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THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION (CHEd) PROPOSED ADDITIONAL ONE YEAR to existing courses in college that require licensure exams supervised by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). If approved, the said proposal will be rolled out in two phases with Phase I beginning school year 2009-2010.

CHEd improve the quality of education states that this program known as and could equip the students with the “Philippine Main Education the necessary knowledge, skills Highway” aims to reform the and preparations, it would also tertiary education system spell an additional year of through the implementation of expenses for parents and students. “10+2+3 formula” which equates On this account, he proposes to to the usual 10-year basic lengthen the basic education education, the latest two-year pre- program instead. university and three-year “Why not lengthen the specialization programs. This basic education… [so that] they means that after completing six will be more equipped when they years in elementary and four years reach college,” the VP said. in high school, students have the “[Sa kasalukuyang options to take either vocational Education system] pinipilit courses or the two-year pre- pumunta sa college [ang mga university program then proceed to estudyante kahit] mahina ang their respective specializations. foundation ng English, Math, at Meanwhile, “10+2+(3 or 4) scheme Science kaya pagdating sa tertiary is designed for Engineering and nahihirapan. Ngayon sasabihin Architecture since those are na dagdagan natin yung taon. already five-year courses. How can you [develop those students] when they have earned The other way around the weak foundation from basic In response to the education?” Faustino added. Article By: Joan M. said proposal, Dr. Danilo The VP for academic Monderin Faustino, BulSU-VP for affairs also expressed concern and Julie academic affairs, stated that regarding the Philippines’ seeming ANN O. although the proposal could RAMOS ...continued on page 3 November 2008 - March 2009 COEd hosts Foundation Dela Cruz, Gonzales lead WITH DR. LUZVIMINDA Julie Ann O. TANTOCO AS THE OVERALL CHAIR, Ramos Week AND ASSOCIATE DEAN MARLENE lecture forum in BulSU CASTILLO AND PRINCIPAL ANGEL ng BulSU, its history and the likes,” said Arianz Lindsey Maglonzo CAPARAS OF BULSU-LHS AS CO-CHAIRS, Rowell Castro, president of the Local Bulacan State University world. Una, dapat ibalik natin ang THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION (COEd) Student Council of COEd. th (BulSU) Graduate School celebrated the pagmamahal sa bayan natin. Then, hosted Bulacan State University’s 104 Pamantasaysayan : ang university’s 104th founding anniversary kailangan ng pagbabago ng isip”, Founding Anniversary last December 1- Pamantasan sa Sandaan at Apat na Taon, through a lecture forum with the theme Gonzales mentioned in support of Dela 6. PTA Bingo Social, Wreath Laying th “Bulacan and the First World Cruz’ message. “Hindi tayo magiging This was the second time for Ceremony for the 109 death Philippines” held last December 6, 2008 first world country kung hindi tayo nag- the college to host Foundation Week anniversary of Gregorio Del Pilar and at the Valencia hall. aambisyong maging number one”, he since the reign of Dr. Danilo Faustino as Tirad Pass Troop, COEd Family in Josefina Mendoza-Dela Cruz, added. He also pointed out that everyone the dean of the college. Concert and Laro ng Lahi were the former Bulacan governor and Secretary must always put God in everything and “Naging very successful yung events sponsored by the college and its Norberto B. Gonzales, national security thank Him for every success as he pagho-host ng Educ, dahil naramdaman organizations like Kapisanan ng mga adviser, led the forum. Dela Cruz said challenged the spectators when he said, talaga ng mga estudyante yung Mag-aaral sa Araling Panlipunan that empowerment, love of country, “Gumaganda ang buhay mo, celebration, at yung mga activities ng (KAPIMAPA) and COEd PTA. putting God at the center and getting nakakalimutan mo naman ang Diyos.” COEd malaki yung naitulong sa students’ Tantoco mentioned in an involved are the vital elements to change awareness kung ano na ba ang nagawa interview how the Admin congratulated the Philippines into a first-world country. the college for the successful hosting. She added that change must start within “Talagang naramdaman nila. us. Further, she said that there would be Bulacan honors Rio Alma Nung sa mga activities, walang more jobs offered in Bulacan for the Ma. Elena Umali nabakanteng oras, at yung Gym ay laging graduates of its universities and puno,” she added. Prior to the celebration of colleges. With this progress, she was “Talagang number one na Singkaban Fiesta during the Bulacan happy to express that Bulacan graduates problema yung pera. Ang hirap mag- Week, the Bulacan Provincial request ng material at ang process ay do not have to work in other places. As Government held “Dakilang Bulakenyo napakabagal, pero naibigay rin naman she ended her speech, she implied that Series XXII” last September 8 at the Gat kaya lang medyo matagal,” Tantoco said Bulacan is for Bulakeños and Bulakeños Blas Ople Building to honor Virgilio S. when asked about the problems they are for Bulacan. Almario (also known as Rio Alma) for encountered during the preparation. “May mga pangangailangan being a national artist ang isang lipunan bago maging first In recognition of Almario’s contributions in literature, a week-long APO runs for memorabilia exhibit of his works and SG ousts theater performance of his life story were showcased. Dean. National Artist. Bulakenyo. Virgilio Nature scholars The exhibit included some of Almario, during his younger days, as he Edmundo V. Julao Jr. his books, literary pieces, awards, smiles for the camera in this picture in- Ruby Rose R. Cruz cluded in the exhibit at the Gat Blas F. pictures, one of his Barong Tagalogs, Ople Auditorium in September 2008. The much-awaited Oblation A month before this year’s his old typewriter, and pieces of advice run of the Alpha Phi Omega (APO) Student Government (SG) Elections, old in writing poems. Bulacan Chapter happened again for the set of SG scholars complained about third time with the theme “Run for being terminated from their scholarship Nature” last December 4 at the Bulacan without further notice. COEd to Continue Certificate Program State University. APO members started Bianca Michaela Espeleta, running nude from the second gate of former SG president, denied that they for Non-Specialist Teachers in Filipino the university towards the APO tree terminated old set of SG scholars without Edmundo V. Julao Jr. located at the Federizo Hall. further noticing them. In fact, she and MAPEH On the run, some of the naked clarified last February 26, during the The program aims at helping After the 2008 Foundation the said teachers earn 24 units in APO members held white roses and gave meeting de avance held in Heroes’ Park, Week held last December 1-6 hosted by them to the ladies of their choice. An that they had long asked Local Student Filipino and the three component the College of Education (COEd), the subjects of Makabayan such as Social APO member said the significance of the Council (LSC) governors to search for old project “Certificate Program for Non- flower, “Kaya white rose kasi kung baga set of SG scholars so that they will be Studies, Technology and Livelihood Specialist Teachers of MAPEH and Education (TLE) and Music, Arts, una kang pumasok dito sa BulSU na able to renew their scholarship in due Filipino” will continue for the summer Physical Education and Health (MAPEH) taong hubad… Walang kaalam-alam, time. vacation. It will start in the middle week to improve the teaching skills and malinis, walang malisya. Kaya white rose “Hindi naman talaga kami of April to May 2009 at Bulacan State capabilities of teachers who are non- nagtanggal ng mga scholars, hindi lang kasi pure,” an APO member said. University with the College of Education specialist of the four learning areas “Ang purpose ng aming sila [old set of SG scholars] naka-comply as the training center. Two hundred through the experiences and knowledge- Oblation run ay para ipakita na aware sa renewal process [for scholarship]”, twenty secondary teachers from based contents of the program. din kami sa nangyayari sa ating said Mark Anthony de Leon, former SG different parts of the region are expected Dean Tantoco said that it is the vice president, in support of Espeleta’s to participate in the program. environment dahil sa global warming na continuation of the summer certificate sumisira nito”, an APO Alumni member statement. program last April and May 2008. said in an interview. Meanwhile, Norlisa Sombero, Each participant in the Summer “Gusto rin namin na maging BS Psychology student and one among meeting, aalisan na agad ng Certificate program in 2008 was entitled the old set of scholars explained that scholarship. Saka nagbigay ng notice si to a stipend of Php 12,000.00, a book aware ang mga estudyante at gumawa SG under Espeleta informed most of them ate Bianca na pag di um-attend, allowance of Php 2,500.00 and a training ng aksyon para dito dahil sa panahon about the possible termination of some automatic na matatanggal na. Iisipin nila fee of Php 8,000.00. ngayon, ang mga kabataan ay scholars if they will not comply with na hindi na sila interested na maging Teachers who participated nawawalan na ng malasakit sa ating their duties and responsibilities as SG scholars ulit.” were given the certificate that allows environment”, he added. scholars. When asked how the After weeks of waiting for old them to teach particular content areas Last December 12, the APO U.P. information reached her, she said, “Kay SG scholars to show up and comply with in Filipino and MAPEH. Tantoco also Diliman Chapter held their Oblation run ate Bianca po namin nalaman [na the requirements of renewal of said that the continuation of the project for the same reason and purpose and magtatanggal ng scholars]. Kasi sabi application for scholarship, SG decided is expected to be as successful as the last December 15, they ran again against nya po lahat ng hindi um-attend ng to recruit new set of SG scholars. first one. Charter Change. November 2008 - March 2009 Scholars observe Benefactors’ Day Julie Ann O. Ramos PGMA visits Bulacan AMIDST THE FUN BROUGHT BY THE CELEBRATION of the 104th Founding Medical Anniversary of the university, still, BulSU Edmundo V. Scholarship Society managed to Julao Jr. commemorate Benefactors’ Day last Lani Ms. December 4, 2008 at the Valencia Hall. Center The event paid tribute to the President Gloria Macapagal- people who supported the scholars of the Arroyo (PGMA) with Secretary university. The attendance of Ms. Lani Francisco Duque III of the Mercado, wife of the supposed guest Department of Health (DOH) visited speaker Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr., highlighted Bulacan Medical Center (BMC) for the event when she expressed her the project briefing of health gratitude by reading the message of her facilities inspections and for the turn husband. over of the 8 million peso-worth of “Habang patuloy na nakabukas ang Salazar) Allan by Chester Photo mga unibersidad para sa tao, tulad ng BulSU, medical equipment last March 4. ‘di dapat tayo mawalan ng pag-asa,” she said Bulacan Governor Joselito in her speech as she laid down the issues Mendoza and BMC President Dr. concerning the situation of the educational Hjordis Marushka Celis received the system in our country. said equipment. Mercado stands tall as she delivers the speech of her of speech the delivers she as tall stands Mercado Sen. Ramon husband and supposed guest speaker, of anniversary founding the during Jr. Revilla, ‘Bong’ ( university. the Prior to that, she also mentioned Behind every man’s success is a woman. According to Gov. Mendoza, additional programs intended for the a total of 22 million peso-budget striving but deserving students in the country such as the KAP Educational approved by PGMA was allotted for Assistance Program. Bulacan honors farmers, fishermen health programs and improvement “Wala kayong utang sa akin, of medical infrastructures and pagtanaw ng utang na loob sa bayan ang with “Bahay Kubo, Bahay Gulay” equipment within Bulacan thus ginagawa ko,” she added. different health organizations and AS PART OF THE and fishermen in the province by After which, Dr. Margarita medical facilities can expect CELEBRATION OF SINGKABAN showcasing their fruits of labor. The Dorothy C. Reyes, director of BulSU Student tremendous help from the Bulacan Scholarships, gladly announced the (SINING AT KALINANGAN NG event displayed different towns and Provincial Government. This follows increasing number of students granted BULACAN) FESTIVAL, the Bulacan municipalities in Bulacan with their that Bulakeños are now expecting with scholarship. According to her, last Provincial Government held “Bahay nipa huts filled with different vegetable more accessible and better medical school year’s 1,996 scholars is now 2,400. Kubo, Bahay Gulay” with the theme products. Every bahay kubo which services from BMC. Then, all the benefactors from “Pista sa Nayon: Handog sa mga serves as booth has its distinction both public and private sectors were given “Ang Bulacan na ang Magsasaka at Mangingisda” at the from each other. The team from Plaridel plaques of recognition by Dr. Mariano De pinakamayamang probinsya sa lahat Jesus assisted by Dr. Danilo Faustino, Dr. HBCC Pavilion, Capitol Compound last even had its accompanying music to September 10. The Carabao Festival get the people’s attention. ng probinsya sa buong Pilipinas.” Antonio Del Rosario and Dr. Margarita Dor- Mendoza proudly said when he othy Reyes. and Obando Fertility Dance Parade Carabaos with their karitelas highlighted the event later that day. and fertility dancers lined up and formally accepted the new medical equipment. CHEd proposes... from page 1 Bulacan Governor Joselito occupied the compound with Drew Mendoza formally opened the Arellano at the near end of the occasion with a message of motorcade as he covered the said obsession to continuously prolong its Leadership Seminar, tertiary education programs when, other thanksgiving to the farmers and festivity for Unang Hirit, a local countries implement more years in basic fisherfolks who contribute a great morning tv program aired at GMA conducted for education curriculum and courses in the amount of effort for the realization of channel 7. After the parade, devotees higher education are shortened. the province’s goal- to give every led the procession of the image of the Student Organizations Bulakeño family adequate food on their Sta. Clara, the main attraction of the Julie Ann O. Ramos The same old story plates. The celebration aimed at giving Obando Fertility Dance. Meanwhile, COEd Dean honor to farmers, vegetable producers Mar Florence C. Sebastian In accordance with the theme, Luzviminda Tantoco implies that this is the “Upholding Students’ Unity through Group same old story when she said “Naku, Diversity”, the Student Government (SG) However, Bianca Micaela Espeleta, lumang tugtugin na yan.” More is yet to come initiated a leadership seminar, with the The old story she was referring former SSC president, rebuffs de Leon’s Although CHEd Chair Emmanuel comment. She asserted that this additional aim of developing the youth to become to was the five-year Education course Angeles said that the proposal is still in the active and responsible leaders and to implemented two years ago. year would only mean additional burden process of deliberation and wide-ranging to the students and parents. prepare them for employment process “Ang ating curriculum na ginagamit consultation among the major stakeholders in the future. ngayon sa Teacher Education ay yung new “It would be better kung hindi na of the country’s education system, Phase Members of almost 80 student curriculum na talagang five years, kaya lang magdagdag ng additional year sa college II of the program is set to start in school level. As we all know, majority of the students organizations who attended last July 30, hindi nararamdaman na five years dahil may year 2010-2011 which will require all summer na kasama,” Tantoco said. cannot afford na mag-study ng matagal 2008, during the celebration of the four-year board and non-board courses because of financial [restraints],” Espeleta Student Organization’s day listened Essentially, Teacher Education to follow the “10+2+3” system. and Nursing courses now take five years said. intently to the guest speaker. Elizabeth In support, Jennifer Fabian, Alonzo, Director of PYSEACO (Provincial since students are attending summer Students’ response classes to accommodate additional subjects former SSC senator, affirmed that although Youth, Sports, Employment, Arts, and Meanwhile, students who will the purpose is highly appreciated, the or units. In the College of Education, for greatly be affected by this proposal speak Cultures Office) lectured about effective instance, the 36 units of major subjects in means deviates the students’ cry for of different opinions and convictions. “accessible education for all”. organization management. She also the old curriculum became 60 with almost Mark Anthony de Leon, former discussed about the role of PYSEACO in half of the number of units added in the “Hindi gano’n kayaman lahat ng vice president of BulSU-SSC, said that mamamayan sa Pilipinas at nakaka-afford the youth formation within the province new curriculum. looking at the issue is just a matter of and the different development programs When asked if she favors the ng gano’n. ‘Yung iba, high school lang [ay di perspective. “Di’ba kung gusto mo talagang they have for the students. proposal to implement additional year(s) na matapos]. What if college pa? Tapos matuto, kung ‘yun ‘yung perspective [sic] dadagdagan pa ng one year…siguro maaabot “The objective of this seminar in other courses, Tantoco said, “Hindi naman mo, ‘yung aim mo sa buhay is matuto [sic] tayo hindi pwedeng pumayag kasi yung ating ang high quality education pero kokonti [ang is to orient the students with the different ok lang ‘yun kasi willingness [sic] s’ya [sic] graduates]…[mawawala] ‘yung isa sa mga strategies and development initiatives of curriculum ay talagang sinusunod natin sa’yo,” de Leon commented. galing CHEd.” ipinaglalaban ng mga estudyante – ‘yung the Provincial Government of Bulacan education for all,” Fabian said. for the Youth Sector”, Alonzo said. November 2008 - March 2009

