Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Hindi lamang ang buhos ng ulan ang dumagsa kundi maging ang mga mag-aaral na nakiisa sa pagdiriwang ng ika-150 kaarawan ni Dr. Jose Rizal na ginanap sa D.L. Umali Auditorium, Hunyo 21.
PHOTO | EJ LAGRIMAS
STFAP is a program devised by the University to help less fortunate students with their tuition fees. Students accomplish a form from the Scholarship and Financial Assistance Division (SFAD) and a committee will evaluate the students socioeconomic standing based on the documents that they will submit and assign them on a particular bracket. It has an Alphabetic Bracketing Scheme (ABCDE) that is used to determine the tuition fee rate that a student must pay
or the stipend that a student must receive. Students must accomplish certain documents (e.g., Income Tax Return, electric bills, residence vicinity map, declaration of assets and liabilities) to prove that they are incapable to pay their tuition fee and are deserving to receive discounts and stipend from the University. Supposedly, STFAP is not designed to be an income-generating scheme for the university. Instead, it was meant to help needy students to obtain accessible education through the assistance of those who can truly afford it. Clarifications
from Bracket B to A which is denied by the new memo saying that There is no change in the STFAP Bracket schedule and there is no tuition fee increase under the said Schedule.
OVPAA Memorandum No. 2011-18 was issued this month to clarify the issues and confusion that it brought upon its issuance last April. One of the biggest questions is the change of the default bracket
2008, ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas Los Baos noong 2009, at ika-150 taong kapanganakan ni Dr. Jose Rizal ngayong 2011, ani Tsanselor Luis Rey Velasco sa kanyang pambungad na mensahe.
It emphasized that Bracket A students still pay PhP1, 500/unit and Bracket Bs still pay P1, 000/ unit in the constituent universities (CUs) of Diliman, Los Baos and Manila while the other CUs pay PhP600. It also stressed that the controversial memo applies only to Batch 2011 freshmen and transferees who submitted a Bracket B Certification. In addition to that, it underscored that the certification need not be notarized. Since the issuance of the memorandum about the changes in the STFAP bracketing, the STFAP: Smokescreen for TOFI
UP Administration headed by President Alfredo Pascual earned many protests from various student organizations.
According to Vencer Crisostomo, Anakbayan Chairperson, the first implementation of STFAP in 1989, the tuition fee in UP Diliman increased from PhP40 to PhP200 per unit. When STFAP was first revised in 1992, tuition fee again augmented from PhP200 to PhP300. The latest was in 2007 where UPs tuition fee rocketed from PhP300 to PhP1, 000/unit.
WORDS | MAC POLANCOS
This year, another threat to every Iskolars rights is yet to come. OVPAA Memorandum No. 2011-09 appears to assume that all students belong to the millionaires bracket. And those who wish or need to avail a lower or discounted tuition fee will have to submit a Bracket B Certification form or undergo the process of the
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Sa pagtutulungan ng Tanggapan ng Tsanselor, Kolehiyo ng Agham at Sining at Upsilon Sigma Phi, itinampok ang talento at kasanayan bilang pagdiriwang sa kaarawan Rizal sa pamamagitan ng isang programang pinamagatang Anak ng bayan: Si Rizal sa kanyang ika-150 Taon. Ang nasabing programa ay may temang Karunungan at Liwanag na ginanap noong ika-21 ng Hunyo, 7-9 ng gabi sa D.L. Umali Auditorium. Itinuturing kong isang karangalan na nakapaloob sa aking pamumuno ang naganap na sentenaryo ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas noong
Dagdag niya pa ay isang hamon sa mga kabataan, ang ating kapantasan, ang ating talino, ang lahat-lahat sa atin ay para sa bayan. Itinampok ang mga espesyal na bilang mula sa ibat ibang grupo at indibidwal: UPLB Chorale Ensemble, Harmonya (The String Ensemble of UPLB), UPLB Filipiniana Dance Troupe, UP Rural High School Glee Club, Prop. Ivar Fojas, Jaime Almora, Jerome Dulin, Riselle Ahillon, Sarah Mae Guan, Laurence Castillo, Adel Mariano, Imelda Tandang, Rey Vincent Generales, at Prop. Alleli Domingo. Ang kabuuang pagtatanghal ay idinerehe ni Prop. Dennis Gupa, mula sa Departamento ng Humanidades, UPLB. Nagsilbi namang tagapagpadaloy ng programa sina
Dinaluhan ng humigit-kumulang 1,800 mag-aaral at ibang panauhin ang nasabing komemorasyon, dahilan upang hindi lahat mabigyan ng espasyo sa loob ng bulwagan. Ayon sa isang estudyanteng tumangging magpakilala, Hasel kasi wala na nga kaming maupuan dito, di namin marinig ang sound, umuulan pa. Calamba 7/UPLb 5
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Samantala, sa mismong araw ng kapanganakan ng pambansang bayani, gumawa ng alingawngaw ang pagkakahuli sa walong indibidwal matapos magpahayag ng disgusto sa kasalukuyang palakad ng administrasyon sa ilalim ni Pangulong Benigno Aquino III. Dumalo si Aquino
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Driven by the desire to carry out the goals of their respective organizations, many of the org heads tried to think of a sound replacement for the missed seminar to have a chance for the recognition. Twenty-eight organizations signed and submitted a letter to Dr. Gonzales asking for the
Forty-three organizations attended the Stet VIP Seminar last June 13, 2011. Some of the topics included in the seminar were the VIP Framework for Understanding Human Dignity and the LIFE (Leadership, Integrity, Faith and Excellence) packet from Victory Los Banos. Essentially, the seminar was meant to help the attendees understand themselves better to be able to serve as a good leader and follower not only in their respective organizations but also in the University and
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Low turnout, high abstain rate mark first USC-CSC automated polls
that he already did all the necessary preparations before he went on leave in preparation for his reelection bid. Also, costs of the elections, according to Calayag, will be minimized with the implementation of the automation. The most recent elections was hounded by low voters turn-out of 34.5 percent, registering an 8.2 percent drop in reference with the 2010 USC-CSC Elections. The Committee on Elections was tasked to disseminate information on the new election guidelines and to educate the voters on what to expect and what to do in the automated polls. The Committee was headed by Mula and former USC Councilor CR Buendia. (See voters turnout from different colleges in Table 1) Leaving graduate School behind
Bachelor of Science in Biology student, of BUKLOD-UPLB won the three-way race for USC Vice Chairpersonship with 1,189 votes against MOVE UPs Gel Rivera with 1,097 votes and SAKBAYANs RN Lumasags 943 votes. The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson race in the USC was marked by a high number of abstain with 605 and 519 votes, respectively. Other elected councilors include Paul Cruz (BUKLOD), Noah Correa (BUKLOD), Ynik Ante (SAKBAYAN), Nolan Sitchon (SAKBAYAN), Anna Mae Lamentillo (MOVE UP), Daryll Montoya (BUKLOD), Raks Mijares (SAKBAYAN), JM Jose (BUKLOD), and Gab de Juras (MOVE UP).
USC Councilors race An independent candidate topped the USC Councilors race. Tres Panganiban, Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts student, won a seat in the council with close to 1,800 votes.
