Uplb Perspective 0809 - 4th Ish

VOLUME 35

ISSUE 4

December 15, 2008

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES LOS BAÑOS

NEWS:

72 ST activists face murder raps

Militants fear intensified political persecution

Aaron Joseph Aspi

LAYOUT ALETHEIA GRACE DEL ROSARIO | PHOTO ARKIBONG BAYAN

UP Diliman -- Human rights advocates, civil libertarians and members of progressive multisectoral groups gathered last Nov. 22 to launch the Task Force Defend Southern Tagalog (DEFENDST) in response to the widespread political persecution against activists and leaders of militant organizations in the region. Pastor Berlin Guerrero, spokesperson of DEFEND-ST, related the ongoing crackdown against activists and progressive leaders in ST through mass charging. Criminal cases including multiple murder and frustrated multiple murder were filed against 72 individuals, now tagged as ST-72. Separate cases of arson and rebellion in the past were also filed against 27 individuals. Charged from alleged ambush Among the ST-72 include Los Baños resident Pedro “PJ” Santos Jr., 26, secretary general of Anakbayan-Southern Tagalog and former UPLB USC Chair Bayani “Bani” Cambronero, 48, regional coordinator of Bayan Muna Partylist. As of Nov. 20, six have already been arrested and detained at the Calapan City District Jail in Oriental Mindoro. They are Remigio Saladero Jr., chief legal counsel of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU); Rogelio Galit, spokesperson of Katipunan ng mga Magbubukid sa Kabite (Kamagsasaka-Ka), Nestor San Jose, local leader of the transport sector; Crispin Zapanta, member of Bayan Muna; Arnaldo Seminiano, organizer of the Ilaw-Buklod ng Manggagawa (IBM); and, Emmanuel Dionida, executive director of labor institute LEADERS. The ST-72 was allegedly part of a raid by the New People’s Army (NPA) in Calapan City in March 2006. “Lack of due process” Meanwhile, Atty. Rachel Pastores of the Public Interest Law Center, legal counsel for DEFEND-ST, stressed the lack of due process in the case of ST-72. The case was first filed last May 2006 which originally has only one defendant and several John Does, a legal term referring to fictitious individuals. The two PNP officials, however, did not identify the John Does until after one year and four months when amended information on the case was filed against ST-72. After archiving the case in May 2007, no motion was made to revive the case. Pastores said “the amended information in itself is highly irregular,” arguing the prosecutor relied only on the affidavit of Vincent Silva who claimed to be a deep penetration agent (DPA) involved in the ambush. She pointed out Silva’s testimony is highly questionable since the latter did not swear before a lawyer, which makes his testimony an “invalid and inadmissible” extrajudicial confession. The legal counsel added that Silva did not mention anything about the alleged participation of the 72 individuals in the said ambush. Also, the affidavits of the police who filed the complaint only described 15 armed men ambushing a police station in Calapan City. In addition, Pastores said the lawyer failed to conduct a hearing, to issue a subpoena to the defendants and to conduct a preliminary investigation on the case. Despite the lack of inquiry on probable cause, she added that the judge accepted the amended information and immediately issued warrants of arrest against the ST-72. She also said the judge failed to hold a hearing and to inform the respondents. Pastores is confident that the charges would be dismissed, given its lack of merits. However, she fears the case will turn into another political persecution void of respect to rule of law and to due process. Heightened political persecution Meanwhile, militant youth group Anakbayan-ST, in a statement condemning the mass charging of activists describing it as “part of a systematic vilification campaign” of the Arroyo administration to tag progressive militant groups for being communist fronts. According to the statement, the criminalization and political persecution of activists are an extension of Oplan Bantay Laya 2, an anti-insurgency campaign of the Arroyo administration believed by activists that is responsible for the spate of political killings and enforced disappearances.

CHILD’S PLIGHT. “Aktibista ang tatay ko, hindi kriminal!” Dana Marcellana, daughter of Orly Marcellana, attested to her father’s work as a peasant leader in the forum-launching of DEFEND-ST. Her mother, human rights worker Eden Marcellana was killed by suspected military elements in 2003.

72...ON PAGE 3

NEWS

More students rely on SLB, STFAP for tuition discount page 2

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NEWS

UPLB Perspective

VOLUME 35 | ISSUE 4 | December 15, 2008

Rules for SR process set for referendum Student leaders call all UP units to defend OSR Rogene Gonzales

UP students will have to exceed the success of the plebiscite that ratified the 1984 UPLB Student Council (SC) Constitution, as the Codified Rules for Student Regent Selection (CRSRS) is set for a system-wide referendum on January 19-23, 2009. The Student Regent (SR) is the lone student representative in the Board of Regents (BOR), the highest policy-making body of UP. SR Shahana Abdulwahid said the referendum poses a tough challenge to the student movement as its failure might mean the loss of our representation in the BOR. Certain provisions regarding SR selection were revised when the 2008 UP Charter or R.A. 9500 was signed into law last April 29. Section 12g states that an SR shall be chosen “in accordance with rules and qualifications approved in a referendum by the students.”

The referendum requires that the CRSRS gather a 50 percent-plus-one participation or approximately 26,000 votes from at least 52,000 UP students, said Abdulwahid. Only when the referendum has earned a majority “yes-vote” would the selection of the next SR proceed, similar to the process undergone by the plebiscite for the UPLB SC Constitution.

HIGHLIGHTING THE ROLE OF SR Abdulwahid said the systemwide campaign for the referendum is a chance to highlight the importance of the Office of the Student Regent (OSR) to UP students. “Magandang paraan ito para maipaabot sa mga estudyante na kung mayroong concerns na kailangang tugunan ang SR at least alam nila na mayroong nageexist na ganitong entity sa BOR,” she said. The SR has voting power in deliberations of university policies during BOR meetings. The SR

also conducts consultations in all UP units and coordinates with student councils for campaigns and information dissemination such as the call for the junking and immediate rollback of the Tuition and Other Fee Increase.

Defend the OSR Gathering the required votes calls for extensive support from students since UP units usually register low voter’s turnout during elections, Abdulwahid said. “Gagawa tayo ng history.‘Yan ay base sa kung ano ang kapasyahan ng mga estudyante,” she added. UPLB’s successful conduct of the plebiscite for the ratification of the UPLB-SC Constitution attained a 70.54 percent turnout with 95.5 percent affirmative vote. This overwhelming success gave UP President Emerlinda Roman the impression that the referendum is not impossible to achieve, according to Abdulwahid. Meanwhile, University Student Council (USC)

What is the CRSRS?

Chairperson Charisse Bernadine Bañez said the UPLB USC stands firm in defending the OSR and made the campaign part of its ongoing democratic rights campaign. Through its Students’ Rights and Welfare Committee, the USC has coordinated with local College Student Councils and student organizations to discuss the existing CRSRS and the UP Charter of 2008. Implications of Failed Referendum

Abdulwahid said a failed referendum would not only delay the SR selection but also possibly extend her term until the referendum satisfies the required votes. “Maaaring wala ring SR [at] magbigay ito ng ibang puwang ng intervention mula sa external groups [administration],” she stressed. In a letter in response to Abdulwahid’s inquiries,

Rules...ON PAGE 3

Since 1997, the Codified Rules for Student Regent Selection (CRSRS) has laid out the qualifications and procedures by which the next Student Regent (SR) is chosen. The General Assembly of Student Councils has crafted the CRSRS and opens it yearly for amendments. In previous years, the GASC has been convening twice a year to revise the CRSRS in October and proceed with the SR Selection in December. Nominees for SR of respective UP units are deliberated, where autonomous units (such as UPLB and UP Diliman) are entitled with two votes while regional units (such as UP Diliman Extension Program in Pampanga) are etitled with one.

On TOFI’s 2nd year

More students rely on SLB, STFAP for tuition discount Katrina Elauria Beads of sweat clouded Kristine Cas’ brow. She fans herself with creased pieces of papers – probably application forms. It would’ve been easy yielding to her longing to take a rest, but her desire to get discount on her tuition and help her family made her dismiss the thought of leaving the line, even if it means waiting for hours, or even days, just to finish her application for Student Loan Board (SLB) and Socialized Tuition and Financial Assistance Program (STFAP). Being aware of the looming end of the registration, Kristine feels all the more uneasy. She could be seen almost every day for the whole registration week at the Student Union building, incessantly heaving sighs as she waits among the long line of students. Kristine is but one of the many students who rely on SLB and STFAP during enrolment period just to be able to lessen the burden of Tuition and other Fees Increase (ToFI) on her pocket.

(SFAD) recorded that the total loan granted to students has amounted to P33, 688,064.35 last school year. An amount of P24,680,129.40 has been availed by freshmen, P2,760,746.00 by sophomores, P2,739,645.39 by juniors, P3,024,095.56 by seniors, and P483,448.00 by graduate school students. Dorothy Litan, head of SFAD, said, “About the same ‘yung number ng applicants [compared with last year] pero ‘yung equivalent amount mas malaki ngayon dahil mas marami ang freshman [at] sophomore ngayon na affected ng ToFI. So maliit na lang na portion ‘yung old rate.” For the first semester, 2068 applied for STFAP with an additional of 113 more applicants as of Nov. 17 for 2nd semester. Meanwhile, 2,388 students applied for SLB as of Nov.21 for 2nd semester.

call for greater subsidy Despite the temporary financial relief offered by STFAP and SLB, Kristine still believes that these programs are not enough to prevent her tuition from consuming a large portion of her family’s income. Falling short of students’ needs “Oo, nakakatulong, SLB and STFAP were designed pero kulang pa rin talaga. to provide financial assistance to Namamahalan pa rin kami [sa students who cannot shoulder the tuition]. Iba ang expectations full cost of tuition. Last semester, namin [dati sa UP], mas mura [ang 2,068 students applied for STFAP, halaga ng edukasyon],” Kristine 916 of which are from batch ’08, related. while 785 are from batch ’07. Only Being classified under bracket 367 students from upper batches C, she is given 40 percent subsidy that were not affected by ToFI for her tuition, saving her from applied for STFAP last semester. paying P 1,000 per unit wholesale Meanwhile, of the 3,384 every semester. students who availed of SLB last Describing her previous school year, 45 percent or 1,515 STFAP application, Kristine said applicants are freshmen. It is the processing of STFAP was slow. followed by seniors constituting She said it took the whole 1st 20 percent of the total applicants semester before discount on her with 688 applicants, while 35 tuition has been available. percent or 1,181 applicants are Although many students sophomores, juniors and graduate were able to avail SLB and school students. STFAP, many still resorted to In addition, the Scholarship applying for Leave of Absence and Financial Assistance Division (LOA) and Absence Without Leave

(AWOL), finding SLB and STFAP insufficient to back them up with their financial liabilities in the university. The least a scholar can do Barely finishing her second year in the university, Karl Matsumoto, with her eagerness to study hard, never expected that she will be out of school this semester. She decided to apply for LOA since she was not allowed to enroll this semester because she failed to pay her SLB last semester. She applies regularly for SLB for the past three semesters and has been assigned to Bracket C of the STFAP. “Sa totoo lang ‘di sapat ang STFAP at SLB [para sa] mga estudyante. Sa sobrang pagtaas ng tuition, masyado pa ring mataas ang kailangang bayaran kahit may loan na at STFAP,” Karl shared. Faced with two choices Students have been given the opportunity to choose their most convenient way of surviving financial constraints inside the university. Asked how she can be able to continue her schooling and go back to the university, Karl said, “Sa totoo lang pag-LOA lang ang alam kong paraan para makapagipon muna ng pangbayad sa SLB.” She said she plans to appeal for reclassification to a lower bracket to avail of greater discount, but then changed her mind, thinking it would take too long and in the long run would still prove to be insufficient to support her financially. Kristine on the other hand said she will continue relying on STFAP and SLB, finding no other way to sustain her in a university having a costly education. With high tuition imposed on them, students face the constant

More...ON PAGE 4

Through the looking glass. PHOTO KARL SUMINISTRADO Hopeful students line up in front of the Scholarship and Financial Assistance Division windows to apply for financial support or file Leave of Absence during one of the longest registration periods in UPLB since the implementation of TOFI.

