EditorialPANAWAGAN NG

PANGANGAILANGANPage 4

NewsUEB FINALIZES

ELECTION SETUPPage 2 to 3

CultureELECTION SURVIVAL

Page 13

CANDIDATES’ INTERVIEW

Page 6-12

The Official Student Publication of the University of the Philippines Manila | Volume 24 NumberS 17-18 THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2011

Pre-Election Issue

Features

2 • 03 MARCH 2011 • THURSDAY

Volume 24, Numbers 17-18NEWS

UEB Finalizes Election Set Up

DEONAH ABIGAIL LUGO MIOLE

In preparation for the upcoming university elections, the University of the Philippines Manila University Electoral Board (UPM UEB) held a meeting with campaign managers of the different political parties in UPM

on February 22. Changes and updates for this year’s Student Council (SC) elections were discussed in the said meeting.

CAS to Employ Automation

In the previous year’s SC elections, the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) refused to utilize the automated polling scheme proposed by OSA due to lack of preparations and consultations with the students. This year, however, the automation for CAS will push through.

“We now support the full automation in CAS. Nagawa naman po ng OSA yung previous assessment natin na magkaroon ng mahabang preparation and extensive information dissemination sa students,” said CAS SC Chairperson Ellen Mariz Tayag.

“We encourage all the students to participate in the first ever fully-automated elections in CAS,” Tayag added.

Switching to Automation

A dry-run for the automated elections was held on February 23

Revising Election Policies

The issue on which materials are allowed for campaign was resolved in the meeting. Only those which are stated in the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) handbook, such as posters, flyers and button pins, should be used for campaigning. The campaign teams participating in this year’s elections are banned from distributing other giveaways such as pens, candies, and other items not specified in the student handbook. The campaign period shall last from February 22 to March 3.

Unlike last year’s polls, the candidates’ nicknames shall also be included in the computerized list of candidates.

Conversely, a manual voting scheme would also be held in San Juan, Batangas, for at least 20 UPM students who are coincidentally based in the said area for their duties on day of the elections.

Voting Procedure for UPM Student Council Elections 2011:

1. Go to your designated voting precinct and show your UP ID or UP Registration Form (Form 5) to the attending poll clerk.2. Once confirmed you are valid voter, the poll clerk will give you your password.3. Approach an unoccupied voting station/computer.4 Your browser should display the log-in page.5. Log-in using your student number and the password given by the clerk. (Note: the password is case sensitive)6. After logging in, you should see the ballot form.7. You may now vote by checking the box/es opposite the candidate’s names. You may modify the ballot as much as you want at this step. Any change here is not yet recorded.8. Once you press, “Confirm ballot”, a captcha will appear before you can confirm your votes.9. After successfully inputting the captcha, your vote will be confirmed and you will be logged out.10. You can log-in again by typing your student number & password if you want to see your confirmed ballot but you can no longer change your votes.11. You may now leave through the exit doors.

SOURCE: Office of Student Affairs Election Primer

at the College of Arts and Sciences Cybernook from 10 am to 4pm. According to Dr. Nymia Simbulan, OSA director, the objective of the trial was not to verify the viability of the system, but to familiarize the students on how to vote using the automated system.

“The activity was not a mock election, but it was a demo on automated voting to give students a feel of how to vote using a computer.” Simbulan said.

The UPM SC elections shall be held on March 4. Voting booths shall be open from 8 am to 7 pm. Students, however, who have not fully settled their tuition accounts on or before the day of the elections would not be allowed to vote, as discussed in the UEB meeting.

In case of electrical disruptions and technical difficulties, the OSA shall prepare ballots for students to use. OSA, however, said that the number of ballots to be prepared would not cover the whole student population of UPM.

ASM Binigyang Linaw ang Isyu Ukol sa UP Museum

1. Ano ang markang ibibigay mo sa kasalukuyang USC (uno hanggang singko), at bakit?

1.50 :D Dahil tingin ko karamihan sa kanila ay nagampanan namang mabuti ang kanilang tungkulin. Maliban lang sa ______. -iamsabbie

Tres. Pasado pa din pero madaming problema (i.e. leadership problems, etc) -iamastroboy

1.5 - mahusay sila Ces, Mac, Mudir, Frank, at Christine. Pero may penalty kasi hindi nila napaaktib ung mga ibang miyembro dun -radulce

Overall? 2.5. Saktong pasado. Maraming early controversies. Maraming failed projects, hindi po ba? Pacorrect nalang ako.

2.75, tama lang na grade. their presence plus their projects plus what they did divided by the number of students na nakinabang at natuwa. at siyempre, may bonus point para sa successful collective action na pinangunahan nila.-- shizzems

2.5 -iamcharlette

1.5 kasi mas visible sila kumpara sa USC last year. Effective ang mga nagawa nila, especially yung mga napakinabangan ng students like yung walkout nung july, and strikes nung november. -Isabella Vincent

3 kasi hindi ko naman sila naramdaman sa governance (tama ba ung word, insert proper word na lang haha) pero marami naman silang projects for programs and such - graaabbbeee

3- sapagkat hindi ko maalis ang markang iniwan ng former USC Chair na si Ces

Santos. ang mga miyembro ng konseho ay itinatag para sa welfare ng mga isko’t-iska sa UP-M..marahil ay marami silang mga nagawang pryekto para sa ikauunlad ng unibersidad. Ngunit, ang panloob naman na problema ay hindi nila naayos, Sinusubukannilang iaayos ang buhay ng ibang mga taga-up pero mismong chair nila ay hindi nila nagawan ng paraan para maisaayos ang kanyang sariling buhay. ano pa ang silbi ng mga solusyon ng panlabas na problema kung ang panloob nga ay hindi nila maisaayos? - Bianca

Pwede na yung 2.0 para sa kabuuang USC. Naging visible naman sila kahit paano, kaso kulang sa trabaho yung ibang committees. Madaming issues ang dumaan, pero yung natatanggap kong message dito sa FB ay tungkol sa baunan. Di ko maintindihan yun. Kahit simpleng pag-condemn or pag-release man lang ng short statement tungkol sa issues, di man lang nagawa? Ayaw ko kasi ng masyadong project-based na USC, dapat issue-based din. Tapos yung ibang projects, di pa gaanong maganda yung execution.-Jigs Tenorio

2.25. Kasi tingin in-effortan naman nilang gawin ang best nila... yun nga lang, I feel na hindi pa siya sapat para mapansin ng mga estudyante...-- cheesecake

1.5 kasi yung mga programa naman nila ay akma sa pangangailangan ng mga mag-aaral lalo na yung mga programa na pang-detoxify - Colorful

Dos, swak na sana, may sabit pa. Ho-hum -Beach

Paglilinaw at Pagtugon

Ayon sa presidente ng ASM na si Arch. Alfredo S.M Francisco, ang pagka-antala ng nasabing proyekto ay hindi pangunahing responsibilidad ng kanilang kumpanya. Tuwirang ipinahayag ni Francisco na ang teknikal na komite ng UPM na nangangasiwa sa konstruksyon ang siyang may malaking responsibilidad sa pagka-antala ng proyekto dahil hindi nito agarang natugunan ang mga “Change of Orders” na ibinibigay ng ASM.

Ang mga Change of Orders na tinutukoy ng ASM ay ang pagpapalit ng materyales na pangunahing kinakailangan sa konstruksyon. Kabilang sa mga iminungkahing materyales na kailangang palitan ay ang asbestos na isang mapanganib na kemikal.

Bilang tugon sa balitang ipinahayag ng Manila Collegian (MC) sa huli nitong isyu ukol sa iregularidad sa likod ng ipinapatayong museo ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas Maynila (UPM), nagbigay ang ASM Francisco Construction and Development Corporation (ASM)

ng kanilang saloobin bilang tangapangasiwa ng nasabing proyekto.

Idinagdag pa ni Franscisco na ang pagka-antala ng konstrukyon ay lalo pang tumagal nang hindi naibigay agad ng teknikal na komite ang mga mahahalagang dokumento upang masimulan at maipagpatuloy ang proyekto.

Ayon pa sa ASM, hindi raw sana magkakaroon ng pagka-antala sa pagpapatayo ng museo ng UP kung naging mabilis ang pagtugon sa mga Change of Orders, at kung nakapagbayad ang teknikal na komite ng UP Manila ng mga bayarin sa tamang panahon.

Sa kasalukuyan, ang namumuno sa teknikal na komite ng UP Manila na si Dr. Zorayda Leopando ay hindi nakuhanan ng pahayag buhat ng mga limitasyon sa oras ng pamamahayag. Bukas ang MC sa kanyang panig ukol sa isyung ito.

Sinabi rin ng ASM na ang

pagkapanalo ng kompanya sa mga bidding na ginaganap para sa pagpapatayo ng mga proyekto sa UP Manila ay sa dahilang ito ang lowest responsive bidder. Hindi rin daw nananalo ang ASM sa bawat pampublikong bidding na sinasalihan nito, at ang museo ng UP ang natitirang proyekto nito sa UP Manila.

Binigyang linaw din ang kontrobersiyang depektibo ang mga proyektong hawak ng ASM. Inilahad ng kompanya ang kanilang Certificate of Final Acceptance, na siyang nagsisilbing patunay ng pagkakatapos ng mga proyekto sa loob ng UP Manila. Ang dokumentong ito ay nagiging pruweba umano ng pag-angkop ng ASM sa mga napagkasunduang termino sa pagpapatayo ng proyekto.

Panig ng Pahayagan

Samantala, ipinahayag ng ASM sa isang liham na ang artikulong nailathala ng MC noong Pebrero 2, 2011 ay naging mapanira para sa kanilang reputasyon.

“Ang artikulo na inilathala ng Collegian ay isinalig sa mga pahayag at kuwento ng hindi lamang iisang mapagkakatiwalaang batis,” ayon kay Allana Ruth Dela Pena, punong patnugot ng MC. “Kaya naman ang mga naipahayag sa artikulo ay hindi opinyon ng MKule kundi isang matapat na pagsasa-artikulo lamang ng mga nakalap na panayam. “

Linaw pa ni Dela Pena, “Walang alegasyong ginagawa ang MC laban sa kanino mang kampo, ang mayroon lamang ay ang responsibilidad nito sa na ilathala ang mga isyu na may uka sa mga Iskolar ng Bayan.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

THURSDAY • 03 MARCH 2011 • 3

Volume 24, Numbers 17-18

1. Helekshyown Chizzms Numvah One: So-Not-True Kredensyals… way naman fost everywhere, Tupperware?

Kalurkey-lurkey naman itetch aking nakitakits havang ako ay nagvra-vrows ng aking FB! Kung maka- make post naman ang ivang mga kandidayts ng kanilang kredensyals eh parang waley na tomorrow!!! Weyt aminit, helekshyowng majinit! Vumulwak layk a lava ang blood-yhells ng aking mga afows nang ma-if-you-just-realized-what-i-just-realized nilang super water-false pala ang mga iyown! Ders mooooooore in the store! Nang-aangkin dats mayn rin pala itong si jisang kandidayt ng prajeks! Not good ah! Anu va yan?! Ava, kandidayts palang kayow, tell-a-lie na kaagad?! Dehins kemerkemerlou ang pagtakbo sa fosisyon sa YuEsZi. At dehins need ng aking mga afows ang lider na herkaay na sa vasta-vasta lakaz, pajuliet-juliet na kinukwentow the istorya abawt sa balyu-meal at utawz na paki-zazamahan lang sila.

2. Helekshyown Chizzms Numvah Two: SUFER SUFFORT, where-o-where ar t thou?

Anetch i t e c h chizzms na obyus na n g vonggang vongga sa whole wide

YuFiEm. Over ata sa minimal zupport ang suffort na vinivigay nitong isang PaRATing-alweyz-

dERNITYsa kanilang shicken! Eto na ngaaaa. Etong John PRATs

na ito, want na want na der vrod better run-run-run-run as *ehem*!! But weyt! Itong si vrod ay super give-way sa kanyang kafateed na running

din dis helekshyowns! Dats why, naghihinachu ang kanyang chorvakels! Halakayo! redhorz

na redhorz ba?!!! As in sabit-sabit ever lang sila ng tarps and everything but dehins super-

duper-umaapaw na suporta! Nung past helekshyowns naman, all-out

NEWSMga Fulung-Vulungan ng Nagjijisang...

Lola Patola

ORGANEWSATIONThe Mu Sigma Phi Sorority of the UP College of Medicine invites you to EKG: Excellence, Knowledge, Genius, an inter-university pre-medical quiz contest, to be held on March 2, 5:30 PM at the Basic Sciences Lecture Room 3, UPCM. For registration details, contact Nina (09189075133) or Tricia (09159013768).

The UPM Indayog Dance Varsity will hold a dance workshop on funk style on March 5, 1:00 PM at the Indayog Dance Studio, 4th Floor, Student Center. Registration fee is P20.00.

