Uplb Perspective 0809 8th Ish

VOLUME 35

ISSUE 8

February 14, 2009

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

NEWS

Centennial Febfair turns into protest fair Katrina Elauria with reports from Harriet Melanie Zabala, Estel Lenwij Estropia, Aletheia Grace del Rosario and Jonelle Marin

LAYOUT ALETHEIA GRACE DEL ROSARIO | PHOTO KARL SUMINISTRADO

This year’s February Fair (FebFair) takes the form of a protest fair against the administration’s “repressive actions” as manifested in its response to the University Student Council’s (USC) request for the approval of the fair. The onset of the protest fair was announced in a picket-dialogue organized by around 50 student organizations in front of the administration building last Feb. 9. The picket-dialogue was held by students to show the administration that they support the USC and to pressure the administration to approve the event. FebFair as protest fair USC Chairperson Charisse Bernadine Bañez said this year’s FebFair will serve as a concrete manifestation of student’s fight for their democratic rights. “Wala naman pong bago doon sa protest fair dahil ang bawat FebFair po ay isang protesta,” Bañez stressed. Chancellor Luis Rey Velasco granted some of the USC’s requests and set conditions regarding the use of the Freedom Park, extension of curfew at night, participation of food concessionaires, payment for electricity bills, use of public restrooms adjacent to the D.L. Umali Hall and coordination with lower offices responsible for specific concerns of the event. Meanwhile, USC Councilor Mark Vincent Baracao said although the FebFair has already been approved, some policies regarding the event are still problematic. “Habang papatindi ‘yung commercialization ng UP education, nakikita natin ‘yung desperadong aksyon ng administrasyon para kumita ng pera, at isa nga itong ginagawa nila na, huhuthutan nila ng pera itong ating FebFair upang punuan ang kakulangan natin [unibersidad] sa pondo,” Baracao said. HUMAN BARRICADE After Bañez announced the start of the protest fair, around 300 students barricaded the UPLB main gate to show their protest against the administration’s strict policy on the concessionaires’ participation on the event. The assembly then marched to the Student Union amphitheatre to proceed with setting up FebFair booths on Freedom Park around 6 p.m. One of the conditions of the administration includes requiring the food concessionaires to secure permit from the UPLB Business Affairs Office (BAO) and to pay the necessary fees. This in turn would make the funds for student activities more difficult to access, said Bañez. “Hindi pinagkakakitaan ang Febfair na ito sa pamamagitan ng pagsesentro ng pera sa Business Affairs Office, dahil kahit kailan, ‘di tiningnan ng USC bilang income generating project ang UPLB FebFair,” Bañez said.

TAKING IT TO THE STREETS. Hundreds of UPLB students marched around the campus carrying placards of dismay on issues that hounded the Centennial February Fair.

BUKLOD withdraws support letter As the students were about to start the picket around 10 a.m., Office of Student Affairs (OSA) Director Vivian Gonzales announced that the FebFair has already been approved by the administration. This is so when BUKLOD-UPLB, a political party, has forwarded a letter of request earlier than the USC. The said letter contained request for permission to use university facilities, deputize security personnel in the fair grounds, extend the 10 p.m. curfew to 1 a.m. and to close the road in front of SU building and SU parking lot. Gonzales said the USC has to coordinate with BUKLOD regarding the plans for FebFair during the picket-dialogue. While BUKLOD claims that they support the FebFair, the USC and the students present in the picket requested the party to immediately remove its request, saying that it bars the processing of the USC’s letter of request. “Kung sinasabi nila [BUKLOD] na support FebFair lang naman ito [letter], bakit hindi i-disregard ‘yung letter at pirmahan ‘yung totoong sulat ng totoong organisador ng FebFair na ito?” Bañez stressed. Bañez also said BUKLOD did not coordinate with USC and the student organizations during the Feb. 8 Council of Student Leaders.

Protest fair...ON PAGE 2

NEWS

Unang Youth Act Now Regional Summit idinaos page 3

NEWS FEATURES Overcoming the Referendum Crisis page 6

CULTURE Uniberso page 8

place the thumbnail in this box

OPINION

Reliving the Rage page 12

2

NEWS

UPLB Perspective

VOLUME 35 | ISSUE 8 | February 14, 2009

UP students ratify CRSRS Rogene Gonzales with reports from Nikko Angelo Oribiana

UP students can finally proceed with selecting their next representative to the Board of Regents (BOR). Come April this year, the General Assembly of students will convene for the Student Regent (SR) selection after the Codified Rules for Student Regent Selection (CRSRS) was successfully ratified in a referendum last Jan. 26-31. On Feb. 6 in UP Diliman, the Office of the Student Regent (OSR) announced the official referendum total tally of 18,253 or 72.05 percent ‘Yes’ votes of the total 47,365 votes cast or 53.49 percent system-wide turnout. The accumulated number of affirmative votes has surpassed

Deviant

LOVES

the 50 percent plus one requisite, thereby ratifying the CRSRS and accomplishing Section 12g of the UP Charter (see table for breakdown of votes). “Collective Success” Student Regent Shahana Abdulwahid said the outcome of the referendum is a manifestation of the success of UP students’ collective action. “Tanging sa sama-samang pagkilos lamang natin makakamit ang tagumpay,” she said. She stressed that the affirmation of the majority of UP students, by “ensuring the rules to be placed before anything else,” has ended the “logistical nightmare” caused by the referendum. Abdulwahid added that the referendum results show

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Protest fair ...from page 1 The USC’s letter for approval pushed through only after BUKLOD withdrew their letter from the administration. Meanwhile, in a statement, BUKLOD said in passing the letter, “It was never our goal to bypass any bureaucratic institution for mere political aspirations; we just want to push for a safe, pro-student, and festive FebFair,”

memorandum of agreement to be signed by both the USC and the administration after a dialogue. Also, Velasco disapproved the USC’s proposal during the dialogue because according to him, the USC failed to submit a written request and just verbally presented their plans for the Febfair.

ORGS SUPPORT PROTEST FAIR In a Council of Student Leaders meeting last Feb. BUREAUCRATIC PROCESS TO 8, around 250 students FOLLOW showed their support for the Both the administration and continuation of the FebFair even the USC have not come up with without assistance from the a memorandum of agreement administration. on the Feb. 6 dialogue because Student organizations acted the administration said the USC upon the request of the USC and has not followed the required pledged their participation on the bureaucratic process. Velasco said the USC failed to picket last Monday. Rachelle Sy, head of UP seek for the approval of the lower offices responsible for the specific Cells, said, “naging inconsiderate kasi [ang administrasyon] kahit needs of the FebFair, which he naman may kakulangan ang USC said is the proper procedure in requesting for its approval before sa pagproproseso ng papers, kung gusto talaga nilang matuloy ang any letter is forwarded to him. FebFair, palalagpasin nila ito.” Bañez said, however, that Mark Jason Villanueva of they only followed the process taken by the previous USC terms League Agricultural Chemistry Students said, “para sa‘tin isang in preparation for FebFair. That is, a dialogue is held where terms malaking tagumpay ito kasi ang dami ng nakiisang mga and guidelines on the conduct estudyante.” [P] of the Febfair are drafted in a

students’ “remarkable concern over the repressive policies in the university.” She added that Defend OSR campaign indeed reflected the importance of representing students’ genuine interests in the BOR. Educated “Yes” According to reports by the University Student Council (USC), UPLB students registered 4,025 or 79.50 percent ‘Yes’ votes from the voter turnout of 5,353 students or 54.91 percent of the 9,748 total student population. Though the turnout was low compared to the 1984 USC Constitution plebiscite, UPLB had been able to reach the 50 percent TAKING TIME TO BE COUNTED. PHOTO Karl Suministrado plus one turnout by 4 p.m. of Jan. UPLB students flocked polling precints to vote for the CRSRS Referendum despite the 30. different issues and controversies regarding the referendum process. USC Councilor and UPLB’s Referendum Officer Odraude Alub Table 1. UPLB Official Tally of the CRSRS Referendum said logistical problems such as the UPLB administration’s failure College YES YES (%) NO NO (%) to release financial assistance and lack of administration personnel are CA 517 83.39% 89 14.35% major factors that caused the low turnout (see related article on page CAS 1,232 72.60% 451 26.58% 6). CDC 365 78.16% 98 20.99% He said the results in UPLB manifested an “overwhelming CEAT 529 82.79% 101 15.81% support of students to defend the Office of the Student Regent with an CEM 379 73.03% 135 26.01% educated ‘Yes’ vote”. CFNR 278 91.75% 21 6.93% ”Magandang simula ito para sa mga Iskolar ng Bayan sa mga CHE 338 83.66% 61 15.10% paghamon pa ng bagong UP Charter at para manindigan sa kanilang mga CVM 287 93.49% 19 6.19% karapatan,” Alub stressed. GS 100 93.46% 7 6.54% He added that the ratification of the truly “democratic, autonomous Source: University Student Council and representative” CRSRS ensures an SR that would cater and protect as they were “undecided”, she 14,000 or 70 percent of the whole the rights not only of UPLB but of all system’s tally. added. UP students. Pangahas, however, attributed Continued struggle the low turnout in some units, Pangahas stressed that the All units approve particularly in UPLB, to the All of the 13 UP units had conflicting campaigns of the Defend Defend OSR would continue recorded majority affirmative votes OSR that urges for a “Yes” and the even after the ratification of the CRSRS and SR selection because for the CRSRS, with UP Baguio and Choose to Know Movement that of the ongoing threats not only UP Mindanao registering the highest calls for a “No” vote. to the OSR but also to student percentage of affirmative votes with “Dapat isa lang ‘yung boses institutions and organizations with 98.36 percent and 98.40 percent, ng mga student formations and the implementation of the new UP respectively. political parties dahil kapag Charter. Pamela Angelie Pangahas, nag-offer ka ng options, mas Member councils of KASAMA Katipunan ng Sangguniang mapanghati pa ito doon sa mga sa UP would coordinate with Magaaral sa UP (KASAMA sa UP) estudyante,” she said. Abduwahid during the remainder National Vice President for Luzon, In effect, these “alternative” of her term in crafting policy stressed that the “Yes” votes from campaigns created “confusion” reviews to be passed to the BOR Luzon units namely UPLB, UP among students and in most cases regarding the Tuition and Other Fees Baguio, UP Diliman and UP Manila caused students to abstain or to no Increase (ToFI) and other students’ were able to gather more than longer participate in the referendum democratic rights issues. [P] Table 2. Full and Official Tally of the CRSRS Referendum

UP UNIT

YES

YES (%)

NO

Baguio

1680

98.36%

14

0.82%

Diliman

7147

63.17%

4031

35.63%

Diliman-EPP

371

90.93%

29

7.11%

Los Baños

4025

79.50%

982

19.40%

NO (%)

