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MondayFebruary 2, 2015

Volume 28Number 10

MORE INSIDE02 NEWS Enrollment naantala dahil sa SAIS ‘glitches’

06 CULTURE Shake, Rattle, EnROLLment10 OPINION Loose Ends

11 EDITORIAL System Glitch12 FEATURES Terminal Station

02 NEWS Volume 28 Number 10February 2, 2015 | Monday

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COLLEGEBRIEFS

A group of Japanese donors known as the “Friends of SHS in Japan” (FoSHSiJ) set aside a total of P2.1 million for the repair of the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) School of Health Sciences academic building in Palo, Leyte. A deed of undertaking (DoU) was signed this January under which the St. Augustine Sambali Fund Inc., representatives of FoSHSiJ in the country, will directly contract suppliers and workers for the rehabilitation of the Herrera Academic building that was destroyed by super typhoon Yolanda more than a year ago. The goal is to have the facility fully functional as soon as possible or in 150 days at most.

The UPM College of Pharmacy (CP) registered a 100 percent passing rate for the Pharmacist licensure examination given by the Board of Pharmacy on January 18 and 19. Out of the 26 who passed, seven made it to the top ten: Jomhel Pangilinan Sijas (rank 2); Kate Angeline Tan (rank 3); Marianne Alyssa Pangilinan (rank 4); Amira Venida (rank 5); Camille Vien Sayson (rank 7); and Mark Christian Gutierrez and James Padua Jimenez (rank 9).

Likewise, the College of Nursing (CN) scored a 100 percent passing rate for the Nursing Board exams held last November 29 and 30. Out of the 43 successful examinees, four bagged places in the top ten: Anatole Gail Vallejos (rank 4); Neana Kris Samentar (rank 7); and Jao Jarro Garcia and Alexander Yanoria (rank 8).

ORGANEWS

The UP Manila Fiesta 2015 core committee is calling all UPM students, groups, and organizations to be part of its very first launching by setting up booths and stalls. The terms and conditions for the booth reservation can be accessed from the event’s Facebook page: fb.com/upmanilafiesta. For inquiries, e-mail upmanilafiesta@gmail.com or contact Alyana Gutierrez at 0927 588 5631. The Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas (DUP) presents “Bilanggo ng Pag-ibig.” Based on Jean Genet’s Prisoner of Love, Bilanggo ng Pag-ibig by Rodolfo Vera will be showing from February 11 to March 1 at the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater, 2nd floor Palma Hall, University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD). For more details visit their Facebook page: fb.com/DulaangUnibersidadNgPilipinas or you can e-mail your inquiries to dulaangupmarketing@gmail.com

Katribu (Kabataan para sa Tribung Pilipino) - UP Manila will finally be opening its doors to a new batch of members starting this February! Be an Indigenous Peoples advocate now! Contact Neen Sapalo at 09261066987 for more details.

Enrollment naantala dahil sa SAIS ‘glitches’Bagong sistema, ikinadismaya ng mag-aaral

ARTHUR GERALD BANTILAN QUIRANTE AT ARIES RAPHAEL REYES PASCUA

Nasayang ang ilang araw ng mga estudyante ng UP Manila matapos tumagal ang inasahang mas mabilis na proseso ng pagpapatala o enrollment sa ikalawang semestre dahil sa mga depekto ng bagong teknolohiyang inilunsad ng UP System upang pangunahan ang enrollment sa unibersidad, Enero 20. Isa ang UPM sa mga sangay ng UP System na unang gumamit ng Student Academic Information System o SAIS (kasama ang UP Cebu) upang mas mapadali ang proseso ng enrollment at gawing mas madali ang pagbibigay ng impormasyong akademiko sa mga mag-aaral.

Ikinadismaya naman ng mga estudyante ang sitwasyon ng enrollment matapos magpabalik-balik sa kani-kanilang kolehiyo upang magbakasakali sa pag-usad ng kanilang pagpapatala.

Tila naging mabagal pa rin ang pag-usad ng enrollment dahil sa mga naging aberya sa sistema dahilan upang paabutin pa sa Enero 23 ang huling araw ng pagpapatala (orihinal na nakatakda noong Enero 12-14, Enero 20-21) kahit na Enero 20 pa lamang ay nag-umpisa na ang klase.

Hanggang ikalawang semestre, may mga depekto pa rin ang SAIS na nagpaantala sa pagpapalista ng mga mag-aaral. Maaalala noong unang semestre ang mga aberyang idinulot ng SAIS sa pagpapatala ng mga estudyante ng College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at College of Public Health (CPH) na nagbigay daan upang gamitin na lamang ang lumang sistema na Computerized Registration System (CRS), ayon kina CPH Chairperson Chantal Sy at UPM USC Chair Carlo Lorenzo.

Samantala, nanindigan naman ang Information Management Services (IMS), na siyang information technology support

arm ng unibersidad at nagpapatakbo sa SAIS, na sa kabila ng ilang problema sa sistema ngayong semestre ay mas maayos ito kumpara sa mga nakaraan.

“We’re trying a new system, expect natin na may glitches, we can’t rush things,” pahayag ni Alexis Dujua, Systems Analyst ng IMS. “Not all the problems are system problems, iyong iba, user problems,” dagdag pa niya.

Balakid sa ‘online enlistment’

Dahil sa pagpalya ng proseso ng enrollment, nagsanga ito ng ilang problemang naranasan ng mga mag-aaral sa iba’t ibang kolehiyo sa unibersidad. Isa na rito ay ang mga subject na hindi nakukuha ng mga mag-aaral sa kabila ng pagiging “restricted” o mahigpit na nakareserba para sa kanila.

“Most of the problem that arose during the registration period were SAIS account related, mostly due to deactivation or non-activation of accounts, if not special cases where students who planned to take subjects that are supposedly restricted for them but were not able to enroll due to technical glitches and coding issues. For the last two days of enrollment, a significant amount of students lined up for add slot requests; mostly due to their major subjects being filled up,” pahayag ni Ian Olabre, pinuno ng Registration Volunteer Corps (RVC) ng CAS.

Hindi naman pinabayaan ng iba’t ibang konseho ng mga kolehiyo ang kanilang mga mag-aaral matapos pangunahan ang enrollment sa kani-kanilang kolehiyo at tumugon sa iba’t ibang problemang inihain sa kanila ng mga estudyante. Patuloy ang pag-abiso nila sa IMS at Office of Student Affairs (OSA) ukol sa pare-parehong problemang inabot ng mga

mag-aaral.

Sa kabilang banda, sinagot ng IMS ang mga problema na kinaharap ng mga estudyante lalo na ang tungkol sa subject enlistment. “I assure you, kung mag-aaral kayong mabuti, hindi niyo magiging problema ang restrictions,” sabi ni Lorina Alcid na mula sa IMS. Binibigyang prayoridad umano ng SAIS ang mga regular students o iyong mga estudyanteng walang bagsak na grado. “Scarcity sa faculty, walang room, resources din kasi ang problema,” tugon ni Alcid kung bakit hindi makapag-enlist agad ang ibang mag-aaral sa ilang klase.

PaBago-Bagong matrikula at kawalan ng Breakdown

Isa rin sa malaking kalituhang kinaharap ng mga mag-aaral ay ang kwestiyonableng bayarin na nakatala sa kani-kaniyang SAIS accounts na tila nagsasabing may karagdagang bayarin pa silang dapat bayaran mula sa “outstanding balance” noong unang semestre. Ayon sa IMS, ang nakatalang bayarin na ito ay hindi dapat bigyang-pansin. Isa lamang umano ito sa mga glitches ng sistema kung saan ang configuration noong nakaraang semestre ang naging sanhi ng problema sa biglaang pagtataas ng matrikula.

Samantala, umamin naman ang IMS na hindi pa talaga makikita ng mga estudyante ang breakdown ng matrikula sa SAIS accounts sa mga oras na ito. “We are data migrating right now. Aayusin ang breakdown at iche-check namin na maging visible ang breakdown,” paliwanag ni Armina Francisco ng IMS. Kung nanaisin umano ng mga mag-aaral na makita ang kanilang matrikulasyon, maaaring magtungo sa OCS ng kanilang kolehiyo at magtanong tungkol dito.

The Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections may soon be postponed to October 2016 after the Senate committee on local government approved a bill on January 23. The SK elections were previously scheduled on February 21, 2015.

However, committee chair Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. asserted that the postponement is not yet final. Marcos stated that the bill has only been approved at the committee level, and must still pass its third and final reading.

insufficient Budget

Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairperson Sixto Brillantes had earlier argued that postponing the SK elections were necessary as the budget provided for

SK elections set to be postponed to 2016 CARLO REY RESURRECCION MARTINEZ

them was insufficient.

According to Brillantes, the estimated expenses for the SK elections would amount to P1.1 billion, while the COMELEC was only given P900 million.

Furthermore, Brillantes claimed that postponing the SK elections would allow the COMELEC to focus on preparations for the 2016 presidential election.

“We believe that our work is being hampered by an election between our preparation for the May 2016 elections…and an election in between,” Brillantes stated.

However, the COMELEC had already begun preparations for the elections prior to its postponement, with an estimated P100

million being spent on ballot papers, pens, and other election paraphernalia.

reforms demanded

The elections had been previously moved from January 22 to February 6, until it was further moved to February 21.

According to Cebu Provincial Election Supervisor Lionel Castillano, the postponement was justified as calls for reforms continue.

“There is an enough reason for the postponement because in the first place, they had previously postponed the SK elections because of the clamor to reform the SK law,” Castillano stated.

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EUNICE BIÑAS HECHANOVA

Militant farmers commemorate Mendiola Massacre’s 28th anniversaryAquino administration denies responsibility for giving justice to victims

Various farmers and support groups demanding for genuine land reform staged protest actions in Metro Manila in commemoration of the 28th anniversary of the Mendiola massacre last January 22, 2015.

Militant farmers marched around President Benigno Simeon Aquino III's residence in Quezon City before gathering at Mendiola street in Manila to call for an urban industrialization and a pro-people agrarian reform.

Dating back in 1987, the Mendiola massacre took place during former President Corazon Aquino’s regime and was dubbed the bloodiest protest event in Philippine history. Nevertheless, no one was incriminated for the murders after the Manila Regional Trial Court dismissed in 1988 the P6.5-million class suit filed by the victims’ relatives.

Likewise, in 1993, the Supreme Court vindicated the preceding decision. Moreover, no action has been done since Justice Secretary Leila De Lima addressed the issue to the Department of Justice’s extra-judicial killings task force in 2011.

unresolved injustice

Anakpawis Representative Fernando “Ka Pando” Hicap voiced the ensuing oppression of farm communities in a privilege speech at the House of Representatives on January 20. Furthermore, he mentioned that the 6,000-hectare Hacienda Luisita still belonged to the Aquino family.

Hicap pointed that approximately 10,000 farmer families in Hacienda Looc, Batangas experience the apprehension of their land, and others from Hacienda Araneta in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan were ousted from their homes due to the planned construction of the Metro Rail Transit Line 7.

Moreover, Hicap expressed that aside from the thirteen farmers killed in the slaughter in Mendiola, about 100 farmers have been smothered in extra-judicial killings during the Corazon Aquino presidency.

government resPonse

On the other hand, Presidential

Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. conveyed that granting justice for the Mendiola massacre victims is not the obligation of the Aquino administration.

“Baka naman hindi angkop o hindi napapanahon na ihahain pa ‘yan sa pintuan ng kasalukuyang administrasyon, samantalang batid naman ng lahat na hindi naman ito nangyari ngayon lang. Hindi naman tama, hindi naman makatwiran na ihahain ito sa responsibilidad ng kasulukuyang administrasyon,” Coloma asserted.

Meanwhile, Coloma expressed the government’s grievance over the matter. “Hanggang ngayon siyempre ay ikinalulungkot pa rin natin ‘yung pagkawala ng buhay”, the secretary imparted.

“Kahit kailan naman ay hindi itinanggi na ito ay hindi sana dapat naganap at hindi naman kagustuhan ng mga namamahala ng pamahalaan noon na mayroong mapapaslang sa gitna ng isang pamamahayag,” he finished.

Sanay ka na bang magising ulit nang m

aaga? Siya hindi. Pum

unta sa Pahina 09 para makita ang

reakson niya.

04 NEWS Volume 28 Number 10February 2, 2015 | Monday

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ITANONG KAY ISKO’T ISKA

Pwede ring ipadala ang inyong mga sagot sa pamamagitan ng pag-text sa 09175109496!(Pero bawal ang textmate!)

1Sa loob ng kanyang unang 100 araw bilang Tsanselor, anong masasabi sa

mga nagawa ni Dr. Padilla?

Di ko pa rin siya nakikita...- malapit na grumaduate si *toot*, OrCom, CAS

So far, so good. Sana patuloy siyang gumawa ng ikabubuti ng UPM.- kaPTan. 201x. CAMP

Sa tingin ko isang mahusay na Tsanselor si Dr Padilla para sa mga plano at mga nagawa niya para sa UPM. Itinuturing niya tayo na parang mga “anak” niya at pinapahalagahan niya ang ating mga kailangan sa mga plano niya.- JayEiJay 2012, CPH

I think maganda naman ang mga pina-plano niya para sa unibersidad. Feel ko na sincere siyang tumulong sa UPM. - oKAY 2012-xxxxx, CAS

Sa aking palagay, mukhang ginagampanan naman nang tama ni Dr. Padilla ang pagiging Tsanselor. - OverTime 2014-00745 CAMP

Sana wag niyang makalimutan yung mga taga-SHS. Sana yung kanyang pagpunta noon sa SHS sa simula ng kanyang termino ay hindi isang kaso ng ningas-kugon lamang. Sayang naman kasi yung tiwala na binibigay ng mga students sa kanya. Kahit na hindi badtrip ang students sa kanya, it doesn’t mean na magiging complacent na siya sa kanyang trabaho. - mah lee vogue, CAS

Ano ba ginawa niya? - Taylor Lautner, CAS 2014-xxxxx

sakto lang- superhero ng ermita

Ewan. Feeling ko wala pa rin siyang nagagawa since magulo pa rin ang sistema sa loob ng campus. Sana maayos niya yung mga sistema ng bayaran, ng paghingi ng mga pondo, paghingi ng statement at information, para hindi na rin nahihirapan ang mga students, councils, at publications sa pagkuha ng mga kailangan nila mula sa admin. Nakaka-stress kasi yung burukrasya dito sa pamantasan e. - raloksi gn nayab, 2010

Mukhang mas matino naman kesa sa previous one. - qtp2t, CAS

Siguro mabuti ang mga ginagawa niya dahil wala pa akong naririnig na mga angal galing sa mga estudyante.- Burger, 2014-49747, CAS

I really like Dr. Padilla dahil hands on and super cool talaga siya. Keep up the good work Madam Chancy, para sa ikabubuti ng UPM!- Saumensch, 2013, CAS sana

parang pag-ibig ko, walang pag-usad.- awow ha, 2011

Impressive.- hungover, 2014-*****, CAS

Okay naman sya.... so far. First impressions last. Sana yung work ethic nya rin.- kape lover, CAS

Di ko sya nararamdaman. (Probably because galing pa sa break) I am looking forward to her plans in addressing the availability of food for the students.- Percy, 2013-51***, CPH

eh di wow- julian 1969-6969

still waiting for the gabcaf- radio frequency, 666-1771

Honeymoon phase pa kasi eh, kumbaga, kaya hindi ko pa matantya.- schadenfreude, 2012

Oks naman. Beth ko ‘yung Titas of Manila na peg niya. Charot.- prolet, naCAScas, 2014

Wala akong alam na ginawa niya - DrugPusher, CP, 2014-xxxxx

She’s doing things naman, so she’s got that going for her, which is nice.- Maria Joma Kriezl, CAS, 2012-xxxxx

Tita of UP Manila.- Legendre | 2012-04895

Siya ang ganap na Tita of UP Manila.- Tobias, CAS, 2012-2*8*2

Hindi pa naaayos ni Ma’am Padilla yung lovelife ko. huehuehuehuehue Ma’am Chancy, tulong naman phouwzxs. Sana after 100 days, meron na rin huhuhuhu.- mej GC buh, 2012

Tingin ko naman may nagawa si Chancellor Padilla. Pero parang nakukulangan ako kasi hindi ko naman masyadong nararamdaman yung mga projects niya. Siguro kailangan din nilang magpakita sa students. Siguro kailangan niyang bumisita sa mga colleges para mas maramdaman ng mga estudyante at kawani ang presence niya. - noynoy supot, 2011

Hinahanap pa rin ng mga students yung gabcaf! Kailangan na kasi talaga ng pagkain ng mga tao. Yung mga estudyante, kapag lunch time, punong-puno sa Mcdo Bocobo, halatang-halata na may kakulangan sa makakainan. Saka di ba dapat magkakaroon ng mga ibebentang pagkain na mula sa mga kainan sa PGH? Nasaan na? Sayang naman yun oh, para sana hindi na lalayo pa yung mga students from their college. - mama sapano

Sana ayusin niya rin yung cybernook sa CAS! Sira-sira yung computer pero yung offices sa may baba ng OSA may bagong

computers. - OSAn ka pupunta, UP Meynele

2Anong ginawa mo para matanggal ang hangover sa bakasyon?