UP Manila Indayog Dance Varsity and UP Musicians’ Organization (MOrg) face off in HoopBeats: The Battle for the RH Lobby, a basketball game to be held on March 2, 4:00 PM at the PGH Court. There will also be a free concert during the event with a special performance from Belle. Admission is free. This event is brought to you by the Chancellor’s Committee on Culture and the Arts.

UP AdHere and Unilab bring you Check-UP: The Unilab Quality Choice Challenge, a quality campaign aiming to promote quality choices in the lives of UP Manila students. UPM students are invited to join the 60-Second AVP Challenge with a grand prize of Php15,000 cash at stake. Visit the Check-UP Facebook page for more details.

For updates on

the UPM USC elections, like us on facebook: The Manila Collegian; or add us

on twitter: twitter.com/

mkule.

COLLEGE BRIEFSThe following is a complete list of College Student Council

candidates, University of the Philippines Manila:College of Arts and Sciences

ASAP-KatipunanChair: Mudir EstrellaVice Chair: Mariel QuiogueCouncilors: Vicson Mabanglo JV Pagaddu Daniel Sanco Mariz Zubiri Bryan YapBatch Representatives:2nd Year: Yuri Encarnacion3rd Year: Paulo Villar4th Year: Eks Fabito

College of Public HealthSIBOL-PH Chairperson: Nicole DionisioVice-Chairpersons for Internal Affairs: Katrina Mae Leefor External Affairs: Christopher John CambaSecretary: Claudine LukbanTreasurer: Justin Allister OngAuditor: Maria Bituin ReyesBatch Representatives:2nd year: Ashley Chua and Kyle Eugenio3rd year: Jessica Io Angeles4th year: Crystle Cotingting Representative to the USC: Joshua Young

College of Allied Medical ProfessionsChair: Patrick Evandel ManlapazVice Chair: John Joseph PadaonSecretary: Henri Rae BragaTreasurer: Timothy John ChuaP.R.O.: Richard R. TiuIntern Rep: Karla Patricia Neri2nd year batch rep: Carmina Q. De Vera

College of PharmacyC.H.A.N.G.E.President: Paul Jazon I. SarneVice President: Henson B. TuraldeSecretariesfor Internal Affairs: Irish Ann D. Sanchezfor External Affairs: John Lester C. Gonzagafor Finance: Jessica Olivia O.L. Lat

Batch Representatives:5th year BSIP: Ernestine Angela M. Cabatac5th year BSP: Isaac Ireneo B. Linatoc4th year BSIP: Justine C. Urias4th year BSP: Mari Angeli A. Ventura3rd year BSP: Jomhel P. Sijas2nd year BSIP: Amelyn Alexie K. Gan2nd year BSP: Jea Giezl N. SolidumCollege representative: Jamaica Roanne V. Briones

SIGAW-UPPresident: Cristan C. AgacetaVice President: Josept Mari S. PobleteSecretaries:for Internal Affairs: Diana Dalisay A. Orolfofor External Affairs: Arianne Diane A. Aninonfor Finance: Holijah T. UyBatch Representatives:5th year BSIP: Jenna Mariel C. Periodico5th year BSP: Timothy Joseph Duenas3rd year BSIP: Michael Imran I. Rodriguez3rd year BSP: Lincoln Sam C. Disu2nd year BSP: Cid Ryan P. ManaloCollege representative: Krishelle Ann D. Obispo

College of DentistryChairperson: Ma. Kanna Mandigma

Vice ChairpersonInternals: Franz BarbaExternals: Sarrah Mae Pinson Rebekah Faith TuparanSecretary: Regine Angelique CarandangTreasurer: Estelle Joyce MalinisAuditor: Rose Antoinette UmayamPRO: Joy Memorado

College of NursingChairman: Dexter Galban Jian Carlo NaragVice chairman: Jessica Kristine PerezTreasurer: Samantha BeltranNSC Representative: Dianne Marie De CastroRep to the USC: Jean Danica Padilla

College of MedicineChairperson: Jason AlacapaVice-Chairperson: Ashraf TawasilSecretary General: Maria Krystella GuevarraFinance Officer: Miguel Lorenzo FaustinoCm Rep to the USC: Jegar Catindig

Haaaaaaalllllluuuuuuueeeeeerrrrrrr wans agen mga afows! Kumustasa kalabasa na bang ang mga heber-flying kampeyn istikers and da layk???!!! Funong-funo na va ang inyong mga kawaleytan ng mga kowlors op da month? Heto na ang gravacious na hinihintay ng vuong YuFiem --- walang kamatayang ever taglinezzz and jinglezzzz and posterzzz ng mga kandidayts por this yir’z

helekshyown! Nakakalurkey ang mga ryt and left and ryt aR-Ti-aRs ng mga kandidayts.. At fati sa FB meron na din! Feeling na feeling niyo na va ang heat-of-summer-sunshine vakvakan ng mga fartyidos? Well well well, ang deep ng well! Remaynd ko lang kayow na hindi lahat ng may vyutiful to the bones na good looks tulad ko ay may “K” rin layk me!! Tey care bear on vowting, ha? YufiEm’s fyutur is in your hands!!!

Owtomeyted na fala ang helekshyown ngayown! Naki-join-join va kayow sa mock helekshyown??!! If yizzz, watcha say? Ayows va? Anyweyzzz, let’s prozeeed with my Winnie Santos chizzms ngayong halaleyn!

suffort sila sa kanilang shicken. HMMMMM. Nakakalurkeey at nakakadudeeeey na tuloy ang kanilang front-ier na dey are giving uber serbisyow daw sa mga afows. Itey ba ang trulalu niyong kulay? WATSAWT!

3. Helekshyown Chizzzms Numvah Three: I-TSEK-TSEK NATIIIIIIN WANMOR TAYM.

Sovrang nalulunod na raw ang aking mga afows sa dame ng mga nagjujutangang mga prallalang mga Tsekers sa Feyzbukesh!! Uber megatron-try ng ating mga ka-FByers in making chikaminit abawt sa mga ever pursigidong kandidayts. Itey mga super secret mala-Dyems Band agents ay nagvivigay daw ng informeyshonens sa aking mga afows.. strawVery good naman ito fara sa jating lahat na ma-knows ang mga flataformas and ol ng vawat fartyido. Ferrero, dehins naman ata maganders yusing Vlack Frofagandas to meyk the dem mashumers… to my gravacious labing afows, i-tsek niyo ng mavutey ang mga thingys na inyong nakikita sa jinterneeet. Beri-blueberry-strawberry important ang pag-vote sa heleksyons. Jits all abawt YuFiEm’s fyutsur! And to the over-over tsekers nang vayan, I olredi warned youuuuu. Kung valak niyo mag-TSEK o dobolTSEK ngayong heleykshon, fleez paki-ayos, herkaaaay? Sana naman, cross-my-heart-hope-to-die-another-day trulalu ang inyong finofost. Alweyz rememvah dat sangkatuts ang nakakavasa sa inyong mga stetus at nowts!!!! Don’t feed my afows with not true or so false infos!

Ayan mga afows, jisa na namang sesyon ng mga chizzms na trulalung ako lang ang berry credible at incredible na magjatid sa inyow. I need to say buh-bye por now, as in por now lang dahileyns kailangan ko gumora na fara vumoto!! Ets a rayt to vovovovovovote! Maging wayz!! Paulit-ulit kong sasabihin: Lola Patola, Lola Patola, Lola Patola, ang inyowng sumvungan, alweyz pang maaasahan!!

4 • 03 MARCH 2011 • THURSDAY

Volume 24, Numbers 17-18Editorial

THE MANILA COLLEGIANM a g n a e s t v e r i t a s e t p r e va e l e b i t

ALLANA RUTH GARCIA DELA PEÑAEd i to r - i n -Ch ie f

ANGELO LUNA MURILLOAssoc i a te Ed i to r fo r I n te rna l Af fa i r s ;

News Ed i to r

MARIE KR ISTEL ANTONIO GABAWAAssoc i a te Ed i to r fo r Ex te rna l Af fa i r s ;

Cu l tu re Ed i to r

JOANNA MARIE ICASAS UDARBEManag ing Ed i to r

EHCEL SAÑGA HURNAGraph ic s Ed i to r

JEO ANGELO CHICO ELAMPAROFeatu res Ed i to r

CRISELL I LAGONOY ENDAYAOFF ICE AND C IRCULAT IONS MANAGER

YODHIM GUDEL GEPTY DELA ROSADEONAH ABIGAIL LUGO MIOLE

NEWS CORRESPONDENTS

MAY ANGEL IQUE JUS I MAGBOO

MARION CARLA QUINTO B IOLENAI LLUSTRATOR

W E B S I T E Sht tp : //www.theman i l aco l l eg i an .ne t

h t tp : //www.theman i l aco l l eg i an .mu l t i p l y.comht tp : //www. facebook .com/theman i l aco l l eg i an

h t tp : //www.tw i t te r.com/mku leh t tp : //www.sc r ibd .com/theman i l aco l l eg i an

h t tp : //www.mku le .wordpress .com

E M A I Ltheman i l aco l l eg i an@gma i l .com

O F F I C E 4 th F loo r S tudent Cen te r Bu i l d i ng ,

Un ive r s i t y o f t he Ph i l i pp ines Man i l a ,Pad re Fau ra co r. Ma . Orosa s t s . ,

E rm i ta , Man i l a

M E M B E RCo l l ege Ed i to r s Gu i l d o f t he h i l i pp ines (CEGP)

UP SOL IDAR IDAD

Panawagan ng Pangangailangan

Ang lahat ay hahantong sa isang pamilyar na eksena. Magkakaiba man ng layunin, magkakaiba man ng pamamaraan, sa

huli’t huli, ang internal pa rin ang mapagpasya.

Naliligo na naman ng mga kulay ang buong Unibersidad ng Pilipinas Maynila (UPM). Mula sa naghaharing pula, ang mga nanghahamong asul, dilaw at berde. Nauuso na naman ang pangangampanya sa mga silid-aralan, pag-uusal ng mga pangako at paglalahad ng mga proyekto. Ang lahat ng ito ay isang eksenang paulit-ulit sa buhay ng Iskolar sa nakalipas na linggo at maging sa bawat taon.

At ngayong mas matingkad ang tunggalian sa pagitan ng mga kulay, madaling ihanay ang sarili kung saang dako sa bahaghari nararapat umangkop. Dala marahil ng hatak ng polyeto, o ngiti’t simpatiko ng mga kandidato nito. Maaari ring pagpanig ito sa ideolohiyang bitbit ng bawat partido. Sa ganitong moda ng pagrarason, nga lamang, nilalabag ang katotohanan na hindi hawak ng kulay ang tunay na tunggalian na dapat harapin ng mga botanteng Iskolar.

Ang payak na pagpupunyagiang ito sa timpalak sa konseho ay pinangingibabawan ng mga problema ng Iskolar at ng bayan. Nararapat din na mapangibabawan sa bawat estudyante, sa pagpili nila ng iboboto, ang kanilang pananagutan na harapin ang mas mabibigat na problemang ito: kaysa ang akit ng polyeto, maging patalinuhan ng kandidato.

Nariyan ang panibagong hamon ng pribitisasyon sa loob ng campus at nakaambang pagtataas ng tuition fee. Hinihingi ang pagiging mapagmatyag ng bawat isa sa pagpapalit ng administrasyon ng Unibersidad, at patuloy na pagtatanod sa pambansang pamahalaan at ang maka-burgis nitong polisiya. Dalahin ng susunod na konseho ang mandatong pangunahan ang mga estudyante sa bingit ng mga laban na ito, kaya’t pasanin rin ito ng bawat pindot ng ating pagboto.

Huwag hayaang ang kapagalan sa tradisyunal na politikang umiiral tuwing halalan ay makapigil sa pilaan ng tunay at pinakamahusay na maglilingkod-bayan.

Sino nga ba ang karapat-dapat na ihalal ng mga estudyante? Gaya ng nasabi, internal ang mapagpasya.

Hindi lamang ideolohiya ang sukatan ng paghalal sa mga miyembro ng konseho. Nararapat lamang na sukatin din ang mga kandidato base sa kakayahang mamuno at ipaglaban ang karapatan at hinaing ng mga estudyante. Samakatuwid, dapat ay hindi lamang estudyante ang limitasyon ng kanilang paglilingkod kundi saklaw ang pagtataguyod ng mga batayang karapatan ng buong komunidad ng UPM.

Nararapat lamang na ang susunod na uupo sa konseho ay kayang isulong hindi lamang ang mga isyung kinakaharap ng mga estudyante at komunidad ng UPM kundi pati na ng mga isyung hinaharap ng taumbayan. Itaas dapat ng mga susunod na mamumuno sa mga estudyante ng Unibersidad ang antas ng kanilang paglilingkod upang matupad nila ang pakahulugan ng Oblation – ang pagbibigay o pagsasakripisyo sa sarili para sa mas mataas na hangarin.

