Supremo

Sa taong ito, ipinagdiriwang natin ang ika-isang daan at limampung taon ng kaarawan ni Gat Andres Bonifacio, ang Ama ng Himagsikang Pilipino. Siya ang nanguna sa pagtatatag ng Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan, o mas kilala bilang KKK. Ito ang kauna-unahang kilusan sa Asya-Pasipiko na nag-alsa at lumaban sa mga kolonyalistang Europeo.

Si Bonifacio ay isang anakpawis, isang manggagawa. Totoo sa teoryang pulitikal na ang mga proletaryo ang pinaka-abanteng hanay sa lipunan, siya at ang mga kauring rebolusyonaryo ang nanguna na maglayon na palayain ang sambayanan mula sa mga dayuhang mananakop at makapagtatag ng nagsasariling estado ang Pilipinas. Ito ay taliwas sa adhikain ng mga repormista na maging isang probinsya ng Espanya ang Pilipinas sa maling pag-aakala na magiging pantay at makatao ang turing sa atin ng mga Kastila sakaling mangyari nga ito.

Artistic depiciton of Ka Andres Bonifacio. Illustration by Kenneth Garcia

Ngunit dahil sa laganap at matinding pagsasamantala ng mga kolonyalista, napanday ang isang makabayan at militanteng kaisipan sa mga naaping Pilipino. Pinagbigkis ni Gat Andres Bonifacio, kinilala bilang Supremo, ang taumbayan sa pamamagitan ng lihim na pagpaparami sa kasapian ng Katipunan. Ito ang unang pagkakataon na nagkaroon ng pambansang kamalayan ang Pilipinas. Tinangkilik ng masang Pilipino ang rebolusyon, hanggang sa humantong na nga ito sa lantarang paglaban sa mga dayuhan. Noong Agosto 1896, sabay-sabay na nagpunit ng cedula ang mga rebolusyonaryo, tanda ng paghihimagsik laban sa mga kolonyalista. Inaalala natin ito sa kasaysayan bilang ang Sigaw sa Pugadlawin.

Noong panahon ni Supremo, ang nagtulak sa mga Pilipino upang magrebolusyon ay ang talamak na pagkaganid at pang-aabuso ng mga dayuhang panginoon: Laganap ang pangangamkam ng lupa at iba pang ari-arian, ang panghahalay at pambabastos sa kababaihan, at pang-aapi sa nakararaming masang Pilipino. Bukod pa rito, kinukubabawan at dinidiktahan ng mga kolonyalista ang pulitika, ekonomiya, edukasyon, kultura at iba pang mga aspeto ng pambansang pamumuhay. Ang pinakamasakit ay ang katotohanang noon pa man ay mayroon nang mga Pilipinong taksil na kayang apakan at yurakan ang karapatan at kapakanan ng kanilang mga kababayan para lamang makasalo sa karangyaan at kariwasaang tinatamasa ng mga naghaharing-uri.

Ngayon, isandaan at labimpitong taon makalipas ang Sigaw sa Pugadlawin, nananatili pa rin ang pagsasamantala at kabulukan sa ating lipunan. Nagpapatuloy ang pandarambong ng burukrasya sa kaban ng bayan at ang paghahari ng mga local at dayuhang kapitalista sa merkadong Pilipino; sa kabilang banda, patuloy na nayuyurakan ang karapatan ng mga ordinaryong mamayan, wala pa ring tunay na industriyalisasyon, at walang tunay na reporma sa lupa para sa magsasaka.

Maaring maraming taon na ang lumipas, ngunit hindi pa rin para sa tunay na katarungan at kalayaan. Hanggang ngayon, umaalingawngaw ang Sigaw sa Pugadlawin. Dan Kevin Roque

VP’s PEN Workshop opens new frontiers

“This is truly a breakthrough for the publication, a breakthrough activity,” quipped Aian Perucho, a Philippine Collegian alumnus and one of the guest speakers for The PEN Workshop, when asked what he can say about the activity. The said event is organized by Viewpoint with the help of College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) in the vision of providing relevant journalism skills and creative writing training for the staffers of the publication and to Araullians interested in the same field.

Delivering the News

Last September 14, the Data Gathering, Interviewing, and News Writing seminar took place, where the participants were given the opportunity to learn through the activities incorporated such as the mock interview and a critique of their work. CEGP National Secretary General Marc Lino Abila annd CEGP-Central Luzon Deputy Secretary General Jerome Estavillo acted as speakers for the said event, providing insight on the tasks of the journalists.