Bilang kandidato, nagtiwala tayo na aalagaan nila at sisiguraduhin nilang ganun talaga ang bilang ng mga boto dahil nga hindi sila kampante sa mekanismo ng automated elections. So dahil nga hindi nila tinapos ang pagbibilang ng mga printouts, parang hindi fair, thus commented former USC Councilor Gab de Juras. De Juras placed as the last USC Councilor in the last elections but resigned due to her heart condition. Dip in voters turnout
The ideal case, that is, the 100 percent automation, was not achieved in the recently concluded polls. The Graduate School (GS) experienced a delay in the USC-CSC elections. Majority of GS students do not have a SystemOne account, a primary requirement for participation in the automated elections. After holding an emergency meeting personally requested by GS Dean Oscar Zamora, GS students participation was ensured via manual elections. However, only 118 GS students exercised their right to vote. Very high abstain votes
During the USC-CSC Miting de Avance held last February 22, then USC Officer-in-Charge and Vice Chairperson Aya Mula claimed that the UPLB community was not ready for an automated elections, logistically and financially. However, automation proponent Ernest Calayag countered
Table 1. Voters Turnout per College
Samahan ng Kabataan para sa Bayan (SAKBAYAN) took the USC helm once again with Pura Valle, Master of Science in Forestry student, obtaining 1,676 votes against her sole contender, Movement of Students for Progressive Leadership in UP (MOVE UP) candidate and former USC Chairperson Calayag who got 1,481 votes, enough to secure the USC Chairperson post. On the other hand, Jaime Almora,
However, a few changes were noted after de Juras resignation and Sitchons dismissed academic status. In effect, Gama Javier (MOVE UP) and Jamie Fiel Madrilejos (SAKBAYAN) took over the vacated seats. As of press time, [P] is still checking on the academic standings of other elected USC Councilors to note further changes in the composition of the Council. Local Elections
Held simultaneously was the CSC elections for College of Agriculture, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Development Communication, College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology, College of Economics and Management, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, College of Human Ecology, College of Human Ecology, College of Veterinary Medicine, and Graduate School. (For results in Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and Representative for local elections, please see Table 2) [P]
SALUBONG. Sa kabila ng malakas na pag-ulan, naging matagumpay ang unang pagbati ng UPLB organizations, fraternities, at sororities sa mga bagong Iskolar ng at para sa Bayan. PHOTO | EJ LAGRIMAS
The prerequisite that a student has to be of Junior standing in order to take the course has been abolished; even students with New Freshman standing can take the course. The course content, however, will still be the same, but will be taught in accordance with the GE framework. Republic Act 1425, or the Rizal Law of 1956, is the legislation that gave birth to the PI 100 course. This law requires all universities and colleges in the country to teach a subject about the national hero in order to preserve his legacy and instill his ideals upon the Filipino youth. DSS sees the need to teach the life and works of Rizal not only because it is mandated by law but also because they recognize that Rizals life and works left an imprint on the educational framework of our University. The department believes that the University should not only adhere to the legislation but should include Rizal as an integral part of the Universitys programs.
Aside from the reclassification of PI 100, the department also proposed that the course prerequisite be changed. The stipulation in the Rizal Law that states that the course on Rizal ought to be taught ...during the formative and decisive years in school is the rationale behind the junior standing prerequisite of PI 100. However, the Rizal course is seen as a fitting method to introduce to incoming students the ideals of UP. Therefore, it could also be taught during the students earlier years in college. This reclassification would entail some minor changes for the students GE curriculum. With PI 10 (SSP) as a required GE subject under the SSP domain, students would only be choosing 2 or 4 (depending on their courses) more other subjects to complete their GE requirements for the said domain. The reclassification of the subject is not a system-wide movement. The reclassification was made by UPLB DSS as part of the departments celebration of Jose Rizals 150th birth anniversary. A memorandum is still to be issued as to determine the full implementation details of the proposal. [P]
kasapi ng Anakpawis at isang walang kinabibilangang samahan. Daglian ring pinalaya ang isang di kabilang sa anumang samahan.
Kinundena ng mga progresibong grupo ang nasabing pagdakip sa kadahilanang pagsaklaw ito umano sa karapatang magpahayag ng opinyon. Nagsagawa ng condemnation rally at vigil ang mga grupong kinabibilangan ng mga mag-aaral ng UPLB upang mapalaya ang grupong kinilala bilang Calamba 7 kung saan kabilang ang
UPLB 5.
Inisyal na kondisyong binigay upang mapalaya ang Calamba 7 ay piyansang nagkakahalaga ng Php 6,000 bawat isa. Gayunpaman, ayon kay Pau Bautista ng Kabataan Partylist, We will not give in to these conditions that only disregard the heroic role of the youth. Hunyo 21, Martes, pinalaya ang Calamba 7 matapos magbayad ng PhP 12,000 piyansa. [P]
National Service Training Program (NSTP) offering is decentralized from the Ugnayan ng Pahinungod (Pahinungod) effective this first semester AY 2011-2010.
WORDS | GEL RIVERA
Org recognition...
compromise met by OSA and the student organizations. Mr. Chico helped the org heads in negotiating with Dr. Gonzales, thus resulting to a compromise that is both beneficial to both parties. The organizations were given a chance to be recognized while the Office of the Student Affairs will still be able to carry out their responsibilities to ensure that the heads will be effective leaders to their particular organizations. In addition to that, Mr. Chico also devised a new system for a fast and more efficient recognition process. OrgsUP OrgsUP is an online registration system for an easier, faster and more efficient recognition of student organizations in UPLB. The point person, usually the secretary of the organization, should first prepare the following information: 1) list of members (student numbers, designations, and last names); 2) adviser information (full name, address, employee number, department, college, office number, mobile number, email address, position/rank, specialization, consultation hours); 3) organization profile; 4) semestral report (past
NSTP was previously handled by the Pahinungod, the Official Volunteer Corps Program of UP, for the past 9 years. Pahinungod in UPLB has long been considered the most active, if not the only active Pahinungod unit in the UP system. With the new system in place, NSTP is now based on the different colleges in the University and are handled by local college NSTP coordinators. Pahinungod Director Dr. Rowena Baconguis mentioned that the rationale of the decentralization is to enhance the implementation
of aligning the organizations, Dr. Baconguis added. Moreover, according to Dr. Baconguis, the decentralization was designed to ensure that the capabilities of the students will be utilized accordingly. For example the NSTP in the College of Development Communication will be dubbed as NSDC, in the College of Veterinary Medicine, NSVM, and in the College of Arts and Sciences, NSAS, to mention a few.
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STFAP issue...
protests and confusion among the students from different campuses. Effective this semester, the administration required all freshmen students of Batch 2011-12 to notarize their Bracket B certification and submit a proof of the family income in the form of their parents Income Tax Return (ITR) or overseas contract plus a vicinity map of the applicants residence. Students classified under Bracket B should pay PhP1,000/unit while those under Bracket A or students with a millionaires income are assigned to a PhP1,500/unit scheme.
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Before the NSTP was decentralized, they had two summits last April 13 and May 13, 2011 to discuss and deliberate the processes and mechanisms of efficiently transferring it from Pahinungod to the local colleges.
semester and projection for current semester) and 5) financial statement. The point person should then register his organization to OrgsUP by logging in to his SystemOne account and going to www. soadosa.org. Then, the point person should go to My Forms Register an Organization. After accomplishing the said requirements, members of the organization will also log in to OrgsUp, again using their SystemOne accounts. They are tasked to confirm their membership, provide the date of their membership, fill out their profile, and upload a 2 by 2 photo with a white background. When all of the members have already confirmed, the point person will log in again and click Prepare Forms. He will then print, sign, and submit the forms to SOAD-OSA before the deadline (June 30, 2011). Organizations can also visit http://magtanong.soadosa. org/.
During a dialogue between UP Kilos Na and some UP officials, President Pascual insisted that there would be no default bracket for those who will fail or refuse to accomplish the Socialized Tuition Fee Bracket B Certification
President Pascual further clarified that there are no policy revisions in the STFAP mechanism. He denied the alleged change of the default bracket from Bracket B to A. He also said that the requirement of submitting the parents ITR aims to get the true socio-economic standings of the students, thus giving more opportunity for less capable students to get a lower bracket. President Pascual ensured that there will be no tuition fee increase in UP under his administration in a press conference last May 13. In addition, an evaluation of the STFAP scheme is scheduled for more efficient implementation. [P]
From 2002 to 2010, Ugnayan ng Pahinungod gathered student vounteers to facilitate the Civil Welfare training Service (CWTS) 1 and CWTS 2 and Literacy Training Service (LTS) 1 and LTS 2. The same office drafted its own modules for NSTP to uphold the mandated two thrusts: volunteerism and literacy.