Sino nga ba ang tumutugon sa mga pangangailangan mo, Iskolar? Sino nga ba ang kandidatong ipaglalaban ang iyong karapatan? Sino nga ba ang mga kandidatong totoong maglilingkod?

Hindi na sapat ang pagiging mapagmatiyag. Hindi na sapat ang simpleng pagboto sa kandidatong pinakapatok sa mga estudyante. Hindi na sapat ang magpakulong sa mga lumang panawagan na bumoto ng sapat at sa nararapat. Oras na para itaas ang antas ng kamulatan ng mga mag-aaral ng UPM mula sa sistemang pagboto sa mga kilala tungo sa paghalal base sa kung aling prinsipyo ang tutugon sa pangangailangan ng kasalukuyan. Oras na para ihalal ang mga taong tumutugon at tutugon sa pangangailangan ng mga Iskolar ng Bayan.

Oras na para tumambad at tumindig ang mga Iskolar, hindi

lamang upang bumoto kundi para bantayan at makialam sa mga isyung pinapalooban ng eleksyon.

Nagsisilbing tagahayag ng katotohanan ang Manila Collegian sa panahong ito ng tunggalian sa loob Unibersidad. Nananatiling ang katapatan nito ay pagsilbihan ang mga mag-aaral at gabayan ang mambabasa nito, kaya hinihimok ito na gumawa ng maalam na pakikilahok at pagpili. Sa huli’t huli, kinikilala ng Manila Collegian ang kakayahaang kilalanin ng Iskolar ang kandidatong maprinsipyo, maasahan, at magiging epektibong tagapagpaganap sa loob ng konseho, lalo na ang magsusulong ng mga karapatan at ipinaglalaban ng mga Iskolar sa kasalukuyang mapghamong panahon.

Iskolar, matutong kilatisin ang mga mukha, siyasatin ang mga pangako at usisain ang mga plataporma ngayong panahon ng halalan. Nasa iyo ang kapangyarihan na magmungkahi o tuluyang baguhin ang sistema. Ngayon ang sandali ng ibayong pagpapasya para sa landas na babagtasin ng pamantasan. Lumabas at huwag sayangin ang kapangyarihang nasa iyong palad.

Ang magiging resulta ng darating na eleksyon ay ang magiging mukha ng kung sino ang kasalukuyang mag-aaral ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas Maynila. Sino ka nga ba, Iskolar? Sino ang pipiliin mo na maging representasyon mo?

May panawagang kailangang tugunan. Lumabas, makilahok, sumuri, at bumoto.

THURSDAY • 03 MARCH 2011 • 5

Volume 24, Numbers 17-18 opinion

Quest for PowerA LA FOLIE*

I admit it. I often see problems as life’s greatest enemies. I hate the fact that every day of my life, I am required to deal with them. From the moment I wake up until I reach for the bed

and sleep, problems are there beside me. At times I question myself in front of the mirror if there is something wrong with me, or the way I handle my life. Until one day, I realized that these life’s greatest enemies are not actually the antagonists.

That day was when I entered college. I knew how it was supposed to be, based from what I heard from my friends from college. They said it was hard to relax in college, and you must be prepared to face ALL the problems associated with college life. “Oh, cool!” I just thought sarcastically. It’s just another gruesome chapter of my life where I need to win over problems, problems, and problems. I know I am competitive enough to face problems, but my fear on handling it properly is the main problem.

This fear I have shows every time there is something important that I need to fulfill. One very good example, especially now in college, are exams. Every time test papers and I meet, there seems to be conflict arising between us. I don’t know why, but it’s just that I can’t help but be overpowered by fear of failing. I am not grade-conscious. It’s just that I hate that problems always win when I feel weak and anxious with a certain task or work to do. In addition, thinking of other problems outside my present problem only results to the formation of big interconnected chains of problems that prohibit me to move.

Okay, so sometimes I do fail because of pressure with problems. There are times that I do break down and weep a little to release the overflowing tension. I just noticed that when I break down for a while, the tension inside suddenly releases me and makes me feel more at ease to restart my life once more. Based from what I have experienced, after I cry over something, I come to figure it out or settle it down. I can do something more freely because I was able to break the chain of problems hindering me from doing something productive.

Another factor that makes my problems go lighter is the support and care that my family and friends contribute. Though problems may bring my spirits lower, I can still move on and carry on because of the esteem that I can get from the people around me who trust my abilities. I know that these people also lift their own problems, and I must not think that it’s only me whom they must focus on. For me, it’s about taking turns. When my friends or family become down, too, I see to it that I must also give them my time to help them ease their worries, if they need me.

A while ago, I tried to look myself in front of the mirror to reflect my inner self. I came to realize that after all, I’m not dumb to ignore the fact that each of us deals with our everyday lives with problems, but must not get hindered by it. We are living in this world for we are bound to survive these struggles. Also, these problems do exist for greater of reasons. They are not there just to bring us down, but because they are to test us and mold us to become a better person and contributor to the society.

Problems seem to hinder us from the easy attainment of success. In contrary, it allows you to grow and cherish our success even more.

Now that’s what I believe in.

Politics is defined as a struggle for power and domination of resources and the masses. In a society where the population is higher than the resources that are available to us, the quest

of power is but natural. This is fuelled by the clash of interest in our society where one does not wish to be outplayed. A person who loses steps back, yet goes back to the game to claim what he thinks is rightfully his. It is a process that will never end until everyone achieves a state where interests no longer clash.

“Their insatiable lust for power is only equalled by their incurable impotence in exercising it.”–Winston Churchill

there lies the fact that those efforts are not enough. A person has to be ready physically, mentally and emotionally for the whirlwind of events that will take place during and after the elections. It is not an easy task and I admire those who fulfil such. However, I do not think that everyone who runs for office is to be respected and admired. There are those who only wish to get a position regardless of the responsibilities attached to it. There are those who do not even know what it means to be a student leader. What people do not realize is that, our mistakes in choosing our leaders lead us to our doom. We are the ones that are sentenced for their inadequacies through their inefficient provision of services for the students. Our needs are disregarded for their own hopes and dreams of a

better life. Or rather, our needs are ignored for things other than those they swore to. Taking into account that they are also students, it seems ironic that their statements to the students does not exactly bind them. After the elections, some of those who are elected suddenly ‘forget’ what their campaign is. It is the job of the Iskolar ng Bayan to remain critical in assessing the candidates running for office. It is our right to choose the leaders that fight for our rights.

Now, a wave of candidates is now preparing for their campaign in the hopes of conquering the hearts of the masses. The students are now given the chance to choose leaders that use their power for the good of the students and the society. The pendulum is still swinging – and it remains indecisive where to stop. Whoever wins must prepare himself or herself for their opponent’s rebuttal. Whether it will be for the good of the masses or their personal interest, is still a puzzle waiting to be solved. One thing is for sure, it will always depend on the quest of power of individuals and the ability of the masses to decide what is right.

* A la folie means to insanity

Constructive DilemmasBLUE CHEESE

The biggest disparity between the bearers of power is the way how it is exercised. It could be for their personal interests, their party’s interest, their family or it could be for the empowerment of the masses and the students. The arena where the masses decide who they think will exercise their power for them and the society is an election.

The quest for power continues as another election is imminent in our university. This signifies another clash between different people having divergent ideologies. It is a time where the candidates give hope and promises to the voters for a better administration. It is the time for us Iskolar ng Bayan, to choose the leaders that will represent all of us.

It is said that the University of the Philippines, as the premiere university of the country, is a microcosm of society. It reflects the state of the society. Illuminated in the campus walls are problems that plague the country; the diminishing budget of education is seen in the changing demographics of the students. This implies that the University Student Council (USC) is the counterpart of the national government. Like their counterparts, the USC are in charge of the welfare of the voters. In this case, it is the students who are in the hands of the USC.

It becomes a crucial task to make sure that the quest for power of the candidates is not for their own good but for the students. The students have to be sure that those who are elected do not abuse their power. Although it is true that you cannot just run for a particular position,

AUBREY NICOLE LEONES ARBOLEDA

JOHN VHERLIN CANLAS MAGDAY

IT BECOMES A CRUCIAL TASK TO MAKE SURE THAT THE QUEST FOR POWER OF THE CANDIDATES IS NOT FOR THEIR OWN GOOD BUT FOR THE STUDENTS.

PROBLEMS SEEM TO HINDER US FROM THE EASY ATTAINMENT OF SUCCESS. IN CONTRARY, IT ALLOWS YOU TO GROW AND CHERISH OUR SUCCESS EVEN MORE.

6 • 03 MARCH 2011 • THURSDAY

Volume 24, Numbers 17-18FEATURES

The thrones of leadership will soon be deserted as the previous University Student Council (USC) members prepare themselves in giving way to a new set of student leaders. Last year, the promise of change is particularly

easy as it has become the constant clamor, not only of the University of the Philippines (UPM) Manila students, but also of the whole nation. As the hype for genuine change in the current national administration fades, there is now the necessity for evaluation of the little government in the University.

Indeed, having the keys to authority opens a door of opportunities and great responsibilities. And as the officers of the University Student Council ventured to bridge the gap among beliefs and ideologies, they came across plights and dilemmas that hindered them from turning their weaknesses into strengths, from connecting their ideologies to form a united council.

To turn the USC from being project-centric to a regularly active council was one of the primary goals of the incumbent student leaders. And achieved it was by leading the entire UPM community to a united action against the societal forces that continually suppress them. But their successes should not overshadow the piques and vexations the USC members have had, and so here lies the true judgment of the USC’s performance.

Braving Indispensable Rif ts

The gauge of an institution’s efficacy as a body is based on the realization of the goals that it has set, and the projects it was able to concretely convey that have benefited its stakeholders. Moreover, it should have made itself an indelible mark to the lives of its constituents. This vantage point could be readily utilized in analyzing the how the USC functioned this year.

To be of service to the students—that is the goal of the USC. In the interview conducted by The Manila Collegian, they continuously affirmed that despite all the difficulties in trying to find an intersection with their ideologies, they were

able to realize this mandate. Outgoing USC Vice Chairperson Mark Panganiban asserts that the council was able to live true to its purpose. “In spite of the shortcomings of the USC, still, and we are proud to say that we have delivered in this year’s term. Maraming mga projects na ngayon lang talaga nagawa ng USC. Nagkaroon tayo ng production ng freshmen, [the] Isko Got Talent. First time lang [din] nagkaroon ng Freshmen and Organizations Fair. Tapos, first time ever na UPM USC ang isa sa mga namuno sa matagumpay na strike sa UPM noong November 25-26. [At] nagkaroon ng student summit na nagconsolidate sa demands ng students.”

These first times and successes

of the council are worthy to be noted, for indeed, these projects were able to benefit the students. Yet, the fine line of Panganiban’s statement is an admission that the council has failed in certain aspects. If the USC is to be gauged on the basis of the spearheaded projects, the tug-of-war between quantity and quality of their projects should be evaluated. It is noticeable that majority of their projects were launched at the beginning of school year—a momentum they found it hard to sustain. Also, the USC’s projects lacked the participation of the student majority, as evidenced by the FROG week and the STRAWBS week and the late release of USC shirts, among others.

Outgoing USC Councilor

Muhammid Muktadir Estrella gives his opinion regarding to what have caused the shortcomings of the USC, “Parang naging major problem kasi yung consolidation ng members. Pero sa tingin ko, hindi lang dahil sa differences ‘yon in terms of party…nasa initiative din ng mga council members ‘yon. Kasi may varying levels of initiative y ung mga kasama namin.” Inefficiency inside the council has been a recurring problem inside the USC and this particular year’s was not exempt from it. For one, their General Assembly (GA), a regular meeting for which the students’ agenda are to be discussed, was not entirely an epitome of the USC’s vaunted leadership: Some council members rarely attend their GA, which leaves numerous important issues not dealt. Admittedly, GAs were long and tedious affairs, unto the point that members admitted that there were more GAs that were cancelled than were actualized. Outgoing USC Councilor Stephen Duma affirms these views by confirming that council members do not always attend the GAs, but explains that it is but unavoidable to have such problems due to personal priorities.

As outgoing USC Councilor Angeli Guadalupe later pointed out, Bigkis ng mga Iskolar para sa Bayan Tungo sa Makabuluhang Pagbabago (BIGKIS) council members were mostly from the white colleges, where she explained, they would have at least one examination per week. It cannot be undermined that student prioritize their academics more than the extra-curricular activities. In here, the infamous debate espoused by the blue party comes to fore: that they are students first before they are student leaders. The question remains, however, if the neglect of their duties and functionality as council members is a worthy ending of some’s single-minded pursuit of academics. As Estrella pointed out, “I mean, siguro valid na acads yung reason pero not all times, valid yung acads na reason, kasi the moment you submitted your file for candidacy, you were already admitting, that you are already telling the public, that you can manage to balance your academics, and yung sa pagiging council member.”

