Showing posts with label gabe ulanday. Show all posts

Opinion: Teen Pregnancy, it’s Our Problem



Photo credits: Joshua Sales

The Commission on Population (POPCOM) claims that 500 girls aged 15 to 19 give birth daily in the Philippines – averaging approximately 196,000 births yearly. For obvious socio-economic reasons, teenagers have a harder time rearing children, especially as most become single mothers.

It would be hard to avoid labeling this situation as a problem. The Philippines can only sustain so many young children. The more children are born, the more mouths have to be fed.

According to POPCOM, this situation needs to be controlled. Actually, there were efforts to control teenage pregnancy. In fact, the teenage pregnancy rate in the country has declined to 8.7% in 2017 from 10.2% in 2016. Regardless, further action is needed to keep this number declining.

POPCOM NCR Regional Director Lydio Español Jr. claims that the youth of today has “moral decadence", or the lack of morals. To resolve the issue, Español says that the religious sector should step up. Proponents should instruct the nation’s youth on morality and reinforce "the contribution of religious belief to abstain from premarital sexual activities".

The institutions that make up the religious sector hold varying degrees of influence on their adherents. As such, religious preachers hold some sway in convincing their congregations to be committed and loyal to their spouses, abstain from sexual activities until marriage, or to altogether lead lives of celibacy. While it would be wrong to deny the influence of the various religious institutions in the nation, it would also be wrong to solely rely on them to address this situation.

Not all cases of teenage pregnancy are caused by amoral promiscuous teens who exist outside the light of religion. Children, some not even in their teens, are exploited and raped daily in illegal brothels or in front of web cameras. UNICEF calls the Philippines "the global epicenter of the live-stream sexual abuse trade” (Brown, 2016). The International Labor Organization approximates 60,000 to 100,000 children are involved in prostitution rings in the Philippines.

Some teenagers, who have no exposure to the teachings about sexual and reproductive health, are left to wander aimlessly and learn on their own through experimentation. Even if they had such exposure, what good would it be when most do not have a reliable access to contraceptives?

What would religious dogma and doctrine do to stop the sexual exploitation of teenagers in illegal brothels? What would it do to address the youth’s lack of information on sexual and reproductive health? What would it do to provide the youth’s access to reproductive health and sexual programs?

Surely, Español does not expect institutions such as the Catholic Church to deploy agents to investigate and prosecute those who carry out acts of sexual violence, to instruct their congregation on how to use contraceptives, or to distribute contraceptives at their doors. Especially since the Catholic Church has openly denounced the use of contraceptives (Aquino, 2019; Yee, 2019).

Yes, religious institutions have their role in preventing teenage pregnancies. However, they do not address its root causes. These are mainly sexual violence, lack of information on sexual and reproductive health, and lack of access to reproductive health and sexual programs. The responsibility will then inevitably fall to other societal institutions such as education sectors and law enforcement.

To properly address teenage pregnancy, it would require the combined efforts of the religious, education, media, law enforcement and health sectors, and every other institution or sector that routinely interact with the youth. Of course, the combined efforts should be led by those who have the means, initiative, and reach. The mopping up of sexual violence would best be left to law enforcement. The lack of information would best be handled by educators and medical instructors. Access to programs can be provided by health professionals and service providers. //by Gabe Ulanday

Sources:
1. Aquino, L. (2019, June 10). Contraceptive use morally unacceptable – Tarlac priest. Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 4 December 2019 from https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/06/10/contraceptive-use-morally-unacceptable-tarlac-priest/.
2. Brown, A. (2016, October 19). Safe from harm: Tackling online child sexual abuse in the Philippines. UNICEF. Retrieved 4 December 2019 from https://www.unicef.org/protection/philippines_91214.html.
3. Yee, J. (2019, July 22). Church opposition stalling Reproductive Health Law. Philippine Inquirer. Retrieved 4 December 2019 from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1144442/church-opposition-stalling-reproductive-health-law.

Opinion: The voyage around the world, getting around the facts



Filipino netizens were outraged after the poster-trailer for “Elcano and Magellan: The First Voyage Around the World” was released this November. It is a Spanish animated movie about the journey of Ferdinand Magellan and Juan Elcano, and their arrival in Cebu in 1521.

