Medical
Center.
Meanwhile, the University of the Philippines
– Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) will
receive a P100 million increase, in addition
to the extra P60 million budget allocated
for medical services.
“Initial Victory,” Assumed
According to AHW National President and
UP-PGH Staff Regent (SR) Jossel Ebesate,
the collective action of progressive groups
and pro-health congressmen made their
the roadside, and about 20 meters from the
nearest village outpost in Barangay Putho
Tuntungin, inside the university grounds.
Although the IPB maintains a 24-hour
security, they claim that it was impossible
for them to secure the road since it is no
longer under their jurisdiction, but of the
University Police Force, which is under the
Office of the Vice Chancellor for Community
Affairs.
“initial victory” possible. However, Ebesate
also stated that they will continue to fight
for higher budget appropriation until the
government provides sufficient attention to
the health sector.
“Our efforts to expose the ill effects of the
low health budget paid off. But while we
recognize this initial victory as a result of
the people’s efforts through the support
of pro-health lawmakers, we see the need
to exert more effort to effect a more
substantial increase,” stated SR Ebesate in
a press release.
“We are very much thankful for the support
of lawmakers like Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy
Casino, Gabriela Women’s Party List Rep
Emie De Jesus, ACT Party List Rep, Antonio
Tinio, and other pro-health congressmen,”
he added.
Higher Appropriation, Asserted
For the year 2012, the CHBI and AHW call
for a state funding of at least P90 billion,
more than twice the allocated budget, to
alleviate the “worsening condition” of the
basic medical institutions and hospitals.
The health groups asserted that the P600
million increase is not enough and vowed
to continue protest actions to push for the
P90 billion health budget.
implement an ordinance from the local
government to employ a curfew for minors
from 10 PM to 4 AM inside and outside the
campus.
This incident also brought up the budget
cut issue which progressive student
organizations claim as one of the reasons
why security on UP campuses have been
deficient and is being compromised.
UPLB Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs
Dr. Virginia Cardenas stated that the crime
is an isolated case and the university should
not be solely blamed for this incident. She
did say, however, that the one kilometer
expansion of the IPB road is devoid of
lights making it a very appealing place for
criminals.
“Given Grace’s case from UPLB is a serious
threat to the security inside and outside
the UP campus. Due to the frequent and
large budget cuts, the number of roaming
security guards was also cut. One will usually
see a campus security guard keeping watch
of two or more outposts in the university,”
exclaimed Angeli Cando, KASAMA sa UP
Chairperson.
A few days after Given Grace’s murder, the
university along with the local government
and the police drew up tighter security
measures inside and outside of the
university. The university plans to place
light posts along the IPB road, install
CCTV cameras, create road barriers at the
entry and exit points of the campus, and
“The UP campus is a sprawling land area
which is too expansive for a few security
guards to handle. Moreover, most of the
UP campuses have numerous entrance
and exit point, like UPV Iloilo – Miag-ao.
In my opinion, the UP administration really
needs to oversee this serious case,” Cando
added.
NEWS
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2011
03
Aquino Allows Tuition Increase in SUCs
BEANCA JHANINE MULATO SAMIANO
P
resident Benigno S. Aquino III issued a new policy that would allow tuition and other fees increase (TOFI) in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in
order to increase their funds next year as a result of government’s budget cut on the education sector for 2012.
Furthermore, the policy would also authorize
the revision of socialized tuition scheme and
other necessary school charges to provide
greater access for the poor and deserving
students.
Intensified Budget Cuts
According to Department of Budget and
Management Secretary Florencio Abad, the
new policy and its guidelines would result in
a “more progressive budget” and will help
government’s vision of increasing the basic
education fund while slashing the SUCs’
subsidy.
Abad stated that 110 SUCs proposed a P45billion budget for 2012, but the government
approved only P23 billion because state
schools are expected to earn P27.59 billion
this year, which would generate a P16.56
billion “ending balance” that can be used as
a beginning balance next school year.
“With P27.59 billion plus the approved P23
billion, that’s more than P45 billion they
were asking,” said Abad.
However, Kabataan Party-list Representative
Raymond Palatino said that the new policy
would result in higher tuition and other fees
that might increase the number of students
dropping out of schools.
“The government is supposed to give
subsidy and not just rely on imposing higher
tuition fees...making education so expensive
that it would seriously burden the parents,”
said Palatino.
Protest Against New Policy
Different youth groups such as the National
Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP)Baguio-Benguet, League of Filipino Students
(LFS) and Anakbayan slam Aquino’s policy,
claiming that the government permits SUC
boards and administrations to implement
TOFI in order to sustain their needs.
Moreover, NUSP-Baguio-Benguet member
Francis Lopez said, “This policy implies that
SUCs will face another round of budget cuts
next year.”
Lopez added that the Aquino administration
was not listening to the gripes of student
groups and SUC administrators when they
equivocally called for greater state subsidy
in a nationwide strike on September 22-23.
Furthermore, Anakbayan warned the
government that the youth shall stage
bigger protests and more campus strikes in
response to Aquino’s new policy.
To avoid the implementation of the said
policy, LFS-UP Manila Member and
University Student Council Councilor Regina
Decangchon said, “Hindi titigil ang mga
kabataan na ipaglaban ang aming karapatan
sa dekalidad at abot-kayang edikasyon.
Maghanda siya sa isasagawa pang mas
malalaking strike ng mga estudyante
ngayong buwan ng Nobyembre at
Disyembre.”
Exploitative Mining Operations Condemned
Pro-Environment Groups Firm on Anti-Mining Stance
ACE VINCENT PONSECA MOLO AND HONEY DIANE GEMOTO ANGELES
T
he struggle to end the destructive effects of mining activities in the country to the environment and
the people have intensified and became more apparent as people’s organizations, non-government
organizations and environmental advocates continue to denounce the exploitative and profit-seeking
nature of mining in the Philippines.
Surigao Mines Attacked
About 300 members of the New People’s
Army (NPA) raided the mines of Taganito
Mining Corporation, Taganito HPAL Nickel
Corporation, and Platinum Group Metals
Corporation at Claver, Surigao del Norte on
October 3. The refusal of the said mining
companies to pay revolutionary taxes to the
NPA is believed to have caused the attacks.
However, the National Democratic Front
of the Philippines (NDFP) claims that
the attacks were a clear representation
of its firm stand against large-scale and
foreign-controlled mining activities in
the country. Luis Jalandoni, chair of the
NDFP negotiating panel, stated that the
NDFP’s policy is to prohibit the operation
of mining corporations that “destroy the
livelihood, the environment and aspiration
for industrial development and violate the
rights and welfare of the indigenous people
and the entire Filipino nation.”
Likewise, the progressive umbrella group
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN)
believes that the Aquino administration
was informed of the ill-effects of the mining
activities in Surigao del Norte even before
the attacks took place.
BAYAN secretary general Renato M. Reyes
Jr. asserted that Presidential Adviser on
Environmental Protection Neric Acosta was
informed through footages of destructive
large-scale mining operations in Claver,
Surigao del Norte from a documentary
television program. However, despite such
information, the Aquino administration has
done nothing to address the issue.
Prior to the attacks, the Tribal Coalition of
Mindanao, an indigenous peoples’ (IPs)
rights group, has filed a petition for a
Writ of Kalikasan to the Supreme Court
last May 30, requesting for a Temporary
Environmental Protection Order against the
mining companies that were attacked.
In the said petition, the mining firms are
being blamed for “destroying and polluting
the ancestral domain” of the indigenous
peoples of Mindanao “by failing to provide
proper siltation dams for their nickel mines,
thereby irreversibly damaging marine
resources, mangroves, corals, and created
serious health risks to the prejudice of the
lives, health and properties of the tribes
and inhabitants of the Provinces of Surigao
del Norte and Surigao del Sur.”
Conservation of Palawan Pleaded
A “No to Mining in Palawan” signature
campaign was conceived by the Save
Palawan Movement, a coalition from
various sectors of environmentalists and
local religious groups, to protect the
ecological resources in Palawan. The said
movement that intends to gather ten million
signatures through online and ground
means was launched on February 3, ten
days after the death of a pro-environment,
radio commentator, and a strong critic of
mining activities in Palawan, Dr. Gerardo
‘Doc Gerry’ Ortega.
The negative effects of mining activities,
which Doc Gerry was able to expose,
include erosion, deforestation, pollution,
and housing insecurity among others.
On January 24, he was gunned down
in Puerto Princesa City, allegedly for his
strong comments on former Palawan
Governor Joel T. Reyes’ pro-mining policies
and suspected misuse of funds from the
Malampaya oil project.
Moreover, there are laws which promote
the sustainable development in the said
province such as Republic Act (RA) No.
7611 or the Strategic Environment Plan
for Palawan and RA 9147 which mandates
the conservation and protection of wildlife
resources and their habitats.
Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn
exclaimed that banning mining activities
does not mean the end of livelihood.
Hagedorn said that flourished tourism
and agriculture in Palawan will offer more
livelihood opportunities.
Resistance vs Mining Jeopardized
Aside from Dr. Ortega, the Kalikasan People’s
Network for the Environment (KalikasanPNE), a network of people’s organizations,
non-government
organizations
and
environmental advocates, reports that
among the recorded 43 killings of
environmental activists since 2001, twentyeight are anti-mining activists.
Anti-mining advocate Italian priest Father
Fausto Tentorio was shot inside his church
compound in Arakan, Cotabato on October
17. Leaders of IPs rights groups and other
progressive groups, however, believed that
Tentorio was a target of Oplan Bayanihan,
a military strategy designed to cripple NPA
forces allegedly by targeting leaders of
progressive groups.
