Isang Mapagpalayang Bagong Taon sa Lahat!

2012 BACKTRACKS

1.  First time I made my hair blonde.

Blonde hair for the whole month of August! 

2.  First time I traveled abroad.

[Inset] My pose together with a friend as we are going to board at ANA Airlines bound to Tokyo, Japan

3.  First time I was not included in an honorific scholarship in college.

4.  First time I joined a search for Mr. DSS.

This was the craziest experience. I'm on pressure! Nevertheless, this never ended.

5.  First time I visited my mother’s hometown in Panglao, Bohol.

[Inset] A pose with my mother outside the ancestral house.

6.  First time I sang in a videoke bar.

How to welcome 12-12-12? A videoke experience will suffice that. The picture was taken on December 12, 2012 at 12:12 past midnight.

7.  First time I joined a Grand Reunion with my first time seen relatives.

Together with my cousins! :) 

8.  First time I'm in a serious relationship.

For the mean time, I want us to stay away from public recognition as we are both public figures. Time really has a say. 

9.  First time I went to the campuses of UP Los Banos, UP Diliman, and UP Manila.

10.First time I traveled via land trip to Manila vice versa.

11.First time I rode a bump car.

Star City bump car! 

12.First time I attended Simbang Gabi in Tacloban City.

13.First time I ate a lamb’s meat.

Lamb's meat is ...stretchy? :)

14.First time we were robbed inside our boarding house.

15.First time I touched a snow.

16.First time I rode in a cable car.

17.First time I got addicted to coffee.

18. First time I traveled via Shinkansen or publicly known as bullet train

19. First time I used LRT in traveling from Taguig to UP Diliman.

20. First time I took a peek in the Senate's Budget Hearing among Philippine Senators.

Before we witness the Senate Budget Hearing, I took the opportunity to sit on a desk inside the Senate Museum Hall.

An Interpretation to Rizal’s Poem Entitled “To the Filipino Youth”

What was Rizal's wish for the Filipino youths? What do Filipino youths need to possess according to Rizal? Did he hope for the youths to be genius or brave? These main questions seek to investigate  the reasons for Dr. Jose P. Rizal in writing his popular poem, "A La Juventud Filipina".

Jose Rizal was 18 years old when he wrote the prize-winning poem, A La Juventud Filipina, an immortal poem which is so much cherished by every Filipinos, especially the youths. What does this poem tell about?

The poem’s theme, “Grow, O Timid Flower”, simply shows persuasion. To ‘grow’ sounds compelling from Rizal who always wanted to make everyone rise amid the cruelty that dominates under the leadership of Spain. Using the word ‘timid’, he described the Filipino youths of his age as cowards who learn nothing but submit themselves to wills of the Spaniards. Definitely, Rizal wrote the poem out from disappointment. No matter what, he still sees the hope for every Filipinos. Like a flower opening from its overnight closure, he expected the youths to grow and shine.

Rizal mentioned “Spaniard’s holy land” and “crown’s resplendent band” in the 4^th stanza of his poem showing good attributes to the Spaniards. These words were chosen to balance his thoughts of criticizing them in the 3rd stanza, where Spaniards put "chains" to every Filipinos. Rizal called to untie the chains and prevail the youths' “spirit free”.

In the poem, he advocated for rising and waking up.  Did Rizal ever think of arm struggle? Though he wanted to make Filipinos spread around the flame, go for the sacred fire, and use one’s divine voice, Rizal was seemingly unclear about his specific moves to save the country. As we all know about him, Rizal neither introduced arm struggle or a bloody revolution to claim for victory. Instead, he advocated for an immortal strength, one that must use his intellect.

All of Rizal’s dreams to the Filipino youths are simply a replica to what he has done throughout his life. He was more bias towards using one’s own intelligence to fight against the flaming zone created by the Spaniards. He even portrayed a pen as mightier than a sword. On the 8^th stanza, he even wanted to transform the clear accent of every Filipinos, which is the voice of freedom of every Filipinos, to a magical art using a brush that is to be simply portrayed on a canvas.

Simply speaking, Rizal wants to communicate the means of making peaceful process to achieve freedom. This is an immortal messaged directed to the present and the future. It is imperative that we must fulfill our responsibilities as we use our skills, knowledge, talent, and strength in advancing our country.

Today, we are called to fight for what is good for the Philippines. Let us not waste the words of Rizal. We,Filipino youths, must identify our niche and maximize our knowledge and skills in our chosen fields. Let us continue working for the advancement of the Philippines.