Umiyak. - malapit na grumaduate si *toot*, OrCom, CAS

Pagsagot ng mga modules na binigay samin kahit di pa officially nagstart ang classes. HAHAHAHUHUHU- kaPTan. 201x. CAMP

Nag self-evaluation lamang ako. Para matandaan ko kung ano ang mahalagang prayoridad para sa 2nd Sem.- JayEiJay 2012, CPH

Nagbasa-basa ng mga module ko at nagtanong-tanong ng advice sa mga kakilala kong nakakuha na ng subjects na tina-take ko palang ngayon.- oKAY 2012-xxxxx, CAS

Nag NBA 2K- OverTime 2014-00745 CAMP

Natulog ng maaga.- Taylor Lautner, CAS 2014-xxxxx

ni-request ko sa mga tao na pagalitan ako kapag nakita nilang wala akong ginagawang produktibo. - superhero ng ermita

Nag-alarm ako ng 5AM pero late pa rin ako.- qtp2t, CAS

Natulog ng maaga. Dahil alam kong hindi ko na magagawa ito bawat gabi dahil tatambak nanaman ang acads sa mga susunod na linggo. - Burger, 2014-49747, CAS

Pumasok sa klase kahit hindi pa enrolled. Ayon, ang dami na agad pina-assignment, nag quiz pa! I didn’t even have to do anything, para akong binuhsan ng tubig ng UP para magising ako sa katotohanan na tapos na ang bakasyon. Pero sa totoo lang, deep down inside, di pa ko ready!!! - Saumensch, 2013, CAS sana

Nakipagkita sa girlfriend kasi sobrang nakaka-miss siya. huhu. at least ngayon nakikita ko na siya everyday- yeheynaulit, 2012

Di pa natatanggal. Feck.- hungover, 2014-*****, CAS

Maraming Red Bull. At kape.- kape lover, CAS

nagpapagising sa girlfriend.- hi gabby, CAS

Makipaghunger-games sa slots para maramdaman ang panibagong semyestre. Huehue.- Mirasol, PolSci, CAS

Hinanap si crush para matauhan. - Percy, 2013-51***, CPH

Kamusta 2nd Sem? May sumbong ka na ba?

I-spluk mo na beh : facebook.com/lolapatola

- Lola P

porno na naman na naman as usual- julian 1969-6969

gumagawa ng assignment ng ibang tao para ma-feel kong estudyante ako.- radio frequency, 666-1771

Inexorcise ‘tong mga taba ko. Wait. Exerise pala. (Nux, healthy living.)- schadenfreude, 2012

Pumunta ko sa Barkin’ Blends. Hehehehehe- prolet, naCAScas, 2014

naglaro ng dota kasama ang mga highschool friends kasi alam kong hindi na ako makakapaglaro pag nag-start na yung semester. - DOTApamore, 2014

Step 1: Go to sais.upm.edu ph. Step 2: Select Self Service > View My GradesStep 3: Refresh until the magic happens. - Sta. Meo, CAMP, 2014-51***

Find inspiration and stick to a resolution. - NBA4PointLine, CAMP, 2014-*****

Nagbabasa ng buddy notes, exercise, tambay muna sa school bago umuwi- DrugPusher, CP, 2014-xxxxx

nag-aral para sa mga parating na exams sa mga subjects ko for this semester. sayang oras. imbes na magpalaki ng tiyan, magpalawak na lang ng kaalaman. - awow ha, 2011

Lumandi.- Legendre | 2012-04895

I lied down, tried not to cry, then cried a lot.- Tobias, CAS, 2012-2*8*2

I, like, focused on my acads nalang.- Maria Joma Kriezl, CAS, 2012-xxxxx

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Sana, oo.

Bakit ka pa nga ba maghahanap ng iba? Pusang gala. Saan ka pa ba makakakita ng UP student na magmamahal sa iyo nang ganito? Na inuuna ka imbes na ang pag-aaral, droga, org works at pakikipaglandian sa iba? Na uunahin ka kaysa sa mundo.

Hindi ko alam kung bahagi lang ito ng pagiging praning ko sa maraming bagay, o sadyang madamot lang ako sa mga bagay at taong itinuring ko nang akin. Subalit kung nakikinig ka, o kung sa isang beses man lang ay makikinig ka, ito lang ang masasabi ko.

Huwag kang babalik sa kanya. Huwag na huwag. Akin ka na lang.

* pahiram ako, Donnalyn B.

miners working in unprotected conditions have been recorded through the decades. The livelihoods of Filipinos around areas with mining operations have also been severely affected. Some women are also forced into prostitution in order to make up for the loss of livelihood.

From all this exploitation, environmentalists, miners and indigenous peoples have staged several protests. However, aside from not having any good results from those protests, many protesters are silenced to death.

As the latest mining law hits its 20th anniversary on March, the exploitation continues. And as the Philippine government continuously disregards its own people’s welfare in favor of elite interests, the turbulent call to heighten accountability so as to address the vital problem of environmental and social harm as well as human rights violations in a wider scale is highly imperative.

HUWAG SIYA MULA SA PAHINA 10 DEEP WITHIN THE MINES FROM PAGE 08

According to the Train Riders Network, the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA)’s statistics showed that LRT-1 and LRT-2 have already achieved farebox ratios of 1.24 and 1.00. LRT-1 and LRT-2 are then to be expected to deliver sufficient service since a farebox ratio of more than 1 implies that the systems are capable of covering both their expenses and maintenance. However, this is currently deemed impossible with the existence of the government’s dependency on the privatization of the train systems.

For instance, 51.64 php out of the 60.75 phpfull cost of MRT fare is attributed to paying debts to the privately owned MRT Corporation (MRTC), which has been handling the train system through build-lease-transfer (BLT) contracts. Bayan Muna representative Neri Colmenares also stressed the lack of budget allotment for maintenance, stating that the MRT only spent 1.8 billion-php in operations out of its 2.2 billion sales, while the LRT only spent 1.03 billion-php out of its 2.5 billion earnings. This is because a part of the MRT and LRT’s revenue lands on the pockets of privately owned maintenance providers, who are guaranteed to receive a 15 % return on investment (ROI) through equity rental payments (ERP), as well as tax liabilities. In fine, the commuters have been devoid of proper public transportation,

TERMINAL STATION FROM PAGE 12

as train systems have been deemed as outlets of both the government and the private companies in generating profit for themselves.

The MRT and LRT commuters comprise of 65% of workers, while the remaining 35% are students; these are the people struggling to make ends meet with their salaries and allowances. These are the members of the society who have always been devoid of appropriate public transportation services, and now are obligated to cater higher fare prices in favor of the corrupt.

Contrary to the government’s oath of devising new ways to utilize public spending, the implementation of the fare hike only underscores that the administration has failed again in delivering its promises to the nation. For nothing, but only several other heavier financial burdens will be passed on to the masses with the kind of administration that enacts decisions which neglect the welfare of its society. But despite the rigid stance of the government in defending the unreasonable hikes, the commuters still never tire out in asserting their rights for due public transportation.

Progress may be stalled, but the nation endures to push through.