“Fr. Pops’ example will always be emulated
by environmental activists for his principled
stand against destructive large-scale
mining, even as it threatened his life. We will
continue his struggle against destructive
large-scale mining operations threatening
the people of Arakan Valley and various
other mining-affected areas,” said Clemente
Bautista, national coordinator of KalikasanPNE.
“Along with our search for justice for Dr.
Ortega is also accepting the challenge
that he died for: the challenge that we
can still save what is left of our beautiful
environment,” expressed the family of the
late Dr. Ortega.
04 NEWS
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2011
Under Threat
The Decline of the Philippine
Health Care System
ANGELA MARIZ ULEP CAUDAL AND KATHLEEN TRINIDAD GUIANG
pon his ascent to power, President Benigno Simeon Aquino III vowed to transform the country’s healthcare
U
system to a sector that recognizes the government’s responsibility to protect and advance public health. This,
however, is currently being infringed upon as his own neo-liberal policies force the country’s public health care
system to succumb to privatization schemes that eventually lead to the deterioration of the national health care
system.
A Dichotomy of the “Haves and the Have-nots”
History recounts that the Philippine society is a depiction of a
system intrinsically disposed to allow the elites to subjugate
and exploit the rest of the Filipino masses.
In essence, the present situation proves to be consistently the
same as before for the current administration, still anchored
on neo-liberal ideologies, is geared toward promoting
policy reforms that favor the foreign investors more than
the locals and private sectors rather than the public. These
circumstances are encapsulated in Aquino’s Public-Private
Partnership (PPP) scheme.
Aquino’s first year in power until the present has been
characterized by the state’s neglect to the rights of the Filipino
people. With loads of unresolved extra-judicial cases under
his administration topped with the brazen slashing of funds
for education, Aquino’s privatization scheme for governmentowned and controlled (GOCC) hospitals further intensified
the problems of basic social services in the country.
In a nutshell, the Philippine health care system is currently
at the helm of privatization due to series of budget cuts
implemented by the administration. Left with no resolution
but to “tie up with private sectors” as their coping mechanisms,
GOCC hospitals end up rechanneling the burden to indigent
patients who can barely make ends meet.
“The poor are being left out—that means around 60 percent
of the population—[while] only around 40 percent is being
served by the health system at present,” said Dr. Jaime Z.
Galvez Tan, a former Department of Health (DOH) secretary.
Hence, in the swing of this commercialization lays the
centuries-old game of tug of war between those who can
afford to pay and those who cannot. This is manifested in the
continuing inequality in terms of health care access which,
due to privatization, already became a commodity.
Public Health Care in Peril
In his 2012 budget message, Aquino intends to advance
the health sector to prioritize the underserved segments of
society. From a capital outlay of P32.427 billion to P42.69
billion for 2012, the government expects great improvement
from the present situation of the country’s public health care
system.
The aforementioned scenario, however, is a no-win situation
for the people. Despite the appropriation raise of more than
P10 billion for the Department of Health (DOH) budget, the
Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD) firmly pointed out that
“the said additional funds are not allotted where they would
matter more.”
Labeled as a “deceptive” increase, the Alliance of Health
Workers reinforced the account of HEAD as it claimed that
the illusory escalation in the financial status of DOH is not
meant to generally improve public health services for the
Filipinos.
“The purported increase goes only to the P12.028 billion
allocation for Philhealth subsidy to the poorest 5.2 million
families (20% of the population) and P3 billion for national
government counterpart for PPP projects to be implemented
on government hospitals starting next year. Minus the P3.5
billion allocated for Philhealth subsidy for this year (2011),
the health budget actually went down by 5% or P152M,”
stated the All UP Workers Union (AUPWU).
PURPOSE
Amount
Allotted in
2011 Budget
Amount
Allotted in
Proposed
2012 Budget
Subsidy for Health
Insurance Premium
P3.5B
P12.028B
Equity for the
Modernization of
25Regional Hospitals
under the PPP
Framework
-
P3 B
Family Health and
P731.39M
Responsible Parenting
*Default bracket in the respective year
P2.503B
Table 1: “Illusory increases” in the proposed 2012 health budget.
Source: All UP Workers Union (AUPWU)
Table 1 shows the drastic increase in the budget for the
Health Insurance Premium (PhilHealth) for 2012, however,
Table 2 shows that a large percentage of the beneficiaries’
total expenditure for hospitalization or check-up comes
from “out-of-pocket” spending or the money shelled out
by the beneficiaries themselves. This only proves the fact
that despite its mandate of being a social health insurance
with a primary objective of providing its paying members
a quality financial risk protection, PhilHealth is but a mere
bogus public insurance.
Sectors
Budget Share
Government
23%
Out-of-Pocket
59%
Shared-Risk Schemes Including National
Health Insurance (PhilHealth)
18%
Table 2: Division of Health Expenditure
Source: Health Alliance for Democracy
Furthermore, instead of increasing the budget for the
Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) of
subsidized hospitals, the government allotted P3 billion
for the modernization of 25 regional hospitals which are
operating under the PPP framework. As a result, five of the
12 National Capital Region-based special hospitals, namely
the National Children’s Hospital, National Center for Mental
Health, and Philippine Orthopedic Center among the few,
and 18 of the 54 local hospitals nationwide would eventually
experience a zero increase in their MOOE.
Meanwhile, from a P970.7 million worth of MOOE in 2010,
GOCC hospitals were allotted a meager P94 million addition
in their MOOE. With this, public health care is transformed
into a commodity as it is made inaccessible to the poor.
Explicitly indicating state abandonment, many of the
subsidized hospitals nationwide would have to cope with
their limited resources due to inadequate budget for
medicine, equipment and supplies despite the increasing
number of their patients, not to mention the increasing
price of medicines, equipment and supplies.
If the increases in PhilHealth and Equity for PPP are excluded,
the allotment for the health care is actually decreased. With
the administration’s zero government subsidy for MOOE
...continued on Page 10.
COLLEGE
BRIEFS
The College of Arts and Sciences is partnering with the
Center for Leadership, Citizenship and Democracy of
the UP National College of Public Administration and
Governance in organizing the UP Assessments on the
Presidency and Administration of Gloria Macapagal
Arroyo (2001-2010). This assessment series consists of
“Commissioned papers” by UP professors. The lectures
will bring together constituents of UP, academics from
other colleges and universities, and representatives from
the government, media, civil society and private sector.
The Board of Regents of the UP in its 1274th meeting
held on October 27, 2011 has approved the appointment
of the following: Dr. Marie Josephine M. De Luna as
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Dr. Joselito C.
Jamir as Vice Chancellor for Administration, Dr. Vicente
Y. Belizario, Jr. as Vice Chancellor for Research and Dr.
Abundio A. Balgos as Vice Chancellor for Planning and
Development. All are effective from November 1, 2011
until October 31, 2014.
The Foundation Day of UPM- Health Sciences Center
is commemorated with a mass on October 28, 2011 at
Philippine General Hospital Chapel which was attended
by UPM-PGH Administrators, staff and the newlyselected UPM Chancellor, Dr. Manuel B. Agulto
ORGA
NEWS
The Manila Collegian reserves a space for
announcements, gigs, and rendezvous tidbits
of organizations in UP Manila. Submit your
announcements via email to themanilacollegian@
gmail.com or text it to 09063344807. Maximum of
100 words.
The College of Public Health Student Council and the
College of Allied Medical Professions will hold The
Empower Run on November 12, 2011, a run for a cause
which is aimed to help the Tahanang Walang Hagdan
and PGH Rehabilitation Ward.
The College of Arts and Sciences Student Council is
holding a semester starter party - The Fresh Meet 2011
on November 29, 2011 at CAS for the first year and all
interested students of the University of the Philippines
Manila. The proceeds will be used to donate chairs and
tables for Gusaling Andres Bonifacio Cafeteria.
The UP Manila Indayog Dance Varsity is going to
compete in the Skechers StreetdanceBattle Year 7
FINALS on November 12, 2011 at the Smart- Araneta
Coliseum.
The Association of Parents-Counselors of UP Manila, Inc.
(APC-UPM, Inc.), the only parents’ association existing
within the UP System, will have its benefit concert, Rock
Rockan sa UP Manila on November 18, 2011, at the UPPGH Quadrangle. Tickets are available at the APC-UPM,
Inc. office at the 3rd Floor of the Student Center near
the Office of the Student Affairs. Proceeds will go to the
“Tulong Mo, Iskuling Ko” project of the Association.
NEWS
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11 2011
05
Mga Fulung-Vulungan ng Nagjijisang...
Lola Patola
Y
ou Know You Missed Me… xoxo, Lola Patola
Welcum vhaaack sa YuFiEm, aking mga afowzz! Jigurado akong namizz
niyow ang Lola Patola niyo sa inyong nakakayamowt na semvreeyk na
walang mga juizzy na chikkaretch sa sanka-YuFiEm-an! Sa iztart ng
zecownd zemezter ay may mga ishisharelalu aketch sa inyo na mga
zzizzling hot and uber nakakalerler na izzhuezz and vhulung-vhulunganz
na mas nakakaloka pa sa pag-deny and pag-twerlalu ni Kumareng
Ramonabells! KalerQUI!
Nuhzaan na si Ramonabells Izzhue
Numero Unow: They should have been
informed!
Kung makafagdemand naman itownng
prof sa arnis ay farang jindi sa State
U nag-aaaral ang aking mga afowz!
Pinavili ba naman zila ng zuuuper
eyyxxpeynzive na arnis unifowrm, so
waley na waley kwentanells ang vinili
nilang FiEe unifowrm! And imvvvihhzz na
za Lunezz ang clazzes nila, vinalifffat ba
naman ng vlowck seykshown sa Linggow
ang clazzez nila na jindi alamu ng mga
non-vlowcks! AND SA LUNETA PA SILA
GUMOGORABELLS!! Kafagg arnis vah,
Luneta na agad?! Hindi vah fwedeng SSWC
na lung muna?! At jindi pa nagtataposhins
ang kalerleran ni fernanDoPoE prof na
itech! Pinagvuhhyad pa ang mga affowzz
ko ng 50 peyzows for memverszhip sa
fahhrung arnis federeyshownz! Gaztoz!