What is to be a Filipino?

Does it make you less of a Filipino to boast for a wishful desire in having blue eyes and blonde hair on a white Christmas holiday?

I know that there are many Filipino people of my age who are deadly fanatic to Western culture. A friend of mine was even excessively proud to showcase his Italian scent of perfume. More than that, I cannot even fathom how arrogant those some parents who avoid speaking Tagalog or using the mother tongue towards their children when they give instructions. For me, there is nothing more of being a Filipino than appreciating our own language and a satisfied consumer on a brand made in the Philippines. Of course, this is too simple but I will initially settle on this.

It is extremely important to establish one identity that binds the fragmented view of being a Filipino. It is only through our sense of nationalism that we foster cooperation in advancing our country from the rank of being a 3^rd world state. All Japanese can identify themselves as Japanese, so as Chinese, Europeans, and Americans. All of them enjoyed at the helm of being politically and economically developed countries. With nationalism, we care for what concern the others. We eventually establish sense of belongingness to others whom we proudly identify as a Filipino. But who we really are? And what is it to be a Filipino?

 It is undeniable that the ever patriotic message people resort to is by citing Rizal’s undying view on “whoever knows not how to love his native tongue is worse than any beast or evil smelling fish” and also the known “tangkilikin ang sariling atin”. However, several thoughts can easily dispute this idea about patriotism on whether it is widely practiced or not. 

What really makes us say that we are Filipinos? Most students’ answers will be then based on physical appearance. We proudly recite that Filipinos have a “kayumanggi na balat”, which our elementary teachers would dictate us. Given this, how about the same feature among the Thais, Cambodians, or even the Vietnamese? Even if we think more distinct features that can separate us from the other nationalities in the world, we still can hardly identify on who we really are.

We Filipinos indeed do not have a unique physical appearance that set us apart from our brothers and sisters in Asia. We cannot solely claim that our beliefs of being Filipino are exclusively for us. Nevertheless, the issue that matters is on how to be a genuine Filipino that our forefathers whished us to be. Living with the illusions of possessing foreigner’s appearance was not the promise of Rizal for us, neither with Bonifacio, and nor with those all heroes listed on our history books.

For one to be a Filipino, we must be able to look beyond on what is reserved for our beloved country. We may learn from our haunted experiences from the past but must keep moving forward. Like the historical EDSA People Power 1, youths of today must learn how the attitude of unity and courageousness chained the people to march and topple the government. This indeed makes us appreciate social cohesion against a repressive regime. But what is truly happening right now only reflects the disappointments that our grandparents experienced years back. Some of our leaders continue to corrupt as a practice that long time ago plagued our government. If we already saw the impact of corruption in the society then our elected officials must move forward and keep away from this crime.

For one to be a Filipino, we must be able to help one another in building a one nation that promotes a culture of peace, a nation that will surely never break. But the current situation defeats the dream of our heroes. A Filipino nation has been contested. Some critique on the Imperial Manila and the secessionist Muslims in Mindanao.

For one to be a Filipino we must stand up and talk to what is necessary to discuss in this time when there is a social stress. These are the problems on our judicial system, educational system, our local government units, and other institutions that our heroes had fought for. It is through our discourses and debates that will straighten the road for development.

For one to be a Filipino, we must be able to understand the value of being brave. Our national hero was indeed a walking subversive. Bonifacio’s arm struggle had left a remarkable consciousness to the people too. Many Filipinos during those times willingly gave up their lives for one dream of setting Philippines free from the repressive Spanish government. With today’s problems that we Filipino people are facing, we must live up to what our role as citizens wanted us to be. We must be brave in times when the government is returning to its bad image from the past. Let’s not wait to be victims of impunity, enforced disappearances, and any tools that other entities use to take our rights away from us.

Finally, what is to be perfectly a Filipino is to live up the mandate that our heroes had fought for more or less a century. For me, being a Filipino is more than appreciating our culture and products but simply to live what are we here for- to move forward for our country, to help one another, to speak up, and to be brave enough to fight for what is right. All these are attributed to us by all of our Filipino heroes.

A PRELUDE to MY FIRST SEMESTER 2012

Public Debate for UPVTC Student Council Chairperson last February 2012

The first half of my senior life in college particularly on my academics ran along with my first few months in the office of the Student Council. Sometimes, it really takes an effort to balance the two, there are sacrifices, and favor of one over the other depending on my short term call of interest. Nevertheless, I wrap up my experiences by standing proud, thankful, and breathing with contentment. 