VOTES

POPULATION

TURNOUT

1,708

2,216

77.08%

11,314

22,348

50.63%

408

570

71.58%

5,063

9,748

51.94%

Manila

1500

54.47%

1243

45.13%

2,754

4,975

55.36%

Manila-Baler SHS

54

93.10%

3

5.17%

58

61

95.08%

Manila-Palo SHS

105

68.18%

42

27.27%

154

159

26.86%

Mindanao

737

98.40%

4

0.53%

749

871

85.99%

Open University

54

64.29%

18

21.43%

84

1,916

4.38%

Visayas Cebu

767

90.66%

74

8.75%

846

1,161

72.87%

Visayas CM

532

94.66%

23

4.0%

562

925

60.76%

Visayas Miag-ao

878

89.68%

71

7.25%

979

1,348

72.63%

249

37.96%

Visayas Tacloban

403

61.43%

TOTAL

18,253

72.05%

Source: Office of the Student Regent

6,783 26.77%

656

25,335

1,067

47,365

61.48%

53.49%

UPLB Perspective

NEWS

VOLUME 35 | ISSUE 8 | February 14, 2009

3

Unang Youth Act Now Regional Summit idinaos kinabukasan! Magkaisa at kumilos para sa panlipunang pagbabago!” Kasama sa programa Ang pagtigil ng diskriminasyon ng summit ang mga diskusyon sa mga kababaihan, pagbibigay ukol sa edukasyon, krisis relokasyon at kabuhayan sa pang-ekonomiya, mabuting mga kapus-palad at paglalaan pamamahala, karapatang pantao, ng badyet para sa serbisyong suliranin sa lupain at kapaligiran, panlipunan ang ilan lamang sa at kalagayan ng kababaihan, mga punto sa Youth Agenda na kabataan at maralitang binuo ng sektor ng kabataan sa tagalunsod. Timog Katagalugan (TK) sa unang Dinaluhan ito ng mahigit 100 Regional Youth Summit ng Youth kabataan mula sa 20 iba’t ibang for Accountability and Truth paaralan, at mga kinatawan ng Now-Southern Tagalog (Youth Act Sangguniang Kabataan. Now-ST) noong nakaraang Enero Ayon kay Rayan Brozula, 30-31 sa Makiling Ballroom Hall ng Deputy Secretary General ng Gusaling Unyon ng mga Mag-aaral. National Union of Students of the Philippines–Southern Pagtitipon para sa isang Tagalog (NUSP-ST), pinatampok rason sa mga diskusyon sa summit Nabuo noong Marso 2008 ang isyu ukol sa papatinding sa kasagsagan ng NBN-ZTE komersiyalisasyon ng edukasyon. scam, ang Youth Act Now ay Bahagi din nito ang papaliit na isang malawak na alyansa ng badyet na inilalaan sa State mga estudyante at kabataan Universities and Colleges, aniya. na naglalayong tugunan ang mga isyu ng korupsyon at krisis Hamon ng Cha-cha sa pampulitika sa bansa. kabataan Ang summit ay naglalayong Naging pangunahing paksa tipunin at pagkaisahin ang rin sa summit ang Charter pinakamalawak na hanay ng Change at mga implikasyon kabataan sa buong rehiyon upang nito sa kalayaang sibil, maturuan at mapaliwanagan kabataan, karapatang pantao at sila sa mga isyung kinahaharap pambansang patrimonya. ng bansa, ayon kay John Paulo “Self-serving” at “walang Bautista, tagapangulo ng koneksiyon sa development ng ANAKBAYAN-TK. bansa” ang mga house bills sa May temang “Harapin ang Cha-Cha, ayon kay Atty. Neri pampulitika at pang-ekonomiyang Colmenares ng National Union of krisis! Manindigan para sa Peoples’ Lawyers. Jonelle Marin

Binigyang-diin naman ni Rep. Teodoro Casiño ng Bayan Muna ang kahalagahan ng pakikilahok ng mga kabataan sa mga isyung kinahaharap ng bansa. Sinabi niyang mulat ang karamihan ng mga kabataan na may issue ukol sa Cha-Cha, ngunit maaaring kakaunti na lang ang mga taong nakaiintindi ng sitwasyon at makapagdedesisyong tindigan ang kanyang pananaw ukol sa isyu. “Kaya ‘yun ang dapat nating abutin – na ang karamihan ng ating kabataan hindi lang aware kundi may pang-unawa, paninindigan at kayang kumilos sa isyu,” aniya.

Pagtugon sa panawagan Sa panayam sa Perspective, binanggit ni Casiño ang kahalagahan ng paggampan ng mga kabataan sa pagharap sa mga isyu. “Sa kalagayan na nasa context kayo ng isang paaralan na vina-value ang critical thinking [at] ang freedom of expression, mas maraming oppurtunities para sa inyo na magmulat, magpakilos at mag-organisa.” Ayon naman kay Axel Pinpin, dating political detainee, “May role ‘yung pahayagang pangkampus, ‘yung mga nauna na at nabuo nang cultural groups [at] mga grupo ng aktibista para siya [indibidwal] mismo ay manindigan doon sa kung ano ang tingin niya ay mas tama.” [P]

PHOTO Karl Suministrado BOSES NG MASA. Tinalakay ni Hon. Teddy Casiño sa 1st Regional Youth Summit ang iba’t-ibang isyung kinakaharap ng ating bansa partikular na sa binabalak na Charter Change ng administrasyon ni Arroyo.

UNIVERSITY STUDENT COUNCIL

COLLEGE STUDENT COUNCIL

ELECTION DATES Campaign Period Miting de Avance Election Proper Canvassing of votes

Feb. 10-Feb. 23 Feb. 24 Feb. 25-26 Feb. 26-27



To resolve ‘conflict of interest’

STUDENT COUNCIL FR resigns from acad union post UNIVERSITY 2007-2008 FINANCIAL STATEMENT Rick Jason Obrero

With almost a month of delay in her appointment, Faculty Regent (FR) Judy Taguiwalo gave up her post as National Vice President for Faculty of the All-UP Academic Employees Union (AUPAEU) and filed a leave of absence from the union to resolve what the administration calls a ‘conflict of interest.’ Theodeore Te, UP System’s Vice President for Legal Affairs said Taguiwalo’s being a ranking officer of the AUPAEU while serving her term as FR constitutes a ‘conflict of interest,’ as she might be biased towards the principles and ideals that the union subscribes to during the performance of her duties as FR. In this light, the Board of Regents suggested that she resigns in her position in the AUPAEU. Taguiwalo clarified however, that she resigned as an official in AUPAEU not only to resolve this ‘conflict of interest’ but much more to focus on her duties as FR. Meanwhile, Teodoro Mendoza, President of the All-UP Worker’s Union–UPLB said in the past, some of the members of the AUPAEU who became FRs were not required to resign, such as former UP President Francisco Nemenzo. After her oath-taking, Taguiwalo said she will resolve issues on the faculty members’ security of tenure and the policies for promotion.

Taguiwalo also related that one-third of the faculty members of the university have a temporary appointment. Some of them, however, have not yet been granted tenure since they have not finished their publication requirements. Here in UPLB, a single system in promoting members of its faculty is being implemented, which involves teaching, producing a publication and executing research and extension work. Taguiwalo

suggested that the colleges may adopt modifications on the criteria for promotion. The AUPAEU is an alliance of all teaching personnel in different UP units, which consolidates the rank of academic employees. Taguiwalo, a faculty member of the College of Social Works and Community Development in UP Diliman, is set to take oath as FR on Feb. 9. She received 774 nominations from the members of the faculty of the UP System. [P]

Gayuma* Nagkalat raw ang gayuma sa Quiapo Dahil malapit na ang Araw ng mga Puso; Kahilera ng makabuhay, tawas, tanso, Hairpin, DVD at pampatigas na likido; Langis sa botelya at dasal sa istampita; Sto. Niñong may titi at bulong sa palara. Sambit ng mangkukulam na tindera: “Halina! Panghalina sa mailap na pagsinta!” Kumagat ako sa pain at naghalungkat; Sa bunton ng paninda’y naghanap ng agimat, Nguni’t bigong makabili ng gayumang layon Para sa Bayang nagpapakipot sa rebolusyon! * sipi mula sa Tugmaang Matatabil: Mga Akdang Isinulat sa Libingan ng mga Buhay ni Axel Pinpin sa pakikipagtulungan sa Amado V. Hernandez Resource Center. Inilimbag ang libro ng Southern Voices Printing Press.

----------------------------------------Si Axel Pinpin ay dating bilanggong pulitikal at kabilang sa Tagaytay 5.

USC Fund First Semester Balance as of June 2007 Expenses Travel Expenses Supplies and Materials Balance as of December 2007 Expenses Travel Expenses Sundries Supplies and Materials

50,422.00 6,466.00 11,487.00 79,740.82

0.00 8,586.66 12,276.52

Balance as of May 2008

58,877.64

Additional Collections 2007 Refund (300.00) 2008 Jan. to Aug. (49,270.00)

48,970.00

Less: Expenditures (June 01 to Sept. 30, 2008) Travel Expenses 0.00 Communication Expenses 0.00 Sundries (2,912.00) Supplies and Materials (799.50) Equipment 3,711.50 Balance as of September 30, 2008

104,136.14

104,136.14

*The expenses incurred during the delayed elections and plebiscite last September 2008 are not yet accounted.

4

NEWS

UPLB Perspective

VOLUME 35 | ISSUE 8 | February 14, 2009

Palarong Sentenaryo CAS hailed overall champion Julla Timan and Yves Suiza

the host college, introduced two demonstration events – Marksmanship and Aquathlon. The College of Arts and Participating colleges and Sciences (CAS) grabbed the staff departments were grouped overall champion title from into five color teams and former champion College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial competed in 18 different events (see table). Technology (CEAT) at the CA successfully recaptures Palarong Sentenaryo after a its championship title in Table four-day bout. Tennis. The male students Despite CEAT’s dominance and staff seized the Basketball in the student category, CAS’ champion title, while CEAT and faculty members bagged the most awards, thus winning them CAS bagged the gold in women’s basketball in student and staff the top spot. category, respectively. The Palarong Sentenaryo May Pamulaklakin, BS was held last Feb. 4 to 7 in Forestry ’07 and a volleyball celebration of the university’s player, said there should be centenary. The College of medics stationed at every event Agriculture (CA), which is also since there had been reported celebrating its centennial year, cases of injuries during the hosted the said event. event. Teams competed in According to Mr. Apolonio regular sports such as Ocampo, Chairman of the volleyball, basketball, archery Organizing Committee of the and swimming. CA, being

“Marahan akong hihimlay sa silong ng malalago mong talukap At hahayaang ang lilim ng iyong mga ambon at ulap ang aking buntung-hininga at hikab.”