Puro na lang gaztoz! Kaya nga nasa YuFi
ang mga affowz ko to avoid muhruhmeng
gaztowz! Kaya evhery Mondaychi vago
malamanelly ng mga non-vlowckz,
majijising sila ng zowvrang aga farah
malaman na Sundaykels na fhalaa ang
meetings nilahh! THEY SHOULD HAVE
BEEN INFORMED! KalerQUI!
raw ganun, ferroh jindi inexplanade ni
prowff ng maayoz kung vucket ganown
ang nangyuuhreeh. Eh di nagrequeyzzt
ang clazz na mag-jopen nowtzz rin
zilaa sa test-icles nila, verrow wiz sila
finayuhhgan. Favoritism kaya itechiwa?!
KalerQUI!
Nuhzaan na si Ramonabells Izzhue
Numero Treyzzz: Wherelalu kaya si
prowf vuowng sem?
Nuhzaan
na
si
Ramonabells
Izzhue Numero Dowzz: Smells like
favowritism!
Anechiwa kaya ang ginagawa ng
DaSimpSons prowff na itey at di siya
fumazowk ng vuowng sem? And ayon
za aking mga afowzz, fuuroh demands
raw si professorechi kahit tapos na ang
semezztur! AWAARD! And kahit di raw
ziya fumafazowk vuong sem, pinagawa
raw zila ng paper at pinaforum. Kawawa
naman talaguhh ang mga afow kong
itech at finagtanim pa niya ang mga ito
sa CaPoHte kahit tafowz na ang zem!!
Di talaga virroow ang magtanim, lalo na
sa ating velovedd YuFiEm! And the vest
fart izz, nung enrollment ng mga affow
ko nung Nowvembuuhhr 3 ay dun fahh
lang niya ginagawa ang greydzs nilah!
Tinuhhwagunn niya fa nga ang isa kong
afow dahil nawala niya ang examenzz
nito!! What is vuhrarah?! Fumly away
to Hong Kong rin vah ang zenz of
resfonziviilitee ng prowff na ito gaya ni
Ramona?!?! KalerQUI!
May duhhluwung clazz na hihandle
ang DaSimpSons proff na ‘tech. Yung
jisang clazz, fostvownedd lagi ang exam.
Luuuhyk, Julay fa sinaveng may examenz
sila fero Seftemvurr pa sila nag-testicles, and da vesst fart iz open notes
zilaa!! Tapos yung kavilang clazz, dun
mizzmohww nag-examenz sa vinigay na
date ni prowff and hindi fah zilaa open
notes!! Hmm… Something smellz fishy,
and hindi siya freysh!! Tinanong nga isa
kong affow sa kay prowff kung vuhhkett
NakakalerQUI talaguhhh ang mga
izzhuez na itech na nagzilavuhhzun at
naging vulung-vulungann za ating
vinakamamahal
na
yuniverzidad!
Ohziyhaaa mga afowzz, I’ll vee vachk
next izzue to vring you moaar hotter,
zexxier,
vigger,
and
oh-sozcandalouuuz gowzzips sa yuniversity!
Twerlalu na aking mga afowzz!
Shutanginamels! Mwah-mwah! Tsuptsup! La-la! You know you love me,
xoxo, Lola P!
Dahil ngayon ay National
1
Reading Month, ano ang
paborito mong libro at bakit?
Ano ang nagpatindig ng iyong
2
balahibo noong nakaraang
Halloween at bakit?
Too many to mention. But there is a special favorite
of mine, Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre
Dame. It’s themes speak of social injustice, racism,
the corruption of the church, and other social evils
prevalent on 18th Century France. -Buknoy hits
puberty, Polsci, 10-68315
Paranormal Activity 3. !#$%. The scenes are still
etched in my mind, making me paranoid all the
freaking time. - OWTEE, the best course in CAS,
09-27557
On the Social Contract ni Jean Jacques Rousseau.
Favourite line ko ung, “man was born free, yet
everywhere he is in chains.” Parang mga Pilipino
lang, hanggang ngayon ay hawak pa rin ng colonial
mentality. -Swastika, BA Pol Sci, CAS
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. Dahil minulat ng
librong ito ang mga mata ng mambabasa na ang
mundo ay hindi laging masaya. Madalas ang buhay
ay miserable. -Janel Mamorno, PolSci, 10-20276
At di naman ako ganun ka-GC, favorite ko is The
Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis! Ayun. It makes you
think of the things you do as a Roman Catholic, as
that book attacks the religion. Though you must
have an open mind before you attempt to read it. :)
-Raseac-kun || BS Pharmacy || 2010-33377
The Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling. It helps me
escape the daily grind and it helped discover who I
am and what i want to do. -blockheadngblock*toot*,
ORCOM CAS!!!
A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks. After
watching the movie for the Nth time, gusto ko
naman basahin ulit yung libro. It makes me believe
na you’ll find love at the most unexpected time
and situation - and the most unexpected person.
-Hindiakopuchupuchu, BA Political Science
I Am Number Four Series by Pittacus Lore. Bakit?
Kasi cool! XD Pero de, kasi teenagers din yung bida,
nakakarelate ako, lalo na dun sa ibang cheesy parts,
at syempre, yung AKSYON. Nagfeefeeling ako na
may powers din ako. :)) - herpderper, BA OrCom,
2011-10070
Ang paboritong libro ni Hudas -Bwahaha<ubo>haha -- at iba pang mga libro ni
Bob Ong. - the-one-whose-name-is-on-your-desk,
BSCS09
‎ Dekada ‘70 ni Lualhati Bautista. Sobrang nag-move
sa akin ang librong to ever since I was in high school
when I first read it. Minulat ako ng librong ito sa
iba’t ibang aspeto ng makabayan at personal na
kamalayan sa loob ng katauhan ng bida. - i.eat.
marshmallows, BA Political Science
Wuthering Heights. Kasi kulang ako sa height hehehe
whuuuut O___O De joke. “Greatest love story of all
time” daw kasi siya. ♥ -kaiixplahaha, BA OrCom,
09-03527
Maraming marami eh lalo na sa series pero kung
single books lang ang paguusapan, Silmarillion
by J.R.R. Tolkien sapagkat ito ang nagsisilbing
“backbone” ng paborito kong trilogy na Lord of the
Rings. :) -Schinina, BA SocSci
Nakakakilabot yung schedule ko! 5 subjects isang
araw :/ --Philippians 4:13, BA Political Science
Balahibong pusa? RAWR. -Swastika, BA Pol Sci, CAS
Yung lamig nung aircon nung nag-overnight ako sa
pinsan ko. BRRR! -blockheadngblock*toot*, ORCOM
CAS!
Haha! Game of Nerds. Especially nung mga akmang
3 000+ na yung score ko. Di ko na
maramdaman kamay ko nun as I was clicking the
answers. Though bwiset lang. After a while, biglang
mayroong mail na ******* has beaten your score. And
boom. 5K. Never mind. Haha! =)) -Raseac-kun || BS
Pharmacy || 2010-33377
“The Only Thing We Have To Fear Is Fear Itself.” Franklin Delano Roosevelt. -Buknoy hits puberty,
Polsci, 10-68315
Yung time na narealize ko na I’m already falling for
one of my bestfriends. -Hindiakopuchupuchu, BA
Political Science
yung taeng tae na ko tapos may naliligo pa pala
sa banyo. tinatanung pa ba kung bakit? HAHA :))
-YAMMY!, BA Orcom
Nung nakita ko yung ex ko, tuminding yung balahibo
ko dahil hindi ko inakalang nagmahal ako ng ganong
klaseng tao. - I AM NOT BITTER, 2010-02***
mangga (hilaw) with bagoong. kasi sumakit tiyan ko,
tapos yun,, nakakapanindig balahibo. lol. -J, CAS
Grades ang nakapagtindig-balahibo sa ‘kin. -Plat,
BSCS
Yung rocking chair na biglang gumalaw at yung
musical toy na biglang tumunog kahit walang
naglalaro. O_O -chappy, BA OrCom, 09-11310
Lugi ako, dami ko balahibo sa kung saan-saang
parte ng katawan (EW.) ehh. Siguro nung nakareceive
ako ng nakakakilig na text mula sa crush ko,
tumindig balahibo dahil dun? Lam na! AHIHIHI :”)
-kaiixplahaha, BA OrCom, 09-03527
Paranormal Activity 2. Baka may anino sa tabi ko eh!
:’(((( Ay wait... Meron nga. XDDD -Schinina, BA SocSci
Yung lamig. Papalapit na nga ang pasko. Jejeje. Brr.
-HOHOHO, Social Sciences
Nung napanood ko yung video nung crush ko na
kumakanta for me(assuming). haha -Chey,BA Orcom,
10-29946
the weird things drunk UPM people did in “Night of
Mischief” party -baklang americano, 08-39140
I like a lot of books pero ang pinakafavorite ko ay
yung “Book of Mormon”. :) Kapag kasi binabasa ko
yun nararamdaman kong love ako ni God and di
sya boring basahin kahit na ilang beses ko na syang
natapos, marami pa rin akong nalalaman sa bawat
beses na binabasa ko sya. -Chey, BA Orcom, 1029946
Insidious..ang creepy kaya pag naiisip kong ‘what if
mangyari sa akin yun?! -Monicute, BS Bio, 201010684
“Lolita”, because it’s about the most important thing
in life - desire. -baklang americano, 08-39140
Coming Soon (thai movie). Hindi ko alam kung bkt
pinanuod ko pa ito. :((( - Akire, 2nd year, BA PolSci
“Hunger Games Trilogy” It’s action-packed with a
touch of romance just enough to keep me excitedly
anticipating. -Monicute, BS Bio, 2010-10684
Nung tumungin ako sa salamin. KalerQUI!