Summer 2012. It all started with my efforts to attend the Katipunan ng mga Sangguniang Mag-aaral sa UP (KASAMA sa UP) in UP Diliman with Dessa, one of my incoming councilors. We surely had a fruitful stay with our friends from other college student councils in the UP system. I was joined by my roommates King from UPCebu and Jonah from UPLB CFNR in one of UP Diliman boys dorm where I also happened to meet again a former schoolmate who transferred.. Moreover, we watched inspiring films  in the College of Mass Communication and leadership training at the College of Law.   After KASAMA sa UP was the General Assembly of Student Council (GASC). Amendments to the Codified Rules of Student Regent Selection was heatedly debated but ended up with a no-no decision to amend it.

KASAMA sa UP discussion held in one of the rooms at the College of Law, UP Diliman

Film Showing at MassCom Theater

Picture at 3rd Floor Vinzons Hall in UP Diliman. This picture I had with UPLB Chair Ynik Ante and UPCebu UPV-USC Lord Escatron was took after  former UP Student Regent Krissy Conti adjourned the GASC around 3 in the morning.

On April 6, I met my first nephew at the airport in Manila.  I know that I am not good in dealing with children  because I personally don't have interest in befriending with them but my nephew is an exemption. Of course,  aside from being a member of my family, I am entertained by his intelligence which makes him distinct to all other children I met.

A picture with my nephew Ken at Jollibee Baclaran during our lunch last April.

After our short acquaintance, I went to meet my co-student ambassadors at the Manila International Youth Hostel. We had a good time together during our stay all due because of our supervisors who gave us time to know more each other as a preparation for our pre-departure orientation at the DLSU-College of Saint-Benilde Hotel.

Snack time! This was one of the perfect bonding time.

This picture was took last April 8, 2012 when we had a registration at the CSB Hotel. We were the early birds!

Our MOA tour was also fun! I just bought one umbrella because of unexpected rains in Japan :)

Line! Excited and thrilled at NAIA Terminal 3.

Last few shots taken in our last few minutes stay in the Philippines!

This is really Japan! This was the food given to us during our lunch inside  ANA Airlines. More of this kind of food to eat for the next days. It was a 4-hour travel from Manila to Tokyo. 

On our way to Tokyo Dome Hotel, Taki-san showed us one of his tricks (shown above) . He was a very cheerful man during our Japan stay. He was like a father to all of us. He even gave us the opportunity to meet her daughter who treated us in McDonalds in Sapporo City, Hokkiado.

Bedroom at Tokyo Dome Hotel. Carpeted floor is awesome!

And this explains after grabbing these two flaglets. 

First night in Tokyo, Japan was fun. At the back is Tokyo Dome where indoor baseball games are  held. 

My favorite Doraemon!

Downtown Tokyo picture of my fellow student ambassadors.

We were heading to Minamisanriku this time while waiting for the Shinkansen or bullet train. Minamisanriku  town was seriously struck by tsunami last 3.11.11

Join us as we travel from Tokyo to Minamisanriku Town (video above)!  As ambassadors, we were able to listen stories and communicate with few survivors. Below  are the pictures collected in our tour in Minamisanriku Town, Sendai Prefecture.

A pile of destroyed cars washed away by the tsunami.

This photo was personally captured by my fellow student ambassador.
This is also a prominent tsunami aftermath picture in Japan.

Dinner at Hotel Kanyo. Sitting in that position challenges me more.

After we had lectures, talks, discussions in Sendai Prefecture, we finally went back to Tokyo for our trip to Sapporo City in Hokkiado Prefecture, the northernmost province in Japan. As expected, we will be experiencing a very cold temperature.

This is the official picture of Hokkaido Group. At our back is the MIR station  formerly owned by USSR.

This tour in Tomakomai National College of Technology will always be remembered! They are students of our age and its nice to mingle with them. I can't  forget how one of them burst into tears when we left.

We will miss Tomachops! This is taken at Tomakomai Municipal Hall  just after we met the Town Mayor. 

One of the most exciting part of the trip is the homestay with our foster parents. I was assigned together with my foster brother from Bohol, who is also my fellow student ambassador. We were sent to a couple aged 59 and 60 years old. My foster parents have two children but they were not in Tomakomai during our homestay. I had fun with the Kubota Family. They definitely treated us as their sons. They toured us on those different nearby beautiful spots in Tomakomai and share about our culture and personal backgrounds. Eating their food and communicating with them is the hardest thing to deal with.

This was during the first day that we met our foster parents.