Pananaw

literary folio

now accepting entries

hand carry to SU 2/f rm 11 or SEND AN e-mail to [email protected]

sport fest, a suggestion has been raised for a contingency fund for extra expenses needed throughout the event. Although Chancellor Luis Rey Velasco has issued a memorandum excusing participants from work or classes, some professors still insisted in having the exams taken during the Palaro week. Meanwhile, there were still conflicts with the schedule of the participating students, due to the holding of regular classes in most courses. Erik Jon de Asis, BS Agriculture ’03 said he missed some of his classes during games. [P]

PHOTO Karl Suministrado FASTBREAK. Students and teachers take time off to promote physical fitness and wellness in the recently held Palarong Sentenaryo 2009.

Table 1. Official Results of the UPLB Palarong Sentenaryo 2009

Ranking

TEAM

STUDENT

STAFF

TOTAL

1

BLUE WAPAKELS

800

950

1750

2

ROYAL WHITE

822

748

1570

3

GREEN HUNTERS

694

762

1456

4

YELLOW RAPTORS

666

719

1385

5

RED GRIFFINS

504

701

1205

FIRST PER CATEGORY:

Student Division: Royal White Faculty and Staff Division: Blue Wapakels Overall Champion: Blue Wapakels Mutya ng UPLB Palarong Sentenaryo: Blue Wapakels

Host Next Palarong UPLB (2010): CFNR

Court issues release of seven ST activists Aaron Joseph Aspi with reports from Karen Lapitan A labor lawyer, along with six other activists, were freed last February 5 after the Oriental Mindoro Regional Trial court issued a release order on the ground that citing multiple alleged crimes under a single case is not permissible. Detained for more than three months in Calapan City Jail in Mindoro Oriental, Atty. Remigio Saladero, Emmanuel Dioneda, Rogelio Galit, Nestor San Jose, Crispin Zapanta, Arnaldo Seminiano and Leonardo Arceta were among the 72 individuals

dubbed as Southern Tagalog 72 (ST-72) who were charged with multiple murder and frustrated murder for their alleged involvement in an NPA ambush against police in Puerto Galera last March 3, 2006. Also in the list are former UPLB University Student Council (USC) chairperson Bayani “Bani” Cambronero of Bayan Muna-Southern Tagalog and Los Baños resident Pedro “PJ” Santos Jr., regional secretary general of ANAKBAYAN–Southern Tagalog and coordinator of Kabataang Pinoy. Despite the release, Atty. Rachel Pastores of the Public Interest Law Center said the cases

against the ST-72 were dismissed on the basis of technicality and not on the illegality of arrest and charges filed against them. Berlin Guerrero, spokesperson of DEFEND-ST, an alliance of civil libertarians and human rights advocates, called for vigilance and warned that the Arroyo government will continue the massive filing of fabricated criminal cases against activists critical of the government. UPLB USC Chairperson Charisse Bernadine Bañez, one of the convenors of DEFEND-ST said they will continue to work with other youth groups in the campaign for the immediate dismissal of the case against ST-72. [P]

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Magtungo lamang sa opisina ng UPLB Perspective o magtext sa +639158297997.

Ang bahagi ng mapagbibilhan ay magiging ambag sa kampanya para sa pagtatanggol ng karapatan ng mga bilanggong pulitikal at biktima ng pampulitikang pamamaslang .

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Leading the FEBFAIR RAGE.

PHOTO Courtesy of Dan Sta. Romana

In front of the Administration building, student leaders constantly update protesting students regarding the then pending approval of the Centennial February Fair.

We are in need of News writers, Features writers and Layout artists. Take

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UPLB Perspective

VOLUME 35 | ISSUE 8 | February 14, 2009

5

CAMPUS

FORUM

Ni Chino Carlo Aricaya

Ano ang

sinagot mo sa

CRSRS Referendum question? Bakit?

“Ang isinagot ko sa CRSRS ay YES dahil gusto kong makatulong upang maipaglaban nating mga estudyante ang ating mga karapatan. Hindi ko rin hahayaan na tuluyang mawalan ng kalayaan ang mga estudyanteng katulad natin dahil sa pakikialam ng administrasyon sa mga aktibidades ng mga estudyante.” - 09167583*** “YES, because I have my rights as a student.” -09267543*** “Sa totoo lang, ‘di ko planong bumoto dun sa CRSRS Referendum question, ‘di talaga kasi ako ma-convince [ng] both sides. Hindi ko clearly makita ‘yung gustong iparating ng both sides. It is my duty to vote as an Iskolar ng Bayan. Nagtanung-tanong ako sa mga kakilala ko tungkol sa issue and one of them convinced me a lot. In the end, I voted YES.” -Dennis Rosales | BS Forestry ‘07

Sino ang gusto mong

2009 kwadrado

makasama

sa darating

na Valentine’s Day?

“Gusto kong makasama ‘yung taong laan para sa akin. Yung pang forever na talaga.” - Ma. Eva Cecilia A. Bumanglan | BS Bio ’08 | UP Baguio “Si SR Shahana Abdulwahid! Haha! Marami akong gustong itanong sa kanya at lubos na kagalakan ang maidudulot nito sa akin kung makikipagpalitan ako ng kuru-kuro. Hindi man ganun ka-sweet ang Valentine’s Day ko, makabuluhan naman. ‘Pagkat bilang estudyante ng UP, tungkulin kong makilahaok at alamin ang mga isyu sa ating pamantasang hirang.” - Jojo Fresnoza | BS Chem Eng’g ‘06 “Yung brod ko na may lihim akong pagtingin, but no! Little sis lang ang tingin n’ya sa’kin.”

KARL SUMINISTRADO

Linyadong Mata

USC ELECTORAL

DEBATE

February 19 . 7pm . NCAS Auditorium

KNOW YOUR CANDIDATES. mark your ballots with a

principled vote.

Opinyon

mo’y mahalaga.

Mag-text sa 09174192496/09283203134

1.

Ano sa tingin mo ang solusyon sa nakaambang energy crisis sa bansa?

- 09166157*** “Si Kenneth Gigantone ng Billy the Kid. Buti pasok sila sa Class Distraction. Astig talaga sila.” -BS Ag Eng’g ‘08 “Gusto kong makasama sa Valentine’s ‘yung mga high school friends ko. Sobrang miss ko na sila. Loner at orgless kasi ako dito sa LB kaya unti lang ang friends.” -Mayne | BS Industrial Eng’g ‘08 “Sarili ko. Paninindigan ko ang pagiging single ko kahit anong mangyari. Wala munang babae sa buhay ko. Huhuhu.” -Nad | BS AMAT ‘05

Ano ang Valentine’s Day message mo

“Gusto ko makasama this Valentine’s Day ‘yung supercrush ko na ‘di ko man lang alam ang pangalan! Sana magpakilala ka na sa akin!”

para kay Chancellor Luis Rey Velasco?

- Elle | BS Electrical Eng’g ‘06

2.

6

NEWS FEATURES

UPLB Perspective

VOLUME 35 | ISSUE 8 | February 14, 2009

Drafting a Rough History:

Overcoming the Referendum Crisis Words: Arjay Garcia

With Reports from: Estel Lenwij Estropia and Jonelle Marin

With the last student conscientiously casting the final vote in the CRSRS referendum, the UP system reached a higher-than-majority voter turnout of 53.54 percent. Of this, an overwhelming 72.10 percent of Iskolars ng Bayan from UP Baguio to UP Mindanao marked the victory of referendum to ratify the Codified Rules for Student Regent Selection (CRSRS). The CRSRS now serves as the monumental symbol of students’ struggle for their democratic and autonomous representation. Throughout the course of UP’s history, this overwhelming number of students affirming their rights have never been reached since the Martial Law years. Careful retrospection merits the efforts of the present UPLB students, who have successfully carved their unified stand in UP’s historical centennial celebration through the successful conduct of the CRSRS referendum. However, despite students’ votes filling the 44 ballot boxes here in UPLB, several issues have still been confronted by student leaders in their efforts to push the event toward success. For almost three weeks of University and College Student Council’s (USC-CSCs) campaign to gather student volunteers and encourage wide student participation, logistical and financial assistance are among the notable difficulties in the conduct of the referendum.

Photographs: Karl Suministrado

nakalagay sa guidelines na bawal ang pangangampanya,” she added. However, both parties resolved the issue by agreeing that campaigners will be barred near the polling precincts. On the other hand, Bañez pointed out that BUKLOD has the democratic right to release statements and take photographs of the referendum conduct by virtue of good faith. She said, however, that they should have called the attention of the referendum officers first before notifying the SR and releasing a statement in order to avoid confusing the students. Likewise, the Referendum Guidelines states that all protest concerning the referendum “should be formally written and submitted to the Office of the Student Regent within five (5) working days from the close of the referendum proceedings.” She added that everyone should help in giving rooms for improvement and rectification and ensuring the success of the referendum. This must be the case since she mentioned that the referendum process lacks the supposed administrative support agreed upon in the Board of Regents and ordered by UP President Emerlinda Roman.

counted and of the referendum process itself. In a meeting called to clarify the issue between the USC and BUKLOD, Ligaya Enriquez, COMELEC Head of the organization said “these ballots should be considered questionable. Assuming na wala talagang nagalaw, so I think that there’s still room to question these ballots,” she added. The same statement suggested considering the 491 ballots earlier counted as void, but Bañez explained that SR Shahana Abdulwahid decided that these ballots are neither “void” nor ”challenged.” Bañez also clarified that there has only been a miscommunication between OSR and the UPLB-wide referendum committee on the matter of counting of votes at the end of each day. She cited from the Referendum Guidelines section VII A stating that, “Immediately after the close of the referendum, the votes cast shall be counted and tabulated by the referendum officer in their respective precinct in the presence of the watchers and student representatives.” She added that the UPLB-wide referendum committee assumed the process of counting to be as such since it is also the general idea of the Student Regent and all the student councils present during the Minimal Administrative Support special meeting in UP Diliman. For the whole duration of the referendum, there have been instances when loads of Only a Miscommunication Lack of Integrity students flock the polling precincts. Bañez sees On the first day of the referendum, the BUKLOD-UPLB Vice-Chairperson Faith the lack of orientation of the administrative Perspective reported partial unofficial voter Lumicao, meanwhile raised another concern personnel and lack of experience of student turnout of mere 5.01 percent after precincts about some of the behavior of referendum volunteers to be the cause of some human closed at 5 p.m. USC Chairperson Charisse officers and student volunteers. Bernadine Bañez said this low turnout is the “May mga pollwatchers [na] wala namang error in terms of informing, validating and vouching the voters. outcome of minimal logistical and financial aid ID pero may “yes” na stickers. And there are Bañez said there have been great effort from the UPLB administration. people questioning ‘yung mga bumuboto ng from the student councils and referendum With another low turn-out of only 18.49 yes or no,” she said. Issues about several ballot percent on the second day, the USC and boxes that lack padlocks were also raised, which officers in tapping the support of the Office student volunteers intensified their effort to altogether challenged the integrity of the process. of the Chancellor (OC), Office of the Vicechancellor for Student Affairs, Office of the encourage participation through room-toBañez said the issue has been resolved Student Affairs (OSA) and Dean’s and College room invitations and “text brigades”, which in their assessment. She explained that the inform the students of the low voter’s turnout activity is non-partisan in so far as the immediate Secretary’s Offices. She said President Roman pledged PhP 60,000 budget coming from the and similarly low affirmative votes during the and effective achievement of student discretionary funds of the autonomous and counting of votes in the first day. representation to the BOR is concerned. BUKLOD-UPLB in a statement, however, “Tinanong kasi kay [SR] Shan kung pwede regional units. “Sa aktwal, may sulat si Student Regent raised questions as regard the counting of votes bang mangampanya ng yes or no at kung after the closing of precincts in the first day. The ano mang pangangampanya ang gagawin, kay Chancellor Velasco. ‘Yung letter of information [includes the] student regent statement questions the integrity of the ballots pwede pa naman [at] dahil hindi rin naman

