LAYOUT BY Abraham Finney Santos | PHOTO BY Jovy de Manuel

05
VOLUME 34 ISSUE 5 March 10, 2008
prOGrESSIVE ObLE. Student activists place posters and hang banners with calls for the immediate ouster of scandal-ridden President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on UPs foremost icon.

uplbperspec tive
ThE OffIcIaL STUdEnT pUbLIcaTIOn Of ThE UnIVErSITy Of ThE phILIppInES - LOS baOS

Despite police attempts to block protesters

ST sectors joinrally for truth,justice

by Christian Ray Buendia and Faith Allyson Buenacosa
with reports from Rogene Gonzales, Nikko Angelo Oribiana and Daryl Magno

Armed with placards bearing slogans such as Oust GMA and Fight for truth and justice, a 500-strong contingent from various sectors of Southern Tagalog (ST) joined the interfaith prayer rally last February 29 at Ayala, Makati City despite being held for more than five hours at Calamba National Road by the Philippine National Police and Special Weapons and Tactics of Calamba City. Bayani Cambronero, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-ST (BAYAN-ST) coordinator, said the police stalled the protesters carried by jeepneys as they passed along the highway so that they would not be able to participate in the rally called by various religious organizations. The said rally was held amid calls for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyos resignation in the face of renewed charges of corruption in the National Broadband Network deal with Chinas ZTE corporation. He said the growing number of people in the rally will scare the administration. On the other hand, a certain Col. dela Cueva, who refused to give Perspective his first name, said the Calamba Police did not block the protesters; instead, the protesters themselves blocked the highway. Dela Cueva said the protesters were blocked because the jeepney drivers that were supposed to bring the protesters to
Ayala refused to show their

ST Sectors/p4 ST sectors/p4

Babae, Muslim, Lider Estudyante

FEATURES /p7 OPINION /p14

SR Shan:

Sayaw sa bubog*
/p5

Pagsipat at Pagtunggali sa Pain ng Akademya

CULTURE /p11

Dis(kurso):

NEWS: Security cams to be set up in UPLB

Festivities mark UPLB Centennial Feb Fair

by Nervalin Aminah Lindo and Harriet Melanie Zabala of the student council in 1977, the celebration was transferred to February. Hindi ito nag-umpisa bilang kasiyahan lamang ng mga estudyante kung hindi isang uri ng protesta, at sana ito pa rin ang maging mensahe [ng Feb Fair] hanggang sa ngayon, Baez added. Fair Highlights The Fair was officially opened by a torch and candle lighting ceremony participated by heads of UPLB student organizations, fraternities and sororities. Then a week long exposition of different competitions such as singing contests, rock band competitions, beauty pageants, dance contests and other activities like concerts, film showing, fora and symposia, all sponsored by student organizations, sororities and fraternities spiced up the fair. Then, aside from these series of activities and competitions, two of the countys famous local bands, Typecast and Sugarfree, added excitement all throughout the last two nights of the fair. Ang Feb Fair 2008 ay isang makabuluhan at napakasayang pangyayari kung saan nagkaroon ako ng mga bagong karanasan at mga kaibigan, said Kenneth Alambra, BS Civil Engineering 07. Bryan Gramata, BS Computer Science major, also a freshman, added, Successful naman siya at enjoy pa rin kahit na may mga exams. Pwede ka pa ring magpunta at magrelax o magsaya lalo na sa mga activities ng mga orgs. However, Dwight Jason Ronan, BS Development Chommunication 04 said Kahit maganda at naidaos lahat ng activities, hindi naging ganoon katindi ang participation ng mga estudyante. Shyla Maldecir, BS Civil Engineering student 05 shared her comment regarding the relocation of the commercial establishments. She said, Advantageous nga kasi malapit sa booth namin. Wala naman akong nakitang masama doon. Also, UPLB homegrown talents showcased their abilities through various performances to entertain the crowd. The series of activities and performances gave life to the whole event from the first day up to the last. Calling Chancellor Luis Rey Velasco showed his support to the event in his message delivered during the last night of the celebration. In Velascos speech, he commended the USC and all the student formations who participated in the event for their collective effort to organize the Centennial Feb Fair. Up until the last moment of the Fair, the USC and student councils from different colleges reminded the students that it is their responsibility to serve the people. In her closing remarks, Baez said, ang mga Iskolar ng Bayan ay dapat may pakialam at mapanuri sa mga issues na nangyayari sa lipunan kasi isa sa mga responsibilidad niya ay alamin ang mga ito at gumawa ng pagkilos hinggil dito. [P]

FILL
SPACE
We are in need of: LAYOUT ARTISTS NEWS WRITERS BUSINESS STAFF

On tambayan eviction
by Nikko Angelo Oribiana The organizations tambayans have existed for decades in the IBS building, but now they are temporarily replaced by native mats while the landscaping of the IBS grounds is ongoing. Last January, a series of dialogues were conducted between the Institute of Biological Sciences (IBS) administration and the IBS- based student organizations together with the College of Arts and Sciences Student Council and University Student Council (USC) regarding the tambayan eviction in the IBS building. During the said dialogues, the IBS admin decided that in February 15 of this year, the relocation of the tambayans from the IBS building to the Student Union building will have to push through. But it was in Feb 25, a non-working holiday, when the tambayans were finally relocated to the SU building. Meanwhile, student organizations are also holding a series of meetings to discuss their continued response to the issue. This includes laying of native mats on the present location of their tambayans which serves as their temporary tambayans after the administration decided to pursue their plan. James Patrick Santiago of the MicroSoc said yung tambayan lang ang

IBS orgs lay native mats as tambayans

ililipat, hindi kami. In response to students reactions, Dr. Macrina Zafaralla, head of UPLB Occupational Health and Safety Standards Committee, said the tambayans were requested by the IBS to move to SU as an ad hoc measure on the pending landscaping of the IBS grounds which is expected to integrate the tambayans in the landscape. In line with this, the USC, with the help of members of the IBS based organizations, Beta Sigma Fraternity, Omega Alpha Fraternity and Sigma Rho Fraternity, spearheaded a mobilization and symbolically transferred the organizations tambayans from SU building to the Humanities steps. [P]

THIS

Take the [P] EXAM

LIGhTS On. The Centennial Feb Fair, though not perfect, highlights UPs 100 years of academic excellence and students struggle for a mass oriented, scientific and nationalist education. PHOTO: Karmela Mirriam Ebreo

For five nights, Freedom Park was transformed into a place jam packed with people eating, partying, and escaping from academic work. The entire UPLB community celebrated the Centennial February Fair (Feb Fair) with the theme 100FAIRcent UPrising last February 11 to 15. This event is spearheaded by the University Student Council (USC) and sponsored by different student formations and business establishments. Hundreds of people including students, teachers, faculty members, employees and

even people from nearby communities joined this annual festivity. This years Feb Fair was also a part of the UP Centennial celebration. Back Track Charisse Bernadine Baez, USC Vice Chairperson, said the Feb Fair originally started as a form of protest during Martial Law. It was held to show dissent on the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos, whose term saw the suppression of democracy and peoples rights and freedom. Baez added that it was then celebrated every September but with the re-establishment

bayanIhan. Members of IBS orgs and certain fraternities unite for the symbolic transfer of the

USC-CSC elections on hold, CEB yet to convene

by Anna Mae Lamentillo and Daryl Magno
It is already the first week of March and the absence of election posters and other campaign gimmicks makes students wonder if there would still be a University Student Council and College Student Council (USCCSC) elections this year. As of press time, the Central Electoral Board (CEB), which is tasked by the USC Constitution to oversee student council elections, is yet to convene for the approval of candidates after a debate on the revisions made in the qualifications for candidacy ensued and resulted in a standoff. Decisions during CEB meeting In the CEB meeting last Jan. 10, the board decided on the qualifications of candidates for the 2008 USC-CSC elections. Using a parliamentary system, amendments that included the abolition of academic and one year minimum residency requirements were adopted by the CEB. On Feb. 5, the CEB again convened to approve the list of candidates. However, many points including the validity of last meetings decision were raised by some members of the CEB. OSA Director Severino Cuevas, acting ex-officio Chairperson of the CEB, said the revisions in the qualifications of candidates run counter to a provision in the University of the Philippines Code (UPC) that explicitly states that both academic requirement and a year of residency is a must for all aspiring leaders of the university. UPLB USC Chairperson Leo XL Fuentes,however, said Article 4342 of the USC-CSC 1989 Constitution states that only the councils constitution will govern the USC and CSCs. He added that the USC-CSC Constitution has superseded the detailed qualifications of the UPC. He furthered that Cuevas point regarding academic qualifications for the USC-CSC candidates was based only on the constitution of UP Diliman. He stressed that different UP units follow different standards. Established during Martial Law when student organizations have been repressed, the 1977 USC-CSC Constitution was instituted by the Katawang Tagapag-ugnay ng mga Mag-aaral, the transition council from Council of Student Leaders to USC. Fuentes described it as the charter of student organizations. He added that the 1989 USC-CSC Constitution is the highest law governing the student councils. The CEB is composed of College Secretaries, Head of the Students Organization and Activities and Organization, College and University Student Council representatives, UPLB Perspective and the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) Director. 1977 vs. 1989 Constitution Debates on whether the 1977 or the 1989 USC-CSC Constitution should be followed arose among members of CEB. Cuevas said the only constitution recognized by the UPLB administration is the charter ratified in 1977. He also said the 1989 constitution did not undergo due process. Nevertheless, he said the UPC is still the most influential authority in the UP system. The only thing I am guilty of is allowing the CEB to discuss an issue that should never have been tackled. The UP code should have never been challenged, Cuevas added. However, Fuentes refuted Cuevas by noting that the implemented charter is the 1989 USC-CSC Constitution. He reasoned that this can never be denied as provisions of the said constitution include moving the USC-UCSC election from August to February and increasing the members of the CEB from a group of six to a conference of more than 20. He added that it was the 1989 constitution that gave the college secretaries authority to be part of decisionmaking regarding the guidelines for the USCCSC election. Stand of the student body Regarding the issue, two of the leading political parties of UPLB, Samahan ng Kabataan para sa Bayan (SAKBAYAN) and BUKLOD, released a united stand. Both parties uphold the decisions made during the Jan. 10 CEB meeting. BUKLOD Committee on Elections Member Abigail Anne Tuviera Manalo said they respect and believe in the power of the CEB Meeting.

orgs tambayans from SU Building to the humanities steps as a form of protest against IBS tambayan eviction PHOTO: Jovy de Manuel

Blue Team emerges Palarong UPLB champs

by Caselyn Shane Marasigan The combined forces of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), Office of the Vice Chancellor for Instruction and Graduate School ruled in the recently concluded Centennial Palarong UPLB last February 7 to 9. Other winners were White Team (overall 2nd Placer), composed of the College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology and the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development, followed by Green Team (3rd Placer) which consists of the College of Agriculture and the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension. (See side box for the overall tally of scores.) Game Proper A parade by competing teams marked the start of the Centennial Palarong UPLB. It started at the Heritage Park and ended at UPLB Grandstand. Next in line was the opening program, which included the lighting of the Palaro Torch and the Executive Fun Run, which were participated by the Chancellor, Vice Chancellors, Deans and Associate Deans of the University. Cheers and dances filled the air as the competing teams for cheer dancing competition, the first major event in the Palaro, showcased their talents. Philippine games and athletic events were held during the afternoon of the same day. Meanwhile, all ball games started on Feb. 7, followed by the swimming and archery competitions the next day. Moreover, the Miss Mutya ng Palaro, Lovely Darling T.C. Aldovino from CAS, was crowned on the fourth day, immediately after the Ballroom dancing contest and championship games. This day was considered the highlight of the Palaro. The Commentators Games were held simultaneously in different courts inside UPLB so that students, teachers and staff will at least be able to watch one of the events at a time. But according to Nicolle, a UPLB student who refused to give her full name, hindi ko gaanong na-enjoy yung Palaro this year, kasi nga may pasok. Para kasing na-restrict tayong mga estudyante na manood at i-enjoy yung Palaro. Another student, who asked for anonymity, said, the players were not really motivated to play because most of their friends were not there to cheer for them. Game Plan: Under Construction Department of Human Kinetics (DHK) Chairperson Prof. Genaro Cuaresma said the arrangement of the teams for this year will be permanent since this years Palaro provided fair distribution of winners among all teams. He added that the Mutya ng Palaro will become a regular part of the Palarong UPLB. [P]

Table 1. Overall Tally of Scores in the recently concluded Palarong UPLB

(Source: Department of Human Kinetics)

TEAM BLUE GREEN RED WHITE YELLOW

STUDENT 762 645 544 810 589

TEACHER 759 582 454 573 490

TOTAL 1,521 1,227 998 1,383 1,079

OVERALL RANK

1st 3rd 5th 2nd 4th

She added that the only thing they are fighting for is the students desire for an election. However, according to Alessandra Monica Lazo, BS DevCom 07, the freshmen are unfit to lead since they do not have enough experiences to stand as vanguards of students welfare. Nevertheless, she agreed on the retention of students good academic standing as she said an individual can never be a good leader if he is not a role model. Ma. Christina Joana Mae Salipot, BS ComSci 05, said for her the grade requirement is not a problem since she believes it is a vital trait of a student leader. She added that part of a leaders role is its function to influence fellow students to exemplify the true character of an Iskolar ng Bayan. She added that the delay of the whole electoral process has dismayed the student body. Fuentes reasoned that the qualifications involved in the SR selection, the highest position a student can attain in the University, do not involve good academic standing. Any grade requirement is never tantamount to an individuals selfless student leadership, he added. The Power Struggle However, Cuevas said he will not convene the CEB unless student leaders who are members of the CEB make a compromise with the administration. I am ready to file my resignation if this explicit violation of the UP Code takes place, Cueves ended. [P]

Download [P] in PDF! http://uplbperspective0708.deviantart.com

VOLUME 34 ISSUE 5 | March 10, 2008

ThE OffIcIaL STUdEnT pUbLIcaTIOn Of ThE UnIVErSITy Of ThE phILIppInES LOS baOS

UPLB PERSPECTIVE

news

news

ThE OffIcIaL STUdEnT pUbLIcaTIOn Of ThE UnIVErSITy Of ThE phILIppInES LOS baOS
VOLUME 34 ISSUE 5 | March 10, 2008

UPLB PERSPECTIVE

ST Sectors... from p1

license upon inspection. The drivers, he added, were out of line.