Now that it has been decentralized to [the different] colleges, it would be different because it will be considered as a regular teaching course handled by teachers [and] not by volunteers. Dr. Baconguis mentioned. Now that NSTP is no longer under the Pahinungod, the office is now refocusing its efforts on volunteer work, the same as the activities established before such as Affirmative Action Programs, Gurong Pahinungod projects, and literacy programs. This year, Pahinugod will continue gathering volunteers to sustain more effective and service-oriented programs. [P]
With coordination and good communication between SOAD and OSA and the students, a good and a more effective working relationship will never be a problem. [P]
Malinao was a witness in the case filed against two illegal settlers in Mt. Makiling, Armando Javier and Napoleon Oliveros. After leaving the courthouse in Bay, Laguna, Malinao went to a tarpaulin shop at around 2:30 in the afternoon where the gunman, wearing a helmet and a facemask, shot him twice in the head. Forest guard in the Line of Duty
Malinao, after Leonard Co, was the second UP employee killed because of his work as a protector of the environment. Leonard Co was a botanist killed in the Leyte province while collecting plant samples last year. gunman Still at Large
Frustrating yung nangyari kasi very little attention is given to people who put their lives on the line to protect the forest. Napapansin lang sila pag may masama nang nangyari, Chndyli Rogels immediate response when asked about her opinions regarding Malinaos death. Chndyli Rogel is a BS Development Communication student living in a residence area in Forestry. According to an interview with College of Forestry and Natural Resources Dean Rex Cruz, Malinao was one of the most hardworking forest guards known for not easily being intimidated. In fact, Malinao was one of the forest guards who had filed the most number of cases against illegal loggers and settlers in Mt. Makiling. Dean Cruz said that Malinaos work as a Forest Technician I, responsible in citing law violators such as illegal poachers and settlers in the forest reserve, is a possible motive for his death. UPLB Chancellor Luis Rey Velasco believed that a large group of people, that Malinao might have threatened because of the nature of
According to Bay Police Chief Inspector Joseph Laureta, they are still investigating on whether the motive behind Malinaos death was workrelated. But the gunman was already identified by a witness thru a crime photo gallery as Roberto Canobas. A case was already filed in the Calamba regional trial court but the suspect remains free. Malinao: Environmental Advocate and an Activist for Workers Rights According to Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) national chair, Malinao was the vice president of the UPLB Chapter of the Organization of Non-Academic Personnel of UP (ONAPUP) and a national council member of the union. According to PMs press release last May 13, Malinao is the third PM leader killed in the CALABARZON area since the groups foundation in 2001. The other two PM leaders are Andrew Bok Inoza of Alaska Milk in San Pedro, Laguna and Chairperson of PM-Laguna and Emmanuel Cosme Ibe, union president of Liwayway Manufacturing Corp. in Imus Cavite and a founding member of PM-Cavite. The group expressed its condolences for Malinaos family.
FAMILIARIZATION. Through the campus tour spearheaded by the Student Organizations and Activities Division (SOAD), UPLB New Freshmen were briefed by upperclassmen from various student organizations.
PHOTO | EJ LAGRIMAS
PM also calls justice for Malinaos death and appeals to the government and the authorities to investigate and exhaust all means to find the motive and the mastermind behind Malinaos killing. [P]
RJ PARAISO
In the previous years, UPLB was left behind by other UP units when we talk about automated elections. Several irregularities were noted through the years of conducting manual student elections. Every year, the University Student Council would have to spend an amount ranging from thirty to fifty thousand pesos just to run a five- to six-day election and canvassing process. Manpower from staff and administrative personnel was needed, at the expense of them leaving their duties in their respective offices, just to facilitate
| The Unsuccessful Automated WORDS CALAYAG ERNEST Elections the manual counting of votes. Not to mention that this extra service is done voluntarily. It is also important to note that there was an instance in 2009 when a candidate for CAS Chairperson anomalously won the seat but after a recount, discrepancies in the canvassing surfaced and his opponent was declared the official winner in the said electoral race. During the last 2011 USCCSC Elections, all difficulties, inefficiencies and irregularities which normally accompanies a manual election has come to pass as the very first automated elections was implemented in UPLB. The budget for the elections was cut down to more than half the usual, the system ensured that no human error will occur during the canvassing, and the three to four days allotted for counting votes was shortened to a few seconds. These were the benefits of the automated election and this should have been maximized if only the members of the USC during those times prioritized the implementation of the said
project rather than politicizing the mechanism of the automated elections. This was supposedly one of the major breakthroughs under the previous term, but more than a week prior to the elections, when there was a need to appoint former USC Vice Chair Aya Mula as Officer-in-Charge in order to avoid issues of conflicting interests, the thrust was shifted from full implementation of the automated elections to executing the project side-by-side a printout check and balance mechanism which will be canvassed and shall serve as basis of the official result. Indeed, the desire to ensure the integrity of the elections is noble enough in itself, but those people left behind in the previous years student council who have decided to produce printers over computer units to be used for the elections has clearly missed the essence of automating the elections. There is a need to backdate a month prior the elections when the USC conducted a dry run
But sadly, it is not acceptable for someone who holds his idealism intact to see that there are trapos in the campus political terrain who are fond of eating their own calls after attaining the victory, which serves as their primary, if not, sole aspiration.
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In 1898, there was a Treaty of Peace signed by Spain and the United States of America wherein Spain sold the Philippine territory for the sum of 20 million US Dollars. The territory sold includes the controversial Spratlys Island. In the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea, our Exclusive Economic Zone was declared to extend to 200 miles around the coastal state, which includes a large part of the Spratlys group of Islands. Since the start of this year, there were already six reported incidents that the Chinese Military and oil exploration teams were seen navigating around the Philippine territory dropping-off military and building equipment on our claimed Philippine territory. There were also
Though our government already made an action by seeking international diplomatic help regarding the issue, the question still remains -- that is, if when the time comes that it cannot be resolved, are we ready to go to war? In the course of Philippine history, we waged war when the Spaniards landed on our shores. To cut the long story short, we lost that war. When the Americans came again, we waged war, and we lost again. When the Japanese came, we waged war, and still we lost. Now, China is trying to trespass our territory, are we ready to engage? Yes, the possibility of loosing war to China and facing another tyrant may not come in this time, but are we prepared as a nation? Though Filipinos are known to be territorial because of the countrys archipelagic structure, of all the wars we have been through, we
WORDS| REGIE MONTAA showed that we are strong as a nation by fighting for our independence every time there are conquerors. Heroes emerge from these wars, which are written in our history books that define our nation today. In the situation of our country today where in political views, religion, and interests are diverse, are we ready to face war carrying only the weapon of nationalism in our hearts and minds simply because we are all Filipinos? Do we really need to seek help from other strong countries such as the United States of America for our protection or can we defend our own country by ourselves? In the case when war emerges, will the Filipino Christians and Muslims work hand in hand? Will the activist groups such as the New Peoples Army and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and the Government work together? Can people with different political views and interests set aside their differences and fight for one goal? We may say that we have already seen it during the two EDSA revolutions but fighting in a war for the country that involves possible bloodshed and death with another nation is very much different as written in the history books. This is the war that we should first settle and conquer before we learn how to truly defend our nation from other nation. [P]
Though Filipinos are known to be territorial because of the countrys archipelagic structure, of all the wars we have been through, we showed that we are strong as a nation by fighting for our independence every time there are conquerors.
I hope that our new student regent will carry out her responsibilities well and lean all her endeavors to a pro-student principle. She should also connect the students struggle to the struggles of the Filipino masses and the struggles/problems of the Philippine society as a whole. A plus if she visits our campus. Lemuel Lemence, BS Industrial Engineering 10 Simple lang. Serve with integrity, serve beyond colors. Paul Cruz, BA Sociology 07
Freshman Fever
Ate, san po ba yung TBA? Saan po yung CAS Annex 2? May mabibilhan po ba ng school supplies dito sa loob ng campus? Ilan lamang ito sa mga tanong na karaniwang maririnig natin sa pagbukas ng unang semester ng taon. Hindi na nakapagtataka na maraming bagong mukha sa UPLB sa simula ng klase. Ibat ibang kulay ng kutis, may kapansinpansin ang pananamit, may simple, may ilang hindi nakakapagtakang nanggaling sa mayamang pamilya, may maingay, at may mahiyain lahat ng ito, makikita sa first day of classes kung saan unang beses tatapak sa silid-aralan ng UPLB ang mga tinatawag nating Freshies. Para sa mga upperclassmen ng UPLB, hindi maipagkakaila na bibo ang mga Freshmen o kung tawagin natin ay NF. Kahit bago pa lang nilang dinadama ang pagiging bagong Iskolar ng at para sa Bayan, pinakikita nila ang kanilang determinasyon upang maging
matagumpay sa buhay. Kapag upperclass ka, madali mong mahahalata kung sino sa mga kaklase mo ang Freshies. Kadalasan, sila ang masisipag sa klase, hindi madalas umabsent at mahilig sumagot sa recitation. Bawat isa sa atin ay dumaan sa pagiging NF. At lahat tayo ay may kakaibang karanasang kalakip ng pagiging baguhan sa unibersidad. Ang mga bagay na ito, kung minsan, ay nais na lamang nating itago kahit na sa loob ng malilikot na isip ay pinagtatawanan natin ang mga ito. Nakakita ka na bang laminated Form 5? Oo. Merong ilan na gumawa nito. Pinapa-laminate ang Form 5 para nga naman hindi madaling masira. Meron ding standing ovation kapag tinawag ng prof. Tumatayo kapag nagre-recite sa klase. Kung sa bagay, ganoon naman talaga ang kinaugalian nung hayskul. At wala rin namang nagsabi na dito sa UP, na hindi na kailangang tumayo tuwing sasagot sa tanong ng teacher. Kadalasan, kapag may nagmamadali sa pagtatanong kung saan ang daan papunta sa isang room, malamang ay naliligaw na siya. Mahirap din naman hanapin ang mga klasrum dito lalo na kung may kakabit na salitang annex sa room number. Ang iba, paunahan sa klase. 20 mins. bago mag-time, may
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When we were introduced to UPLB campus politics, we were told that its a microcosm of what is happening in the national terrain. But sadly, it is not acceptable for someone who holds his idealism intact to see that there are trapos in the campus political terrain who are fond of eating their own calls after attaining the victory, which serves as their primary, if not, sole aspiration. These are the people who have left their advocacy and allowed it to go down the drain since it will no longer benefit their interest. The real deal is that the very first conduct of the automated elections was successful mechanically, but meeting the essence and heart of conducting an election was not at all attained because the supposed sacred process was politicized. [P]
Talking To Padeys or Deo Cajano is like taking a trip down the UPLB student memory lane
wears simple clothes to school; where the interaction and friendship foundation is formed u decent hellos to each others Facebook wall. For freshmen students who would want to kn Padeys is an epitome of the reality of how much fun is in store for you and how goin
Padeys who?
