TAON 91 BILANG 4 BIYERNES, HULYO 12, 2013 PHILIPPINE COLLEGIAN Opisyal na lingguhang pahayagan ng mga mag-aaral ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, Diliman NOWHERE MAN Alan P. Tuazon Déjà vu THE OPENING SEQUENCE OF AN INDIE movie ended. The Film Institute was cramped with cinephiles or random movie-goers as I made my way through the dark aisle. I found a vacant seat at the last row. “These indie films become too mainstream,” a sleepy voice beside me uttered. Surprised, I looked at your direction. The darkness of the cinema concealed your face. You enthusiastically discussed the film to me as if we were friends from long ago. People were glaring at our direction. You were as much of a talker as I was. As the movie ended and the lights went on, the first thing I saw was the dimple on the right side of your face, made more prominent by your smile. We exited the theatre together. I offered you a ride home to prolong the conversation, but you refused. “What is your name?” I shouted. People were murmuring hullaballoos outside the theatre. “Ruby Tuesday,” you shouted back. “Oh, like the Rolling Stones song?” I said. You just smiled and disappeared among the crowd. I have always fallen in love with girls named after songs I love—Layla, Roxanne, Michelle, Darlene. Every year is a cycle of songs, of encounters alongside social issues. Similar concerns resurface themselves yearly: price hikes, privatization, militarization, failing grades and relationships. I saw you again last Saturday at the showing of the restored version of Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag at the UP Film Institute: after sharing a semester of countless conversations with you over fries and unlimited coffee; after finding out your name was not really Ruby Tuesday; after you just disappeared the way you did on the first night I met you. All of these fragments of images were restored in full colours the same way Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag was. Stealth mode The lights outside the theatre revealed your unchanged, talkative self with a bohemian aura. I have bulleted guesses on why you left: maybe you 8-9 Uncovering secret affairs were just too pretty, maybe you’d rather read your existentialist novels, or maybe you loved Bob Dylan more than you loved me. After ranting about Bianca Gonzales’ indifference to informal settlers and the inane changing of the Philippines to Filipinas, you suddenly grew quiet and became aware of the elephant in the room. Artist groups call for release Code Red: A Closer Look Tala-Ngalan: A fine-looking girl walked in and hugged you. Isang Pagmumulintuklas “My girlfriend,” you told me. After a long time, I saw 5 of activist couple 7 at POC Privatization 11 that dimple on your right cheek again. I, too, smiled. sa bansang Filipinas “I’ll give you a new playlist,” you added. Lathalain ∞ Balita Kultura Sure, I need new songs to love. 2 OPINYON PHILIPPINE COLLEGIAN BIYERNES, HULYO 12, 2013 Uneven Ground PHILIPPINE COLLEGIAN SUBJUGATION CONSTITUTES 2013 - 2014 the brand of “peaceful” friendship between our country and the US Punong Patnugot celebrated July 4 every year. Julian Inah Anunciacion Before the celebration of the Philippine-American friendship Kapatnugot day this year, the Aquino administration backed the Victor Gregor Limon proposal of Philippine defense officials to grant US and Japan Patnugot sa Balita greater access to our military Keith Richard Mariano bases. More than six decades of Patnugot sa Grapiks friendship with the US has Ysa Calinawan proven an otherwise unequal relationship. To add insult to injury, more than a decade of the Tagapamahala implementation of the Visiting ng Pinansiya Forces Agreement (VFA) has only Gloiza Rufina Plamenco solidified how, across various facets, the inequality of such Panauhing Patnugot relations have placed our interests Piya Constantino in an unequal level. The lopsided agreements that Margaret Yarcia forged the alliance with the US disregarded our sovereignty in our Mga Kawani own territory in incidences such Mary Joy Capistrano as the Tubbataha Reef incident. Ashley Marie Garcia The government dismissed Ysa Calinawan Kimberly Ann Pauig liability to the US to retain the Jiru Nikko Rada friendly alliance. intervention is necessary for their At the backdrop of this as ally—against China to retain its The presence of the US troops brand of peace and stability to uncalled-for military intervention stronghold of power in the region. Emmanuel Jerome Tagaro allowed under the VFA brought flourish in the Asia-Pacific region. from the US is the rise of China A confrontation with China about human rights violations in Acting like a benevolent master as a superpower that challenges will primarily serve the interest of Tagapamahala sa Sirkulasyon places where military activities to its subject, the US welcomes its dominance not only in the the US that owns a reputation of Paul John Alix are exercised. It allows the US the fresh opportunity to further Asia-Pacific region but also provoking military conflicts. Its military to meddle with internal legitimize its presence in