Security cams to be set up in UPLB

Slash in number of blue guards seen
by Rogene Gonzales
Eight surveillance cameras will be installed at certain key points in the campus. This was confirmed by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs (OVCCA) during an interview with Assistant to the Vice Chancellor Elipidio Agbisit. Fisher Comprehensive Security Services and Systems Preparations, a private security firm, will replace Santo Nio Security Agency that currently holds the security guards of the campus also known as blue guards. Fishers contract with UPLB administration will start on Feb. 29. Agbisit said the agency will start placing the cameras in strategic areas during last week of February. He assured that the cameras will not be installed inside buildings and dormitories. According to Agbisit, cameras covering dark areas inside the campus will be equipped with infrared vision. The cameras, upon installment, will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These cameras will be used until Fishers contract with UPLB expires. Dominador Bautista, area manager of Fisher, asked that the exact locations of the cameras be kept secret to prevent misuse of information. Baustista, however, refused to tell any more information regarding the cameras without the administrations permission that Perspective was not able to obtain. Feb fair Test Run Agbisit revealed that four surveillance cameras were installed around Freedom Park during the February fair last Feb. 11 to 15. Two cameras were set up along Chico road while the other two along Waling-waling road. The cameras relayed real time footages of the field to a control room located inside the Office of Student Affairs. It was a test run of the incoming private security agency [Fisher] na hinire ng UPLB, he said. Agbisit added that the test run was done to check if Fishers cameras were working and will have reliable use in the campus. Aiding the UPF The operation was not part of UPLBs Centennial preparations, Abgisit clarified, but is a branch of the administrations general security program as of 2007. Blue guards were hired to help the University Police Force (UPF) in maintaining peace and order. But since UPLB has a very large area, limited blue guards were able to roam in the whole campus, Agbisit said. Luckily dumating itong security agency that is willing to render service with surveillance cameras, Agbisit said. He stressed that the university did not spend anything since the cameras were part of Fishers package. UPF Chief Norlio Aquino expressed support to the OVCCA as well as to Fishers plans. Sa assistance ng security agency with the help ng surveillance camera, malaking tulong ito sa amin [UPF] sa pagmamaintain ng peace and order ng campus, Aquino stated. Fisher has yet to orient the UPF on the exact functions of the surveillance cameras and on how the UPF would coordinate with them during unexpected circumstances, he added. Possible Replacement for Blue Guards According to Agbisit, the installation of the cameras would possibly lead to the replacement of some blue guards in the campus, as suggested by Fisher. Pero of course yung mga talagang vital [na blue guards] nandoon pa rin sila. Paguusapan pa rin namin yun, hindi pa rin kami finalized, he said. Fisher will assess if the current blue guards fit their standards but the blue guards they will choose will most preferably be those who come from the local community. As of press time, the Sto. Nio agencys blue guards have not yet been informed of the exact measures regarding their turn-over to Fisher. A blue guard, who refused to be named said the installation of the surveillance cameras would affect not only them but the whole UPLB community. Hindi naman madedetect [ng surveillance camera] yun kasi halimbawa dito sa dorm, papaano UndEr SUrVEILLancE. Admin says security cameras to be placed around the campus are for added nila madedetect yung mga safety, others note that this step is quite alarming. patagong pumapasok? he stated. PHOTO: Karmela Mirriam Ebreo He said that as explained to them by the Santo Nio Security Agency, implications of the installation especially in UP. the number of guards per dormitory will be Sa lipunan natin nagagamit mismo reduced from two to just one. yung surveillance against sa mga hindi He also stated that Fishers requirements lang estudyante, [ngunit] sa parte ng have an age cut-off of 25-40 years old. Since mga progresibong lider, nakakatakot [at] a lot of blue guards are already over 50 years nakakaalarma, he stressed. old, he said this would either result in their Fuentes stated that though the concept loss of jobs or change as reliever posts. of installing cameras is good as a security Yung mga baguhan hindi naman nila measure, this would still not replace the alam ang pasikot-sikot dito. Lalo na ang manpower of the UPF and the blue guards. diskarte rito. Ang mga bata, kapag may Instead, the administration should prioritize problema, kami ang parang magulang, he the additional number of UPF, he said. explained. According to him, the installation of Meanwhile, another blue guard, who cameras implies the administrations move on also requested for anonymity, said the Sto. commercialization. Nio blue guards applications would be Posible na konektado sa prioritized. commercialization through the ecotourism Kung gusto nilang maabsorb [at] project. Mas kinacater natin ang market sa maging empleyado, mag-aaply sila. Marami mga tourist [at] pinapakita natin na maganda na rin nag-a-apply sa amin, he said. yung security natin, he explained. He also stressed that relocation of the Fuentes stressed that in any new blue guards would be implemented by Fisher. implementation, there should not be a Yung ibang gwardiya ilalagay doon compromise on the rights of the students and sa pwesto o building na walang gwardiya. other constituents of the university. Parang ikakalat lang, he stated. Ang mga kamera ay hindi preventive. Ang pagbabawas ng mga gwardiya ay Connected to Commercialization maaaring maging problema [pa] sa seguridad USC Chairperson Leo XL Fuentes Jr. natin [dahil] iba pa rin yung presence ng said students should be more critical to the authorities, he added. [P]

Protesta laban sa pagkabinbin

ng CEB convention inilunsad

Deadlock While protesters were blocked, they conducted a program to air their grievances to the people and police of Calamba. The protesters, 60 of which came from UPLB and headed by the University Student Council and Samahan ng Kabataan para sa Bayan, were to wait until past 2 p.m. before they decided to disperse their ranks and commute to Ayala. On the way to Ayala, some of the ST contingents were once again blocked by police along the South Luzon Expressway, but they were immediately released. The night before the rally, Philippine National Police Chief Avelino Razon declared that all protesters from outside Metro Manila will be allowed to join the rally. fOrMIdabLE ranK. Various sectors protest against alleged rampant corruption of the Arroyo But groups of protesters from administration with the cry STOP NA!. PHOTO: Jovy de Manuel various provinces were stopped by police at different checkpoints on the deal addressed the protesters. Famous for having this rally is to find a common day of the rally. personalities such as actress-singer Armida ground for the religious, for the leftist, or Seguion Reyna, former presidents Corazon for the activist (and) for the schools. So what Prayer Rally Aquino and Joseph Estrada, and opposition they came up with is for truth, accountability At about 5 in the afternoon, the ST spokesperson Adel Tamano graced the and reform, so everyone is here, Lyan contingents finally arrived in Ayala where program. Carlos from the Ateneo Human Rights they were welcomed by thousands of In his speech, Lozada said that the people Center related. protesters already there. Organizers of present in Ayala were the people who gave Rachel Raosa, a member of Student the rally estimated the peak number of importance to the rights of those who were Alliance for the Advancement of EnOUGh. Southern Tagalog Sectors form protesters at 85,000 while police pegged it at oppressed and those who are victims of Nationalism and Democracy in UP, said a an alliance against corruption in the 15,000. corruption. viable alternative if ever President Arroyo Rodolfo Jun Lozada, the government and to call for truth and He also stated the little truth that he would be ousted would be a transition justice regarding the NBN-ZTE scandal whistleblower of the alleged corruption knows about the ZTE-NBN Broadband government where all sectors of society will PHOTO: Nia Catherine Calleja behind the $329 million ZTE-NBN Deal. He requested the people in Makati have a right to representation and not just to fight for truth not because of anger or the ruling class. hate but because of love for those who are victims by corruption. Past Actions, Future Plans Ang gusto kong pamamaraan ng Prior to the Ayala rally, other protests pagkilos na ito ay dala ng pagmamahal activities were also held in Crossing, by Sugar Marie Baula natin sa ating kapwa na mga nabibiktima Calamba calling for the ouster of Isang mass-up ang isinagawa ng ng SAKBAYAN, ang pangyayaring ito ay isang ng korupsyon dahil po kahit sino pa ang President Arroyo. Samahan ng Kabataan para sa Bayan malinaw na represyon sa mga karapatan ng pumalit diyan at ipagpapatuloy pa rin A rally coinciding with the 22nd (SAKBAYAN) noong ika-11 ng Pebrero estudyante. ang korupsyon, sana po hindi pa rin tayo anniversary of the People Power I uprising bilang pagpapakita ng pagkadismaya sa Samantala, sa isang panayam kay OSA titigil dahil may mga nabibiktima pa rin, was held last Feb. 25 as part of simultaneous nakabinbin pa ring pagpupulong ng Central director Severino Cuevas, sinabi niyang ang Lozada said. nationwide protests demanding for truth Electoral Board (CEB). Ito umano ang pagpapalit ng mga kwalipikasyon para sa mga He ended his speech by pointing out that and accountability. The said mobilization naging sanhi ng pagkaudlot ng eleksyon kandidato ay hindi sumusunod sa ilang probisyon one major reason for poverty is corruption was participated by different sectoral groups para sa University Student Council-College ng University of the Philippines Code. that results in many Filipinos being forced to and individuals from the provinces of Student Council (USC-CSC). Habang isinusulat ang artikulong ito, wala do crimes just to survive everyday. Laguna and Quezon. Ang CEB ay isang lupon na binubuo ng pa ring naitatakdang petsa ng pagpupulong Meanwhile, outgoing Student Regent The night before the Feb. 29 interfaith mga College Secretaries, direktor ang CEB. [P] James Mark Terry Ridon said of the rally, prayer rally, a vigil was conducted various ST ng Office of Student Affairs Simple lang yung statement, parang groups where participants held a program (OSA),pinuno ng Student pagpapalawak lang talaga ito ng kilusang until midnight before they marched to a train Organizations and Activities pagpapatalsik kay Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. station where they slept. They went straight Division, mga kinatawan mula Ibig sabihin niyan hindi na lamang po mga to the interfaith rally the day after. sa CSC ng bawat kolehiyo, progresibong organisasyon ang talagang Last Monday, a forum on the ZTEUSC at Perspective. Ang CEB nananawagan kundi lahat na, kasama yung NBN deal was held. Speakers were Sonny ang nagtatakda ng mga mga negosyante (at) simbahan. Quirejero from Center for Peoples kwalipikasyon para sa mga When asked why he joined the rally, Empowerment in Governance and Bayani kandidato gayundin ng mga Christian Manoy from Philippine Christian Cambronero from ST organization patakaran para sa gaganaping University said, Kasi tong rally na ito, and Peoples Network Against Poverty, eleksyon. Ang pagpupulong ng CEB bilang mga Pilipino, kailangan na malaman Corruption and Attack on Peoples Rights. ay pansamantalang nahinto ang katotohanan laban sa pamahalaang Also, a national day of protest habang wala pang naitatakdang Arroyo. Bilang mga taga-PCU, handa kaming spearheaded by YOUTH ACT NOW, mga kwalipikasyon para sa mga lumaban at gusto (naming) malaman ang an alliance of students from different kandidato. (Tingnan ang kaugnay katotohanan. universities and colleges calling for the panaWaGan. Naninindigan ang mga lider estudyante na na artikulo sa pahina 3). Well ang stand natin ay for truth, ouster of President Arroyo, will be held on kailangan nang ituloy ang CEB meeting para sa kapakanan Ayon sa pahayag na inilabas ng lahat PHOTO: Mark Angelo Ordonio accountability, and reform So the reason March 6. [P]

Walang meningo
by Liberty Notarte

outbreak-UHS
Unang linggo ng Pebrero, isang mensahe sa text ang kumalat at nagbanta na ang University Health Service (UHS) umano ay tumanggap ng isang pasyenteng may sintomas ng Meningococcemia. Nagdulot ng pag-alala at takot ang mensaheng ito sa lahat ng nakatanggap. May pasyenteng tiningnan dito sa infirmary na may sintomas ng Meningococcemia. Pero ang sintomas na nakita namin ay general, ayon kay Dr. Ma. Victoria Turalba, direktor ng UHS. Ang nasabing pasyente ay agad dinala sa Asian Hospital and Medical Center pagkatapos ng konsultasyon sa infirmary. Ayon pa kay Dr. Turalba, walang dapat ipag-alala ang mga tao tungkol sa kumakalat na text dahil hindi totoong may outbreak ng nasabing sakit. Nais linawin ng mga doktor at iba pang kawani ng UHS na walang Meningococcemia outbreak at walang dapat ikatakot. Sana bago magkaroon ng tsismis tungkol sa ganito kaselang bagay ay alamin muna kung ano ang totoo para maiwasan ang pagkalat ng maling impormasyon, dagdag pa ni Turalba. Ayon pa sa doktor, dapat panatilihin natin ang malinis na kapaligiran, katulad ng lagi nang sinasabi, upang maiwasan ang kahit anong uri ng sakit. Importante rin ang kalinisan ng pagkain at ng tubig na iniinom natin. Ang Meningococcemia ay nagiging pangkaraniwan na, kahit sa ating bansa, kahit sa loob ng ating komunidad, kaya kailangan pa rin ang ibayong pag-iingat, dagdag pa niya. [P]

Join the [P] Online Network!