This one was during our farewell party. Tears and goodbye messages flowed in the hall. On the rightmost is my fellow student ambassador whom we shared the same foster parents. 

After our memorable trip in Japan was my trip to Bohol with my mother. We went to our ancestral house in Poblacion Panglao. It was in the first week of May that they celebrated their feast day there. I had a good time with the Boholanos whether or not they are my relatives. By then I found out that Tawala Beach is the best place to hang out specially at night time.

Captured here are only few of my relatives as we  all gathered  for a group picture during our Guiritan Clan reunion.  A good number of them are hailed from those different provinces in Mindanao.

Our ancestral house in Panglao, Bohol is just located at the corner  of the street facing the public market and the Petron Station. It is indeed a strategic location for businesses that's why the first floor is appropriated for business-seekers while the second floor 's antiquity is preserved.

After spending time with my relatives in Bohol, my mother and I went back to Naval, Biliran and there I had a short time rest for my next trip which is a call for my responsibility. I attended the General Assembly of Student Council in UP Los Banos. This time, we will come up for the UP Student Regent after its tedious process. I decided to take a bus ride from Naval to Manila. I was just alone in the trip and that was my first time. I had no one to talked to. It was a very very long trip that took 34 hours for me before I reached UP Los Banos in Laguna.

MAY LABAN NGA BA SI GREGORIO DEL PILAR?

May laban ba si Gregorio del Pilar? Meron ba talagang labanang magaganap na sasalihan ni Gregorio o may laban nga ba talaga siya kumpara sa kanyang mga kaaway?

Nagagalak akong ipakilala sa inyo ang kaisa-isang barkong pandigma ng Pilipinas na pinangalanang Gregorio del Pilar na inangkat pa mula sa Amerika. Siguro nga ay dapat nga namang ipagmalaki itong ating tagapagtanggol sapagkat si Gregorio ay isang beteranong mandirigma na nagmula pa noong Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig. Subalit ang aking pakay ay hindi ipagsigawan ang kakayanan ni Gregorio na ipagtanggol ang Pilipinas kundi ang nakaambang mga kalaban ni Gregorio na kapwa mga malalaking pandigmang sasakyang pandagat ng Tsina.

Ang pag-iisa ni Gregorio ay naghuhudyat ng kahinaan laban sa pinagsamang pwersa ng mga sasakyang pandigma ng Tsina. At ang anggulo ng kahinaan ay nagbibigay daan sa nakaambang gulo. 

Huangyan Island sa salita ng mga Intsik, Scarborough Shoal sa Ingles, at Panatag Shoal sa mga Pilipino, ito ang mainit na pinagaawayan ng Tsina at Pilipinas na umaasang maipaglalaban ni Gregorio.

Ang pagkakalabuan ng Tsina at Pilipinas ay tila baga laban ni David at Goliath. Ang Pilipinas bilang maliit na bansang walang panlaban ay may kapangyarihang angat kaysa sa malaking bansang Tsina. Ang pagkakaibigan ng Amerika at Pilipinas ay nagbibigay ng karagdagang pangamba sa Tsina na lusubin ang maliit na kapitbahay nito sa Timog Silangang Asya. Isang malaking pangamba ay ang  maliwanag na pahayag ni Barack Obama kay Noynoy Aquino nitong ika 9 ng Hunyo na tutulungan nito ang Pilipinas o ang mismong ASEAN sa pagbuo ng agreement sa Tsina tungkol sa “Code of Conduct in the South China Sea”, bilang ito’y gagamitin sa pagsasa-ayos ng mga hidwaan sa rehiyon.

Kung dadaanin sa simpleng legal na bagay, mas papaboran pa din naman ng maraming bansa ang ipinaglalaban ng Pilipinas na Scarborough Shoal bilang may 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) kumpara sa umaabot na ilang daang milya ang layo mula sa mismong kalupaan ng Tsina. 