At first glance, there is seemingly nothing wrong with the movie. It might even seem appealing when one sees the part where it says, “with Philippines' very own hero, Lapu-Lapu.” One might think “Wow, a Filipino hero in a cartoon movie!” But taking a closer look at the details of the poster and watching the trailer, it can be seen that things are not what they seem.

Photo courtesy of Inquirer.net

The poster for the animated movie shows Juan Elcano front and center with Magellan behind him to his left. To his right, a woman named Samar, presumably a pre-colonial Filipino woman, is staring at Elcano affectionately. Meanwhile, Lapu-Lapu is featured in the lower half of the poster with a villainous look on his face.

From these details of the poster, one can already tell that something is wrong. In the history lessons taught to us in school, Magellan and Elcano colonized Cebu and converted Filipino natives into Christians, and killed those who didn’t agree to convert and swear fealty to Spain. There was no mention of a native Filipina falling in love with Juan Elcano either. History books also show Lapu-Lapu to be a patriot who defended his people from foreign invaders, but his face in the poster shows him to be akin to some generic villain.

While some netizens argued that the movie was made by a studio from Spain, and thus, in their point of view, Juan Elcano was the hero and Lapu-Lapu was the villain, it still doesn’t change the fact that Magellan acted like a brigand, slaver, and maritime pirate during his brief stay in the islands. And to be fair, there is nothing heroic about pillaging, kidnapping for ransom, enslaving, or murdering people.

Sure, it could be claimed that these are over-exaggerations, but take a look at Magellan's official chronicler, Antonio Pigafetta. He writes multiple times of "heroic" Magellan and his crew engaging in what would now be called piracy and banditry. He mentioned an incident where a local chieftain was invited on board their ships to trade. When they were unable to reach an agreement, the crew held the chieftain and his companions hostage and demanded animal goods for their release. Fearful for his life, the chieftain ordered that their demands immediately be met. In another instance, they signaled and demanded that a Filipino ocean craft salute them with their sails. When this demand was not met, they pursued, boarded, and pillaged the craft. Here, they captured on board a local chieftain and his family, who were then held for ransom. Pigafetta's journal is filled with many more similar events that are "heroic" indeed.

To add insult to injury, a particular short scene from the trailer shows Juan Elcano marveling at the wondrous nature of the Philippines, with Toco Toucans and Scarlet Macaws flying around the trees. Nothing wrong with showcasing the beauty of the Philippine Islands, right? Well, no. Those birds are normally found in South America and not the Philippines.

The abundance of historical and factual inaccuracies could potentially mislead unsuspecting viewers into viewing Magellan as a hero, instead as a thug. Fortunately, no amount of false perfume will completely drown out the stench that is the historic facts of Magellan's role in establishing Spanish domination over our islands and the atrocities that came with it. To deny Magellan committed any wrongdoing would be akin to saying there were no human rights violations during President Marcos’ Martial Law or to say the Bataan Death March did not happen. To deny that certain historical events happened or were not really as bad is to encourage them to happen again. George Santayana said it best with, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

Additionally, if one looks at the characters properly, one will also notice that some of them resemble the characters from a certain Dreamworks movie titled “The Road to El Dorado.” To be specific, Juan Elcano resembles Tulio, The King of Cebu is to Chief Tannabok, Samar, who is the designated romantic interest, looks like Chel and disappointingly, Lapu-Lapu is to Tzekel-kan, who was the antagonist in the movie.

This is an animated movie for kids that contains historically misleading and inaccurate information, the romanticizing of colonizers, a villainous portrayal of a national hero, and character designs ripped straight off from another animated movie all packaged into one! So, what are you waiting for? “Elcano and Magellan: The First Voyage Around the World” colonizing Philippine cinemas this upcoming 2020! //by Simon Delfinaldo and Gabe Ulanday

Opinion: Too much looking back, not enough moving forward



Photo credit: Cyñl Tecsón

When we hear the term nuclear power, admittedly, what first comes to our minds is the danger of radiation, as in the Fukushima Nuclear Accident and the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster. The prospect of entire cities abandoned, high death tolls, horrific radiation sickness such as cancer and mutations is very real and very scary. This is why most would give a hard pass to the idea of nuclear energy here in the Philippines and/or the activation of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) despite its benefits.