Baker Hall to be converted to Museum Complex

Estel Lenwij Estropia

Meanwhile, the Department of Human Kinetics (DHK) will be Plans to build over the moved to the new gymnasium vicinity of the Baker Hall up being built between the Veterinary to the Department of Military Medicine building and Agricultural Science Training (DMST) building a museum complex are Training Institute (ATI) building. “As of now, the resources underway. are focused [on] finishing the This is according to Dr. gymnasium for the students, so Fernando Sanchez, Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Planning hopefully by after the school year and Development. tapos na ‘yun [gymnasium],” said Sanchez said that though Sanchez. no target date has been set, Meanwhile, Sanchez said the the construction of the “Edwin DMST will be converted into an Bingham Copeland Museum Arts Museum. The DMST would Complex” will depend on the then be moved to the ATI building availability of funds. so that there would be no need to The Baker Hall will become the UPLB History Museum, where construct another building. A new complex will also be the university’s roots since the built in the area that includes the establishment of the UP College barracks, tennis and basketball of Agriculture as well as the historical and cultural background court for a Natural History of Southern Tagalog will be traced. Museum. [P]

UPLB Perspective

NEWS

VOLUME 35 | ISSUE 4 | December 15, 2008

BSP eyes control of Jamboree Nikko Angelo Oribiana

The Boy Scout of the Philippines’ (BSP) chance of acquiring jurisdiction of Jamboree site stepped up, as House Bill (HB) 1143 passed deliberations in the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives. House Bill (HB) 1143, titled “An Act Vesting the BSP with Control, Jurisdiction and Administration of a Parcel of Land Located at Mount Makiling, Los Baños, Laguna, to be Known as the ‘BSP Jamboree Site’, and for Other Purposes,” is authored by Rep. Del de Guzman from the 2nd district of Marikina City. The Congress Committee on Natural Resources on its hearing of the bill on Nov. 12, however, suggested that while the bill is being deliberated in the House, the BSP and UPLB should try to reach a compromise agreement satisfying their objectives. Meanwhile, the UPLB formed an ad hoc committee that will lead the campaign in winning the jurisdiction for Jamboree over BSP. HB 1143 under scrutiny The Jamboree site is a 57.7 ha piece of land located in the 4,244 ha Makiling Forest Reserve (MFR), which the BSP has been leasing the area from UPLB since 1959. The contract signed by both the BSP and UPLB will expire in 2017. MFR has been under UPLB jurisdiction since 1959 by virtue

of Republic Act 6967, which is mandated “to vest control, jurisdiction and administration of the forest reserve in Mt. Makiling in the University of the Philippines in Los Baños.” However, BSP said it wants to preserve the historical importance of the site since it was the venue of the World Boy Scout Jamboree in 1959, as well as to continue its role in local and international scouting history. UPLB Perspective has repeatedly tried to contact Danilo de la Cruz, BSP’S Director for Corporate Assets and Management, but he was unavailable for comment as of press time.

ito (MFR) pwedeng galawin, ang pag-manage nito (MFR) ay holistic, [na] kapag iniwan sa (private land) developer [ay] masisira.” According to CFNR’S statement, “allowing BSP to control a certain portion of MFR will set a precedent and … will embolden other MFR lessees and stakeholders, both government and private institutions and individuals including upland farmers, to press on their claims/ stakes over MFR. Consequently, there will be no more MFR.”

“No to Privatization” The transfer of the control of Jamboree site will not only affect BSP and UPLB but also the settlers inside the Jamboree who Inability to manage may be relocated. These settlers In a statement dated Nov. fear that the BSP will privatize 6, the College of Forestry and Jamboree. Natural Resources (CFNR) said Marlito Domdom, a resident the BSP has shown incapacity of Sitio Jamboree since 1965 and to sustainably manage the area. President of the Samahan ng mga The BSP had allegedly violated Naninirahan sa Sitio Jamboree, the lease agreement with UPLB said they are against the by constructing new buildings privatization of the area because without permission. the MFR will be at risk of being “Any attempt to parcel out any deforested. of its portion and exclude from Domdom said the residents its jurisdiction, administration and complete control of UPLB will will only favor the relocation if they will be provided with a decent defeat its (Jamboree’s) primary relocation site. purpose as a training laboratory Meanwhile John Mychal for the advancement of scientific Feraren, CFNR-Student Council and technical knowledge,” Vice Chairperson, said the student according to the statement. Makiling Center for Mountain council is on neutral ground regarding the privatization of the Ecosystems, training laboratory MFR since they are still assessing that aims for sustainable development of natural resources, its implications on the BSP, the settlers of MFR and the UPLB Director Dr. Jose Sarhento said, “As a critical watershed hindi community. [P]

SystemOne admin allegedly bans“disrespectful” users Jonelle Marin

Two students were allegedly banned from using their UPLB SystemOne accounts after “disrespecting its (UPLB Systemone) maintainers” by posting comments on their blog sites. According to the Site Usage Agreement of SystemOne, users may be banned for “disrespect to maintainers of the site and duly recognized representatives or employees of the University Registrar including enlistors/ registration facilitators and site administrators. However, Prof. Rodolfo Duldulao Jr., maintainer of UPLB SystemOne from the Institute of Computer Science, stressed that not all students who write blog entries addressed to him or to the program would be subjected to banning. A misunderstood message Lia, not her real name, said she could no longer access her account on Sept. 30 after Duldulao, posted a comment on her Multiply account. Lia posted a message about her dismay on SystemOne when she could not readily access her account at the time when she had a rigid schedule. Lia admitted that she was unaware of violating any agreement before writing her blog entry. “[Pero] para sa’kin, walang disrespect ‘doon sa blog,” she said.

She also stressed that a blog is considered a “public diary on the [inter]net” and her blog entries should not be taken against her, since her message was not addressed to Duldulao but to the program. Lia was still able to acquire units through the help of her college’s student council in enlisting and manually transacting her registration requirements at the Office of the University Registrar. Banned for two semesters Meanwhile, Maui Mendoza, BS Agriculture ’05, said she assumed the start of the online registration to be earlier than what is actually scheduled. This caused her also to post a message on her Multiply account about her disappointment. She ended her message sarcastically, saying that thanks to Duldulao, she could graduate earlier. Instead of using the SystemOne to enlist her subjects, she has been processing Form 26 since the first semester of academic year 2008-2009. Only a maintainer In an interview with Perspective, Duldulao clarified that his responses on students’ posted messages do not automatically mean that they are banned from using their SystemOne accounts. He added that accounts that were banned have no effect on the reserved units.

3

He said he does not like users mentioning his name or making any reference to him on blogs or forums, which he considers “distasteful”. He clarified that his job is only to facilitate the flow of information that he has no influence on. “Now, if you do not appreciate ‘yung service na ‘yun, then don’t use it [SystemOne]. It’s that simple,” he said. He identified lack in units as the root of students’ dismay with the site. In giving slots, students with failing grades are the least priority, while freshmen, graduating students and those who have good standing are the top priority. One would get no units at all if the computer program chose the account as the least priority for a particular slot. He also said that hopefully by December, SystemOne shall have four new servers that would help give students better service. [P]

TUG-OF-WAR

PHOTO KARL SUMINISTRADO

One of the spots of rich biodiversity, the Makiling Forest Reserve is now the site of a dispute among different sectors. The fight for the jurisdiction of Jamboree now flares up into a legal battle between the UPLB administration and the BSP.

72...FROM PAGE 1 The campaign is being former provincial coordinators enforced by the InterAgency Legal of Anakbayan in Cavite are also Action Group (IALAG), which included in ST-72. Meanwhile, is composed of elements from former secretary general of Department of Justice, the Armed Anakbayan-Batangas Noriel Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Rocafort faces separate charges Philippine National Police (PNP), of arson and conspiracy to National Intelligence Coordinating commit rebellion along with 26 Agency (NICA), National Bureau others. Three student leaders of Investigation (NBI), Bureau of Immigration and Deportation (BID) at the Polytechnic University of and Department of Foreign Affairs the Philippines-Lopez are also charged with rebellion filed by (DFA). the military. Meanwhile, University Anakbayan-ST Deputy Student Council Chairperson and Secretary General Paulo Bautista said the heightening Youth Act Now-Southern Tagalog political persecution among youth spokesperson Charisse Bernadine activists is a strong basis for Bañez, together with various Arroyo’s impeachment. UPLB organizations, earlier “Arroyo’s continuing fascist launched the Black Wednesday administration is implementing Habit, a campaign calling for a wide-scale criminalization of the upholding of human rights. political activists that includes Anakbayan-ST through its UPLB youth and student leaders. She has long denied the youth (of their) chapter meanwhile launched basic rights, thus she should not DEFEND PJ Movement, an alliance in support of Pedro be allowed to fulfill her obvious ambition to cling to power beyond “PJ” Santos Jr. The group also started lobbying in the Senate for 2010 through Charter Change,” support. [P] Bautista added in Filipino. Aside from Santos, two

Rules..FROM PAGE 2 Vice-President for Legal Affairs Atty. Theodore Te did not specify what would ensue if the referendum fails, as these are “matters that should best be decided upon by students themselves.” Democratically Established Bañez stressed that the current CRSRS has undergone years of debate in the General Assembly of Student Councils deliberations, a congregation of UP student councils for the SR selection process.

She said students must fully support the referendum since student leaders have ensured a CRSRS that is as democratic as possible. She added that UP students could not afford to lose the OSR at this point. “Mawawalan ng boses ang mga Iskolar ng Bayan sa BOR at mapapabilis lamang ang mga polisiya na sumasagka sa karapatan sa de kaledad at abot kayang edukasyon sa UP,” she added. [P]

CRSRS Referendum Schedule of Activities Nov. 10-28 College Convocations/ Assemblies/Consultations Dec. 1-10 University-wide Convocations/Assemblies/ Consultations Dec. 19, UP Diliman General Assembly of Student Councils Jan. 19-23, 2009 Conduct of CRSRS Referendum March 2009 (tentative) SR Selection

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NEWS

UPLB Perspective

VOLUME 35 | ISSUE 4 | December 15, 2008

Sa linggo ng mga manggagawang-bukid

Problemang agraryo kinundena ng iba’t ibang sektor Rick Jason Obrero

Iba’t ibang sektor ng lipunan, partikular ang sektor ng mga magsasaka, ang nagdaos ng isang programa sa UPLB noong Oktubre 21 bilang pagtugon sa mga pangunahing usaping agraryo gaya ng pagpapalawig ng Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). Nais palawigin ng Kamara ang CARP, na ipinatupad ng dating Pangulong Corazon Aquino. Sa CARP, binibigyan ang mga magsasaka ng 30-taong tenyur ng pagbabayad para sa lupang kanilang sinasaka na may kasamang anim na porsyentong interes kada taon. Ang programang ito ay bahagi ng mga serye ng pagkilos na sinimulan noong Oktubre 12. Dumaan ito sa iba’t ibang mga lugar sa Timog Katagalugan sa porma ng mga protests camps. Naging tradisyon na rin ng mga magsasaka sa buwan ng Oktubre na magdaos ng mga pagkilos dahil sa pagpapatupad ng Presidential Decree 27. Ito ay ginamit ng dating Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos sa pagpapalawak ng kaniyang diktaturya, ayon kay Peter “Tata Pido” Gonsalez, kasapi ng Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP).