Bilang karagdagan, ang Pilipinas mismo ay nabibigyan ng pabor dito sa International Law tungkol sa mga hidwaan sa teritoryo katulad ng sa Scarborough. Ito mismo ay alinsunod sa kaso ng “isla ng Palmas” na matatagpuan sa katimugang bahagi ng bansa. Ang isla ng Palmas ay napag-aagawan ng Netherland na dating sumakop sa Indonesia laban sa Amerika na sumakop sa Pilipinas pagkatapos matupad ang Treaty of Paris o ang pagbenta ng Espanya sa bansa sa mga Amerikano. Naging mainit din ang agawan sa islang ito. Sa napagkasunduan, nabigay ang Palmas Island sa Netherlands. Sa kasalukuyan, ang isla na ito ay nasa hilaga ng Indonesia. Ayon sa hatol, kahit mas malapit ang Palmas sa Pilipinas, hindi mismo nagkainteres ang Espanya sa islang ito habang hawak pala nila ang Pilipinas na siyang nagpatalo sa Amerika sa laban. Kung kaya’t ang Netherlands na mas nagpapakita ng soberanya sa isla ang nanaig. Naging kilala at basehan ang “Palmas Island case” pagdating sa mga hidwaan sa teritoryo. Kung sa gayon, pagmamay-ari ng bansa ang Scarborough Shoal kung i-base sa “Palmas Island Case” sapagkat noong 2010, isinali ng bayan ng Masinloc, Zambales ang Panatag Shoal bilang sakop ng kanilang munisipyo.

Nitong taon lang din, na-aproba ng UN ang pag-angkin ng Pilipinas sa isang “undersea landmass” na tinatawag na “Benham Rise” na matatagpuan sa Karagatang Pasipiko. Hitik sa mineral ang naturang “undersea landmass” ayon kay Energy Secretary, Ramon Paje. Ang lugar na ito ay unti-unting umaangat na pinaniniwalaang maapakan na ng mga Pilipino ilang milyong taon mula ngayon.

Batay sa ganitong tagumpay ng Pilipinas mula sa pag-aproba ng UN sa Benham Rise nitong 2012, sa simpleng legal na usapang mas malapit ang Panatag Shoal sa Pilipinas, sa pagbibigay hatol ng hidwaan sa teritoryo na nakabatay sa kaso sa Isla ng Palmas (na lumalabas na pabor sa Pilipinas), at sa pahayag na suporta ng Estados Unidos sa bansa tungkol sa Scarborough na inilapag ni Pnoy sa White House nitong ika-9 ng Hunyo ay nagmistulang malakas at malaki ang Pilipinas laban sa Tsina. Dito ay mas naging katakot-takot ang porma ni Gregorio del Pilar.

Walang interes ang Tsina na isumite ang isyung ito sa United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS). Kahit na sa panahon pa ni Estrada ay isinumite niya ang gusot na ito sa UNCLOS bilang maging subject sa mga angkop na batas. Sa International Law, walang aksyon na magaganap kung isang bansa lamang ang nagsumite ng consent nito sa international body. 

Sa kasalukuyan, bilang stratehiya ng Tsina na maging mahina ang ekonomiya ng bansa ay itinigil nito ang pag-angkat ng mga saging sa Pilipinas. Subalit hindi ito dapat ipangamba, ang pagtaas ng 6.4 porsiyento ng ating Gross National Product nitong unang kwarter ng 2012 na pinakamataas sa buong Timog Silangang Asya at pumapangalawa sa Tsina (na may 8.1%) kung isali sa ranking ang Silangang Asya. Ito ay magiging panlaban natin sa matagal nang pagmamaliit ng Tsina sa bansa.

Kahit na masasabi nating magiging matagumpay ang Pilipinas sa labang ito, magiging galit man ang Tsina sa anumang bansa, ay walang giyerang magaganap. Lumipas na ang isang dekada mula ng matapos ang Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig ay hindi na ito nasundan dahil sa iniiwasang malaking gastos. Hindi ko inaakalang maging katotohanan ang Ikatlong Digmaang Pandaigdig na pamamagatang “China vs. Philippines and friends”. Hanggang bullying lamang ang makakaya ng Tsina at hindi ko sila makikitang magsasayang ng napakalaking pera sa kabila ng gustong maging world superpower. Hindi man nila ito lantarang ipinapahayag ay makikita ang kanilang intensyon na agawin ang titulo ng 21^st century na nasa US supremacy. Malaki na ang impluwensiya ng Tsina sa Africa na siyang 3^rd largest training partner ng kontinente at unti-unting kinakabig naman ng Tsina ang Europa na naghihikahos sa eurocrisis. 