Deo Paulo Revilleza Cajano his friends fondly call him field of Theater Arts. He Pedestal (2005), BaBe Monologues (2007) Chronicles (2010), E played the title
Passiona
When aske drama sa r tinitirhan n ng Lagim. voices and a chance sports. Unti
Des Po
he id cry eve
Persona
What keep
And just like any UP. When asked kaibigan ko, hind Ayan. Nasabi ko n ngayon. Sana!
e where students are far from being conformists, who upon making small talk face to face rather than posting now what is in store for them upon entering the university, ng after your passion makes everything worthwhile.
o was born to Deogracias Cajano and Agnes Cajano on November 23, 1986. Padeys, as m, is a BS Biology 03 student majoring in Wildlife Biology whose passion is clearly in the e appeared on numerous plays in UPLB such as Miss Philippines, A Musical (2005), Suso sa eBiBobo (2007&2008), Tarugolette, Whatever that Means! (2007), Icebag 8 (2007), Fairtrade ), El Laberinto dela Verdad (2008), Elbi Pie 9 (2009), Icebag X (2009), Elbi Pie 11 (2010), Canton Elbi Pie 12 (2010), Boy Pogi at ang mga Sireyna (2010), Boy Pogi Resureccion, wherein he e role and Strange Pilgrims (2010).
[P]: What is your favorite movie? Padeys: Yung all time ay Kramer vs. Kramer. Mahilig kasi talaga ako sa mga touching na movies eh. Sobrang tumatak sakin dun ung scene ni Dustin Hoffman at nung son nyang si Billy habang nagluluto sila ng French toast. [P]: How would your friends/colleagues describe you? Padeys: Motherly! Pero totoo yan. Sa mga kaibigan ko kasi sobrang maalaga ako. It comes with age na din siguro.
padeys
Q & As
with
etting down to business to unveil Padeys in his best role to date, to say lines written by his own ake gestures that he naturally feel, to laugh and get lost in a moment in his own cue and to e of no one, but himself.
ed how he got into acting, he answered Feeling ko dahil lumaki ako ng nakikinig sa mga radio. Padeys lived in a simple home when he was young and shares, Wala kaming TV sa namin, eh. Laging tutok sa DZRH. His favorite radio drama series are Negra Bandida and Gabi He was amazed hearing the voices of the dubbers back then. He even imitated the dubbers d came to realize that he has a passion in acting and to exaggerate things. He was first given to act during his elementary days. He also added that he enjoyed doing it since he is not into il now, he enjoys acting and playing different roles.
[P]: What are you known for? Padeys: For my passion in theater acting, I suppose. Sabi ko nga, priority ko lagi ang pag-arte san man ako mapunta. At syempre sa pagpaprioritize ko lagi sa happiness ng mga kaibigan ko over my own happiness. Hindi ako madamot. Alam nila yan. [P]: What is your dream role? Padeys: Dream role siguro ang kahit anong role na malayong malayo sa pagkatao ko sa totoong buhay. Babaeng balingkinitan, aso, gamu-gamo. Ganyan. Basta kahit anong mapapakunot noo ako pag nakita ko yung piyesa. [P]: actor/s that you want to play opposite with. Why? Padeys: Kahit sinong member ng Sipat Lawin Ensemble o ng Tanghalang Pilipino. Mahihimatay ako panigurado pag nangyari yun. At syempre si Meryl Streep! In my dreams! Hindi masamang mangarap. [P]: What makes you stand out? Padeys: My talent I guess? Plus the fact na tina-tyaga ko ang Bio course ko despite the fact na nasa theater ang pusot damdamin ko. Malamang madaming ganung tao pero bihira yung tulad ko. Tumanda na sa University for the love of his craft. [P]: Where can you be found on a typical Friday night? Padeys: Jungle Java, Caf Antonio, Elbi Square, or some tropas house socializing. [P]: if you would be a dessert, what would you be? Padeys: Banana split! [P]: Whats your best pick-me-upper? Padeys: Chismisan with orgmates and close friends. Wala nang mas nakakabuhay pa ng dugo kesa sa mga juicy kwento mula sa mga kaibigan. [P]: Who influenced you the most in UPLB? Padeys: Madami. Pero siguro magbabanggit na lang ako ng ilan. Like Prof. Lallie Bucoy and Sir Elmer Rufo. Idol ko silang dalawa. Sila ang nagpakilala sakin ng tunay na teatro sa UPLB. Mentors kumbaga. And having said that, its no wonder that Padeys is as real as he can be and is playing his best role to date. [P]
rst theatre experience is when he narrated a skit back in Grade 2. He said, Napansin yata acher na ang OA ko mag-emote e narrator lang naman ako. So after nun, pinaarte na ko. nagstart.
Bobo was the first play he auditioned for. It was a project of the Ugnayan ng Pahinungod n 2007. He claims that he was never rejected in any audition since he started acting in tre inside the university. Normally yung mga Prod na sinasalihan ko ay may role kagad or niommend ako ng isang kaibigan or naka-trabaho ko na yung director.
spite the several characters that he portrayed in different plays, acting up on stage as Boy ogi is his most memorable one. Pakiramdam ko after nun wala na akong gusto pang i-portray eh. Napaka-challenging nung role kaya pinagtuunan ko talaga ng atensyon. It was a major role that he performed at the DL Umali Stage. The cast and crew of that particular play are his friends thus, he shares, Nakakapressure talaga. Good thing okay ang chemistry ng casts and staff. Hilahan ng energy pataas. Suportahan. Pyesa ng multi-Palanca winner na si Maam Lallie, sa direksyon ng napakagaling na actor at director na si Sir Rufo tapos kaeksena ko pa ang charismatic na si Tracy Quila na parang kapatid ko na. For Padeys, an actor like him couldnt ask for more. He reminisced the plays last night when he saw and eard how the audience applauded for him. He remembered his number one supporter and dol who was also an actress, the late Speech Commmunication instructor, Ms. Diana Emlano, ying at her seat and cheering up for his well-done performance. He felt the sense of fulfilment erytime he hears people call him Boy Pogi inside and outside the campus.
known actors and actresses have their own unique rituals before performing on stage. eys seemed different from them. He has no unique rituals. He usually does vocal exercises puts his own make-up. He sets aside those and keep in mind his responsibilities as an actor He always assures that he gives his best when delivering the lines and performing in front of an .
al Padeys
ps a typical Padeys busy when stage lights are off? Padeys reveals to [P] who he is backstage:
ng. Aral. Tulog. Net. Tambay. Party pag meron or hangout anywhere. Those are Padeys ring his spare time. During weekends, he does his own laundry, does the house chores, and whenever he has extra budget.