Ini-endorso ng KMP, Samahan at Ugnayan ng Makabayang Magsasaka na Kababaihan sa Timog Katagalugan (SUMAMA KA-TK), at iba pang progresibong grupo ang House Bill (HB) 3059 o ang Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill (GARB) na inakda ng pumanaw na Rep. Crispin Beltran noong Nobyembre 2007. Isinasaad sa GARB na libre ang makukuhang lupang sinasaka ng mga manggagawang-bukid. Kasama rin dito ang pagbabawas sa mga monopolyo ng mga panginoong may-lupa sa mga lupaing pansakahan. Ayon kay Imelda Lacandazo, pangkalahatang kalihim ng SUMAMA KA-TK, “Nagdulot ang kahirapan ng mga magsasaka dahil [sic] sa pangangamkam at pagpapalit-gamit ng mga lupang sakahan patungong ekoturismo, tulad ng paggawa ng mga golf courses, pagpapatayo ng mga private subdivisions, mga industrial zones, at iba pa.” Kasama rin dito umano ang pagpapalit-tanim, na siyang nagdudulot ng kawalan ng sapat na bilang ng palay na naaani sa bansa sa mga nakalipas na mga buwan. “Mula doon sa Quezon, ang mga agrikultural na produkto tulad ng niyog ay pinapapalitan ng Jathropa ng mga panginoong may-

lupa. Nandiyan din ang pagpapalit ng mga agrikultural na produkto... para lamang kumita ng pera,” saad pa niya. Ayon naman kay Charisse Bernadine Bañez, tagapangulo ng University Student Council, ang UPLB bilang isa sa mga sentro ng agrikultura sa bansa ay kailangang pagtuunan ng pansin ang mga pambansang suliranin lalo’t higit ang mga suliraning agraryo. Samantala, naging usapin ang paggamit ng mga raliyista sa Carabao Park dahil ayon kay Elpidio Agbisit, Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs, ang mga magsasaka ay walang permiso sa paggamit ng Carabao Park, at sa halip ay sa Jamboree ang napagkasunduang lugar. Dahil dito, nakipagpulong si Chancellor Luis Rey Velasco, kasama ang mga lider ng mga grupong agraryo na sina Lacandazo, at si Fr. Mark Cordillano ng Promotion for Church People’s Response, at napagkasunduan na sa Baker Hall matutulog ang mga sumapi sa pagkilos. Kinabukasan ay tumungo ang mga raliyista sa Junction upang magsagawa ng isang maikling programa, at matapos nito ay pumunta sila sa Crossing, Calamba upang sunugin ang isang dibuho ni Gng. Arroyo bilang isang malaking kuhol.[P]

More...FROM PAGE 2 dilemma to either depend on provides or leave their dream of the insufficiency of financial graduating on time. Or worse, to assistance programs the university leave their dream of graduating Table 1. Total no. of students and amount of SLB released from A.Y. 2003 to first sem of A.Y. 2008-2009

from this university for the simplest reason there could be: sky-rocketing tuition. [P]

Table 2. No. of students according to year level who availed SLB

1st sem SY 2007-08

2nd sem SY 2007-08

1st sem SY 2008-09

Freshmen

761

754

870

Sophomore

273

303

720

931

Junior

273

275

328

P17,584,165.53

1686

Senior

354

334

383

P16,103,898.82

1698

Graduate Student

25

32

31

P31,967,406.78

2332

TOTAL

1686

1698

2332

YEAR

Total amt. of loans

No. of loans

AY 2003-04

P4,020,563

1033

AY 2004-05

P3,520,178

949

AY 2005-06

P3,502,676

896

AY 2006-07 AY 2007-08 1st sem AY 2007-08 2nd sem AY 2008-09 1st sem

P2,044,261

Tunay na Reporma sa lupa. PHOTO KARL SUMINISTRADO Naging saksi ang UPLB sa ginanap na pagkilos ng mga magsasaka mula sa Timog Katagalugan upang ipanawagan ang pagsasabatas ng Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill sa halip na ekstensyon ng Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. Inilarawan ng mga magsasaka bilang kuhol si Gng. Arroyo tanda ng mga mapaminsalang polisiyang agraryo sa ilalim ng kanyang termino.

USC, CSCs convene SLC Estel Lenwij Estropia with reports from Rogene Gonzales

and Science Councilor Moses Villanueva. As stated in Article VI, Aiming to discuss and Section 2 of the 1984 UPLB provide possible solutions to Student Council Constitution, campus issues, the University “the SLC shall serve as the highest Student Council and College policy making body of the UPLB Student Councils convened the Student Councils.” It will serve Student Legislative Chamber as a constitutional body and will (SLC) last Nov. 18 at the coordinate the programs of the Makiling Ballroom Hall, Student various student councils. Union Bldg. Villanueva related that the Certain issues in the campus SLC will serve as a venue for the like the ongoing democratic CSCs to voice out the problems rights campaign were briefly in their respective colleges to the discussed during the SLC meeting. USC for a faster resolution. In the Other issues tackled were the same way, he said the USC could strengthening of the campaign streamline the implementation of for Tuition and other Fee Increase their programs and campaigns rollback, the upcoming referendum with the help of the CSCs. on the Codified Rules for Student “‘Yung SLC [ay] Regent Selection and February Fair nagcocoordinate para handplanning. in-hand na mapagtagumpayan “Ang [layunin] talaga ng ng mga estudyante, lalo na ng SLC ay mapagbugkos [at] maUSC at CSC yung mga programa strengthen ‘yung connection ng college wide at university wide,” USC at CSC,” said College of Arts Villanueva said. [P]

KASAMA sa UP strengthens system-wide campaigns Rogene Gonzales

UP student leaders tackled system-wide campus issues and strengthened student rights’ campaign in the 28th Katipunan ng mga Sangguaniang Mag-aaral sa UP (KASAMA sa UP) National Congress last October 25-28 at UP Mindanao in Mintal, Davao City. KASAMA sa UP is the widest alliance of student councils in the UP System, with 26 member councils from all over the country. Around 50 delegates attended the congress, 13 of which were from the UPLB University Student Council and its nine College Student Councils.

Member councils of KASAMA sa UP crafted 29 resolutions based from reports by each UP unit. Some of the issues raised in the congress include the immediate surfacing of James Balao (former Outcrop Editor in Chief) of UP Baguio who was allegedly abducted by military agents; exorbitant laboratory fees in UP Diliman; transparency of administration funds in UP Mindanao; and reasonable requirements for organization recognition in UPLB. Also, KASAMA sa UP tackled reassessment of UP’s tuition policy and intensification of tuition

rollback campaign; upholding the autonomy of student institutions; and asserting student representation in all policy-making committees of UP. Student Regent Shahana Abdulwahid said the concerns of different UP units signify the system-wide commercialization scheme of the UP administration. “Maraming similar issues tulad ng pagtatanggal ng tambayan, [at paggamit ng] facilities ang kinakaharap ng bawat UP unit. Isang malaking venue [ang congress] para i-consolidate ‘yung ranks ng councils at maibahagi ang mga

Dare to write. Dare to act. Dare to struggle. We are in need of News, Features and Culture writers, Layout and Graphic artists, Managing, Business , Copy Editing and Web staff.

ginanap na kampanya,” she added. College of Development Communication Student Council Chairperson and KASAMA sa UP National Executive Council Vice-President for Luzon-elect Pamela Angelie Pangahas stressed the role of UPLB in system-wide campaigns, primarily since Luzon constitutes the majority of UP population. Pangahas said the successful ratification of the 1984 Student Council Constitution, with 70.54 percent student participation, and the ongoing democratic rights campaign of UPLB were

highlighted in the congress. Consequently, it served as a framework for the upcoming referendum for the Codified Rules for Student Regent Selection [see related article on page 2]. “Pinaghanguan talaga [ng KASAMA sa UP] ng inspirasyon ‘yung UPLB doon sa tagumpay ng plebisito [at] nakita na may kakayahan na magpatakbo ng kampanya,” she related. The resolutions drafted by the KASAMA sa UP will serve as guidelines for the general plan of actions of its member councils and will be raised in dialogues with the UP administration for concrete policy implementation. [P]

Dare to take the [P] Exam.

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UPLB Perspective

VOLUME 35 | ISSUE 4 | December 15, 2008

5

Tagpi-tagping pag-asa:

Pakikibaka ng mga taga-Kabute para sa kapirasong lupa

Salita Yves Christian Suiza | Litrato Karl Suministrado | Disenyo ng pahina Salvatorre de Vince Olaño Isang sakay ng jeep at ilang hakbang lamang ang pagitan ng Sitio Kabute sa ating unibersidad. Ang paglalakbay na aking tinahak patungong Kabute ay naging paraan upang makita ko ang kabilang mukha ng sibilisasyon, ang maralita na patuloy na nakararanas ng kahirapan at kakapusan, na kahit ang maunlad na lungsod ng Calamba ay mayroon. Dahil sa malaganap na kahirapan sa bansa, talamak ang uri ng pamumuhay kung saan ang mga pamilya ay nasa bingit ng pagkagutom. Ang komunidad ng Kabute ay ‘di nalalayo sa karamihan — marahil ay mas kaawa-awa pa, dahil maliban sa kahirapan ay biktima rin sila ng mga tangkang demolisyon na kung saan ang pagkain ay kasing halaga ng tirahan. Ang katotohanang mayroon kang uuwian, masisilungan, at mapagpapahingahan ay katumbas ng pangangailangan ng katawan sa pagkain.