The main opposition to the activation of BNPP claim the following:

1. The BNPP is not safe to activate due to:
    a. its proximity to an active volcano
    b. its position on top of an active fault line
    c. its location's vulnerability to tsunamis and storm surges
    d. its structural and design flaws
    e. its lack of sufficient safeguards to protect the local populace from the effects of a meltdown
    f. its lack of a proper system to dispose of nuclear waste
2. The constitution prohibits the utilization of nuclear power.
3. The cost of operating a nuclear plant does not make it more efficient than conventional fossil fuels.
4. The BNPP is an edifice complex of the Marcos regime and it is merely foreign loans poured into a project that was never meant to be used, just to present the illusion of progress as a means of propaganda.

There is no doubt about the possible harmful outcomes of a nuclear accident, and it is for this reason safeguards and regulations exist. In the words of Benjamin "Uncle Ben" Parker, “With great power, comes great responsibility.” This phrase does not merely refer to figurative power, but also applies to nuclear.

When looking at the BNPP’s safety, one should note that throughout its construction, it was supervised by the Philippine Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC). Even before construction, it was cleared twice of safety issues by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

While the BNPP is built on volcanic byproducts, it is not built on or near an active volcano. It is built 13.2 kilometers from Mount Natib and 22.39 kilometers from Mount Mariveles.

It is estimated that Natib last erupted 18,000 years ago and Mariveles 4,000 years ago. Though PHIVOLCS categorizes these as “Potentially Active” volcanoes, the chances of an eruption in the near future is slim. Even if against all odds, one of them erupts, it is unlikely to have an impact on the BNPP.

As for the BNPP’s “dangerous location,” the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has certified that there are no fault lines under the power plant, active or otherwise. It should also be noted that PHIVOLCS found the ground under the BNPP to be exceptionally sturdy.
Even if an earthquake manages to reach the BNPP, it was designed to withstand a seismic load of 0.4g. In addition, even if such an earthquake hits, there are systems to automatically shut down the plant and avert a meltdown or release radioactive material into the environment.

Was that not the case for the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) in Japan, when a 9.0 magnitude earthquake occurred close to it?

The plant automatically shut down after the earthquake, yes. Soon after though, it was devastated by a tsunami, which led to three nuclear meltdowns and the release of radioactive contamination.
It would also be wrong to compare the two power plants for several reasons.

First and foremost, the FDNPP was built in the 1950s, so it had an outdated system compared to the BNPP.

Second, recall the 9.0 magnitude earthquake that hit the FDNPP. The strongest earthquake to hit the Philippines ever recorded was an 8.0 magnitude Mindanao shake in the 19th century.

Third, the earthquake was not what caused the meltdown in the FDNPP, but the subsequent tsunami. If a quake hits the Philippines in Bataan, the BNPP will automatically shut down. As for the tsunami? The wave that hit the FDNPP was, at its peak, 14 meters. The BNPP, on the other hand, is situated 18 meters above sea level.

In addition to those previously mentioned, the BNPP was specially designed to withstand such a situation.

In 1978, an earthquake-tsunami combo hit western Mindanao. President Marcos questioned Westinghouse Corporation, the government contractor building the BNPP, and the National Power Corporation (Napocor) regarding the BNPP’s vulnerability to such an occurrence. They maintained that such issues were addressed when the BNPP’s original location was moved from Bagac, Bataan to the much higher Morong, Bataan.

If the FDNPP is no point for comparison, how about the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (CNPP)?
In April 1986, the Chernobyl disaster occurred in Ukraine, which was then part of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. The CNPP experienced a reactor meltdown caused by a breach in the observance of proper procedure and protocol while conducting a test. Because of this, a great amount of people died of ailments caused by radiation exposure such as cancer.

Now, it would be wrong to compare the BNPP to the CNPP because the latter was engineered to produce weapons-grade plutonium aside from electric power; unlike the BNPP which was solely created to meet the country’s energy demands and decrease dependence on imported fuel. The difference here is that structurally, the CNPP had no dome, which contributed to the sudden release of radiation in the explosion, while the BNPP is safely contained.

So what nuclear plants can you really compare the BNPP to?

Possible choices are South Korea's Kori Nuclear Power Plant, Brazil's Angra Nuclear Power Plant, and Slovenia's Krško Nuclear Power Plant. All were built around the same time, by Westinghouse, using the same pressurized water reactor technology. Any defects in the BNPP, if any, would also have likely manifested in the other plants.