No to Quantity Education indi karagdagang taon ang magsasalba sa bukbukin nang kalidad ng edukasyon sa Pilipinas; higit pa sa paghahain ng lima o anim na taong mga kurso sa kolehiyo ang remedyo sa malamlam ng kalagayan ng edukasyong inilalako sa bansa. Sa pagbubukas ng taong 2009, binulaga ng Commission on Higher Educa- tion (CHEd) ang sektor ng edukasyon sa panukala nitong gawing limang taon na ang dating mga kursong apat na taon lamang sa kolehiyo. Pinakamatunog sa lahat ang pagpapahaba sa mga kursong Nursing at Education. Bahagi ito ng proyektong Philippine Main Education Highway na panukala ni CHEd Chair Emmanuel Angeles, kung saan lahat ng mga kursong dumaraan sa licensure exams ay dapat nang kuhanin ng limang taon alinsunod sa “10+2+3” formula. Ibig sabihin, 10 taong bubunuin ng mga estudyante ang basic education (elementarya at sekondarya), dalawang taon naman para sa pre-university program at tatlong taon para sa special- ization.

Pangako umano ng panukalang ito ang mas mainam na kalidad ng Ma. Elena C. Umali edukasyon at mas mahuhusay na produkto ng mga pamantasan. Kabilang na rin ang layunin ng pamahalaang makipagsabayan sa iba pang mga bansa sa larangan ng medisina, edukasyon, komersyo at teknolohiya. Sa ganitong paraan, hindi na umano mapag-iiwanan pa ang Pilipinas sa malawakang globalisasyong umiiral sa kasalukuyan. Hindi na bago ang usaping ito sa Kolehiyo ng Edukasyon (KOEd). Food of the Gods Matatandaang noong 2005, nagkaroon ng pagbabago sa curriculum ng KOEd. Nagdagdag ng mga asignatura na naging katumbas ng ilang summer classes. John Kelvin R. Briones Samantalang marami ang nalito sa pabagu-bagong curriculum, mas marami ang dumaing sa dagdag gastos na dulot ng mas maraming subjects o units na dapat i- enroll gayong karamihan naman dito ay overlapping sa saklaw; idagdag pa rito ang taunang 10 percent tuition and other fees increase (TOFI). Subalit tulad ng dati, wala Iron(y) Mask and Writer’s Block pa ring boses ang mga estudyante sa usaping tulad nito. Hindi lingid na may kakulangan ang sistema ng edukasyon sa bansa. Partying like a rockstar, dancing and bumping, shaking my tail-feathers, screaming my Subalit lihis ang panukala ng CHEd upang tugunan ito. Hangad ng mga estudyante lungs out in the midst of the I-don’t-know-smoke and trance music like no tomorrow, wearing ang mas makabuluhang hakbang o panukala upang mapaunlad ang lagay ng colorful mask in masquerade bashes - these are the things I really love to do— NOT! edukasyon sa bansa. Halimbawa na lamang nito ay ang mas mataas na badyet para sa sektor ng edukasyon. Sa ganitong paraan, masosolusyunan na ang dekadang Really, what catches my time is (like a me to re-think about the situation of our college taon ng problema sa kakulangan ng mga libro, silid-aralan at iba pang mga pasilidad normal (?) geek) reading books of great sagacity (I’m publication as regards money matters. If the sa mga pamantasan. Kabilang na rin dito ang pagsasagawa ng mas komprehensibong speaking for myself, of course), talking to peers and College Caper is an activity from which the mga programa upang iangat ang estado ng mga guro tulad ng pre- at in-service people who have something new to share (that fits students and the teachers benefit, is not campus my interests and touches my idea of what makes trainings at mas mataas na pasahod. press of the same worth? Why does our sense), playing my own music, and perceptibly, publication, which even the respective Dean Simple lang ang iginigiit ng mga estudyante. Hindi garantiya ang mas writing (here you have your chance to slap me on admittedly professes worthy as chronicler and mahabang taon sa eskwelahan upang maging mas mahuhusay na mga gradweyt the face on what’s sensible or not). I suppose by the watchdog of the College of Education, not receive balang araw. time you read the last line you know it yourself- uh- the same respect it deserves? Ngayon, hindi na lamang KOEd ang maaaring magpasan ng higit na uh, it all has something to do with self-expression. This predicament of the college matagal, mabagal at magastos na edukasyon sa bansa. Ang usaping ito ay laban na And the technical term is “pagpapapansin”. publications started a couple of years ago with a ng masang estudyante sa BulSU at sa buong bansa. Bagamat tahimik na sumasang- Again, the party stuff and the whatnot: I moratorium that states that all the organizations, ayon na lamang ang karamihan sa mga panukala at polisiya ng unibersidad at ng really don’t like them. And that’s a personal view. I’d take note, organizations, are no longer allowed to sangay ng pamahalaan, sa puntong ito, hindi na sapat ang pasibong reaksyon mula rather pack my bags and set on a fieldtrip, put up a collect exorbitant fees. This makes this sa mga estudyante. bonfire somewhere, and cook hotdogs that engage moratorium both a friend and a foe. But, here’s a Sa bawat panukalang tulad nito, hinahamon tayong tumayo, makialam at with that kind of mingling. But then again, there’s point we’ve long been missing: a publication is manindigan para sa ating kinabukasan. Hinihimok tayong maging kritikal, mag- nothing wrong with it, I mean, on that kind of essentially different from an organization. occasion people are expected to act at their finest, isip, masinsinang pag-aralan ang naturang panukala at magsalita kung kinakailangan. Surprisingly, we reached level III wear their best attires that fit the theme of the event accreditation with a pain in the rear - we don’t Hindi karagdagang taon ang magsasalba sa bukbukin nang kalidad ng (which doesn’t normally happen in real life picture), really have an ‘existing’ publication. With this I edukasyon sa Pilipinas, kundi sapat na mga libro, kumpleto at maayos na mga and eat with all the manners (really now?) they mean a publication that is able to produce a klasrum at iba pang pasilidad sa mga eskwelahan, mas mahuhusay na mga guro, learned from GMRC back in elementary and high newspaper regularly minus all the hassles it programang akma sa pangangailangan sa merkado, at abot-kayang edukayon para school, which are good points, if they really do go off. shouldn’t face. One of the requirements for sa lahat. Sa huli, dapat maintindihan ng gobyerno na hindi haba kundi kalidad ang But last month was totally out of my accreditation is such. Talk about irony and dapat isaalang-alang. control. It was announced that the Caper’s Night - anomaly. which is the promenade for Education college Now what’s the after-effect of this? students - is on its way to us juniors for the first time. College writers no longer produce prints. And the The Mentors’ Journal Many were excited, of course, because it’s not as after-after-effect? No more college publications. frequent as we design lesson plans. But, I was not one No more chronicles about the local news in the Official Student Publication of the College of Education-BulSU of them, though. Could there be more demanding and college. Freedom of expression is diminished. No laborious than the pre-Caper’s? READ: You have to more training ground for future publication EDITORIAL STAFF 2008 - 2009 look for an outfit that you can rent - or buy if you advisers. And it all started with moratorium that Editor-in-Chief have the cheese - to wear on the occasion. And what goes a little something like that of a modern fairy does Caper mean, anyway? Did someone even bother tale antagonist. And every time someone or some Joan M. Monderin to look at the dictionary and find out the meaning of people try to reconcile the problem, it is as though Associate Editor the word? Could it be the one that means ‘a capricious the universe sends signs to them that the solution Mar Florence C. Sebastian escapade’? I don’t know. Even our respected Dean lies in the hands of those who are in the Managing Editor for Administration gives not a concrete reason why we have to celebrate mysterious Board of Regents, which seems to it. She mentioned that since she had enrolled in the answer with the line: it’s a local issue. And what Ruby Rose R. Cruz university in 1971, it has been a custom that the does it suppose to mean to us? It means it is of a Managing Editor for Finance Caper’s Night is celebrated annually like some sort minor priority. That’s why they include it on the Elaiza R. Banasig of a ritual or rite of passage, and must be taken as an list of OM’s- or the other matters, or in English, News Editor “obligation”. And did I mention yet, it is obligatory to not-so-important-stuff, believing it can be set on- pay 700 hundred pesos whether you are going to but not really, because the mess requires only the Arianz Lindsey D. Maglonzo attend or not, whether you like it or don’t. I don’t Board’s attention, no more, no less. Graphics Editor usually do the Math, but it’s a whopping 10 percent And this irony and massive literal Jervie S. Aquino of my tuition! There’s the slur. How could you not be Writers’ block put me to thinking: why does the Staff Writers Graphic Artist tempted - or agitated - to attend if you’re required to Administration allow such activity to take place John Kelvin R. Briones pay such amount? Come on! Make the most out of knowing that the students are obliged to pay 14 Ma. Elena C. Umali your 700 bucks. Maria Resa Helena Goyal times the amount of long-forgotten 25-peso Photographers With fairness to the organizers, they gave college publication fee? Are college publications Edmundo V. Julao Jr. Chester Allan C. Salazar the attendees ample time to save money for the event considered threat to the comfortableness and Julie Ann O. Ramos Charles Bryan B. Acosta - a month or so. Score for them. And since they were seemingly apathy of some of the School Kevin Rubio only commanded to do their job, the blame is not on Administrators? We don’t know. However, Adviser them. No one takes the blame ‘cause more often than suppositions and presumptions are allowed in Dr. Avelina M. Aquino not, there are no criminals, only crimes. And this leads this part of the show. November 2008 - March 2009