It was a brave front through and through for the USC council members during the interview, in which the deeper problems of rifts between two colliding parties in the USC were reduced to problems of work ethics and inefficiency. The Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson positions are both occupied by members of The Alternative Students Alliance for Progress – Katipunan

ng mga Progresibong Mag-aaral ng Bayan (A-K) while the rest of the positions are mostly held by members of BIGKIS. Councilors complimented themselves and each other on how each tried their best in bringing out a united USC, but the problems of the Chairpersonship and the lack of coordination soon brought out the party biases.

Mending the Irreparable Divide

At the start of the term, the 2010-2011 USC promised the Iskolar a picture of being “One USC” because the major parties are well-represented, having the two topmost positions to AK and the majority of councilors and representatives to BIGKIS. Yet, this seeming equality in terms of stronghold in the USC became a gridlock which further afflicted the council.

From being restraining, concealing plans for other non-party members and regarding the blue faction as an ignorable force in the USC—these issues and a lot more were the allegations hurled by the BIGKIS members to their AK council affiliates. Outgoing Councilor Stephen Duma talked about how the BIGKIS faction inside the USC were ignored in the decision-making process, particularly that of Santos’ disqualification case. He explained that a statement was released purportedly by the USC to “uphold Santos’s chairpersonship at all costs,” but in fact, lacked the approval of the majority of the members. Unity amidst differences was the rallying force of this year’s council yet as what it turned out and basing from Duma’s allegations, they have proven otherwise.

AK members concede to some of the claims of the blue party. Yet, AK also has asserted BIGKIS flaws on the council. Estrella elaborates, “Let’s admit it, sa mga general assembly, hindi naman nabubuo yung Bigkis members na umaattend sa GA. Halimbawa, budget cut, sobrang pressing issue siya. Natamaaan lahat ng SUCs, hindi lang UP, pero hindi sila naging buo sa pagaattend ng mga GA. I don’t know if it’s just me o ako lang yung nakapansin, o napansin rin ng buo na noong ididiscuss yung sa chairpersonship ni Ate Ces, buo yung Bigkis members. So, it would reflect yung sa party interest, na mas nauuna pa yung, inaacknowledge ko council interest, na ang chairperson nila ay ma-hot seat at tatanungin ko nakapag-enroll ka ba? Kung [ano] ka ba bilang estudyante? Pero nakita ko na halimbawa, yung issue ng budget cut na sobrang

Actualized Ideologies :The 2010-2011 UPM USC in ReTRoSPeCT

ARIES JOSEPH ARMENDI HEGINA, RUTH GENEVIEVE AUSTRIA LUMIBAO, JOHN VHERLIN CANLAS MAGDAY

THURSDAY • 03 MARCH 2011 • 7

Volume 24, Numbers 17-18 FEATUREShalaga, hindi sila naging buo dun. Pero nung ididiscuss nga yung chairpersonship ni Ate Ces, andun silang lahat. So, nagtataka lang ako.” Party biases are an indispensable part of the USC. This statement made by Estrella upholds this claim. Furthermore, establishes the thinking that the BIGKIS is in full force when internal issues persist while they are absent on addressing pressing national issues, jeopardizing the true essence on what student-leaders should stand for in the council.

Guadalupe further elaborates on the faults that she has seen on the AK bloc in the council. “Nanghihinayang talaga ako. At the start of everything, yung sa team-building palang, we were very optimistic na unity amidst adversity, we’d be the best USC, gano’n. Pero, third day palang ng team-building, she already had doubts on us, na parang konting decisions lang, party-party ulit, porke’t may hatian sa votes. She doesn’t see the reason behind why gano’n yung votes ng people... She’s very pessimistic with how her council works. The way that she runs the meetings, parang we should’ve followed a better system.. Maraming councilors, and even college reps na talagang nadisappoint na, we don’t see the importance of attending G.As na, kasi …parang hindi na sila napapakinggan.” Great expectations translated to greater frustrations, this can be seen as how Guadalupe describes the faults brought about by the other party. Her statements attacked the lapses of the leadership capabilities of Santos and showed how the Chair lacked trust on her constituents and restrained non-party members.

In the end, as Ces Santos relays, the problem is not with work ethics but how they were unable to unite from day one. She says that complete consolidation is not possible for her to accomplish but is actually a task for all the people composing the council. She retorts, “Hindi ko rin masasabi yung opinion nila na limiting, basta para sa akin ay pinadaloy ko ang general assemblies sa pinakademokratikong paraan. Siguro, nasa kanila yun kung naging liberal sila at hindi sila naghapag ng mga gusto nilang sabihin sa loob ng general assembly. Pero, lagi’t-lagi, pag may nagrereport, meron siyang oras para sabihin ang lahat ng kanyang gustong sabihin.”

In the end, it was an issue of how these ideologies, translated into council seats, have different priorities and foci of concerns. A united and efficient USC, in the face of the difficulties presented by the incumbent council, seems

to be a daunting task for the next set of student leaders.

The Prime Mover

As the height of the budget cut controversy rose higher and higher, outgoing Chairperson Cesarie Ann Santos was also put under the limelight. Her presence was well-defined as she was one with the students every step of the way. Undeniably, she became one of the most well-known figures in protest rallies and strikes, fighting for the rights of the students and of the people be it in the university or in the national scale. However, with a great position come great sacrifices as Santos was put under dismissal status by the UPM Office of Student Affairs (OSA).

Being the prime mover of the USC, the OSA ruling became a serious blow to the USC as the council experienced internal difficulties after Santos’ dismissal. USC projects were hindered from materializing and the council itself underwent stagnancy due to the absence of the Chairperson. Consequently, because of the unexpected turn of events, Panganiban eventually stepped in as Acting Chairperson of the council.

Yet, this serious blow in her leadership in the USC was aggravated by the allegations of some council members, particularly Outgoing Councilor Angeli Guadalupe regarding Santos’ inefficiency and being restraining, citing examples such as they were not involved in some key decision-making and due to Santos’ being “restraining”, some college representatives boycotted the council’s General Assemblies.

“Ako, wala akong pinagsisisihan sa lahat ng ginawa ko. As you know, I lost back in 2009 when I ran as USC vice. And then I ran again for 2010 as USC chairperson, and [this] was the very first time that I held a USC or student council position for that matter since elementary. Parang when I was USC chairperson, it was my first time for everything. Pero dahil malinaw sa akin kung bakit ako tumakbo at bakit ko gusto ang posisyon [na ito], at bakit ako sinuportahan ng mga estudyante overwhelmingly, tinugunan ko lahat ng kaya kong tugunan para mag-perform as the chairperson of the University Student Council,” said Santos when asked about the issue at hand.

Santos, on the other hand, reassures the student body that she, with the rest the USC, will continue to serve the students

with what remains of their term.

Accomplishments and Legacy

USC members consistently stress out that they surpassed USCs in the past primarily because of the present council’s breakthroughs and the collective action they were able to portray in demonstrations against the budget cuts on education, the PGH directorship controversy and the looming fare hikes among others. That this year’s USC transcended the confines of project-based leadership into more intensified campaigns is where it gets its strength. In terms of spearheaded projects, however, much is left to be desired as projects appeared to lack intensive preparation and student participation.

Nevertheless Santos puts it,

“Tingin ko, nasurpass namin, kasi bagamat aminado kami sa mga naging pagkukulang, kung susukatin mo kasi, kung sa campaigns ‘yan, we were always there, di kami nagkulang at na-intensify pa nga ‘yon: naramadaman ‘yon ng mga estudyante for us to enjoin 2,000 students to march with us sa campus at papunta sa Mendiola [and] Senate. Malaking bagay ‘yon, at malaking impact doon ang nabuo: aa UP system, nakilala ang UPM [dahil] nag-impact siya dun sa campaign for this school year. Pangalawa, hindi kami nagkulang sa traditional projects or such things. Lahat ng projects na ni-launch ng ASAP-KATIPUNAN, BIGKIS-UPM at University Student Council, buong-buo siya. May mga projects na hindi natuloy pero may mga projects rin na talagang tumatak sa mga estudyante. Na-institutionalize

namin yung League of College Student Councils, nabuo yung Organization Council bago pa man pumasok ang mga freshman.”

She even emphasized that the incumbent USC was able to unite different organization, including the Freshmen Block Organization to keep on reminding the freshmen students about the university rules and regulations. They were even able to personally meet with the UPM’s extension schools students and know and address the problems they encounter.

“We promised a change for the Iskolars ng Bayan and to the people,” Santos adds, but this claim rests on the judgment of those who voted for them.

This year’s University Student Council faced a lot of controversies and shortcomings indeed. Nevertheless, according to them, these factors

had only made them more constructive and resilient to build a better USC. With the leadership of Santos and Panganiban, the USC became visible and very accessible to the students. The sacrifices they made by trying to balance their services and academics paid off along with the support of the students. They believe that they are ending their term with a “clear vision and leadership to serve the Iskolar and the people”, and that they have grown not only as student leaders but as individuals.

The incumbent USC would like to leave the legacy of a strong and sharp image despite their adversities and that they were always with the students, especially in critical times. With the success of last year’s strike, they also believe that they had built unity among people of different economic classes, of different occupations and of different beliefs. And for them, it was truly a milestone for the USC’s existence.

The outgoing USC challenges their successors to continue their legacy and to uphold the duties of a true leader. In the end, they had one message for the Iskolar ng Bayan, “Tumindig para sa pamantasan at para sa bayan.”

8 • 03 MARCH 2011 • THURSDAY

Volume 24, Numbers 17-18FEATURES

Ngayong incumbent ako na CAS councilor for culture and sports, nag-institutionalize tayo ng isang CAS sports committee na talagang nakatulong upang maisagawa ang pinakaunang college-wide sports event sa CAS. Yun yung Iskolympics - the first ever College of Arts and Sciences sportsfest. Nagkaroon tayo dyan ng basketball, women’s and men’s, mixed volleyball, badminton, men’s and women’s, singles at mixed doubles. Meron din sa table tennis tsaka men’s and women’s chess. So tingin ko malaki ko na siyang partisipasyon dahil ngayon nga tatakbo rin ako bilang USC sports councilor.

Una sa lahat, ang committee ko ay Students’ Rights, Welfare and Basic Services. Bilang FBC nakapaloob naman na sa akin ang konsepto ng volunteerism at student service na mga konsepto ding nakapaloob sa ating mga student leaders. At noong nakaraang taon naman, sa isyu ng budget cut, ako naman ay nakapaghatak ng mga estudyante at nakiisa din sa ating paglaban, sa walk-out, at strike. Yun naman ang mga nagawa ko bilang isang estudyante na masasabi ko na nakakatulong sa aking kampanya bilang konsehal sa STRAWBS or Students’ Rights, Welfare and Basic Services.

JM Lanuza

Ang aking komite na pinapasukan ay ang committee sa sining at kultura. At hindi naman kaila sa lahat na tayo ay naging tagapangulo ng Kabataang Artista para sa tunay na Kalayaan o KARATULA UP Manila. At sa ilalim ng ating pamumuno sa pang-masang organisasyon na iyon ay naglunsad tayo ng iba’t ibang exhibits o art exhibits sa pakikipagtulungan sa iba pang mga cultural groups katulad ng the Angono artists’ collective, Ugat-lahi artist collective, at iba pang mga visual arts groups na nagpapahiram ng mga paintings. Ito ay sa ginagawa sa mga panahon na kailangan ng mga exhibits para kampanya at the same time, para narin sa recruitment ng pang-masang organisasyong KARATULA. Hindi na rin kaiba sa UP Manila na tayo ay naglulunsad ng iba’t-ibang mga pangkulturang pagtatanghal sa tuwing mayroon tayong pinapanawagang walk-out at iba pang kampanya na nagsusulong ng mga karapatan na hindi lamang ng mga Iskolar ng Bayan kung hindi pati na rin sa iba pang sektor ng lipunan.

Jay del Rosario

Regina Decangchon

My committee is Committee on Freshmen and Academic Affairs and currently, most of the contributions that I have for the committee that I am running for in this election are mostly concentrated in the academic organizations that I am a part of, one of which is the UP Manila Debate Circle, the Organizational Communication Society, and the UP Manila Pre-Law Society. The thing is, even if I am not currently holding a major position in those organizations, I always see to it that in every activity, in every project of the organization, we make sure that it will be very successful because all of these are geared towards equipping our students to be academically competitive and also this is part of our goal to improve the knack of academic with our students in UP Manila so that way, I can say that I already contributed to the committee that I am running for. And for whatever its relevance to the question, I am also actively involved in many organizations outside of UP Manila, specifically the Department of Education Centre for Student and Co-Curricular Affairs. I am also a working student and I can say that my experiences there in program management, especially student government program, will help me handle the freshman affair.