mga kabahayan sa lupang ito upang ibenta sa isang dayuhang hindi pa nagpapakita kahit minsan sa mga residente. Hindi inihahahayag ng pisikal na pangangatawan ni Benjamin dela Cruz ang kanyang tunay na edad. Sa gulang na 23, isa na siyang volunteer at kasalukuyang punong tagapahayag ng Samahang Maralita sa Sitio Kabute (SMSK), isang grupong nabuo upang ipaglaban ang karapatan ng mga mahihirap doon. Sa kabila ng hindi mabilang na dahilan upang sila’y sumuko, makikita pa rin sa kanilang mga mata ang LABAN NG MARALITA patuloy na pag-alab ng pag-asang Tatlong demolisyon na ang maipaglaban at mapagtagumpayan humagupit sa Sitio Kabute simula ng ito ang kanilang karapatan. ay unang pagtirikan ng mga barungInilahad niya, bilang miyembro ng barong. Ang una ay noong 1978 na SMSK, na ilang demolisyon na umano pinamunuan ng Gotesco. Makalipas ang lumipas ngunit kamakailan lamang ang ilang buwan ay itinayo muli ng mga nila nalaman na may karapatan sila sa residente ang kanilang mga tahanan. lupang kinatitirikan ng kanilang mga Ang demolisyong ito ay sinundan lamang bahay. Kung kaya’t sa demolisyon noong Enero at Oktubre 2008 sa kamay noong nakaraang Oktubre lamang sila ng Metro Bank na nakabili ng lupang nagkaroon ng lakas ng loob na lumaban. dating pagmamay-ari ng Gotesco. Bilang mamamayan ng Calamba, sila Ang sama-samang pagsasaloumano ay may karapatan sa nasabing salo sa hapag-kainan ay napalitan lupa at nararapat lamang na umapila ng pagkakapit–bisig upang ihayag sa tangkang demolisyon ng Metro Bank ang pagtutol sa mga nagaganap na sapagkat maliban sa mahigit 30 taon nang demolisyon sa kabahayan sa Kabute. paninirahan nila rito, nakapangalan din sa Pinagigiba umano ng Metro Bank ang lungsod ng Calamba ang lupa ng Kabute. “Kung hindi kami tinulungan ng Bayan Muna, hindi namin malalaman na sa siyudad ng Calamba nakapangalan ang lupaing ito,” aniya. Hindi nalalayo ang edad ni Elyssa Batino, 69, sa bilang ng taong itinagal niya sa Kabute. Ngunit kamakailan lamang, nang dahil sa tangkang demolisyon ng Metro Bank, ay nanganib na mawalan ng malaking bahagi ang kanyang pamamahay at palikuran. Ang pamilya dela Cruz at Batino ay ilan lamang sa mahigit 150 pamilyang naninirahan sa Kabute na nanganganib na sapilitang mapalayas sa lupaing matagal na nilang itinuturing na tahanan. Karamihan ng mga miyembro ng SMSK sa paniniwalang ay naniniwalang pag-asa pang mabago ang kanilang sitwasyon. Ayon sa samahan, sa pamamagitan ng mga kilosprotestang tumutuligsa sa mga pananamantala sa karapatan ng mga maralitang Pilipino, maaaring mabaliktad ang kalagayan ng Kabute. PAG-INDA AT PAGLABAN Sa gitna ng suliraning kinahaharap, pinipilit pa ring mamuhay ng mga residente na tila walang suliranin. Bagama’t batbat ng problema sa kabuhayan,

makakain, at tirahan, matatag at sama-sama pa rin nilang ipinagpapatuloy ang pagharap sa buhay. Ang ipinakitang pagkakaisa ng mga mamamayan ng Kabute noong nakaraang Oktubre ay nagdulot ng pagdadalawang-isip sa kampo ng Metro Bank. Ayon kay Ran Prado, miyembro ng Youth for Freedom Organization, hindi natuloy ang tangkang demolisyon noong ika-13 ng Oktubre dahil sa ipinakitang pagkakaisa ng bawat mamamayan ng Kabute. Hindi naging hadlang maging ang bantang pambobomba ng tubig at pananakit mula sa hanay ng dispersal unit. Aniya, nabaliktad ang ulat sa telebisyon kung saan nagmula umano sa kampo ng mga taga-Kabute ang insidente ng pamamato. “Ginawa lamang naming [iyon] upang depensahan ang aming sarili dahil habang nakikipag-usap ng maayos ang isa naming kasamahan ay may biglang nambato rito,” dagdag pa ni Prado. Bagama’t masasabing mura pa ang kaalaman at karanasan ni Prado, hindi ito humahadlang sa kanyang kagustuhang tumulong at makiisa sa paglaban sa mga pilit umaangkin ng kanilang lugar. Mahigit 30 taon na tahimik na naninirahan ang pamilyang Prado sa Kabute. “Nagdulot talaga ng matinding kahirapan ang demolisyon noong Enero hindi lamang sa aking pamilya kundi sa iba pang mga pamilya,” saad niya. Nagkaroon ng negosasyon ang mga mamamayan ng Kabute at tagapangatawan ng Metro Bank kung saan nag-alok ang huli ng P30,000 bawat pamilya at 40 metro kwadrado na lupa para sa isang daan at isang pamilya kapalit ang hinihinging lupa ng Metro Bank. Hindi tinanggap ng mga mamamayan ng Kabute ang nasabing

alok sapagkat maliban sa wala umanong patunay na ipinakita ang Metro Bank na masusunod ang napagkasunduan, hindi rin ito sapat upang tumbasan ang lupang hinihingi sa kanila. ANG PAGGISING SA KAMALAYAN Bagamat wala pang tiyak na petsa ang susunod na demolisyon, handa silang lumaban kahit anong oras dahil mabilis umanong tumugon ang mga residente ng Kabute. Hindi naging madali ang ginawang paglaban ng mga mamamayan ng Kabute mula sa nagtatangkang pagangkin ng Metro Bank sapagkat armado umano ang pwersa ng Metro Bank ng mga malalaking kanyon ng tubig na ginagamit na pambomba sa mga residente. Nang dahil sa paulit-ulit na tangka ng demolisyon, nakararanas ng paghihirap at pagdurusa ang isang bahagi ng lipunan para lamang sa kapirasong lupa. Hindi natapos ang laban ng mga taga-Kabute sa pagkaudlot ng huling demolisyon. Marahil magiging mahirap, ngunit hindi magpapatalo ang mga residente ng Kabute sa laban para sa kanilang tahanan. *** Bilang mga estudyante ng isang unibersidad, malaki ang ating maaaring gampaning papel sa ating malayang pakikiisa sa mga ganitong pangyayari. Sa salaysay na ito ukol sa kalagayan ng Kabute at ang paninindigan ng mga residente nito, ating matututunan na nararapat lamang na tayo’y lumaban lalo na sa mga panahong nasasagasaan na ang ating mga karapatan. [P]

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UPLB Perspective

VOLUME 35 | ISSUE 4 | December 15, 2008

Taun-taon natin ginugunita ang mga bayani ng ating bansa sa pamamagitan ng paglalaan ng panahon, araw at oras upang alalahanin at bigyang parangal ang isang makabayang pagkilos. Ang ating pagtingin sa kabayanihan ay nakatuon sa pagsikhay ng damdamin para sa Inang Bayan at sa kapwa — damdaming piniling damhin ng isang bayani hanggang sa tuluyang angkinin ng lupa at hangin ang kanyang hininga. Ito’y ang Inang Bayang tinubuan, siya’y ina’t tangi sa kinamulatan ng kawili-wiling liwanag ng araw, nagbibigay-init sa buong katawan. Tuwing katapusan ng buwan Nobyembre bawat taon, ipinagdiriwang natin ang kabayanihan ng isa sa mga nag-alay ng lakas at buhay para sa bayan. Hindi lumilipas kasabay ng panahon ang alab ng damdaming makabayan na namayani noong ika-10 ng Mayo taong 1897. Ang mga bayoneteng pumatay kay Bonifacio at sa kanyang kapatid at tumupad sa utos ni Heneral Mariano Noriel, ay siya ring mga armas na humukay at nagtabon ng lupa sa katawan ng dalawang martir. Ang Bundok Nagpatong, mas kilala ngayon sa tawag na Bundok Buntis, ang saksi sa sikhay ng dalawang damdamin kahit sa huling tibok ng kanilang mga puso. Walang mahalagang hindi inihandog ng may pusong mahal sa Bayang nagkupkop, dugo, yaman, dunong, katiisa’t pagod, buhay ma’y abuting magkalagut-lagot. Ngayong taon, kasabay sa paggunita at pagbabalik-tanaw natin sa pag-aalay ng buhay ng isang tunay na Pilipino ay ang

Bantayog:

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Pagpaparangal sa Daluyong at Sikhay ng Damdamin ng mga Tunay na Bayani pagpaparangal sa 72 na itinuturing na martir at mga bagong bayani. “Paggunita at Parangal sa mga Iskolar ng Bayan sa Bantayog ng mga Bayani: A Centennial Tribute to UP Martyrs and Heroes,” isang pagpaparangal na idinaos ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas (UP) para sa 72 na Pilipinong martir at bayani na kinabibilangan ng mga dating estudyante ng UP, alumni at kaguruan, na taas-kamaong lumaban at hubad na nag-alay ng buhay noong nasa ilalim pa ang ating bansa ng batas militar. Ito’y kasabay na rin sa paggunita sa National Heroes Day at parte ng isandaang taong selebrasyon ng unibersidad. Sampu sa mga pinarangalan ay galing sa UPLB: sina Aloysius U. Baes, BS Agricultural Chemistry; Manuel C. Bautista, BS Economics; Cristina F. Catalla, BS Agriculture 1971; Gerardo R. Faustino, BS Agriculture; Rizalina R. Ilagan, BS Agriculture 1971; Leticia P. Ladlad, BS Agricultural Chemistry 1971; Bayani P. Lontok, BS Agricultural Engineering; Rodelo Manaog, Communication Arts; Magnifico L. Osorio, BS Agriculture; and Rizal C. K. Yuyitung, BS Agriculture. Ang pagpaparangal ay idinaos sa Bantayog ng mga Bayani sa Quezon City. “Daluyong: Gabi ng Pagkilala sa Militanteng Tradisyon ng Kabataan” naman ang tema ng programang idinaos ng ANAKBAYAN-Timog Katagalugan bilang paggunita sa mga martir ng UPLB. Ang programa ay ginanap sa Forestry Auditorium ng UPLB. Isang pangkulturang pagtatanghal ang pangunahing bahagi ng programa na nakasentro sa patuloy na pakikipaglaban ng mamamayan para sa mga karapatang pantao. Apat na martir ng UPLB ang kinilala bilang mga anak ng bayang lumaban hanggang sa kanilang kamatayan. Sina Symone Dunacao, Karen Dela Cruz, Cristine Quevedra at Rowan Labo na mga estudyante ng UPLB ay kabilang sa mga organisasyong nakikiisa sa mga progresibong gawain ng kanilang panahon. Ang kanilang pakikipaglaban ay nagpatuloy hanggang sa karagatan na nagpasya ng kanilang hantungan bilang mga iskolar na kumikilos at lumalaban. Ang apat na martir ay sinasabing nalunod sa karagatan sa pagitan ng Mindoro at Batangas noong inaayos ni Quevedra ang kanyang tesis. Ang mga iskolar na ito, hindi man binawian ng buhay sa gitna ng pakikipaglaban para sa bayan, ay maituturing pa ring mga bayani sapagkat hanggang sa mga huling pagsagwan sa karagatan, sa kaibuturan ng kanilang puso’t isipan, sila ay lumalaban.