A PEN for the Society

For the second wave of the training held last September 21, Viewpoint collaborated with Kabataan Partylist (KPL) National Coordinator Mark Troy Oliva who encouraged the participants to write about the society as he discussed the economic and educational condition of the Philippines.

Highlighting Literature

As its swan song exit, The PEN Workshop conducted the last wave of trainings this September 28, focusing on Creative Writing and Literary Criticism. CEGP's Education Officer Jian Carlo Gomez and Viewpoint’s Editor-in-Chief Dan Kevin Roque sat down for the analysis of the literary pieces of the participants.

New Frontiers

All in all, 144 Araullians expressed their interest in joining the said workshop. “As the Filipino Youth, we must read and write. We must study the society so that we understand our objective situation,” Abila said in the vernacular when asked to give a message to the participants of the workshop. Mary Joyce Jopson

10 Questions with the President

He’s been handed the keys to the kingdom, as the metaphor goes. I’m sure a lot of us is interested in what’s going on in his head right now, so in ten questions, he gives us a peek at his principles, goals, and action plans. Here’s our interview with none other than the new AUSSG President, Mr. William Villegas.

What made you run for office?

I was eyeing that position since my first year in college. Although I can say that I am a bit discouraged since I transferred to UST for my second year, and the rules on residency and eligibility are not very clear to me.

How will you describe the AUSSG Election experience? What points do you think can be improved on?

It was not. Mainit. Medyo na-rush po eh. Siguro, earlier it announcement and better information dissemination to give time to the candidates and voters as well.

What will be your advocacy as the new AUSSG President?

More projects inside the campus. Little things. You know, serve as the voice of the students to the administration.

What projects are you going to implement to achieve this?

One project is the suggestion boxes. We will be updating weekly, and see where we will go from there.

Who do you look up to in terms of leadership?

It has to be Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar. To those who don’t know, she’s the daughter of independence hero Aung San. I think she’s a one of a kind woman. She stood up for her country, helped found the National League for Democracy (NLD) in 1988 amidst the country’s extreme political instability, chaos, and violence. She was put arrest several times and was even offered to leave the country in exchange for freedom, but she refused. I think that’s brave, and a kind of leadership to be followed. To quote her, "It is not power that corrupts, but fear.”

What is your leadership principle?

When I am in a group, the first thing I do is consult the body. Consensus-building. No one can act alone.

What do you think are the things that must be developed in Araullians?

Involvement. kasi po, we have a lot activities na nasasayang dahil kaunti ang sumasali. Also, discipline. Saying po ang programs like ZERO BASURA and CLAYGO kapag hindi tinatangkilik ng mga Araullian.

How will you bridge the gap between the student body and the administration?

I will serve as the voice of Araullians. I will represent them to the administration.

As a student- leader, how are you going to promote AU ? 

My personal experiences. I have a lot of good experiences here. Also, whenever somebody would ask, “why did you study in AU?” I’ll just answer, Why not?

What would you like to say to your constituents?

First of all. I want to thank everybody for their support and involvement. Like we said in our proclamation, we won’t promise anything. After all, we’re just ordinary Araullian. Sama-sama  nating aabutin yun.

So there. He has a year to stand up for us. But he can’t do it by himself. We must stand beside him as well. Dan Kevin Roque

Gapos ng Nakaraan, Tinik ng Kasalukuyan

"…at lahat ng bagay sa mundo ay lalaya sa piitang kinasadlakan nito

kung aalisin natin ang taling lalong bumibigti sa ating diwang makabayan."

Kailan tayo nakakaranas ng kalayaan? Kapag ba walang bumabawal sa ating ninanais? Kapag ba alam natin na walang hangganan ang ating ginagawang bagay? O kapag malayo tayo sa impluwensya ng iba? Iba-iba ang pagpapakahulugan natin sa kalayaan. Ngunit sa pagbigay pakahulugan sa kalayaang tinatamasa natin ngayton, huwag nating kalimutang tingnan ang nakaraan.