the Asia- in the world. wars of aggression against Iraq and Sirkulasyon conflicts such as the insurgency Pacific and to solidify its brand of In fact, the US has made Afghanistan, for instance, brought Gary Gabales in Mindanao. “peace” and “stability” through its its intentions clear with its only chaos to citizens. This defines As far as the Aquino military might. Yet, the timing announcement of the Pacific the extent the US is willing to take Amelito Jaena government is concerned, military could not be any convenient. Century, wherein US military in the name of “national security.” power is reconcentrated from the The country however, is not Mga Katuwang na Kawani EDITOR’S PICK Middle East to seal its control in equipped to engage in war. Its Amelyn Daga The Philippine Collegian republishes distinguished the trade-rich and fast-growing capacity to provide immediate Trinidad Gabales 91 photographs from its past issues that captured its economies of Asia-Pacific. In solutions to natural disasters Gina Villas this point where power is being foretells that any direct attack by YEARS tradition of critical and fearless journalism. redefined and US hegemony China would lead to chaos. waning, the superpower needs to The country should refuse and Kasapi reinforce its dominance through reject military confrontation, and UP Systemwide Alliance military forces and secure its consequently, any war mongering of Student Publications and Writers’ position in the global order. efforts by other countries with Organizations (Solidaridad) With the glaring one-sidedness vested interests. Even with the College Editors Guild of the of the US-Philippine friendship, assistance of the US military Philippines (CEGP) the Aquino government is either agreement, the country is not naïve or a willing pawn to the US equipped to face China in direct master plan. war. If territorial disputes escalated Pamuhatan Amidst the brewing tensions to war, the Philippines would be Silid 401 Bulwagang Vinzons, of the claimant countries with the foremost casualty whereas the Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, Diliman, China regarding territorial US is situated safely in a distant Lungsod Quezon dispute in the West Philippine part of the globe. Sea, the involvement of the US The government must learn to Telefax only serves to heighten instability defend the interest of the country In 2008, militant groups called for the pullout of US 981-8500 lokal 4522 troops who allegedly participated in actual combat instead of bringing security to the on its own without relying on country. friendly alliances that prove to be operations and committed human rights abuses Online against civilians in Mindanao. By taking advantage of the onerous rather than mutual. As conflict between China and our government continues to be [email protected] UNWELCOME VISITORS the Philippines regarding the subservient to US imperialism, www.philippinecollegian.org Photo by Candice Anne L. Reyes West Philippine Sea, the US is the country would have lost its fb.com/philippinecollegian February 22, 2008 dragging the country to its war— sovereignty to foreign colonizers. twitter.com/kule1314 BALITA PHILIPPINE COLLEGIAN BIYERNES, HULYO 12, 2013 3 ‘Military access for US, Japan violates PH sovereignty’ David Evardone US and the Philippines that would have should the Philippines continue missionary priest based in Olangapo stand up and oppose the proposal and allowed American troops to extend their provoking Beijing. since 1969, has been a vocal critic call for the scrapping of the Visiting AMID ESCALATING TENSIONS stay in the country. The Senate, however, On the other hand, the proposed of the American bases, particularly forces Agreement and other agreements in the West Philippine Sea, the Aquino rejected the treaty in a 12-11 vote. military access agreements may lead raising concerns on the proliferation of detrimental to national interest and administration is opening up military In the light of territorial disputes to more human rights violations prostitution. In an interview with the which violates Philippine sovereignty,” bases in the country to “strategic” allies, between the Philippines and China, and abuses, said Arnold Padilla, Sydney Morning Herald in November said Anakbayan National Chairperson a plan various groups criticized as a President Benigno Aquino III is also public information officer of Bagong last year, the priest revealed the Vencer Crisostomo. ∞ breach to national sovereignty. reviving foreign military presence in the Alyansang Makabayan. prostitution of children as young as 15. Burning an American flag in front of country. The Philippines only have the Irish reverend Shay Cullen, a “Freedom-loving Filipinos should the US embassy during the Philippine- US and Japan as “strategic partners,” American Friendship Day on July 4, Aquino said. progressive groups including Kabataan The Philippines, along with other Party-list opposed the proposal to grant Southeast Asian states, is currently the United States and Japan greater engaged in disputes with China over access to military bases in the country.