UPLB PERSPECTIVE

http://uplbperspective.multiply.com
VOLUME 34 ISSUE 5 | March 10, 2008

Get the latest updates on events in and out of UPLB

VOLUME 34 ISSUE 5 | March 10, 2008

ThE OffIcIaL STUdEnT pUbLIcaTIOn Of ThE UnIVErSITy Of ThE phILIppInES LOS baOS

UPLB PERSPECTIVE

news

news

ThE OffIcIaL STUdEnT pUbLIcaTIOn Of ThE UnIVErSITy Of ThE phILIppInES LOS baOS

Late processed payrolls

delay SA salary
by Daryl Magno Student assistant (SA) salary has been delayed for the months of December 2007 and January 2008, affecting 591 SA. The said problem occurred because the processed payrolls needed for the compilation of last years accounts have been submitted later than the deadline set by the Commission on Audit (COA). Nagkaroon ng problema sa suweldo ng mga SA kasama ang ibang funds dahil na-submit ang payroll after ng cut-off date na ni-require ng Office of the Vice Chancellor for Administration (OVCA) para sa yearend accounts report [last year], said Ethel Cabral, Chief Administrative Officer of the Department of Budget and Management. She said the OVCA issued Memorandum No. 35, which states that the deadline of submission of payrolls, vouchers, purchase orders, contracts and other payables for the year 2007 is on Dec. 14. The late submission of payrolls for SA allowance from the Office of the Student Affairs (OSA) resulted in delayed issuance of salary. On the other hand, Milagros Lafuertesa, Junior Scholarship Affairs Officer declared that SAs follow a set of guidelines, one stating that the submission of the Daily Time Record

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

This space is alloted for comments, suggestions, rebuttals, public apologies, and what not. We reserve the right to edit for brevity and clarity.Only signed letters will be published but names can be withheld upon request. e-mail us at uplbperspective0708@yahoo.com or drop by the [P] office

SR Shan: Babae,Muslim,

(DTR), a recording of the total office hours a student assistant incurred in their respective offices, should be during the second working day of the succeeding month. She said the DTR for December 2007 should have been submitted last January 2008. Marami pa rin kasing SA ang patuloy na nagpapasa ng DTR after ng deadline kaya nasubmit yung payroll second week na ng January, she added. Meanwhile, affected SAs expressed various reactions regarding this issue. Wala namang pinagbago. Medyo tumagal lang ngayon pero palagi naman kasi kaming naghihintay, said Dolly Lucero, BS Agriculture 05. She added that this is one of the worst experiences a student assistant could have since they cannot use their salary for personal purposes. Another student assistant, who requested for anonymity, said, kapag tumatawag kami sa Cash Division, wala silang ibinibigay na kongkretong sagot kaya naman pinagpapasa-pasahan lang kami ng ibat ibang opisina. He added that the immediate release of their salary is important to all SAs since they will use this for their daily expenses. As of press time, the SA payroll is still being processed by the Accounting Office. [P]

UpLb Occupational health and Safety Standards committee Office of the Vice chancellor for community affairs
20 February, 2008 Christian Ray Buendia Editor in Chief UPLB Perspective Dear Editor: Please note the following corrections to and elucidations on thew published article Los Banos fire department conducts fire drill written by Harriet Melanie Zabala in the February 13, 2008 issue of the Perspective: a) Not a fire drill; rather, a fire exit drill was conducted. b) The Los Banos Fire Department (LBFD) did not conduct the fire exit drill. Rather it was the UPLB Occupational Health and Safety Standards Committee that executed the fire exit drill with the assistance of the LBFD on invitation of the Committee. As per traditional practice, LBFD is there to add realism to the drill for improved compliance/cooperation by building occupants. c) Fire exit drills are semestral exercise implemented by the Committee. The end of each drill is capped by a short explanation on the value of preparedness and other tips on how to avoid casualties in the event of fire. d) The LBDF cannot carry out any activities relevant to fire exit drills and building inspections on university grounds without being invited. The UPLB Commmittee does not consider the tambayans as fire hazards. Rather, since some tambayans can become obstructions to the free flow of people, and to the firemen and their equipment in the event of fire, the student organizations that own the material structures of tambayans have been requested to temporarily relocate these at the Student Union until such time that the landscaping of the IBS grounds shall have been complete. The expectation is that the tambayans will be integrated in the planned landscape. Thank you. Yours sincerely, Macrina T. Zafaralla (sgd.) Committee Chair

Lider Estudyante
by Rogene Gonzales
ijab, damit na may mahabang manggas, pantalon at sapatos ito ang mga karaniwang suot ng mga taong madalas kapkapan ng mga security guards sa kung saanmang pila ng mga pampumblikong lugar. Sila ang mga madalas tapunan ng mapanghusgang tingin sapagkat nariyan ang sinasabing pangamba at ang pagtatatak sa kanila ng salitang terorista. Si Shahana Abdulwahid, o Shan, ay tulad ng iba pang Muslim na kababaihan na noon pa man ay hinusgahan lamang ng lipunan sa panlabas na kaanyuan, base na rin sa pagkakaiba ng paniniwala at kultura. Ngunit karamihan sa mga nanghuhusgang ito ay hindi nalalaman ang kanyang tunay na papel sa loob ng akademya at sa lipunang kanyang ginagalawan.

ng sa Singapore. Subalit natatakot siya na maaaring maapektuhan nito ang interes ng mga estudyante. Nakikita niya sa oryentasyon ng administrasyon ng UP na nawawala na ang paghulma nito sa mga karapat-dapat ngunit may kakulangan sa perang mga estudyante. Mas natutuon na aniya ang atensyon ng administrasyon sa pagiging profit generating ng UP. [p]: Ano sa tingin mo ang hamon sa pagiging Centennial SR? Shan: Given na yung challenge, pero ang tanong, ano yung pwede mo pang magawa? Hindi enough na honor lang siya sa part ko kundi ano yung pwede pang macontribute para maging mas maayos yung pamamalakad [bilang SR]. pinagmulan at pinatunguhan Ipinanganak noong Nobyembre 7, 1983 at ikalawa sa apat na magkakapatid, si Shan ay tubong Zamboanga City. Nagtapos siya ng elementarya at sekundarya bilang first honorable mention sa Zamboanga Chiong Hua High School. Nagtapos siya ng kursong BA Philosophy, cum laude, sa UP Diliman. Sa kanyang mga unang taon sa UP ay nagkaroon din si Shan ng pag-a-adjust sa cultural barrier mula sa pinagmulang konserbatibong Chinese school. Sa kasalukuyang nasa ikalawang taon na siya sa kursong MA Islamic Studies sa ilalim ng His Royal Highness Prince Salman Scholarship Grant. Tatapusin na lamang niya ang kanyang thesis sa susunod na semestre. Ugat ng prinsipyo Naniniwala si Shan na tinatawag tayong Iskolar ng Bayan dahil mayroon tayong utang na kailangang ibalik sa sambayanan na masusuklian lamang ng paglilingkod. Aminado siya na noong mga unang taon niya sa UP ay hindi siya sumali sa anumang organisasyon. Noong nasa ikatlong taon na niya lamang naisipang maging bahagi ng Muslim Students Association, Labyrinth (isang academic org ng mga estudyante ng Philosophy) at Debate Society. [p]: Ano ang pinakamakabuluhang karanasan mo bilang estudyante? Shan: Sa student council work. Inalok akong tumakbo noong third year na ako. Pero wala talaga akong plano to get into campus politics. Naging College Representative ako para sa USC ng College of Social Sciences and Philosophy. After noong college rep,

diretso akong [tumakbo bilang] USC Councilor. Si Shan ay tumakbo sa konseho sa ilalim ng partidong Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP (STAND-UP). Ipinagpapatuloy ni Shan ang pagbibigay serbisyo sa pamamagitan ng pagiging kasalukuyang USC Chairperson ng UP Diliman. Kung isasama ang kanyang darating na termino bilang SR, bumibilang na sa apat na taon ang pagiging parte niya ng isang pangestudyanteng institusyon. Tulad ng kanyang mga iniidolo na sina Lorena Barros, Lean Alejandro, Andres Bonifacio at Nelson Mandela, inaasam ni Shan ang pagkakapantaypantay ng lahat lalo na sa hustisya at pagtatanggol sa mga nagiging biktima ng represyon. pagbuo sa Kanyang mga plano Ninanais ni Shan bumaba sa grass roots at maging rehente na mas malapit sa mga estudyante. Nais niyang makihalubilo hindi lamang sa mga student councils kundi maging sa mga ordinaryong estudyante. [p]: Ano ang konkretong General Plan of Action (GPOA) na naisip mo na ngayon? Shan: Ang isang plano na binubuo namin ng [SR] staff ay magkaroon ng SR union tapos gagawa ng malaking project ang mga dating SR. May proposal din si outgoing SR [James Mark Terry] Ridon, na magkaroon ng 100 markers for student martyrs. Tapos isa pang suggestion niya ay yung pagkakaroon ng alternative centennial lecture series kung saan tatalakayin natin hindi lamang yung academic issues kundi pati isyu ng mga tao, farmers at iba pang social conditions natin. [p]: Anu-ano ang mga isasagawa mong hakbang ukol sa Tuition and other Fee Increases? Shan: May inilabas si SR Terry na policy review. Maganda siguro kinisin natin yung policy review na yun tapos kung may mga bagong data na papasok, ilagay natin para magkaroon tayo ng enough justification na mayroon talagang malaking negative implication yung pagpapasa ng TOFI. Aniya, magiging mas demokratiko, sa pamamagitan ng mga konsultasyon, ang kanyang termino ngunit dapat maging matibay [p]: Ano ang paborito pa rin ang paninidigan mong gameshow? pagdating sa mga isyu. Shan: Deal or No Deal. Masaya yun! Ukol sa mga usapin ng Up [p]: Ano ang pinakagusto [p]: Ano ang mong pasalubong? masasabi mo sa Shan: Tsokolate. Mahilig naipasang UP Charter din ako kumain nun noong nakaraang kapag stressed. buwan? [p]: Favorite expression? Shan: May tagumpay ang mga estudyante Shan: Yahoo!

Dr. Zafaralla, We have published in our fourth issue two news articles that converge on at least two common grounds: first, the fact that these articles were angled in such a way that they underline the perceived effects of issues tackled on the people primarily concerned (in this case the students and faculty members), and second, which is corollary to the first, that these articles were intended to enlarge on the struggles of student organizations in the face of tambayan eviction. The articles I am referring to are those written by Nikko Angelo Oribiana (Biosci orgs face tambayan eviction) and Harriet Melanie Zabala (Los Baos fire department conducts fire drill). A perusal of the said articles in light of the above mentioned explanation will help support our following points:

first, that while we recognize our lapse in calling the fire exit drill a fire drill, this is partly due to the exigencies of the news articles angle. Mr. Oribiana related to Perspectives Editorial Board that the term fire drill has been repeatedly used by Biosci organization members and faculty members to refer to the fire exit drill both during and outside the dialogues between IBS administration and the organizations. Second, it is explicitly stated in our article that the fire exit drill was spearheaded by the Occupational Health and Safety Committee, in cooperation with the Los Baos Fire Department and Municipal Fire Marshall. We never stated that the fire department initiated the drill, only that it conducted or performed it since it has the necessary technical skills and equipment. Third, that we were careful not to make sweeping statements in Ms. Zabalas article regarding the regularity the fire exit drills conduct. As such, we interviewed Prof. Aida Lustria from ICS so that readers will be able see from the point of view of a participant of the drill. Actually, we planned to hold an interview with the building administrator of Physical Sciences building and someone from your office, but time consideration that is the nature of our line of work precluded this attempt. fourth, while Ms. Zabalas article stated that org tambayans in IBS building are fire hazards, this term is not our own but is quoted from students and faculty members themselves. In foresight, we followed this with the explanation that they block the exit points of IBS, aside from attaching allegedly before the contested phrase. Lastly, the word temporarily in the third paragraph of Mr. Oribianas article indicates that the IBS administration does not intend to transfer permanently the org tambayans at the Student Union Building. At the moment the article was being written, however, the IBS admin has not yet laid out concrete or at least preliminary plans for these tambayans. Also, we cannot easily overlook Dr. Rachel Sottos statements that lahat ng mga tambayan around the campus will likewise be demolished and Hindi daw talaga magbibigay ang university ng mga areas outside the building for tambayan. In any case, we appreciate your taking time to bring to our attention these corrections and elucidations. It is from our readers constructive criticisms that the publication learns to exceed its current performance. For the students, christian ray buendia Editor in Chief LAYOUT BY: Abraham Finney Santos

AKADS by Chino Carlo Aricaya

breathing life/p15

Sr ng Ika-isandaang Taon Bilang Centennial SR, naniniwala si Shan na ang nagiging mukha ng UP sa ika-isandaang taon nito ay pagbubukas sa posibilidad na maging katulad ng ibang pambansang unibersidad gaya

VOLUME 34 ISSUE 5 | March 10, 2008

ThE OffIcIaL STUdEnT pUbLIcaTIOn Of ThE UnIVErSITy Of ThE phILIppInES LOS baOS

UPLB PERSPECTIVE

news

features

Sr Shan/p15

Super Regent

Questions

ang Unang Muslim Sr Si Shan ng UP Diliman ang hinirang na bago at kauna-unahang Muslim na Student Regent (SR) ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas sa ginanap na General Assembly of Student Councils noong Disyembre 21 sa UP Baguio. Ang SR ang nagsisilbing kaisaisang kinatawan ng mga estudyante ng UP sa Board of Regents (BOR), ang pinakamataas na lupon sa administrasyon ng UP na gumagawa ng mga polisiya para sa buong unibersidad. [p]: Ano ang pakiramdam mo noong nahirang ka bilang bagong SR? Shan: Kinabahan na masaya, humbling. Yung ibinigay na trust sa iyo ng mga student councils tapos noong moment na yon, hindi mo alam kung matutuwa ka ba o iisipin na kailangan mong maging maayos sa pamamalakad mo. [p]: Ano naman ang pakiramdam na maging unang Muslim SR? Shan: It is an honor na maging unang Muslim SR pero at the same time, kinakabahan kasi titingnan ka ng mga tao kung ano yung mga magiging actions mo, either iki-criticize ka o maayos yung pagtingin sa iyo, nakakatakot na dapat maging extra careful sa ginagawa.

ThE OffIcIaL STUdEnT pUbLIcaTIOn Of ThE UnIVErSITy Of ThE phILIppInES LOS baOS
VOLUME 34 ISSUE 5 | March 10, 2008

UPLB PERSPECTIVE

ou wear your toga after four years (or more) of struggling through exams, hell weeks, sleepless nights, and seemingly endless hours of mental torture. finally, you say to yourself. all your hard work seems to pay-off after all. your name is called and as you go up the stage someone hands you your diploma. you accept it with all the pride you could muster. you cherish your passport to the real world. now, you believe that a good future is waiting for you just outside the gates of the university.
So Many Graduates, So Little Jobs In most cases, believing that a job will welcome graduates after they leave the academe is nothing but wishful thinking. In reality, many of these graduates will end up jobless. The number of competent graduates exceeds the demand of companies for employees. This is the same old story that repeats itself over and over again. With efforts of trying to stop the raising unemployment, the call center industry gave hopeless graduates and other unemployed a newly found career with the emergence o fthis ludicrous industry from the global market.
Industrys deus ex Machina Foreign businessmen chose to build call centers in the Philippines because of the low labor cost in the country compared with other English speaking countries. Aside from this, they are able to pay their agents bigger salary compared to other jobs. Mainly because of the good salary, Filipinos responded to the need for call center agents the way they did when a need for nurses arose a few years ago. When the global demand for nurses rose, many Filipinos took up nursing, and several colleges and universities took advantage of this fad by offering such course. Some businessmen even took time, money and effort to open up nursing schools. The call center fad is not so different from the nursing fad that happened a few years ago. Now that a demand for call center agents is on the rise, a Call Center Academy opened in Santa Rosa, Laguna last 2007 while several call center training centers opened in almost every province in the Philippines. Whenever an employee is overworked and underpaid or when a person is unable to use his or her trained skills for the job, they are said to be underemployed. People are underemployed because they work for jobs that do not fit the skills they learned while earning their degree in college. According to the National Statistics Office, as of 2007, 6.3 percent of Filipinos are unemployed while 18.1 percent are underemployed. These statistics are actually lower if compared with 2006 data.

y
The Roman Catholic Church leadership in the Philippines said the exposs made by Lozada and businessman JDV III on the alleged kickbacks by some government officials in the NBN project may have saved the country from the grip of scandalous deals, personal and family interests. Lozada furthered that the NBN project was just one example of a dysfunctional government procurement system.

whats eating the nation? Molding the Truth behind ZTE-nbn deal

by Liberty Notarte

8-9

VOLUME 34 ISSUE 5 | March 10, 2008

ThE OffIcIaL STUdEnT pUbLIcaTIOn Of ThE UnIVErSITy Of ThE phILIppInES LOS baOS

UPLB PERSPECTIVE

DEREMP UN

Bu

en

ac os a

YM EN T

LAYOUT BY Paul Andrew Manuales | GRAPHICS BY Kervin Gabilo and Sheric Keigh Tablac

hello to the call center Industry:

Marching into the real world Working at a call center, however, is said to be a primary option for graduating students. But for Kat*, a BS Development Communication 04 student, working at a call center will be her last resort after graduation. Being an employee of a call center is not really part of my plans after graduation. I am looking forward to having a job that is well-related to my course. But Id rather choose to be a call center agent than to be unemployed, she explains. Boy George*, a BS Agriculture 04 student, who, like, Kat will graduate this semester, said that he will not work in a call center. Hindi. Kasi sayang yung pinag-aralan mo. Sana di ka na lang nagtapos ng four-year course kasi pwede naman ang two-year college experience lang [sa call center], he said.