Layout: Salvatorre de Vince Olano

referendum, ‘yung guidelines, [at] CRSRS,” Odraude Alub, UPLB’s referendum officer, said. The university-wide referendum committee even informed the OSA and passed a draft memorandum to inform the Dean’s and College Secretary’s offices about the need to provide administrative personnel. However, the draft memorandum has not been acted upon by the OC, which caused the lack of administrative personnel and supposed referendum materials such as copies of master list, padlocks and envelopes. Alub, meanwhile, said that since the SR already sent a letter to inform Chancellor Velasco, it is no longer the USC-CSCs’ task to inform all the deans and college secretaries about the referendum. “Contrary dun sa sinasabi ng ibang admin na napaabutan na nila [administrative personnel] noon pang convocation. Pero actually tungkol lang naman sa convocation ang ipinaabot nila at hindi sa referendum process,” he added. Even the budget coming from the discretionary fund of autonomous and regional units, as pledged by Roman, was not released. “Maaga din kaming nag-pass ng budget proposal, last week (Jan. 19) pa ‘yun napaabot pero ang naging sagot sa level ni Chancellor [ay] hindi ilalabas sa discretionary fund kundi sa budget ng USC-CSCs,” she said. Bañez clarified that the USC did not permit to use the USC-CSC funds since it is supposed to be used for the USC-CSC elections. The success of the referendum is achieved because of the weight of campaigning and logistics that is left alone on the shoulders of student leaders and volunteers. Banking on the system-wide agreement, Bañez pointed out that students should have given premium to campaign for the referendum and to increase turnout if the administration has done their part in ensuring the logistical and financial aspects of the event. “Dahil hindi kayang karguhin ng mga USC-CSCs at mga volunteers lang ang usapin na ito, kailangan talaga ng tulong pangadministratibo. Pero malinaw sa puntong ito na hindi nakapagpadala ng tao dahil hindi nailabas o naaaksyunan yung memo.” [P]

FEATURES

UPLB Perspective

VOLUME 35 | ISSUE 8 | February 14, 2009

7

Fiction would permit past and present to happen at the same time. We can be omniscient about the two, but we can never be equally submissive and participative in both situations.

making another story, another history. The storm of the first quarter microphones and speakers to the orderliness of the Literally, a storm is a disturbance in the air above the Earth, with strong winds program. The program at Burgos Drive that day was But, like fictional approaches, reality seems and usually also with rain, and sometimes with lightning and thunder. First supposed to end at 6 o’clock. It was a quarter before six, even more challenging than before. Days are just as ordinary as days of usual quarter storm happened during the first quarter of the year in 1970 — a and the offense-defence attacks between demonstrators students until Chancellor Luis Rey Velasco storm of social and political struggles between the government and the and cops started. intervened the University Student Council masses. Events during this quarter give honor to the participation of in holding the February Fair. The council of people in the struggle for democratic rights, especially the youth student leaders set a dialogue with Velasco sector. The accounts on first quarter storm resulted from the Storm tyrannical governance of then President Ferdinand Marcos. The presence of the cops caused the expansion of on Feb. 9 and organized a picket line during Everyone agreed that the January 26 [1970] spaces between the strugglers, who, other than aiming for social the dialogue. Outside the administration confrontation was the longest and most violent in equality, were trying to save their individuality from rattan sticks, building under the faintly shining sun were the history of the Philippine Student Movement.* hard edges of the cops’ shields, and violence from armed authorities. students who appealed and cared about Students were well-informed that going into the mobilization against the fair, at the least. From ten o’çlock in the Signals the Marcos administration was to grapple the danger of fighting with morning of simple dialogue to barricade at Feelings were getting more and more only your knowledge as your guard — for protecting and shouting for your the UP Gate in the afternoon, students were frantic as the days of the first quarter of 1970 right that time is considered an offense. In the middle of the storm, walking sighing “an autonomous fair must go on.” After passed by. The setting was dark, noisy and and singing for democratic rights causes everybody fear, pain, and death. that drizzle, there were closed fists held high. dramatic. The fate of that quarter seemed to Now, if we are to reminisce these events, we consider it past -- one that is, so far, have written its story. Assumptions and fear remembered — later, maybe documents and hearsays would help us look back. Fiction Whirlwind and lightning The First quarter storm of 1970 defined the altogether contributed to the confusion can let past and present happen at the same time, it can even make you see and feel and agitation of mere spectators and how a war or a triumph fills the air after a long struggle for one. Signals, bolts and storm in maturity of people’s understanding. Filipinos those who are considered progressive the first quarter of 1970 is true-- witnesses can tell, poetic historical accounts can show-- learned how to stand in the same ground, demonstrators. Cuts and bruises, black from the parting of chains of arms to the flying crumpled manifestoes and paper cups. together with their songs of hope for freedom – eyes, pale faces — everything was as The storm has been taking place until now, inside and out of schools – some may that in the midst of the storm were courage, fear, observable and inevitable as death. not be felt and may appear to be drizzles compared to that one day in January 1970. curses and blood – a war against repression. There was indeed a revolution under thunder and rain January 26, 1970 is not just an — it was dramatic, heroic, it was total nonfiction. The ordinary day between the active days Drizzles January 26 confrontation was a whole day storm of the of the first quarter. Marcos delivered That day is as ordinary as usual days of a student. Since the UP Charter first quarter of 1970. The referendum and February Fair are his State of the Nation message to an demanded for the ratification of Codified Rules for Student Regent part of the first quarter of 2009. assembly inside the Congress and to Selection (CRSRS), 26th of January was the first day of setting up The storm never stops. It continues whirling around as if the rest of the Filipinos outside who are precincts at different corners in UP units for the referendum. bringing every situation into one motion - moving around as if just unfortunate, unable to get inside the In UPLB, under drizzles and almost dark sky, footsteps were beating repeating history - exchanging days and nights of dissent. [P] hall. Inside and out, the message resounds. simultaneously with the rhythm of wind’s hiss. “Bumoto at magpaboto, Outside the legislative building were uphold student representation, say YES! to referendum!” was the Reference: *LACABA, J.F. 1982. Days of Disquiet, Nights of Rage: The First Quarter Storm and demonstrators fleeing from cage of the state call, but the diversity of demands and interests would always try Related Events. Manila” Salinlahi Publishing House. 40-61 pp. of the nation defined by the president. With to spice up the struggle so there existed the so-called “Choose their own microphones and loudspeakers, to kNOw Movement.” From 26th to the last day of January bracing one another with enough courage nothing was more important than upholding and chants to stay at the Burgos Drive, student representation. But to the where traffic was temporarily closed by participants who seem to be more the resounding message to the Filipinos, occupiedwiththecompletion nothing more was scorching than emotion. of their academic It has been thirty nine years since the requirements, there first quarter storm in 1970 united Filipinos was nothing more nationwide — leftists, students, teachers understandable and the rest who desired to eradicate than confusion. apathy and repression in the middle of Things were whirling riots. Those who are supposedly going smoothly vanguards of people, the policemen, as the success remainedvanguardsofthePresidentof of referendum the Republic — students were treated ratified the like enemies of the state. Those C R S R S . were actually days of offense and E v e r y b o d y defence between the police and deserves a students to preserve power and life. closed fist held high for Bolts People about 20,000 of conservative estimates were seething with rage. Within the drive and mass force were different organizations like Kabataang Makabayan, Samahang Demokratiko ng Kabataan, Malayang Pagkakaisa ng Kabataang Pilipino, Kilusan ng Kabataang Makati, labor groups like the National Association of Trade Unions, peasant associations like the Malayang Samahang Magsasaka. Youth, peasants and workers, teachers and students were standing on one ground, listening to different voices, grasping for distinction, chanting with scrutiny. The noises were born out of songs of freedom, the sound of flyers in the wind, falling paper cups and soft drinks Words: Liberty Notarte bottles. Everybody waited, they listened, rested on their hopes Graphics: Elyssa Rosales despite the threatening presence of cops and armed officers. Layout: Salvatorre de Vince Olano The National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) organized the program outside the legislative building — from the installation of

8

CULTURE

UPLB Perspective

VOLUME 35 | ISSUE 8 | February 14, 2009

KUN M A T A NG I S A N I N O P

TO THE MAN WHO HAS NOT YET COME

*BULAN

Nahuhulog an inop sugad sin uran nga nahuhulog sa makahiya; Natiklop sa kanya pagtangis; Napulot sugad san buhangin sa mahulos nga kakulupon; Sa ilarom san mingaw san kamingaw. Nahiyom an tangkay; Nahutok sugad san suna Sa butnga sa kalangitan; Sa butnga san sudang ngan nasiray nga bulan.