Salita Liberty Notarte May ulat mula kay Mari Angeli Cadiz Dibuho Kervin Gabilo Disenyo ng pahina Salvatorre de Vince Olaño

paraan, ang bawat pagkilos ng mga ito ay pinag-uugnay ng iisang laban para sa pantaong karapatan. Ang progresibong pagkilos ng mga makabagong bayani at martir, sa pangunguna ng itinuturing nating Ama ng Katipunan, ay mananatiling inspirasyon sa kasalukuyang panahon, kung saan ang ipinaglalaban ng mga lumalaban ay wala ring pinagkaiba sa dahilan ng paghalik sa lupa at paglirip sa karagatan ng pagkilos at pakikibaka ng mga martir at bayani. *Aling pag-ibig pa ang hihigit kaya sa pagkadalisay at pagkadakila gaya ng pag-ibig sa sariling lupa? Ang isang bayani ay bayani hindi lamang dahil siya’y inilibing sa Libingan ng mga Bayani. Ang kabayanihang ipinapakita ng taun-taon nating pagdiriwang sa araw ng ating kalayaan, sa pambansang araw ng mga bayani at marami pang petsa na nagsisilbing bantayog ng giting at pakikipaglaban, ay mananatiling simbolo ng pagmamahal sa bayan. Higit pa sa simbolo, mananatili itong inspirasyon para mga Pilipino ngayong panahon; inspirasyon upang pumukaw ng diwa para ipagpatuloy ang laban para sa bayan. Hindi natatapos sa kanilang kamatayan ang laban. Bayaning maituturing ang mga taong patuloy na lumalaban para sa karapatan ng kanilang sarili at kapwa - mga taong hindi nabibingi sa putok ng mga baril, mga taong hindi tumitigil sa pagkilos at paglaban sa gitna ng karamihang tila unti-unti nang nilalamon ng kawalangpakialam, nagsasagwan sa karagatan ng panganib para sa bayan.

Pagpupuring lubos ang palaging hangad sa bayan ng taong may dangal na Aling pag-ibig pa? Wala na nga wala. [P] ingat. Umawit, tumula, kumatha’t sumulat *Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa ni Andres Bonifacio mula sa kalakhan din niya’y isinisiwalat. Ayon kay Leo “XL” Fuentes, miyembro ng League of Filipino Students at Secretary General ng National Union of Students of the Philippines, sa kabila ng magkaibang panahong tinutuntungan ng bawat Pilipinong nagiging bayani sa iba’t ibang

Ang Kasaysayan sa Kasalukuyang Henerasyon ni Jaime B. Veneracion

References: GMA-News.UP pays tribute to 72 martyrs and heroes. Retrieved29Nov2008. http://www.gmanews.tv/story/136547/ UP-pays-tribute-to-72-martyrs-and-heroes http://members.tripod.com/masternoel/compdev/main4. htm.29Nov2008-12-01 http://www.uplb.edu.ph/announce/1327. Nov 13, 2008. Announced by Office of Alumni Relations

UPLB Perspective

CULTURE

VOLUME 35 | ISSUE 4 | December 15, 2008

REALITY SHOWS Pagharap sa Tunay at Kathang-Isip na Katotohanan Salita Mark Angelo Ordono | Disenyo ng Pahina Andrea Velasquez | Dibuho Elyssa Rosales

Hindi magtatagal at hindi na nakatutuwa ang pagbibigay-saya ng mga gameshow kung saan ginagawang katatawanan ang kahinaan ng mga kalahok nito. Bilang na ang mga araw ng pagpapalabas ng mga Mehikanong teleserye at Chinovela na sadyang malayo sa ating kultura at mga pananaw ang mga ideya. Mauubos din ang mga scriptwriter na gumagawa ng mga senswal na linya at mga artistang may magagandang hubog at mukha para lang maibenta ang kanilang palabas. At anumang pilit na gisingin ng telebisyon ang ating kamalayan sa galing ng Pilipino sa paglikha ng mga supernatural na karakter at makukulay na computer-generated effects, unti-unti na ring nawawala ang interes ng mga Pilipino sa pagtangkilik ng mga ganitong uri ng fantaserye. Ano naman ang magbibigay-buhay sa ating mga telebisyon ngayon? Pagkilala: Unang Mukha ng Realidad Pagsalin ng mga daga, ahas, at mga insekto mula sa isang sisidlang salamin gamit ang bibig. Maybahay na ipinipilit ang sarili na marunong kumanta, sumayaw at umarte kahit pinapaalis na ng hurado. Pagtawid sa isang kawayang nababalot ng grasa, sa ibabaw ng dagat, para hanapin ang isang piraso ng jigsaw puzzle na sasagot sa kung saan makikita ang sulo, at tirik ang araw. Kung reality shows ang hula mo, tama ka. Ang reality show ay isang uri ng palabas na kadalasang gumagamit ng mga linyang hindi ibinigay ng isang scriptwriter o director. Kadalasang mga senaryo ng praktikal na pamumuhay ng mga ordinaryong tao o mga pagsubok na malayo sa kathang isip ang itinatampok ng mga ganitong palabas. Sila ay kadalasang inihaharap sa isang sitwasyong iba sa kanyang pamumuhay o inilalagay sa isang lugar na malayo sa sibilisasyon. Paglipon ng mga Piraso: Saan nagsimula ang pagtangkilik ng mga Pilipino sa mga ganitong uri ng palabas? Apat sa mga reality shows sa ating bansa ang naka-agaw ng atensyon at gumawa ng ingay sa ating mga telebisyon: Survivor Philippines (2008), Pinoy Fear

Factor (2008), Pinoy Idol (2008) at Pinoy ang Philippine Idol bilang unang bersyon ng Big Brother (2005). Ang orihinal na bersyon Idol sa ating bansa, gayundin ang una nitong at konsepto ng mga palabas na ito ay kampyon, si Mau Marcelo. nanggaling sa Kanluran, at malaki ang naging impluwensya nito sa ating mga Pilipino sa Pagkalinga at Pagharap sa Kinagisnang maraming aspeto. ‘Realidad’ Isa sa mga unang reality show sa ating Isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit madaling bansa ay ang Pinoy Big Brother, na unang niyakap ng mga Pilipinong manunood ipinalabas ng Netherlands bilang Big Brother ang mukha ng reality shows ay dahil sa noong 1999. Mananatili ang mga kalahok pagsusuplay nito ng schadenfreude, ang sa tinatawag nilang ‘Bahay ni Kuya’: malayo salitang German sa pagbibigay ng kasiyahan sa buhay sa labas na kanilang kinagisnan, sa manunood na makita ang ibang tao na walang komunikasyon na pinahihintulot sa nahihirapan o napapahiya. Ginagawang labas ng tinitirhan, habang napapanood katatawanan ang ilang mga pagkakamali ng buong mundo ang kanilang mga kilos na hindi maiiwasang nagagawa rin natin sa sa pamamagitan ng mga nakapalibot na pang-araw-araw na pamumuhay, at minsan, hidden cameras at microphones. Upang hindi mas malala pa sa ating nakikita. Dahil dito, matanggal sa loob, kailangang sumunod naiisip nila na mas maganda pa ang kanilang sa mga gustong ipagawa ni ‘Kuya,’ ang kalagayan dahil hindi nakikita ng marami ang tumatayong authority figure sa loob ng Bahay.kanilang mga pagkakamali o pagkukulang. Sunod na nakilala ay ang reality show Ayon na rin sa interes ng mga manunood, kung saan ang mga kalahok nito ay pinapadalamas totoo sa realidad ang mga nagaganap sa isang isla sa loob ng ilang araw - walang sa isang reality show kumpara sa isang matinong pagkain, walang maiinom na tubig telenovela na pinag-aralan lahat ng kilos, - ang Survivor Philippines. Ang orihinal na pananalita, at pagsasaayos ng palabas. Untibersyon nito ay unang ipinalabas sa Sweden unti nang nawala ang aliw sa panunood ng noong 1997 bilang Expedition: Robinson mga telenovela; hindi na kapana-panabik at nakilala sa buong mundo sa sariling mga ang mga susunod na bahagi ng palabas dahil bersyon ng ilang kilalang bansa. Para tanghalinkaraniwan na ang mga senaryong ihinahatid bilang Sole Survivor kailangang malagpasan sa atin ng primetime shows. lahat ng pagsubok na ibibigay sa kanila, Kung idinidikta ng kontemporaryong gayundin ang pagkakaroon ng maayos na pamamaraan ng pagbabalita kung ano pakikisama sa iba pang kalahok upang hindi ang katotohanang dapat paniwalaan, matanggal sa mga eliminasyon. malaya naman ang mga reality Hindi naman nagpahuli ang ABS-CBN 2 show sa paggamit ng mga usaping sa pagpapalabas ng sarili nilang stunt reality hindi kadalasang ibinubukas sa show, ang Pinoy Fear Factor, na unang nakilalaibang uri ng palabas, katulad sa Netherlands bilang Now or Neverland at ng antas sa lipunan at lahi. pinalitan ng Fear Factor nang nilipat ito ng Nakasalalay pa rin sa mga Amerika noong 2001. Kumpara sa Survivor manunood kung magkakaruon sila Philippines, mas delikado ang mga pagsubok ng sarili nilang mga opinyon sa mga na ipinagagawa sa mga kalahok at kadalasan usapan sa panlipunang kamalayan. itong isinasagawa sa iba’t ibang lugar at Mapapansin din natin na sitwasyon sa labas ng bansa. kadalasang magaganda Ang pagtampok sa talento ng mga ang hubog at mukha kalahok ay isa pang uri ng reality show. ng mga kalahok sa mga Naipakita ito sa American Idol na unang reality show. Isa ito sa mga nakilala bilang American Idol: The Search for taktikang ginagamit ng mga a Superstar noong 2002. Layunin ng palabas producer para mas tangkilikin na ito na maghanap ng mga mang-aawit na ang kanilang palabas. Kapansinpang-international ang galing. Nagkaroon pansin din ang palagiang pagtutok ang Pilipinas ng sarili nitong edisyon, ang ng kamera hindi lamang sa Philippine Idol ng ABC 5 noong 2006, ngunit magagandang mukha kundi sa nabaliwala ito nang binuo ng GMA 7 ang malalaking dibdib at maskuladong Pinoy Idol ngayong taon. Hindi nito kinilala mga katawan ng mga kalahok.

7

Nakapagtataka kung bakit ganitong mga palabas ang isinasahimpapawid tuwing primetime kung saan ang buong pamilya, kasama si Bunso, ay nakatutok. Mula dito ay nagiging madali para sa mga kalahok na pasukin ang showbiz sa pamamagitan ng pagsali sa reality show, kung saan sila’y binansagang mga “Z-list celebrity,” o mga artista na hindi dumaan sa proseso ng pagiging isang artista para makilala. Nakatulong ito sa ilan para iangat ang kanilang kalagayang pinansyal, ngunit walang magandang katwiran para suklian ang kanilang pagkapanalo ng malaking halaga ng pera at popularidad. Kasimbilis ng pagdami ng reality show ang mga “Z-list celebrity,” dahilan kung bakit maraming ibang artista ang lumilipat sa ibang kalinangan. Pananalamin: Pagharap sa Tunay na Realidad Sabay sa patuloy na pag-unlad ng teknolohiyang pangkomunikasyon ay ang patuloy na paglawig ng mga programa Reality...ON PAGE 9

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CULTURE

UPLB Perspective

VOLUME 35 | ISSUE 4 | December 15, 2008

KWENTONG FRESHIE

This Sem, I’m New Again SAMANTHA ISABEL CORONADO

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riting “O.F.” on my class cards isn’t necessarily a task I enjoy. Old? I mean certainly it was just several weeks ago before the semestral break that I was “new”. Now I’m no longer the same freshman. Like anyone who dreads getting older, I imagined how swiftly time would fly, when the time would eventually come that I’d be in the rat race of the real world, walking in the career path I chose, with my diploma and resumé at hand. Looking back, I asked myself: what has happened during the time when I was still an “N.F.”? All I remember is that those early months of college life are not much worth reminiscing. Beginning the first semester, I was terribly determined to ace my subjects and get really high grades to vindicate myself for passing in UPLB. Right after I was dropped off at my dormitory, I organized my things and mentally prepared a strategic plan for the school days that are about to come:

Creased

*Bulan

We were best friends since we both learned how to share our childish curiosities. I remember those times when his footsteps were three to one of mine, he would always challenge me for a race — we’ll run two hundred meters from school to our house — and he would always win because he knew my legs were weaker than his. Ian and I were best friends. We were more of buddies than brothers. And I wanted it better that way.