Industrys deus ex Machina Foreign businessmen chose to build call centers in the Philippines because of the low labor cost in the country compared with other English speaking countries. Aside from this, they are able to pay their agents bigger salary compared to other jobs. Mainly because of the good salary, Filipinos responded to the need for call center agents the way they did when a need for nurses arose a few years ago. When the global demand for nurses rose, many Filipinos took up nursing, and several colleges and universities took advantage of this fad by offering such course. Some businessmen even took time, money and effort to open up nursing schools. The call center fad is not so different from the nursing fad that happened a few years ago. Now that a demand for call center agents is on the rise, a Call Center Academy opened in Santa Rosa, Laguna last 2007 while several call center training centers opened in almost every province in the Philippines. Whenever an employee is overworked and underpaid or when a person is unable to use his or her trained skills for the job, they are said to be underemployed. People are underemployed because they work for jobs that do not fit the skills they learned while earning their degree in college. According to the National Statistics Office, as of 2007, 6.3 percent of Filipinos are unemployed while 18.1 percent are underemployed. These statistics are actually lower if compared with 2006 data. Marching into the real world Working at a call center, however, is said to be a primary option for graduating students. But for Kat*, a BS Development Communication 04 student, working at a call center will be her last resort after graduation. Being an employee of a call center is not really part of my plans after graduation. I am looking forward to having a job that is well-related to my course. But Id rather choose to be a call center agent than to be unemployed, she explains. Boy George*, a BS Agriculture 04 student, who, like, Kat will graduate this semester, said that he will not work in a call center. Hindi. Kasi sayang yung pinag-aralan mo. Sana di ka na lang nagtapos ng four-year course kasi pwede naman ang two-year college experience lang [sa call center], he said.
The call center Experience Janette Malata, instructor in the Department of Humanities, used to work in a call center. She started working for eTelecare Global Solutions right after she passed her thesis manuscript even before her graduation. Kasi that time, yun ang pinakamadaling pasukan kasi one day hiring talaga sila and I have to send a younger sister to school, she said. In her one year and a month stay in the call center, her salary reached a maximum of Php21,000. She said that she learned to be polite and to be attentive to what people tell her when she was working as a call center agent. Malata did not think that she was underemployed since she was able to use her skills as a speech communication major in the job. Marami kang skills na nagagamit at nadedevelop. Tapos mas nadedevelop yung critical thinking at yung logic. And then multi tasking talaga. Mag-aayos ka ng system habang nakikipag-usap. Hindi siya nakakabobo katulad ng sinasabi ng iba, she added. However, she soon quitted her call center job because she felt that her health was already being jeopardized since her job requires her to stay up all night. She said her job affected her relationship with her family as well. Hindi na ako nakaka-attend ng Christmas party sa bahay namin. Umaalis ako kasi tuwing Pasko at Bagong Taon kasi kailangan kong magtrabaho, she shared. On the other hand, Agatha*, a BA Philosophy 02 student is currently working as a call center agent in Alabang while she is doing her thesis. She

So Many Graduates, So Little Jobs In most cases, believing that a job will welcome graduates after they leave the academe is nothing but wishful thinking. In reality, many of these graduates will end up jobless. The number of competent graduates exceeds the demand of companies for employees. This is the same old story that repeats itself over and over again. With efforts of trying to stop the raising unemployment, the call center industrygavehopelessgraduates and other unemployed a newly found career with the emergence o fthis ludicrous industry from the global market.

hello/p12

e CALL OF ANSWERING Th

by Fa it

Al ly

so n

The drama of the process This is how you bake a cake. It was indeed a drama in First, you need to have the exact recipe where you can find Lozadas life when he was everything you will need to make this sweet delicacy, at least, taken against his will by six delicious. But in baking one, you will encounter some problems soldiers from the Armed Forces that will somehow make you give up finishing it. Such problems of the Philippines as he was could be lack of ingredients or cooking equipment or it may be returning from Hong Kong last an ingredient that you cannot afford to buy. But the problem that Feb. 5. It served as a threat to may cause you so much delay can also be a result of neglect or his life and fear overwhelmed irresponsibility. his loved ones. The current investigation on the overpriced National During the Senate hearing, Broadband Network (NBN) deal can somehow be likened to the behavior of the abductors baking a cake. The Senate, who spearheads the hearings, made the probinsyanong Instik serves as the chef of this baking or investigation process. This feel more threatened. During cake, which can actually be regarded as the truth behind his testimony he said, I was this huge issue, is currently under the baking process as it was surrounded by soldiers and I know distorted by several sub-issues. Some think it became nastier how soldiers speak. while others believe it could only get better. When Lozada traveled with the six soldiers he did not even know, The recipe and who did not care to introduce Department of Transportation and Communications themselves, he said it really came Secretary Leandro Mendoza and ZTE Corporation Vice to a point when he called all the President Yu Yong entered into a $329.5 million- contract for saints because of the situation he the NBN project in April 2007. The project aims to improve was into. He even looked back the governments communications capabilities by linking at the time when Bubby Dacer, a the government offices nationwide digitally down to the Public Relations Officer of Senator barangay level. Panfilo Lacson, who, along with his Before this project came to reality, however, it driver was murdered in 2000 after he faced a series of questioning. The NBN project was threatened to expose controversies first challenged when Nueva Vizcaya Representative of former president Joseph Estradas Carlos Padilla disclosed that former Commission on administration. Ive suffered long Elections (COMELEC) Chairman Benjamin Abalos met enough agonizing over this, Lozada with ZTE officials in China before April 2007apparently said in a press conference. He said he to broker for the project. Abalos eventually denied has made a lot of things in his life which he had a negotiation with ZTE officials for the NBN he really is not proud of, and being the project, but admitted that he knows some officials in star witness of the controversial NBN ZTE Corporation and that he had four trips to China. project is one of these. Yet, he keeps on By Sept. 11 last year, the Supreme Court issued testifying in the Senate hearings for truths a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the sake. implementation of the controversial NBN contract In the series of Senate hearings and between the Philippines and Chinese firm ZTE Corp. interviews by the media, Lozada enjoys The TRO was issued after the release of statements of high believability among Filipino viewers. Jose Joey de Venecia III via a nine-page affidavit But he said this is not what he is after. He he signed. Here, he stated his knowledge regarding testifies not to be perceived as a partisan the alleged anomalies in the NBN project. And political exerciser, but, as man giving his by Sept. 22, the project was suspended by Pres. recollection to his country accounts of how Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. the manipulations in the NBN project were She did this because of the alleged executed. irregularities the deal had encountered even before its implementation. The Senate Blue Additional flavors Ribbon Committee, headed by Senator Allan The star witness seems to have all Peter Cayetano, is currently investigating this the support from the Catholic Church, anomalous project. businessmen, former government officials and But before you think that this recipe is already other progressive groups. The prayers of those nearing its end, you better think twice, for the who support Lozada, and those who believe in baking process has just begun. his testimonies, serve as his shield as he testifies in the Senate. And it seems that his supporters The Ingredients just keep increasing, giving additional flavors to JDV III is the major shareholder of the process. Amsterdam Holdings Inc. (AHI), which was I think that Im not defending the truth one of the companies that got interested in anymore. Its the truth that is defending me, the NBN deal. Romulo Neri, former directorLozada said. general of the National Economic and He is now regarded by television viewers as a Development Authority (NEDA) supported very credible witnessone who only tells the truth AHIs proposal for the NBN deal. During through his recollections. Some even call him a the Senate hearing on Sept. 26 last year, hero for testifying about the overpriced project, Neri testified that Abalos had offered him which involves government officials and even the a P200-million commission if he approves first family. the ZTE proposal to get the NBN project. From the start, Lozada has been receiving Meanwhile, in a nine-page affidavit death threats from the officials involved in the dated Sept. 10 2007, JDV III stated that controversial project. He recalled Abalos telling him Abalos offered him US $10-million in through a phone call last January 2007: Huwag exchange for AHIs backing off and kang magpapakita sa akin, animal ka. Ipapapatay withdrawing completely from the kita. NBN project, apparently because These threats basically emerged from his of a request by First Gentleman Mike involvement in the project that leads to the disclosure Arroyo. of grave corruption and selfish intentions of the people He also said he was with Abalos behind the project. when the former COMELEC chairman With the Filipinos successful showing of collective met with ZTE officials in China, and action amid corruption allegations hounding the witnessed how Abalos demanded Arroyo administration, Catholic Bishops Conference of money from these officials. the Philippines president and Jaro (Iloilo) Archbishop Rodolfo Noel Jun Lozada Jr., Angel Lagdameo praised the nation for such effort. He calledbysomeasaprobinsyanong even urged the Filipinos to stage a brand new people Intsik, was the former President of power to achieve good governance. Philippine Forest Corporation. He also served as Neris Technical presentation of the cake Consultant for projects being The ZTE-NBN deal is currently the biggest issue that fills evaluated by NEDA, including every conversation in the Philippines. Some say that this the NBN project. Today, he could be the key in viewing clearly how necessary it is to stands as the star witness on oust the present administration and the political system in the Senate hearings on the general. alleged corruption regarding the scrapped project. The controversies regarding the overpriced deal are The controversies regarding now being carefully baked. Spectators are waiting for it to the overpriced NBN project be perfectly prepared and shaped. It may take a longer time heightened when Lozada before it can be laid into a perfect plate to be presented left the Philippines for Hong to those, who, for a long time, have been craving for such Kong, a trip from Jan. 30 to sweet delicacy to be served. But for some, the waiting may Feb. 5, which was allegedly end sooner than expected. And the sweetest delicacy that arranged by Malacaang. could be tasted by Filipinos, whose collective acts contributed He stated in the previous to the shaping and reshaping of once distorted truth, will be hearings that the Cabinet served topped with justice. [p] and Palace officials sent him to Hong Kong on References: Jan. 30 to avoid Senate www.gmanews.tv/zte-nbn Philippine Daily Inquirer: Feb. 19, Feb. 18, Feb. 11, Feb. 8, Feb. 7 [2008] hearings.

features

g un gt t pa Dis(Kurso): pagsipat a

nina Beverly May Indino at Mark Angelo Ordonio

Isang bus mula UPLB patungong Ortigas at dyip na dadaan ng Greenhills ang sinakyan naming ng kasama ko. Mahigit dalawang oras na biyahe iyon mula Laguna, kung susuwertehing hindi sasalubungin ng mala-impyernong trapik sa South Luzon Expressway hanggang sa pagpasok ng Skyway. Imahinasyon: Larawang hindi pa nasisilayan Sabi ng isang kasamahan ko sa Perspective, itinuturing daw ng marami na shoppers haven ang Greenhills. Hindi ko naman naitanong kung bakit at hindi pa man ako gaanong nakakapag-desisyon kung pupunta ba ako o hindi, sa simpleng pagbanggit ko pa lang sa lugar na Greenhills, marami na akong natanggap na habilin mula sa mga kaibigan at sa aking mga magulang. Nagsi-sim swap din kaya dun? Patanong naman. Tingnan mo nga kung magkano ang NSeries. Tanong mo nga kung bibilhin nila ang 5300 ko, five months ko pa lang nagagamit ito. Puro cellphone. Naisip ko tuloy, kaya ba tinawag na shoppers haven ang Greenhills ay dahil popular ito sa pagbebenta ng mga uso ngunit murang cellphone? At hindi nga bat sikat ang Pilipinas sa pagiging texting capital sa buong mundo? Dahil kaya rito kaya pumapatok ang Greenhills maging sa mga turista? Aba, ewan ko. Teorya ko lang naman ito. Basta nasa bus ako pa-Cubao at dalawang oras mula ngayon, nandoon na ako. Impresyon: pagsabay sa agos ng mga tao Matapos ang halos tatlo at kalahating oras (oo, tatlot kalahating oras dahil na rin sa trapik at ilang beses na pagkaligaw), narating na rin namin sa wakas ang Greenhills. Isang