*ELEVENDAYSLAUGH

To the man who has not yet honored my life with his presence: When you come, please let me stare at you in silence, while over there the leaves are falling on the pavement. Let me touch your hair, your cheeks, and your face until my hands could give up their disbelief. There is a song in my mind that speaks of a kind of warmth that destroys realities and builds them up once again, gently. Gently, while I follow with my stare the laughing ladies on their way back home, *COFFEE while the moon floats, silently, in the sky. Ngatanan natiklop ug nahiyom Let me escape your breath so that I may not suffocate Nakipaghabulan sa mga pangarap at panaginip, sa sulod sa inop in the painful longing for my innocence. san tawo nga guinhuhulos an mamara nga im-im, uru-utro pinanood ang paggalaw ng mga aninong dala ng paglubog ng araw, Let me lay on the grass to see the world binilang sa daliri at isipan ang mga bituin, Naulon from below, from where I came from. sa kabila ng pangakong hawak-kamay nating sasalubungin ang habambuhay, sa ulnan nga guinhuhulos For when the time comes, Iniwan kitang nag-aantay, umuunawa at patuloy na nagmamahal. san paghigugma. when the time comes, I will gladly surrender. Panoorin mo ang pag-ulit ng kasaysayan sa babaeng mahal ko, Panoorin mo akong umibig tulad ng tinuro mo, Ang kasiyahan sa pagsibol ng bagong buhay, *SEPIA SKY Tulad ng kasiyahang nadama mo sa una nating pagkikita Matapos ang siyam na buwan mong paghihintay. Agrugi ti aldaw ti raniag ti buteng,

PARA KAY GANDA

PANAGSAK D U

bumangunnak nga nasapa tatta, agsakdu ak para kenka.

Dagitoy imak ket agtagirgir la unay ti lamiis ti ag-ararasaas ti angin, ken kaayatan nga birbiruken. Nu makitak daytoy landuk ti poso nga aglatlatti ket daanen, agsubli amin nga nagbalin ken amin nga tawen nga panagkadwaan ta. Nu agrugi-ak nga agiguyud, agiduron makaala laeng ti pagdigus mu; Bagbagkatek ti dagsin ti rubong, kasla ti karu ti panaguyek mu.

Dibuho Chino Carlo Aricaya | Disenyo ng Pahina Aletheia Grace del Rosario

Adu nga padas pay ti aramidek tapnu umuli ti danum kasla amin nga padas nga inaramid ta tapnu makauli ti rigat ti biag. Madi nga malpas ti panagsirsirbi, kaidaen ka aginggana parbangun, ikan ka ti pudut, tapnu maikkat ti baram, usar daytuy nabasa nga labakara, aprusin ka

UNIBERSO Niyayakap ng salita ang lahat-lahat. Ngunit kakatwang sinasalita na lamang ng tsokolate at bulaklak ang dapat sana’y sinasalita ng mga malay, mata at kamay. Kakatwa ring nakakubli na lamang ang salita ng puso sa mga numero ng Pebrero, na dapat sana’y hayag sa lahat ng bukang-liwayway at dapit-hapon ng taon.

tapnu umawanen ti gurigur mu ken maikkat uray batit laeng ti panagdandanag ko,

SO PAS *BUKO PIE

nga mabati nga agmay-maysa.

Ngunit saan nga ba bibilhin ang rekado ng pagkataong kukuntento sa iyo? At paano ba paghahalu-haluin ang mga ito para sa iyong panlasa? Anong oras nga ba dapat ihain ang sariling tinimpla ayon sa gusto mo? At kailan nga ba makukuha ang pagsang-ayon na pinaghihirapan ko?

SU ESPIRIT U

*BECKY, EMILY AT MOLLY

Aki pa sana ako, hadluk na akong makulugan Ta habo kong maghibi. Habo kong magkasala Ta habo kong may mataram sinda sa kuya. Nakisabayan ako sa sulug san kadaklan Maski ang matod ay bako na ako ini. Kang namidbidan taka, Inot na beses akong rumayo sa tighahagad kang kadaklan. Panabot ko, pasil sanang rumayo sa imo Kaso pigpapaugma mo ako. Sa imo sana ako nagiging ako. Namumuot ako sa imo. Pinurburan kong rumayo sa imo, Kaso napupung-aw ko kang hagod sa tutunlan. Pighahanap-hanap ko an asó mo. Adikunin akong marhay sa imo.

Sa platong sisidlan sumayaw ang pangarap na pagtanggap, Ng pagsimot sa putaheng inihanda sa batayang kasing-taas ng paningin mo. At kapantay ng pag-angat sa kutsarang ipinangtikim mo Ang pag-asang “oo” ang sagot sa tanong kong, “Ma, sapat na ba ako?”

BIG BANG THEORY

*alay kay lean

Sumambulat ang mga tipak-tipak Na helium, idrohina’t halimuyak. Pinagliliwanag ang sansinukob Ng mga bulalakaw sa’yong buhok. Madagundong ang pagsasalimbayan Ng alabok at masasal na tibok. Hahaginit, huhugos, hahaplit; at Huhupa sa eternal na pagkahulog. Mataginting ang halik at halakhak Ng iyong araw, buwan at magdamag. Umiikit, pumipintig, umiingit Ang bulkan at buhay sa iyong dibdib. Sa kalawakan ng pagkakataon Lahat maging buntong-hininga’t haplos Pati ang tala, tula’t talulot; ay Walang malay at maliw na iinog. Sasaliw sa’yong sentro de grabedad Ang lahat ng rotasyon ng gunita. Susuling sa iyong sinapupunan Ang lahat ng rebolusyon ng diwa.

PANGALAWA *ledge

Sa’yo: May mga araw na masarap kang pagmasdan nang palihim. Ngayon ay isa sa mga araw na iyon. Tinititigan ko ang iyong likuran habang tinitingnan mo siyang lagi mong pinangungulilaan. Naglalaro sa hinagap ang mga bagay na sa’yo ay walang saysay, mga bagay na matapos mong sabihin ay makalilimutan mo rin. Ang mga ito ang tatapos sa hindi nagsisimulang alitan ng mga dahilan. Gusto ko ang kahit ano pa mang gusto mo. At dahil dito, pahihintulutan kitang umalis patungo sa “tunay na mundo” (habang nagpapanggap na may magagawa ako upang pigilin ka) para katagpuin siyang palagian mong pinangungulilaan. ----Pangalawa sapagkat ang First ay naisulat na

CULTURE

UPLB Perspective

VOLUME 35 | ISSUE 8 | February 14, 2009

KWENTONG FRESHIE

S

a pagdiriwang ng sentenaryo ng UP, magbalik-tanaw tayo sa mga karanasan nating mga nagiging bagong iskolar ng bayan --ang mga freshman. Ating halukayin ang mga natatagong kwentong nagpapatotoo sa samu’t-saring karanasan mula sa paghahanap ng TBA rooms, hanggang sa SU para sa diskwento sa matrikula.

Sa gitna ng katanunga’t pangamba Nikko Caringal

T

atlong buwan na rin ang nakakaraan nang magsimula akong mag-aral sa UPLB. Dahil sa dami ng gawain ng isang Iskolar ng Bayan, hindi ko namalayan na patapos na pala ang una kong semestre sa unibersidad. Noong una, inakala kong magiging madali para sa aking makasanayan ang buhay Elbi. Mali pala. Naranasan ko ang iba’t ibang hamon na sumubok sa aking tatag bilang isang Iskolar ng Bayan. Napakaraming katanungan ang bumagabag sa aking isipan bilang isang New Freshman lalo na sa mga unang linggo ko dito sa unibersidad. Bakit UP ang pinili ko? Bago pa man ako pumasok dito, alam ko na mahirap dahil mataas ang standards ng UP. Kabilang sa pinagpilian kong unibersidad sa Maynila ay ang University of Sto. Tomas, De La Salle University at Far Eastern University. Pero ang mga katagang “UP is still the best” ang nagtulak sa akin na pumasok sa UPLB. Noong kumuha ako ng UPCAT, tulad ng nakararami, nahirapan ako. Inakala kong hindi na ako makakapasok sa UP. Ngunit heto ako ngayon, isa nang tunay at ganap na Iskolar ng Bayan. Sa pagpasok ko rito, nasabi kong iba talaga ang kalidad ng edukasyon sa UP. Mataas ang tingin ng mga tao sa institusyong ito. Naalala ko nang inaayos ko pa ang aking requirements sa may registrar, halos lahat ng nakikita ko ay may mga dalang makakapal na hand-outs at nag-aaral. Sabi ng magulang ko sa akin, hindi raw maaari na hindi ako mag-aral ‘pag nasa UP na ako. Napaisip ako kung kakayanin ko ba talagang mag-aral dito. At sa unang tatlong buwan kong pag-aaral bilang

freshman, napatunayan kong kaya ko palang mag-aral sa UP. Kailangan ko bang makakuha ng markang uno? Kasabay ng pagpasok ko sa UP, napakaraming pressures at expectations ang inihirap sa akin. Marami ang nagnanais na makakuha ng uno sa mga asignatura. Sabi ng iba, itinatatak daw ng mga NF sa utak nila na maka-uno. Ginawa ko rin iyon. Sa tuwing may exam, halos matuyo na ang utak ko sa pag-aaral. Kahit walang exams, nagrereview pa rin ako, kinakausap ko ang sarili ko sa pagpapaliwanag ng tinalakay sa bawat araw. Ngunit kahit ginagawa ko ‘yon, hindi ko rin maiwasan ang mawalan ng pag-asa. Sa mga ilang puntos na mali ko, para bang gumuguho na ang mundo ko sa pagsisisi sabay sabing, “sayang, inaral ko ‘to, eh”. Dahil dito, napagtanto ko na ang mga kakayahan ng estudyante ay mayroong kisame, na kapag nasobrahan sa lakas ang pagtalon, masakit ‘pag nauumpog. Gusto kong maging isang University Scholar, pero may mga bagay na minsa’y humaharang sa aking mga hangarin. Ngayon, positibo pa rin ang aking pananaw pagdating sa bagay na iyon. Sa tuwing may exams, nag-aaral ako. At kung ano man ang maging resulta ng exam, okay lang. Basta alam kong ginawa ko ang makakaya ko. Kailangan ko bang sumali ng org/ frat? May mga taong nagsasabi sa akin noon na sangkatutak ang fraternities at student organizations dito sa UPLB. Sa mga unang linggo ko sa unibersidad, marami ang lumapit sa akin at nag-alok na salihan ko. Sinabi ko sa kanila, “Hindi muna ngayon, NF pa lang ako.” Hindi ko maikakaila na malaki ang naitutulong ng mga ganitong grupo sa paghahasa sa

Decay

*elevendayslaugh

The lengthening shadows move past the windows, crawl over furniture and wrap themselves around Sid’s convulsing body. Death rasps escape his shivering mouth, but these are muffled by the booming of the stereo. Sid feels as if he is suspended in a vacuum, in space. Thoughts come to him disjointed and distorted: dim and dark memories, aimless and unmelodious tunes, disintegrating wholeness. Sid, always on the verge of despair and disrepair that even at the moment of his death he can only grasp futility and embrace sorrow. Before eternal darkness closed in on Sid, the last images that flit through his mind are maggots on decaying meat. ***

touch my bloated face, but this other me, this dead Sid, glanced at me sharply, its mouth open in a silent scream. I woke up with a start. My breath still tasted sour from too much booze from last night’s gimmick. I went to the bathroom, and there in the mirror I saw my dishevelled image — it was a stranger’s face. I know that the man in the mirror, whoever he was, was a sham, for beneath the façade hides a sick and despairing soul. In my mind’s eye I strained to reconstruct that night of revelry, of hypocrisy and of despair. Megan and Glen were sitting at a table in the dimmest corner of the bar, which was thick with smoke from the customers’ cigar. The light from the disco ball came to us faintly, but whatever light that comes to us is already enough for me to see Megan putting her hand over Glen’s as I took my seat. It was Glen who spoke first. He said the others were caught in the traffic, so the big surprise would have to wait.