Every schoolwork just has to be perfectly done with full effort; otherwise I would remain the same average student undeserving of the title of an Iskolar ng Bayan I earned now. Crying in my room because of a cocky thing like homesickness was definitely a no-no. Pretty soon, my college life formally began. Every time we were given chapter readings, I’d skip lunch and make sure I secured a copy of them at once. Then at night, I’d burn the midnight candle, refusing to sleep until I finished reading them. By the next day, I’d drag myself to my classes, starving and hoping that I wouldn’t get caught slumbering. Ulcer mixed with insomnia for four months — that’s how I describe my first semester in UP. I also got used to eating lunches alone, shutting off my mind whenever I start remembering high school days when lunches were a riot. Eating wasn’t the only thing I do on my own. There are other errands — paying bills, enrolling, grocery

memories of his triumph and my loss in every race remained. *** To settle in between two other sheets is better than to be at liberty under a pen and an ill hand. Strokes make names of people and places, even dates.

Sometimes, I seem to be a secret keeper, and I can easily determine twinge from joy as the pen presses towards my lines — leaving spaces between two or more words. The weight of every press of the pen stresses nearness and gap inside the Backseat Kiss. Two band members carry lighter load under Sid’s We grew up together but I never used any hands, but, the three-letter name seems to of my time with him to know him better. “Ian accumulate the immensity of the writing hand. is fond of competing — in any situation ever I can never conclude but I have to say that evsince,” I would tell him; then he’ll laugh. ery stroke of Sid’s handwriting as he writes Ian in my surface explains a thing I know not. It wasn’t I found no reasons to remind him of his Sid’s bitterness that made a heavy stroke when immaturity. Though my footstep now equals his, he was writing Ian’s name. The memories of bestill, it is next to impossible for him to remember ing buddies, I think, made up the press and, the not to forget that my legs are still weaker than depth of I-a-n left in my surface and in the next his. sheet’s. It wasn’t anger, perhaps, I think; it was out of pain from an ailment. As our curiosities matured with our age the ***

shopping — that requires independence. It was really up to my discipline to handle the freedom that came with living semiparentless and without strict curfew. Days and nights were eventful in the form of plays, freshman nights, block dinners and org orientations. On Fridays, I’d commute to my province and on Sundays I’d return, devoting the rest of the week purely to academics, the weekends spent going over notes. It wasn’t so tiring. Until one awful night, I arrived at my dormitory drenched from the rain, carrying a handful of books, with my hair in a total chaos and my brain worrying about the coming midterms next week. It was the night I got introduced to the word pressure, and when my previously primed mindset got all baffled and shattered. Really at first, I was doing fine, like a poised performer gracefully sauntering on a thin rope. My professors recognized me for reciting. I passed assignments promptly. I diligently came to class as every freshman would. But during the middle of the act, my frustrations caught after me — I felt like I was doing everything at once: studying, commuting, being independent. The transition from high school to college

was nowhere near smooth. It was rough and forced. The rope starts to shake violently, and before I knew it, I was dashing towards the end, not minding if I performed well. By the time the semestral break hovered in the corner, all I ever prayed about was finishing everything immediately, without a care about my grades. Soon, when everything was over, I rushed home ready to put ‘the past’ behind me. Inevitably, at home, everybody noticed that I grew thin, sickly, and that I had a fresh set of eye luggage. What have I done to receive these? I can’t say I studied hard, because even if I did, the results somehow showed the opposite. Not wanting to mention the mistakes I’ve done, I could only promise my parents that I’ll do better the next semester. Next semester. That is, right now. Thus, even as I immaturely hate writing the letters “O.F.” in my class cards, there’s this relief inside, knowing that I finished something, and am given another chance to start anew. It’s like a badge of honor I submit to my professors, a proof that I’m way better than who I was several weeks ago. And yes, that I am no longer the same freshman. [P]

Sketchpad

My triumphs in our races when we were your hand, with a band, with the pain you feel little weren’t my fault and were not out of an ef- every night. Now, Sid, I know, you win.” fort. My legs were stronger than his — he knew it ever since. Nobody will find out how I saved Sid.

“Sid,” I sighed after a stick of cigarette I’m sure. before I lit up another, then, a chain of sighs out of smoke. The bottle beside me is next to being I’ll make sure. empty; still, I can’t stop myself from puffing and blowing until my lungs run out of air tolerating Five sticks away and the rest of the band my state. will be next to trouble with the loss of a drummer, the best among others. This is not an ordinary night. I’m not with the band because of the drummer’s death. *** I’m the second witness to the crime, next to the It is better to settle between two other pen and paper he was holding a while ago. sheets than be at liberty under the hand of a person in pain. It was the pain that crumpled “Sid, I don’t know how I made your leaving me away. Now, I am used and creased by easier; away from losses, away from bitterness. a man whose hands were destined to thrash I don’t know if you wanted it that way, but, I drums. Now, more than a hundred folds in remember the diagnosis, the results and the my surface was created by a closed fist, and number of days left. The least I can do is to between the spaces of a sheet lie a story; a help you get out of taking more than five drugs one of a kind. [P] every after meal — get out of that torture within your brain. I remember the time when even *Bulan is the term of Waraynons for the a simple race makes us happy, you told me moon. We leave the second meaning of about singing, hitting the drums with sticks in the word to your curiosity.

What killed Sid? Why is Ian trying to hide the cause of his death? Why did Ian point his fingers to Megan?

UPLB Perspective

GRAPHICS

VOLUME 35 | ISSUE 4 | December 15, 2008

9

CAMPUS

FORUM

Saan mo kukunin ang iyong pangmatrikula para sa 2nd sem?

“Sa ninang ko na nagtratrabaho sa Japan. Kasi siya talaga ang magpapa-aral sa akin ngayong college.” - Rach, BA Communication Arts ‘07 “Sa sis ko! Call center agent siya at malaki ang sweldo niya.” - Chii-P |BS Civil Engineering ‘07 “Sa magulang ko, kasi 45.50php lang ang tuition ko. Hindi ganoon kamahal katulad ng sa mga lower batches.” - Abi | BS Development Communication ‘06 “Sa magulang ko. Wala pa akong trabaho eh.” - Zara, BS Agricultural Business ‘06 “Scholarship pero kumukuha din ako from parents kasi kulang kung scholarship lang dahil malaki na ‘yung tuition fee.” - Rhods, BA Communication Arts ‘07

REALITY SHOWS

FROM PAGE 7

sa telebisyon na nagbubunga ng mga reality show. Ngunit kapansin-pansin pa rin na hindi sariling atin ang mga palabas na ito. Kung hindi man kayanin ng mga producer ng ating bansa na makipagtapatan sa malalaking bansa na gumagawa ng sikat na reality show, nagsisilbing hadlang ang mataas at patuloy na tumataas na halaga ng dayuhang teknolohiya, kung kaya’t kinailangan pa natin ng mga katuwang mula sa ibang bansa para magpatuloy. Kakikitaan din ng malaking interes ang mga Pilipino pagdating sa pagtanggap ng mga bagay na may impluwensya ng Kanluran. Pinapakita nito ang colonial mentality kung saan nasasalamin ang pagkahumaling ng mga Pilipino sa mga Kanluraning pag-iisip, gawa, at pag-uugali. Naipapakita ba ng bersyon ng mga dayuhang reality show ang mga Pilipino at ang mga tunggaliang kinakaharap natin sa araw-araw? Naipapakita ba nito ang Pilipinas na lubog sa utang at puno ng mga mamamayang walang pagkain sa hapag? Tunay nga bang naipakikilala ang “Kabataang Pinoy” sa pamamagitan ng mahigit-kumulang dalawampung kabataang ipinasok sa isang tahanan at pinanood ng sambayanan? Mas mahirap nga ba ang mga hamon sa mga reality show kumpara sa mga kinakaharap ng isang ordinaryong Pilipino sa kanyang buhay? Hind man tunay ang repleksyong ipinakikita ng reality show sa tuwing mananalamin ang sambayanan dito, katakot-takot na pagtangkilik pa rin ang nakukuha ng ganitong mga palabas. Ito ay gabi-gabing pagkumbinsi sa sambayanan na ariin ang realidad na hindi kanya, isang realidad na hindi tunay, isang realidad na sa tuwina’y isa lamang pintuan palabas sa tunay na realidad — ang realidad ng korupsyon at kahirapan. [P]

“Sa kapatid ko pero ‘yung allowance ko sa’kin kasi nagtratrabaho ako as call center agent.” - Edward, BS Computer Science ‘04

Ano ang masasabi mo sa pagtakbo ni Bayani Fernando sa 2010 presidential elections? “I don’t mind. Pero dapat dumaan muna siya sa legislative part, para maranasan niya ang big-time politics bago siya tumakbo for presidency.” - Allyn|BS Computer Science ‘06 “Actually, gusto ko nga siyang kumandidato. Kasi isipin mo, just imagine kung ano ‘yung mga nagawa niya sa Marikina and imagine what he could do kapag nagawa niya ‘yun nationwide.” - Allan|BS Agriculture ‘04 “One advantage, okay siya at may political will. Hindi siya emotional masyado. Ang ayoko sa kanya, may mga nakakalimutan siyang i-consider na mga bagaybagay. For example ‘yung design ng overpass na hindi inapprove ng DPWH. Walang proper consideration sa mga taong pinapakialaman niya.” - Vynne|BS Biology ‘07

Opinyon 1. mo’y mahalaga.

Mag-text sa 09164298055/09295085076

Anong masasabi mo sa muling pagbabasura sa impeachment complaint laban kay PGMA?

2.

Kung ikaw si Sta. Claus, anong regalo mo para sa Pilipinas ngayong Pasko?