LAYOUT BY Salvatorre de Vince Ollao | PHOTOS BY Mark Angelo Ordonio

karanasan na marahil ay maaalala ko tuwing maririnig ang pangalang Greenhills ay may kinalaman sa mga habilin sa akin kanina: cellphone, mp3, iPod, digicam, at iba pang mga katulad na iniluwal ng teknolohiya. Sinubukan ko noong ilabas ang sarili kong cellphone at digicam at naglibot ako sa nasabing lugar. Hinabol ako ng mga gutom na matang may malaking interes sa mga hawak ko. Hindi para nakawin ito kundi upang bilihin. Habang gamit ko ang aking digicam sa pagkuha ng mga larawan, nag-uunahan silang lumapit sa akin na may iisang sinasabi: Boss, ibebenta mo ba yan? Mataas ako magbigay. Hindi lang pang-Pinoy ang mga produktong ipinagbibili sa mga naglipana ring food stalls at tiangge ng Greenhills. Mula rito ay matatanaw na ang ilang babaeng Muslim na naka-hijab, mga batang Intsik, at mga dalagang kulay-mais ang buhok mga mukhang Caucasians. Sa simula pa lang ng paglilibot ko, napansin ko na agad kung gaano karaming dayuhan ang namimili o namamasyal dito. Marahil dahil ito sa lokasyon ng Greenhills, maraming hotel kasi ang nakapalibot dito. Ibat iba ang hitsura ng mga tao, mula sa mga simple hanggang sa mga mukhang may-kaya. Halo-halo - ganito ko mailalarawan ang mga abalang taong makikita sa Greenhills. Imahe: Larawan sa Malapitan Gaya ng karamihan, minsan ko ring nasabi na ang Greenhills ay isang malaking department store ng mga karangyaang dala ng teknolohiya: mula sa mga naglalakihang gamit sa bahay, naggagandahang mga damit, hanggang sa munti ngunit makikinang na alahas. Maraming pagpipiliang stalls dito nagsisiksikan at ipagpipilitang makita ang kani-kanilang paninda dala na rin ng mahigpit na kumpetisyon ng

detalye: pagsipat sa Imahe Kung susumahin, parang kombinasyon ng Divisoria at SM ang Greenhills. Tinanong ko ulit ang kasamahan ko sa dyaryo, bakit nga ba naging shoppers haven ang Greenhills? Ang sagot niya sa akin ay dahil maraming produkto raw dito ang ibinebenta sa mababang halaga ngunit halos walang pagkakaiba sa dating ng orihinal. Class A imitation, ika niya. Oo nga naman, marami talagang Pilipino ang talagang brand-conscious. Malaki ang epekto ng pangalan ng isang produkto kumpara sa pisikal nitong kagandahan. Naging malaki ang epekto ng colonial mentality at pagiging import dependent ng Pilipinas sa pagkahumaling ng mga Pilipino sa tatak ng produkto: colonial mentality dahil sa pagtingin na mas nakakaangat ang ibang bansa sa atin sa lahat ng aspeto at import dependent dahil sa pag-aakalang ito ang makapagliligtas sa bumabagsak nating ekonomiya. papel at barya: pagpapa-ikot ng Salapi Ayon na rin sa Law of Supply and Demand, ang pag-mura ng isang

Impresyon: Sa pagtulak pabalik Buo pa ang mga tanong sa aking isipan nang lisanin namin ang Greenhills. Sadyang napakalaki ng naging epekto ng teknolohiya at kamalayang Kanluranin sa kultura ng mga Pilipino, lalo na sa mga may-kaya (at sa ilang nagpapanggap lang). Naging mataas, at tumataas pa, ang pagpapahalaga ng maraming Pilipino sa salapi at bagay na hindi nila nakakamit. Kaya siguro patuloy ang pagdami ng mga piniratang produkto sa Pilipinas ay para madali itong mabili sa murang halaga, hindi kagaya ng mga orihinal na kopya. Ngunit sa ibang bansa tulad ng Nigeria at razil, mahigpit itong ipinagbabawal. Pagiging praktikal at pagkakaroon ng kagustuhang makasabay sa uso ito ang mga malinaw naming napagtanto kung bakit sa Greenhills, ang mga Pilipino maging ang ilang mga banyaga, sa kanilang pamimili, ay iniisip muna ang presyo ng produkto bago nila ilabas ang pera upang ito ay bilhin. Sa patuloy na pagharap ni Juan dela Cruz sa pagbabago, hindi nagpapahuli ang Greenhills sa pamamagitan ng ibat ibang anyo ng mga larawan nito. [p]

Sanggunian: http://www.wayodd.com/the-philippines-reaffirms-status-as-text-messaging-capital-of-the-world/v/8783| http://www.economyprofessor.com/economicaltheories/theory-of-consumer-demand.php| http://www.rakista.com/viewtopic.php?t=10251&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=30 | http://www.businessdayonline.com/Maritime/4141.html | http://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/2006/05/article_0003.html

na pag-unlad bilang bahagi ng panlipunang kaunlaran. Dagdag pa rito ang kalagayan ng Pilipinas bilang isa sa mga developing countries, dahilan upang ang naghihikahos nitong mamamayan ay unang pagtuunan ng pansin ang sariling pag-angat

pamumuhunan sa edukasyon Madalas iniuugnay sa kurso ng isang estudyante ang kanyang kakayahan. Sa mga okasyong babanggitin ng estudyante ang kanyang kurso, parang naka-program na sa utak ng makaririnig ang dapat asahan mula sa estudyanteng ito. Kaya pagkalulong sa hungkag kaisipan marahil naging esensyal na sa tuwing Angherarkiyangmga magpapakilala ang isat isa kasama kurso ay nagkakaroon ang kurso sa usapan. Sa ganitong din ng manipestasyon paraan ay parang ipinahahayag na rin sa stereotyping ng ilang ang kakayahan maging ang limitasyon estudyante ng UPLB ng isang estudyante. sa GE courses. Hindi Sa puntong ito, nagkakaroon ng herarkiya maipagkakaila na may ang mga kurso, kung saan tinitingnan ng ilan pagpapahalaga ang sa atin kung alin ang mas magaling o ang mas isang estudyante sa kanyang may pakinabang. Ang kapakinabangang ito mga asignatura, depende ay madalas nababatay sa kursong makasisiguro sa kanyang kurso. Sa ng trabaho o minsan ay iyong makapagbibigay ng Bachelor of Science major students, marami mas mataas na sahod o kita. Ang ganitong kaisipan sa kanila, kung di ay hindi malayong tanawin ng isang estudyanteng man lahat, ang nasa lipunan kung saan namamayani ang kapitalismo, kung saan ang mas pinahahalagahan ay ang indibidwal

ka kasi,

Com Arts kaya

gamay mo na yan.

10 6

VOLUME 34 ISSUE 5 | March 10, 2008

ThE OffIcIaL STUdEnT pUbLIcaTIOn Of ThE UnIVErSITy Of ThE phILIppInES LOS baOS

UPLB PERSPECTIVE

culture features

culture

gali

nina

Kultura sa mga Imaheng Nakapaloob sa

GREENHILLS

mga umuupa ng pwestong paglalagian ng kanilang mga ilalako. Para sa mga fashionista, nakamamangha talaga ang mga damit na nasa uso ang disensyo at mabibili sa murang halaga. Para naman sa mga hindi nagpapahuli sa mga pinakausong modelo ng cellphone, nagkalat ang mga manininda nito rito. I like the bags, simpleng sagot ng isang Rusong namimili nang itanong ko kung anong binabalik-balikan niya sa Greenhills. Sa kabilang banda, marami naman sa mga Pinoy na nakausap ko ang sumagot na cellphone at gadgets pa rin ang hanap nila rito. Yun nga lang, walang warranty, komento ng isang taga-Lipa na dumayo pa talaga para lang makabili ng modelo ng cellphone na gusto niya sa mas mababang halaga. Praktikal nga sigurong mamili sa Greenhills. Ngunit kalakip ng salitang ito ang pangangailangan ng pagiging maingat din nila sa pagpili.

produkto ay isang dahilan para tumaas ang demand dito. Sa isang malaking pamilihan na halos ibinebenta ang lahat ng pinaka-uso at pinakakaakitakit na bagay, sa halos hindi mo mapaniwalaang mababang presyo, aasahan na talaga ang magandang resulta nito para sa mga namumuhunan sa Greenhills. At dahil na rin sa malaking interes ng mga Pilipino sa cellphone, nagluwal ang naturang pamilihan ng murang bersyon ng mga produktong kinahumalingan ng marami. Isa na rin itong paraan upang maging ang mahihirap (kung saan maka-kategorya ang karamihan sa mga Pilipino) ay makasasabay sa pabago-pabagong labas ng modelong patok sa masa. Katulad din sa mga obserbasyong nabanggit ang kapansin-pansing mas pagdagsa ng mga tao sa Divisoria, Quiapo, Baclaran at Greenhills kung ikukumpara sa Galleria, Podium, o TriNoma. Maaaring dala nga ito nang katotohanang kahit maraming mahirap sa bansa, nananatili ang kagustuhan nila sa mga produktong branded at sa mga lugar tulad ng Greenhills nila nakita ang kanilang hinahanap.

Mark

Vince

nt Ba

racao

Litrato dela Cruz: Juan

ni

ivisoria. Baclaran. Quiapo. Ilan lamang ito sa mga kilalang lugar sa maingay at magulong mundo ng Maynila, dahil na rin ito sa mura o hindi makabutas-bulsa nilang mga bilihin. Ngunit pasosyalan man o mga tiangge ang usapan, hindi na bago sa pandinig ng mga mamimili ang Greenhills.

ComArts ka kasi, kaya gamay mo na yan . Nakaupo si Angel* sa klase niya sa ENG1 nang marinig niya ang mga katagang ito. Nag-uusap ang dalawang kaklase niya na nakaupo sa kanyang likuran. Ang isa ay Communication Arts major, nagrereklamo sa pangalawang pasada ng kanilang leksyon tungkol sa paraphrasing at prcis writing, at ang isa naman ay hindi niya mawari kung sino at anong kurso. Com Arts ka kasi. Madalas niyang marinig ang mga salitang ito sa kanyang mga kaibigan. Pag-uwi ni Angel sa kanyang dormitoryo pagkatapos ng kanyang klase, napansin niya ang pagkokopyahan ng sagot sa isang takehome exam nila sa NASC1. Hindi lang ngayon nangyari ito, maging sa MATH1 assignments ng kanyang dorm mates. Hanapin niyo si Mark*. Chem Eng yun e, alam niyang sagutan ito, ang madalas niyang naririnig mula sa kanila. Ito ang nakasanayang sitwasyon ni Angel, kung kaya lagit lagi na rin niyang nagagaya at ginagamit ang ganitong mga dahilan. Para sa kanya, mukhang tama lang din namang paniniwalan ang mga ito. Ngunit habang sinusubukan niyang sagutan mag-isa ang take-home exam niya, napaisip siya: hanggang sa anong aspeto ba gagamitin ang ganitong dahilan pagdating sa labas ng mundo ng akademya? Sapat bang gamiting dahilan ang kahinaan at kalakasan niya at ng iba pang mag-aaral sa kursong kinukuha nila para malaman kung sino sa kanila ang mas magaling?

di napagtutuunan ng pansin ang mga mula sa kahirapan. una sa lahat ang tunay asignatura sa Arts and Humanities domain Sa kasalukuyan, ang mga na pangangailangan ginagawang popular na kurso ay (e.g. ENG1 at HUM1) at Social Sciences ng mga Pilipino sa nasa linya ng Engineering, Accounting and Philosophy domain (e.g. SOSC1 at lungsod maging sa and Management, Nursing, at ilan PHLO1); habang ganoon din sa Bachelor mga pinakaliblib na pang katulad na kurso. Sa mga ito, of Arts major students sa kanilang mga komunidad, hindi ng iilang sinasabi ng marami na mas malaki asignatura sa Math, Science, and pribadong korporasyon. ang oportunidad para sa trabaho at Technology domain (e.g. NASC1 at Ang ganitong mentalidad malimit na mas mataas ang sahod. MATH1). din ang siyang bubuo ng Malimitmangyarisamgaestudyanteang Kung kaya, tinuturing ang mga kursong pagkakakilanlan ng Pilipinas self-handicapping, kung saan ginagamit ito na mas mahalaga. bilang isang nasyon. Bagamat sa maraming larangan nilang dahilan ang kanilang kahinaan Sa ganitong perspektiba, ay lubos ring kailangan ang mga sa ibang larangan upang maipaliwanag walang herarkiya ng graduates na iniluluwal ng mga ang hindi nila paglinang dito. kahalagahan ng mga kurso; kursong tulad ng BA Communication lahat ay mahalaga, dahil lahat Arts, BA Sociology, BS Forestry, paglilingkod sa bayan ay maka-aambag sa pag-unlad Sa namamayani ngayong BA Philosophy, BS Development ng bansa. Communication at iba pa, oryentasyon ng mga unibersidad na mayroong stereotypes na madalas mag-alok ng mga kursong patok Gantimpala ng lipunan iugnay sa mga ito, dahilan upang sa merkado, maging ang UPLB ay Nang nakita ni Angel si Mark, hindi pahalagahan ng marami ang mistulang naghuhulma ng mga hindi na ito nagdalwang isip na ganitong mga kurso. Nakalulungkot mag-aaral na individualistic. magpatulong na sagutan ang takemang isipin, kapag tinatanong Sa pananantili ng ganitong home exam nila sa NASC1 para sa si Angel kung ano ang kanyang kaayusan, ang pagpasok ng paglinang ng kaalamanhindi dahil kurso, madalas ibinabato sa kanya ilang mag-aaral sa UPLB ay bobo siya rito o hindi niya ito kailangan sa ang mga komentong, Wala may pangunahing dahilan: kanyang magiging trabaho. Para naman kang makukuhang trabaho pag- ang makapagtapos ng kurso kay Mark, ang pagtulong niya kay Angel graduate mo, hija, at Naku, mag- at makamit ang diploma ay pagbabahagi ng kaalaman, hindi para shift ka na, hindi ka kikita diyan. bitbit ang paniniwalang sa ipagmalaki ang kanyang karunungang Maging ang UPLB ay pamamagitan nito, mas hinahasa sa loob ng kanyang kurso. sumasalamin ng ganitong herarkiya maraming oportunidad Tulad ni Angel at Mark, tunay na ang ng mga kurso. Sa basbas ng para sa kanila (at sa kanidahilan sa pagpasok sa kolehiyo ay upang mga polisiyang ipinatutupad kanilang pamilya) upang pagtuunan ng pansin ang sari-sariling ng administrasyon, ang UP ay magkaroon ng disenteng espesyalisasyong ating pinili habang mayroong oryentasyong bigyang- hanapbuhay. binibigyang halaga pa rin ang ibang pansin ang pangangailangan ng Gayong may karampatang bahagi ng kaalaman sa pamamagitan ng mga korporasyon na tinuturing halaga pa rin naman para sa GE program. na nagpapakilos sa ekonomiya ganitong interes, ang pag-aaral Ang pagtutulungan nina Angel at Mark ng bansa. Halimbawa ng mga natin sa UPLB ay pagtangan ay larawan ng mga Iskolar ng Bayan na polisiyang ito ay ang pagbabago sa tungkuling maglingkod nag-aaral hindi lamang para sa sariling ng General Education (GE) Program sa mga Pilipinong sa ganansya kundi para sa pag-ambag sa noong 2002 at ang pagbabawas sa pamamagitan ng kanilang panlipunang pag-unlad. quota o bilang ng mga tinatanggap buwis ay nakakamit natin Ito ang ideyang pumapaloob sa edukasyong UP: na estudyante sa mga kursong hindi ang Iskolar ng Bayan sapagkat sa ating mga pangunahing masyadong popular. Maging ang magsilbing kamay ipinagkatiwala ng taumbayan pakinabang mula sa mga thesis pwersa para sa pag-unlad ang kahihinatnan ng bansa. [p] ng ilang graduating students ay ng bansa mula sa larangan ng *hindi tunay na pangalan napupunta sa mga malalaking siyensya at sining, hanggang sa industriya, pamumuno, pribadong korporasyon sa at komersyo. Ito ay loob at labas ng bansa, sa upang tugunan halip na sa taumbayan.