Teacher Talk Even teachers have their own stories to tell. This space is open to all who wish to express thoughts, feelings and views about issues may they be related or not to their respective profession. On Becoming a Teacher

I started teaching when I was 20 and that made me the youngest faculty of a private high school in Hagonoy. I moved to Bulacan State University in 2008 and again I became the youngest person in the Department of English. As the youngest, Marlon B. Santos I always find myself at the mercy of my elders’ advice.

During my first few days as a high school 4. I know it is hard, but I try my best to love my students. our existence by our assignments, titles and jobs teacher, some of my colleagues handed down to me Classroom is a melting point of different beliefs, traditions, that we are prone to the danger of missing the point— some of their time-honored precepts of what would upbringings, preferences, biases, characters, etc. I would our meaning, our essence, our identity. Evaluation make a supposedly good teacher; I thanked them and admit that there are times that my patience fails applies not only in lesson planning but also in our like what I always do with my cherished possessions, me, but I would regret it afterwards for I know I owe lives as educators. I just keep them, but I tried to look for my own code to my students understanding and love. To love your 8. I convince myself regularly that my world never stops observe. students begins with accepting their peculiarities, spinning in school. I could be a good teacher while I am a It is true that the moment we start to teach, followed by listening to them, and completed by good friend, brother, son, or lover. I never make a less there we will learn more. From the universe of giving them your trust. of a teacher if I attend to my other responsibilities realizations I have gathered in the profession, the 5. Daily dose of reminder: love your job. Blessed are those outside the walls of the academe. Doing that will following weigh the heaviest. These are what make who love their work, for they will not labor. I know that make me a well-rounded person; doing the me a teacher: there are many things that make teaching uninviting otherwise is the smoothest way to asylum. for many bright students. Teachers are overworked, 9. I realize that to be a teacher is to hold a unique power. 1. I learned that to be a good teacher, I must formulate my yet underpaid, interminable studying, unending With the attention, words, actions, advice and grades I own philosophy. I never stopped until I find answers to paper works, everyday classroom pressures, give my students, I could either create or destroy them. the questions: What is education? How do I want to sometimes ruined love and social life. So, the usual Too risky is to be a teacher; when a medical doctor be remembered as a teacher? How should I treat advice I give my students is this: “If you are bright, errs in his diagnosis and operation, she misses to the learners? I remind myself every day to be faithful take engineering, law or medicine; money is there. save a life. When a teacher errs seriously in her to my philosophy as I continue to practice my Yet, if you are brighter, you rather be a teacher, for a practice, generations after generations will still feel profession. For I understand: to have a philosophy teacher makes engineers, lawyers and doctors. the intensity of it. Truly, the influence of a teacher without practice is insufficient, and to teach without Teaching is the noblest, if not the greatest of all the knows no when. philosophy is aimless. Teaching without any professions. 10. The truth is this: to be a good teacher is a daily decision. philosophical foundation is like playing chess in 6. I make it a promise to grow professionally. After two Every time I step into the premise of the University and the dark. years of working, I felt the need to go back to school. I scent the familiar air of another morning, I pray that I 2. I understand that I must establish my own style. All subjects entered the graduate school and became a student may become a good teacher that day. I never fail to seem to be the same, until teachers make the difference again. Sometimes, we need to attend school not to keep in mind that the best teacher is never born yet. for each subject the way they teach it. This truth dawns learn, but to have a passion to learn. That is what We need to be born twice: the time our mother gave upon me: that there is no such thing as boring graduate school should be—a place to know more birth to us and every moment we free ourselves from subject, only boring teachers. So, I pick the good on what we think we already know and not only a our self-imposed limitations and take upon styles of my former teachers, and make my own out place that a teacher would have loved to avoid if ourselves the challenge of becoming the best of of those. not for promotion. To study is not only to perpetuate what we can be. 3. I find the secret: to earn my students’ respect, I must but to challenge the established beliefs and

know my subject by heart. While it is true that the era practices. Enjoy teaching fellows. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ when teachers were considered as the sage in the class is 7. I believe that I can only continue with my work if I know ○○○○○○ a passé, teachers must still have the mastery of their how to stop occasionally. I am not promoting any MARLON BAUTISTA SANTOS is a former Managing Editor subject. Students nowadays search for people to look religious practice or yoga exercise here, but I of The Mentors’ Journal. At present, he is a graduate up to and for reason they need to take their studies maintain that a teacher should occasionally be student of Philippine Normal University where he is seriously. I want to be that person and that reason alone with herself. Oftentimes, we are carried away taking Master of Arts in Teaching English Language Arts. He is also a member of the Department of English of the for my students that is why I take my teaching by our work that we tend to forget the reasons why Bulacan State University-College of Arts and Letters. seriously. we do them. It is a painful truth that we try to justify The And Heads’ set Julie Ann O. Ramos