-#malandinghitad, 11-00759
Memoirs of a Geisha. The best geisha anthology ever
written. -Fan girl=2, BA PolSci, 2nd year
A Series of Unfortunate Events because it’s dark
and Lemony Snicket is such an awesome writer.
-#malandinghitad, 11-00759
Yung CR kasi ang tagal lumabas ng nasa loob kilabot
na kilabot na ko..hahahaha -TheRedRanger, BA Social
Sciences (Area Studies), 2010-03870
Yung nag-iisang batang nagtrick or treat sa bahay
namin nang walang costume. -#kimeynteyn
06 FEATURES
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2011
FROM REPRESSION TO REBELLION
G auging the Impacts of Occupy Wall Street Protests
THE FEATURES TEAM
ILLUSTRATIONS BY ERNEST JAY VICO CAFINO AND ARIANE MARIELLE FUNELAS VALLE
T
he people have, at all times, the
inalienable right to protest and break
the status quo.
and banked on the idea of a direct consensus.
As the Occupy protests eventually gain
worldwide recognition and acceptance, the
global movement is beginning to awaken the
consciousness of the despondent masses.
Over the course of history, mass protests
have been the unceasing symbol of collective
resistance. In an attempt to initialize social change,
a ground shaking movement will seek to topple
the oppressive order in a way the world has never
witnessed before. As corporate greed swept
the world, mass protests bearing the publicly
renowned slogan “We are the 99%,” reflected
the financial domination of the landed elite over
the poorest sector of the world population. The
series of ongoing worldwide demonstrations,
exhibiting the rise of people power against
social inequality, became popularly known as the
“Occupy protests.”
Time and again, the masses who were once
thought to be powerless under the chains of
oppression now strike back with a new string of
revolutionary protest and activism.
Toppling the Reign of the 1%
Occupy protests are marked by non-violent
demonstrations, civil disobedience and online
activism. These protests serve as the concrete
manifestation of a growing horizontal democracy
which is based on a leaderless interest group
Sparking the primal embers of the Occupy
protests during the second half of 2011, a
Canadian-based activist group advocating for
anti-consumerism, known as the Adbusters
Media Foundation, called for a non-violent
occupation of Wall Street, New York’s
distinguished financial district. The Adbusters
succeeded in bringing along thousands of
lobbyists to the infamous “September 17 Protest.”
Clamoring against stark wealth and
income disparities, corporate greed
and its influence on the government,
Occupy Wall Street signifies the dawn
of the era of internet-dependent mass
mobilization.
Shifting from the norms of
conventional protests and
mass
demonstrations,
Occupy
Wall
Street,
partly influenced by the
successful Egyptian Tahrir
square protest leading
to the downfall of the
dictatorial Mubarak regime,
has become one of the most
mainstreamed
demonstrations
profoundly reliant on the support of
the internet. Owing to the accessibility of social
networking sites, Occupy Wall Street has been
able to garner the support of the general public.
Through Facebook, Skype, Tumblr and Meetup,
lobbyists have been able to strengthen their
campaigns and encourage more supporters to
fight for their anti-capitalist cause.
As people became increasingly unsettled with
the continuing economic stagflation, the slogan
represented the persisting grievance suffered by
the majority of the population amidst the everincreasing wealth of the top 1% elite. Serving
as real-life affirmation of citizens coming
from various socioeconomic classes, “We are
the 99%” reflected the aftermaths of serious
unemployment cycles, worsening bailouts,
housing bubbles and irreparable financial
downturns brought about by the 2008 global
economic crisis.
The Occupy protests, marking the era of dynamic
activism amidst technological advancement,
symbolize the growing countenance of the
people toward the absolute domination
held by the ruling few. With the advent of
computer-generated information gathering
and dissemination, the masses are now able to
access information that was formerly unavailable
or otherwise withheld by those who control the
status quo.
Attaining the Demands of the 99%
Settling a global democratic movement
that would gear toward the termination of
capitalism and corporate greed is never merely
a matter of unified belief and principles. Rather,
organizing peaceful occupations also requires
a coherent platform that will present a general
plan of action together with a unified set
of demands. During the initial launching of
Occupy Wall Street, the Adbusters originally
aimed to accomplish one ultimate goal: that
of challenging the Obama administration
to establish a presidential commission that
would seek to “separate money from politics.”
However, as the protest continues to attract
more supporters, the demands and goals also
become more diverse.
The blurred lines of agreement regarding
the ultimate demand of Occupy Wall Street
resulted into a cacophony of diverse interests
since direct consensus opens up the long list
of reform petitions. As a response, the New
York City General Assembly was organized so
as to aggregate the demands of thousands of
lobbyists and maintain peaceful coordination
during the protest march. To date, the Occupy
protests essentially demand for the termination
of corporate governance structures that foster
greed and unequal income distribution.
In the face of the continuing struggle against
corporate greed, Occupy Wall Street faces
criticisms allegedly attributed to disorganized
demonstrations. It is important to note,
however, that being a leaderless movement
proves to be both a standpoint and a
drawback of the Occupy Wall Street protest.
Lobbyists who chose to camp in front of Wall
Street and at the Zuccotti Park are blamed
for unsanitary dumping practices and crimes
such as theft and sexual assaults. Despite the
criticisms that Occupy Wall Street garnered,
it is an indisputable fact that the movement
has become a worldwide phenomenon. In its
attempt to reject the traditional supremacy of
the rich and the powerful, it eventually led to
the upheaval of the toiling masses.
What sets Occupy Wall Street apart from other
kinds of mass demonstrations is the fact that it
is the first global movement launched to attack
the long-established domination of the few
members of society who control the bulk of the
resources. Interestingly, even members of the
middle class, known for its passive stance on
issues regarding unequal income distribution,
had shown their support for the movement.
The increasing control on mainstream media
and education enabled the elites to forge
a stream of false consciousness among the
people, but as the people learned to exercise
their right to protest, the clamor against social
disparity is never close to an end.
Supporting the Contagion
Enthused by their disgruntlement at corporate
greed and rising unemployment, several
countries in Asia and in Europe had already
followed the demonstrations made by America,
and pursued Occupy protests. Various means
of conveying dissatisfaction had been shown;
nevertheless, there is only one aim, and that
is change.
In New York, after internet activism became
a trend, civil society had their protests as
they trespassed in a branch of Citibank, and
rallied along Washington Square Park and
Times Square. Hundreds of people joined the
movement, including college students, who
cry against student debt and unemployment.
They also rallied in front of the White House
together with the representatives of various
FEATURES
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2011
unions and other supporters.
One of the earliest countries after America
that protested unemployment and corporate
greed was Spain. On the 15th of May, people
demonstrated opposition as they rallied in
Puerta del Sol. The movement born in the said
country has successfully extended throughout
the world. In Barcelona, people who joined the
demonstrations wore Vendetta Masks, inspired
by the film V for Vendetta, in which the plot
reveals the struggle of the people against the
corruption and cruelty of the government.
Demonstrations had also been made in Italy,
particularly in the city of Rome. Due to severe
discontent, the city known for promoting
nonviolent movements had chosen to give
rise to aggressive protest in order to capture
the attention of those who are in power. The
streets served as the battleground of the
protesters and of the policemen, as the latter
fired tear gas and water jets to the former.
On the other hand, other countries in Europe
conducted movements in a peaceful manner.
Thousands of people marched along ancient
monuments and gathered in front of capitalist
symbols such as the European Central Bank in
Frankfurt. Peaceful movements were also done
in other cities outside Europe, particularly in
Sydney, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Toronto, Chicago
and Los Angeles. Thousands of people showed
their support against corporate greed and
rising unemployment as they marched to their
respective City Halls.
Influenced by the demonstrations in other
countries, the people of Germany demonstrated
against
the
country’s
unscrupulously
functioning financial system. People decided
to create movements, for they see themselves
as victims of financial speculations and of
devastating austerity programs. As the euro
zone debt crisis persists, the European Union
became a target for resentment. This resulted in
the demonstrations of thousands of protesters
who marched to its headquarters in Brussels
and rallied outside the European Central
Bank’s headquarters in Frankfurt. Meanwhile,
demonstrations in London, England were
peaceful. Julian Assange, the WikiLeaks
founder, labeled the protest movement as “the
culmination of a dream”, as people took action
against the wraths of global economic crises.
In Canada, people made their peaceful
protests through blowing bubbles, strumming
guitars and reciting anti-corporate slogans.
Also, in Mexico, Peru, and Chile, thousands
of protesters marched against their
countries’ rotten financial system and severe
unemployment. In Australia, hundreds of
protesters in Sydney also rallied outside the
country’s central bank.
Indeed, the Occupy movement became a
global phenomenon. As the poor becomes
poorer, and the rich becomes richer, people of
different countries were persuaded to initiate
demonstrations, whose sole aim is to end
corporate depravity and for the government
to respond to its country’s needs.
claims are proven to be disadvantageous to
the Occupy movement as discontent with
the greediness of corporations and rising
unemployment should be likewise manifested,
not by a spur of emotions which typifies many
Filipino social movements.