y college student, its normal to sometimes receive a low grade especially when you are in about the lowest grade that he has ever received, Padeys openly answered, Sabi ng isang di mo naranasan ang tunay na hirap ng buhay sa UPLB kung hindi ka nakatikim ng singko. na. Singko. Excessive absences malamang. Kulang sa motivation. Pero okay na naman
he is not that good in juggling extracurricular activities and studies. Sometimes, he sacrifices ce he allots most of his time in prod than going to class. Though, there are times that he can te this, he enjoys his stay in the university and gaining lots of friends is also a factor.
ganizations where he actively participates: The UPLB Genetics Society, the UPLB Thespian y member of the UPLB ComArtSoc.
s himself as a teacher and an adviser of Drama Club, a foster parent of 2 children living in a
kahit lampas isandaang taon na ang nakalipas simula nang mamatay ang ating pambansang bayaning si dr. Jose Rizal, hanggang ngayoy wala pa ring kupas ang bawat kontribusyon niya sa pambansang kalayaan, literatura, medisina at agham. kahit na maikli lamang ang naging buhay niya, sadyang masasabing kahanga-hanga at siksik sa mahahalagang pangyayari ang kanyang buhay na masasabing tunay na dapat tularan.
magtungo nang patakas sa Barcelona, Espanya. Doon na nagsimulang masira ang kanyang pagtingin sa Espanya. Malamig at, walang pakialam sa isat isa ang mga taong nasa paligid. Ngunit kung may natutunan man siya, ito ay ang mapagpalayang diwang liberal. Di gaya sa Pilipinas, sa Espanya ay malayang nakapagsasalita ng kani-kanyang kurukuro, opinyon, saloobin at nasasaisip ang bawat tao na walang takot na maaari siyang parusahan. Doon niya nakilala ang iba pang mga ilustrado na gaya niya na sina Marcelo H. del Pilar, Graciano Lopez Jaena at marami pang iba. Inalok siyang maging pinuno ngunit siya ay tumanggi. Sinabi ni Jose Rizal na mapapapayag lamang siya na maging pinuno kung walang sinumang magiging oposisyon sa kanyang pamumuno. Kahit na nasa puso ng ibang bansa, sariling bansa pa rin ang kanyang nasasaisip. Sinulat niya ang mga nobelang Noli Me Tangere at El Filibusterismo sa ibang bansa. Nakakatawang isipin na unang nailimbag ang mga ito sa ibang bansa, pero matindi ang naging epekto nito sa mga naninirahan sa ating bansa. Ito ang isa sa mga pangunahing nagdala ng diwang mapagpalaya. Nagbigay ito ng inspirasyon sa lahat ng mga Pilipinong naapi. Ang mga ito rin ang nagdala sa pambansang bayani sa kanyang katapusan. Isa sa hindi malilimot na pangaral ni Dr. Jose Rizal ang kasabihang Ang mga kabataan ang siyang pagasa ng ating Inang Bayan. Kagaya niya, sa kanyang murang edad, marami siyang napatunayan. Hindi kailangan pang tumanda o magkaedad upang patunayan na kayang maging dakila. Ang mga katagang ito ay hindi lamang binitawan upang pataasin ang tingin ng kabataan sa kanilang mga sarili, bagkus, ito ay isang hamon. Isang hamon upang ang kabataan ay kumilos at makiisa sa solusyon, at tayo bilang mga Iskolar ng at para sa Bayan, kasama ang lahat ng kabataang Pilipino ay inaasahang tumugon sa hamong ito. [P]
pambansang bayani. Sa araw ring iyon unang sumilay ang liwanag ng kalayaan sa bansang tigang sa pag-ibig at diwang makabayan. Sa Calamba, Laguna siya
The Philippines was once considered as the only Catholic nation int Asia. Today, South Korea and East Timor have already joined us, being officially declared as dominantly Catholic nations in the Orient.
children for the development of these interest groups concern is the main thrust of the state as it addresses reproductive health and health care. At the same time, it has the capability of protecting the rights of children and the youth, in general. The state likewise assures a propeople, at the same time being more accessed planning and use to legally safe, affordable, quality methods, planning and health care services with the help of Yes, being a Catholic nation proper education and instruction. in the Far East is definitely a The state also has assured its bragging right since majority of constituents of the following: the our neighboring countries have right to make decisions which Islam as their faith. But, right now, are plainly not subjected to any we are caught in the middle form of coercion, rights regarding regarding our belief in the Holy reproductive health and welfare Scriptures. And, since the word of of any person, and effective health God is the ever authentic guide care services that will ensure child to righteousness of most Filipinos, which these people strongly condemn our health and maternal health, right other countrymen who have shown is in accordance to promote support to a more, say, pro-people to proper health, responsible especially for the and more open-minded group who parenthood the marginalized goes for the passage of these bills. women andis a basic part of sector, as it providing quality health care. The soon-to-be, if ever approved, Reproductive Act of 2011, commonly known as the RH Bill, has It also gives an assured proper method of education and instruction been recently a hot issue ranging which have been proven to be from personalities of varying pro-life, safe, and effective, in prominence. According to history, accordance with the internationally this bill rooted from House Bill and scientifically-based standards 8110 which was also a nationsupported by internationally known dividing issue way back in 1999. institutions such as the World Health Since then, there have been a lot Organization, and the Food and of revisions and modifications to Drug Administration. this bill which has been able to secure a strong foundation and While maintaining a pro-life support base from various sectors family planning, provision of health and organizations. care will be a joint responsibility of National Government and Presently, two popular versions Local Government Units with the are in circulation in the legislature, obligation to promote, respect, namely: House Bill 4244 introduced by Representative Edcel and maintain the right to health. In Lagman, and Senate Bill No. 2378 connection with this, there will be initiated and authored by Senator an active participation by different non-government, and women Miriam Santiago. From these, childrens organizations that Senate Bill No. 2865, an act which andwilling to help address the will be known as The Reproductive are of the people concerned, needs Act of 2011 once approved, is children, said to guarantee the human rights especially women, The stateand then and gender equality of all persons, the marginalized. of ensuring has the responsibility may it be in the form of right to proper allocation and utilization of equality, human development, resources in providing basic health right to proper health, and care. proper exhibition of knowledge in support with their spiritual and As stated on the bill, it does cultural beliefs, and responsible not amend the law regarding parenthood. abortion; the government is still tasked to ensure that women who As stated in the bill, the state have undergone post abortion and assures proper implementation have sought help shall be treated of gender equality, women and in a humane way. childrens rights and dignity as health, human rights concern, and On the other hand, another bill has social responsibility. Also, since it been on its way of claiming fame, leans more toward women and
and making a strong point regarding our views on marriage Divorce Bill. But, before discussing the main points of the bill, there is indeed a refreshment of mind as we talk about marriage. Literally, marriage is a sacred union and family nourished in the sacrament of marriage is strong in foundation of love and guidance. Basically, marriage was introduced to us formally by Spaniards dating back to Spanish era in the Philippines. It is considered as a union between a man and a woman for love, support, and procreation. Basically, it is also known to be a life-long commitment, assuring unity even in times of doubt. However, right now, frankly, there have been a majority of what people call as failed marriages. Failed marriage comes from a previously fruitful relationship which might have been weakened due to distrust, and adultery. Sometimes, wrong decisions were also the case that made marriage experience chaos. Because of that, marriages which are unable to work and having problems are already available for termination via annulment process. Article 36 of the Family Code, more commonly known as annulment, which has been formally legalized on August 3, 1988, is a process which invalidates a marriage and considers it null and void. The only catch is that, one would not be permitted by the Catholic Church to get married again in the church. The only available method for people like such is a civil wedding, a way not too traditional and cultural for Roman Catholics. Based on facts, from the different causes of violence and abuse against women recorded in the year 2009, wife battery got the highest percentage at 72 percent (6,783) according to report submitted by the Philippine Nation Police (PNP). In support to this, the Department of Social Welfare and Development also noted the same crime as the highest
Bragging Rights
garnering a total of 1,933. In addition to this is a report by the police reporting husbands being a majority of suspects. Right now, we, Filipino people are enticed to look upon getting divorce legalized in our country. Yes, theres an assurance that group of people which would go against it, but we are now given the chance to know more about it. Divorce Bill is a current issue being debated nationally. It was formally introduced by Gabriela in support with the data it has gathered regarding abuses experienced by women from their partners. Given the events like women battery taking place, this bill is told to assure the innocent of continuous total human development and life, not being terminated. The bill is said to give assurance of protection of various sorts as compared to annulment. As stated on the bill, there should be five grounds to formally execute divorce. It is included in the permanent failure of a marriage and total non-performance of marital obligations. It permits one to file a petition for divorce, only when the petitioner has been separated from his or her spouse for at least five years and reconciliation is already unworkable at the time of the application for petition, or when the petitioner has already been legally separated for at least two years from the filing of the petition. Petition for they are required to present their marital contrarieties in court and they would be used to judge the possibility of a divorce. Another ground for divorce is the psychological incapacity to perform basic marital obligations. Such ground will initially repeal Family Code 36, since they are both exhibiting the same scenario. As a main importance, the bill resolves the mentality of the husband forgiving the partner, which is sometimes evident due to economic or social conditions they are in. With this issue, a decree of divorce initially dissolves the absolute or conjugal gains. Likewise, they will be equally divided to both parties. Also, as an addition, the spouse who is not beneficially employed has the title of being supported by the other side until she sufficiently supports himself. Lastly, custody of children may be known with regard to the best interests of the children in accordance with the Family Code. The moral, emotional, and other damages shall be awarded to the aggrieved in proper supervision with the civil code on damages. Based on the last part of the bill, the sanctity of marriage is not based on number of marriages, but on the quality of marital relationships. It gives us the chance to have an option of filing a divorce. RH and Divorce Bills have definitely got a big impact in our society since we all want a positive change. These bills are present not to imperatively ask us to be with them, or vice versa, but to remind us to be aware. We all
divorce also sets to be applicable when spouses suffer from irreconcilable differences that have cause the breakdown of relationship, and
have to think of the two sides. It is purely a decisive matter which we all might have to decide on since we would be their past, present, and future.