Ang committee na tinatakbuhan ko ay National and Local Solidarity Committee. Ngayon, ang naitulong ko o nagawa ko na, para sa komite na tinatakbuhan ko ay nabigyan ko ang sarili ko ng pagkakataon na matutunan at malaman ang mga isyu na pumapalibot sa paaralan ko at sa bayan ko bilang national and local nga ang komite na tinatakbuhan ko. Ngunit kung sa loob ng UP Manila lamang ang titignan, masasabi ko na ang pag-attend ko sa mga mob, ang pagpunta ko sa mga educational discussion at ang pakikipagpalitan ko ng kuru-kuro sa kapwa mga estudyante at sa iba pang mga taong maaring magbigay sa akin ng mga impormasyon ukol sa iba’t ibang isyu, ay ilan sa mga bagay na masasabi kong napakalaking tulong na nagawa ko para sa komite, unang-una, dahil hindi ko mahahawakan ang komite kung wala akong alam tungkol dito. Pangalawa, parte na ng paghawak ko sa komite na tinatakbuhan ko ay ang pagbabahagi ko ng kaalaman at wala akong maibabahaging kaalaman kung wala akong kaalaman mismo na nalalaman.

RJ David

Magandang tanong yan. Ang gusto ko lang sabihin na ako ay isang Philippine arts student. At bilang Philippine arts student, isa sa mga project o isa sa mga pinaglalaban ko ay ang empowerment ng mga estudyante. A committee ng culture and arts. Bilang isang Philippine arts student, masasabi kong isa ako sa mga suporta ng mga activities ng isinaganap na salinlahi ng of course, ang ating up manila fair. Kasama ako sa mga sumuporta niyan. Siguro yung mga activities din ng Philippine arts katulad na lang noong naganap pa lamang na culture week, nag-attend ako ng lahat ng seminars at masasabi ko talagang na naibigay ng DAC ang kanilang best sa pag-invite ng mga teachers sa forums. Lalo na yung hip-hop na naganap. Iniisip ko na maganda nga na nalaman ko kung ano talaga ang kailangan ng mga estudyante, Iskolar para sa bayan through participation kung ano yung kulang. Kung ano yung mas kailangan natin. Binase ko dun yung magiging project ng aking magiging committee if ever.

Ferozza Simbulan

BenRalph Yu

Dito sa up manila ako naging freshmen. Bilang estudyante siyempre nakapag-observe na ako kung ano man ang nangyari sa freshmen students. Hindi lang naman ako pang freshmen committee. Pati na rin sa sports bilang estudyante dito sa up manila at kung ano pa man yung nagawa ko na sa loob ng up manila noong first year ako. Ako yung blockhead ng aming block. Tapos I’ve been an active member of student council sa PH. Tapos, isa pang privilege ng pagiging blockhead ay naging part ako ng freshmen assembly ng batch namin. And I was elected as S.A. president under the leadership of Ate Leslie Castro na freshmen committee rin. At pagkatapos pa niyan, ngayong year I start off the block coordination program na kung saan, I was as well elected na chairperson. Tapos with this accomplishment and title, kung tatawagin I’ve been willing. I’ve been helping the freshmen students kahit hindi ko pa siya ka-college. Siyempre, may mga anak kami na hinahawakan so kahit hindi ko anak, kahit iba pang course ay natutulungan ko. I’ve been an active supporter of bakbakan and palakasan na sports event sa CPH.

Ako si Madison Dominguez at ang tinatakbuhan kong committee ay ang Committee on Health and Environment. Ako ang vice-president ng external affairs ng UP One Earth at ng isang part ng Volcor na environment committee ng UPM. Sa nakaraang taon, marami na tayong na-head na projects kagaya ng Health and Envi week kamakailan lang. Nakapag-head na rin ng ACLE at tumulong sa pag-ibayo ng ating pakikipaglaban para sa ikagaganda ng ating mundo, sa pamamagitan ng mga proyekto ng ating naunang councilor for health and environment. Sa pamamagitan ng zero-waste management at yung I’m a Hero, No to styro. Naging aktibo rin tayo sa iba’t - ibang aspeto ng pagiging estudyante. Part din tayo ng social issues committee, kung saan naging aktibo tayo sa paglalabas ng mga statements ukol sa mga isyus dito sa unibersidad at sa ating bayan. Kung naaalala niyo last year yung make health count, tumulong din tayo sa pag-inform sa mga estudyante tungkol sa eleksyon 2010.

Madison Dominguez

Noong freshie ako, parang nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na meron kaming isang professor. Hawak niya apat na communication classes. Nagkaroon ng parang violation of student rights. Tapos yung professor na yun, hindi siya pumapasok. And then, kapag nagbigay siya ng exam, bigla kaming lahat ibabagsak. Ang naging partisipasyon ko para under dun sa committee ko, ay nagtipon-tipon kami noong apat na communication. Kasama ako sa nag-coordinate para sumulat sa OSA at sa CAS Student Council para maparating, yung sa University Student Council, yung problema namin dun sa professor. Kaso, parang sa haba ng proseso parang hindi siya gaanong kabilis na aktuhan. So, ang ginawa namin kasama rin ng mga blockmates ko, parang gumawa kami ng signature campaign na nandun sana yung posisyon namin towards the subject, then kung ano sana yung mga pwedeng magawang solusyon and then napapunta siya sa Office of the Chancellor. Buti naman nagawan ng paraan yung subject namin na iyon. Tapos napalitan yung professor, nakuha namin yung grades na talagang deserved naming. Tapos sabi lang ng professor, ayoko nang magbitiw ng pangalan niya, natangglan siya ng security of tenure at tsaka napaalis siya sa UP Manila.

Katrina Ortiguerra

Jo-Celine Leong

The committee I’d like to handle should I get to the council is the Committee on the Culture and the Arts. So ano nang nagawa ko with regards to the Committee on the Culture and the Arts? I’m actually a current member of the UP Musician’s Organization, one of the cultural organizations in UP Manila, a university-wide organization. And I believe that expressing myself through music is one way of spreading the word of culture kumbaga. Naniniwala ako na yung mga nagawa natin bilang ma estudyante, yung pagpasok pa lang natin, yung pagpunta natin sa UP, pag-excel natin outside of academics is already a sign and it shows that we are culturally-abled dahil yung kabuuan natin bilang tao is already UP culture.

Mark San Juan

THURSDAY • 03 MARCH 2011 • 9

Volume 24, Numbers 17-18 FEATURES

Sa tingin ko si Professor Aurea Dioquino, Chairperson ng Department of Physical Education. Kasi hindi lang dahil sa sports o physical education, kung hindi dahil pinamumunuan niya ng maganda ang department niya. Isa siyang icon ng physical education at sports. Pero hindi doon natatapos yon. Kumbaga, ngayon tayo sports committee. Hindi lang tayo natatapos sa pagbibigay ng sports events, tulad ng Bakbakan. Pinaglalaban din natin ang mga karapatan ng mga estudyante para sa better sports facilities, dahil kung wala ito, talagang mahihirapan tayong mag-handle ng mga sports events sa ating unibersidad.

Una sa lahat, ang committee ko ay Students’ Rights, Welfare and Basic Services. Bilang FBC nakapaloob naman na sa akin ang konsepto ng volunteerism at student service na mga konsepto ding nakapaloob sa ating mga student leaders. At noong nakaraang taon naman, sa isyu ng budget cut, ako naman ay nakapaghatak ng mga estudyante at nakiisa din sa ating paglaban, sa walk-out, at strike. Yun naman ang mga nagawa ko bilang isang estudyante na masasabi ko na nakakatulong sa aking kampanya bilang konsehal sa STRAWBS or Students’ Rights, Welfare and Basic Services.

JM Lanuza

Ang propesor na kumakatawan sa aking plataporma ay si Propesor Ogatis ng Department of Arts and Communications. Katulad ng aking plataporma, nagkakaisa kami sa panawagan na magkaroon ng isang cultural and arts institution o office ang UP Manila katulad ng Office of Initiative for Culture and Arts ng UP Diliman dahil alam naman ng lahat ang pangangailangan ng ganitong institusyon na makakatulong hindi lamang siyempre sa mga pangkulturang organisasyon sa UPM kundi sa buong UPM community na rin. Ito ay makakatulong sa publicity, sa paghahanap ng mga sponsors, sa pagbibigay ng pinansya sa mga pangkulturang aktibidad na makakatulong sa pagpapaunlad ng buhay ng mga Iskolar ng Bayan at ng komunidad na pumapalibot sa ating paaralan.

Jay del Rosario

Regina Decangchon

If my current committee would be represented by a UP Manila professor, that would be Professor John Ponzaran because he is the kind of professor who makes sure that in every input that he gives his students, he always takes into account social relevance and he makes sure that his students are socially engaged so I think he is not only representative of the committee that I am running for but he is also a genuine UP professor.

Ang plataporma ko ay sumasalamin sa propesor na si Ignatius Vinzons, ang propesor sa Philosophy 1. Bakit? Unang-una dahil si Prof. Tius ay kakaiba, tulad ng aking plataporma, kakaiba ito. Ito ay hindi conventional at, kung sabihin nga natin, ay bago at radikal. Pangalawa, dahil si Prof. Vinzons ay naabuso at lumaban. Ngayon, ang plataporma ko ay magpapakita ng mga pag-abuso sa karapatan natin at ang paglabang gagawin natin upang muling maangkin ang karapatan na sinusubukang bawiin mula sa atin.

RJ David

Naniniwala ako na para sa akin, mga future projects ko maisasalamin niyan si sir Joey Ogatis. Kasi, kahit hindi ko pa siya nagiging professor, nakita ko talaga yung kabibohan niya saka yung willingness niya na tumulong. At alam ko rin na isa siya sa mga propesor sa DAC na talagang pinaglalaban yung empowerment ng students. Naalala ko nga noong sayaw manila. Ayan talaga, parang napakagaling niya kasi nakisayaw pa siya sa mga indayog. So, sa tingin ko talaga si sir Ogatis.

Ferozza Simbulan

BenRalph Yu

For the professor na mag-end lagi ng aking mga project. Well for the freshmen, siyempre si ma’am Nymia Simbulan kasi siya yung parang guide ng fbc na nagpapatupad ng university rule. Pero, ngayong tatakbo akong USC, hindi naman ako tumatakbo dahil fbc ako. I’m running as a student. As a plain student who is really passionate and really who is, nakakakita ng talagang nangyayari sa school. Si ma’am Nymia kasi, she pushed for what student’s right ng up manila. Hindi lang naman pang freshmen.

Isa sa mga propesor na sumusuporta sa ating pagtakbo ay si Ma’am Ana Santiago sa Department of Biology at siya rin ang naging inspirasyon ng ating plataporma. Makikita niyo na si Ma’am Santiago ay isang kwelang propesor na nakikipag-ugnay at nakikipag-connect sa mga estudyante ngunit kapag binigyan na ng trabaho ay marunong mag-seryoso. Kaya kung makikita nyo sa mga RTR namin, ang Bigkis-UPM ay kwela ngunit kapag naharap na sa problema at trabaho kaya maging seryoso.

Madison Dominguez

Ang masasabi ko si Dra. Sarile. Siya yung parang founder and mother of Organizational Communication. Kasi yung tinuturo niya sa amin, at hindi lang sa amin, pati sa mga ibang universities ay intercultural communication. Ang isa niya kasing advocacy ay kahit iba-ibang religion, races dito sa Pilipinas, parang ang common ground lang ay education. Parang you give empowerment to the students with your knowledge — with the education. Kasi once you have this education, para sa kanya, you can never go astray. Pero para sa akin, hindi lang naman kasi education ang kailangang mag-guide sa iyo sa buhay, hindi lang sa buhay, sa acads, sa university life. Pero kung hindi rin yung beliefs mo, tsaka yung values mo, partnered with education. So para sa akin, dahil ako, under ako STRAWBS, and one of my biggest plans for education is that sana mas paunlarin pa yung mga projects under education at tsaka sana yung stand natin sa budget cut, sana ma-concretize siya para makatulong sa students kasi para sa akin, education talaga is the number one priority.

Katrina Ortiguerra

Jo-Celine Leong

Siguro ang propesor na pinaka-nagsasalamin sa akin at sa plataporma ko, si Sir Ignatius Vinzons. Alam nating lahat na as a professor, he has to undergo a lot of strain, he even had to protest for a day simply because he was no longer being paid for it. He was my professor in Philo I and I’ve gotten to know him a lot. I believe his resilience and his ability to stand up and fight even if the institution, even if the great machineries are already against him. It’s already a great sign and representation of my platform and my political belief. Hindi porke’t independent tayo. Hindi porke’t nag-iisa tayo ay mahina tayo. May kakayahan tayong ilabas ang boses ng isang tao sapagkat it all starts from one voice. And one voice, together with others, cumulates to one big scream.