All plants were also highly profitable, and by now, have made back their original investment. Aside from a few minor incidents that resulted in no serious harm, these plants have been safe for their entire tour of use.

Also, in 1979, after the Three Mile Island incident in Pennsylvania, United States of America, then President Marcos ordered that the BNPP’s construction be halted and a safety assessment be conducted to ensure that such an event would not happen in the plant.

This assessment was spearheaded by Minister of Justice Ricardo Concepción Puno under the Puno Commission which recommended that, in light of the incident, additional safety measures be added. Shortly after plans were amended to meet the recommendations and to update the construction schedule, construction of the BNPP resumed.

By this assessment, the plant is safe. Its nuclear waste? Even safer.

There are protocols in place to contain nuclear waste in concrete structures underground with no risk of contamination to outside elements. There are even protocols in place to recover said waste. Why? Scientists are now looking into the possibility of using power plant waste as a new form of nuclear fuel. If successful, that means the waste underground is not the end of the process, and there would be even more power generated from its recovery.

While on the topic, there are false claims that say the BNPP should not be used because it is unconstitutional to use nuclear technology.

Indeed, the 1987 Constitution does prohibit the use of nuclear technology in the creation of weapons of mass destruction. Article II, Section 8 says: “The Philippines, consistent with the national interest, adopts and pursues a policy of freedom from nuclear weapons in its territory.” Other than this line, however, there is no other mention of nuclear technology’s unconstitutionality.

Besides, it would be impossible to completely ban the use of nuclear technology or anything that produces radiation. Medical advancements would be severely hampered: X-rays? Radioactive. Cancer treatment? Radioactive. In fact, smartphones, a common device that this very article may be read from, emits radiation. Even just stepping out of one’s house already leads to solar radiation exposure.

Although many people are scared to have nuclear power plants due to safety concerns, we cannot deny the fact that nuclear power is advantageous in many more ways.

According to Energy Informative, nuclear energy is cost-competitive. Generating electricity in nuclear reactors is cheaper than non-renewable energy sources such as oil, gas, and coal. Nuclear power plants also provide a stable base load of energy that can work synergistic with renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.

Nuclear power’s environmental effects are relatively light compared to other energy harnessing methods as well, so it is beneficial in terms of climate crisis to replace them.

Though it is not renewable, nuclear energy can still be potentially sustainable by use of breeder and fusion reactors. Nuclear fusion, if we learn to control it, can practically produce unlimited energy for consumption.

Lastly, it has high energy density. The amount of energy released in a nuclear fission reaction is estimated to be 10 million times greater than the amount released in burning a fossil fuel atom. As a result, the amount of fuel required in a nuclear power plant is smaller compared to other types of power plants.

Despite these many instances of the BNPP’s merits, there is still the political claim that it is a product of the Marcos regime.

Not to downplay its atrocities, but so what? The plant followed proper procedures, and it is still, at the end of the day, capable of reaping benefits to do immense good. Remember, it was not built using Ferdinand Marcos’ money, but the money of the people; thus, the plant should be used for the people.

The threat of energy shortage has been very real in the Philippines for several decades. In the summer months, and even in some cases the rest of the year, there are rotating brownouts due to the shortage of energy.

With one or two nuclear plants in peak operating capacity, this shortage would be alleviated and the strain on traditional plants would be lessened. Indeed, it would also be cheaper for households across the nation.

The relief has been sitting in Morong, Bataan all along for almost four decades. The longer it sits there, the deeper it gets into the proverbial “mud” and the harder it will be to pull it out. While we still have the opportunity, we should seize it now. After all, better late than never. //by Cedric Creer, Aldric De Ocampo, and Gabe Ulanday

Grade 12 students attend BNPP tour




Enlightened. The Applied Sciences and Engineering class of Batch 2020, along with several students of the other tracks, UPIS faculty, and staff of the Bataan Nuclear Power during the plant tour. Photo credit: Laurice Pineda


The Applied Sciences and Engineering (ASE) class of Batch 2020 and several students of the Business and Entrepreneurship and Social Sciences and Humanities tracks, attended a tour of the Bataan Nuclear Powerplant (BNPP) sponsored by the Department of Energy (DOE), last October 25.

BNPP employees, Wilfredo Torres and Jose Garcia Manalo, served as the tour facilitators who discussed the BNPP's background, conditions and functions.