Anupaman, ipinagmamalaki ko si Gregorio del Pilar. Kahit na nakatambay lamang siya at naghihinitay sa mga kapwa Amerikanong barkong pandigma ay masasabing naitagumpay parin niya ang laban! Hephep! Hurray! :D

sources:

The Diplomat: Manila takes on the Goliath

related articles in Philippines Daily Inquirer

related articles in Philippine Star

Forum on China-Africa Cooperation

web.achive.org. (The Island of Palmas)

www.gov.ph (Statement on Presidents meeting with Obama)

betterphils.blogspot.com

haguejusticeportal.net (on Island of Palmas Case)

ANG BAGONG KABANATA SA PULITIKA NG PILIPINAS

Naging makasaysayan ang naturang hatol ng senado sa kaso ng ating dating Punong Mahistrado na si Renato Corona noong ika-29 ng Mayo, taong 2012. Ang limang buwang masining na pakikipagtalastasan na masusubaybayan natin sa medya ay umani ng malakas na atensyon sa sambayanang Pilipino. Matagal na tayong ginambala ng isyung ito. Dahil dito’y di natin maipagkakaila na naging matunog ang kaso ni Corona sa kapwa nating mga mag-aaral, mga magsasaka, mga drayber na nagpapahinga sa lilim ng punong kahoy, at pati na rin sa mga tambay.

Sa mga panahong ito ay mas nakilala natin ang ating mga hinalal na senador kung paano nila naipaglaban ang tama para sa bayan. Di ko makalimutan ang araw ng paghahatol na sa kabila ng pilahan ng mga kawawang estudyanteng biktima sa pagaabandona ng gobyerno sa edukasyon ay naging malakas ang tunog ng mga telebisyon ng mga suki nating kainan sa tapat ng kampus. Nagsiksikan tuloy ang kainan ni Mano Ohsan na dinadayo ng mga mapalad na “iskolar ng bayan” na tapos nang makapag-enroll at kasama ang ibang nagpapalipas lamang ng oras habang hinihintay ang mabagal na resulta ng bracket assignment nila sa STFAP.

Tumatak sa isipan ko ang paliwanag ni Sen. Defensor-Santiago tungkol sa pagiging “quasi-judicial” ng Senado. Ibig sabihin lamang na ang desisyon ng bawat senador ay may halong “judicial” at halong “pulitikal”. Nagiging pulitikal lamang kapag iniisip nila kung ano ang magiging epekto ng kanilang desisyon sa mismong sarili nila. Dahil sa ayaw ng karamihan si Corona, nagiging ayaw narin ng ibang senador si Corona na maupo pa sa pwesto. Eleksyon na naman sa 2013! Syempre, may “k” ka sa mga tao kung “guilty” ang hatol mo kay CJ Corona.

Nakakatuwa at nakakataba ng puso na maraming mga Pilipino ang interesado sa pulitika ng Pilipinas. Maraming masang Pilipino ang nakakaintindi sa isyu ni Corona, bilang isang midnight appointee na minsan ma’y sumasalamin sa katiwalian ng dating pangulong GMA. Kung galit ang taumbayan kay GMA, galit din ang taumbayan kay CJ Corona. Syempre, boss niya si GMA. Kinamumuhian natin siya sa kanyang mga umaapaw na tagong yaman habang marami ang nagugutom sa lansangan at minsan ma’y nakakain lamang ng isang beses sa isang araw. Kinamumuhian ko siya bilang pinakamataas na alagad ng  batas na mismong may planong takasan ang ilang batas na napag-aralan.

Kahit papano ay naging mahalagang bagay din ang panunungkulan ni Corona sa pamamahagi ng lupa sa mga nagigipit na magsasaka sa Hacienda Luisita. Nadaya man sila ng pamilya Cojuangco-Aquino, naging matagumpay naman ang mahigit isang dekadang pakikipaglaban nila sa lupang matagal nang inagaw. Bilang karagdagan ay nangangamba tayong magmistulang diktador ang ating pangulo kung malakas ang impluwensiya ni Aquino sa tatlong sangay ng ating gobyerno (ang Ehekutibo, Lehislatura, at ang Hudikatura).

Kontrabida man si Corona sa paningin ni Aquino, at kontrabida man si Arroyo sa buhay nating lahat, maliban sa sariling lalawigan kung saan siya ay nahalal na Kongresista sa kabila ng maraming katiwalian, ay makikita natin silang tatlo na kontrabida sa masang Pilipino. Ang walang katapusang debate sa K+12 at ang patuloy na pagkaltas ng badyet ng gobyernong Aquino sa edukasyon ang siyang nagpapaitim sa kanyang dilaw na simbolo.

Ngayon na ang panahon na magbalik serbisyo ang Senado sa mga dapat maisabatas na  mga naisumiteng panukala. Ang haba ng panahong nasayang. Tila nakalimutan na ba ang pang-aagaw ng Tsina sa Scarborough na teritoryo ng ating bansa? Mahalagang marinig natin ang opinyon ng Senado at ng Kongreso sa isyung may kinalaman sa “foreign policy” ng Pilipinas.