“Hindi siya marunong kumilala ng mataas sa kanya. Feeling ko, parang hindi niya kino-consider ‘yung ibang tao para lang magawa ‘yung task niya. Hindi din siya makamasa.” - Tina|BS Nutrition ‘06 “Okay lang kasi nasa isang malaya naman tayong bansa. Pwede naman siyang tumakbo bilang presidente kaso parang kulang pa ang karanasan niya sa larangan ng pulitika kasi parang nakasentro lang sa MMDA ang kanyang political career.” - Kristel|BA Communication Arts ‘07

OPINION

10 UPLB Perspective ISSUE 4 | VOLUME 35 |

December 15, 2008

HODGEPODGE

Diskuntento JONELLE MARIN

H

indi ‘yan mamamatay kasi siya ang bida.” Kinidnap ang bida at isinakay siya sa kotse. Habang rumaragasa ang kotse, hinabol ito ng boyfriend ng bida gamit lang ang kanyang mga paa dahil sa mahirap lang siya. Dinala ang bida sa isang bodega. Lumuha siya para sa kanyang buhay ngunit tumawa ang kontrabida para sa kanyang kamatayan. Nang itinutok sa kanya ang baril upang iputok, himalang nakarating ang boyfriend at nailigtas ang bida. Napatumba nila ang kontrabida at saka pa lang dumating ang mga pulis. Makailang ulit ka na bang nakahuhula ng ending ng mga telenovela sa sobrang pagkakatulad nito sa mga nauna mo nang napanuod? Nakukuntento ka na sa pag-upo sa harap ng TV at panglalait sa mga nakauumay at paulit-ulit na kwento ng mga palabas. Nakukuntento ka na sa pagtitiyaga sa mga telenovela na ito kahit na alam mong isa kang writing course graduate at may kakayahan kang baguhin ang takbo ng primetime. *** “Ito na lang. Mas mura ‘to eh.” Pinagpilian mo ang dalawang Christmas lights na nakita mo sa isang department store at sa bangketa. Sa unang tindahan, nagkakahalaga ang Christmas lights ng P199.75 at may tatak na “Q.C. Passed”, at sa pangalawa ay P70.00. Pinili mo ang mas mura tulad nang taun-taon mong ginagawa. Makailang ulit mo na bang ipinagpapalit ang kalidad ng produkto sa presyo? Nakukuntento ka na sa kaunting sayang dulot ng mga murang produkto kahit na alam

I

f placed among Virgilio Garcillano’s “Hello Garci,” Romulo Neri’s ZTENBN deal and Eliseo De La Paz’ “Euro generals” scandal in a dramatic soap opera, Jocelyn Bolante’s scam would be the best part. Actor Bolante, former undersecretary of the Department of Agriculture, boasts of these dramatic appearances: P728 million fertilizer fund forwarded to GMA’s election 2004 campaign kitty, two-year detainment in the United States, deportation back to the Philippines, medical treatment in St. Luke’s Medical Hospital and absolute loyalty to the Arroyo administration. He was detained at the Senate basement last Dec. 3, but was permitted to visit his sick wife at their house in Ayala Alabang Village. With the mastermind alive and kicking, there are other people besides Bolante to be used for the selfish political agenda of the powerhouse behind him. The fund for the “Ginintuang Masaganang Ani” or GMA program is supposed to be used for buying fertilizers to be distributed to different regions in the Philippines. According to reports, farmers received none of the fertilizers from the DA. With a budget as big as the fertilizer funds, where else would it go? The Senate Committee on Agriculture found an answer: on corrupt officials’ pockets. The name of the program itself is disturbing. It seems that

“

mong sa susunod na taon ay bibili ka ulit dahil hindi naman nagtatagal ang mga ito. Nakukuntento ka na sa paggamit ng mga “sub-standard” na produkto, ngunit hindi mo alam, kaligtasan ng bahay at buhay mo ang nakasalalay dito. *** “At least hindi singko.” Pumunta ka sa cubicle ng prof mo para hanapin ang iyong class card. Sa bawat pagbuklat, kabado at pinagpapawisan kang maigi. Halos tumigil ang paghinga mo nang makita mo ang iyong pangalan sa susunod na card. Sinilip mo unti-unti ang iyong grado. Tres. Ayos. At nakahinga ka na nang maluwag. Makailang ulit mo na bang nararanasan ang makapigil-hiningang eksenang ito? Nakukuntento ka na sa ginhawang dulot ng tres sa buhay mo kahit na alam mong may mas mataas pa dito na mas ikagiginhawa mo. Nakukuntento ka na sa ipinamamalas mong “galing” kahit alam mong kung pag-iigihan at seseryosohin mo pa ang pag-aaral, hindi ka na muling kakabahang tingnan ang class card mo. *** “Okay lang ‘yan. Lahat naman dito tumatawid eh.” Tumingin ka sa kaliwa. Pinakiramdaman mo ang bilis o bagal ng parating na kotse. Unti-unti kang humakbang habang sumesenyas ang kaliwa mong kamay. Tumingin ka sa kanan at nagulantang sa bago mong kalaban: Ten-wheeler truck. Halos patakbo ang iyong pagtawid para

our Madam President wants to impress on the farmers that she and Bolante “cares”. Bolante was detained in the US after using his tourist visa that is not valid for travelling, as announced by the US embassy. If he did not do anything wrong, why is there a need to go to Los Angeles to seek refuge? His life was threatened, he said. He should have contacted the Philippine National Police for protection. Why did he hide from them? If Bolante contacted the PNP, the reason behind his threats would be investigated. It seems that he is hiding something that he does not want anyone looking into. Bolante was then deported back to the Philippines after two years and was put under medical treatment in St. Luke’s Medical Hospital where he is confined due to high blood pressure and stomach aches. After sometime, he was released and was proclaimed “calm and ready” to face the Senate. Bolante finally appeared in the Senate hearing, “clearing” his name and disclaiming GMA’s association with the “scam”. He explained that the funds were given to respective representatives and local government officials. There is a list submitted by the DA to the Department of Budget and Management containing the cities and provinces given portions of the P728 million. Some of the

What the sector needs is a

long-term solution,

something that would satisfy the needs of the farmers

”

makaabot sa kabilang bangketa. Matapos mong labagin ang nakasulat sa hot pink na karatula, naglakad ka na parang wala kang sala. Makailang ulit ka na bang nakikipagpatintero kay Kamatayan sa tuwing tatawid ka sa maling tawiran? Nakukuntento ka na sa kabang dulot ng mga bus, truck at iba pang mga sasakyan sa iyong pagtawid kahit na nakita mo nang may malapit na overpass kung saan mas ligtas kang makatatawid. Nakukuntento ka na sa pagsunod sa ginagawa ng ibang tao kahit na alam mong mali ito at delikado. *** “ ‘Tangin*ng gobyerno yan! Pahirap!” Nasa harap ka ng telebisyon nang nabalitaan mong nasangkot sa isang iskandalo ang ilang opisyal ng gobyerno at inakusahan silang tumangay ng malaking halaga mula sa kaban ng bayan. Naibulalas mo ang iyong galit at napamura ka habang katabi mo ang halatang gulat mong mga nakababatang kapatid. Makailang ulit mo na bang sinisigawan ang iyong telebisyon sa tuwing makaririnig ka ng ganitong mga balita? Nakukuntento ka na sa pagmumura at pagsigaw sa harap ng telebisyon kahit na alam mong hindi ka maririnig ng mga minumura mo. Nakukuntento ka na sa pagaabang sa susunod na mga balita at sa kung ano ang susunod na mangyayari. Nang sinabi sa’yo ng magulang mo na dapat marunong kang makuntento sa kung ano ang meron ka at sa kung ano ang natatanggap mo, masyado mo itong dinibdib. Umabot ito sa puntong tanggap ka na lang nang tanggap sa kung ano ang ibinibigay sa’yo. Kahit gusto mong tumutol, hindi mo magawa

“

kaya pinilit mo na lang ang iyong sarili na makuntento. Sa tunggalian mo at nang iyong sarili, hindi mo namalayang marami kang naisantabi. Nakalimutan mong may dunong ka, may kakayanan, may sariling paniniwala, may konsepto ng tama at mali at may karapatang magpahayag. Ang pagiging kuntento at pagsasawalangbahala ay magkaiba. Nakukuntento ka lang kung alam mong wala ka nang mahihiling pa. Nagsasawalang-bahala ka kung may gusto ka pang makamit, ngunit wala kang ginagawa upang maabot ito, kaya naman, isinasantabi mo na lang ang iyong opinyon. Nawalan na ng saysay ang opinyon mo hangga’t ikaw lang ang tanging nakaaalam nito. Naubos na ang iyong pagpipilian kung iyun at iyon din ang pinipili mo. Hindi ka na magsisikap kung tanggap mo na ang kalagayan mo. Wala nang mali kung lahat ng mali ay pinagmukha mo nang tama.

Wala nang mali kung lahat ng mali ay pinagmukha mo nang tama

”

*** Sa isang bansang nangangailangan ng mga taong babago sa kanyang sistema, hindi makatutulong ang pananatili sa kanlungan ng iyong tahanan at pagpapahayag ng iyong mga opinyon na ang nakaririnig lang ay ang apat na dingding nito. Ang pagsalungat na may basehan ay may katumbas na aksyon. Nasa sa iyo na lang kung anung aksyon ang iyong itutugon: pananahimik o pagtindig. [P]

NOFURYSOLOUD

Curtain Call ALETHEIA GRACE DEL ROSARIO

representatives in the list denied that they

received P3M or P5M allotment; others confirmed that they indeed received such budget but did not use it to buy fertilizers. The Philippines is an agricultural country, as farming is its primary source of income. With its climate type and its geography, our country is very suitable for agriculture. For the past years, the country faced problems — rice shortage, mono-cropping, land monopoly of landlords, shortage of lands suitable for farming because of land use conversion and an “export-oriented, import-oriented” economic system, among others. With the money that unfortunately went to this kind of scam, much could have been done for the betterment of our slowly deteriorating agricultural output. There could have been reforms made that will help farmers own lands or a better system for fair share between land owners and farmers for rented lands. Fertilizers are short-term solutions to agricultural problems. Although they can speed up production for a few years, the supply will run out and the agriculture sector needs another budget for fertilizers. If this continues, the Philippine treasury will release as much as P728 million or more every now and then. What the sector needs is a long-term solution, something that would satisfy the needs of the farmers—- a land of

their own, so that production of rice would increase, and a fair share of income from the harvests, so that they can eventually buy a land of their own to use for farming. The GMA program is a very anomalous project. Why include people who do not need fertilizers? Why focus on short-term solutions when what is needed are long-term solutions? There are other sectors that need funding badly. Education should be one of the country’s top priorities. While the Constitution states that “the state shall assign the highest budgetary priority to education,” State Universities and Colleges receive a meagre P22.6 billion budget, P 167.9 billion to DepEd, and P 189.1 billion allotted to education, compared with the P681.5 billion budget for debt servicing according to the National Expenditure Program for 2009. What happened to what the Constitution states? Some of the P728 million could have been allotted to areas that also need support, especially education. Agriculture and education are just two sectors that need sufficient government funding. The government’s slow response to the problems of these sectors and the government officials’ protected economic interests contribute to the country’s weakening condition. The citizens, youth above all, cannot afford to add to the country’s misery by forgetting to be vigilant when vigilance is demanded from them. [P]

UPLB Perspective

OPINION

VOLUME 35 | ISSUE 4 | December 15, 2008

A

fter an hour’s walk under the scorching heat of the sun, I decided to rest and sit on one of those benches on Freedom Park. It was semestral break; there were only few people, mostly were with their families. Kids were playing and everyone seemed to have a good time. I can hear people laughing. I sighed and gazed up at the sky. Then I slowly closed my eyes and thought of something I never have thought of for the past six months. I opened my eyes and looked at those tiny criss-crosses of my palm; that very moment, I know that I am no longer the person I was. The entire moment started to mystify me. I can’t understand anything, as if I don’t understand a single thing that is going on in my life. Those people that I call “friends” seem to become strangers little by little. I felt like a total stranger in my own body. I was doing this and that without knowing why I’m doing such things. I have been much occupied with my activities for my academics, for this publication and my religion. I felt certain dampness on my cheek as I thought of it, and I fear that wiping it would wipe my identity