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Mga Fulung-Vulungan ng nagjijisang

Lola PatolaOooh hiii buko piee!! Lookey who’s vack vack vaack! It’s none other than your beloveeeyd, be-yow-tiful, and fieeerce but juanderful Lola Patola!! Gravity lang talaga noong bumizitah si Papa F, it’s sooo kamangha-mazing like wow is this the real life or is diz just fantasy! Di ko na keriboom noong nag-wave back siya to meh and Lolo U, para aketch na-hashtag feeling blessed na idk talagertz, just wowlaloo!! Plus gumandiss everdeen ang showdad divah? Sana yakultz everyday okay nalang ang Manila like dat no? But well I have to move on and be who I am soo kamustah nemern kayo mga affowz?! Enrolled na va kayo? Madami raw na pranella Salvador dahil sa shogol ng pag-update ng Sayang Ang Iginanda Sablay parin shiztem?! Pero infairnezz mej gumanderz and improving kesa noong nakaraan, wish ko lang!! Chenet. Anywayz by the high waist, I won’t make this Portugal anymore. Iisplukembang konetch sa inyovaloo ang mga ikinumpisal sa akechiwa!!

Juice colored vonggang sumvong numbah one:

Kagebunshin x2x2 Bayarin sa enrolment?!

HUWAAAT?! Na-aneksung namern kaya ang So Anong Ipinaglalaban Shemerloo? Naka-shoshokot lang yung finances ng iba kong affowz nung chineck nila ang kanilang mga accountzzz dahil nga grumabigteh sa Mahalia Jackson ang kanilang TF. Like mashushulupi talaga dahil nga wiz ata tama ang vracketing non. Isprikitik ng isa kong affowz eh nachakabells siya noong nag-times three ang TF niya ayon kay Sobrang Aneksung Imbyernakels Shenez eh dehins naman siya vracket A. Yung iba ko namang affowz eh nag-bigay na ng datung last term pero bulaga may utang pa raw siya doon, like HUWAAT? Yung totoo, ma-pupurita lalo ang mga affowz ko niyan no!!

Jiritz naman ng Oy wag Sobrang Agit e wiz khalifa nila hawak ang shiztem, ditch that glitch nalang raw dahil nasa recordzz naman ang tamang accounting. Mukhang trollalol lang pala talaga itong online shiztem na itechiwa. In the end ay happy Shalala naman so much thanks lang talaga to the masisipag pipoletz ng bawat colleges na nag-mano-a-mano compute ng suma-langit-total bayarin ng mga affowz ko. God loves you! And Lola P loves you too!!

Pero hagardo versoza lang talaga dahil anek na lungs ang purpose driven life ng Sayang ang Iginanda Sablay shiztem kung wiz naman tama ang computeyshunz. Vulong ng isa kong affowz eh sana makita nila yong break-it-down yow ng bayarin nila every term para wiz khalifa na mag-wondering kung aneksung ba talaga ang nangyayari sa kanilang mga TF. Oo nga nemern, diva Godiva?!

Juice colored vonggang sumvong numbah twoooo: Dear

subjeks, hanggang tingin ka nalang vah?

Di ko nakeriboom at na crayola kumenis nalang akechiwa sa mahugot na sumvong ng isa kong affowz!!

And I read “Lola P, masaquette fala talaga kapag wiz khalifa kang magawa kung ‘di manood at tumingin na lamang havang pinag-aagawan siya ng iba HUHUKELS ubos na yung slot you don’t have an appointment to enroll parin aketch!!” GRABIGTEH!!! Kawawa nemernz yung

mga shiftee bebeh couhz na dehins makakuha ng subjects

until the very last minute! Like vaketsung ba sila wiz

maka-enroll at the same time with my affowz na

ka i-student numver naman nila? Dehins ba talaga keriboom

boom pow liniment yon?!

Pagoda tragedy na nga sila sa haba ng pila and sa dami

ng aneksung churvaloo chenes na pinaggagawa eh pagoda

tragedy rin ang ending dahil wiz na slots para sa kanila. Ang harsh

mallowz lungs talaga. 5everette na ba talagang ganitechiwa ang ganaps for them? We are all God’s children, we are all the same ‘di ba?! Sana lang talaga e magawa na itechiwarla ng paraan, irregz ka na nga irregz ka pa lalo because no more islots for your major majorz. Hay YuFiEm! Don’t make the life

of my affowz harder than it iz pls lungs. I can’t alweiz pray for your soulz!! Erkheeey?!

So there ya goo my beloveyd affowz!! Kung may mga hugot, sumvong, hinanakit, at kahit anong gusto niyong ii-splukembang sa inyong Lola

P e don’t hesitate, gorabells lang! I’m always here for you! Huwag

i-carry by yourself ang burden erkheyy? Share some to your Lola who loves you all sooooo

much!! Til next time, mwah mwah mwah!! Don’t forget to pray! Pakabaet pakbet na!! Chuuu~!!

06 CULTURE Volume 28 Number 10February 2, 2015 | Monday

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#NabinyaganNaAkoNgUP

My first UP enrollment experience, generally, went smoothly unlike the way I’ve anticipated it (based from the kwentos). But the hassle we experienced during the enrollment still shocked us. Sure, this enrollment came to us as a challenge because our FBCs are letting us enroll with little or no help, but that was never the reason of our stress.

The reason that made it worse was the very visible and felt bad coordination of the admin to us, their students. :3 To quote one of my first upperclassmen friends, “Matagal nang ganyan ang admin. Pabago-bago lagi. Kaya ganoon na rin katagal ang gulo, kalituhan, at kabagalan ng enrollment sa UP.”

This sem, one major cause of stress is the Student Academic Information System (SAIS). Though, we were already on the comforts of our home because its already an online process, we still waited in vain. It’s either dapat mag-all nighter ka or aagahan ninyo ang gising niyong mga mag-blockmates para sa agawan ng slots pagdating ng alas-dose. Naalala ko tuloy yung mga isko at iska na wala naman talagang Internet sa kanilang bahay. Paano na sila? :(

Add to that the conflict I had with my Campus Finances in SAIS. Indicated there was that I still have a due balance for my 1st Sem, eh I fully paid it in time. Many of my blockmates and other freshie friends and I shared the same situation; sadly, most of them just paid so, redundantly or not, just because they try to avoid qualms with the admin as much as possible because “bagong salta” lang naman daw sila sa UP, and they didn’t want to prolong their agony in this hellish enrollment.

Marami ang nagsasabing ang #TatakUP daw ang mahabang pila, at magulo’t mabagal na mga proseso. But I, as a freshie, believe it’s better if we will view #TatakUP as our trademarks as students who do not hastily compromise, and do aim and demand for a genuine solution to a problem. In the context of UP enrollment, it is our outcry to our admin for an efficient enrollment system—with clear and systematic flow of process, and with effective info dissemination.

Another is this notion “pagtiyagaan na ang mabagal na enrollment process sa UP dahil parte na ito ng kultura ng pagiging Isko.” It sounds calming at first, but when we think deeper upon it, it seems to be like some sort of brainwashing mechanism to pacify us, students, to disregard the shortcomings of the admin. It is being instilled in our minds as part of the UP culture, when in fact, itself is a product of an old rotten and/or incompetent system.

Pero sige, let’s consider that it is indeed part of the thrilling UP Culture. Pero ‘di ba, hindi pa rin naman lahat ng parte ng kulturang nakasanayan ay dapat panatilihin, lalo na ‘yung mga mali o baluktot. These things should either be changed or developed to be efficient, which is a win-win situation that could benefit everyone. Anyway, culture or not, one thing is certain: action to resolve it must be perpetuated.

Poleen Lyne Youngblood - is feeling determined ^.^

9 hrs ago

Panahon na naman ng mahahabang pila, mga ‘teh! Forevermore na linya sa harap ng Cybernook sa umaga, kajirits na pagko-commute sa LRT at jeep sa gabi. KKLK. Alam ko na siguro kung bakit walking distance lang ang Ward 7 mula sa atin.

Pero ayun! Check na ang pangatlong araw ng enrollment for second sem. Gravacious, parang perpetwal na pagkapagod ang job description ko. Tulad kasi ng dating gawi, sobrang daming aberya na nagpabagal at nagpagulo sa proseso. Tanders man o bagong salta, ‘di nakawala.