Kinakailangan din na magkaroon tayo ng bagong Punong Mahistrado na walang kinikilingan at walang pinoprotektahan. Bagama’t siya’y magiging appointed ni Pangulong Aquino ay hindi nararapat na maging tuta siya ng ating Pangulo o maski sinumang makapangyarihan sa bansa.

Ngayon ay Hunyo na! Ilang buwan nalang ay magiging matunog na naman ang mga tatakbo sa eleksyon sa susunod na taon. Alam kong magiging abala na naman ang medya sa pagpapakilala ng ating mga kandidato pero sana naman ay mas bigyang pansin ang kumakalam na sikmura ni Juan dahil sa lomolobong kahirapan. Hindi ba’t nangunguna tayo sa lahat ng nasa Timog-silangang Asya sa Gross National Product sa first quarter (January-March) nitong taon? Ang pasan ng gobyerno ay mapatunayan at maiparamdam ang ganitong balita sa mga naninirahan sa Payatas at sa mga taga Silverio Compound.

THIRD YEAR SECOND SEMESTER

I perfectly understand how most of the people thought that a Junior’s life in UP is the hardest, indeed the most difficult semester to conquer. Immediately after the first half of my 3^rd year’s life, I wrote my accumulated experience that made the semester worth remembering. Right now, I bet that the just ended semester was the most exciting than the past semesters, the most emotional, challenging, and psychologically speaking, the longest semester ever during my being Pol.Sci Dungganan college life.

An interview at DYVL with my fellow Political Science coursemates

November 7 last year was the date when I came back to Tacloban. That was after my melancholic days when I came to think about leaving. Well, I always have that fuzzy feeling every right before parting goodbye to my hometown. Just few minutes after entering my solo room at the boarding house, I was asked to have an on-air interview at DYVL radio station about the ever-controversial Reproductive Health Bill in the country. The segment starts at 4:30pm and without any second thoughts, I grabbed the request. If only all the Filipino people know that a well-managed family will lead to a well-managed community, then why overthink and snob the very idea of population management?

My second day in Tacloban for the semester was more than great. Who could have thought that I learned to play Binggo ever in my whole life? Thanks to my friends Mark, Rodel, and Jayrick who were with me at the Robinsons that lucky afternoon! Define that moment when we won free tickets and Php700.00 after our first and second try in playing the game. Well, after all, we are not losers and in fact we had a sumptuous dinner at Mang Inasal.

This picture together with SK officers was taken right after the
 feeling program at Brgy. 69,Anibong, Tacloban City.

The ninth of November will always be so special! It was the Purple Ribbon Campaign in Tacloban where I engaged myself in a feeding program at Brgy. 69, in Anibong. Yes, it is my birthday! Of course, I won’t pass the day without simple treat which is sponsored by Shakeys. Just think more of a simple thanks to my friends. Later on, we had fun during the motorcade with Rep. Riza Hontiveros and ended up with my Political Science batchmates having dinner at a barbeque stall near Mcdo.

Debate! RH Now! 

Moreover, I was also one of those asked for a debate regarding RH Bill over a live telecast in PRTV. Thank God that it wasn’t a mess. Who could have gain confidence anyway if you are in a battle against “pro-life” lawyer, doctor, and some respected profession on that debate? Then right immediately in the afternoon, another time for Cong. Erin Tanada from the Liberal Party, where I asked about his opinions on conditional cash transfer in the country. What’s the use of this 4P’s anyway if there aren’t no equivalent production made in turn by the recipients? So these are money for education and health given to parents? Why increase the budget allocation instead of all these basic social services?

UP Tacloban Debate Society members with Senator Trillanes!

Those were the best days. Those       were the happy moments until we caught up in a mess. Just because of a mere right to a collective change of matriculation to another English 10 section, we turned to face the dark age of our lives. Those very simple actions were all painted into many colors and reasons that were all beyond our imagination and concerns. To the hell for those who are not a party to the situation but which continue to meddle and complicate the turned-out problem. If not for this, I couldn’t have second thoughts of transferring to another university. However, I choose not to. It was indeed a collective effort from my course mates to conquer the situation that deeply affected us.

So much more for that serious “faculty conflict” which we are already out from it, the open forum for Senator Antonio Trillanes IV was one of the big successful events which I was part of the organizers. That was a good ender of my first month in the semester.