[P]
Her name sprang to my lips at moments in strange prayers and praises which I myself did not understand. My eyes were often full of tears (I could not tell why) and at times a flood from my heart seemed to pour itself out into my bosom. I thought little of the future. I did not know whether I would ever speak to her or not or, if I spoke to her, how I could tell her of my confused adoration. But my body was like a harp and her words and gestures were like fingers running upon the wires. Ilang segundo na ring natapos ang pag-quote sa short story na Araby ni James Joyce ng isa sa mga estudyante nya bago nakapagsalita si Vic. Good, ang tanging nasabi nya. Tatlumput limang pares ng mga mata ang nakatitig sa kanya, naghihintay sa susunod nyang sasabihin. Gusto sanang itanong sa kanila ni Vic: Magaling naman akong teacher di ba? Magaling din namang akong chairman ng Humanities Department di ba? Loyal naman ako sa university at more than twelve years na akong nagtuturo rito, di ba? Karapat-dapat lang naman akong suportahan ng dean para sa scholarship ko sa Amerika, di ba, class? Pero naunahan ang kanyang dila ng pagtaas ng kamay ng isa nyang estudyante. Yes, Ms. Nuguid? pagacknowledge ni Vic sa estudyante. E Sir, simula ng estudyante. Hindi pa ba po love yung nararamdaman ng character? Ha? Bago pa man mabuko ng mga estudyanteng lumilipad na ang pag-iisip ni Vic, bumalik sa kanya ang dini-discuss nila sa klase. Ah, yes in Araby, sabi ni Vic. And why do you say that the character is in love? Yung sa binasa pong lines kanina. Saka eto pa po: All my senses seemed to desire to veil themselves and, feeling that I was about to slip from them, I pressed the palms of my hands together until they trembled, murmuring: O love! O love! many times. Kumunot ang noo ni Vic. Sumeryoso ang
Chapter 1
lahat ng estudyante. Ang mga nakatayo nay dahan-dahang bumalik sa pagkakaupo, ang mga malapit na sa pintuay tumigil sa paglalakad, at ang mga nasa labas nay unti-unting pumasok muli sa classroom. Marahang natawa si Vic. Mukhang interesting topic to sa inyo, ha? Mukhang love is in the air. Panunuksong uuuy ang sinagot ng mga estudyante kay Vic. Am I missing something here? tanong ni Vic. Napansin nya ang halos magkasabay na pagtungo nina Ms. Nuguid at Mr. Garcia. Tin? Kiko? tanong muli ni Vic. Lalong lumakas ang tuksong uuuy ng mga estudyante. Natawa si Vic. Mukhang alam ko na. Sir kasi, biglang nasabi ni Mr. Garcia. Pwedeng gustong-gusto nyo ngang makasama yung girl, yung wala na kayong iniisip kundi yung girl. Yung lahat na lang ng may kinalaman sa girl mahalaga na sa inyo, yung tipong mabanggit pa lang yung pangalan ng girl di na kayo mapakali. Tin, sabi ni Vic. Napatingin si Ms. Nuguid kay Vic. Sir? Hindi, hindi kita tinatawag. Tinitingnan ko lang kung hindi mapapakali si Mr. Garcia.
Napangiti si Mr. Garcia. Bumulong naman sa kinikilig na katabing kaklaseng babae si Ms. Nuguid. Pero kahit na halos umikot na sa babae yung mundo nyo, patuloy ni Mr. Garcia. Pwedeng hindi pa rin love yon. Pwedeng infatuation lang. Nakita ni Vic ang pagdapo ng lungkot sa mukha ni Tin. Napahawak ito sa braso ng katabing kaklaseng babaeng pinawian na rin ng kilig sa katawan. Ang love po kasi, Sir, sabi pa ni Mr. Garcia, para sa akin, yun yung nakita mo na ang lahat ng kapangitan ng babae: hitsura, ugali, pag-iisip. Yung nagkalat na sya sa buhay, pinahiya ka na, pwedeng ninakawan ka pa, siniraan, ginawan ng kung ano pang masama. Pero sa huli, wala ka pa ring gustong gawin kundi ang yakapin sya. Naglabas na ng panyo si Tin at pinahid sa mga mata. Inakbayan na sya ng katabing kaklaseng babaeng nilambungan ng lungkot ang mukha. Well, ang sabi ni Vic. Honestly, Im a bit surprised to hear that coming from a sophomore student like you. But its a pleasant surprise. Its a rather mature take on love. It was just a kiss. Bahagyang nagulat si Vic sa narinig mula kay Ms. Nuguid. Gusto nya sanang patigilin na ito at pauwiin na ang mga estudyante pero desidido si Ms. Nuguid na magpatuloy. Birthday ng best friend mo, Kiko. I just kissed him bilang pagbati ng happy birthday. E di magsama na nga kayo, ganting sagot ni Mr. Garcia. Nagtaas ng kamay si Vic. Ooops. I think this is already a private matter between the two of you. Tumayo si Mr. Garcia. Hindi po, sabi nito. Ito po yung point ko. Nagtinginan ang lahat kay Mr. Garcia. Tuluyan namang yumakap na sa katabing kaklaseng babae si Ms. Nuguid. Kung mahal ko sya, uunawain ko sya. Matatanggap kong wala lang yung paghalik nya sa best friend ko. Aaminin kong maaaring nagalit ako at nagselos. Pero yun nga e. Matapos ko syang makitang makipaghalikan sa best friend ko, naisip kong ayoko na sa kanya, may mali sa kanyang di ko matanggap. Naisip kong yun lang pala at naanod na ng limot ang lahat ng naramdaman ko para sa kanya noon. Hindi yon pag-ibig. Infatuation lang pala. Dahil kung pag-ibig yon, magagawa ko pa rin syang yakapin, ano man sya, ano man ang nagawa nya. Naputol ang kanilang diskusyon nang kumatok na sa pintuan ang janitor ng building. Sir, sabi ng janitor,
Nagtawanan ang mga estudyante. Napatungo si Mr. Garcia. Oh, nag-ba-blush ka ata, puna ni Vic kay Mr. Garcia. Go on, as you were saying.