Dinig ko nga eh dahil sa mga hanggang ngayo’y hindi pa rin matugunan na concerns ng OSA ukol sa bracketing at grants, pangalawang beses nang nag-appeal ang USC na i-extend ang deadline ng bayaran. Pero pati ata response galing sa kinauukulan, 3-5 working days rin makukuha. Charaught.

Ngayong second sem naman, past is past do not discuss na ang peg. Lumitaw na ang mas techy na kapatid ng CRS — ang SAIS.

To be honest, iba ‘yung tuwa naming mga RVCs at iba pang enrollment guides noon. In-expect namin na gagaan na somehow ang workload ng mga lola niyo, at, higit sa lahat, hindi na namin kailangang tunghayan ang labis na paghihirap at pagpapawis ng bawat isko at iska tuwing enrollment.

Pero pinaasa lang pala tayo. Sakit, beh. Sobrang daming sablay. Sa aking expert opinion ay dapat hindi nila nilabas ang SAIS nang half-baked. At kung ang intensyon talaga nila ay mapadali lahat ng proseso, dapat lahat ng opsyon at contingencies ay available at within reach. Kalakip ng teknolohiya ang precision at accuracy, why not utilize it well? Tama buh or tama buh?

Kaming RVCs, are all trying our best to help ease the entire process as much as possible. Pero parang hydra na talaga itong mga problema sistema eh; ‘yung kapag pinutol mo ang ulo o isang sangay lang ng problema, may dalawa pa ulit na papalit at tutubo? Tigas ng mukha, ‘di ba? Mas okay kung sunugin na lang at hayaang mamatay ‘yung majubis na hydra—mas mabuti kung lumapit sa sikmura at puksain ang tunay na sanhi ng suliranin: ang lumalalang burukrasya na para bang sumasalamin sa ating nanatiling atrasadong lipunan.

Henry Pagoda Jr.

7 hrs ago

Panibago na namang nakaka-shake at rattle talaga na enrollment ang ating pinagdaanan.

Ilang taon (actually, dekada) nang ganito. Kaya naman karamihan sa atin ay hindi na napigilan ang sarili sa paghayag ng mga hinaing, suhestyon, at pagsusuri ukol sa UP Enrollment sa ating mga kanya-kanyang FB Timeline.

Shake, Rattle, EnROLLment

PIA KRIEZL JURADO HERNANDEZ GABRIELLE MARIE MELAD SIMEON THALIA REAL VILLELA

ILLUSTRATION BY CZARINAH CATAPANG TUAZON

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ENROLLED NA KO!!!!! HALLELUJAH!! BEST ENROLLMENT EVER! :) :) :) :) :| :/ :( :(( :(((( *drowns self* Di ko na kaya. T.T 7/8 enrollment sesh eh pare-pareho lang, may kanya-kanyang good and (mostly) bad sides. Pati ba naman last enrollment ko eh impyerno? Nasaan ang hustisya?

Pang-apat na taon ko na ito ng paggising ng alas-tres, pagpila, at paghihintay magdamag. Tanda ko pa noon na isang linggong pabalik¬balik para ma-process ang kapirasong papel. Kesyo nasiraan daw ng printer, nagka¬aberya o, heto ang malupit, na-cancel ang enrollment sa mismong araw nito para sa kung anong event. Eh mas hassle pa ‘to kaysa pagmo-move on from a failed relationship.

Tatlong taon na ang nakalipas, may ilang bago, pero ganoon pa rin ang kalakaran. Mas mabagal pa sa pag¬-unlad ng Pilipinas ang pag¬-usad ng kahit anong pila o pagproseso sa enrollment. Delayed na naman ang pagsimula ng registration. Tulad ng ilang milyong iba pang bagay sa bansa; hustisya, benepisyo, karapatan, pati regla ng ibang kabataang na-“Bagito.”

Laking tuwa (o bigla?) namin nang magkaroon ng “improvement.” May SAIS daw na pumalit sa CRS. Nawala ang mga papel¬papel na ipapakita sa mga opisyales. Online lahat. ID lang at tagumpay sa enlistment ang magiging enrollment pass. Mabilis, walang cheche bureche. Surprise! May catch: idagdag pa sa “technical difficulties”, ang tuition ko ba naman eh umabot ng sandaang libo? At may outstanding balance raw ako na limang libo. Aba, pati ata utang namin sa tindahan sa may kanto naisama na nila!

Ang problema pa rito, wala man lang papel na magdidikta o opisyal na magpapakita ng breakdown ng sandaang libo kong bayarin. WALA. Itinodo na talaga ng mapanupil na sistemang ito ang pang-aabuso at kawalan ng katarungan. Sa pagiging paperless yata eh nagiging worthless na ang transparency at reasonability. Nawala rin ang logic kasabay ng invoice. Tsk. Tsk.

Sinayang nila ang apat na buwang pwede sana nilang gamitin sa pagsasaayos ng SAIS. Wag din nilang ibabalandra kuno ang kawalan ng pondo. Ang masaklap eh pagkatapos ng lahat, may gana pang mag-¬demand ng deadline ng pagbabayad na parang walang naabuso. Sa tingin ba nila ay natatapos sa kung nakapag-¬enroll o hindi ang kahulugan ng matagumpay na enrollment?

Sa pananatili ng mahinang administrasyon, mananatili rin ang mahabang pila tungo sa pag-unlad. Tatak man kuno ng buhay Iskolar ang magdamagang pag-pila, walang katarungan ang patuloy na pagpapatali sa sistemang pinaglalaruan ang karapatan ng marami.

O siya, punta lang akong OSA’t makikipag-tuos sa utangan.

Emilio R. Magtapos

5 hrs ago

Jgh! Grabe sobrang fulfilling talaga makatulong! Congrats sa lahat ng mga successful na naka¬-enroll kanina. :)

As usual, marami pa ring nahirapan at nagkaroon ng problema kanina pero buti na lang at natugunan agad. Maraming mga nagrereklamo na wala raw nagbago, na ‘yung changes sa mga programa at proseso ay wala namang naidulot na maganda. Naiintindihan ko kasi naranasan ko rin naman ‘yun noon. Syempre ‘di namin masisisi ang mga estuyandte dahil biktima rin sila at ang mas nakakalungkot ay taun-taong nangyayari ito sa kanila.

Even so, the OSA, IMS, and OCS people, true to the services offered, work together for a smoother enrollment flow from enlistment to payment, even beyond if really needed. The OCS takes care of concerns sa courses, giving us instructions to effectively provide help. OSA naman takes care of issues regarding bracketing, scholarships, even provides financial aid para sa mga ‘di kayang magbayad agad. IMS, on the other hand, keeps working on delivering a better SAIS to use.

Kaming mga RVC naman ay nakikipagtulungan sa kanila at kahit gaano pa katagal kami tumayo o maglakad-¬lakad, gagawin at gagawin namin. We make sure na lahat ng announcements, reminders, or kahit minute enrollment details from office to office ay maipaparating sa mga students.

But as Murphy’s Law would allow, there are things that are beyond our control even as we work together. You see, even as with the body, the failure of the kidneys won’t be concealed by the perfection of the liver. Kahit na maganda ang takbo ng paglabas ng papers sa OCS, hindi naman nito masisiguro ang parehong ganda ng paglabas ng grants ng OSA. Pero doon din makikita na hindi sinusukuan ng mga officials ang students, sa patuloy na pagtatrabaho kahit walang ¬katapusan ang dagsa ng tao.

Aware ako na madalas may mga conflicts pero that’s why there are changes na syempre pinupunan ang needs ng students. Hindi naman ginawa ang SAIS para mas mapagulo ang enrollment as others would jest. Don’t you guys see na mas madali siya kaysa sa filing ng EPN? Sa SAIS, wala ka nang kailangan fill up-an kasi nese SAIS ne eng lehet. Wait for the billing request and you’re good to go.

Ang buong unibersidad ay apektado sa uri ng sistema ng enrollment. Pero tiwala ako na tayo rin ang makakapag-paunlad nito. Tao tayo na marunong bumagay at makapagbago, o makapagdala ng pagbabago. Malaki ang tiwala kong magiging maayos rin ang iba’t ibang aspeto ng enrollment.