Humble beginnings. A close-up photo of a nuclear pellet where the fission of uranium oxide can occur. Photo credit: Gabriel Ulanday

Background
The construction of BNPP in Morong, Bataan started in 1976 by order of then President Ferdinand Marcos. However, in light of the Three Mile Island nuclear incident in the United States of America, its construction was suspended in June 1979 for a safety evaluation under the Puno Commission. This was followed by public hearings on its safety from July 1979 to September 1980.

The Commission found BNPP to be safe, but it still suggested the installation of additional safety measures. Finally, in January 1981, its full construction resumed until it was completed in 1985.

The administration’s plan was to build several nuclear power plants on the same site, so the initial name for BNPP was Philippine Nuclear Power Plant I (PNPP I). However only PNPP I (BNPP) was constructed because of oppositions to this project.

Oppositions against BNPP
Aside from alleged corruption and fraud issues, the government under former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino decided to mothball BNPP in April 1986 in the aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in the Ukraineian Soviet Socialist Republic.

The lack of facilities to safely store and dispose of highly radioactive nuclear waste has also been a main concern. Another argument raised is the alleged proximity of an active fault line and two dormant volcanoes to the plant's location.

To counter these arguments, the BNPP management said that the BNPP can withstand a magnitude 8 earthquake and it is located 13 km from Mt. Natib and 22 km from Mt. Mariveles, several kilometers away from the 9 km danger zone of alert level 4 set by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).


Standing strong. The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant has been dormant for more than 30 years. Photo credit: Gabriel Ulanday

How the reactor works


Full of potential. A photo of the nuclear reactor core made up by fuel assemblies supposedly filled with nuclear pellets. Photo credit: Gabriel Ulanday

The 2.3 billion power plant uses a Generation II nuclear reactor, the type used by most functioning nuclear power plants in different countries.

BNPP is powered by a series of uranium-235 nuclear fission that heats water contained in the reactor. The heated water flows to a pressurized cell that retains the water in its liquid state. The water then circulates inside a heat exchanger to boil another container of water. The heated water’s steam moves the turbine that powers the generator to produce 650 megawatts of electricity. Finally, the steam is cooled by seawater that will transform it back to liquid state for reuse.


Active learners. Photos of the attendees going around the area where the reactor's generator is. Photo credit: Gabriel Ulanday

BNPP's current state
In 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte considered reviving BNPP. The administration ordered for safety tests to be run, however results have not yet been sent. Without the assurance that BNPP is in good condition, operations cannot proceed.


Curious minds. Several attendees observing the main control room. Photo credit: Gabriel Ulanday


Keen listeners. Several attendees listening to the explanation on how the reactor works. Photo credit: Gabriel Ulanday

Grade 11 ASE students also attended the tour on November 8.

“Marami po kasing negative ‘perspectives’ sa nuclear power plants, mainly dahil sa mga aksidenteng naganap sa ibang lugar. Pero sa field trip, kinlaro po ng tour guides yung mga yun. Bukod pa po doon, marami din po talaga kaming natutunan about nuclear enegry, how it works, at pati na rin po yung economic implications niya," Lian Sasing, a Grade 11 ASE student, shared.

Aldrich Agad and Bree Catibog also shared how helpful the hands-on activity was to further understand the current topic in their Science class.

The final BNPP tour for Grade 10 ASE students happened on November 15. //by Cedric Creer, Aldric De Ocampo,  Tracy Mondragón, Erika Sasazawa, Cyñl Tecson, and Gabe Ulanday


Unforgettable experience. The attendees and Bataan Nuclear Power Plant staff inside the seminar room. Photo credit: Cristy Maguyon and Joan Romero-Delloro

Atty. Baguilat conducts human rights talk to Grade 12 students



MESSAGE. Atty. Baguilat leaves his attendees inspired as he reminds them of the social issues involving human rights violations. Photo credit: UP College of Law

Atty. Raymond Marvic Baguilat redefined human rights in his talk to selected Grade 12 students of the Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) track at Room 208 of Malcolm Hall last October 29.

In his talk, Atty. Baguilat discussed about the basic definition of human rights (HR) as both being a standard of humanity and living with dignity. He also stated significant qualities of the concept, namely universality, inalienability, inherence, interrelation, interdependence, and indivisibility.