magsasara na po. *** Pasakay na si Vic sa kanyang kotse nang hinabol sya ni Ms. Nuguid. Ms. Nuguid, sabi ni Vic. Im sorry. Hindi ko alam na may problema pala kayo. Im really sorry. Totoo po ba yon? Im really sorry. Totoo po bang hindi na nya ako mahal dahil lang don? Napabuntong-hininga si Vic. Kilala sya sa university bilang favorite teacher ng mga estudyante. Tatlong ulit na
syang naging Outstanding Teacher para sa College of Arts and Letters dahil sa sobrang taas ng student evaluation nya. Bahagi ng pagiging popular nya sa mga estudyante ay ang pagiging tunay nyang sensitibo sa mga suliranin ng mga ito maging pang-akademiko o personal man. Kilala syang takbuhan ng mga estudyanteng naghahanap ng guarantor upang makapag-student loan. Kilala rin syang takbuhan ng mga dati at kasalukuyan nyang estudyanteng nagkakaroon ng mga problema sa magulang, sa mga kaibigan, at lalong lalo na sa usapin ng pag-ibig. Approachable at tunay na accommodating si Vic sa mga estudyante. Mataas din ang credibility rating nya sa mga ito dahil bukod sa magandang academic background nyang kinabibilangan ng pagtatapos ng summa cum laude sa kolehiyo at pagkakasama sa Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines nung syay nag-aaral pa, tatlong libro na rin tungkol sa literatura ang napa-publish nya, dalawang nobela, at apat na refereed journal. Hindi na naging nakakapagtaka kung bakit sa murang edad na 32, apat na taon na rin syang chairman ng kanilang departamento. Higit sa lahat, larawan ng masayang pamilya ang pamilya ni Vic. Nagtuturo naman sa Department of Visual Arts and Music ang kanyang asawang si Margaret. Ang panganay nilang anak na si Albert ay dalawang ulit nang na-accelerate kung kayat first year high school na ito kahit na sampung taong gulang pa lamang. Kilala rin itong magaling na batang piyanista at nakatanggap na ng mga scholarship offers mula sa ibat ibang eskwelahang kilala sa musika sa loob at labas ng bansa. Ang kanilang bunso namang si Tasha ay consistent first honor mula kinder hanggang ngayong nasa Grade III. May dalawang sinulat na rin itong tulang lumabas sa isang panglingguhang magazine. Nakakagawa na rin ito ng pangalan bilang pinakabatang makata. Seryosong tiningnan ni Vic si Ms. Nuguid. Love is very complicated, sabi nya. May ibat ibang klase ang love, ibat ibang dahilan, ibat ibang epekto. Maaaring tama si Kiko. O maaari rin namang mali. May ibat ibang intensity rin ang love. Sa huli, I guess, the more tests love survives, the more assured you are that it is genuine love. Habang nagmamaneho si Vic, nabura sa kanyang isipan ang naganap sa kanyang klase. Bumalik muli ang pagtanggi ng kanilang dekanang suportahan syang makuha ang scholarship upang makapag-aral sa Amerika. Dalawang linggo na ring dinadala ni Vic ang masasabi na ring tampo sa kanilang dekana. Ilang ulit din nyang pinigilan ang sariling sumbatan ang kanilang dekana. Gusto nya sanang isumbat ditong nagiging makasarili lamang ito dahil alam naman sa buong university ang plano ng mga faculty sa kanilang kolehiyo na matanggal ito sa pwesto. Ilang departamento na rin ang nagkaisang gumawa ng open letter sa presidente ng university upang hingin ang pagpapatanggal sa dekanang tinawag nilang diktador at walang puso. Alam ni Vic na ang departamento na lamang nila ang hindi pa sumasama sa nagkakaisang pwersa ng ibang departamento. Alam ng dekanang ang paggalang kay Vic ng mga faculty ang dahilan kung bakit napigilan sila ni Vic, bilang chairman, na makisama pa sa paghiling sa pagpapatanggal sa dekana. Hindi magawang hayaan ni Vic na matanggal ang kanilang dekana. Alam nyang hindi man ito popular sa mga faculty, ang mga desisyon naman nitoy laging para sa kabutihan ng kolehiyo. Ilang ulit ding nakamtan ng dekana ang paghanga at respeto ni Vic lalo na sa mga desisyon nitong nakakasagasa man sa ibang faculty member ay nanatili namang makatarungan kung ilalagay sa
konteksto ng kapakanan ng kolehiyo. Ilang grants at ilang requests na rin ng kung ilang teachers ang ni-reject ng dekana. Nasaktan man ang mga teachers, diretsahan naman ang pagsasabi ng dekanang hindi popularity game ang pamamalakad sa isang kolehiyo, hindi sila university of friendship. Hindi sya lumalaban bilang Ms. Congeniality. Dekana sya, excellence lamang ang kinikilala, merit lamang ang tinitingnan. Inisip tuloy ni Vic na ngayong nasa lugar na rin sya tulad ng iba pang teachers na hindi sinuportahan ng dekana, sya bay tulad din nilang walang excellence at merit? Hindi nya matanggap yon. May mga achievements naman ako kahit paano, sabi nya sa sarili. Dalawang linggo na ring nagtatalo sa isipan ni Vic ang posibilidad na baka nga naman ayaw lang syang suportahan ng dekana para sa scholarship sa Amerika dahil kung mawawala si Vic ay mababawasan na rin ang kokonting kakampi nito sa kolehiyo at ang posibilidad naman na baka totoo nga naman ang sinabi sa kanya ng dekanang higit na kailangan muna ng Humanities Department ang isang magaling na chairman sa susunod pang dalawang taon kaysa magpaaral sa Amerika. Kung sabagay, sabi na naman ni Vic sa sarili. Ang sabi naman ni Dean, give the department two years muna, tapusin ko lang muna itong second term ko, then saka na ako mag-aral uli. Naipasok na ni Vic ang kanyang kotse sa kanilang garahe. Napabuntonghininga sya. Mabuti na lang hindi agad ako nagpadala sa emosyon, pag-congratulate nya sa sarili. Kung nagkataon, baka kung ano pa ang nasabi o nagawa ko, mapahiya lang ako kay Dean. Lagi pa naman nyang sinasabing, ako man ang pinakabata sa lahat ng department chair sa buong kolehiyo, ako naman ang pinakaginagalang nya dahil hindi ako padalos-dalos sa mga desisyon at
higit sa lahat, wala akong ginagawang magpapahiya sa akin. Sa paglabas ni Vic ng kotse, narinig nya ang tunog ng piano mula sa kanilang bahay. Tumigil muna sya sandali at pinakinggan ang tinutugtog. Chopins Etude, naisip nya. No Other Love. Nagmadali syang pumasok sa kanilang bahay. Iniwan na nya sa sasakyan ang kanyang brief case at iba pang gamit. Hindi nya pinansin ang pagbati sa kanya ng anak na si Albert habang pinagmamalaking may piyesang Bach na naman na nakaya na nitong tugtugin. Hindi na nya pinansin ang bagong nasulat na tulang iwinawagayway sa kanya ni Tasha. Dire-diretso si Vic na lumampas sa kanilang sala at pumunta sa ilalim ng kanilang hagdan kung saan naroon ang kanilang piano. Si Margaret ang tumutugtog, tulad ng hinala nya. Si Mommy lagi na lang si Chopin ang tinutugtog, ang laging puna ni Albert noon. Nakapikit si Margaret, nakatingala habang bumabaybay sa mga teklado ng piano ang mga bihasang daliri. Niyakap ni Vic ang asawa. Hindi tumigil ang mga daliri ni Margaret sa mabilis na paghalik sa mga teklado ng piano. Hindi rin dumilat ang mga mata nito. Nanatili si Vic sa pagkakayakap sa asawa. Hindi na nya pinansin ang malulungkot na tingin ng mga anak na nakatayo sa kanilang sala at tinitingnan sila. Nakita ni Vic ang pag-akbay ni Albert sa nakababatang kapatid at ang pagyaya nitong umakyat sila. Marahan ngunit mabigat ang mga yapak ng dalawang bata habang umaakyat sa hagdan. Alam na nila ang routine. Sinanay na sila ni Vic. When you see me hug mommy tightly while shes playing Chopins No Other Love, go to your rooms. It means mommy is sick and daddy is the one to cure her. But youre not a doctor, pagtataka ni Tasha noon. Yes, but there are some sickness of a mommy that only a daddy can cure.