Ang tanging hiling namin eh sana maging matatag pa rin ang mga estudyante sa mga araw na ‘to. Binagyo man ang ating pagpapasensya at tiyaga, ang edukasyon namang nakukuha at naibabahagi ang nagsisilbing tagumpay natin sa huli. As Thought Catalog would say, “It’ll get better.” Ayun, good luck sa mga mag¬-eenroll sa mga susunod na araw! :)

Beatrice Hope Liwanag - is feeling satisfied

3 hrs ago

Pumatak na naman ang nakakahilakbot na enrollment period. Taon-taon, isinusubo sa atin ang ganitong sistema. Pero hindi ba’t mas mabuti kung ang pagsasamantalang labis na itinutulak sa ating lalamunan at sikmura ay ating iduwal? Panahon na para ma-shake at ma-rattle ang administrasyong para bang nagbibingi-bingihan sa mga hinaing ng bawat mag-aaral.

Mahaba pa ang pila, at mukhang mabagal ang proseso. Pero darating din tayo diyan — sa dulo, sa pagbabago, at sa pag-unlad.

Oblation

5 mins ago

08 FEATURES Volume 28 Number 10February 2, 2015 | Monday

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Ever since the start of the mining industry in the Philippines, its goal

has been bent on capitalism and profit maximization, and never for national industrialization. Laws have been passed not to serve as limitations in the form of rules and regulations but rather political instruments embodying the interest of the ruling class, both foreign and local elites.

The mining industry became an industry founded on repression and domination, serving the interests of the few while undermining the rights of the masses. Without proper analysis and better goals, no law will be able to reconcile the interests of the mining industry and the people.

U N D E R T H E F O R E I G N H A N D SIt was the colonizers who implemented the first three mining laws which set the standards and goals of the Philippine mining industry — one that is bent on absolute exploitation and a complete disregard to the national interest.

The first mining law was passed during the Spanish occupation, the Spanish Royal Decree of 1837. It placed the Philippine mining industry under the administration of the Inspeccion General de Minas under the Governor-General. It was at this time that the first official mining site was opened: the Lepanto Mine. The mine, at present, have been attributed to issues like sinking of land and pollution of rivers. Aside from those issues, there have been protests regarding unpaid workers further burdened by the sudden retrenchment in 2011 without receiving their proper benefits; it has been reported that the unpaid wages amount to around Php254 million.

The next mining law, under A m e r i c a n colonizat ion, was Philippine Bill of 1902 that transferred

the Philippine mining industry from Spain to the United States. It states that mining claim would be available for all Americans while it would only be available for Filipinos in certain areas. United States discovered the mining potential of Benguet which later became the capital of the mining industry in the Philippines, with almost 20 gold mines opened.

Along with the peak of the American colonization, the third mining law, Commonwealth Act 137, was passed. It further expanded the scope of the mining industry but this time, at least 60% of the administration was in the hands of the Filipinos. It is under this law that the stealing of lands for mining started, as it is stated in Section 10 of the law that all areas are open to mining except those especially closed (i.e. areas with private or public works) along with Section 27 stating that the Filipino owner of a land which was seen to have a mining potential will eventually have to give up his or her rights on the land. Many ancestral lands were subjected to mining operations resulting to the loss of ancestral domains and residence of many indigenous populations.

U N D E R T H E L O C A L H A N D SIt was an obvious fact that the colonizers would not value the environment as well as the people of Philippines so long as they were able to advance their own interest. However, the succeeding mining laws, marking the so-called “Reign of Greed,” were perpetrated by the Filipino political elite.

Along with the declaration of Martial Law, came the fourth mining law, Presidential Decree 463 (PD 463). Under this law, the

protection of the environment was never mentioned. It also

continued the land stealing provisions of the

third mining law. Moreover, if the owner of a land refuses, the court may interfere and render the land owner’s refusal useless. At this point, the mining industry became heavily environmentally destructive and out of control, leading it further hazardous to the people.

The series of dissents coming from environmental groups increased the pressure for the government to control the then already uncontrollable adverse effects of mining. Presidential Decree No. 1899 (PD 1899), which promotes small-scale mining, was passed. These mining laws aimed to mitigate the negative implications of mining by decreasing the number of large-scale miners through promoting small-scale mining which use less machineries. But these laws had loopholes that could be taken advantage of, such as not limiting the number of the small-scale mines one could own.

U N D E R B O T H F O R E I G N A N D L O C A L H A N D S

The fifth mining law is Republic Act No. 7942, also known as Philippine Mining Act of 1995 (MA of 1995), under the Ramos administration. It provides two ways in forming mining contracts: the Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) and the Foreign Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA), wherein the latter permits full foreign ownership of mining operations. Meanwhile, the benefits of mining shall be divided equally between the government and the contractor. This presents a large disadvantage for the Philippines as the 50% of the benefits will further be cut down into several parts to distribute it to the national, municipal, and other different g o v e r n m e n t levels while t h e

foreign corporations will earn half of the country's natural resources without any accountability on the externalities of mining.

Under the Arroyo Administration, Executive Order 270 (EO 270), along with its amendment, Executive Order 270-A (EO 270-A), was declared in order to promote the revitalization of the mining industry as well as responsible mining. However, it does not state any actions against the oppressive firms nor does it provide protection of the oppressed. It states that the environment shall be kept away from harm but does not provide any concrete context of environmental harm as well as practical application of environmental protection. Final decisions regarding the passage of these laws were also based on commercial statistics and goals rather than the concerns of the affected communities.

The latest action done regarding the mining industry was the implementation of Executive Order 79 (EO 79). It aims to reconcile the interests of the businesses and the local communities. However, it doesn’t necessarily protect the environment as well as the people. It states that: (1) critical ecosystems are closed to mining operations which only covers those that are officially declared as critical ecosystems. Some environmentalists added that investigations are also expensive, that by the time they declare an area as a critical ecosystem, it was already a mining area. Moreover, contradictory to its goal, it prioritizes the large-scale companies as it prohibits the passing of anti-mining laws which is a huge part of the declaration of the interests of local communities.

The mining laws have sought for the protection of the

environment but with vague contexts. In

addition, none of the mining laws sought for the welfare

of the miners. U n c o u n t a b l e cases of unpaid wages and

D E E P W I T H I N T H E M I N E SA T I M E L I N E O F T H E P H I L I P P I N E M I N I N G L A W S

AMANDA ERIKA MITERIA LIM MARIA CATALINA BAJAR BELGIRA

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RIPPLESJENNY MARY CAMAMA DAGUN

WASTED EUNICE BIÑAS HECHANOVA

UNTITLED GAYLE CALIANGA REYNA

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10 OPINION Volume 28 Number 10February 2, 2015 | Monday

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MISGIVINGS*ELECTROPHILEPatrick Jacob Laxamana Liwag

H U W A G S I Y A *

BASAG-ULOLean Sandigan

Naniniwala akong pinagtagpo tayo ng tadhana dahil sa isang dahilan, at iyon ay ang para makalimutan mo siya.

Nakilala kita sa panahong ang pag-ibig ay hindi ko na inaasahang dumating. Sa totoo lang, malapit na ako roon sa punto ng pagsuko — na ang UP life ko ay mapupuno lang ng pag-aaral. Walang darating, walang mawawala. Kuntento na ako sa ganoong buhay, hanggang sa dumating ka.

Nakilala kita sa panahong may ginagamot kang mga sugat, mga sugat mula sa nasira at naiwang pag-ibig. Sa likod ng masayahin mong mata at matamis na ngiti, alam kong talagang minahal mo siya. Kahit anong pagtago mo, ang kalungkutan mo ay umalingasaw na parang imburnal sa Faura. Nabubulok. Unti-unti kang pinapatay ng impeksyon at sakit. Alam ko, dahil dumaan na rin ako sa maraming kamalasan, at ilang beses na rin akong umasa at nasaktan.

Unti-unting nakumpleto ang mga araw na akala ko’y matagal nang puno ng ibang bagay. Hindi ko alam kung nadiskubre kong may oras pa pala talaga ako para isingit ka, o sadyang itinapon ko ang lahat mabigyan ka lang ng oras.

Pero alam kong hindi lang ako ang nakadiskubre sa mga libreng oras. Masaya ako dahil ikaw rin nakahanap ng oras para sa akin. Ang tanong na lang naman talagang natitira ay kung ako na ba ang nagiging batayan mo ng pagplano ng mga kasalukuyan at ng mga susunod na araw.