Mark San Juan

10 • 03 MARCH 2011 • THURSDAY

Volume 24, Numbers 17-18FEATURES

Soso

lusy

onan

nat

in ‘

yan

sa p

amam

agita

n ng

reg

ular

con

sulta

tion

and

regu

lar

mee

tings

nat

in s

a m

ga s

tude

nt

lead

ers

natin

doo

n sa

ext

ensi

on p

rogr

ams

natin

sa

Palo

, Ley

te, s

a Ba

ler

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rona

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Bali,

ito

ay n

asim

ulan

na

ng a

ting

incu

mbe

nt

Uni

vers

ity S

tude

nt C

ounc

il, ip

agpa

patu

loy

lam

ang

natin

at

ihah

ain

natin

ito

bila

ng d

eman

d sa

atin

g un

iver

sity

adm

inis

trat

ion.

At

tayo

rin

ay

mag

kaka

lap

ng m

ga i

ncom

e ge

nera

ting

proj

ects

na

tutu

gon

sa m

ga i

mm

edia

te n

ilang

pan

gang

aila

ngan

hal

imba

wa

nala

ng

ng m

ga l

ibro

at

ilang

mga

pho

toco

pyin

g m

achi

nes.

Sa

long

ter

m n

aman

, na

isip

ng

inyo

ng U

nive

rsity

Stu

dent

Cou

ncil

ay ‘

yung

pr

ogra

man

g “R

each

Out

”. Re

ach

out

sa

atin

g m

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xten

sion

pro

gram

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hil a

ng p

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amal

aki n

aman

ng s

ulira

nin

ay ‘y

ung

kani

lang

al

low

ance

. Ta

yo a

y su

sula

t sa

mga

loc

al g

over

nmen

t un

its n

a bi

gyan

ng

mal

akin

g po

ndo

‘yun

g ka

nila

ng m

ga i

skol

ar p

ara

nam

an

mai

taw

id n

ila a

ng k

anila

ng p

ag-a

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mat

ino

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isen

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Elle

n Ta

yag

Mag

anda

yun

g ta

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mo.

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tal

aga

siya

ng p

robl

ema

ngay

on n

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akik

ita s

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tens

ion

scho

ols

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sa

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, Ba

ler

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oron

adal

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kat

unay

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ga,

may

nar

irini

g ak

o na

yun

g m

ga e

xten

sion

sch

ools

— k

awaw

a si

la.

Kasi

, tip

ong

yung

sk

yflak

es h

inah

ati p

a ni

la fo

r br

eakf

ast,

lunc

h at

din

ner.

Nak

akaa

wa

tala

ga. H

aban

g di

to s

a U

P M

anila

ala

m n

atin

kun

g ga

ano

tayo

ka-

bles

sed.

Kay

a da

pat t

alag

a tu

lung

an n

atin

sila

. Ine

-enc

oura

ge ta

yo n

i Cha

ncel

lor n

a bi

lang

Uni

vers

ity S

tude

nt C

ounc

il ng

UP

Man

ila, a

y hu

wag

din

nat

in s

ilang

kal

imut

an a

t sup

orta

han.

Kam

i kas

i sa

Bigk

is U

PM, w

e fig

ht n

ot ju

st a

gain

st th

e Bu

dget

cut

but

we

real

ly h

ave

a pr

ojec

t na

yun

g 6%

ng

GN

P an

g bu

ong-

buo

na ib

ibig

ay n

a al

loca

ted

sa b

udge

t. H

indi

tay

o pa

paya

g na

less

tha

n 6%

ang

ibib

igay

ta

laga

. Nak

ikiu

sap

kam

i sa

mga

legi

slat

ors

and

we

empl

oy d

iffer

ent

form

s of

act

ivis

m, y

ung

sins

abi n

ga n

atin

na

prog

ress

ive

mod

ern

pers

pect

ive

activ

ism

. Asi

de fr

om fi

ghtin

g fo

r gr

eate

r bu

dget

, med

yo lo

ng-t

erm

na

yun,

for

shor

t te

rm n

aman

kas

i kai

lang

an t

alag

ang

ma-

addr

ess

yung

pro

blem

a. F

irst a

nd fo

rem

ost,

tula

d na

min

sa

Colle

ge o

f Med

icin

e. M

aram

i kam

ing

mga

sob

rang

libr

o, m

ga s

obra

ng

scho

ol s

uppl

ies

na a

lam

nam

in a

y ku

lang

na

kula

ng s

a Pa

lo,

Bale

r at

Cor

onad

al.

Say

ang

na im

bes

na t

inat

apon

lang

sila

ay

pwed

e na

ting

i-don

ate

sa m

ga e

xten

sion

sch

ools

nat

in. S

yem

pre,

yun

g m

ga ib

a’t i

bang

par

tner

ship

s di

n na

pw

ede

natin

g i-e

mpl

oy a

t i-u

tiliz

e to

hel

p th

ese

stud

ents

as

soon

as

poss

ible

.

Ang

eli G

uada

lupe

Bila

ng is

ang

inde

pend

ent U

SC C

hairp

erso

n, g

usto

ko

sana

ng is

ulon

g ka

si y

ung

part

icip

atio

n ng

stu

dent

s sa

laha

t ng

ende

avor

nat

in s

a un

iver

sity

and

tha

t in

clud

es y

ung

mga

kas

ama

natin

sa

Bale

r at

tsa

ka s

a Pa

lo. H

indi

laha

t ng

tao

dito

sa

UP

Man

ila

kila

la o

r ala

m k

ung

ano

yung

nan

gyay

ari s

a ka

nila

doo

n ka

ya g

usto

nat

in m

alam

an n

g m

ga s

tude

nts

dito

ang

con

cern

s ni

la k

asi k

apw

a na

tin s

ila U

P M

anila

stu

dent

s, k

apw

a na

tin I

skol

ar n

g Ba

yan.

Jam

ie B

algo

s

THURSDAY • 03 MARCH 2011 • 11

Volume 24, Numbers 17-18 FEATURES

Syem

pre,

ang

requ

irem

ents

nat

in p

ara

sa is

ang

mab

utin

g pr

esid

ent a

y pr

o-pe

ople

at p

ro-s

tude

nt. A

ng n

agin

g te

rmin

o ng

atin

g Pr

esid

ente

Rom

an,

ang

nak

araa

ng p

resi

dent

ng

atin

g un

iver

sity

, ay

ga-

grad

uhan

nat

in n

g si

ngko

. Ba

kit

sing

ko?

Dah

il lu

mal

alan

g ko

mer

salis

asyo

n at

prib

atis

asyo

n ng

edu

kasy

on a

ng n

aran

asan

ng

mga

Isk

olar

ng

Baya

n.

Nar

iyan

ang

300

% t

uitio

n an

d ot

her

fee

incr

ease

s na

tin

amas

a na

tin n

oong

tao

ng 2

006

at s

yem

pre

yung

mar

ami

pang

por

ma

ng r

epre

syon

sa

hana

y ng

m

ga e

stud

yant

e ka

gaya

nal

ang

ng t

angk

ang

pagp

apaa

lis s

a at

ing

repr

esen

tasy

on s

a Bo

ard

of R

egen

ts,

‘yun

g pa

gkak

atan

ggal

ng

atin

g St

uden

t Re

gent

. N

apak

aram

i ang

kom

ersa

lisas

yon

at p

ribat

isas

yon

na n

aran

asan

sa

pana

hon

sa t

erm

ino

ng a

ting

nagd

aang

pa

ngul

ong

Emer

linda

Rom

an.

Para

kay

Em

erlin

da R

oman

, ang

ibib

igay

ko

sa k

anya

ay

4.0

o ku

wat

ro k

asi n

akita

nam

an n

amin

na

she

trie

d he

r be

st in

del

iver

ing.

Firs

t an

d fo

rem

ost,

whe

n yo

u en

ter

kasi

sa

offic

e an

dam

i ng

kaila

ngan

g as

ikas

uhin

in o

rder

to

run

the

who

le

syst

em.

Tapo

s, a

side

fro

m t

hat,

wal

a si

ya m

asya

dong

nag

awan

g ba

go o

r m

alak

ing

impa

ct s

a pa

gtul

ong

sa m

ga s

tude

nts.

In

fact

, un

der

sa k

anya

nah

ihira

pan

yung

kon

disy

on n

g U

P, h

indi

niy

a m

asis

isi y

ung

pagt

aas

ng t

uitio

n fe

e. S

ana

lang

mas

mag

ing

in-t

ouch

si

ya w

ith th

e st

uden

ts a

nd s

ana

mak

inig

siy

a sa

toto

ong

kaila

ngan

ng

mga

stu

dent

s. T

apos

, mas

mar

ami p

a sa

na s

iyan

g na

gaw

a pa

ra

i-add

ress

yun

g m

ga s

tude

nts

mis

mo.

Kas

i mar

amin

g na

gkap

robl

ema

na y

ung

mga

GM

A ap

poin

tees

daw

. Ka

mi k

asi s

a Bi

gkis

-UPM

na

nini

wal

a na

we

real

ly h

ave

to p

ut a

ctiv

e pr

essu

re s

a ad

min

istr

atio

n to

rea

lly s

erve

the

stu

dent

s. H

indi

lang

par

ang

stat

us q

uo n

a w

e’re

just

hap

py k

ung

nasa

an ta

yo b

ecau

se w

e kn

ow th

at w

e co

uld

be b

ette

r. U

P co

uld

be m

ore

than

wha

t it i

s no

w, k

asi n

akita

nat

in

na o

ver

the

year

s bu

mab

a yu

ng r

anki

ng n

g U

P sa

top

sch

ools

in t

he w

orld

.

Ang

eli G

uada

lupe

Ibib

igay

ko

sa k

anya

ng g

rade

ay

sing

ko.

Kasi

una

sa

laha

t, h

indi

ko

tala

ga s

iya

mas

yado

ng n

aram

dam

an s

a m

ga

issu

es n

a im

port

ante

tala

ga s

a m

ga e

stud

yant

e ka

gaya

nga

nun

g bu

dget

cut

, hin

di n

atin

siy

a na

kita

. Tap

os k

agay

a nu

ng k

ay G

onza

les,

as

aan

siya

? H

indi

nat

ugun

an y

ung

conc

erns

ng

estu

dyan

te n

a da

pat

tinut

ugun

an n

ga n

g pr

esid

ent

ng U

P.

Jam

ie B

algo

s

Elle

n Ta

yag

Ako

si D

arna

. H

indi

dah

il m

eron

tay

ong

supe

r st

reng

th a

nd s

uper

pow

er.

Si D

arna

kas

i kah

it is

a la

ng s

iyan

g no

rmal

na

Nar

da, m

eron

siy

ang

kaka

yaha

ng m

ag-s

ilbi a

t m

ag-li

ngko

d.

Para

sa

akin

si D

arna

. Kas

i si D

arna

isa

siya

sa

mga

una

ng s

ikat

na

fem

ale

supe

rher

o sa

atin

g ba

nsa.

Tap

os,

ang

nagu

stuh

an k

o sa

kan

ya a

y yu

ng k

anya

ng a

nyo

na N

arda

mun

a si

ya —

hum

ble

at t

otoo

siy

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yag

12 • 03 MARCH 2011 • THURSDAY

Volume 24, Numbers 17-18

FEATURES

Una, hindi na natin kailangang pang umabot sa pagiging Vice Chair. Sa tulong ng League of College Student Council (LCSC), bilang public information officer ng LCSC, and ‘yung CAS SC bilang active member of the LCSC, we are maximizing yung LCSC as an avenue to reach all other colleges para ma-involve sila sa fight natin against the budget cut. Pumupunta tayo sa bawat local college council to give the situationers. Humihingi tayo ng support mula sa kanila. And through this LCSC we were able to unite all colleges against [the fight for] budget cut. In this coming term, mas palalawakin natin yung ating reach to seven colleges and we will ensure that UP Manila will be unified against [our fight for] budget cut.

Sa kasalukuyan, siyempre na alam natin na nangungunang issue ngayon yung sa upm - yung budget cut. Ang una nating gagawin is parang step by step para may organization. Una, kailangan natin ng data gathering group. So gagawa tayo ng isang data gathering group to obtain yung information talaga nagproprove regarding the budget cut. After, pagkaverify natin, pero siyempre hindi dapat natin malilimutan na through all these years, hindi nabibigyan ng priority ang education. Parang after noon, magkakaroon tayo ng series of talks. So, i-invite natin yung mga members ng government na pwede sagutin yung tanong tungkol sa budget cut to give, and sana parang to give a discussion regarding the budget. Tapos, sana maconvince dahil dun sa series of talks and dun sa mga process natin. Kasi may organization na nga tayo. So, sana mapakita natin na sa mga mapakita natin sa gobyerno, na hindi na nila talaga nabibigyan ng priority ang education which is really important for the society. Hopefully after everything, magkaroon ng mas malaking budget na mai-allot para sa atin lalo na satin mga SC.

Maki Mitsuhashi

Cleve Arguelles

Simple lang ‘yung hamon natin sa bagong komposisyon ng Board of Regents: tumayo sila para sa pagbabago. Tumayo sila para sa pagbabagong maka-estudyante, makakalikasan at makabayan. Tumindig sila para sa interes ng mga Iskolar ng Bayan at ng malawak na hanay ng mamamayan.