The unfinished business was coming to a close. Time passed so quickly that I didn’t realize fireworks were The gates opened two hours ago. It was not easy to What else could welcome us inside but the many already painting the sky and Ely, hold myself at McDonald’s and locate my cousin amidst the different faces of people gathered by the band who sang the songs turning atypical, ended the last set with swift rush of people I share the same passion with. It was way of our lives. Getting in front of the 300-peso area was a bit hard the all-time favorite Ang Huling El harder to fight against my desire to leave her instead and go because I had to endure various smells from different people, but Bimbo. inside the venue by myself—but she had my ticket, the only nothing could stop me from rocking with the official mouthpiece It all happened in just four thing that kept me from breaking the gates of the event of the of the Filipino everyman. hours—time stood as the silent witness on how the band year. All around the place were wide screens. Interviews proved that they captured the essence of our time with their Due to certain lethargy and some financial and documentaries about the band before they disbanded came music. I hated to admit that the show was over when they constraint, I missed their first reunion concert so I gave no flashing before the eyes of a hundred thousand fans. As expected, finally thanked and bid the crowd goodnight. But I felt needed chance of missing this for the second time. I was starting to everything pleased me including the countdown from Z to E that to do some more. I wanted to make the most out of it. It couldn’t enjoy the pictures of what could happen inside when I finally made the crowd chant in chorus. just end like that. We took pictures for a while. And when we saw my cousin. Exchange of ideas of the expected was made It was total excitement when I finally saw them. were about to leave, some started yelling. Next thing I knew, while we rushed to stuff ourselves with food. Coming from Indescribable. Their music was truly unprecedented. Singing the Buddy was on stage, again, as if he, too, had to do something to nowhere, people with their fancy shirts that displayed pictures first song and total hit Magasin was my Ely, Buddy, Marcus and make the most out of this event. of the event started to increase in volume. After thirty agonizing Raimund—yes, together. Everybody was nostalgic and euphoric I was at the top of my voice when I helped the crowd minutes, finally, the last pieces of fries were taken. Without to witness the four, back on stage once again perhaps for the last call on the other three. They didn’t disappoint us. At once, the second thought, we hurried to get in to the queue. time. The crowd was just incredible that Ely even commented four were back. Ely announced another three on the road. I While waiting for my turn, I began to remember “Ang bait nyo.” couldn’t ask for more when they started singing Ligaya, things that happened the day before this concert. Everybody In an instant, nothing else mattered anymore. Their Sembreak and Toyang at their best. Knowing that this would was shocked about the unexpected death of Francis M., one music was simply magical to wake up all the spirits as if really be the last, everybody cried for a group hug. Everybody major name in the Philippine music industry. All I know was hypnotizing the crowd to sing with them and applaud every song was just dying to see one. that he was diagnosed with leukemia and all of a sudden, the in the list. But they didn’t relent to the crowd’s request. Maybe, music industry suffered a great loss. It was quite hard for me Three sets. 26 hit songs. Yet there could never be I was right all along thinking that it was asking too much from to accept that Ely’s friend had to leave that way and couldn’t enough. Pare Ko, Alapaap, Minsan, Overdrive, Spoliarium and Julie the band, or they couldn’t give in with the demand because this even make it to the concert. He was supposed to be a surprise Tearjerky—they’re just not enough to cover years of missing the might not really be the last. “It never ends, it never ends” as guest. I could perfectly picture him singing Super Proxy with band, waiting for this reunion and dying to hear them again as Trip to Jerusalem would say. Ely. I guess sometimes, we just have to let things go and one. After all, maybe they really don’t do group hugs. surrender them to the One who knows better. I was pondering They just make great music. this while surrendering my ticket to the personnel. ung ipinagtapat ko kay one great love na s’ya ang aking one great love, pinaka hindi nakikitang pitak. Pero ko sa mga shine-share n’yang buhay- busted ako. Nagalit ako at pinapili siya: ako at ang mahabang kasaysayan Angelo Vincent Tuazon DelRosario kahit hindi nakikita, nanunuot sa ilong buhay. Iyon ang tinanggap ko. naming dalawa o ang haliparot na wala pa ngang isang linggo niyang kilalang ang makakating piraso ng katotohanang nagdudulot ng interjection na “achoo!” Hindi naman dumating iyong lamang lang naman sa akin ng konti sa height at ‘di hamak na mas matalino Pamintang durog – ginagamit na code pagkakataong hinihintay ko. ‘Yung ako’t mas nakaaalam ng sikot niya. Bitter. Bullfrog na haliparot. Hindi niya dahil hindi pa “out.” Sa ibang bersyon, pagkakataong hindi siya makasasagot ako pinili, at iniwan niya sa akin ang makapagbagbag damdaming “marami kang hindi closeta. ‘Yung militar si ama kaya afraid dahil barado siya sa mga sasabihin ko, alam sa mga kagaya ko.” “Shoot!” I said. “Of all people, ako pa ang hindi makakakilala sa ang lola na mag spread his wings and sa mga na-review kong ebidensiya. mga kagaya ko?” sabi ko ulit. I was furious. Wala naman akong ibang pwedeng prepare to fly butterfly o sa isang dulo Laging ako ang barado. Sa pakikipag-usap maramdaman kundi iyon, hindi ako manhid. Pero hindi ako pumayag at nagpatalo sa ng spectrum, ‘yung ayaw mag-out dahil ko sa kaniya bumabawi ang mga matatapos ang career sa speechless moments – ipinaghihiganti sinabi niya. pananamantala sa mga kaibigang ang mga nilait ko at pinagtawanan. “Sa Puyos ang sumakop sa maraming bakal ng sinturon, ibinibitin ng kasabay maligo at umihi. In one way, si wakas…,” ika nila, “…hindi ka panahon dahil sa sinabi niyang tinanggap ko patiwarik at nagsusurvive sa kabila ng B2 si one great love. makapupuntos kay one great love,” sabay bilang pangungutya. Tama, hindi madalas, ang lahat ng iyon at nakapagrereproduce pa halakhak ng walang control. “Buti nga sa totoo’y napakadalang ko talagang lumuwas ng without sexual intercourse tulad ng Pamintang durog kasama ang iyo!” dagdag pa. Maynila. Miminsan lang din ako nagkakaroon sinasabi ng mga korning nagtatanong higit sa matinding pagnanais na ng lakas ng loob na makipagkilala ng kusa. Sa kung bakit kami dumadami. Aware na magkaroon ng normal na sistema Hindi ko nagamit ang ni-review umpisa’y excited akong makipag-textmate, ako sa bansag na ito dati pa, akala ko. equals confusion equals bisexuality ko. Pinipili ko kase, ng lamang loob ko, pero wala ako laging load kaya nauupos din siguro, I mean oo pala. Ito ang matagal na namnamin na lang ang mga moments ang excitement na iyon at binubura ko rin ang Nagkajowa ako. Syempre, na niyang ina-underscore sa akin – na na kasama siya, kahit late siya lagi, kaysa number ng mga potential boylet. Pero sa kabila kailangan i-redeem ang sarili hindi ko s’ya mage-gets at hindi ko litanyahan ng exhibit A, B, at C. Mas ng lahat, walang karapatan si one great love pagkatapos akong ganuunin ni one mage-gets ang mundong pareho ginugusto ko kasing makibalita sa mga na i-imply na wala akong alam sa kingdom great love. Gwapo, as in ( sa bagay, naming kinukulayan. Sabi ni one great nangyari sa mga panahong hindi kami classification sa sarili kong kingdom dahil gwapo naman lahat ng naging jowa ko). love sa akin dati, gusto niyang nagkita, lalo na ang dami ng cellphone wala ako ng exposure na hinahanap niya. Ni- Siya si B1. Ha-ha! Matipuno, magkapamilya, anak at asawa. I’ll put it na nanakaw o naiwala dahil sa reject na nga niya ako, binaboy pa niya ang intellectually endowed, at ipinagpalit this way, parang for now, vanilla-flavored kaburaraan niya. Mas sinusunod kong aking pagkatao. Echos lang. ako sa Bituing Walang Ningning at Lobo. ice cream makinig sa kwento ng sex life n’ya, ng Ha-ha! Bitter? Ha-ha! Siya yung lalaking muna adventures n’ya, ng edad ng bago n’yang Nag-research ako ng bonggang lalaking tingnan. May mapupulang labi, ang jowa at ng pag-iinsist n’yang mas mabuti bongga. Charing lang ulit. Friendly ako sabi ng barberong gupit, at intellect na naka- school. At kung friends kami. “Para ‘yun lang?” biro iba pero ang totoo’y palabati lang. Pinilit kong challenge sa’kin. Siya rin yung kahit kong may kasamang luha, inis at makakilala ng mga kagaya ko. Kagaya ko ng magugulat kang bakla pala. Although magaling s’ya sa pasasalamat. Mas pinili ko siya kesa ako kaunti. Kagaya kong opposite at kagaya kong hindi tinatanggi, kundi siya kikilos at photoshop eh alam at ang dala kong dahilan. Hindi ko nga hindi ko talaga kagaya. Educ ako kaya magsasalita ay hindi malalamang bakla. Yung kong hindi ‘yun produkto pala talaga siya kilala, o ang sarili ko rin katangian ko nang mag-observe. Pinintasan ko mapapasabi ka ng “sana hindi na lang siya nu’n. May jowang Briton sabi ng o kahit sino pa man. lahat ng dumaan sa tambayan ko. Binigyan ng gumalaw” para hindi makita ang isang dating kaklase. Inisponsoran ang mga palihim na rating mula one to ten, kontroladong pilantik ng mga daliri, pigil at balakang, silicon, at tabletang hormones tinitikman Siguro, nagawa ko mang i- madalas pa nga ay negative, ang mga malambot na padyak, at maingat at may para maghugis at tabas babae. Kiki na lang niya dahil malapit categorize ang akala kong pinupunto ni nakasalubong sa daan at nakasakay sa jeep. kambyong pag-ikot ng ulo tuwing lilingon. Siya ang kulang. Badaf daw ito. BAbae DAFat. Babae na siyang manawa one great love, mali pa rin ako ng konek. Kinutya mula sa Chuck Taylor na may weird color ang bading- BAklang may DatING. At kahit na talaga lahat pero ‘pag sinundan mo ang sa chocolate flavor. Na, artipisyal ang alam ko o ang mga hanggang sa Raymond-Gutierrez-scarf sa gitna maraming hindi um-agree, dito yata ako rainbow after the rain, lalaki ang makikita sa Naisip ko, ito siguro alam ng klaseng kagaya ko’y nang-uri ng ng nag-aalimpuyong init ng panahon hanggang kabilang. Haha! Feeling ko ay incest, kaya dulo katabi ng mga lepricon sa ibabaw ng pot of ang grey area na pagkatao batay sa itsurang kinaiinggitan sa sakop-ang-mukhang-shades na suot ng mga nakipaghiwalay ako. Haha! Eching lang. Gusto gold habang nagja-jackstones. sinasabi nila na ko rin naman kahit balikwas sa alam ko mujer-mujeran. Sinukat ang circumference ng kong sisihin si one great love, pero maraming binanggit ko na rin at sa alam ng marami. mga super tight jeans in all fruit shades. Kinilo maliliit na bagay ang dahilan. Itsinika ko rin lahat ng nangyari sa aking new found kanina. Na tina-try pati ang gel sa buhok at ang pwedeng-kayurin- friend na si Rowell. Sinamahan n’ya akong pagtawanan sina niya munang Mali pala ang unawa ko. Wrong ng-kutsarang-foundation para patunayan kay Inubos ko ang panahon ko sa pagpi- B1 at B2. Haha! Si ‘Te, o si Rowell, hindi maitatangging from lagyan ng sigla sent. Ang hindi ko pala alam ay hindi ang one great love na alam ko na ito. At kahit waste friendster. Isa lang ang account ko, hindi gaya head to foot, humahalimuyak ang masarap sa ilong na ang boring na kabaklaan. Hindi ang panghihinayang sa of time lang, re-reviewhin ko ang lahat ng ni one great love na apat yata. May friendster kalansahan. Hindi naman s’ya cross-dresser, pero hindi na iyon black at lagyan kabadingan ni B1 o ang composition ng nalalaman ko para pag bumalik siya ay ang section Masigasig, ang section ko noong kailangan para masabing kabilang s’ya. Siya yung typical. ng attitude ang suso ng badaf na si Alexis. Hindi ang sisiguraduhin kong masusupalpal siya sa mga fourth year high school kaya ininvite nila ako. Masayahin, makendeng, pilit ang English, maingay kagaya ko. virgin na white. katipikalan ni ‘Te o ang bahing na dulot baon ko. Hindi ko alam na marami pala akong Kapag nagche-check ako’y ina-approve ko na Minsan nga, biro ko, bakit hindi siya nababalitang bakla! Siya Iyon ang ng pamintang durog na si B2. Lalong hindi pambala kahit hindi na ako mag-effort. kaagad lahat ng kaklase at kaibigan at hindi yung fly high and proud ang drama. Alam ng lahat, walang kiyeme, interpretation ang bisexuality ni one great love. ko na vini-view dahil nga kakilala ko naman. walang pretentions. Simply bakla. Hindi half man, half dinosaur. Nararamdaman. Marami pala akong hindi Sa konting lingap, nabigla rin ako. Isang babae, malaki ang boobs, morena, Buong buo. Pamintang buo. ‘Yun na. Hindi ganito si one great nararamdaman. Madami pala kong hindi alam. mahaba ang buhok at sa standard ng mga love. In fact, feeling ko’y hindi s’ya kailanman magiging tulad ni lalaking hayok eh epitome talaga ng ‘Te na hopeless romantic. Bakla- BAbae Kaso LAlake. Ito ang kaseksihan. ‘Yun ang nasa picture. Marami taguri sa akin and to quote si one great love, siyang comment sa’kin kaya out of curiosity Si B2, durog, sa tingin ko. Si one great love kalahating durog, sa mga “people like us.” Kami raw yung mga and insecurity eh viniew ko ang account nya. kumpara ko naman. Just weeks after, in fact, days after the break- woman trapped in a man’s body sabi sa mga Alexis ang name. Alexander Salamat ang up, I saw his true color. It was hurting to the eyes. It was blinding intro ng mga gay beauty pageants. Hindi ako totoong pangalan. Ang bestfriend ko nung high black. Definitely, it wasn’t grey. It wasn’t just ordinary black, it was sure dun, what I am sure of eh kami yung mga blinding black. ‘Yung nagtatago sa kadiliman. ‘Yung nagtatago sa nilulublob sa drum ng tubig, hinahambalos ng talking about stupid reality shows and cheesy mp3 and feeling disgusted with classmates just that. Bore. totally unfeeling and void of emotions. They’re mechanically feeding instructions to students, less stimulating— they were more of robots boys as stupid ogres. Her professors were far replaced with empty-handed Barbie dolls, or frat doleful, having classmates that could be away. was not her own, but decided to simply shrug it over her diary at side table, a bracelet that leaving, she noticed a wooden bracelet sitting breakfast before heading to her office. Before crowning glory, had already prepared her usual Downstairs, she knew her mother, with all her of depressionconsumption in her body. toroom firmed this day call a day,despite the eccentric and detested the most, she left her tribal necklaces which her mother found hooded shirt, paired with demonic anklets and settling to pairs of pink trousers and black- proceeded on ransacking her closet. After dripping water messing the carpet and she went out of the bathroom, uncaring banging under her shower, simply wasting water, to her bathroom. After a couple of minutes existentialism, she got up from bed and headed was not a new phenomenon to her. running in her blood, circulating vein. Pain learned to live in great tumult everyday. It was greatest coward who’d ever live. After all, she longing would just go in vain, she, being the pores. slit, staining her body, intoxicating her waiting watching jovially, how blood would pour from its she could take its sharp edge against her wrist, breath, take her oxygen away. How she wished word to strangle her neck and take out all lungs and suffocateher. How she yearned for the longed for the word to embrace her, to enter her eventually made them limpid red. How she window, her unblinking eyes straining and on ringing as she was staring outside the purple as morning approached. blanket of darkness to of gray, stillness to hazy watching how the earth changed from absolute under her sheets for couple of hours after dawn, bootless. She felt purposeless, laying sprawled felt that was everything dry, even docile, This Monday morning when Vicky woke up, she she felt emptied and succumbed from bleakness. leaves in autumn or great drought in summer, While listening to Paul Weller on her School for Vicky had always been Consumed with so much But in the end, she would think this Death. The word kept Death became her. Like withered