There was this lunar eclipse on December 11. Before that day turned into night, I still remember the culmination of the Human Rights Day where we had a film showing about an internationally acclaimed movie entitled Sigwa by Joel Lamangan. After was a torch parade around downtown area. Then lastly, we had bonding with my board mates as we savor the night under that eclipse. Before December ends, I can’t forgot the fun we made with my former fellow debaters. It was with them that I first experienced Christmas caroling in a few selected areas in Tacloban City. Also, who could have thought an overnight at Leyte Park after our Christmas party, then went to Andoks, and braved the rain around 4 in the morning to go to Sacred Heart Church for a misa de gallo? That was indeed a crazy experience.

Christmas Party in the boarding house. All in the picture are my boardmates! :)))

Exchange gifts ng Debate Society!
Thanks Shawn for the t-shirt and wallet! :)

UP Tacloban Team B! With me are Ate Mikee and Gaby!
Thank you guys! That's my last debate competition already.

So much for my old another Christmas and New Year celebration, the resume of classes is as early as January 2. Though it wasn’t realized, I still find time to leave early from my hometown. Well, January was more of an academic month and that was so boring. February is definitely triumphant. I remember how unforgettable my Visayas Universities Debate Championship was. Even if our team did not broke, we still ended up challenging and fierce debates. I had a short time with Jacob, who was my high school buddy. We met primarily because their campus was the host of that big debate event. It was also the main event where I won someone’s heart. Well, February really served its purpose as the month of hearts. For without it, it could have been another old February again for me. But days turned so fast as I accepted the offer of my political party to run as its standard bearer. With all those reasons I pointed out in my resignation letter forwarded to the Debate Society, I had shifted myself into another world, which I think will also help me grow as a person and finds it with a heartfelt gratitude as I forward  the students’ interests.

    

Here is Kristian, my classmate in high school.
We are both incumbent Vice Chairperson in our
respective UP campuses and both ran as
standard bearers in our respective political parties.

The best tarpaulin I had! Credits to Jandi and Franz
for making all our campaign materials!

It was very busy month as we collectively put our efforts in order to win in the Student Council. Majority of my party mates are freshmen students and it takes double effort to boost up their confidence as they face upperclassmen in the university and for them to have well orientation about the problems not just in the education sector but also in the society as a whole. We strongly believe that campus problems are binding to the neoliberal policies of international financial institutions, which also took effect in the skyrocketing prices of oil, budget cuts on social services, and other dumb policies of our government.

Atlast! Our efforts were never wasted. Majority we clinched the seats in the Student Council. Yes, I’m so proud to belong to the red parties in the whole UP System! Anyway, one bizarre thing I learned during these days of campaigning is to sleep on the top of the table for like 9 consecutive nights or more and have blue bay tuna as my dinner without using plate and utensils, just using my bare hands and a piece of bond paper as my plate.

First Chairperson of PULSO way back in 1993.
Atty. Bibar sponsored the recording of our campaign jingle! :)

At the proclamation rally.

Our jingle campaign! Thanks to Serc, Ferdinand, JP, Matz, and Junz for playing the music! Galing nyo!
Best band from Batch Harangdon :)))

Victory Party at Tolosa. Marami pa kami diyan, yung iba natulog na.
I think past 3am na to.

This is my very last Final Exam. We are all tensed.
It's a one-on-one oral exam inside the room. Yeah, all bags are scattered.

Having good time with the PULSO people. With me is Franz,
our campaign manager

Then my heart with pleasure fills on March when I just received the sweetest “yes” ever despite the hell week or should I say the hell semester of my entire college life. Most people thought that we were deviant, puzzled by the idea on how we were able to handle all these things inspite of being  hooked up by extremely difficult finals week and other complicated requirements.

Who say that you have to deprive yourself from enjoying your last month in college? I don’t think one can progress by accommodating all the problems forwarded by the people that surrounds us. Perhaps, one must just be wise in dealing with such problems. This is the craft which I learned from my friends who are my buddies staying most of the times at the Student Lounge.

So much for going recreations with friends, Student Council demands, PULSO Party commitments, serious faculty faction issue, and sweet love affair, I’m still so glad and honored to be part of the College Scholars list- an honorific scholarship known as Dean’s Lister in some other universities. This is the semester which I incurred more number of absences relative to my previous semesters. That was when I joined the competition, then I got my right eye infected and covered by plaster for days, then we had our intensive room-to-room campaign. My UP life is getting harder, one more step in next academic year and I do really hope to emerge victorious! The challenge for the next few days is clear...and so, the challenge is accepted.