Realizing the Unattainable
In direct contrast, the establishment of
the Occupy movement in the Philippines
is associated with the notion that Filipinos
normally protest against the state and not the
private sector, which glaringly contradicts the
goal of the Occupy movement. A genuine
Occupy movement in the country would not
materialize as Filipinos tend to express dissent
to the state rather than private entities. This
claim is evidenced successfully by staged
protests against state policies like the budget
cuts on State Universities and Colleges
while uprisings against relentless oil price
hikes which have been orchestrated by oil
companies, for instance, never attained much
public sympathy.
Incessantly gaining momentum in the
international level, the Occupy protests, with
its calls for social justice and equity, are hitting
Philippine shores. In effect, the Filipinos who
are continuously struggling for the attainment
of basic rights are on the move to assert the
need to topple the prevailing repressive status
quo.
The Philippines is in solidarity with the
worldwide Occupy actions as protesters
culminated a series of mobilizations in various
parts of the country such as in Makati City, the
US Embassy and Rizal Park from October 1415. Progressive groups like the Kilusang Mayo
Uno, Anakpawis, Bayan and Gabriela also held
a solidarity action in which they upheld various
causes such as fighting national oppression
and racism, promoting academic freedom, and
ending capitalism.
The Occupy protests in the Philippines also
raised opposition to the domination of financial
institutions and corporations in the lives of
ordinary Filipino proletariats. Also, the protests
lambasted the government for promulgating
an environment that is “pro-capitalist” and
“anti-people” and siding with the interests of
foreign powers. Yet, however noble are the
causes being upheld by the Occupy Philippine
protests, certain disparaging factors endanger
the furtherance of these protests.
One stark contradiction that these protests
have manifested is that unlike that of the
Wall Street and Times Square protests in
the United States, protests in the country
were orchestrated by mass organizations
and progressive groups and not by ordinary
citizens. This fact disregards the ideals being
upheld by the Occupy movement: horizontal
democracy and a consensus-based decision
making process. As progressive groups
marched their way into urbanized cities,
with their protest cards clamoring for the
materialization of their advocacies, the Occupy
movement in the Philippines contradicts
the ideals of a leaderless and people-driven
uprising against corporate greed.
The possibility of the occurrence of genuine
Occupy protests in the country is still in
question as dramatic events rather than the
realization of grand causes serve as the catalyst
to mobilize Filipinos. In addition, there should
always be a martyr or a repressive law that
would culminate the calls for reform. These
The Occupy movement in the country is
currently under fire as the movements are
grounded on conventional ideas which limit
it to be a rehash version of anti-government
and anti-imperialist mobilizations. In addition
to these critiques, the prospect of a genuine
Occupy movement in the country remains
too distant to be in fruition as the uprising
stemmed from a country that is grounded
on various conditions dissimilar from ours.
Ergo, adapting the Occupy movement to the
Philippines, a country that is beset by other
more daunting predicaments, would only
inviolate the ideals of the Occupy movement
by not being able to stage a people-led
dissent toward the private sector. As Filipinos
remain utterly blind to the repercussions of
corporate greed, social change is nothing but
a mere ideal social construct. It is imperative
that if the country would mirror a genuine
Occupy movement that has been pervasive
internationally, Filipinos should reflect that it is
in the clutches of the private institutions with
the aid of a partial government that rendered
the country into economic ruin.
The movement, to ensure its success,
should be able to mobilize the class that
has been the most subjugated by the
greed of the ruling few and the most
exploited by the ruthless elite—the
proletariat. And in order to spark a
revolution to change the prevailing
system,
the b o u rg e o i s i e
should realize
that
the
O c c u p y
m o ve m e n t
mirrors their
aspirations
t
o
culminate into
an age
and a society
where
justice prevails.
T
he Occupy movement, characterized by non-violent mobilizations and online activism, has become
the symbol of the brewing dissent of the majority toward the landed and lording elite in various
parts of the world. The movement, though it has become an amalgam of sentiments, has unified
multitudes of dejected people in a drive toward the abolition of capitalism and a force to oppose
corporate greed. As the protest actions continue to be recognized worldwide, one thing could be
realized from the phenomenon—that it is in the collective action of the masses that genuine reform
would ensue and be realized.
The uprisings have not only awakened the consciousness of the subdued masses but also taught
the world that corporate greed could not have been possible without backings from the
government. As world governments continue to adhere to capitalist paradigms, the poverty
that is currently suffered by millions will persistently plague the future generation. As
governments chose to side with the repressive 1% elite, the masses are grief-stricken by
their supposed saving grace.
Histor y has rightfully opened up the portals of insubordination so as to allow the
oppressed to gain back what has been taken from them. The masses, though faced
with the ravaging current that seeks to contain them within the ripples of an
oppressive status quo, would clash the tide to attain social justice and
equity.
The march of the proletariat has just begun.
07
08 CULTURE
FRIday, NOVEMber 11, 2011
Defective Deals:
AUBREY NICOLE LEONES ARBOLEDA
AND RUTH GENEVIEVE AUSTRIA LUMIBAO
Probing the Quezon City’s
Socialized Housing Tax Ordinance
Poverty
is but
epidemic
ILLUSTRATIONS BY PIA CHARIS LUMANG POJAS
AND KRISHNA JEANNE PADRE GODINO
a growing
in
society.
Providing sustenance for the less fortunate
is like a fairy tale turned reality. Case in point, the
housing tax to be imposed in Quezon City will cover anyone
who has a real property tax of P100, 000 or more, and the money
gathered from this will be used to build houses for informal settlers.
This system of taxation reflects the negative income tax (NIT), wherein the
rich are obligated to allocate an additional tax for the poor. Although it presents
a sense of community, it is also a facade that hides pure dependence and band-aid
solutions created by the government to suit their own intentions. The system is a method for the
government to pass the buck to the rich. In an effort to provide for the poor, the government actually
creates a clash between the classes. Both are victimized by the system – the poor are regarded as parasites,
and the rich are perceived as misers. The system is but a flash in the pan – attractive enough, but useless in the end.
Labor Supply: Springboard of Wages
would be able to work and sustain their
and Employment
lives. Providing more money for workers
also increases the tendency for labor
According to an article by Guy Sorman supply to decrease, thus contrasting
in the City Journal, the negative income the argument that the NIT creates an
tax is advantageous because employees incentive for people to work. This is
are guaranteed with a minimum because workers will be able to allot
income instead of a minimum wage. more money on their own luxuries like
Therefore, the employees are ensured going on vacation, which will eventually
to gain something instead of relying decrease the number of workers.
on the minimum wage, of which not all
companies comply with. It is also argued Poverty Alleviation: Nuisance of
that the negative income tax needs less Systems
people to be implemented rather than
the present taxation, or even the welfare The taxation system presented by the
system. A welfare system is implemented Quezon City government does not help
when a state takes into account the well- in addressing the problems of informal
being of the people; thus, the state takes settlers. Rather, it is a beautification
responsibility of its citizen’s education, process that only conceals the reality
health, and security. Perhaps the largest of condition of the people, especially
benefit that the NIT can boast of is that the poor. Not all informal settlers are
it only needs a small department or necessarily poor; not all who have a real
bureaucracy to be utilized; less workers property tax of P100,000 or more are
and offices will be needed, hence, cutting really rich. Providing the informal settlers
the costs for the government.
with a house does not guarantee them a
better life but only an empty structure.
The negative income tax strives to They are not going to be provided with a
trust in the individual’s judgment. As a job, nor will they be provided with easier
result, considering the heterogeneity access to basic necessities. The mere fact
of individual characters, it would be that the houses to be built would not
impossible that every person would be given for free is contradictory to its
make use of the benefits gained in the purpose of solving poverty.
negative income tax.
The NIT promises that instead of using
According to Milton Friedman, the first a welfare system, subsidy would be
proponent of the NIT, the workers will given to the less fortunate, at the
receive money, while the unemployed expense of the more privileged. It only
may receive food stamps. The NIT would displays an illusion of the rich and the
appear as an incentive to work because poor helping each other. It does not
employees receive subsidies. This idea, create any mutuality between the rich
however, does not guarantee that more and the poor from which each member
jobs will be provided so that more would be beneficiaries. It does not,
p e o p l e
in any way, improve the economic
condition of society even if those who
are unemployed would receive benefits.
problem of poverty in any way.
attainment.
Inequality: Equalizing the Odds
Eradicating poverty continues to be one
of the major challenges in our society. It
seems that because economic wealth is
not distributed fairly and social services
are not allocated properly, people are
forced to live in poverty. In short, the
poor gets poorer while the rich gets
richer.
For years, it has been a crusade to reduce
inequality through preventing the
widening differences in wages. All the
aspects in our society reinforce the belief
that the society’s function is to give to
the poor. It is only right that the poor are
able to acquire the necessities that have
been deprived from them. Yet, it seems
that in this case, the cost that will be
inflicted to the poor for their welfare and
to society is much greater. The poor will
have to accept the so-called charitable
acts of the rich while the rich will have to
play the role of a generous person. The
oppressive and exploitative conditions in
society will continue to exist since there
is no long-term solution to alleviate
these problems. In the end, however,
both of them are worse off.
Until now, the principle of meritocracy
hinders the poor from getting a job.
The cost of education, however, is still
the same if not higher. It means that,
although status is not considered in
determining educational attainment,
education is still a commodity almost
exclusive to the rich. Status and wealth
cannot be removed from the equation in
determining the capability of the toiling
masses to get a job and more importantly,
the availability of a job.
Distributing the income of the rich for
the benefit for the poor is a mirage
made clear with the help
Most
people
in
country
have
no
choice
but
to
of the negative tax income. The
definitions of rich and poor, however,
are still unclear and the qualifications
are still vague. Living with a hundred
thousand pesos is not a guarantee
of being rich; nor does living in a
cramped area immediately become
a qualification for being poor.