II. I. landing, she on her possible because of the bushes definitely would not kill her jumping over her window which to lessen the pain. drastic and undeterred death. It seemed idea of gradual killing. She preferred her mouth with pills, for she loathed the commonplace. Same thing goes with popping something, seemed too trite, on the ceiling and slitting her wrist with blade or ways of taking her life. Some, like hanging herself diary and started scribbling the list of possible and hastily dismissed the idea. She snatched her Aerosol or Baygon? But she thought of its taste absence of her mother. while listening to Fiona Apple, not minding the bedroom, death swarming inside her head empty kitchen. Vicky went straight to her thought to herself, right after checking the here, perhaps she’s on her bedroom, she realized nobody was home. Mom should be ears with mp3. continue reading confines of her room, perhaps she would decided to go home early and stayed in and see she’d show him. hanging. She felt tired of his alibis. Just wait again. That bullshit. He had always kept her Perhapscome. he’s flirting with other bitches band in Dumaguete. Perhaps he wouldn’t today and they would go for a night with his just told her last night that he would fetch nerves. kept on ringing, it was starting to get her reverberate in her ear. She didn’t know why it girl magazines, the word death continued to the window, Vicky closed eyebrows, narrowed space. With staring in her blankly interrupted of wind curtain in gush sudden swish of for death? did she crave so much this morning. And why eaten anything since bloated. She hadn’t her room, feeling the corner most part of hurled her diary at After dismissing the idea of Would it be nice to end her life by taking Upon entering the house, she Having fed-up with her classes, Vicky She wondered where Brando was. He The Sophie’s World III. or gum her She knew she just had to do it. disapproval in her mother’s unbecoming lifestyle and un-motherly actions. manners and flaring dresses. That slut. even her daughter’s age, flirting with them openly in her coquettish fresh in her youth, entertaining suitors younger than age, sometimes Since her Dad died years ago, mother had been acting like a lady Perhaps she would talk to her mother about this, outside the door of her room.

V. peripheral vision caught a shadow moving again for a date, Vicky thought. sure she did. to herself. bitch, That she muttered angrily. She was always like this, moving this morning. She really was around the house without noticing her, without even Wheeling around, her Perhaps, Mom? Vicky thought act like a mother. Could have at least tried to here, her only daughter. checking that she’s already She must be preparing IV. window before leaving V. really closed her remember if she to trying entering her room, she hated my presence so much, check if she’s there. I know she’d get pissed finding me for her usual date. I decided to check room, just would always arrive as early she could to fix herself that Mom’s not around. Kind still of new to me. She explain to her. everything find something in her unknown entry that would Her mind didn’t want to read it, but she felt could it was obviously hers because of the penmanship. something she could not remember writing, though gone. found out, in disbelief, were her suicidal lists that this deserted hallway? bracelet, those blood stains, much more her diary in explained. But how could she explain this gun, all her life she believed that everything could be wind on her skin. She never believed in supernatural, herself, fighting not to scream sweep of cold in mild something wrong happening in here, she thought to hurling it to her room a while ago. There must be the hell her diary went here. She remembered diary. not believe. the ajar door, Vicky her eyes saw something could slightly opened in mild sweep of wind. At the foot parents’ bedroom as it made a creaking sound, spine, up to her skull. Her eyes flew the door of coldness of its barrel crawling in her skin, to father’s gun. gun lying on the floor loomed her. It was her dried and darkened. Vicky gasped as the sight of a on the floor and spots on the wallpaper,stains all Master’s bedroom. In each step, she noticed blood morning. But what was it doing in this hallway? Michael V. Mariano bracelet she noticed in her bedside table this It suddenly dawned on her that it was the same déjà vu. She curiously picked it up and checked. like it already happened in her past life a Somehow, this whole thing was tofamiliar her, bracelet, a black tribal beads with gothic sighton, a strange appeared to her. poured along the corridor after switching them that it’s already darkening outside. As light headed to the other side of house, next not hers, but it seemed familiar to her. having the same kind in her collection, it was cross as a pendant. She couldn’t remember along the hallway were still out, despite fact somehow disheveled Vicky that all the lamps library where the Master’s bedroom was. It …I just arrived from school when I noticed What she found out in her last entry was This is impossible! She flicked the pages of her diary and Agape, Vicky picked it up, wondering how There at the foot of door lying was her Trembling, she picked it up and felt the Vicky continued pacing towards the There lying innocently on the floor was a She furiously went outside her room and

VI. fraction and slight I opened movement, the door. decided to peep just check who’s to every her latest. With desecrating my father’s memory in that bedroom. I someone again, with guys who could pass as her sons, screeching. I knew it, she’smildly having sex with before I could knock, heard someone moaning and Brando’s.was But how did it go there? bracelet lying on the floor. As I picked it up, I realized it but what the hell. Along my in hallway, path I noticed a landed in spot exactly where Vicky first picked them all. and her diary fell from translucent hands, of amihan wind rustling the trees. The gun, bracelet scream the neighborhood would only think as a sweep buoyed in mid-air, their eyes blankly staring at her. and Brando, naked pallid, their translucent bodies in her mother’s vanity mirror: are, there mother they she could so much react, her eyes caught the reflection Her blood all over the floor has long been dried. Before ghastly with her mouth and blood-shot eyes wide-open. at the foot of the bed was body, her own her face was of Brando’s corpse on top mother’s decaying body. And sweeping her over, and there at the bed she saw her of master’s bedroom flew open in instance, wind now gangrened with yellowish pus and worms. The door tummy. There it was, the hole where the bullet passed, realization, snatched her shirt upward and checked can feel it now, feel I can it now… been dead by now, I don’t knowwhy breathe, I still but I prolongs excruciating pain before death. I should have that it would be the best way to kill a person, for Code in my stomach, I read it in the book The Da Vinci promised it to myself. And with the last bullet, I aimed it death, so I decided to kill myself too. will haunt them, will never let them become lovers again even after their nonsense if I would just leave them here, in this room, emptied and succumbed from bleakness. It would be leaves in autumn or a great drought in summer, I felt wiped her tears and continued reading. very moment that she saw them. It was too vivid. Vicky But she remembered it now, the rage that she had, the believe it, killing her own mother and boyfriend. Diary, to… I had I’ve never seen like this in my life and I had to laugh dear in their very last breath, as I tore flesh with bullets. them down. How sweet for both of to call my name when I opened the door, but I wasted no time and gunned to my mother’s room. You should have seen their faces father’s gun hidden in the library, went back and silently my mother and boyfriend in bed, yes, I got mean it. You must understand how it was for me tocatch him, gyrating over his thighs like a sex slave. my mother’s name. And there she was, the slut, on top of boyfriend for months, lying naked in the bed, moaning I saw them, her newtoy. sex It was Brando, my I went straightto Mom’s my bedroom but Vicky screamed in fear, in rage, in disbelief; a Vicky, her whole body trembling in sudden Death me, dear became Diary. Like withered Vicky’s face waswet with tears. She could not Perhaps Diary, it blinded me, but dear I never Si at ang Tata Ruben Kaniyang Angst sa CARP

“Sa umaga, kape lang ang laman ng tiyan ko. Pagkatapos makainom, sabak na agad sa bukid. Maghapon na ‘yon. Tanim, tanim, pahinga. Tapos tanim uli. Swerte na kung may pananghalian. Madalas kasi kamote o mais lang, sasabayan lang ng tubig na malamig o kape. Sa hapon, mayroon namang tinapay. ‘Yun lang at nakakaraos na

kami.” ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ “Kinabukasan, ganoon uli. Walang pinagbago, iyong kakanin lang. Minsan, kanin at sardinas. Minsan gulay, swerte kapag ganoon. Minsan kasi, wala ni anuman. Wala talaga. Nagtitiis na lang

hanggang makauwi at dun na kami kakain. Nadadala naman kase ng payosi-yosi e. Ayos na ‘yon.” ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

“Kapag anihan, mga limang sakong palay ang napupunta sa’min. E magkano lang naman ang palay?

100 per sako ngayon. Nakikisaka lang naman kami. Wala kaming lupa.”

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Langit, lupa, impyerno(?) Binigyang-laya daw ng CARP ang ilang mga panukalang pumapabor sa Base sa mga pag-aaral na nadaluhan ko, sinasabing 75% daw mga haciendero, katulad ng Stock Distribution Option. Dito, 30 araw ng mga Pilipino ang magsasaka. Parang ‘di naman kapani-paniwala. Sa magtatrabaho sa lupa ang magsasaka. Tapos nun, magkakaroon ng share o panahon ngayon, wala nang gustong magsaka. Nakabilad ka ba naman bahagi ang magsasaka sa kita ng hacienda. Kumbaga, magiging kasosyo sya kasi sa init maghapon. Tapos, magkano lang naman ang kinikita nila ‘di sa aanihin. Galing no? Parang tumaas ang lebel ng magsasaka.