Sa dating board of regents, siyempre nagkaroon tayo ng maraming mga controversies. Parang ang gagawin natin is, I want the new board of regents to prove us wrong. Na hindi tayo pinapabayaan. So, ang hamon ko for them is to give us more. Give more projects para mapadama naman niya na hindi nila tayo pinapabayaan kasi sa atin. Parang kasi board of regents natin nga sila, so they should know us best. Dapat alam din nila na in this projects para maramdaman natin na talaga tayong iskolars para sa bayan.

Maki Mitsuhashi

Cleve Arguelles

Siguro si Lastikman. Bakit si Lastikman? Because si Lastikman ay flexible and we want to be flexible, and we are flexible to the different needs of the different colleges around the university. And isa pa, si Lastikman napakahaba ng reach niya. And as your USC Vice Chairperson, I will assure you and I will ensure the students that I will reach out to each and every college to be represented inside the University Student Council.

Siguro, para sa akin muna si lastikman. Kasi siyempre parang normal lang siya na tao noong una na nabigyan ng powers. Kasi ako, first time ko ito. First time ko kasi in university politics, so parang baguhan pa sakin lahat and yet I want to be flexible enough to reach out ko dun sa mga nasasakupan ko. I want everyone to believe na kayang kaya ko na from a normal person to superhero.

Maki Mitsuhashi

Cleve Arguelles

THURSDAY • 03 MARCH 2011 • 13

Volume 24, Numbers 17-18 CULTURE

Step 1: Establishing a Brand

The primary step a student takes to prepare for running in the student council

elections is to establish a good brand. Branding

is a very powerful tool during elections for establishing name and color recall is the most basic target of any candidate or

political party. First, looking clean and

f r e s h during the election period is necessary in establishing credibility. This is why the election season is one of the few days of the year when seeing students with their hair combed and their shirts pressed wouldn’t automatically mean either he or she will be hosting in an event or will be doing an extemporaneous speech for his or her Comm3 class. People must also be able to recognize and remember them easily, hence, some of them will make use of funny and suggestive taglines, some would sing and dance in RTRs, and some would use popular icons and associate themselves to it. Also, candidates make use of color associations to further promote themselves. They will pick a color that they will use for the rest of the campaign period, sometimes even after the elections, to subliminally implant color memory into the voters. If students belong to political parties, they would normally make use of just one color making the color memory more potent. These initial strategies are sure-fire ways of getting attention, however, getting voter’s attention is not enough. One must be able to separate the brand from the candidate, and assess if the candidate himself or herself is of good quality.

Step 2: Knowing the electorate

Knowing the electorate i s a decisive step in

conducting an electoral campaign. This is why

candidates would seek out to know

who the voters are and what are they concerned

about. They will try to understand what issues the voters find pertinent to address and create their platforms, speeches and campaign slogans tailor fit to address and highlight these issues and concerns, and what they are willing to do to solve them. Knowing the issues of the electorate is an entirely different thing from having the capacity to act on it. Voters should be aware of those who are bluffing their way off to a council position; and those who they deem worthy, the students should hold accountable to the promises made during election period.

Step 3: Positioning a candidate

Positioning is a key step in popularizing a candidate

prior and during the

elections. This is when the c a n d i d a t e s

‘ p o s i t i o n ’ themselves in situations where

t h e electorate can see t h e m in a positive light. The weeks leading to the elections are usually a time when aspirants for council positions are the most active. To get an edge over the competition, incumbents and political neophytes alike would rush projects the week or two weeks before the first day of campaign as students will best remember events held nearest election day. They serve as the hosts, performers or event coordinators of these events and would sometimes give themselves awards to boost their credentials for the elections to come, all for the interest of broadening their connections and positioning them in advantageous situations to promote themselves where voters gather. This, however, is not always an accurate measure if a candidate is truly concerned with his or her constituents. It will prove to be problematic if the voters would decide to vote for a candidate based on visibility alone. Though there is nothing wrong with positioning in general, we must if these candidates were consistent in serving their constituents prior the elections.

Step 4: Advertising

A d v e r t i s i n g covers all the different forms of print m a t e r i a l s , like posters, fliers and pins; videos and other

media; and other promotional materials. For a student who was unable to meet the candidates in person, whether by chance or because they were undertaking their practicums outside the university, the advertising materials would be the sole basis for them to choose their leaders. Aesthetics plays a role on how well a student may perceive a future councilor or chairperson as voters are often captives to their own visual pleasures. The beauty of the poster, its ability to present cohesiveness and integrity, and its over-all aesthetic value will determine whether or not it can capture the interest of the electorate. However, advertising itself is problematic. A candidate or political party would seek to only promote their positives, and disregard their negatives. The common voter needs a greater pool of knowledge for to effectively decide whom they will choose as their student council. Providing incomplete information is detrimental for the purposes of holding elections, and is just as iniquitous as shamelessly denying it all together. Election paraphernalia is a good source of information, but it is far from being a comprehensive one. It serves as a gift-wrapping function, but whether the core proves to be as shiny as its covers would be up to the students to decipher.

Valuing what lies underneath the starch pressed shirt

Knowing that you have only one vote puts a lot of pressure on any voter. And the best way to address this situation is to be equipped with the necessary knowledge to evaluate what these candidates are saying. Knowing the issues prevents stonewallers and bluffers from winning seats in office. Preparing one’s self from the barrage of false promises and hollow speeches

prevents further casualties after the elections and ensures that those who do end up winning would serve their purpose and push through with what they have promised.

Let us be the people who believe in progress, rather than people who believe in people who believe in progress. We should take an active role in knowing the candidates and evaluate for ourselves, outside election gimmicks and propaganda, who best embodies our and our university’s concerns. Personality politics, in which one simply chooses a candidate based on aesthetics and stereotypes, should be overcome. Credentials must be evaluated to define which ones are pertinent for the positions that they are running for, and read and compare the platforms that they offer.

If the Iskolar ng Bayan understands enough about that which stands before him or her, he or she is more capable of facing it head on. Studying the candidates will help make a wiser assessment on what it is to look for in a leader, and to not to be caught up by the strategies that politicians use, the promises that they make or the emotions they espouse. There may very well be candidates, who do not follow these norms, nor do these norms necessarily say that the candidates who use them are not deserving of winning. It must, however, be stressed that we should go past the image they are trying to build and try to get to know exactly who they are as leaders and what do they offer us as their constituents. Is there a genuine willingness to serve? Is there a capability to perform well in the council? Is there a passion for the work they are committed to accomplish? If so, then they are more than deserving of our patronage, and certainly worthy of our vote.

Election SurvivalTh e Or i g i n s a n d ev O l u T i O n O f T h e uP sC Ca n d i d aT e

Bernardo Cielo II

Taking that first step into the University on the first day of elections can be a daunting task for any UP student.

The surge of students wearing either red, blue, or yellow shirts, lined up along the pathway--each reaching out their hands to shake yours. The piles of election paraphernalia everywhere with a (sometimes, obscure) name, face, and position that people

have forgotten even existed. There is also the chronic disruption of classes due to various RTRs when candidates talk so fast that the only things that can be remembered are their names, reiterated three or four times before and after each speech. It is difficult for any UP student to efficiently filter through more than a dozen candidates and select the few they see fit to represent them for the incoming year. For one to be able to gauge each candidate effectively, one must first trace how these candidates came to be and what processes transpired to make them what they are now.

14 • 03 MARCH 2011 • THURSDAY

Volume 24, Numbers 17-18graphics

Mga Uri Ng KaNdidato Ng UPMGerald Miranda Goco

Rare PokemonTatakbo pala siya ngayong

eleksyon, at eto pa, estudyante pala siya sa UP manila. Bigla

na lang siyang sumulpot.

Magaling ba siya? Malay ko, ngayon ko lang din siya

nakita eh.

GodfatherMayroong mogul, maniac at fearless, at madalas siyang

gumamit ng energy pack. Siya ang

pambato ng mga brods at sis niya.

AchieverImportante sa kanya ang

pagtakbo, para madagdagan ang credentials niya,

para maging sikat siya at para maabot niya ang

mga pangarap niya.

Mr. FliptopSalita ang panlaban niya. Kung paramihan

lang ng pangako, panalo na ang

kandidatong ito. Kayang-kaya niyang

ibenta ang sarili niya at hahanga ka talaga kung di mo alam na tina-trash talk ka

lang niya.

MimeKabaligtaran ni Mr. Fliptop. Hirap siyang

magsalita. Hindi naman naka-tahi ang bibig niya, sadya lang

itong nakatikom. Siguro may

ibubuga talaga siya pero secret niya na lang yun.

Model StudentLooks–iyan ang

asset niya. Iwasan ang hypnotizing skills

niya. Madalas ang ganito ay sa panlabas lang maganda. Pero dahil na-hipnotize ka niya sa RTR, baka siya agad ang ilagay mo sa balota mo.

Oblemaaasahan siya, alam

niya kung paano ipaglaban ang tama at ginagawa niya ito. Ang tunay na marka niya ay ang pagiging isang

napakahusay na lider.

ErratumThe article in the last issue titled “Free at Last: 2 of Morong 43 Recount Prison Injustices in UPM Forum” was written by Angela Mariz Ulep Caudal.

FEATURESThe Interplay...from page 15

If Guadalupe were to emerge as the victor, the establishment of the legacy of this year’s USC would deteriorate, seeing as how her advocacies before as a USC member are not exactly parallel to it. On the other hand, Balgos’ predicted rule warrants no exact prophecies, as her previous performance in the USC saw her to be visible, though this visibility did not warrant translatability into actual projects. Her unsolicited aim as an independent candidate is also blurry. If Tayag were to be the next USC Chairperson, her accomplishments in the college councils can be translated to her rule in the USC.

However much the probability of each outcome is weighed, only one candidate will emerge as the victor. While Guadalupe is lauded to be of strong character, that she is the most disadvantaged of the three candidates might pave the way to be a close match between Balgos and Tayag. As of press time, the lines are wispy and the advantages of each are indefinite. All matters in consideration places Tayag on the edge of the race, and the early winner.

The battle for power is not only concretized in the forthcoming elections. The clash of ideologies and the wrestling of supremacy are alive as ever.

Elections present renewed interests, party politics, the interplay of different forces, and most importantly, what the future will hold. The decision of the UPM student body will reflect their aspirations, and in turn, the chosen ones must fulfill what they declared themselves to be. As the turn of the tide progresses, the call to be vigilant, decisive, and critical remains as strong as ever. The tracking that this campus would take will be determined by a few ticks on some virtual boxes.

The elections present a time of making decisions. Contrary to that notion, decisions are made every single second, from the inactivity of a party in certain events to the incapability of another to be far-reaching. All year round, decisions are created. The elections merely function as concrete manifestations of these. And so, the Iskolar must be aware and observant, and in turn make the right choices. For all of this will manifest itself not only in the year that would come, but for all the years to follow.

1.75 -- kasi magaling naman talaga sila. very visible. lalo na sa fb messages. pero parang may mga napabayaan pa ring proyekto na ikinalungkot ng mga studyante. --soundeffect

2.5 -- Naging active naman sila nung panahon ng isyu ng budget cut. Kaso may projects sila na nilangaw. Sana mas na-entice lang nila yung students. --- fyeahtrollface

Tres. Kasi puro rally na lang ginagawa nila. Kaya natatanggal ung USC chair napapabayaan na ung acads.

1.5 -patster

UNO. :”> :)) - ako si owtee

1.25 para sa akin nagampanan nman nila ng maayos ang kanilang tungkulin bilang mga tagapaglingkod ng kapwa nila iskolar. nabigyan nila ng masaya at magandang taon ang UP. ngunit meron pa rin tayong kanya-kanyang hinaing sa kanila. hindi lahat ng tao ay perpekto -Kristine

INC “ kulang talaga.Oo, naging aktibo sila nitong nagdaang taon,pero kasi, hindi lahat sila yun,e .di ko naramdaman yun iba sa kanila.Ni hindi ko man lang nalaman na nanalo pala si <tooot>...grabe,kulang na kul~~” -the-one-whose-name-is-on-your-desk

2.5 siguro. Mabait akong prof. HAHA -baklang ipis

1.25 kasi hindi lahat sa kanila ginagawa ung mga responsibilidad nila. Sina ate cess kasi bigay todo sa paglaban para sa karapatan ng mga estudyante pero parang missing in action ung iba. --hugsandkisses, 09-*****

tres -kamon mamon 09-00***

uno , kasi sila ang laging kasama ng mga iskolar ng bayan sa mga oras na

kailangan sila . andun sila nung strike at dama mo ang presence nila , hndi sila gaya ng iba na sa eleksyon lang nalabas -KEROKEROPI

2.5 kasi gusto ko talaga ZERO WASTE NA SA CAF.