Therefore, providing houses for the
informal settlers does not resolve the
take jobs with meagre
income than rely on
minuscule benefits for
unemployment, disability
and retirement which
only
aggravate
their
situation. They are left to
fend for themselves because
of their status
a n d
educational
o u r
Instead
of
providing
solutions to alleviate the problems
in society, the government continues
to plaster our surroundings with
band-aid solutions that only hide
their unwillingness to change society.
Moreover, rather than deal with the
problems in country, the government
tries to postpone it to avoid suffering
loses that are necessary for the
betterment of the society. In the end,
bigger problems are created that
further aggravate the situation of the
people.
The increased spending on poverty
programs, however, may have increased
the number of poor people according
to the article The Cost of Reducing
Economic Inequality. This reflects
the view that the incentives of social
programs lead to the discouragement
of work. In short, there are also adverse
effects of redistributing income from
the rich to the poor.
Nevertheless, the redistribution of
income is merely a way to increase the
income of the poor. It is not, however,
the cure to the furthering enslavement
of the masses because of their status.
The poor does not reap significant
benefits from programs such as these
since it does not really solve the roots
of their problems. What really matters
is not just the distribution of income.
The provision of public services that
addresses the basic needs of the people
is much more effective in reducing in
equality. It is the basic or the main
prerequisites to live a life that will
ensure their survival. After all, the
deprivation of the basic goods and
services
are
the t r u e
measures of inequality.
CULTURE
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2011
Godlike
09
ANGELO DENNIS ALIGAGA AGDEPPA
GUHIT NI ZACH ANDREI VEGO MARASIGAN
Ang Kapangyarihan at Kamatayan ng Diktador sa Lipunan
addafi, Kaddafi, Gaddafi ― teka, ano ba talaga, kuya? Sa pagkamatay ni
Q
Gaddafi, bukod sa tamang ispeling ng kanyang pangalan, may isa pang
katanungan ang mayroong hindi siguradong sagot: ano ba ang kinabukasan
para sa Libya at pati na rin sa iba pang bansang nakaranas ng awtoritaryang
pamumuno?
Isang taong malapit nang mamatay, bugbog ng sipa, suntok at hampas,
kinaladkad sa likod ng isang sasakyan bago tuluyang mamatay sanhi ng
kanyang mga sugat ― iyan ang mga pangyayari sa huling minuto ng buhay
ng diktador ng Libya. Ganoon na lamang ba kasama ang isang diktatoryal
na pamumuno para magkaroon ng ganoong galit ang mga tao? Bagamat
naranasan na ng Pilipinas ang ganitong klase ng pamahalaan, hindi pa rin
natin lubos na mapaunlad ang bansa nang walang kamay na bakal at patuloy
pa rin tayong nagiging bulag sa mga “tulong” ng mga imperyalistang bansa
simula noong nagkaisa ang bayan para mapatalsik ang rehimeng Marcos.
Kasalanan at Katotohanan
sentimiyento ng Libya?
Malayo man ang agwat ng panahon
noong pinatalsik si Marcos at Gaddafi,
parehas lang ang mga dahilan kung bakit
sila pinatalsik ng tao. Ang lipunan na
napapaloob sa kanilang pamumuno ay
unti-unting nagising sa mga maling gawain
ng bawat diktador. Nagiging isang malupit
at mabagsik na pinuno at isang gobyernong
may kamay na bakal ang nagpapatakbo sa
bawat bansa. Ang kawalan ng karapatan
at kalayaan ― ito ang tunay na dahilan ng
rebolusyon.
Pero hindi rin naman matatanggal sa
ating isipan na maaaring ang dahilan ng
paghihirap natin ngayon ay ang mahigit
dalawang dekada ng tiwaling pamamahala
sa ilalim ni Marcos. Hindi pa rin maaalis
sa ating isipan na ang pagkawala ng
karapatang pantao ay hindi kayang punan
ng kaunlaran at karangyaan ng ating bayan.
Isang lipunang brutal at puno ng represyon
― ito ang pagkakakilala ng madla sa
bansang pinamumunuan ng isang diktador.
Ang lahat ng tao ay nabubuhay sa takot na
magkasala at magdusa sa mga lugar kung
saan pinaparusahan ang mga lumalaban sa
gobyerno. Ngunit patuloy pa ring malabo
ang tunay na kahulugan ng diktatoryal
dahil sa kaunlaran na kaakibat nito.
Sa panahon ni Pangulong Marcos,
nagkaroon ng pagkakataong maging dakila
muli ang bansa lalo na sa unang bahagi
ng dalawang-dekada niyang pamumuno.
Mura ang mga bilihin at mahigpit
ang pagpapatupad ng batas. Dahil sa
kanyang mga proyekto sa agrikultura at
imprastraktura, itinuturing siya ng ilang
Pilipino bilang isa sa mga pinakamagaling
at pinakamatalinong pangulo ng bansa.
Ganito rin ang pagkakakilala ng ilang tagaLibya kay Gaddafi ngunit tuluyan nang
kinalimutan sa panahon ng rebolusyon.
Naging isang propaganda laban sa kanya
ang mga masasamang ginawa niya at
pagkalimot sa kanyang mga nagawang
proyekto.
Mahigit dalawampung taon na ang
nakalipas simula noong nagkaroon ng
rebolusyon at napatalsik si Marcos. Ano
na nga ba ang itinuturo ng kasaysayan
tungkol sa rebolusyong 1986? Bagamat
marami ang nagsasabing nagtagumpay
ito at nagpakita ito ng tunay na diwa ng
demokrasya, may ilang nagsasabing isa
raw itong “failed revolution” dahil mas
lalong naghirap ang buhay natin. Darating
kaya ang araw na ganito rin ang magiging
“Tulong” at “Kaibigan”
Nakakatawang isipin kung paano pinuri
ng midya ng mga kanluraning bansa
noong 2006 ang pinakamalaking proyekto
ng irigasyon sa Libya. Ngunit noong
nakaraang Hulyo, pinasabog ito ng North
Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
sa pag-aakalang mayroon ditong mga
nagkukutang kalaban. Sa pagsabog ng
pipeline, muling nadagdagan ang mga
krimen ng NATO na dapat ang misyon
ay protektahan ang mga sibilyan. Ang
interbensyon ng mga kanluraning bansa
ay humahantong lamang sa mga sirang
paaralan, ospital, planta ng kuryente at
mga kabahayan.
Sa interbensyon ng mga kanluraning bansa
nagsisimulang lumala ang sitwasyon sa
isang rehiyon. Ang mga sundalo, dala
ang kanilang mapanirang sandata ay
makikialam sa pamamalakad ng isang bansa
ngunit imbis na makapanggamot ng mga
sugat ng lipunan ay lumalalim lamang ang
mga ito. Sa paglala ng mga sugat, darating
ang tulong sa paraan ng proyektong
rekonstruksyon ng mga imprastraktura.
Subalit ang tunay na pakay ng mga
dayuhang ito ay pagnakawan lamang ang
mga kaawa-awang mamamayan. Patuloy
nilang gagamitin ang mga likas na yaman
at kokontrolin ang ekonomiya ng bansang
sinasakop nila.
Hindi na bago ang ganitong paraan ng
mga dayuhang ang turing sa kanilang sarili
ay mga pulis ng mundo. Ang higit pang
nakakabahala ay ang katotohanang hindi
napapanagot ang mga dayuhang ito sa
mga pang-aabuso ng kapangyarihan sa
kanilang ginagawa dahil pinagtatakpan
ito ng midya at ng mga kaalyadong
organisasyon at bansa. Ang pagpatay ng
Estados Unidos sa mga maimpluwensiyang
pinuno para makontrol ang isang bansa ay
nagpapatuloy sa paglaban at pagpatay nila
kay Gaddafi. Ang kanilang “Digma Kontra
Terrorismo” ay patuloy na bumubulag
sa mundo sa mga tunay na pakay nila.
Pinapakita nilang sila ang kailangan ng
isang rehiyon para bumangon ngunit
ang totoo, sila ang dahilan sa patuloy na
pagbasak nito.
Marahil totoo ngang may naitutulong
ang Estados Unidos para mabawasan
ang kaguluhan sa iba’t-ibang bansang
kanilang tinutulungan. Ngunit sa kanilang
pagresponde bilang pulis ng mundo, ang
tunay na natatamaan ng kanilang bala
ay ang mga sibilyan. Ang dulot nilang
panandaliang kapayapaan ay may kapalit
namang buhay ng sibilyan. Ngunit sa
paglabag ng mga ito sa batas, maingat din
nilang binubura ang ebidensiya na
nagtuturo sa kanilang mga sarili.
Ang Susunod na Yugto
Panahon na nga para sa isang
bagong Libya. Maaaring may
parte sa ating mga Pilipino na
masaya sa pagkakatanggal
ng diktador tulad ng
nangyari sa atin ilang taon
na ang nakalipas. Maaari
rin itong hudyat ng kaligtasan
para sa ating mga kababayang OFW na
nakikipagsapalaran pa rin sa bansang
iyon. Ngunit hindi pa rin nakakamit ang
ganap na demokrasya; nasa bingit pa ng
alanganin ang lahat ng aspeto ng bansa
mula sa konstitusyon nito hanggang sa
iba’t-ibang sektor ng lipunan.
Ang digmaang sibil sa pagitan ng mga
armadong tribo ay hindi malayong
kahihinatnan ng isang bansang bagong
laya mula sa diktatoryal na pamumuno.
Dahil ang Libya ay napalaya gamit ang
armas, malaki rin ang tyansa na ang
pamumuno sa bansang ito ay dumaan
muna sa madugong laban.