pain ng ak sa ade mya

at An gelic aM

endo za

LAYOUT BY Paul Andrew Manuales | GRAPHICS BY Jacob Labita

ThE OffIcIaL STUdEnT pUbLIcaTIOn Of ThE UnIVErSITy Of ThE phILIppInES LOS baOS
VOLUME 34 ISSUE 5 | March 10, 2008

UPLB PERSPECTIVE

11 7

Denial

PAD

Hello... from p8
took the job to support herself in her last year of stay in the university. She has been working at the call center for 10 months already. Being awake all night is not a problem for her since she is already used to this kind of lifestyle even before she worked at a call center. She said, Sanay naman ako sa puyatan. Kaya nga lang, ibat-ibang activities at functions na hinawakan mo [sa pagtratrabaho sa call canter]. Siguro pinaka-haggard na part ay yung kailangan kong bumiyahe mula Los Baos papuntang Alabang pabalik, she continued. More than her everyday experiences at the call center, she excelled in what she was doing but still she felt as if being a call center agent is merely a job to her. She does not enjoy her job or grow because of it. Kung meron mang isang industriya na madali kang makakapasok para kumita ng relatively malaking halaga as compared to other jobs, call center yun, she explains. According to Agatha, it is the governments responsibility to ensure that unemployed or even underemployed citizens get the right job for them. She also said that the call center industry was not able to provide what people need most in their jobs: holistic development and services for the welfare of the masses. Joining the fad According to a news article titled COA finds CHEd project anomalous posted last Feb. 12 on Inquirer.net, the Commission on Higher Education started building call center laboratories last year for its call center training project. This aims to train students from different universities in the country and make them competent call center agents. Only this February, the project was put on hold because the government auditors found the project to be irregular and grossly disadvantageous to the government. The project was also found to be overpriced. Even the UPLB administration planned to construct a call center within the university. An article published last Nov. 2007 in UPLB Link, the monthly community newsletter of UPLB, stated that the administration plans to tie up with IBM Company in building a Client Service Center and a Software Solutions Center inside the university. The said plan was called the Earn-As-You-Learn program and aims to provide part-time jobs to the students. Part of this plan is to build a call center inside the university. However, the plan did not progress because IBM had a difficult time processing papers in the country and moved their project to Indonesia instead. choose: Underemployment or Unemployment? Call centers may promise employment and a good salary for some, but we cannot disregard the fact that this job is a classic example of underemployment in the country. Call centers do not seem to offer jobs that would really suit the skills that most employees obtained from the college degrees they finished. The growing call center industry can just be a manifestation of the governments inability to provide quality jobs that will suit the abilities of the countrys graduates. The call center industry only provides temporary jobs to the increasing number of graduates. With the present condition of our country, many of the Filipinos, usually professionals, cannot find jobs in the country. In search for a source of living, these professionals are forced to work abroad to be able to provide for their families. This diaspora deprives the Philippines of professional workers who were trained in the country. It is sad that education does not assure graduates a good job anymore. Despite the abilities and skills graduates acquire in their college education, they are still welcomed by very few choices outside the academe. The choice is either to leave the country or to be underemployed--or to be unemployed--at all. [p] *not their real names

*Transcendent

KOMIKS
ni Chino Carlo Aricaya

Almost a month?! Is this some kind of a joke or what? What are you saying man?! Youre probably out of your mind. Matt said, almost in a scream.

Yeah, you heard me right, almost a month. I may be crazy but Im definitely telling the truth. No joke. It cant be! Three people need me! Theyre waiting! I need to get out of this fucking room!

OMG
Episode 5: corny
Hanggang ngayon, di ko parin lam kung bakit andito ka sa OMG GUHRLZ
Boba! kaya nga OMG GUHRLZ! more than one! kaya kung wala ako walang OMG GUHRLZ

guhrlz

Matt stood up. Already hysterical. And before he was able to open the hospital rooms door, the nurse came back with the doctor. Where are you going? the doctor asked frantically. Im gonna get out of this stupid place! So better get out of my way! Get lost! Otherwise, youll have your ass kicked! Matt tried to get pass the two. But he was stopped by the doctor. Nurse! the doctor called. Three nurses immediately responded. One carrying a straight jacket. Matt was forced to wear it. The nurses tied his arms. He struggled, trying his best to break free.

SAL

SKETCH

Let me go! I told you, three people dreadfully need me! They need help. Immediate help! Theyre waiting for me! Let me go! Let me go! Matt begged. Theyre dead. Shut up, you sucker! Of course not! Ill rescue them. Let me help them! Let me go! Its been a long time. Youve been in coma for almost a month. They hardly endured the pain. Its too late Matt. Theyre gone, the doctor explained. Fuck! Son of a bitch! Youre lying! Matt shouted in front of the doctors face and then spat. The nurses exerted more effort to control Matt. He was taken to another room while struggling to be let go. Sobbing, still in a state of denial, still thinking of the three men. Hoping that in spite of everything, he could, in any case, save their lives. At the other room, Matt sat. Solitary, he continued to whimper. [P]

BA bida

Eversince dumating ka, naging mas corny na ang komiks na ito!

Ang kapal ng Bangs mo! E Mas korni ka ka! korni na boba pa! korni!

drowing ni Jacob Labita

Let out those nostalgic and recurring thoughts of food in and around UPLB. Help immortalize Los Banos communitys bountiful and colorful food scene. Be a part of CHE Centennial Coffee table book: UPLB eats : A Centennial keepsake of Recipes and Food Memories

calling all UpLb students, faculty, staff, alumni, residents, friends and foodies

Share your food stories and recipes today! Start constructing those essays on food facts, memories and experiences on: Local Folklore Traditional and Contemporary food and food uses/ practices for all walks of life, across the lifecycle. Food places/ hubs/ hangouts Food activities and Programs. or anything that has/had influence on Los Banos (and its environs) food use and meanings or alternately on the food scenes effects on the inhabitants. The tentative outline below might be of help to you in starting up. Send in your tried and tested recipes, artwork (poetry, photographs, and illustrations) and other interesting materials relating to UpLb/Lbs food culture.

lord! Tanggalin mo na sana lahat ng KORNI sa mundo!

O sige! mawala na lahat ng KORNI! che!

KWADRADO

prescribed format for Entries

Essays should be no longer than 500 words. For those submitting recipes, we highly encourage you to submit as well anecdotes/description and photos of the recipes and recipe information as cooking tips, yield (no. of servings), preparation/ cooking time and serving suggestions. Electronic copies of documents and images are preferred. Entries should be submitted in MS Word (for text) and JPEG format (for photos/ images). Images should not have sizes/ resolutions lower than 3.2 mega pixels or 300DPI (for scanned images) The entries should include the name of the author/s (articles may have multiple authors), address, e-mail address, Phone number, UP batch and course or UPLB position/ affiliation. Let us all take pride of and celebrate our communitys food ways. Write your recipes and food essays today! Submit your materials on or before: april 30, 2008 For submission and inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact: prof. Melanie h. narciso Institute of Human Nutrition and Food, College of Human Ecology, UPLB Office Phone No.: (49)536-2445 / E-mail: nienarciso@aol.com
NOTE: The Coffee table Book Committee regrets that no all entries may be included in the book due to space limits.

watda?

OMG>

Nagkakaisang Pagkilos
kuha ni Karmela Mirriam Ebreo

12

VOLUME 34 ISSUE 5 | March 10, 2008

ThE OffIcIaL STUdEnT pUbLIcaTIOn Of ThE UnIVErSITy Of ThE phILIppInES LOS baOS

UPLB PERSPECTIVE

culture

graphics

ThE OffIcIaL STUdEnT pUbLIcaTIOn Of ThE UnIVErSITy Of ThE phILIppInES LOS baOS
VOLUME 34 ISSUE 5 | March 10, 2008

UPLB PERSPECTIVE

13

Hodge Podge

Sayaw sa Bubog*
uwan ng Pebrero, buwan daw ng pagbabago. Anong klaseng pagbabago? Ano sa palagay mo? Bumaha ng pangako. Lason ay isinubo. Tuloy sa pagkakapako. May utang pati apo. Halos patapos na ang Buwan ng mga Puso. Pero hanggang sa huli, hindi pahuhuli ang mga isyu na nagbigay kulay sa buwan na ito. Patunay na hindi lang pula ang moda ng Pebrero. May mga isyung singberde ng mga damo sa Freedom Park, may sing-itim ng pagpupulong Central Electoral Board (CEB), at may singpula ng panawagang patalsikin na si Gloria. Kasinungalingan. Isang kahangalan. Walang libreng kalayaan, itoy pinagbabayaran. Karaniwang reklamong naririnig natin sa katatapos na February Fair ay ang pagbabawal na magtayo ng booth sa bahagi ng Freedom Park na pinakamalapit sa D.L. Umali Auditorium, gayundin ang presensya ng mga booth ng mga tiangge at kainan sa loob ng FebFair grounds. Ito ay dahil sa ayaw umano ng admin na ipagamit ang kalahati ng upper field dahil masisira ang mga damo. Inihahanda umano ang mga ito para sa nalalapit na centennial graduation. Ipinasok naman ang mga tiangge at kainan sa loob ng FebFair grounds dahil maookupa raw ng mga ito ang pathway sa gilid ng Freedom Park. Kailangan din umanong bigyan

Jovy de Manuel

ng konsiderasyon ang mga taong naglalakad dito at yung mga nagjo-jogging sa umaga at upang hindi magkaroon ng trapik sa nasabing lugar. Nakiusap umano ang University Student Council na panatilihin ang mga booth na ito sa dating lugar ngunit sinabi ng admin na kapag hindi sila inilipat ay hindi bibigyan ng kuryente ang buong Fair. Kaya ayun, katulad ng una nang naibalita dito sa Perspective, isang FebFair to be remembered nga ang naganap. Ang husay ano? Palabas na moro-moro, ito kaya ay totoo? EDSA ng pagbabago, saan? Kailan? Kanino? Habang isinusulat ko ang artikulong ito, hindi pa rin nasusundan ang pagpupulong ng CEB matapos maputol ito sa bahaging aaprubahan na dapat noong Pebrero 6 ang mga kandidato para sa USC-CSC elections. Sa bahagi ng inyong lingkod, na isa sa mga miyembro ng CEB, personal akong nananawagan sa iba pang miyembro ng CEB lalo na kay OSA

...siguruhin mong hindi ka pahuhuli sa paglikha ng kasaysayan.

ang posibilidad na may iba pang mas malaking insidente ng korapsyon na hindi pa nadidiskubre) sa kasaysayan ng ating bansa. Maaaring itinuturing si Lozada bilang matapang at kahanga-hanga ng nakararami at baliw naman ng iilan , ngunit hangad lamang ng lahat ay ang katotohanan, hindi lamang parte ng katotohanan kundi ang kabuuuan nito. Pilit pinabubulaanan ng mga nadawit sa kontrobersyang ito ang mga paratang na binitiwan ni Lozada at sinasabing ang hustisya ay hindi kailangang idinadaan sa emosyon at paiyak-iyak kundi sa legal sa proseso. Ngunit pati ang legal na proseso natin ay pinagdududahan; hindi naman lingid sa ating kaalaman na ang administrasyong ito ay napakahusay sa pagbabaluktot ng mga batas na pabor sa kanila(sa legal na paraan). Maaaring kaya bulok ang sistema ng hustisya natin sa kasalukuyan ay dahil hindi magkaalinsabay ang depenisyon at persepsyon ng mga kinauukulan sa kung ano ang hustisya at kung ano ang legal. Marahil nagising si Lozada sa katotohanang ang ningning ng pera ay hindi lamang ang pinakamahalagang bagay dito sa mundo. Maaaring nakita niya ang liwanag at ang matinding pangangailan ng pagbabago sa bulok na sistema ng ating gobyerno na dahilan ng hindi natin pag-unlad. Ngunit kailangan nating maintindihan na ang pagbabago ay hindi katulad ng instant noodles na madaling makuha. Ito ay isang proseso na pangmatagalan. Sabi nga ni Chairman