ni Mar Florence C. Sebastian ba? No wonder lahat ng mga kabataan, maski anak ng magsasaka, umiiwas Kaya lang, may naisip na paraan ‘yung mga panginoong maylupa. na sa trabahong ganun. Mas masarap kayang mag-nurse kesa magsaka. Hindi pinagtatrabaho ang magsasaka ng higit sa 30 araw. Kapag ganoon, May kumukuha pa ba ng Agriculture ngayon? Walang ganoong course sa hindi magkakaroon ng bahagi ang magsasaka sa kabuuang kita ng taniman. BulSU e. Isa pang dahilan na sinabi sa akin ni Tata Ruben ang isang kundisyon Karaniwan nilang tinatanim ay palay, minsa’y tubo, ‘yung matamis upang magkaroon ng sariling lupa- ang pagbabayad ng amortization nito. at nginingima-ngima ko nung bata, ‘di kaya nama’y mais. Buwan-buwan ‘yun kailangang hulugan ng magsasaka hanggang sa Ilang dekada na raw alipin ng mga panginoong maylupa ang mga makabayad siya. Kapag hindi niya ito nabayaran ng sunod-sunod na buwan, magsasaka. Naisip ko tuloy, ano ba ‘yung panginoong maylupa? Landlord babawiin ng gobyerno ang lupa. daw ‘yun sa English. E, ang alam ko, mga may-ari ng apartment ‘yun ‘di ba? Wala din naman daw nangyari sa mga binuong kooperatiba, Kapag babae, landlady. Pero ‘yun daw ang tawag dun. sistemang pang-irigasyon, at pinagawang farm-to-market roads. Nasayang Hindi ko nga rin alam kung paanong naaalipin ng mga landlord ‘yung lang. Hindi naman daw kasi nito nasuportahan ang mga nagsasariling mga magsasaka. Ang sabi lang sa’min, ipagsigawan daw naming ibasura magsasaka. Lalo pa silang nabaon sa utang. Kaya maraming magbubukid ‘yung CARP. Sumama raw kami sa rali para matigil na ‘yung pang-aalipin sa ang natakot magsarili at magkaroon ng sariling lupa. Mainam na raw iyong mga magsasaka at ipagkaloob na ‘yung mga lupang dapat ay sa kanila. may kinikita kahit kaunti kesa mabaon sa utang. Marami rin sa kanila ang Sumama naman ako. Nakakatuwa kasing mag-rali, dami mong makikilala. nagbenta na lang ng mga titulo. At saan nila binenta? Sa mga haciendero. Tapos iba pala ang feeling ng “nandun” ka, ibang-iba sa napapanood ko sa tv, astig! Tapos sisigaw kayo ng kung anu-ano. CARP vs. GARB Hanggang sa nakilala ko si Tata Ruben sa isang pagdalaw sa kanayunan Sa mga kadahilanang iyon, ipinaglalaban ngayon nina Tata Ruben para kilalanin ‘yung mga tao ‘run. Siya ‘yung nagkwento sa’kin ng lahat tungkol kasama ng mga unyong pang-magsasaka ang isang makatotohanang reporma sa lupang pinakaaasam-asam ng mga magbubukid. Siya ang nagmulat sa’kin sa sa lupa sa pamamagitan ng GARB o Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill. Sa nabasa lahat ng bagay na dapat kong malaman. ko, ang layunin at prinsipyo ng GARB ay basagin ang monopolyo sa lupa at Ayon kay Tata Ruben, maraming magsasaka ang walang sariling lupa. kontrol sa lupa ng mga Panginoong May Lupa (PML) at dayuhan, libreng Karamihan sa kanila ay nagiging trabahador ng mga haciendero, ‘yun ‘yung mga pamamahagi sa lupa at pawiin ang lahat ng pagsasamantala sa kanayunan, nagmamay-ari ng ekta-ektaryang lupain. Sila ‘yung mga panginoong maylupa. at pataasin ang produktibidad at kita ng magsasaka. Nabanggit nya pa na sa isang buong araw na pagtatrabaho, 50 pesos lang ang Sakop ng GARB ang lahat ng lupang agrikultural, anuman ang sweldo ng mga magsasaka.. Naisip ko, sapat ba ‘yun para makabuhay ng isang namamayaning relasyon nito sa produksyon, lupang ginagamit ng mga pamilya? E pang-kain ko lang ‘yun ng sizzling sa Kapitolyo. korporasyong katulad ng DOLE at Del Monte Philippines, at iba pang dapat sa magsasaka. Magtanim ay ‘di biro 20 taon na ang nakararaan, binuo ng gobyerno ang CARP, o Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. Ngunit sabi ni Tata Ruben, mas pinalala lang raw nito Saka na lang ang paghihirap ng mga magsasaka at ang tunggalian sa lupa. Tinanong ko siya Sa mga nalaman ko kay Tata Ruben, nagpasya akong ipagpatuloy ang kung paano. Mahabang kwento, inabot siya ng isang araw para mailahad lang pag-aaral sa tunay na senaryo sa bansa, kasama ng iba pang estudyanteng sa’kin lahat. Ewan ko kung tama ‘yung pagkakaintindi ko. nagnanais mamulat sa kalagayan ng Pilipinas. Maraming problema ang nalantad sa aking isipan, at marami pang dapat malaman. Sa ngayon, nagpasya akong ipagpatuloy ang pakikibaka sa paghingi ng tunay na reporma sa lupa kasama nina Tata Ruben.

November 2008 - March 2009 Kulang ang kaliwa’t kanang nominasyon at parangal kumpara sa naidulot ng pelikulang indie na tumatak sa maraming Pilipino noong nakaraang taon. Ang Kamakailan, tinangka itong isali sa Oscar’s awards para sa kategoryang Foreign Elaiza R. Banasig Language Film. Hindi man pinalad, hindi pa rin maitatanggi ang kalidad ng pelikulang Gugma nagmula sa isang awiting bayan ng Cuyo, Palawan tungkol sa pag-ibig na walang- ni hanggan at sa isang babaeng misteryosa, mapaglihim at malalim. Ang Ploning ni Dante Nico Garcia, indie film na walang dudang ipinagmalaki at ipagmamalaki ng Pilipinas. Sa promosyon pa lamang ng Ploning, lubha na itong Nakakainis sa simula ang salitang Cuyonon. Ploningmisteryosong nagluwal sa kanya. Natuklasan niyang kakaiba sa nakagawiang istorya ng pelikulang Pilipino. Parang Cebuanong hindi naman. Nakakaloko ang Idagdag pa ang kantang di mo man mabatid ang ibig pagkakahawig ng dalawang dayalekto. Ngunit sa huli, mahalaga sa maraming tao ng Cuyo si Ploning, dahil sa sabihin, ay umaakit naman sa pandinig. Tunay nang ang nangibabaw ang kakaibang tono ng Cuyonon na tila lipos maigting nitong pagmamahal na ipinauulan sa mga taong pelikulang ito ay may kakaibang mundo. Isang palaisipang ng diwa at pangaral. nakapaligid sa kaniya sa panahon ng literal na tagtuyot at nakasasabik tuklasin kasama ang mga misteryo at lihim Humakot ng iba-ibang impresyon ang Ploning kawalan ng ulan sa Cuyo. ng gugma ni Ploning sa mga manonood. Pinuna at binansagang simple ngunit Nakabibingi ang katahimikan ni Ploning. Ngunit Ang pelikula ay binuo ng kumbinasyon ng mga kakaiba, maramdamin sa kapuri-puring paraan at matapos ang mga rebelasyong lumantad kay Muo Sei, isa beterano at baguhang aktor sa industriya: Judy Ann Santos kinilalang isang obra-maestra. na si Tomas, ang lalaking pag-ibig ni Ploning, na lumayo bilang PLONING; Gina Pareño bilang INTANG; Mylene Tumakbo ang istorya sa istilo ng flashbacking. papuntang Maynila at iniwang naghihintay ang dalaga, Dizon CELESTE; Meryl Soriano ALMA; Ces Quesada Pista ng bayan sa Cuyo, Palawan nang isang mangingisda Araw rin ng pista nang magkasabay na bumuhos ang NIEVES; Tony Mabesa SUSING; Crispin Pineda TOTING; mula Taiwan, si Muo Sei, ang dumayo upang alamin kung ulan at ang kasagutan sa likod ng katahimikan ni Ploning. Eugene Domingo JUANING; Tessie Tomas SELING / ano o sino si Ploning. Pilit niyang inisip ang dahilan ng Nakakagulat ang pagtatapos ng pelikula. Hindi MATANDANG CELESTE; Ketchup Eusebio BADOCDOC; palagian nyang pagsambit sa pangalang “Ploning” sa mga mo aasahang ganoon kapayak ilalahad ang mga sagot sa Ronnie Lazaro MATANDANG VELING; Joel Torre panaginip nya sa loob ng 25 taon. Kasabay ng paghahanap mga katanungan sa buhay ni Ploning. Sa simpleng paraan MATANDANG SILOY / MAYOR; Beth Tamayo nya ang kanyang pagtuklas sa tunay nyang naipahayag ay simple ring aral ng kwento. Pilit tayong DIVINA; Jojit Lorenzo BASIT; Spanky Manikan pagkatao. Sa loob ng isang araw, pilit tinuklas naghahanap ng mga bagay na wala sa atin. Pilit TSUY; Ipinakikilala sina Cedric Amit DIGO; Lucas ni Muo Sei ang nagtatanong nang di namamalayang ang mga sagot ay Agustin SILOY; Ogoy Agustin VELING; at Bodjong nakaraan nya, iniisip nasa harap lamang natin. Pilit naglalakbay patungo sa mga Fernandez MUO SEI. na sa Cuyo niya ito sagot na abot-tanaw lamang natin. Ang gugma ni Ploning, Nilaro ng mga aktor ang makikita, sa malihim man at payak, ay maraming nag-uumapaw sa pelikula sa malumanay bayang aral ng buhay. nilang pag-arte na Sa bandang huli, hindi nag-iisa si Ploning. nagpalutang sa ganda Nabubuhay siya sa mga taong nais makilala ang Pilipinas ng kakaibang istorya ni ang Diyos at higit sa lahat, sa mga taong nais makabatid sa Ploning. Hindi rin nila tunay na pinagmumulan ng pag-ibig na walang hanggan- birong pinag-aralan at payak ngunit malalim. ginamit ang lenggwahe ng mga http://ploning.multiply.com/journal Cuyonon. Sinulat ng baguhan ngunit may pinatunayang http://www.ploningthemovie.com/ direktor na si Dante Nico about_filmmakers.html Garcia ang istorya na kinuhanan naman ng bihasang cinematograper na si Charlie

Peralta.

“Parang ‘di “Parang said, even One Filipino.

is the best song writer in English- in writer song best the is

poetry writing, many still claim that Rico that claim still many writing, poetry

been using this kind of style in song and song in style of kind this using been

with his universe to offer. to universe his with While many artists have also have artists many While wala.’ in as

the best of Pinoy music comes Rico Blanco Rico comes music Pinoy of best the nothing will ever break us, wala talaga, wala us, break ever will nothing

innovative some, have already come up with up come already have some, innovative medyo over-rated kung minsan… kung over-rated medyo

Urbandub, Sandwich, and Pupil, to name the name to Pupil, and Sandwich, Urbandub, Antukin”, ‘…tadhana’y Antukin”, “ .’; tatabang

Look now, just when we all thought all we when just now, Look ka lang, ‘pag nag-emote ako lalo kang lalo ako nag-emote ‘pag lang, ka

same emotions over again. over emotions same pag diniscuss ko pa mawi-weird-an pa ko diniscuss pag ‘…’

believe me, as compared to emo songs parading the parading songs emo to compared as me, believe , mawala” ka hindi Para “ ’; mawawala

play it on repeat. But, the approach is completely different; completely is approach the But, repeat. on it play yis f the of lyrics lahat ng hassle ay hassle ng lahat … Delete + Alt +

which is very apologetic and easy you couldn’t help but help couldn’t you easy and apologetic very is which might associate the associate might Sa love life mong panis Control panis mong life love Sa ‘ goes that Ayuz” “

track , the 5 the , Again” Start “ despondent very the particularly bilingualism in most of the songs in Filipino in the tracks the in Filipino in songs the of most in bilingualism downright meaning. We meaning. downright

th

listen to them while lazying on Sunday afternoons Sunday on lazying while them to listen this is the uncomplicated and smooth-flowing use of use smooth-flowing and uncomplicated the is this about its about Yugto” “ single carrier the

just broke up with your girl/boyfriend, you could just could you girl/boyfriend, your with up broke just releasing the album. And we cannot help but ponder on ponder but help cannot we And album. the releasing from his performance in Rivermaya way back. To add to add To back. way Rivermaya in performance his from

cheesy February days. Or if you’re single as hell, or you or hell, as single you’re if Or days. February cheesy with its dreamlike synthesizer tone as if it’s Rico’s aim in aim Rico’s it’s if as tone synthesizer dreamlike its with music. This style adds distinction to his current career current his to distinction adds style This music.

sweethearts and suitehearts even an anthem to sing on sing to anthem an even suitehearts and sweethearts lyrics, and fine frenzy mood of good summer afternoon summer good of mood frenzy fine and lyrics, that exhorts you to take a nap on Friday siesta Friday on nap a take to you exhorts that Metropolis” “

released in August 2008, it sure is just in time to give to time in just is sure it 2008, August in released of its singers’ manner of word articulation, short but striking but short articulation, word of manner singers’ its of syndrome). And to close the set is a surreal song surreal a is set the close to And syndrome).

emo wordplay. And by the way, though the album was album the though way, the by And wordplay. emo out loud in shower rooms - more like an LSS (last song (last LSS an like more - rooms shower in loud out he has adapted the musical aspect of the genre in terms in genre the of aspect musical the adapted has he

extend to aspirational baby-making music and scratchy and music baby-making aspirational to extend simplicity of the lines and melody will keep you singing you keep will melody and lines the of simplicity the influence behind the music – British pop. It’s as though as It’s pop. British – music the behind influence the

of pick-up lines’ is that despite being ‘mushy’, they don’t they ‘mushy’, being despite that is lines’ pick-up of , which is the title track, is obviously suggesting obviously is track, title the is which , Universe” the object of his affection implies. Truly, the crafty the Truly, implies. affection his of object the