25 May 2008, 5:42 a.m.*

In the meantime, Glen said, why don’t we order our first round of drinks?

Squirming maggots. Last night I dreamed again of maggots crawling on dead meat. They eat it up voraciously, sink into its boils and blisters, leaving scars that would never heal.

We ordered beer, and then there was silence. Megan and Glen were evading my stare, looking at me furtively when they are sipping their beer. I knew Glen was jealous, and this emotion of his I am working hard to fire up.

A sudden shift of lighting and the meat turned You look beautiful today, I told Megan. I can into my likeness, my face and body covered with imagine her grip on Glen’s hand tightening. I these sickening things. In my dream I moved to can’t resist smiling.

9

kakayahan ng isang estudyante. Ngunit bilang NF, marami pa akong bagay na mas kailangang bigyan ng pansin para na rin sa aking ikabubuti. Iyon ang ilan sa mga katanungang sumagi sa aking isipan noong mga unang linggo ko sa unibersidad. At ngayon, sa unang tatlong buwan ko, marami akong nakita at nalaman sa loob at labas ng UP. Dahil sa mga ito, mayroong tanong na malikot sa isipan ko ngayon.

ngunit kaakibat ng aking pagiging Iskolar ng Bayan ay ang pag-asa ng ibang tao, ang responsibilidad ko sa bayan. Nagaaral ako para sa bayan, para tulungan ang bansang minsan at patuloy na tumutulong sa akin upang abutin ang aking mga pangarap. Madrama man, pero iyon ang katotohanan. Iyon ang dahilan kung bakit ako tinawag na Iskolar ng Bayan: upang maging isang tunay at tapat na Iskolar para sa Bayan.

Nag-UP ba ako para sa sarili kong kapakanan? Noong una, sarili ko lang ang iniisip ko sa pag-aaral dito. Ang alam ko nagaaral ako sa UP dahil alam kong may magandang kinabukasan na naghihintay sa akin pagkatapos ng graduation. Ngunit sa paglipas ng ilang buwan, may mga bagay akong napag-isipan. Maraming mga pangyayari ang nakita ko sa lipunan na sumasalungat sa mga bagay na nararapat. Sa panahon ngayon, napakaraming pulitiko at mga kilalang pamilya ang halos malunod na sa kayamanan nila habang ang nakararaming Pilipino ay nalulugmok sa kahirapan. Sa tuwing napapadaan ako sa C-park, napakaraming musmos ang aking nakikita, nakayapak na naglalaro at meron ding mga nanlilimos. Nang makita ko sila, naging kaakibat ko ang hangaring matulungan ang mga taong ito sa mga darating na panahon. Napagtanto ko na nag-aaral ako ngayon hindi lamang para kumita ng malaking pera sa hinaharap. Hindi ako nag-aaral para makakuha ng sobrang taas na mga grado para maipagmalaki ko sa iba. Aaminin ko na kasama iyon sa aking mga hangarin

Sa UP, ang buhay bilang isang freshman ay hindi madali. Maraming bagay sa paligid ang bago sa aking paningin. Kabilang dito ang mga bagong mukha, sistema at mga kalakaran sa loob ng unibersidad. Napakaraming pangyayari sa loob at labas ng unibersidad ang minsa’y hindi ko maintindihan. Ngunit ang mga ito ay hindi naging hadlang para ipagpatuloy ko ang aking pag-aaral. Bagkus, ang mga bagay na ito ang nagbigay sa akin ng lakas ng loob at nagmulat sa akin sa mga katotohanang bumabalot sa lipunang aking ginagalawan. Bilang Iskolar ng Bayan, kailangan kong maging mapanuri sa aking kapaligiran. Kailangan kong magkaroon ng lakas ng loob na harapin ang mga katanungang gumugulo sa aking isipan. Magtatanong ako para sa ikabubuti ng lahat. Hahanapin ko ang makatwirang kasagutan na papanig sa mga bagaybagay na nararapat lamang panigan. Hindi ko hahayaang mabalot ang aking sarili ng takot at kawalan ng lakas ng loob. [P]

We are now accepting contributions for

Kwentong Freshie.

Just send contributions to

[email protected]

or

hand carry them to Room 11, Student Union Building.

All contributions are subject to editing for brevity and clarity. Please restrict the length of the contribution in between 600 to 800 words.

Oh, thank you, Megan said nervously, it was Glen’s idea, really, my get up. It’s really good of you to, to notice.

Sketchpad

The night went well enough. I drove home even though I’m drunk. I went to sleep wondering who, between Ian and Glen, would muster the courage to be my savior and kill me.

You should protect your girl, I said to Glen. Such a charming lady, anyone’s bound to be attracted But there is one thing that I am sure of, that to her, even friends. however this drama will end, I have willed myself to become a party to my own undoing. At this last statement, I can see Glen’s facial muscles tighten. I scored another victory. *The foregoing excerpts are from Sid’s journal presented as evidence in the prosecution of his And then the others arrived. Patricia, Janus and murderer. Ian, I can see, cannot contain their ecstasy, and they blurted out: we’ve been granted a *** recording contract! Everything falls, heavily. The dusts fall on They started to, simultaneously, narrate how this everything, the shadows fall on Sid and Sid’s big break has come our way, and we couldn’t hands fall on the cold floor. He is falling, ever so understand a word they said. Of course, we can swiftly, to the abyss. understand their excitement. We’ve been waiting for this opportunity for ages. The stereo continues to boom, like the drumbeats of a curious ritual of sacrificial death to an I suppose the Backseat Kiss can now leave the insatiable god. Outside Sid’s apartment, the backseat and bask in the limelight, I said. And dawn proceeds with its usual weary business of then pointedly to Ian: this must put too much giving way to the night, and people, who are pressure on you. oblivious of an impending death right in their neighborhood, continues to walk on, to go on His face worked up an expression of disgust, but with their merry business. only for an instant. He composed himself and then said, Of course, but where would the band And then soon enough, the luster of life left Sid’s be without its precious drummer, huh? eyes like a smoke wafting from an extinguished candle. [P] Silence fell on the group. It is no secret that there has been a growing animosity between the two *elevendayslaugh loves to read by the amber of us. But this skirmish did not erupt into a full blown light of the dawn and reconstruct realities as soon as the night falls. confrontation.

So Sid has helped in his own murder. But, who really killed him?

10 UPLB Perspective ISSUE 8 | VOLUME 35 |

OPINION

February 14, 2009

HODGEPODGE Mapagbalatkayong Kalayaan BEVERLY CHRISTCEL LAGUARTILLA

B

ata pa lang ako, alam ko na ang ibig sabihin ng kalayaan. Lumaki kasi ako sa pamilyang pinapahalagahan ito. Nasa elementarya pa lang ako noon pero nakakapunta na ako sa mga lugar na gusto kong puntahan nang hindi sila ang kasama ko. Malaya akong nakapaglalaro kasama ng mga kababata ko hanggang sa oras na kailangan na nilang umalis dahil sinusundo na sila ng mga magulang nila. Pagtapak ko naman sa mataas na paaralan, lalo kong naramdaman ang kalayaang hindi ipinagkait sa akin ng pamilya ko. Umuuwi ako sa bahay ng dalawa, tatlong oras o minsan higit pa pagkatapos ng maghapong pag-aaral. Kapag tinatanong nila ako kung bakit ako ginagabi, sinasabi ko lang sa kanila na nagpalipas ako ng oras kasama ang mga kaibigan ko, nagkukwentuhan, nagbibiruan, nagtatawanan o kaya nagiiyakan. Hindi na nila ako tatanungin pa dahil may tiwala naman sila sa akin at sa mga kaibigan ko. Kapag may lakad ang barkada, agad nila akong pinapayagan kahit na sa malayong lugar pa ‘yun at kinabukasan pa ako makakauwi. Hindi nila ako pinipigilan lalo na kapag alam naman nila na hindi ako hihingi na baon sa kanila. Damang-dama ko ang kalayaang ibinibigay nila sa akin at bilang ganti, pinapahalagahan ko ‘yun at iniiwasan kong masira ang tiwala nila sa akin. *** Pagtungtong ko sa sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, alam kong mas mauunawaan ko ang kahulugan ng salitang “malaya”.

S

a loob ng anim na buwan, inaasahang mahigit kumulang 200,000 Pilipino ang mawawalan ng trabaho. Ayon sa Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), mula sa datos na naitala hanggang noong nakaraang huling linggo ng Enero, 18,641 Pilipino na ang nawalan ng trabaho dahil umano sa global economic slowdown na nagsimula pa noong nakaraang taon. Bukod sa pagtatanggal ng mga manggagawa, binabawasan na rin ng mga kumpanya ang bilang ng araw ng pagtratrabaho ng mga manggagawa, at mahigit 34,000 Pilipino na ang nakaranas nito. Mula sa anim na araw kada linggo, ginawa na lang itong apat hanggang limang araw. Sa Calabarzon, 120 kumpanya na ang nagsasagawa ng iskemang ito, at mahigit sa 40 sa mga kumpanyang ito ay mula sa Cavite. Sa mga datos na nakalap ng DOLE, lumalabas na karamihan ng mga natatanggal sa trabaho ay nagmula sa Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal at Quezon (CALABARZON). Umaabot na sa 18,000 ng mga natanggal ang nagmula sa Timog Katagalugan, samantalang, 2,000 ang nagmula sa Cebu. Mga kumpanya ng semiconductor at electronics, at pati na rin ang mga nageexport, ang karaniwang nagtatanggal ng mga tauhan sa panahong ito. Ilan sa mga kumpanyang ito ay pagmamayari ng dayuhan, kaya masasabing ang