Mala-kolonyal ang isa sa mga katangian ng lipunan ngayon. Ang kasamaang ito ay dulot ng pananakop sa atin ng mga dayuhan. Sa ilang siglo na pamamalagi nila sa ating bansa, nabuhusan tayo ng pang-aalipin, pang-aalipusta, at pangmamaliit. Ito ang naging dahilan kung bakit bumaba ang pagtingin natin sa ating sariling kultura. Ikinintal nila sa ating isip na ang anumang gawang dayuhan ay mas mainam kaysa sa sariling atin.

Ang mga dayuhang ito ang pangunahing dahilan ng pagsulpot ng mga negosyong kolonyal, sanhi upang tayo ang maging mala-debotong taga-tangkilik ng mga ito. Ang pagpapatuloy ng kalagayang ito ay nagpapatunay na isang kasinungalingan kung sasabihin nating tunay tayong malaya mula sa kolonyal na pag-iisip.

Kalayaan mula kay Uncle Sam

Hulyo 4, 1946 – hindi ito ang araw ng kalayaan natin sa mga Amerikano. Hindi ito ang katapusan sa lahat ng napagdaanan nating kaguluhan. Bagkus, ito ay ang simula ng isa na namang kalbaryo nating mga Pilipino. Hindi tayo malaya. Binitiwan man tayo ng kanilang mga kamay, nanatili tayong nakatali sa lubid ng kanilang panloloko. Nakabitin tayo sa tali na sila rin naman ang may hawak at habang tumatagal, lalo nila tayong binibigti. Ayon nga sa isang aklat ni Amado Guerrero, maka-isang panig ang mga mayorya ng mga kasunduang nagpapatungkol sa kalayaan ng Pilipinas mula sa Estados Unidos.

Ang pagkakaroon ng base-militar sa bansa, ang mga batas na nagsasabing maaari nilang palawigin ang kanilang teritoryong-base sa bansa at maaari nilang gawin ang gusto nilang gawin, hindi ba’t mas masasabi pa natin na mas malaya pa sila kaysa sa tayong mga Pilipino na tumubo’t nagkaisip sa Perlas ng Silangan? Paano na tayong mga Pilipino? Mananatili na lang ba tayong papet ng dayuhan? Paano na ang mga burges na sumasaklaw sa pinakamalaking bilang ng tao sa ating bansa?

Kapitalismo
Isa sa ebidensya nito ay ang impluwensiya ng kapitalismo at pagkakalagay sa saklaw ng sistemang kapitalista. Nananaig ang pangangalakal sa kalikasang ekonomiyang pansarili habang ang mga mahihirap na magsasaka ay nananatiling nasa ilalim nito. Ang pagpayag sa isang malaking kompanyang dayuhan na magtroso sa isang lalawigan ay nagpapakita lamang na naglilingkod lamang tayo sa alam nating mas kikita tayo.

Ang CLEx, NLEEx, at ang DEARP ay mga halimbawa ng mga makadayuhang proyekto sa ating probinsya: Ito'y hindi naglilingkod sa mga taumbayan, bagkus ay sa mga kapitalistang dayuhan. Ang mga lansangang ito ay hindi para sa transportasyon, kundi upang tangkilikin ang mga negosyong import-export ng mga dayuhan sa bansa natin.

Maraming mga magsasaka at manggagawang bukid ang mawawalan ng kabuhayan nang dahilan sa mga proyektong ito.

Ang mga Panginoong-Maylupa at ang Manggagawa

Ang tatsulok

Ang isa pang katangian ng ating lipunan  ay mala-pyudal, isang sistemang tila uod sa isang halaman, pumipigil sa tuluyang pag-unlad ng ating bansa. Isang patunay nito ay ang paghahari ng mga panginoong-maylupa at pang-aalipin sa mga magsasaka. Nangingibabaw ang isang porsyento (1%) ng may pera sa siyamnapu’t siyam (99%) na bahagdan ng nasa ibaba.

Walang karapatan ang isang magsasaka sa kanyang lupang sinasaka na ng ilang dekada sapagkat ito ay pag-aari pa rin ng mayayamang maylupa na lalo pang yumayaman sa tuwing nagbabayad ng renta ang magsasaka. Ika nga, “Ang mayaman ay lalong yumayaman habang ay mahirap ay laong naghihirap”. Pinamumukha nila sa atin na hindi totoo ang demokrasya.