Kung tutuusin, sa likod ng pag-iimbot, ang katunayan ay parehas tayong naghanap at nangailangan, at parehas natin naging tugon ang isa’t isa.

Hindi ko na makilala ang sarili ko nang wala ka. Adik na ata ako sa iyo. Dumikit ka na sa akin na parang usok mula sa yosi. Ngunit ‘wag mo sanang isipin na nagyoyosi ako, sapat na sa akin ang may kinaadikang isang bagay. At ikaw ‘yun.

At ikaw rin naman, nakalimutan na siya. Ikaw rin, natuklasan ako bilang isang drogang mahirap iwan. Ikaw rin, tulad ko, ay nakalimutan ang nakaraan. Pero gusto kong bumalik sa una kong sinabi sa artikulong ito: katumbas ba ng pagkalimot ang pagkawala ng pagmamahal?

We were young. We were in love.

I met you at the point of my life when I was still naive about the matters of the love. I fell in love with you quickly, and before I know it, I’m bound to you. Until now, that moment when I won over your heart remains as the happiest of my life. We had our little bumps, the biggest of which being my choice of university.

Despite everything we faced, we managed to stay together. Despite the ninety kilometers separating us, here we are, still in love with each other. Despite the fact that I rarely go home anymore, we accomplished a feat I never imagined possible. Despite our petty quarrels and disagreements, I still love you.

However, I realized something as I was conversing with a friend.

I regret meeting you this early in my life.

As I said earlier, we were young and in love, and I fell in love with you when I was still naive. And with naiveté comes curiosity. I realized that being with you robbed me of various opportunities in

life and in love. Maybe this realization is the cause why I flirt around so much, as my subconscious works to answer the questions I have about love. In my attempt to answer these questions, I became infatuated with several people. I never delved into it seriously, as I wouldn’t dream of throwing away the three years we now have.

For a curious mind such as mine, “What Ifs” are poison. I found myself doubting everything. I wondered if you truly are “The One”, or is that person somewhere else. I pondered if I would have been better off with you or another soul. Would I be happy right now, if the past never happened or I met someone else?

I went about contemplating on the

various “What Ifs” until a passage from David Levithan’s The Lover’s Dictionary slapped some sense into me.

“Last night, I got up the courage to ask you if you regretted us.

‘There are things I miss,’ you said. ‘But if I didn’t have you, I’d miss more.’”

If I hadn’t met you, God knows where I am right now. I might be happy or sad or angry or nothing. Right now, I don’t care because all I need is you. I don’t give a damn if I would’ve been better off somewhere or with someone. I don’t care if you are not “The One” and she’s waiting for me somewhere else. All I care about is you because ever since we met, my life has turned for the better. And all I want to do is prove that there is such a thing called forever by loving you.

My head is now clear, plagued no more by the various futures I once imagined. Right now, the only “What If” that haunts me is “What if I never met you?”. Right now, the only future I see is one with you. * Thank you for the passage, David Levithan

LOOSE ENDSECCEDENTESIASGayle Calianga Reyna

I woke up to the sound of rain knocking on my windowpane. The cold air

creeping up my spine was greeted by the warmth of my insides. I looked outside, to the dark clouds and grey skies that washed away last night’s meriness, a pitter-patter to every swish and kaboom that illuminated the night sky. The faint smell of phosphorus that lingered in my room got me thinking if it were the sparklers that really took my breath away, but it also reminded me that it was a new year, a fresh start.

The past year has been tough. I cannot imagine how I managed to make it this far, but I feel that I can make it further into the calendar pages. I don’t usually believe in signs, but I saw the rain as an omen of good things to come or rather an I who will be more accepting of reality. Someone who can look at things from a perspective other than what they wish to see, along with the willingness to learn, to change, to act and to speak up. I know I’m messed up, but who would want to stay that way? Even the sky gets brighter after the storm. I think that happiness, the kind that will make you smile at yourself in the long run, is more than getting what you want, more than telling yourself you’re ahead of others. It’s more than

self-gratification. And to experience that kind of happiness is what I’ll spend this year and maybe the next years for.

Will I find it inside a beautifully wrapped box or in the things with glitters that could match the stars? Or will it be under a rock, on a bed of roses or a field of daisies, or will it be carried by the wind like how dandelions carry wishes? Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe

I’ll find it under my nose, in a café, in the warmth of a stranger’s hand, or maybe in a loved one’s embrace, but isn’t that what makes it worth the risks, worth the adventure? It makes you look forward to something, who knows what, but it’s the thing that makes each day tolerable, meaningful, and unlike any other day. That great perhaps or whatever, it’s like a feeling that hits you

and makes you realize that you’re the one who trapped yourself in a rut. You could free yourself from the shackles that bind your right hand anytime, but only if you allow your left hand to use the key it’s been holding all this time.

Life is kind of silly, like a loose string of a knitted sweater you’re wearing. Something inside you makes you want to pull it even though you have no idea when the pulling might end or where it might lead. But you know that there’s a certain joy, a feeling of satisfaction from being able to unravel something even if it could strip you naked. There’s a certain zing that tickles your brain and makes you believe in the search for one’s soul, a purpose that convinces you to live and get up no matter how hard life knocks you down. A calm assurance, a voice inside you that keeps on whispering that there is something beyond dreaming: the chase, the realization, the “make it happen.” It’s never too late to tie the loose ends.

And maybe this time I can make it better, not only for myself, but also for the people I care for.

“AND ALL I WANT TO DO IS PROVE THAT THERE IS SUCH A THING CALLED FOREVER BY LOVING YOU.

“LIFE IS KIND OF SILLY, LIKE A LOOSE STRING OF A KNITTED SWEATER YOU’RE WEARING.

EDITORIAL 11Volume 28 Number 10Monday | February 2, 2015\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

SMALL GLITCHES CAN REFLECT GREATER PROBLEMS IN THE SYSTEM.

The enrollment for the second semester last January 12-15, 20 and 21, comes with sets of problems and disappointments for many students of UP Manila. Iskolars ng Bayan have showed their dismay on the Student Academic Information System (SAIS) as cases of lacking or incorrect financial information are indicated in their accounts, forcing students to pay bigger fees than what they pay last semester.

With the rising prices of basic commodities and services that includes education, mistakes or lack of information regarding the true financial status of students can push many families into greater poverty. Furthermore, such holes in the system like these are niches where commercialization in education may develop, all in the expense of the students. Failure of the administration to deliver suggests an impending doom to all students and the Filipino youth.

The initial implementation of SAIS for the first semester of the academic year 2014-2015 have showed the glitches of the new program. Geared towards innovation, SAIS replaced the Computerized Registration System (CRS) that the university was using before. However, since UP Manila is so far the sole subscriber of the SAIS program in the UP System, the university and its students became the guinea pigs. The premature implementation resulted to various technical problems and were translated to discrepancies in classes enlisted, number of units taken, enrollment dates rescheduled, thus delaying the enrollment ultimately. The initial perception of SAIS was terrible, and so is its release this semester.

The long lines of enrollment and delays experienced last semester are replaced with more ambiguity and incompetence.

First among the problems was the outstanding balances indicated in some of SAIS accounts. According to what is indicated in the SAIS accounts of some students, these balances are from the last semester, however, some of the accounts that have pending fees were already paid prior to the enrollment.

Yet the glitches do not end with what is indicated on the unpaid fees. The enrollment for the second semester opened more ominous events for the Iskolars ng Bayan.

Followed by incorrect information regarding balances last semesters are the tuition fees and miscellaneous fees to be paid this semester. Most of the complaints of students are about monstrous increases in their required fees. In some cases, Bracket C students are given the tuition fee of Bracket A students, making their indicated fees in the SAIS jump from P 12,000 in the first semester to almost P 30,000 this semester. On the other hand, some accounts have fee increases that range from P 1,500 to P 8,000 without reason or prior notice.

Yet more disappointments were felt as students ascertained that the fees needed

to be paid do not have a breakdown, making the payments fraudulent. The lack of transparency from SAIS can lead to more dubious and unexplained increases.

The chaos caused by the glitches in SAIS produced victims mainly from freshmen who have already paid their fees just to get away from the chagrin of enrollment. Far from advices and information about their accounts and fees, many chose to pay regardless of the unexplained increase from their respective brackets.