“

Alam kong hindi lang ito malilimitahan sa pagpayag ng magulang ko na gawin ko ang mga bagay na gusto ko. Mataas ang pagtingin ko sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas; ito ang epitomiya ng kalayaan. Una akong tumira sa dormitoryo, isang lugar na bago para sa akin. Noong una, nahihirapan akong makiangkop. Hindi ako sanay na makasama sa iisang kwarto ang mga taong bago ko pa lang kakilala. Madalas maaga akong umuuwi sa kwartong iyon dahil wala naman akong gagawin sa labas. Madalas ko rin silang naaabutan doon at habang lumilipas ang panahon, unti-unti ko na silang nakapalagayang-loob. Nagsimula na kaming lumabas magkakasama upang magpakasaya at namnamin ang kalayaang hatid ng dormitoryo. Isang gabi, masyado kaming nalibang sa labas at nakalimutan na namin ang oras. Pagdating sa dormitoryo, sumalubong sa amin si Manong guard at binubuksan niya ang saradong gate habang mapangutyang ngumingiti ang violations logbook. *** Botany lecture, Botany laboratory, Zoology lecture, Zoology laboratory, NASC 4 at NASC 2. Madalas ako sa BioSci noon dahil sa mga klaseng ‘to. Nakaupo ako sa isa sa mga benches doon habang masayang nagmamasid sa mga taong naroon. Kapansin-pansin ang mga taong nakaupo sa mga tambayang gawa sa kahoy. Kadalasan kasi ay malalakas ang mga boses nila habang masaya silang nagkukwentuhan, nagbibiruan at nagtatawanan. Mayroon ding mga taong dahilan ng pagsasara ay ang krisis pangekonomiya na kinahaharap ng buong mundo. Kaugnay naman nito, nagsara ang mga kumpanyang nag-aangkat ng produkto sa ibang bansa. Maliban dito, pati ang mga bangko ay nagtatanggal na rin ng tauhan. Mahigit 1,000 empleyado na ang natanggal sa mga rural banks sa bansa. Ang problema ng pagkakatanggal sa trabaho ay kinahaharap din nga mga Pilipinong nagtratrbaho sa ibang bansa. Karamihan sa mga Overseas Filipino Workers at seamen ay naghihintay pa rin ng kontrata. Sa kabila nito, sinisikap pa rin ng mga kumpanya na matulungan ang mga nawalan ng trabaho. Ilan sa mga hakbang na isinasagawa nila ay ang paggawa ng isang database na makakatulong sa mga nawalan ng trabaho na makahanap ng bagong trabaho na mas angkop sa kanilang kakayahan, pagsasagawa ng transition training kung saan tuturuan ang mga empleyado ng ibang pagkakakitaan at pagbibigay ng separation pay. Kung uugatin ang pagtatanggal ng mga manggagawa sa gitna ng krisis pang-ekonomiyang kinakaharap ng buong mundo sa ngayon, masasabing ginagawa lang ito para tapatan ang mababang produksyon ng ekonomiya. Maaari rin namang ginagawa ito dahil mababa na ang kinikita ng mga kumpanya kaya’t hindi na nito kaya ang sustinidong pagpapasweldo sa maraming tauhan.

Nakakalungkot

isipin na sa ganitong kalagayan ng ating mga kababayan, hindi sapat ang mga hakbang na ginagawa ng

”

gobyerno.

seryosong nag-aaral. Halatang-halata sa mga halakhak nila na nasisiyahan sila sa kalayaang natatamasa nila bilang miyembro ng organisasyong may karapatan sa lugar na iyon. Wala na akong klase sa BioSci ngayon, puro major na kasi ang subjects ko. Wala na rin akong G.E. subject doon pero paminsan-minsan, nakakadalaw pa rin ako. Iniimbita kasi ako ng mga brods at sisses ko sa tuwing may open tambayan sila. Noong minsang nagdala ako ng Perspective sa BioSci, wala na ang mga tambayang gawa sa kahoy na nagbibigkis sa mga estudyante roon. Sa halip, ang nakita ko ay mga removable tambayan sa porma ng banig na nakalatag doon. *** Sa tuwing nagagawi ako sa Humanities noon, para akong hihikain sa dami ng usok na nalalanghap ko. Marami rin akong nakikitang nagyoyosi. Habang pinagmamasdan ko silang humihithit ng sigarilyo, iniisip ko kung bakit nila ‘yun ginagawa. Siguro ekspresyon ito ng kanilang sarili. Iba’t-iba kasi ang personalidad ng mga taong karaniwan kong nakikitang nagyoyosi. Basehan daw ‘yun ng social status, ‘yung iba naman nakikiuso lang. Sabi nung iba kong kakilala, paraan daw nila ‘yon para makapaglabas ng ahitasyon. Malaya silang nakakapanigarilyo kahit saan at kahit kailan nila gusto. Hanggang sa unti-unti ko na silang hindi nakikita. Nalaman ko na lang na limitado na ang mga lugar kung

“

saan pwedeng magyosi. *** Papasok na ako sa una kong klase. Mag-aalas otso na kaya nagmamadali ako. Pinili kong dumaan sa dating dinaraanan ko noong wala pa ‘yung sementadong daan sa gitna ng Freedom Park. Sinundan ako nung doormate ko na nagmamadali rin. Noong malapit na akong makalampas sa Freedom Park, narinig ko ang pito ni Kuya CSB kaya nagmadali ako sa paglakad. Ang sabi niya bawal daw dumaan dun kasi nasisira yung damo. Sa isip-isip ko, sige lang Kuya, parte kasi ng Freedom Park ang dating daan ng Women’s, no? *** Hindi ka na makakauwi kahit anong oras mo gusto, hindi ka na makakatambay dahil wala ka ng tambayan, hindi ka na rin makakapagyosi kahit saan dahil may piling lugar lang para doon at hindi ka na rin makakapaglakad ng malaya sa Freedom Park. *** Tumingin ako sa salamin at pinagmasdan ang aking sarili, kahit pala ako hindi na malaya. Hindi ko na kayang maramdaman na malaya naming naipapadama ang pagmamahal sa isa’tisa. Nalilimitahan kami dahil sa hangarin naming ibalik ang kalayaan sa sambayanan. Mahirap maging malaya lalung-lalo na kapag may konsepto kaming dalawa ng mapagpalayang kaisipan. Napaisip na lang ako, hindi naman pala lahat ng bagay na may kalayaan kang gawin ay magagawa mo. Nalilimitahan ka dahil sa mga bagay na wala kang kontrol o nalilimitahan ka dahil may malawak kang pang-unawa. [P]

Hindi ka na rin

makakapaglakad ng malaya sa

”

Freedom Park.

NOFURYSOLOUD

Panandaliang lunas harriet melanie zabala

Isa sa mga kumpanya na nagtanggal ng maraming manggagawa ay ang mga kumpanya na nag-aangkat ng mga produkto sa ibang bansa. Dahil apektado rin ng krisis na ito ang ibang bansa tulad ng Amerika, kung saan sila nag-aangkat ng mga produkto, bumaba ang kita nila kung kaya nagbawas sila ng tauhan. Kitang-kita na hanggang ngayon, nakadepende pa rin tayo sa ibang bansa dahil sa aspeto ng kalakalan pa lang, kapag mababa ang ekonomiya nila, naaapektuhan tayo. Dahil primaryang nakatali pa rin tayo sa Amerika, apektado tayo sa krisis na kinakaharap nito. Lumalabas na sa usapin ng pagtatanggal ng trabaho, hindi lang panloob na aspeto ang dapat isaalang-alang, dapat din tingnan ang mga panlabas na aspeto dahil kung tutuusin, malaki ang epekto ng mga ito sa ekonomiya ng Pilipinas. Kahit sabihin pang tutulungan nila ang mga natanggal sa trabaho na makahanap ng panibagong trabaho o kahit maihanda man lang sila sa pagkawala ng trabaho, hindi pa rin tiyak kung sapat na ang tulong na ito. Sa dinami-rami ng mga kumpanyang nagtatanggal ng tauhan, kaunti lamang ang mga kumpanyang tumatanggap pa ng tauhan. Dagdag pa rito, ang ibinibigay na separation pay bagamat makatutulong, ay panandaliang lunas lamang sa problemang kakaharapin ng mga nawalan ng hanapbuhay. Sa sitwasyong ito, nakikita na pawang mga panandaliang lunas lang ang ibinibigay ng mga kumpanya sa mga nawalan ng trabaho at kulang pa ang mga ito para maging pampalubag-loob. Ang nagiging problema, nasasanay tayo na papansinin lang ang problema kapag

nandyan na, kaya tuloy hindi naagapan, hindi napaghahandaan. Sa nangyayaring ito, ramdam na ramdam ng mga Pilipino ang krisis pangekonomiya. Mataas na nga ang presyo ng karamihan sa mga bilihin, sasabayan pa ito ng pagkawala ng trabaho, saan na lulugar ang mga Pilipino? Isang katotohanan na ang perang natatanggap ng mga manggagawang Pilipino ay ang siyang ginagamit nila para matugunan ang pang-arawaraw na pangangailangan - pambili ng pagkain na ipanunustos nila sa kanilang mga pamilya, pampa-aral sa kanilang mga anak at pantugon sa iba pang mga pangangailangan. Kung dati hindi na magkanda-ugaga ang ibang manggagawang Pilipino para pagkasyahin ang maliit nilang kita para tustusan ang pang-araw-araw nilang pangangailangan, paano pa kaya ngayong nawala na ang pinagkakakitaan nila at pataas ng pataas ang presyo ng mga bilihin? Nakakalungkot isipin na sa ganitong kalagayan ng ating mga kababayan, hindi sapat ang mga hakbang na ginagawa ng gobyerno. Hindi sapat ang panghihikayat nila sa mga negosyante para mamuhunan sa Pilipinas para mabigyan ng trabaho ang mga Pilipinong natanggal sa trabaho. Dagdag pa dito, walang kasiguraduhan na ang hakbang na ito ay makapagbigay talaga ng trabaho sa mga Pilipino. Sa panahong ito na nahaharap ang buong mundo sa isang krisis pangekonomiya, patuloy pa rin tayong aasa na mas magiging pursigido ang gobyerno sa paghahanap ng mga epektibo, at hindi panandalian lamang, na mga solusyon sa mga kaakibat na problema ng krisis tulad ng malawakang pagtatanggal ng manggagawa. [P]

UPLB Perspective

OPINION

VOLUME 35 | ISSUE 8 | February 14, 2009

I

t has been a month since I last looked at the sky. It has been a month since I had free time to spend happily for myself without even thinking of what to do next since I don’t have anything to do, and this I missed a lot. “I’m missing something,” this was the first text message I sent her that day, hoping to start a melancholic conversation that will make her become sweet to me. She asked me why I was feeling that way and I replied “Nothing”. My hope of a melancholic-turnedsweet conversation was lost. I didn’t understand what just happened. Was I really that convincing for her to believe that I’m alright, or was she just too busy hanging out with her friend? I’m so lost that time because I didn’t understand what I was missing. Maybe it was her I miss, but I just accompanied her to the jeepney station a couple of minutes ago. Maybe I was just envious with her friend, but I was also with my friends just a couple of days ago. I walked away from her coldheartedly, and then decided to take a walk for a while to clear up my mind that is still troubled with a longing for something. Soon I reached the lake where my friends

“

and I used to hang out, where we used to hide and search for solutions to our petty problems. But something is different with the way I stood there. This time, I was alone and it’s already dusk. The shore of the lake is teeming with vendors desperate to sell all of their products, families hanging out to bond with each other and lovers sharing intimate moments at every corner. The road around the lake is dark; the houses near the road are the only source of light. There are also parts of the lake that are uninhabited, and no artificial light reaches these places at all. Overwhelmed by the scenery and the atmosphere, I turned off my phone and ventured for a walk around the lake. *** I’ve been alive for 17 years without even knowing her. So what’s the problem with not being with her for a few moments? I have been spending almost every day of these past three months with her. Not being unhappy even for a day because I have her with me, but just the thought of losing

I am unique and there’s only one me existing in this world who will fulfill my duties and

”

responsibilities the way I do.