Matagal na tayong binubulok ng ating sistema. Ang mga nabanggit ay hindi paninira sa kalagayang sosyo-politikal ng ating bansa ngunit ang lahat ng ito ay patotoo na lahat ng ito ay katotohanan. Hindi natin hangarin na mag-aklas sa ating pamahalaan. Ang ating pangunahing layon ay ipaalam sa mamamayan ang tunay na kalagayan ng ating bansa, ang imulat ang mga taong nakaupo sa ganitong pangyayari; upang sa gayo’y mapaglingkuran natin sila. Hindi lamang tayo nabubuhay para sa ating mga sarili. Nabubuhay rin tayo para sa ibang tao. Ang ating tungkulin ay palayain ang ating kapwa-Pilipino sa kulungan na kinapipiitan nito.

Ipaglaban ang tama mga kasama! Sumulong, sumulat... Manindigan at magmulat!

E-Martial Law: a pool of contradiction, a threat to cyber freedom

The internet has become a medium of expression for the citizens and journalists of the new generation. After all, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) promotes online freedom of expression as a basic human right. But the creation of RA 10175 or Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 now poses a threat to freedom of speech, expression and of the press, a clear contradiction to Article III, Section 4 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

A mere lip service

The Cybercrime Prevention Act was introduced in July 2011 and was signed in September 2012 while the overdue Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill, which has been certified by President Benigno Aquino III (PNoy) as a priority bill in January 2012, was introduced in 2008 and is still pending. One can easily compare the pace of the contradicting laws and one can easily tell the reason behind it.

The FOI bill is intended to aid in transparency which is a democratic right as well. Article III, Section 7 of our constitution recognizes our right “to information on matters of public concern”. After all, PNoy vowed for transparency during his campaign in 2010. He even made a commitment to press freedom during the World Press Freedom Day last May. Paradoxically, Malacañang’s support appears to be dwindling. They said they still have to review the bill for possible holes that may cause national security risk. This made us wonder if they made the same consideration of reviewing the questionable provisions of RA 10175 as well.

The government’s way of prioritizing bills appears to be a sort of cost-benefit analysis – the FOI bill will benefit the media and the public but will cost “security risk” while Cybercrime Prevention Act will benefit the politicians but will cost invasion of privacy to the netizens. If PNoy maintains that we – the citizens – are really his “boss”, then isn’t it just righteous of him to opt for the one which will be more beneficial to us?

Riddling loopholes

There are several ambiguous provisions that are yet to be addressed in the said law though PNoy already signed it last year. Among these are the issues discussed in the first oral arguments last January 15:

• Cybersex, which is under content-related offenses, was defined in Section 4(c)(1) as “the willful engagement, maintenance, control, or operation, directly or indirectly, of any lascivious exhibition of sexual organs or sexual activity, with the aid of a computer system, for favor or consideration.” However, it failed to make a distinction between consensual and non-consensual acts and it was not clearly indicated who among the involved persons committing this offense will be penalized.

• Online libel in Section 4(c)(4) was defined as “the unlawful or prohibited acts of libel as defined in Article 355 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended, committed through a computer system or any other similar means which may be devised in the future.” This means, though it has the same elements as libel defined in RPC, committing it online could get you imprisoned for up to 12 years. The congress continues to ignore demands for the decriminalization of libel. We all know that the insertion of libel clause and making it a criminal offense will only serve as an instrument for the politicians to manipulate and harass the media.

• Section 5(a), the provision that really puzzles the netizens, also constitutes “aiding or abetting to libelous contents” as an offense. The definition is so vague that even the lawmakers cannot explain or defend it consistently. How can a citizen be aware if he is already committing a crime? Does sharing, retweeting or liking libelous posts earns one a ticket to jail?

• Section 6 of the said law states that “penalty to be imposed shall be one (1) degree higher than that provided for by the Revised Penal Code.” According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), it’s easier to commit these offenses since pretty much everyone has internet access nowadays. Still, it’s not enough of an explanation especially how they would distinguish libel from online libel.

• Section 12 or the real-time collection of data allows the respective authorities “to collect or record by technical or electronic means traffic data in real-time associated with specified communications transmitted by means of a computer system.” It evidently violates our right to “the privacy of communication and correspondence” as indicated in Article III, Section 3 of our constitution.

• The dubious takedown power of the DOJ which is stated in Section 19 means it no longer needs a court intervention to “restrict or block access to such computer data”. This, again, is a contradiction to Article III, Section 1 of our Constitution – “no person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of the laws.”