Collectively, the good thing about this ‘collection this about thing good the Collectively, Your “ in especially English, in songs the all in actually song, to be encapsulated in her universe, as opposed to what to opposed as universe, her in encapsulated be to

behind. the heart of the album, tenderly speaks of how lucky he is he lucky how of speaks tenderly album, the of heart the lyrics are as sweet, though. The accent Rico uses in the in uses Rico accent The though. sweet, as are lyrics

in the track suggests the idea, or might prove the story the prove might or idea, the suggests track the in as Universe”, Your “ night”. all up [him] keeping “it’s how and axing saxophone solo. The solo. saxophone axing rel the minus course, of , You”

This line This natuyo…” ay ikaw kapag krus sa ka ipapako dugo, Melt with Melt “ of version Wave New the like much resounding “addicted to [her] tender kisses” tender [her] to “addicted him makes person particular

na pinakamatalik, pupulupot sa leeg mo’t sisipsip ng iyong ng sisipsip mo’t leeg sa pupulupot pinakamatalik, na (which are almost always present in all the songs) the all in present always almost are (which speaks of how this how of speaks that Helpless” “ song the in instance

kadiliman may ahas na hahalik, tatawagin mong kaibigan mong tatawagin hahalik, na ahas may kadiliman in presenting charming lines in our second language. For language. second our in lines charming presenting in riffs with complex sound waves produced by synthesizers by produced waves sound complex with riffs

“…sa gitna ng gitna “…sa says, song the from line A though. it, about Nevertheless, this romantic hasn’t failed hasn’t romantic this Nevertheless, . side street the courtesy of former Ehead Buddy Zabala, and easy guitar easy and Zabala, Buddy Ehead former of courtesy

the current Rivermaya members. Rico has been silent been has Rico members. Rivermaya current the the 80’s sounding drumbeat, a very groovy bass-line groovy very a drumbeat, sounding 80’s the different flavor even if they are as common as fishballs on fishballs as common as are they if even flavor different

song with RB’s relationship with relationship RB’s with song and the Filipino languages. No wonder the songs have a have songs the wonder No languages. Filipino the and tracks in the package with its ultrasonic mood created by created mood ultrasonic its with package the in tracks

options in wordplay, knowing that he uses both the English the both uses he that knowing wordplay, in options , which stands out among all the all among out stands which , Forever” Say “ song the

The truth is that he has more has he that is truth The Rico.” si bala ng mauubusan Rico opens his first music box as a soloist with soloist a as box music first his opens Rico

of other firsts in us. in firsts other of

d a whole lot whole a d an romance, first kiss, first of memory the back bring to ready

s universe s hi from straight coming music us give 2.) and Rivermaya of soul

s the heart and heart the s i he that believe to reasons more the all Give 1.) to back he’s

w is that is w no about care listeners his What solo. went and Rivermaya leave

he decided to decided he that had accent) collegiala perfect in it put VJs channel music

le fema (as Blanco guy” hot “the Rico reason whatever with hell To John Kelvin R. Briones R. Kelvin John Ako po ti Tabelita, nakatila ta lum ti-o-teben, lohat hol, titu ta bi-et-yu! Tabi ni mami ko, malami law mga nanyayali ta amin ang nikikita ng iba pelo indi nibibigyan pantin. An totoo, ita ko ta nakapantin ta nitatabi ni mami. Ngayon alaw tatabi-in ko tayo nikita ko. (Takut ato!) Tabi ni mami wak daw ko maingay pelo kun guto mo malaman wento ko, plamit mo muna na indi mo pagtatabi a. Plamit?

Otei, tiklet lan natin to a! Wak ka maingay. SSSsssshhhhh! ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Angng AAllamaama○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○tt “Kami po tatlo.” makomplit? “O tige kaw muna, paliwanag mo pamagat.” “May guto ako buk, bili nyo na lan ako pala Anito (Natapot magpaliwanag tatlo ng ala pa limang pampakomplit. Kelangan ko yon e.” Kati ganto yun, may nakita akong mam na minuto. Di aman ata tiya nikinig.) “Ha, o tige po. Bibilin po namin.” naniningi ng alay ta mga etudyante nya. Tapot Paglabat ng lum... “Bigyan nyo na lan ako ng payb hunded petot at ako nalinig ko na ayaw nya ng ipupupoo lan nya. (Yak etudyante 1: Batet ganon, palan andali ng nigawa na bibili. Mat magatot kati kun kayo pa bibili. aman!) Nun tumunod na bukat nikita ko uli tiya ta natin? Kala ko pa aman tatayo ita-ita ta halap tapot Tayang pamatahe.” itang lum. Nibebenta nya yun buk ta mga etudyante papaliwanag. nya kato nagleleklamo tila kati ma-al daw. Tapot, etudyante 2: Oo nga, pano kaya tayo gi-gleydan? Kala ko uling alaw na yun na makikita ko nipakinggan ko tila ta kabilang lum. Tabi ni mami, etudyante 3: Balaha na. tiya pelo hindi pa pala yun uli. Nun tumunod na matama law makinig ta utapan ng iba, kato di ko (Natapot buong alaw na pulo ganon nanyali.) taon nikita ko na aman tiya ta itang lum. matiit na di tila pakinggan. Guto mo ba malaman O diba kakaiba nanyali? Kita ko yun! Laat- Nipakinggan ko uli tiya. nadinig ko? O tige. Nadinig ko na ang magtatama at laat yun! Glabe no? Kilala mo ba ti mam? Di pa maglelekold ng itkol ng buong klate ay ang tekletaly tapot, may palt 2 pa yun wento ko. Eto o... dun. Tapot...tapot nitabi pa nya yun ibang gagawin ng klate ta olat nya. Noon kuanan ng klatkald… “Kelangan nyo bumili ng buk. Lawa to. Ma-al to dati Tapot ng itang buwan nakita ko uli ti mam (ta liblaly) pelo bebenta ko ta inyo ng mula”, tabi ni mam. abang nagpe-play ato ng balbi ko. etudyante: Kukunin ko po gleyd ng tektyon amin. “E batet po tila yun alap? Oo nga po, palang nabata “Napata na ba nyo mga liblo nyo takin?” ng ulan. Agnat na”, tabi ng mga etudyante. Tabi ng etudyante nya: Naku nikakakaba aman. Tana “Opo, nibigay ko na lin po lekold ng gleyd amin.” “Indi ma-alaga yun takip. Ang ma-alaga yun laman.” makapata yun ginawa natin. (Yun iba etudyante “A ganun ba. Tandali lan tutulat ko lan gleyd nyo.” “A ganun po ba?” binabata uli mga gawa nila, ta toblang kaba “O tige po.” “Bukat bili na kayo at malami kayo tatagutan dito.” namumutla na.) “O eto na.” Nibili mga etudyante ng buk pelo naitoli lin Naku yan na tiya. Paglabat ng liblaly... nila kati nga pangit na, tayang pela. Buti aman at “O ita-itang glup lan papatok ta lum ha”, tabi ni klatmeyt: Tagal mo aman ta loob. Atan na mga gleyd nitatatama na nila mga mali dati. (Beli gud!) mam. amin? “O tige upo na kayo dito malapit ta lameta ko”, “Eto na. Natagalan kati itinulat pa ita-ita kato Ay tandali lang! Tawag na ko nanay ko. nidugtong pa nya. nikakataka naitulat nya mga gleyd natin na walang Mentol panalan nya. Wak ka maingay a. Wak mo “Mam eto na po gawa namin.” kopya ta alap nya.” tatabihin ta kanya na nikwento ko tayo yun mga yun “Ano dala nyo?” (Wil op poltune kati nanyali lun. Kung ano matapat a. Tige ta tutunod na pagkikita natin, wentuhan uli etudyante 1: Po? na gleyd tayo kahit na magaling ka, toli na lan pag kita. Babayyyyy! etudyante 2: Yun dala law natin. mababa natapat tayo.) Tiya nga pala konlatuleytyon ta Oktyon in “A eto po dala amin, bato po yan, babatagin.” Aktyon ni mami Mentol noon pawndeytyon wik. Ye- “A naku atid nyo ko maya a, baka indi ko mabu-at la- May palt 3 pa! Eto... ey! Galing-galing. Nipaaabot nya patatalamat nya ta at yan.” mga taong tumulong ta kanya at ta mga nagbid at etudyante 3: Eto na po gawa namin. mam: Imkomplit kayo. nanalo. Tenkyu tenyo! “Tino may gawa nito?” etudyante: Po? Ano po dapat namin gawin pala

ebrero 26 nang maganap ang Student Government (SG) Elections 2009 at ang patuloy na labanan sa pagitan ng ASAP at PDM. Pumagitna sa laban ang boto ng bawat estudyante. Inawat ng resulta ang mahabang kompetisyon ng mga pangako at plataporma. Kinabukasan, umalingawngaw na ang pagtatapos ng round. Sa harap ng kabi-kabilang ispekulasyon, ikaw, ano ang reaksyon mo sa lumabas na resulta?

· “Disagree, kasi gusto ko PDM. Kasi sila yung gustong · “Amazed ako kasi isa lang yung nalaglag sa ASAP, magpababa ng tuition.” (Raymond Adriano, BSEd 2C) kumbaga parang nakakapagtaka.” (BSEd 3C)

· “Ayos lang pero ‘di ako bumoto kasi kahit magbago ng mga · “‘Di na nakakagulat ‘yung result. Parang expected na mai- leaders wala pa ring mangyayari.” (Gelli Concepcion,BSEd 3G) straight ng ASAP kase malakas ang hatak nila kaysa sa PDM.” (Angel Assasin, BSEd 1A) · “Okay lang naman. Sana yung mga nanalo mapaglingkuran ‘yung mga estudyante, ‘yung tamang paglilingkod.” (BSEd 2E) · “Masyadong malaking pader yung binabangga ng PDM kahit PDM kami.” (Philip Tan, BSEd 1A) · “Hindi naman ganoon kahalaga kung sino yung nanalo. Sana lang maramdaman ng mga estudyante ‘yung pagbabagong · “Okay lang pero sana siguro mas maganda kung hindi dulot ng eleksyon.” (Violy Lyn Giron, BSEd 3G) solid ‘yung nanalo. Kasi kapag isang partido lang e lalaki ‘yung tendency na magkaroon ng discrepancy.” (Rachelle · “Naging smooth ‘yung eleksyon saka fair naman pero napansin Tongol, BSEd 3G) ko lang ang ASAP kase mas may experience yung candidates nila kesa sa PDM.” (Mark Kevin Olimba, BSEd 4A)· · “Okay lang kung ‘yun ‘yung result as long as tutuparin nila ‘yung pinangako nila. Wala naman sa partido iyon · “Medyo nakakapagtaka lang kasi landslide yung result. Medyo kundi nasa ipinaglalaban. Dapat may sarili silang may konting doubt pero tingin ko e may credibility naman.”” paninindigan at hindi sila after sa anino ng partido na (Jaehadd Lou Untalan, BSEd 1A) kinabibilangan nila.” (Lovely Isip, BSEd 3G) Silakbo uuag aaaia ang Alam publikasyon. ng operasyon naparalisa tuluyang fee, involuntarymembership ng paniningil sa nagpahinto na BulSU ng sa organisasyon lahat sa Memorandum President’simplementasyonng kailangan nito. Ngayon, ikawnamanang ng pagsubok. pinakamalaki salahat kinakaharap nitoang nito. na katatagan sa sumubok suliranin ang saring samu’t rin sa publikasyon na ay dumaan nito pag-iral taong maraming Sa lahat. ang nagtataposrito hindi ng pamamahayag. larangan sa mag-aaral mga Edukasyon pagdating sa kahusayan ng ng Kolehiyo ng ito simbulorin Naging na nito. bumubuo ng kolehiyoat kaisipang ng kapakanan nagtataguyodsa progresibong at kritikal mga ng behikuloito Naging paglilinang ng kaisipan ng mga estudyante. pumapaimbulong sa serbisyo ng itong pagmumulat at na taon Labintatlong JOURNAL. MENTORS’