What if she plays Chopins real Etude? Or Chopins other pieces? Shes great with Fantasae Impromptu anyway, ang tanong naman ni Albert. Only No Other Love, the song actually, not the entire Etude, just the song. Naroon man ang pagtataka sa mata ng mga anak, naging masunurin naman ang mga ito. Sa mga pagkakataong tatanungin sya ng mga ito tungkol sa sakit ng ina, sinasabi nya ang totoo: bipolar disorder. There are times when mommy is so happy and there are times when mommy is so sad. Sapat na yon sa kanyang mga anak. I dont want mommy to be sad, sabi ni Albert. I want mommy to always be happy,sabi naman ni Tasha. Alam ni Vic na nahihirapan ang mga anak nila sa tuwing inaatake ng depression si Margaret. Hindi nito kinakausap ang mga anak, magagalitin itot, hindi lamang minsang napagbuhatan ng kamay ni Margaret ang mga anak sa height ng kanyang depression. Nitong nakakaraay lalong dumadalas at grumagrabe ang mga mood swings ni Margaret, pakiramdam ni Vic, hindi na umeepekto ang iniinom na niresetang olanzapine sa asawa. Kung kayat nitong mga nakakaraay bukod sa matinding pang-unaway tanging pagyakap na lamang ang ginagawa ni Vic kay Margaret. Naramdaman ni Vic ang pagtigil ng paggalaw ng mga daliri ni Margaret. Tumigil na ito sa pagtugtog. Dama ng mga bisig ni Vic ang panlalambot ng katawan ng asawa. Hinaplos nya sa pisngi si Margaret. You wanna rest? tanong ni Vic. Umiling si Margaret. Kumawala sya sa mga bisig ni Vic. Bumagsak ang kalahating katawan ni Margaret sa piano. Ilang ulit na pinalo ng mga kamay nito ang mga teklado ng piano. Yakap pa rin ang naging tanging sandata ni Vic upang pigilan ang asawa. Humahagulgol si Margaret. Iniuumpog na rin nya ang
kanyang ulo sa mga teklado. Sa wakas ay nagtagumpay din ang pagyakap ni Vic. Nanginginig man ang katawan ni Margaret sa pagitan ng mga bisig ni Vic, tumigil na ito sa pagtira sa mga teklado. Humarap si Margaret kay Vic. Halos walang humpay ang paggapang ng mga luha sa pisngi ni Margaret. Ang sama-sama ko, sabi ni Margaret. Masuyong pinahid ni Vic ang mga luha ni Margaret. Magpahinga ka na. I called the Dean, sabi ni Margaret. Sabi ko sa kanya, dapat makuha mo ang scholarship. Sabi ko, kasi ma-didepress ka pag hindi e. Tapos ayaw nya. Nagalit ako. Sabi ko sa kanya shes one self-absorbed bitch. And then I sang, I sang terribly. Ang sama-sama ng boses ko. Pero kasi masama rin naman sya e, kaya dapat masama rin ang pagkanta sa kanya. I sang No other love can warm my heart, now that Ive known the comfort of your arms. Marahang inilapat ni Vic sa kanyang dibdib ang ulo ni Margaret. It doesnt matter, sabi nya sa asawang nagsimulang kantahin ang No Other Love. Nagpumiglas si Margaret at nagpatuloy sa pag-awit. No other love. Oh the sweet contentment that I find with you, every time, every time. Buong pag-iingat na tinayo ni Vic si Margaret. Sing with me, utos ni Margaret. Sing our song, with me. Ngumiti si Vic. Sinabayan nya ang pag-awit ni Margaret. No other lips could want you more for I was born to glory in your kiss. Forever yours I was blessed with love to love you, til the stars burn out above you, til the moon is but a silver shell, no other love, let no other love know the wonder of your spell. Tinitigan ni Margaret si Vic. May kulang, sabi nito. Alam ni Vic na sa pagtatapos ng kanilang kantay hinahalikan nya si Margaret, pero sa pagkakataong yon, naaninag ni Vic na nakaupo pala sa
hagdan ang kanilang mga anak. Nakita nyang umiiyak si Tasha habang tulala namang nakatingin sa kanila si Albert. Di man nya marinig mula sa mga anak, alam ni Vic na natakot ang mga ito dahil narinig nila ang ilang ulit na pagtira ni Margaret sa mga teklado. Alam ni Vic na di man magawang makahugot ng mga salita mula sa kanilang bokabularyo ang mga anak, nasasaktan ang mga ito dahil nasaksihan nila, kahit paano, ang di maunawaang pagwawala ng kanilang ina. Dama ni Vic ang awang bumabalot sa mga anak para sa kanilang ina at ang pagnanais nilang makatulong sa paraan at sa problemang hindi nila nauunawaan. Dama nyang binigo nya rin ang mga anak, Daddy will cure mommy, ang sabi nya noon sa kanila. At ngayoy tinitingnan sya ng mga anak, naghihintay sa mahika ng panggagamot na tanging ang daddy lamang ang makakapagbigay sa mommy. Di man nya aminin sa mga anak ang kawalan nya rin ng kapasidad na gamutin ang kanilang mommy, sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon, kitangkita ni Vic mula sa tinging itinatampol sa kanya ng mga anak na alam na rin ng mga itong maging sya, ang kanilang daddy, ay wala ring magagawa upang mapagaling ang kanilang mommy. Sa pagitan ng mga nakamasid na anak at ng asawang tila tinakasan ng katinuan ang mga mata habang nakahiwalay ang mga labing naghihintay sa nakasanayan nang halik sa pagtatapos ng kanilang No Other Love, rumagasa sa isipan ni Vic ang pagkaanod ng paggalang ng kanilang dekana. Kinubabawan sya ng takot sa maaaring sabihin nito tungkol sa tawag ni Margaret at pagkanta nito sa telepono. Sa dami ng mga naglalaro sa isipan ni Vic, di na nya nagawang halikan si Margaret. Ngunit tulad ng nasabi ni Mr. Garcia: Pero sa huli, wala ka pa ring gustong gawin kundi ang yakapin sya. At niyakap nya si Margaret. [P]
Itutuloy sa susunod na isyu...
Nakita ko sya. Feeling ko nga nakita rin nya ako. Sa dinami-dami ba naman ng pwede kong makita bakit sya pa. Hindi ko namalayan na ganung kabilis ay naubos ko kaagad tong yosi na hinihithit ko. T*ng ina. So, tumingin na lang ako sa iba. Kitang-kita ko na andun sya sa kabilang kalsada. Iniisip ko kung ano na ang susunod na gagawin ko. Tatawid ba ako at lalapitan sya? Hintayin ko kaya syang tumawid at saka ko lapitan? Hasel. Bakit naman kasi walang dumadaan na jeep na kahit ano, pakanan, pakaliwa o kahit pa-Forestry, malamang halatang halata na nya sa kunot kong noo na nag-iisip ako. Na siya ang iniisip ko. Tol! At lumingon ako, nakita ko si Matthew, housemate ko. Anong tinatanga-tanga mo dyan? Gagu! Mas gago hitsura mo. Ang layo ko pa lang kitang-kita nang malalim ang iniisip mo. Ganyang-ganyan ka rin mo nung nagbreak Tara na nga! Sabay madaliang yakag paalis. Hindi ko na inalam pa kung nakita nga ba nya ako. Namimiss ko nang marinig yung tawa niya. Namimiss ko yung nakikita ko ang sarili ko sa kanyang mga mata habang hawak ang kanyang mukha.
Aaminin ko. Gago rin naman kasi ako. Hindi ko rin naman kasi akalain na mahuhulog kaagad ng loob ko sa kanya. Tandang-tanda ko pa nung una ko syang nakita, suot nya ang bestidang yun. Nasabi ko talaga sa sarili ko, T*ng ina ang sarap naman tawaging girlfriend nito. Yun ata ang una naming pagkikita. Tanda ko sa party yun ng common friend ng kung sino mang common friend at sa gabing yun, dun ko sya nakilala. Kakabreak lang namin ng ex-girlfriend ko at maraming linggo na rin akong nagmumukmok at panay ang laro ng DOTA. Pinilit lang ako ni Matthew na samahan ko daw sya at dun ko nga sya nakilala. Halos marami na ang lasing nun at napagtripan namin ang sumayaw. Pareho na ata kaming tipsy nun. Naalala ko panay ang aming tawanan nang gabing yun, hanggang sa naisip naming umupo. Kinuha nya ang kanyang pantali sa buhok at akmang itatali ang kanyang buhok dahil sa sya ay naiinitan. Wag sabi ko. Mas gusto kong nakalugay ang buhok mo Ang bango ng buhok nya. Tandang tanda ko na kahit puro usok na sa kapaligiran nun, amoy na amoy ko pa rin ang bango ng buhok nya. Mula nun ay naging textmates na kami. Yun. Isa pa. Namimiss ko na makita ang number nya sa inbox ko. Namimiss ko makatanggap ng Good Morning at Good Night sa kanya. Hindi nya kasi alam na hanggang ngayon sya pa rin ang una kong naiisip pag mulat ng aking mga mata at ang aking huling minumuni-muni bago ako matulog. I-text ko kaya uli sya? Bahala na. At kinuha ko ang aking telepono sabay send ng: Kumusta ka na? Magre-reply kaya siya?
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