Refuse to be gagged

As an advocate of press freedom, the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) – Central Luzon supports the campaign against Cybercrime Prevention Act. CEGP Tarlac will conduct a forum to better inform the people about their basic rights to freedom and educate them about the hazards of the said law. The said forum will be held in Tarlac State University on January 31, 2013. We will also have a photo campaign called “Pose to Oppose” where people can express their disapproval with Cybercrime Law through photo opps.

As the temporary restraining order (TRO) expires on February 6, let us join the National Day of Protest to Junk Cybercrime Law. It’s time for PNoy to hear out his real “boss”. Monica del Puerto, CEGP-Central Luzon Chairperson

Day Camp OVERLOAD

“Nothing money can buy can equal the value of the things we learned in the camp,” says Maricris Rufino, one of the participants of CAS Day Camp.

Day Camps are truly unique Araullian experiences very much anticipated by students: For them, the camp is wrapped up with the excitement of personal upliftment and the thrill of new adventures. The students embarked on their journey of self-discovery with the help from the Facilitators, staff and faculty of Araullo University-PHINMA specially trained to help students understand themselves better, and cope with University life: Edwin Siborboro, Maria Buena Magdalena Ruiz, Ana Kristel Cuevas, Toni Marie Punzalan, Evelyn Juliano, John Leabres, Salvador Collado Jr., Alex Ramirez, Frankie Sembrano, John Michael Esquivel, Mary Grace Ricio, Maui Panapanaan, Mark Santos, Ariane Cawed, Arvelo Vicente, Alexander Reyes, John Bernardino, Marphel De Lara and Darren Gonzales comprised the talented group.

Six colleges joined the camps which replaced the annual university fixture, Palarong au: cma had their respective Day Canps last September 12 (HRM), September 27 (BSBA), and October 9 (BSA); CAS on September 14; CON last September 26; COC on October 1, 2, and 3; COE last October 4; and CITE on October 5 and 12.

“I learned how to handle my stress. Though I am tired, I always bear a smile on my face; it is my way to inspire my students,” says Mr. Alexander Reyes, one of the facilitators of Day Camps. Truly, the Day Camp experience is beneficial to student-participants and facilitators alike.

The camp is the perfect environment for the students to learn about things they haven’t experienced before: It is an avenue for the students to excel and shine. Bringing the student-participants to face their fears, the camp also provides an exceptional opportunity for students to do things they think they can’t, and to labor to achieve their best.

Camp activities are geared to promote personal development, encourage students to step outside of their comfort zones, and help build leadership, communication, and cooperation skills. AU-PHINMA believes that the camps are instrumental for the holistic development of the studentry; a worthy replacement for the annual Palarong au, despite the cost and the extent of work entailed. Sweet Cel dela Cruz, Pauline Joy Gelacio

Fresh Araullian leaders emerge from ILAW Camp 3.0

In keeping up with the tradition of molding future nation-builders, Araullo University-phinma gathered 106 active and potential student leaders for its Inspire to Lead, Aspire to Win (ILAW) Camp 3.0 Last August 10 to 12, in cooperation with Ayala Young Leaders Alumni Association - Central Luzon (AYLAA-CL).

Ilaw Camp 3.0 Brought together participants from the six colleges through teambuilding activities that tested their strength, willpower and unity, both as members of their respective groups and as a batch.

Aside from these, ILAW Campers also acquired nuggets of wisdom from Ayala Young Leaders Congress Director Mr. Simon Mossesgeld, who discussed the principles of servant leadership and its relevance to the studentry and society. Also, selected au-phinma alumni provided inspiration by sharing their experiences as former standard-bearers of their alma mater; Engr. Jose Ariel Domingo, Rommel Jorge Agapito, md., And dwne radio announcer Melicia Ciriaco answered questions about student leadership as well.

Capping off the affair, ilaw Campers convened through their group leaders and decided on their batch name and values. Batch GUYS (Group of United Young Servants) was founded upon integrity, unity, determination, trust, and fear of God. They will work on a project for the betterment of the Araullian community for the years to come.

The teambuilding activities were facilitated by invited aylaa-cl members and the camp itself was organized by au-phinma’s Center for Student Development and Leadership. Ma. Gladys Repollo