BEDSPACEBEDSPACE (Isang kampanya sapagpapanatili ngTheMentors’ Journal, opisyal napang-estudyanteng Ngayon ay Photo taken by: Charles Bryan Acosta ang Matapos Ngunit dekadaTHE isang ang Mahigit umiiral ring na pahayagan saKolehiyo ngEdukasyon) ng nito. Gayunpaman, esensyal ang salapi upang maipatupadsalapiupang ang Gayunpaman, esensyal nito. manunulatmga nasa ay publikasyon ng buhay ang nating PLUMA November 2008-March2009 ang mga proyekto at adhikain nito. adhikain at proyekto mga ang gayundin ang institusyong tumugaygayinstitusyongat ang gayundin TAGAPAGLIGTAS natitira nitong dekadang kasaysayan ng mulat na pagsusulat lamang ang ngayon, IKAWna Sapagkat nagsilbi sa ating mahal na kolehiyo.na mahal ating sa nagsilbi sa loob ng isang iglap ay MAWALAang ayiglap isang ng loob sa publikasyon, hinihingi namin ang inyong ang namin hinihingi publikasyon, nito ngsuporta. Ngayon, ikawnamananghinihingan PUBLIKASYON. Huwag nating hayaan na ao s pnntl n ATING ng pananatili sa sagot Upang mapanatiling buhay ang ATING estudyante ang siyang NATITIRANGsiyang ang estudyante suporta sa muling pagbabalik ng kada publikasyon publikasyon kundi ito rin ang dahilan upang mapatunayan ng mga mag- mga mapatunayanng upang nog uot bln mga bilang suporta inyong aaral saKolehiyo ngEdukasyon ang appntl n bhy ng buhay ng pagpapanatili ng pagsusulat atpamamahayag. kanilang angking talento sa larangan nananatiling susi, hindi lamangsa hindi susi, nananatiling pagsusulong ng mga mithiin ng mithiin mga ng pagsusulong aslig uo t ua sa buhay at dugo nagsilbing na Fee Publication semestreng nog bnbgy n siyang ang ibinibigay inyong salaping ang taon, maraming ng pangkampus na pahayagan. Sa loob . Sa diwang ito, tanging ang tanging ito, diwang Sa

The term “devil’s Leonardo Da Vinci advocate” comes invented the scissors. from the Roman Catholic Church. When deciding if The flag of someone should the Philippines become a saint, a is the only devil’s advocate is national flag always appointed that is flown to give an alter- native view. differently during times The most sensitive finger of peace or is the forefinger. war. Reference: http://www. kellys.com/know.html Mayabang kami. Mayabang kami dahil tumagal Albay Albay Kilalang Bulkansa Kilalang Bulkansa Kan’yang ‘di Kan’yang ‘di Siya atang Siya atang Albay Kilalang Bulkansa Kan’yang ‘di Siya atang Albay Albay Kilalang Bulkansa Kilalang Bulkansa Kan’yang ‘di Kan’yang ‘di Siya atang Siya atang Muse Muse Muse regret. Actively told, among others we decided working jaw, my strength at your intimacy, sucking the air you hardly inhaled, exhaled, with lemon, forever brushing In that bathroom Remember our music, Muse Muse kami hanggang dito. Isang pagkakataong iilan lamang ang aking kasaysayan. sa tatlong oras na hindi maaalis sa disyerto ang panahon, naghimagsik naman ito’t bumawi rin kuntento. Inilubog man sa distansya ng bato at Nagluwal siya ng luha ng hindi dalamhati at hindi dantaon at binubuhay ng pag-ibig dumampi ang mga ito sa pigurang pinatanda ng maningning ang dinanas ng kanyang mata nang Hindi na rin ako nagtanong kung bakit higit pa sa kalauna’y sa ididilig lupang pinanggalingan din niya. letrang humihiwa at nagbabalik ng dugo na pula na kan’yang pagkatao na pinananalaytay naman niya sa mga Pinagbukasan ng nag-aalburutong dugong bumubuo sa na ipinagmamainam niya. Ngunit hindi ako nagtaka. Wala sa aking akala ang payak na lupang tatsulok sa hindi kilala n’yang bulkan sa Albay. ang nakabahagi sa kanyang pagmamahal Tatlong maiksing oras lamang ng aking buhay Gelo napagkakatiwalaan. Pero higit kaming mayabang dahil nakamit namin ang pagtitiwalang ito dahil sa mga taong John Kelvin R.Briones Not to explain nor Your sandpaper palm on my Remember my tongue, and digested. searing the holiness in us by that sumuporta, maliit man o malaki, lihim man o lantad. Sila ang mga taong nagpahiram ng isa pang hininga sa The Mentors’ Journal. Hindi kayang buuin ng konstelasyon ang uniberso ng pasasalamat sa mga At your intimacy, and all the infatuation I My mismanaged hair, You and me. Remember me Remember our breath, In that bed. Our throbbing pulses, sumusunod:

Dr. Avelina M. Aquino, Ms. Carmelita Sanga, Ms. Emelita Laganao, Ms. Catherine Tolentino, Ms. Intimate heat, humming Catherine Lazaro, Mr. Bryan Amiel De Jesus, Mr. Joseph Roy Celestino, Dean Rey Naguit, Mr. Bobby Lopez, Mr. Marlon Santos, Mrs. Thea Magdayao, Mrs. Dinia Reyes, Mrs. Yolanda Villavicencio, Mrs. Ria Ruth Isip, Ms. Marilyn Reyes, Ms. Shella Del Rosario, Mrs. Analyn Pascual, Mark Rossem Garcia, Mylene Padua, Al Romuald Estrella, Mrs. Remedios Azarcon, Dr. Bonifacio Cunanan, Mrs. Vicky Cahanding, Dean Luzviminda Tantoco, Dr. Remigio Musca, Rowell “’Te” Castro, Bianca Micaela Espeleta, Mrs. Ria Maglonzo, Mrs. Susana Galvez, Ms. Michelle Manghinang, Dr. Renato Godoy, Dr. Teody San Andres, Mr. Manolito Mata, Mr. Edelberto Larin, Mrs. Cristy Reyes, Dean ang aliwalas sa ‘yong mga mata, Forsaken Victor Ramos, Mrs. Carmela De Borja, Bullet Lazaro Siongco, Allende kumukupas ang ningning Katumbas ng sulyap ang

Dianne Kristine Montales, Madawag ang pag-asang habang balot ng hiwaga ekspresyon. Sinipat ka nasipat

Angelo Vincent Tuazon sa gabing maaliwalas singlayo ng sampung ka ng palihim. Lihim All I know is that they’ve never ng mga matang balot at distansya sa pagitan milyang alinlangan. hindi hindi ng mga bituin Del Rosario, Michael sa been the same. singlapit ng ‘sang Sipat Sipat Sipat Sipat Sipat Mariano, Ammarie Cruz na tinatantya ang habang hindi pa habang abala ka happy afternoon suffocated with eternity nagbabadya ng

(at sa mga hindi nakababatong Kumbar Lee o ng buwang romantikong what-feels-like yesterday’s talk

sarili mong nabanggit, ang inyong ekspresyon magdamag. ng palihim sa kan’ya.

na walang shrewd acts penetrating our souls walang kapalit na ka sinilip dangkal, ng gabi; kagyat intimidating glimpses pagtulong ay lubos Sinipat nating naming lihim ending in abysmal euphoria. pinahahalagahan at We used to be one. tinatanaw na everyday used to be in realm of bliss. malaking utang na loob) but now. Mayabang kami. At pinaghalong gutom at pagkahilo dala ng alingasaw ng paligid. ng alingasaw dalang pagkahilo at gutompinaghalong nagtit akong rin na tatlongoras Mayaraw. ng init nakapapasong dakdakan.maghapong sa rin pa nagkakalakalkasabaykongtsismosa mga Ang basura.su nama’y ng Kahit ‘yon. mga walangmatutupadsa Pilipinas, sa basurahan ng lah siguro nga pa kahit Payatas– sa basura na gabundokmga ang makal kong ilangbeses yata kahit pero ko pangarap mga langang Si araw.balang maikasal Payatas;at sa malayosana yung bahay, sar Makapagpatayong kapatid.dalawa kong ang mapag-aral sanang k gusto nun, Pagkatapusako. nakapagtapos na lang masabi tipong araw,gradeKahi makapagtaposisang tatlongkahit six. sa beses payless.o sardinas ng lang makabili namin, kinakalkal basurang mga sa maliban pag-asa anumang ng k ko hindi lugarna sa Dito ‘yon. mga tuparinang pinagsikapang rin ko Dito nun? ‘kopala marunong mangarap, sinimulang ko dito dakdakan.maghapong n sumisige nama’ytsismosa ibang Ang basura. mangalakalng kong Totoy.at Nene kina matatagako Magiging kan’ya. sa Per s’ya. Duwag ilog.lumulutang s’yangsa namin lang na nakita lanpa kinse Noong hirap. naming sobra ang sinukuan ayun naman, ita Si Nene. si naming bunso sa pagkapanganak Nanay ang kase na namin. kahirapan sa dahil eskwe ng nakatuntong ‘ko na hindi dalawampungNi taon.ng loob n’ya. pangar mga ng kasama basura, na umaalingasaw ng kasama buhay ng nai ang naman binata isang lang,nga linggo isang Noong basura. walangWalangkak kanina.bago; ko nasaksihan eksenang mga yung mayabang kami dahil sa neuroses. kanila at sa iyo. Gusto pa insipid days. Kwentong Basura Kwentong Basura Kwentong Basura sana naming magyabang… Kwentong Basura Kwentong Basura intricate minds. May halos tatlong oras na siguro akong nakababad sa ilalim ng ilalim sa nakababad akong siguro na tatlonghalosoras May batang mga ng paghaharutanpatuloy ang paligid; ang Maingay disente, ng makakain ko, pangarap ang naman Simplelang – PayatasDamsayt ng lugar na masukal at marusing sa Dito kasabay batang mga ang Naghaharutanpaligid. ang Maingay Namataymagulang? mga ‘kong walana bang na ko Nabanggit sa kolakas ng lahat inubos nga na ko Dito lumaki. ‘ko na Dito ng bulto mga ng nadaganan ang naman na Dalawangbata Matagal na rin kaming nakatira dito sa Payatas.sa dito sakin nakatiraMatagal na kaming rin Normal na embracing us, love, Tatlonglata softdrinks,ng lata limang mangilansardinasat ng is nothing but ngilang bote na plastic na pwedeng ibenta: ‘yan pa lang pa ‘yanpwedeng ibenta: na plastic na botengilang ang laman ng sako ko. Tuloy bigla akong napag-isip. akongbiglaTuloy ko. sako lamanng ang Magkano man ang halaga nito’y alam kong kulang pa para kulanghalagaalampa kongnito’y ang man Magkano

matupad alin man sa mga pangarap ko. Kulang na Kulangko. pangarap mga sa man alin matupad pure irony. kulang pa pambili ng disenteng kabaong para sa dalawasa para kabaong disenteng ng kulang pambili pa kong kapatid. kong Mark AnthonydeLara t ba ‘yung ba t akikitaan o iba ‘ko iba o misige isa. libing g ako g iis sa iis lahan at na at o rin o mple aiba. iling ahig a sa a ap y -