Director Severino Cuevas at sa mga college secretaries na pulungin na sa lalong madaling panahon ang CEB. Isantabi na muna natin ang mga hindi pagkakasundong ibinunga ng mga maiinit na debateng naganap sa ating mga pulong. Paumanhin, kung sa palagay ninyo ay nabastos ko kayo sa anumang paraan. Nangyari iyon hindi dahil sa pinlano ko ito o may mga personal akong galit o puna sa inyo, kundi dahil ibinunga na rin ito ng mga palitan natin ng mga argumento at palagay. Bilang mga kasapi ng CEB, malaki ang ating responsibilidad na pangalagaan ang kredibilidad ng USC-CSC elections. Lalo na kayong mga miyembro ng administrasyon ng UPLB. Marapat pasalamatan at kilalanin ang inyong papel sa pagbibigay ng importansya sa mga demokratikong proseso sa unibersidad. Ngunit sa patuloy na pagtangging pulungin ang CEB, isinasangkalan natin ang demokratikong karapatan ng mga estduyanteng mamili ng kanilang mga pinuno. Kaya naman nais kong ulitin ang pakiusap na ito: pulungin na sa lalong medaling panahon ang CEB. At pangalagaan natin ang isa sa pinakamakasaysayang pangyayari sa isandaang taong pag-iral ng UP. Sayaw. Sayaw. Sayaw sa bubog. Ang naglalakad ng tulog, ay tiyak na mauuntog. Ilan pang mga isyung patuloy na pinag-uusapan sa elbi: May walong surveillance cameras na ikakabit sa ilang bahagi ng kampus. Para umano ito sa dagdag na seguridad sa kampus. At dahil mayroon na nito, mababawasan na umano ang pangangailangan sa ating mga security guards. Sana marunong humabol ng mga kriminal at mga frat na nagrarumble ang mga cameras na ito. Sayaw. Sayaw. Sayaw sa bubog. Ang naglalakad ng tulog, ay tiyak na mauuntog. Nagsagawa ng isang tigil-pasada ang mga

drayber ng jeep sa UPLB kaugnay sa pagbabalik ng dati nilang ruta at sa pagkuha ng ID bilang rekisito sa pagkuha ng sticker na magsisilbing gate pass ng kanilang mga jeep sa kampus. Nakasaad umano sa papeles na kailangang isumite ng mga drayber ang mga salitang akoy nangangakong tutupadsa mga batas na ipinapatupad sa loob ng UPLB Ayon sa mga drayber, nangangahulugan ito na hindi sila pwedeng magreklamo sa ma polisiyang ipapatupad ng administrasyon. Para bang iginigisa sa sariling mantika ang mga tsuper na ito. Kaya isinakripisyo nila ang isang araw na kita para sa mas malalaking pagbabagong hinahanap. Sayaw. Sayaw. Sayaw sa bubog. Ang naglalakad ng tulog, ay tiyak na mauuntog. Ilang buwan nang pinag-uusapan ang milyonmilyung dolyar na ZTE-NBN broadband deal sa pagitan ng Pilipinas at China. Pero umakyat sa pinakamataas na lebel ng panuri ng sambayanang Pilipino ang isyung ito ngayong Pebrero matapos lumantad si Jun Lozada. Lumabas na rin ang desisyon ng Korte Suprema na iparinig ang Hello Garci tape sa lahat matapos itong ipagbawal noon. Mukhang nauubos na ang glorya ni Gloria. ang naglalakad ng tulog, ay tiyak na mauuntog. Matatapos na ang buwan ng Pebrero. At habang sumasayaw sa bubog ang mga naghahari-harian, siguruhin mong hindi ka pahuhuli sa paglikha ng kasaysayan. Walang panahon para magpatulogtulog. Lalo pat tumitindi ang pagkalabog ng mga makakating paa papunta sa Edsa. [P] *awitin ng The Jerks, isang kombo

Campus Forum
na nais mong pagtuunan ng pansin ng susunod na termino ng USc?
Yung paglilipat ng tambayan namin [Bio Sci]. Sa ngayon naman, sinusuportahan naman kami [ng USC]. Sana ipagpatuloy lang ang suporta nila sa mga orgs. Leah, bS bio 05 TOFI pa rin o kaya yung improvements na dapat nakikita natin dahil sa ToFI. Jannah, bS MST 05 UP ChaCha, kasi yun yung mage-establish ng image ng UP in the next 100 yearslalo na yung mga dangerous provisions nito. Kezy, ba philo 02 Ipagpatuloy pa ang mga campaign sa mga issues at sa mga anti-student policies, o yung mga issues na malaki ang epekto sa mga estudyante. ryan, ag Econ 04 Jeepney rerouting, kasi ngayong year, masyadong nabago ang ruta nila [drivers]. Hindi lang estudyante ang naaapektuhan, yung mga jeepney drivers din, kasi malaki rin talaga ang nakakaltas sa kanilang kita. Sana maibalik sa dati [ang ruta]. Mei, bS devcom 04 Sa UPLB, siyempre continue pa rin yung campaign against ToFI [magkaroon ng] information dissemination on [UP] ChaCha so that alam ng mga estudyante ang mga implikasyon nito sa mga buhay nila. Sa National [level], since last leg na ng term ni GMA, [sana] continue pa rin na maging critical sa presidency ni Gloria. Mr. carlos piocos III Department of Humanities

[p]: ano ang mga isyu

Ay! Sa ating pag-uugali ay luhang nangapit ang pagsamba sa ningning at pagtakwil sa liwanag. General Emilio Jacinto Sawa na nga ba tayong magkaisa para sa pagbabago? Sarili na lang nga ba ang ating iniisip? Kamakailan lamang ay inilahad ni Rodolfo Jun Lozada Jr. sa Senado ang umanoy katiwalian na naganap sa National Broadband Network (ZTE-NBN) deal. Marami siyang idinawit na mga prominenteng mga tao tulad nina dating Commission on Elections Chairman Benjamin Abalos, Philippine National Police Chief Avelino Razon, at si First Gentleman Mike Arroyo. Kung ito man ay totoo, ito na nga siguro ang pinakamalaki at pinaka-nakapanlulumong insidente ng korapsyon na naisiwalat (hindi natin inaalis

No Fury So Loud
Abraham Finney Santos

akita kita, pero tulad ng mga araw at gabing wala pa sa sampung hakbang ang layo natin sa isat isa, hindi mo ako nakita. Matapos ang kaguluhan at ingay ng klase, unti-unting naubos ang mga tao hanggang sa tayong dalawa na lang ang natira sa kahabaan ng puting pasilyo. Palubog na ang araw at aaminin kong gumaganda kang lalo sa pagtama ng gintong kulay ng dapit-hapon sa iyong balat. Alinsunod sa iyong pagkinang sa liwanag ay ang payak kong kaligayahan na matanaw ka sa likod ng mga anino. Sa dinamidami ng mga pagkakataong muntik na tayong magkasalubong, mas maraming beses na pinili kong umiwas. Para sa akin, mas mainam pa ang makita kita sa malayo kaysa ang daanan mo, harap-harapang lagpasan na parang hangin. Ilang beses na rin tayong naging magkaklase. Sa hinaba-haba ng mga semestreng yon, wala akong ginawa kundi mangarap, managinip at isulat ang pangalan mo, kakabit ang apelyido ko. Gusto kitang tabihan kaso baka hindi ko na magawang tumingin pa sa iyo. Namumula ako sa tuwing pinagmamasdan ka, kaya bago ka pa man lumingon, agad na akong tumutungo. Nahihiya rin akong kausapin ka sa takot na baka ni isang kataga, wala akong mabigkas kapag kaharap ka na at sa huli, lalo lang akong magmukhang katawa-tawa. Lubhang kagiliw-giliw ang pagiging palangiti mo. Sa tingin ko, maligaya ka na at hindi mo na kailangan pa ng pabigat sa mundo mo. Narito ako, pero sa katauhan ng isang tagahanga, hindi bilang isang mangingibig. Oo, mahal kita, sapat na yon, at ito ay hindi mo na kailangang suklian pa. **** Nilapitan kita, pero tulad ng mga araw at gabing wala pa sa sampung hakbang ang nagagawa kong paglapit, agad kang lumisan. Matapos ang kaguluhan at ingay ng klase, untiunting naubos ang mga tao hanggang sa tayong dalawa na lang ang natira sa kahabaan ng puting pasilyo. Lumapit ako sa liwanag para maaninag ka pero mabilis kang nilamon ng mga anino. Sa aking muling pag-iisa, wala akong nadama

Mumblings
*coffee
kundi ang kalungkutan sabay ng pagtama ng gintong kulay ng dapit-hapon sa aking balat. Mas gugustuhin ko sanang madama ang init na ito, kung ito ay manggagaling sa mga bisig mo. Naalala ko tuloy ang mga pagkakataong hinahanap kita sa kasikipan ng madla para lang malapitan ka, pero sa tuwing makakasalubong ka na, sa isang kisapmata ay naglalaho kang parang bula. Sinisisi ko ang mga paang hindi magkandaugaga sa paghabol sa iyo, kung mas bumilis pa sana sila ng konti, naabutan sana kita. Laking ligaya ko sa tuwing magkaklase tayo. At sa hinaba-haba ng mga semestreng yon, maraming beses kong inalis ang atensyon ko sa iyo sa takot na sa oras na mahalata mo ang pagtingin ko, baka lumayo at iwasan mong lalo. Hindi mo man ako tinabihan kahit minsan, masaya na ako, ang mahalaga ay alam kong sa paglingon ko, nariyan ka kahit lagi kang nakatungo. Kung alam mo lang kung gaano ko ginustong maging parte ng mundo mo. Ang mga luha ng pangungulila ko sa iyo ay pilit na tinabunan ng ngiti. Mahal kita ngayon, pero napapagod din ang puso. At sa iyong paglayo, baka dumating din ang araw na pagod na ang puso kong habulin ka. **** Pinagmasdan ko kayo, at tulad ng mga araw at gabing wala pa sa sampung hakbang ang distansya ninyo sa isat isa, hindi man lang kayo nagkausap. Pinabilis ko na ang oras, tinapos agad ang kaguluhan at ingay ng klase, unti-unting hinawi ang mga tao hanggang sa kayong dalawa na lang ang matira sa kahabaan ng puting pasilyo. Itinapat ko na ang gintong kulay ng dapit-hapon sa dalaga upang higit na mabighani ka pero ikaw duwag na binata, hindi ka man lang lumapit, bagkus, naroon ka sa likod ng mga anino at kuntento na sa pagmamasid. Ikaw naman nagbubulag-bulagang babae, alam kong alam mo na nasa likod mo lang ang binata at pinagmamasdan ka, pero sa hindi malamang dahilan, hindi ka man lang lumingon. Sa dinamidami ng pagkakataong pinagsalubong ko kayo sa daan at pinagsama sa isang silid, hindi man lang kayo nagkalapit. Hay naku, sayang lang ang sumpang nilagay ko sa bakanteng upuang iyon. Ang mga torpeng katulad mo binata, mamamatay na lang ng humahanga. At ang mga pakipot namang tulad mo dalaga, sa kapipigil ng damdamin, lilisanin ng kabataan at tatandang mag-isa. Kayong dalawang pinaulanan ko ng palaso ng pag-ibig kung kuntento na sa pag-iisa, mabuting huwag nang umibig pa. Hindi sa lahat oras kakayaning ipagpaliban ang pagtingin at pigilan ang damdamin, kaya kung hindi rin lang gagawa, maiging tapusin ko na ang buhay ninyo. Dahil sa ang pagmamahal, walang saysay kung isahan lang. Aanhin pa ang pesteng palaso kung maghihintayan lang din kayo. Eh, kung karit ni Kamatayan ang gamitin ko sa inyo? Eh di mas natuwa pa ako. Kung mananatiling sarado ang puso, ano pa ang pinagkaiba ng tao sa bato? Ikinalat ko na nga ang mga butil ng pag-ibig pero hindi naman pinupulot. Bobo. [P]

bobo

Oo, mahal kita, sapat na yon, at ito ay hindi mo na kailangang suklian pa.

Umay
Hindi natatapos sa panawagang OUST Gloria ang ating tungkulin, ngunit patuloy sa walang sawang pagbabantay at pagpupursigi na makamit ang lipunang ating inaasam- isang lipunang may hustisya hindi lamang para sa iilan kundi para sa lahat. Hindi natin alam kung ano ang mangyayari sa hinaharap, kung sino ang mga maparurusahan, ang mga mapawawalang-sala at patuloy pang madadawit. Ngunit patuloy sana nating hanapin ang liwanag at itakwil ang mga ningning na nakasisilaw lamang sa ating mga mata, isipan at puso. Si Lozada ay hindi ang ating tagapagligtas, siya lamang ang ating kinatawan upang sa ating paraan ay maaari nating matuklasan ang katotohanan kahit pa parang bumabangga tayo sa isang hindi mabuwag-buwag na pader. Walang panahon para magsawa. Habang marami pang mga tiwali sa gobyerno, habang marami pa ang inaapi at habang marami pa ang nagugutom sa ating bansa, huwag tayong magsawa. Makialam at hanapin ang liwanag, mga pag-asa ng bayan. [P]

[p]: ano ang masasabi mo sa feb fair ngayong taon?

Bakit nasa gitna ang mga tindahan? Tapos nasa far-fetched area ang ibang org booths? Kyla, chem Eng 05 Maayos ang pagkaka-layout ng mga booths compared last year. John, agri Eng 03 Magulo ang Feb Fair. Kasi hindi ba sanay tayo na nasa labas ang mga kainan kaya madaling makita? Ngayon, effort na para makakain lang. Mayang, bS Math 05 Kaunti yung tao. Kaunti yung mga booths. Hindi ko masyadong na-enjoy. Jay, bS. bio 06 Okay naman. Kasi kahit papaano nag-participate naman ang mga tao. peter, bS aMat 04 Eventful compared last year. Siguro dahil this is inline with the centennial celebration. Mas special siya. Ms. Ma. Stella hilario Department of Social Sciences
v

SR Shan... from p7
sa inaprubahang student charter at kailangan nating maging mas keen sa papaano lalaruin ng BOR or administrasyon yung UP Charter kasi halimbawa, yung funds, ima-manage siya ng mga certain corporations. Ang interpretasyon ni Senator Villar ay mas [magiging] recommendatory body lang sila pero nakalagay kasi sa Charter na sila ang magdi-direct ng policies ng BOR. Kailangan nating maging vigilant pa rin bagamat meron na tayong mga gains. [p]: Ano ang pagtingin mo sa umanoy planong ikomersyalisa ang edukasyon ng UP? Shan: Firmly, ino-opose natin yung komersyalisasyon ng edukasyon, lalo na sa UP and other state universities. Ayokong maging mode of commercialization ang education in the future [dahil] magkecater na lang ang UP education sa iilang makaka-afford nito. pagtingin sa Kalagayan ng UpLb [p]: Ano ang iyong palagay sa panukala na gawing ecotourism spot

Ito ang unang hakbang natin sa pagbabagoang paghanap sa katotohanan. At magsisimula ito sa atin, sa ating mga Iskolar ng bayan na nakaiintindi sa mahigpit na pangangailangan ng ating bansa sa pagbabago.