For some cases, these glitches in the system forced students to confront and ask the SAIS team and the Office of

Student Affairs (OSA) of the university, however, these engagements do not produce a comprehensive solution. The students should not have to swarm the administration with complaints before fixing the flawed system of SAIS and enrolment.

Furthermore, the issue of the lack of breakdown in fees creates a dark future for the Iskolars ng Bayan and the Filipino youth. The lack of breakdown can entail deregulation of fees in the education system, which result to added fees burdened by the students and ultimately, can open more avenues for

commercialization.

The continuity of glitches in the system can be used as a smokescreen for fee increases to avoid conflict from the student movement. These glitches, if not solved, produce more chaos and confusion, with students paying the greater price.

The enormity of such glitches should add the rage of the students to solve the unending problems of the Iskolars ng Bayan every enrollment. These glitches show that the government is not keen in providing the students and their families the service that they deserve. Furthermore, the glitches in

the enrollment process of UP reflects the future service that more Iskolars ng Bayan will experience, as other units follow suit in implementing SAIS.

Glitches mean that the youth is facing a commercialized education system in the country and that free, accessible, and quality education is on the decline. Lastly, these glitches should not further compel the students to pay additional and unjustified fees, but rather compel them to stand against tuition and other fee increases and fight against social injustice.

THESE GLITCHES, IF NOT SOLVED, PRODUCE MORE CHAOS AND CONFUSION, WITH

STUDENTS PAYING THE GREATER PRICE.

system glitch

GAYLE CALIANGA REYNA

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFAngelo Dennis Aligaga Agdeppa

ASSOCIATE EDITOR FOR INTERNAL AFFAIRSPatrick Jacob Laxamana Liwag

ASSOCIATE EDITOR FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRSElizabeth Danielle Quiñones Fodulla

MANAGING EDITORCarlo Rey Resureccion Martinez

ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITORJennah Yelle Manato Mallari

NEWS EDITOR Ronilo Raymundo Mesa

FEATURES EDITORAngelica Natividad Reyes

CULTURE EDITORJamilah Paola dela Cruz Laguardia

GRAPHICS EDITORLizette Joan Campaña Daluz

NEWS CORRESPONDENTSEzra Kristina Ostaya Bayalan

Adolf Enrique Santos GonzalesEunice Biñas Hechanova

Gayle Calianga Reyna

FEATURES CORRESPONDENTSLiezl Ann Dimabuyu Lansang

CULTURE CORRESPONDENTSJose Lorenzo Querol Lanuza

Thalia Real Villela

RESIDENT ILLUSTRATORSDaniel John Galinato Estember

Princess Pauline Cervantes HablaJoanne Pauline Ramos Santos

RESIDENT PHOTOJOURNALISTJenny Mary Camama Dagun

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Illustration by Lizette Joan Campaña Daluz

The Cover

College Editors Guild of the Philippines

Solidaridad - UP Systemwide Alliance of Student Publications

and Writers’ Organizations

The straight road to progress promised to a nation has become a

matter of regression and deception.

With exorbitant prices in transportation imposed, the nation is a passenger further embarked on a road straight to poverty.

B u f f e r S t o p

The year 2015 marked another year of heavier financial struggles for the Filipino masses as the MRT-LRT fare hike was immediately implemented.

The Department Order No. 2014-014 or the "Implementation of the Uniform Distance-based Fare Scheme for three train lines" has taken effect last January 4, 2015. This allows the base fare of the Light and Metro Rail Transit systems to increase from 10 php to 11 php, along with an additional 1 php per kilometer, in accordance to the “user-pays” principle. With this scheme, 2 billion-php will be deducted from the 12 billion subsidy allotted to the MRT and LRT and will purportedly be used to fund development projects countrywide. More importantly, Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Jun Abaya stated that significant improvements on MRT and LRT services are to be expected in 2015. However, the decision displeased the masses—resulting to four petitions calling for the cessation of the hike.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) specifically petitioned the Supreme Court to call the fare increase as “unconstitutional”, stressing that Secretary Abaya has no authority to implement the fare incease. On the other hand, both party-list Bayan Muna and Iloilo Representative Augusto Syjuco indicted the DOTC for committing grave abuse of discretion with its implementation of the order, in which it has no authority upon. These assertions merely show a facet of a current administration that thrives not only in disorganization, but also in its officials’ abuse of power, even in the authority not vested in them.

According to the petitioners, DOTC also violated the rule of due process and the right of the public to notice with the sudden implementation of the fare

increase. Syjuco noted that when asked for a consultation, the DOTC went straight to the discussion of the new fare matrix last December 12, 2014 without presenting legal bases regarding the increase.

Despite the public’s demand for the justified reasons regarding the increase, President Aquino merely responded by accusing his critics of only aiming to improve their image to the public. Along with asserting that only a few reacted negatively with the decision, he also challenged the people opposing the fare hike to present alternatives in solving the issue rather than merely complaining to the government. One would notice the type of responses that the executive gives only show what type of leadership the nation currently has, closed from public scrutiny and futile in devising effective solutions to the country's problems.

Moreover, contrary to the president’s claim that there were only few negative reactions towards the issue, several protests have been launched to oppose the implementation of the fare increase. For instance, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and Riles Network have launched their “Clap to Stop” campaigns in at least three MRT and LRT stations last January 6, while the #StrikeTheHike movement launched group selfie protests last January 5 at the LRT2 Pureza station. Protesters also gathered at the Supreme Court to support the need to file a temporary restraining order (TRO) regarding the fare hike. These however did not make the administration any less determined in implementing the fare hike, further neglecting the suffering of the commuters who are already in the struggle to make ends meet in their everyday lives.

The Filipino masses face another burden that will further impoverish them in the form of rising MRT and LRT fares. Pleas have been called onto the government to suspend the hike’s implementation, yet the government remains immobile in responding to the concerns of its people. Rather, it has been firm with its stand of seeing the hike as the only solution for better transportation, a clear manifestation of its lack of initiative in seeking effective measures in favor of its people.

B a d O r d e r

Leaving its duty to private companies that do nothing but to maximize profits, the government did not just fail in giving efficient services; it ultimately delivered the MRT and LRT transport system to its graveyard.

Various instances of MRT and LRT related mishaps such as trains running with doors still open, sudden ignition of train coaches, and the lack of air conditioning inside the trains have been prevalent during the past year. The worst by far was the accident last August 13, 2014 wherein an MRT train ran out of control and crashed through the Taft Avenue station barricade. 50 people who were injured and brought to the hospitals were mostly women commuters, and some pedestrians was hit by the debris from the crash. In response to this, DOTC mostly attributed the abundance of accidents to “human error”, but the statements of some MRT Employees Association members revealed the overall poor maintenance of the train systems.

What the workers revealed is a train system management that reeks of cronyism and profit-making venture.

It was noted that the MRT3 started to become more susceptible to train accidents since the DOTC’s entrustment of million-dollar contracts to Marlo de la Cruz for its maintenance providing since 2012. De la Cruz, who is a known financer of the Liberal Party as well as an alleged perpetrator of the extortion activities on MRT-3’s Czech train supplier Inekon Inc. last July 2012, handled PH Trams — a private company with the role of stockpiling spare parts and basic equipment for the MRT. But after being proven in its failure to fulfill its duties in a span of one year, PH Trams was replaced by Global Inc., a company led again by de la Cruz. DOTC signed another 12-month contract worth P756 million with the new company, but incompetent service has been evident with the different occurrences of train accidents t h r o u g h o u t

the year. The MRT workers also revealed that they were not provided with adequate facilities and spare parts that were essential in replacing or repairing defective train parts. This situation alone underscores the willingness of the administration to satisfy the pockets of its cronies while neglecting the substandard services that ¬these private companies have been delivering to the people.

It also remains questionable that the government justified the “fare increase” with the aim to improve MRT and LRT services when these train systems are already generating enough money.

T E R M I N A L S T A T I O NEXPOSING THE JEOPARDY BEHINDTHE MRT AND LRT FARE HIKES

LIEZL ANN DIMABUYU LANSANG PRINCESS PAULINE CERVANTES HABLA

CONTINUED ON PAGE 09