Maaari pang magamot ng Libya ang
mga sugat nitong dulot ng paglaban sa
rehimeng Gaddafi ngunit nararapat na
pagbuklurin muli ang mga
tribo, rehiyon at mga pinuno
ng militar. Sa pagiging
mapagmatyag
at
pagtutol ng mga tagaLibya sa interbensyon
ng Estados Unidos
sa mga desisyon
ng
bansa
ay
maaaring tuluyang
makabangon
ang
kanilang bayan.
Magiging bahagi
na ng kasaysayan
si
Gaddafi
at
kasama rito ang
mga mabuti at masama niyang
nagawa. Marahil ganito rin ang mga
diktador sa iba pang sulok ng mundo
at kasaysayan. Sa una’y magaling at
matalino, ngunit sa huli’y nagiging
mapang-abuso. Sa paghahangad ng
pagbabago, marami ang nakataya.
Marami ang maaaring mangyari
at talagang hindi tayo sigurado sa
kinabukasan.
Hindi nagtatapos ang kakayahan at
tungkulin ng masa sa pagpapatalsik
sa isang diktador, bagkus, nasa
kapangyarihan
ng
lipunan
na
magbigay ng ganap na pagbabago
sa bulok na sistema maging anuman
ang uri ng pamahalaan. Bilang mga
mamamayan,
sa
ating
kamay
manggagaling
ang
pagbabago,
demokrasya at kalayaan.
10 FREESTYLE
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11. 2011
Iskotistiks...from Page 4
target in 2014 and zero subsidy for Personal
Services in 2020, health care in the country
will be more inaccessible and unaffordable
for the majority of the Filipino people.
“Universal Health Care for All Filipinos”
To realize this vision, however, the UPM
College of Medicine Dean Alberto B. Roxas
expressed the need for the president to
exhibit a strong political will which would
equip him well in his policy decisionmaking.
“…with political will, there is much that the
president can achieve: provide adequate
health services and education; give a muchneeded boost to the advocacies working
toward improving the people’s welfare;
provide universal health insurance coverage
to all Filipinos; enact the Magna Carta for
Public Health Workers and give incentives
to encourage health workers to serve in the
SIGNOS
As relayed by DOH Secretary Enrique T.
Ona, Aquino aims to confer to the masses
a lasting health care legacy that is directed
to the underserved populace. Aquino
envisions a universal health care for all
Filipinos that endeavor “to substantially
improve the access to health services for
the poor in the country.” Essentially, this
objective intends to focus on the “universal
access” to health facilities, information
technology, and medical breakthroughs
that would greatly contribute to the state’s
capacity of providing basic health care
services not only to the Filipinos but also
to foreign patients seeking for efficient
medical attention.
“…universal health care prioritizes the
needs of millions and millions of poor
Filipino families which comprise majority
of our population. We intend to focus our
energies on the poorest two fifths…of our
population,” Ona mentioned.
country; and ultimately, provide Universal
Health Care for all Filipinos,” Roxas pointed
out.
UP Staff Regent.
Pronouncing that this is their initial victory
in their fight for higher health budget, the
Initial Victory: Fruit of a Collective Coalition for Health Budget Increase still
Struggle
foresees a long journey ahead of them.
Despite the “victory” they have achieved so
To address the failure of the government far, various health groups pledged to continue
to provide greater state subsidy for their protests to achieve the P90 billion health
affordable health care along with budget for 2012. After all, justice and equality
other basic social services, multitudes for all is the only conceivable end of the road.
of progressive groups expressed their
discontent through unrelenting massive Aquino may have sealed his social contract
protest actions. These relentless street with the Filipinos but his bogus probattles and other socio-legal means people principles barely obscure the fact
proved to be successful as additional that his policies and schemes reveal his
funds amounting to P600 million to the administration’s apparent neglect to the
DOH budget and GOCC hospitals were health sector. Moreover, the privatization
granted.
scheme for the health care in the country is a
testimony that the government prioritizes the
“Our efforts to expose the ill effects of foreign investors over the masses.
low health budget paid off. But while we
recognize this initial victory as a result of At the end of the line, the Filipinos bear the
the people’s efforts through the support burden of this crisis as the indigent and
of pro-health lawmakers, we see that we underserved sectors find it difficult to avail
need to exert more effort to yield a more affordable health care services that are, in the
substantial increase,” said Josel Ebesate, first place, rightfully theirs.
Hikahos
ni Kessel Gandol Villarey
Kaloy
ni Zach Andrei Vego Marasigan
Pasmado ang gaydar
ni Lola Patola!
May isusumbong
ka ba?
Ispluk na sa
[email protected]
o sa 09063344807. Gora!
OPINION
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2011
HOMAGE
Gerald Miranda Goco
Deaths in Silicon Valley
O
n October 5, 2011, a man died of cancer at age 56.
The following days, Facebook, Twitter and other
social networking sites were flooded with goodbyes
for this man. Almost every website you open, you’ll
see posts giving tribute to him. The whole world outpoured grief for the death of a single person who they
believe revolutionized the way they live.
Another week after Jobs’ death, on October 23, 2011, another
man died at the age of 84. John McCarthy, known as the
father of Artificial Intelligence, is the third person in the field
of Information Technology (IT) to die in the same month. Not
less important than the first two, yet tributes were still not as
overflowing as that of Jobs’.
I believe that the latter two deserve more praise than Steve
Jobs, for having made a larger impact on the modern
Steven Paul Jobs was a man well known worldwide as the technology that we use today. It is undeniable that Jobs did
Apple-guy who always wore a turtleneck shirt. As the CEO
a big part in changing
of a huge company and as
way we live through
believe that the latter two deserve more the
one of the world’s greatest
innovative products of his
entrepreneurs, he made his
praise than Steve Jobs, for having made famous Apple company
name famous. This may be
the praise – and even
a larger impact on the modern technology but
the reason why everyone the wealth – given to him
was so well-informed of his
may be unfair for the
that we use today.”
passing.
other two. But then again,
you cannot separate the
On October 12, 2011, exactly one week after Steve Jobs’ death, three as all of them had been extraordinary in the field of IT.
another man passed away. This man died at the age of 70 at They all were part of the chain of moving humanity forward.
home, quiet and alone. He is Dennis Ritchie, the father of C
programming language; the person responsible for making It’s shameful though, that only the so-called computer geeks
business easy for Jobs. He built the foundations which helped knew who these people were; people whom we should be
Jobs to get where he was but the praises and tributes that he grateful to for their contribution in their field of study. Only a
received wouldn’t match that of Jobs’. Dennis Ritchie was not few people understand how much they owe to the founders
a billionaire who would always appear in front of people. He of their specific field. Wouldn’t it be nice to dedicate time and
was just a simple person who had so much passion for his recognize someone’s body of work and contribution? But
field of study that he was able to contribute something really whether we acknowledge it or not, some people are passionate
important to it.
on changing the world that we take for granted.
“I
ALLGOREWITHIN ALGORITHM
Zach Andrei Vego Marasigan
U
na sa lahat, masaya ako dahil naglaan ka ng
ilang minuto upang basahin ito. Marahil isa ka
sa mga masusugid na mambabasa ng Kule o kaya
nama’y wala kang magawa’t naiinip sa mga oras na
ito dahil kasisimula pa lamang ng semestre. Maaari
ring binabasa mo ito dahil lamang kakilala mo ang
nagsulat at gusto mo siyang laitin sa kung ano mang
mapupuna mo. Anuman ang dahilan, maraming
salamat.
Ako Rin Naman
pinaglilingkuran ng pahayagang ito. Ikaw na maaaring sabik
na makakuha ng bawat isyu. Ikaw na nag-aabang sa mga
sinasabi ni Lola Patola, sa mga sagot sa Itanong Kay Isko at
Iska, sa mga kwento sa mga komiks, at sa mga guhit at mga
larawan lamang ng bawat pahina.
Ako, kahit na nabibilang sa mga gumuguhit ng mga dibuhong
iyong tanging sinusulyapan, ay hindi nagagalak na malamang
karamihan sa mga kapwa nating mag-aaral ay nasa mga
imahe lang na ito ang atensyon kapag nagbubuklat ng mga
Nakahihiya mang sabihin, hindi ko alam kung paano ko ilalahad isyu. Para sa akin, hindi ito karangalan, sa halip ay isang
sa iyo ang lahat ng nais kong iparating. Ito ang unang beses kabiguan sa aming tungkulin. Gumuhit kami upang magbigay
kong nagsulat sa loob ng walong buwang panunungkulan suporta sa mensaheng ipinapahayag ng mga manunulat.
Ginagawan namin ng
ko sa pahayagang ito. Isa
mukha ang dyaryo at
kasi akong tagapagguhit
apagkat ang mga titik na nakikita ang mga laman nito
na nabigyan lamang ng
mo ay hindi lamang naka-imprenta upang iyong mapansin
pagkakataong
maranasan
ang pagsusulat tulad ng para lamang punan ang mga bahaging hindi sa kabila ng iyong
pagiging abala sa kung
karamihan sa mga kasama ko. nalapatan ng mga linya at kulay.”
anu-anong mga bagay.