Mao Zedong, ang mahabang lakbayin ay nagsisimula sa isang hakbang. Ito ang unang hakbang natin sa pagbabago-ang paghanap sa katotohanan. At magsisimula ito sa atin, sa ating mga Iskolar ng Bayan na nakaiintindi sa mahigpit na pangangailangan ng ating bansa sa pagbabago. Ngunit sawa na nga ba tayo dahil walang nangyayari? Sabi nga ni Abraham Ditto Sarmiento, kung hindi tayo kikibo, sino ang kikibo? kung hindi tayo kikilos, sino ang kikilos? kung hindi ngayon, kailan pa? Nawa ay huwag maghari ang pagsasawalang-bahala sa ating mga ulirat, sana ay maibalik natin sa taong bayan ang pribilehiyo at responsibilidad na iginawad nila sa atin. Habang ipinagtatanggol ni Lozada ang katotohanan na kanyang ipinapahayag, abalang-abala naman ang gobyerno sa pagtatangol hindi ng katotohanan kundi ng kanilang mga sarili. Sinasabi Political Science na, ang mahusay na pamamalakad ng gobyerno ay nangangailangan ng pagbibigay importansya sa structural (sistema) at sa agential (ang mga nagpapatakbo ng sistema).

mga plano kasabay ng kanyang pagiging USC Chairperson ng UP Diliman. Ngunit gaano man kapabor sa mga estudyante ang kanyang mga ipinapanukala bilang SR at gaano man kabuo ang kanyang kagustuhang maging malapit sa kanyang mga pinagsisilbihan, mawawalan ito ng saysay kung ang mga estudyante mismo ang didistansya sa kanya. Sa panahon ngayon, kung saan ang karapatan ng mga estudyante ay tila ipinagsasawalang bahala ng administrasyon, ang pinakamapangyarihang liderestudyante ay mahihirapang gawin ang nararapat kung siya ay nag-iisa lamang sa laban. Katulong ang buong hanay ng mga mag-aaral ng UP, pinatunayan ni Shan na ang mga babaeng Muslim ay hindi pagsabay sa kanyang paghahanda malilimitahan ng mga panghuhusga Hinihintay na lamang ni Shan ang ng lipunan. At sa oras ng krisis at paniniil pagtatapos ng termino ni SR Ridon at sa ating mga karapatan, ang mga ang pag-apruba ng Malacaang sa pagkakapili sa kanya upang makapagsilbi taong pinararatangan nating terorista ang isa sa mga mangunguna sa na bilang unang Muslim at Centennial pagtatanggol ng lahat ng Iskolar ng SR. Sa ngayon ay ginugugol niya ang Bayan. [p] kanyang oras sa pagbuo ng kanyang ang UPLB? Shan: Tatanungin natin kung makaka-enhance ba siya ng development ng mga students at sa UPLB in general or is it only a means of generating income for the university? Yung budget na ibibigay sana sa ecotourism ay ibigay na lang sa development ng students and faculty. [p]: Ano ang palagay mo sa pagpapaalis ng mga tambayan ng mga orgs sa BioSci? Shan: Isang form siya ng pagsagasa sa karapatan ng mga estudyante. Kailangan ng democratic process ang mga pangyayaring ito. Maaaring magset pa ng precedence na gumawa pa ng mga represibong policies ang administrasyon ng UP.

14

VOLUME 34 ISSUE 5 | March 10, 2008

ThE OffIcIaL STUdEnT pUbLIcaTIOn Of ThE UnIVErSITy Of ThE phILIppInES LOS baOS

UPLB PERSPECTIVE

opinion

opinion

ThE OffIcIaL STUdEnT pUbLIcaTIOn Of ThE UnIVErSITy Of ThE phILIppInES LOS baOS
VOLUME 34 ISSUE 5 | March 10, 2008

UPLB PERSPECTIVE

15

Impormasyon

Kasabay ng paglalabas ng listahan ng mga estudyanteng nakapasa sa nakaraang UPCAT noong Enero ay ang agarang pagkilos ng mga mamamahayag ng Perspective upang mangalap ng sapat na datos at impormasyon. Ito ay pagtugon lamang sa tungkulin ng pahayagan na ipaalam sa mga estudyante ang kumpletong detalye hinggil dito. Bilang pagsunod sa mga polisiyang ipinatutupad ng Office of the University Registrar, isang opisyal na liham ang ipinadala ng Perspective upang humingi ng mga datos sa pamunuan ng nasabing opisina.

Editorial

Ngunit makalipas ng ilang linggong pagpapabalik-balik sa nasabing opisina ay tanging mga limitadong sagot lamang ang natanggap ng Perspective na kung susumahin ay hindi sapat upang makabuo ng isang maikling balita. Kung babalikan ang mga nakaraang schedule ng pahayagan, ang balitang ito ay dapat nailathala noon pang ikatlong isyu, ngunit sa ngayon ay hindi pa rin ito nakasama sa ikalimang paglilimbag. Wala namang masama kung malaman ng mga estudyante ang mga simpleng numero at interpretasyon sa mga bilang na ito. Halos makailang ulit nang naranaasan ng mga miyembro ng Perspective ang ganitong pangyayari. Patuloy na hindi pinauunlakan ng mga kinauukulan ang pagbibigay ng impormasyon hinggil sa mga importanteng isyu na dapat sana ay isasama sa mga nakaraang paglilimbag nito. Bilang pahayagan na naglilingkod sa kanyang mga tagapaglathala, isa pang pangyayari ang ninais ipaalam ng Perspective sa mga tagapaglathala nito. Ilang tao lang kaya ang nakaaalam, na habang ang lahat ay abalang nagsasaya noong February Fair, may mga surveillance camera na inilagay sa poste ng Freedom Park nagmamasid sa mga nagaganap? Kaalinsabay ng balitang ito ay ang planong palitan na ng mga kamerang ito ang mga guwardiya para sa ating seguridad. Ngunit tulad din ng iba pang karanasan, ang Perspective ay pinaunlakan lamang ng isang panayam matapos ng ilang beses na pagpapabalik-balik sa opisina ng Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs (OVCCA)kahit na ilang beses ang ginawang pagtanggi nito. Isinasaad sa artikulo III, ikapitong seksyon ng 1987 Philippine Constitution na ang bawat mamamayan ay may karapatang malaman ang mga impormasyon na nakakaapekto sa kanila. Ang lahat ay may kalayaang humingi ng anumang records at dokyumento higgil sa mga transaksyon o desisyon at maging ang mga research data na basehan ng mga pampolisiyang kaunlaran, ang paglabag sa probisyong ito ay may karampatang parusa na naaayon sa batas. Malinaw na nakalagay sa ating konstitusyon ang karapatan ng mga mamamayan kasama ang mga estudyante, na malaman ang anumang datos na may kinalaman sa kanila. Ngunit tila ang kautusang ito ay unti-unting nilalabag ng mismong pamunuan ng ating unibersidad. Gaano nga ba kahalaga na malaman ang tama at sapat na impormasyon? Ang importansya nito ay ilang beses nang napatunayan hindi lamang sa pang arawaraw na pamumuhay lalot higit sa mundo ng pamamahayag. Ang mga isyung sinubaybayan sa loob at labas ng kampus tulad ng kamatayan ni Along, TOFI, NBN-ZTE scandal at marami pang iba ay nangailangan ng masusing pangangalap ng datos at impormasyon. Paano kaya kung ang mga ito ay basta-basta na lamang isinulat na ang tanging basehan lamang ay ang mga narinig na haka-haka? Marahil, matinding pagkalito at kaguluhan ang madudulot nito lalo na at ang mga ito ay pawang mga sensitibong isyu na may malaking epekto sa interes ng mga estudyante. Ang publiko ay nagnanais na malaman ang mga pangyayari sa kanyang paligid dahil ito ang kanilang basehan upang gumawa ng pagpapasya. Kaugnay nito ay ang palagiang pagtatangka ng Perspective bilang isang responsableng pahayagan na ibigay ang dalawang panig ng pagbabalita. Bago pa man ilabas ng pahayagan ang anumang artikulo nito ay sinisiguro munang nilalaman nito ang lahat ng mahahalagang panig ng isyu na kalimitan ay ang administrasyon at ang mga estudyante. Ngunit dahil na rin sa patuloy na pagtanggi ng kinauukulan ay madalas na panig lamang ng estudyante ang nailalabas ng Perspective na nagbubunga ng bintang na paminsang-minsang pagiging biased nito sa panig ng mga estudyante. Ang paratang na ito ay nais linawin ng Perspective, ang isang balita ay kailangang agarang mailabas ng agaran matapos na ito ay mangyari. Kung gayon, ang pagkakaroon ng delay sa isang balita ay magreresulta sa tuluyang hindi paglalathala nito dahil ito ay hindi na napapanahon. Ang ganitong pangyayari ay mayroong malaking epekto sa mga estudyanteng kailangang makaalam ng mga balitang ito. Upang tugunan ang ganitong suliranin, ang Perspective ay naglalabas ng balita sa kabila ng kawalan ng impormasyon mula sa panig ng administrayon ngunit, malinaw na inilalagay sa dulo ng mga balita na ang manunulat ay patuloy pa rin na nangangalap at naghihintay ng mga datos. Ito ang paraan ng Perspective para ipakita ang panig ng administrasyon. Bilang responsableng mamamahayag pang-kampus, ang UPLB Perspective ay hindi umaasa sa mga haka-haka lamang. Kaya naman pinipilit nito na makakuha ng sinasabing first-hand information. Hindi naman nito gusto na maglabas ng mga balitang naglalaman ng maling detalye. Subalit dahil nga sa kahirapang kumuha ng sapat na impormasyon mula mismo sa mga taong nakakaalam nito, malinaw na ang mga mamahayag ng Perspective ay hindi pwedeng sisihin kung may ilang pagkakamali sa mga nakaraang isyu nito dahil isinulat lang ng mga mamamahayag ang kung anong impormasyong binigay sa kanila ng kinauukulan. Ang mahalaga ay ang hindi pagbabago ng anumang datos upang mapaganda lamang ang pagbabalita. Ang UPLB ay isang unibersidad na matimtimang pinapahalagahan ang kalayaan sa pamamahayag at ang karapatan ng bawat indibidwal sa tamang impormasyon. Kung ang prinsipyong ito ay patuloy pa rin nating inaari at ipinagmamalaki hindi lamang sa mga kapwa-Iskolar ng Bayan kung hindi pati sa buong mundo, bakit ang mga kinauukulan ay tila unti-unting ipinagkakait sa mga estudyante ang mga mahahalagang impormasyon sa loob ng kampus? Bilang mga estudyanteng patuloy na naniniwala sa kanyang mga karapatan, ito ang umpisa ng matimtimang pagmamatyag at pagkilos. [P]

Under Scrutiny

No-El (?)

Remelizza Joy Sacra

he possibility of a no election has stricken the existence of one of the autonomous student institutions in UPLB, the University and College Student Councils (USCCSC). And this only means another blow to the students struggles, since the primary right and responsibility of students to vote has nearly been repressed by the Universitys powers-that-be. It all started with one of the meetings of the Central Electoral Board (CEB), when an argument about changing the qualifications for electoral candidates was raised by Office of Student Affairs Director and CEB Exofficio Chairperson Severino Cuevas and was agreed upon by college secretaries present in the meeting. These qualifications were already decided upon in the previous meeting of the CEB and were announced to the University by the body. But after a heated and debate, nobody in the CEB filed a motion to rescind or to nullify the decisions made during the meeting, so the qualifications were maintained. Later on, this stand off led to a worse situation where the election could be suspended until sometime in March, technically violating the USC Constitution which states that the USCCSC elections should be held three weeks before the end of the semester. According to USC Chairperson Leo XL Fuentes, Cuevas already resolved to convene the CEB, but only if the college secretaries will also attend the meeting. The student councils, however, are firm in standing by what they know is right and just. According to Article 434 of the UP Code, the USC Constitution should govern the qualifications for the electoral candidacy. These qualifications are as follows: a.) at least one semester of residence in UPLB and b.) not a graduating student for the first semester in the next academic year. Unless the involved UP unit does not have a governing student council and its corresponding constitution, Article

440 will be followed. This article includes good academic standing in the qualifications for the candidates aside from the previously cited ones. But since there is already an existing USC here in UPLB, it is only right to follow their Constitution for the conduct of student elections. This means that the qualifications set by the CEB did not violate any provision in the UP Code. In fact, the existence of CEB as a governing body for student elections is only mandated by the USC Constitution and not by any provision in the UP Code. The points are these: why change the qualifications for electoral candidacy if they were properly voted upon and were already set by the majority block of the CEB? Why revoke the guidelines if they were decided via legal procedures? Why hold the campaign and the elections when it will just compromise the student leadership for the following year? And why restrain the power of the majority if it was really for the right position?

The points are these: why change the qualifications for electoral candidacy if they were properly voted upon and were already set by the majority block of the CEB? Why revoke the guidelines if they were decided via legal procedures?
Any attempts to abolish the student councils are not just an institutional issue but an issue of the whole studentry. Abolishing student councils is tantamount to lambasting students right and welfare. And abolishing the sole representative of the students to higher policymaking bodies in UP means depriving the students their right to participate in the development of the University in next hundred years of struggle and academic excellence. With all these issues hounding the USC-CSC elections, the existence of an alternative administration is again put to a more difficult test. But how long will it be left hanging? No one could say, or maybe when the powers-that-be at least take one step back and respect the rule of the majority and the principle of deliberation. But that is actually like expecting to see the Oblation wearing clothes. [P]

UPLB PERSPECTIVE | ThE OffIcIaL STUdEnT pUbLIcaTIOn Of ThE UnIVErSITy Of ThE phILIppInES LOS baOS
chrISTIan ray bUEndIa EDITOR IN CHIEF | JOVy dE ManUEL ASSOCIATE EDITOR, FEATURES EDITOR| aarOn JOSEph aSpI MANAGING EDITOR | bEVErLy chrISTcEL LaGUarTILLa BUSINESS MANAGER | MarK VIncEnT baracaO CULTURE EDITOR | nErVaLIn aMInah LIndO NEWS EDITOR | EULa MarIE ManGaOanG COPY EDITOR | chInO carLO arIcaya GRAPHICS EDITOR | abrahaM fInnEy SanTOS LAYOUT EDITOR | nIKKO anGELO OrIbIana, harrIET MELanIE ZabaLa nEWS |SUGar MarIE baULa, bEVErLy May IndInO, KIM arVIn fanEr, anGELIca MEndOZa cULTUrE | faITh aLLySOn bUEnacOSa, rOGEnE GOnZaLES, LIbErTy nOTarTE fEaTUrES | KErVIn GabILO, paUL andrEW ManUaLES prOdUcTIOn | rEMELIZZa JOy Sacra ManaGInG |
KarMELa MIrrIaM EbrEO, caMILLE GarcIa, JacOb LabITa, anna MaE LaMEnTILLO, daryL MaGnO, caSELyn ShanE MaraSIGan, LyKa ManGLaL-Lan, SaLVaTOrrE dE VIncE OLanO, MarK anGELO OrdOnIO, JOnaThan rayMUnd pandI, ELLySa rOSaLES, ShErIc KEIGh TabLac apprEnTIcES | EdITOrIaL OffIcE: rOOM 11 STUdEnT UnIOn bUILdInG UnIVErSITy Of ThE phILIppInES LOS baOS cOLLEGE LaGUna
UPLB PERSPECTIVE is a member of the college Editors Guild of the philippines and Solidaridad-Up Systemwide alliance of Student publications and Writers Organization uplbperspective0708@yahoo.com | http://uplbperspective0708.deviantart.com

Ellysa Rosales