UNDERSCRUTINY

Distorted definition Estel lenwij estropia

T

he autonomy of student institutions is the most effective weapon of the students in the battle for securing and fighting for their democratic rights. In the university, there are two student institutions in service to the students: The UPLB Perspective, the official student publication of UPLB, and the student council, which is composed of student leaders. Such student institutions possess autonomy in the sense that these could decide for themselves and that these should be free from intervention or whims and caprices of the people in the administration. However, based on the turn of events at the start of this year, the powers of student autonomy seem to deteriorate due to a reversion of its definition. Instead of achieving the most important goal - to advance the interests of the students — students’ autonomy starts to backfire, like a boomerang. The University Student Council (USC) held a dialogue with Chancellor Luis Rey Velasco regarding the February Fair (FebFair) last Feb. 6. The main agenda is not to ask for approval of the FebFair but rather to only seek assistance, especially financial and logistical support, from the administration. This is so because the fair is a legitimate activity organized by students themselves, and that preventing unwarranted intervention from the administration is an evident expression of the student council’s autonomy.

Velasco pointed out, however, that the USC should have gone to the Vice Chancellors and other administration staff for approval and not, directly, to him, for the sake of proper channeling and abiding by the bureaucratic process. He also implied that he would not intervene in this activity, for the students must be independent of their actions in line with their autonomy. But is it right to assume that the practice of student autonomy requires no amount of support from the administration? It seems that the administration’s definition of autonomy is this: a purely student affair that does not need assistance from the administration. This administration’s idea of autonomy is also in the work in the recently held Codified Rules for Student Regent Selection (CRSRS) referendum and election preparations. In the referendum, for instance, USC Chairperson Charisse Bernadine Bañez said the administration provided an insufficient number of staff to be on guard at polling precincts despite instructions from the Office of the Student Regent addressed to the chancellors of various units to provide logistical and financial assistance. As for the financial aspect, Bañez furthered that the Office of the Chancellor said the budget for the referendum should be extracted from the student council’s budget. If the administration truly considered their role on the conduct of the referendum, which

11

MUMBLINGS

Missing myself *Ooakonga

her already saddens me. Because of this I thought I became so dependent on her to the point that she’s the only reason for me to be happy. This is the first time I’ve experienced this, perhaps because she is my first girlfriend (and I’m certain that she’s also the last). She’s the only person who values me more than anyone else, giving me assurance that no matter what happens to me, she is always there to save my day. The rain poured and together with every drop of it are my tears, which are my only way to tell myself that I’m missing me, myself who was strong enough to face any problems alone; myself who was not courageous enough to risk anything; myself who planned everything ahead so that everything will be in its proper place (at least for me); myself who used to love staying in computer shops and play for hours or until my wallet surrenders; myself who had enough pride to stop my tears from falling and from being torn by problems. I have walked around the lake, I have been there a few moments ago but there is something different was to provide logistical and financial support to the students, it should have provided administration staff to be of service in the precincts. Also, it should have considered the fact that the USC-CSC budget is too small to cover the expenses of such kind of a systemwide activity. In the same way, in the Central Electoral Board (CEB), the college secretaries expressed intention of reducing the number of staff who will assist the elections, as it consumes time that should have been allotted for their respective jobs. They said the students, above anybody else, should be in charge of the elections because it is a student activity. Assuming this would happen, the students cannot be fully assured of the credibility of elections as before, when there were still a considerable number of administration staff. These staff are needed in upholding the integrity of the election process, for they are non-partisan. Just like in the CRSRS referendum where the integrity of the process was questioned because of the premature canvassing of the ballots after the first day of voting, the integrity of the elections can be easily questioned in this proposed setup. Instances like this can be avoided in the presence of administration staff. Also, they can help in directly increasing the voter turnout, for the USC-CSCs could

“

in the way I stood here now: I rediscovered myself, I knew myself again, I trusted in myself again, and returned the self-respect I have lost a while ago. Since the start of this year I’ve lost my self, or should I say, turned my back on myself just to have new friends. I lost myself, almost neglected some parts of me during the process that lasted almost a month yet I managed to bear with it. *** Self-respect is the only way to distinguish myself from other people. I believe I respect myself more than anybody else. I am who I am and my identity is important. I am unique and there’s only one me existing in this world who will fulfill my duties and responsibilities the way I do. This reminded me of something I wrote about respect a year ago, and I’m afraid that I would lose this respect myself. Losing this respect is losing almost 18 years of living and growing. Missing me is equivalent to missing being me, the person whose every friend and every person I knew knew. [P] focus more on campaigning for higher student participation in the election, while they are the ones in charge of the precincts. The administration seems to have a point of view far off from what the students have regarding student autonomy. Autonomy is not equivalent to leaving students alone in the process of putting their decision into action. It is granted to them so that they could be independent; it does not give the administration the chance to lay its hands off on their activities, and on the greatest extent, to provide no support, because doing so equates to their non-recognition of the students’ rights. The administration has an obligation to ensure that its students become the wellrounded individuals they ought to be. One way that they could have accomplished that obligation is by supporting the activities of the students. Whenever the administration refuses to support these activities, it is as if they are turning their backs to their obligation of producing individuals who are holistic in nature. No matter how the student leaders want to serve the students in the best way they could, without needed support from the administration, it would be a hard time for them. And at the end of the day, the victims of this distorted line of thinking regarding student autonomy are still, and will always be the students. [P]

But is it right to assume that the practice of

student autonomy

requires no amount of

”

support from the administration?

OPINION

12 UPLB Perspective ISSUE 8 | VOLUME 35 |

February 14, 2009

EDITORIAL

Reliving the rage

What else can be a more fitting prelude to an event originally conducted as a sign of protest against the injustices of the Martial Law era than students themselves taking to the streets to denounce what they perceive is just a sampling of the repressive policies and moves by the UPLB administration? Established as a form of protest against the tyrannical rule of then President Ferdinand Marcos, the February Fair has ever since served as an avenue for increasing the awareness of students on issues on the local and the national scenes. At first it was held every September of the month, the same month of the proclamation of Martial Law, but was later on transferred to February. It pays to know the political and social atmosphere in the country at the heat of the Marcos dictatorship, and the crucial role the FebFair played in uniting not only the UPLB community but more importantly the whole of Southern Tagalog against the forces of oppression. In the era of “white terror” — when attacks on human rights such as enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings abound — UPLB became the center of socio-political consciousness and resistance in the region. While the university was not exempt from these attacks, for student organization were banned and the student council and student publication were closed down, the UPLB community camped out at the grounds of Freedom Park grounds, where discussions on political issues and cultural presentations were held. Thus the FebFair has at the very onset been a protest fair, and has influenced the political and social development of whole generations of students. The biggest mobilization in UPLB since the Sept. 15, 2007 Board of Regents meeting where the call was to junk the Tuition and other Fees Increase, the picket-dialogue held last Feb. 9 in front of the Administration building and participated by around 500 students relives the very essence of the FebFair. As a dissenting move against the conditions set by the administration to approve the conduct of the Centennial UPLB FebFair, the picket-dialogue culminated in a

barricade at the UP gate and later in a march towards Freedom Park. The said picketdialogue was conducted to pressure the administration to approve the University Student Council’s (USC) request to hold this year’s February Fair. This after the administration has turned down in a dialogue held Feb. 6 a similar request and memorandum of agreement, which were only verbal in nature, because the USC still has to secure approval of lower offices.

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But the USC has only followed the procedures taken by previous terms, and this new requirement came as a surprise. This imposed bureaucracy, coupled by the fact that the FebFair is then only three days away, has prodded the USC to call for an emergency Council of Student Leaders meeting last Feb. 8. The approximately 250 students from various organizations present in the CSL meeting resolved to push through with the FebFair, regardless of whether the request of the council will be granted or not.

CHINO CARLO ARICAYA

must “pay the necessary fees including the use and consumption of electricity.” So what is the point, really? Is it just to proceed with the FebFair even under conditions that can compromise not only the fiscal autonomy of the council, but also the essence of the FebFair as a student activity? If that is the case, if only the council were that easy to appease, the matter would have ended promptly the instant the request was approved. But our student council refuses to consider the approval as the be-all and endall of the entire affair. Rather, it chooses to go beyond what is convenient, and seeks to reaffirm the basic principles of student autonomy and the struggle for our democratic rights that the FebFair epitomizes.

And this is what the administration should fear the most: the studentry realizing the monumental need to relive the rage.

The picket-dialogue ended with a semi-victory: the request was granted but under certain requirements. One requirement that alarmed the USC was the one stating that food concessionaires

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And so the triumph does not lie in the approval of the FebFair; in fact, the studentry has already clinched victory the instant they decided to take the

matter into their hands to reclaim what is rightfully theirs. In ways more than one, the 500 voices that united and chanted “UPLB Febfair, ituloy, ituloy, ipaglaban!” were not chanting just for the approval of the FebFair. Most importantly, these students were chanting against the repressive policies and actions the UPLB administration has implemented — from the eviction of tambayans to the passing of the 300 percent hike in tuition. One thing is certain: UPLB students are evolving into politicallyconscientious individuals, and one cannot conclude the non-approval of the FebFair as the sole cause of the protest of these furious and warm myriad of students. When the repression and the present administration become almost interchangeable, neutrality and gray areas succumb to mere bureaucratic procedures and adhere to the interests of the administration can never be options. At the time that the powers-thatbe try to crumble all students’ hardearned democratic rights, always expect a human barricade ready to not only scribble, but deeply carve to the pages of history another political storm. And this is what the administration should fear the most: the studentry realizing the monumental need to relive the rage. [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;

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