Kung kakandidato ka ngayong USC elections, ano ang magiging tagline at jingle mo?

kutsinta at puto hatid ni mark quinto! haha ------ wookie

Matataas ang boto at biglang nawalaBinubulong sa hangin ang bawat salita

“ok it’s alright with me” :)) love, baklang ipis

Problema ba kamo? Tutuldukan yan ni Ysabel Bertoldo! Lae passer! -trolololol

Kapag naririnig mo ay nakakatuwa........................................... eto na. etoo naa.. etooo naa.. aaahhh!! -boybalot ----- boybalot

rakenrol lang mga ching. \m/ --kamon mamon 09-00***

kay kerokeropi , hndi ka magwoworry !! given tagline yan ni mariz sa akin .. go mariz mariz mariz !!

tatahakin natin ang matuwid na daan kay Patrick La-anan. ---- patster

Kay Sabbie hindi, ka magsisisi. puahhaha! *lame!*jingle? = aything to the tune of “Jingle Bells” hahaha!

Para sa USC na may GWAPO, iboto si Florian SALCEDO! WAHAHAHAHAHA :)))))

kristine, kristine, kristine, serbisyong di bitin, kay kristine! :)

tapos... dahil si anton dulce, magaling kumain ng... KABUTE! :))

Laban ng lipunan, laban ng mga iskolar ng bayan!KG KG KG Guiang. Kay KG Guiang,boto mo ay di masasayang!

You’ll never go to hell with Charlette Coronel! :D

Ang lucky card niyo sa konseho. Ace, Ace, Ace Molo. Kay Ace Molo, problema niyo’y siguradong hindi masosolo.

Kung pwet mo ay may guhit iboto si Keith. :))))

Anumang hamon sa Iskolar ng Bayan, aking tutugunan. Ako po si Joan, Tunay, Palaban, Makabayan.

Sa adbokasiyang mahalaga, ang mga Iskolar ay maligaya! Hellyeah kay Aya Aya, Aya Aya Dela Pena. :))

katiting, pero magaling. ako si ching. ching, ching, ching, ching, ching, ching, ching, ching...*repeat til tired* :)) --ching

I am Colorful. I am running for your heart. - Colorful

Mga Isko at Iska, sumama na tunay na pakikipagbaka! Ako po si Vherlin, Vherlin, Vherlin Magday. Kay Vherlin Magday, palum-palong serbisyo ang ibibigay!! :))

Nakawala sa kandado para inyong iboto, Hanban Delgado! =))

Hindi na ako tatakbo pang muli. :)-Jigs TenorioBA DevStud 2011CASSC Chairperson 2008-0

NEWSItanong kay Isko’t Iska...from page 2

THURSDAY • 03 MARCH 2011 • 15

Volume 24, Numbers 17-18 FEATURESA-K: Continuing the Conquer

While the Alternative Students Alliance for Progress – Katipunan ng mga Progresibong Mag-aaral ng Bayan (A-K) was the underdog in the 2009 USC elections, the party made a huge comeback with the election of Cesarie Ann “Ces” Santos and Mark “Mac” Panganiban as the USC Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of 2010-2011, respectively. While primarily offering genuine service to the studentry and militant activism as a response to issues, A-K marked this comeback with revitalized campaign devices usually and previously associated with its opponent party. A-K’s “bagong bihis” proved to be effective in clinching last year’s elections by securing AK the top two posts in the USC, despite having lesser candidates in the USC 2010-2011 slate.

A-K’s visibility heightened this school year, as militant activism proliferated in the USC with Santos’ leadership. This was reflected in the UPM community not only because the top post was held by a member of A-K, but also due to the organization itself, which prides itself to be active in campaigning for students’ rights on a whole-year basis. With the grave issues which haunted the walls of the UP system— that of the looming budget cut on State Colleges and Universities (SUCs)—A-K was lauded for their active response to this matter which is of high significance to the Iskolar. This year’s A-K slate banks upon this visibility on its slate for this year’s elections

Despite A-K’s triumph this year not only in the USC but as a party itself, one loophole nevertheless continues to be the main issue thrown to the party. This comes in the form of the criticism that A-K candidates and officers lose positions due to cases of academic delinquency. “Hindi talaga usapin ng academic grades yung tipo ng leadership na pwede mong i-offer. Ngunit, diba, ineensure naman natin na yung mga kandidato, yung mga member ng A-K ay mga estudyante pa rin naman,” as Erica Bucog, the A-K Campaign Committee Head, states, when asked about the party’s stand on the attacks on the academic performance of its candidates. As to whether this stands true for the UP Manila students, the upcoming election will answer.

Bucog adds that change in leadership and approach was established by the A-K-dominated USC in school year 2010-2011 and that the party’s candidates for the next USC will function with the same principles in mind and in practice, in continuing and expanding the legacy. This takes form in their new platform of “Tayo pa rin Isko para sa pagbabago”.

BIGKIS: Reviving the Blue

With a sharp image and academic excellence to boot, Bigkis ng mga Iskolar para sa Bayan Tungo sa Makabuluhang Pagbabago (BIGKIS) remains as the other contender in the UPM political arena. The party’s appeal, especially on its starting year, emanated from its stark, spotless and polished image of articulate and academically outstanding candidates. However, the party’s apparent reliance on pristine appearances was toppled by

A-K’s campaign strategies. BIGKIS is still offering the same neat and creatively created platforms and jingles, but to pave the way for a win and continued existence, it must offer something new and substantial.

However, the party is notorious for its timely resurrection only when the election season begins. Their presence during the remainder of the school year can be symbolized by question marks atop students’ heads. Their apparent lack of visibility as a consolidated party during the height of the budget cut issue did not only tarnish their image, but also the new Iskolar’s perception of how the party responds to such issues. When the party is placed under a microscopic lens, not only will their presence per se be questioned, but also the absence of initiative and substantial responses.

As a response to this notion of the party’s shortsighted projects, Faisah Dela Rosa, the campaign manager of BIGKIS, asserts that, “Kami kasi sa BIGKIS-UPM, naniniwala kami na maraming venues para maipahiwatig sa mga mag-aaraal kung ano yung mga issues.” True enough, BIGKIS was never one to readily take the radical route in terms of providing solutions to national and university-wide issues, espousing instead its view that alternative methods are available to be used as answers to key issues.

“Mula sa harapan, kami sa BIGKIS-UPM nakasuporta kami sa likod ng paglalaban ng mga issues na kinakaharap natin,” Dela Rosa further asserts, when asked about the notion that BIGKIS was not visible during the University’s response to certain issues. This places into question the motive behind the action, whether it was simply a delegation of roles and an adherence to platforms, or a shortcoming on the party’s part, in failing to participate fully in the struggle.

A BIGKIS advantage is anchored, as ever, on its ability to unite the health colleges. This would prove especially advantageous to BIGKIS’s Chairperson, Angeli Guadalupe, who is an Intarmed student. Failure to gain stronghold on the so-called “white colleges” will prove to be an immense setback for the blue party, which according to sources, faces the threat of future dissolution. Continuing talks of the establishment of another party, plus the evident diminishing of its previous strong party and funding mechanism during election period might prove to be just the party’s downfall.

BIGKIS nevertheless outshines candidates from other parties with its recreation: an added green hue to its logo represents the area which A-K has downplayed in the past but might prove to be the saving grace of the blue party in this election. With their pop song spin-off of a jingle, all of the BIGKIS candidates are literally and figuratively swaying to the beat that their party has set in the preceding academic year. Popularity has never been the party’s problem. But whether this will guarantee them their success yet again, only the votes will tell.

INDEPENDENT: An Emerging Force

E v e r y e l e c t i o n

The Interplay...from page 16 presents new opportunities. The impending elections will see the interplay of the independents, an up and coming force that will penetrate the red and blue dichotomy, and ultimately, affect the trend and change the face of UPM elections. This is partly due to the fact that for the first time in years, an independent is vying for the Chairpersonship. Jamie “Jamie” Balgos is not a newcomer to the USC as she garnered votes for her win as a USC Councilor in 2010-2011. Her popularity is uncontested, despite supposedly having no apparent affiliation. The other independent candidates in the USC race are Mark “SJ” San Juan, who is contending for a seat as a USC Councilor.

While independent candidates are not necessarily unwelcome to the electoral race, their true allegiance and point of affiliation are nevertheless questionable. It is highly possible that the advancement of certain organizations may be the breaking point, but otherwise could also hold true. And when immersed in a body of two differing standpoints, most of those with no actual affiliation either blend into the background or serve as the middle ground amidst two extremes. These candidates can also make unqualified statements that cannot be held against them, since they have no actual party that would be the basis of their ideology.

The strength of the independents lies in their respective affiliations’ ability to mobilize their campaigns. These candidates will bank on popularity, although San Juan is still lacking in this aspect. Balgos’ performance as a USC Councilor did not necessarily elicit substantial projects that could be popularly credited to her name. Despite this detriment, Balgos’ show of character and her mobilized affiliation would be the basis for her win.

The breakout of another independent candidate might be an indication of a break point from last year’s dichotomous UP Manila elections: a veering away from ideology-based campaigns in elections and an appeal to the personality-based politics, which resembles popular Philippine-style elections. But whether this will fully evolve and flourish is to be defined by the success of Balgos and other independent candidates in this particular election.

PROGNOSISA-K seemingly offers a package deal with its roster of nominees for the top positions in the USC. After being the CAS-SC Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson for school year 2010-2011, Ellen Mariz “Ellen” Tayag now becomes A-K’s candidate for the Chairpersonship of the USC and Cleve Kevin Robert “Cleve” Arguelles now vies for the Vice Chairpersonship of the USC respectively. If the partnership of Tayag and Arguelles penetrates the USC, such will not only be the affirmation of their success as CAS SC officers, but also of the performance of the tandem of Santos and Panganiban in the same positions in the USC of 2010-2011. Their loss would constitute both otherwise.

Primarily, a BIGKIS win in the top-most positions will be an indication that the Iskolar wants to curve away from the established leadership style of A-K. With the advantage on A-K, this time, it would be interesting to see if BIGKIS will be able to come upon their patrons to win the UP Manila vote. The party’s campaign tactics are not as sharp as before, let alone the slate they offered for the USC of 2011-2012, as there is an obvious absence of effective and efficient political machinery. Among the roster of candidates, Angeli “Gel” Guadalupe, the Chairperson candidate, stands out as the strongest contender, with all the others as virtual unknowns. Guadalupe is the party’s ticket to regaining prestige and eliciting a better image. With a crushing defeat from A-K in terms of visibility and student popularity, it is likely that students will join A-K rather than BIGKIS. Previous trends show that the deterioration of political parties in UP Manila after one or two elections ultimately leads to its demise. It is not far off that BIGKIS will suffer a similar fate, if Guadalupe fails to secure the top position.

Although the process of an election remains the same, each election period becomes unique due to its uncanny ability to reflect the past and determine the future. The candidate turnout this school year resembled an interesting rundown, while the forces behind it and past trends ensure that certain outcomes are achieved. Some candidates are newcomers to the arena while others hold some experience. At this point in time, some still significantly lack the fame to their name. And even as one party may seem dominant, the results would still exhibit a varied slate. Both parties were not able to complete their USC slate, and therefore, the emerging USC will again feature a mixture of politicians from both the contending parties. Consequently, the crucial point of the competition will be on the Chairpersonship position.A three-way battle for the Chairpersonship is under way, with candidates who have the backing of experience to prove their worth as leaders. The contention for the top post creates numerous probable outcomes.

Guadalupe, the BIGKIS contender, is capable of eliciting the majority of the votes of certain colleges. On the other hand, the common projection is that the contention between Balgos and Tayag would allow the CAS divide, and in turn, both could lose the race in the face of this highly detrimental disunity. It is, however, a fact that CAS had never been a homogenous voting body and has always fostered different ideologies. If Tayag is able to leave her mark in the College as the previous CAS Chairperson, as well as dodge attacks to her academic records, CAS might prove to deliver votes for the red party.

A BIGKIS divide is plausible, considering the fact that the sorority of the independent candidate is a known staunch ally of the said party. If a CAS divide and a BIGKIS dichotomy were to happen, then a Balgos win will be probable, seeing as how the candidate can manage to garner half of both sides without so much as mere party politics.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

16 • 03 MARCH 2011 • THURSDAY

Volume 24, Numbers 17-18

More than an unrelenting battle of principles and integrity, the election

now becomes a war of supremacy.

As the University of the Philippines-Manila (UPM) anticipates the forthcoming University Student Council (USC) Elections, the clash of political ideologies and persisting reform propagandas resurfaces. Conventional politics gave rise to dichotomized series of elections between the red and blue parties. However, this year presents remarkable changes that would indeed revolutionize the pace of UPM’s electoral system. First is the fully automated election and second is the growing reemergence of independent candidates. Amidst the searing struggle for USC seats, the verdict still lies upon the votes constituted from UPM’s student body.

As the candidates strive for position, power and dominance, the constituency is eagerly anticipating every election move. With the dichotomized rendition of party politics and the entry of independents in the UPM political arena, it is but necessary to mark

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