Ngunit kapag hindi
Hindi madali ang pagbuo
ng isang akda. Magmula sa konsepto hanggang sa bawat naging kaakit-akit o makabuluhan para sa iyo ang resulta ng
anggulo ng isa o higit pang isyung nakapaloob sa isusulat ay aming trabaho, maaari mong isipin na hindi rin makabuluhang
mabusising inaaral. Alam kong hindi sapat ang karanasan ko basahin ang kalakip nitong akda. Dahil sa aming pagkukulang,
sa pagsusulat para sabihin ito, ngunit nakikita ko kung paaano maaaring masayang ang pinaghirapan ng iba at mabigat
nila pinaghihirapan ang bawat salitang nakikita mo sa dyaryo iyon sa konsensya. Ang aming mga ginuguhit ay nararapat
(na kadalasan ay tinitingnan mo nga lamang). Matapos isatitik na magsilbing tagapaghikayat ng mga mambabasa sa halip
ang mga detalye at ang mga nasa isipan ng mga manunulat, na mang-aagaw ng iyong interes na sana’y nakalaan sa mga
daraan ito sa ilang ulit na pagwawasto at pagbabago – bagay pinaghirapan ng mas mga naghihirap.
na para sa akin ay hindi madali. Minsan, ang mga ideyang sa
tingin nilang husto na at napagbuhusan na ng lahat ng kanilang Nakalulungkot isipin na hindi na raw kasindami noon ang
kaalaman ay hindi pa pala sapat o taliwas sa inaasahan sa mga masusugid na mambabasa ng The Manila Collegian.
kanilang isinusulat. Kadalasan, kinakailangan nilang burahin Sapagkat ang mga titik na nakikita mo ay hindi lamang nakanang isang pindot lamang ang mga salitang ilang minuto imprenta para lamang punan ang mga bahaging hindi
nilang piniga sa mga utak nila. Paulit-ulit nila itong ginagawa nalapatan ng mga linya at kulay. Ito ay tinig hindi rin lamang
sa loob ng ilang araw, pinagpupuyatan nang ilang mga gabi, ng iilan, at nangangailangang bigyan ng pagpapahalaga at
at kasabay pa nito ang kanilang mga tungkulin bilang mag- pag-aanalisa. Hindi ito pampalipas-oras at lalong hindi
aaral, anak, kapatid, kaibigan at mamamayan. Ginagawa nila panlibangan lamang. Ang bawat laman nito ay pinagpapaguran
at inaasahang makapagbibigay kaalaman at makapagmumulat
ang mga iyan para sa iyo.
sa kung ano talaga ang nagaganap sa lipunang ginagalawan
Oo, para sa iyo. Ikaw na bahagi rin ng unibersidad na mo.
“S
11
FIXING A HOLE
Denise A. Salvo
Echoes, Silence, Patience
and Grace*
This may just be my saving grace.
It came as a surprise to me that I was offered a regular column
in The Manila Collegian. As a newspaper constantly criticized
for publishing intellectual jargon, displaying a certain bias,
and revealing the incessant weightiness of things, it was
highly unexpected that it would allow such a column of this
nature to litter its pages, let alone be written by someone like
me. I’m pretty sure we have met each other in one way or
another – maybe we’ve been classmates in one class or maybe
we’ve passed by each other in the streets of Faura or Pedro
Gil. UP Manila is a small place for students to not be aware of
each other’s existence, except of course if we share the same
routine of contributing silence to class discussions, dodging
the persistence of every organizations and sororities, and
eluding the annoying invitations of your blockmates to their
foolish itineraries. If so, then maybe, just maybe, you know
who I am.
It was a long time since I picked up a pen. I realized that
the translation of emotions into words reached the point of
insufficiency. When one inadvertently falls into a pit of utter
despair, perhaps even an age-old nurtured love for words
is not enough to rise from lowly imprisonment. Everything
seemed bent on being out of place somehow, all of which
accumulated in the formation of a gaping hole that may be
impossible to fill, let alone cover.
One, I don’t even know if I have an academic life. Day in, day
out, it’s the same old routine. Pesky GC classmates are scattered
in class. Boring professors drone about ancient topics. Grades
quantify students. Maybe we all forgot the larger meaning of
it all, that education goes beyond what institutions offer. Or
it may also be that I am complaining about my utter lack of
enthusiasm in this area. But who knows, things go hand in
hand. Those slips account for something, and it’s not just on
one end.
Two, my parents are tucked away in the country running their
own estate, safe from the pandemonium I’ve created out
of my life. I can’t keep treating them like my personal bank
account, magically filling up whenever I need cash. I can’t keep
making excuses for not going home on weekends. I can’t hide
in this condo unit forever. Most of all, I can’t keep pretending
like they don’t exist. But if every phone conversation turned
into confrontations about your somersaulting grades which
eventually led to an endless cycle of arguing, scolding and
heartbreak, where would you position yourself? And as they
realize that you are growing up faster than ever, even the “I
don’t want to be a doctor, mom and dad” card works no more.
With all of these, I am at a loss. Staying here forever might be
the better option.
Three, Sam. The person stood in front of me the whole time,
but I just couldn’t betray my best friend. We are caught in a
tangle of love, friendship, deceit and hurt, and I am finding it
extremely difficult to tread my way out. Because really, how do
you tell your best friend that you have fallen for his girl? Love
may be the ultimate end, but it surely never was the game.
Sometimes it pays to know it ahead of time, and indeed,
to have the courage to dash my own hopes. The timing of
everything is warped, and as the world remains as convoluted
as it is, there lies the initial challenge of standing still, in spite
of it all. And this is when I realized that being a lesbian is
definitely not a piece of cake.
And I’m hoping to be graceful and patient–everything I’m
not right now–just to deal with it all. When the echoes of all
these become too loud to bear, sometimes silence becomes
the initial answer, but not for always, and surely, not forever.
But there is a point somewhere. Someday, all this would mean
something. It should.
Although it was a surprise, the column couldn’t have come at a
better time. I am prepared to tell you my story even if it means
removing the bandages I have carefully placed to shroud the
gaping hole deep in my core. And this perhaps may be the
last ditch attempt at hapless yet satisfying redemption, even
for other souls out there.
So it begins.
*My apologies to The Foo Fighters
12 editorial
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2011
W
e are on the brink of bankruptcy.
The same sentence graced every
letter The Manila Collegian sent to the
Office of the Chancellor, with every single
time it attempted to obtain the annual
budget for operation. It became quite an
overused notion, but as academic years
began and ended, and new series of staff
were appointed and replaced, it became the
irreversible predicament without the sufficient
resolutions. Only with the determination and
perseverance of the writers and artists did the
publication continue with its releases, even as
financial troubles constantly hound the very
operation of the publication.
It was the same situation the staff found
themselves in, year after year. Unbeknownst
to the public, pleas were made to the external
publisher to extend the deadline for payments,
with ten releases still on debt. Overnight
press works were conducted without enough
representation allowance. Even if the funds
were not immediately disbursed to the
institution, one inalienable fact kept it going:
that the students should get what they paid
for. Notwithstanding financial setbacks, The
Manila Collegian is still mandated to release
issues in a bimonthly scheme, as if that in
itself does not warrant much effort let alone
without sufficient funding. But even with its
allocated budget, the publication still cannot
perform to reach the optimal level. The
institution needs more funding for full and
proper operation.
Even with the release of the publication’s
budget during the latter part of the first
semester of the academic year, it is still
verging on bankruptcy, with the allocation far
from enough to cover its expenses.
For the publication to fully operate, it needs
a total of P999,355. This covers the expenses
of The Manila Collegian for the two semesters
and summer of the current academic year.
But the publication had to adjust its expenses
to the funds available for transfer which only
amounts to a total of P707,119. Cuts were
made in the various areas of the publication’s
expenses. The number of issues to be released
and the number of copies per release were
reduced, as the budget can no longer support
the ideal and planned number of releases. The
institution is incapable of sending delegates
to the Luzon-wide and nationwide student
journalist conferences, and had to request
for external funds for such events. A total of
P292,236 was diminished from the original
budget plan of the publication for the
incumbent term, with a wave of slashes on its
expenditures as a consequence.
The financial problems faced by the
publication resonate with the predicament of
the University of the Philippines (UP). Such a
situation endangered the University, as it is
Cutting Edge
hanging on the balance, leering over the
edge as consecutive budget cuts threatened
the excellence of its existence. Of the P17B
the University proposed and needed, only
P5.54B was approved by the Department
of Budget and Management as the budget
allocation for 2012. This is even less than
the previous budget of P5.75B. UP has been
dealt with a heavy blow, the adversities of
which would be carried by the students.
Even as the UP community attempted
to adjust to wrath brought forth by the
decreases in funding, its quality will soon
be compromised. Its public character
has already been violated, with private
enterprises
littering
its
campuses,
functioning as aid to the deficiencies
caused by a decreased budget allocation.
The operation of UP as the premier state
university is largely affected by the budget
cuts; its opportunities for greater progress
and higher standards of excellence are
inhibited by this factor. The students, as
they enter the gates of UP, reflect the
everyday struggle of the Iskolar against
the despondence, difficulties and conflicts
brought about by the budget slashes.
And even though the current Philippine
administration does not realize the real value
of UP education as it approved perennial
budget cuts, the country could not afford to
lose UP not only because it is the premier
state university, but also because it is by all
means, significant to society.
In the same vein, The Manila Collegian, as
the official student publication of UP Manila,
is an integral part of student life. It functions
as the voice of the students, in being biased
toward them, and promoting causes that
would be of their benefit. As such, The
Manila Collegian vehemently condemns
any program, law or directive that may
be deemed as anti-student. In all its years
of existence, the publication served the
Iskolar, and it is in this light that it renders
its significance. The very existence of The
Manila Collegian is the right of every Iskolar,
and this must not be lost, not even in the
face of a crippling lack of funds.
The lack of proper budget allocation is
manifested even in the smaller units of
the University. More than just a lack of
operational funds, it blatantly represents a
deprivation on the part of the students; that
even the campus publication is finding it
difficult to operate under such circumstances.
As threats of bankruptcy loom over UP and
The Manila Collegian, the students suffer the
most. And even in the face of adversity, both
institutions will continue to fulfill their goals.
But proper budget allocation is necessary,
and this serves as the only solution.
Cutting edge service is difficult to
provide, especially when even the edges
are not spared from cuts.
“The existence of The Manila Collegian
is the right of every Iskolar, and this
must not be lost, not even in the face of
a crippling lack of funds.”