“

away. The misery I was feeling started to crush my heart and soul. I started asking myself, “Who are you? Are those pictures of regression and hatred you painted on the wind carried you into a great chasm? How come you are wounded and your blood is rushing, yet you seem unaware that you are wounded?” Then my memories started to flashback before my eyes. They were clear. Very clear. I used to always find reason to laugh. It used to be that only big laughter can dampen my cheeks. Resting my head over a friend’s shoulder was a safe harbor, but now I feel like every shoulder keeps me away from leaning on them. My memories seemed to be clouded with anguish and bitterness that I almost forgot what made me feel this way in the first place. Since I entered this university, every moment had been always flooded by tears and grief. Before I slip off to my dreams, my tears put

I felt certain dampness on my cheek as I thought of it, and I fear that wiping it would wipe my identity away

”

UNDERSCRUTINY

Serve the People CHRISTIAN RAY BUENDIA

Y

our reaction to the title of this article is an excellent gauge of how strong your prejudice has already gripped you. If you quickly dropped your copy of Perspective and trained your eyes elsewhere, then you’re the one who should be reading this. But if you, for some reason continue to read on like you are doing now, then you might be the one who will discuss this with the person sitting beside you who dropped the paper. As Iskolars ng Bayan, we have prided ourselves with the distinction that there is more to us than just diploma and critical thinking after we graduate. We set out into the “real world,” filled with purpose that is nothing less than noble and selfless. In our own little ways, we want – no, crave – to serve the people. Maybe this still holds true even today, but it is hard to verify. Honest observation can be our only means to get at the truth and even that can be distorted by our collection of experiences and predispositions. But there is no escaping the scrutiny of our convictions, because certainly it is only through this that we can embrace the totality of our principles. Then if we must be thorough with our introspection, we must also be

merciless until we have destroyed our delusions. And in this we must include the university, which to most of us is the place where we have first seen intimations of service to the people. For whatever it is that one would say about UP’s achievements on how it views its role in building the nation’s consciousness, there is still a kind of cognitive dissonance that hounds us today, an uneasy sense of dangling between a steady dedication to nationalist ideals and an unconstrained betrayal of the principles that have defined UP in its 100 years of existence. Because somewhere, and at a great expense, UP has taken a detour. Certain indicators can establish this, the depth of which defies our imagination. A very obvious example would be the passing of the 300 percent hike in tuition, a watershed policy in education that has done more harm than the good it promised to deliver. We are now witnessing an unprecedented increase in the number of Student Loan Board applicants and Socialized Tuition and Financial Assistance Program. Just last semester, the applications for loan reached a record 2,332 applications, 68 percent of which are availed by those affected

11

MUMBLINGS

Wavering Light *teddy bear

me in great tidal waves of sorrow. It was just a year ago when I used to have an identity. My heart holds a great ache in every single beat. I even felt as though I left myself behind. Despite the sun shining brightly, my whole world seems to be so dark. Every face seems to be so unfamiliar. Is this the same world that I used to love? Or the new world I created with my bitterness and anger? The nearby benches were slowly getting occupied. I can hear the people’s talk about how great their days were - their laughter filled my head. Their giggles were stabbing me. I felt like I was holding on to a rope and their laughter was like sharp blows of mockery weakening my almost losing grip. By the moment I lose my grasp, there is a great abyss waiting for me where I can never come out again. I wanted to run so fast so I won’t hear them, but the agony I was feeling paralyzed me. The happy person I was, my memories with friends and relatives, all seemed to slip out of my grip. I felt as if someone was pulling

a barbed wire that was resting on my tightly closed palm. These thoughts seemed to break my heart and crush every single detail of my identity. Yes, it grabbed my identity from me, tore it into pieces and let it flew into air. That moment, I lost hope that my past would continue painting stars in my sky. Every happy memory seems to make it impossible to live happily once more or to just live. I really wanted to leave. I walked slowly, expecting that someone will grab me; that when I make another big step I would fall into a deep pit. But no one did. I dried my eyes and finally let go of all those thoughts. Each step I make, I was putting all my memories behind for as soon as I reach the end of the park, I am ready for a new life. It is not my choice to live without an identity and no one is offering me a choice anyway. I’ll just let people draw their pictures on me and colour it the way they want. I used to have a light - as bright as the reflection of light in real diamond - but it vanished and didn’t leave any sign that it’ll be back again someday. [P]

by the tuition increase. Here we can see the large discrepancy between what the UP administration has advanced as its justification for implementing the increase – that students can now afford the full cost of tuition – and what happens in reality. Beneath the statistics lurks a grave message: that democratic access to UP education is dying a slow death. Yet there are subtler signs. The general reaction of the UP administration to any form of dissent and resistance, and our own prejudices with people bearing placards and chanting slogans on the streets, gives credence to this claim. How many times have we seen university officials mock us during dialogues, mobilizations and in other instances where we have to negotiate with them regarding student concerns? Gone are the days when it is the UP President himself or herself who leads students in lobbying in Congress to assert for greater state subsidy for education, as was in the time of former UP President Francisco Nemenzo. Gone also are the days when university policies must gain its legitimacy through genuine student consultation. Even our penchant to think that anything that shakes the status quo should be suppressed, or worse, can only

be annoying, is very much telling. The unfortunate consequence of this is that, for us, proclaiming that we want to serve the people becomes an offhand thing – and we end up saying one thing and doing another. Seeing all these and still asserting the opposite is more than preposterous; it’s dangerous. It could not only lead to apathy, it can also strengthen our delusions of a happy and just world when there is misery and poverty around us. Thus, one of our most insistent problems is that we allow ourselves to be swallowed by social stigma, by indifference and by onedimensional, unrealistic stereotypes that we stop seeing ourselves altogether. And maybe the institutions responsible for our growth as an integral part of the society must shoulder part of the blame. To be sure, many changes, positive or negative, have happened to UP, but there’s a more sinister change underway that needs urgent resolution right away. It is a quiet emergency, but the stakes are enormous. [P]

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...we allow ourselves to be swallowed by social stigma, by indifference and by one-dimensional, unrealistic stereotypes that we stop seeing ourselves altogether

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OPINION

12 UPLB Perspective ISSUE 4 | VOLUME 35 |

December 15, 2008

EDITORIAL

Stranger than Fiction How can a bedridden farmer possibly take part in the arson of a Globe cell site in Lemery, Batangas? Or how can people coming from different provinces separated by miles possibly plan together the arson of this cell site? Even in fiction it would be hard to formulate a believable plot that would convince even the most gullible readers.

But the kind of government we have is one that can work on plots to make the absurdity of this situation seem normal and logical. Only in the mind of a government who is threatened by a bedridden peasant leader would this be possible. Perhaps, in the Arroyo administration’s mind, these people woke up one morning and decided to travel miles and cross seas to see a cell site turn into ashes. Never mind that the government is fully aware that adding more absurd scenarios to this fantastic story would be straining its luck too much. Last October, the seemingly impossible happened when 72 individuals from Southern Tagalog (ST-72) were charged with multiple murder and frustrated multiple murder. There is another separate case of arson filed against 27 individual for bombing a Globe cell site in Batangas Last Aug. 2. About thirty of these individuals happen to be involved in the progressive movement in the region, including the bedridden farmer, Rogelio Galit, who is the Chairperson of the Katipunan ng mga Magbubukid sa Kabite (Kamagsasaka-Ka) and who is suffering from diabetes. In fact, some of these people are activist leaders such as Bayani Cambronero, 8th party list nominee and Southern Tagalog regional coordinator of Bayan

Muna and Rolando Mingo, Vice President of the nationwide transport group PISTON. The youth sector is not exempted as Pedro “PJ” Santos, secretary general of Anakbayan-ST and resident of Los Baños, is included in the list. But it doesn’t stop there. The cases filed against ST-72 were put into court without any preliminary investigation. A few days after the charges were filed some of the alleged murderers and arsonists were arrested without proof of them doing the crimes.

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been the government’s classic method in trying to subdue activists through the years. This method has been used without constraints in the Martial Law years. During that time, people critical of the Marcos regime are charged with trumped up charges, abducted or summarily executed. Indeed, some tactics never change. The government has very well used its police and armed forces, increasing their budget year after year, to this purpose. They have even formulated laws like the Human Security Act of 2007 to their advantages. The Human Security Act of 2007 states that when a person is accused of being a terrorist, he or she can be detained for three days even without a warrant. For all we know, a lot can happen in three days. Meanwhile, the Oplan Bantay Laya 2, a counterinsurgency campaign by the government, allows the tagging

Decade after

decade, death

death these people did not stop in their struggle for freedom. after

Illogical subplots are endless especially in the minds of those who want to silence people who are shouting for justice and equality. They try desperately to gag these people who tell and educate the public on how they can assert their rights and fight corruption that adds to the burden they carry every day. The use of intimidation has

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CHINO CARLO ARICAYA

of whoever is critical to the present regime as “leftists and destabilizers”. But history has served as evidence that despite government repression, fear has never been enough to stop those in the progressive movement. Decade after decade, death after death these people did not stop in their struggle for freedom. Despite the killing sprees from the Marcos regimes and other presidential terms, the government has never fully succeeded in “neutralizing” those who oppose them. It only proves that no amount of fear and ammunition can stop those who seek to change the status quo. This filing of cases against people in the progressive movement, as well as other forms of political repression, will destroy the basic tenets of our democracy if not addressed at once. Those who enjoy their so-called freedom should not tolerate this kind of intimidation. For in a country that claims to be democratic, it is unlikely to do these cheap tactics. A government who tries to silence anyone and everyone who gets in their way is also the kind of government who will have no second thoughts in sacrificing the people’s welfare. [P]

The Official Student Publication of the University of the Philippines Los Baños Christian Ray Buendia, Editor In Chief; Aaron Joseph Aspi, Associate Editor; Arjay Garcia, Managing Editor; Beverly Christcel Laguartilla, Business Manager; Faith Allyson Buenacosa, Culture Editor; Liberty Notarte, Features Editor; Rogene Gonzales, News Editor; Chino Carlo Aricaya, Production Editor;

Nikko Angelo Oribiana, Yves Christian Suiza, Estel Lenwij Estropia, Katrina Elauria, News; Mark Angelo Ordonio, Culture; Harriet Melanie Zabala, Business Kervin Gabilo, Elyssa Rosales, Graphics; Aletheia Grace del Rosario, Salvatorre De Vince Olano, Layout; Karl Suministrado, Photos; Andrea Velasquez, Rick Jason Obrero, Jonelle Marin, Samantha Isabel Coronado, Jarienill Daquioag Namit, Mara Angeli Cadiz, Apprentices;

UPLB Perspective is a member of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines and Solidaridad - UP Systemwide Alliance of Student Publications and Writers Organization Editorial Office: Rm. 11, 2/F Student Union Bldg, UPLB, College, Laguna | e-mail: [email protected] | website: http://uplbperspective0809.deviantart.com