Atty. Baguilat also mentioned common misconceptions of HR; specifically, those frequently spread on the internet through social media. These include a sense of entitlement among defenders and a bias towards Western ideals. He also connected those misunderstandings with social issues such as prioritization of development, investigation of HR violations, and public trust.

According to Aldric De Ocampo, one of the attendees of the talk, “Mas lumalim ‘yung alam ko about HR… may napulot pa rin talaga akong synthesis regarding the topic. Naging somewhat philosophical siya and humanistic discussion para sa'kin kaya masasabi kong napaka-helpful niya para sa growing body of knowledge ko regarding the topic.” [My knowledge about human rights deepened…I picked up a synthesis regarding the topic. It was somewhat philosophical and humanistic for me so I could say it was helpful in my growing body of knowledge regarding the topic.]

Atty. Baguilat is an Associate Professor of the UP College of Law. He is also a Senior Research Associate at the Institute of Human Rights (IHR) of the UP Law Center.

This talk was given as an enrichment to students who worked at the UP Law Complex for their on-campus internship. It was also open for students who were willing to attend the said talk. //by Mariel Diesta, Cyñl Tecson, James Tolosa, Gabe Ulanday

Opinion: Your Form of Expression, Your Own Discretion


credits: Addie Sajise

As students of the University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS), we value our freedom so much that when certain agents and institutions attempt to limit it, one can count on our zealous protests against such restrictions. This is because even as early as the third grade, we are taught the value of liberty, and of the injustices in our nation's history, where freedom of expression and freedom of speech were violently restricted and conformity was dictated by various authoritarian, colonial, and postcolonial regimes.

While not so sinister and violent as the mentioned regimes, a not-so authoritarian regime is seen by some UPIS students to be allegedly, unjustly encouraging its agents to dictate conformity towards UPIS students—the school administration.

Several students from Batch 2020 have raised concerns about them being reprimanded by teachers and staff on dress code violations not mentioned in the UPIS Student Handbook. Some of these students, who preferred anonymity, described their respective encounters; as follows: One student claims that, for wearing earrings, he had been accosted by a teacher more than three separate times. Each time, he was told to remove his earrings as “they were not part of the school uniform.” Another student states that she was, once or twice, spoken to by a teacher and told her hair color was against the rules.

Do teachers have the authority to reprimand students on violations not stated in the handbook? According to Assistant Principal for Administration, Prof. Ma. Portia Y. Dimabuyu, of the UPIS administration, yes. The rules in the student handbook are apparently not the only set of rules students are required to follow. There are lex non scripta, or unwritten laws that students are expected to know and obey.

In connection to this, within their classroom, teachers are free to enact supplementary rules and regulations, and to punish within reason transgressions of these said rules. Even outside classrooms, teachers are authorized to call out what they see to be violations of the unwritten law.

This raises the question: if these unwritten rules are so important, then why are they not in the student handbook? Regarding the rules on hair dye and earrings, Prof. Dimabuyu said that these were indeed present in the official school rules, but for reasons she is not aware of, were removed some time before her term.

If the rules were indeed removed, then why are they still enforced? She added that since it is not stated in the official school rules and regulations, these unwritten rules are technically not law per se. Consequently, the enforcement is not uniform among teachers and it is up to the teacher's own discretion whether or not students are to obey these rules.

How then is one even supposed to know these unwritten rules if they are, well, unwritten? Prof. Dimabuyu says follow societal norms. Whether we like it or not, we live in a society that has its own expectations on how one must act and dress and we are required to follow these norms.

When asked why these unwritten rules are still unwritten, Prof. Dimabuyu said that just recently she announced to the school that the additional dress code requirements will be enforced. Despite this, she claims the number of those who violate these dress code policies increased instead of decreased.

If there is fear that officially acknowledging the regulations would influence some to purposely violate them, then what is stopping the application of the punishment? Is that not the purpose of punishment, to correct wrong behavior and serve as a deterrent?

Having unwritten rules not uniformly enforced is not the way to promote discipline. If there are to be regulations on what students wear, it is expected that it should be clearly stated in the official school rules and regulations. It is counterproductive to have it any other way. For example, when a student is caught with a violation, they can claim that as it is not explicitly stated in the rules and regulations, there was no violation committed. If it is explicitly stated in the rules and regulations however, what can one do except agree and face the consequences? If it was not stated in the Revised Penal Code that murder is illegal and instead relied on everyone having the same moral code that says “murder is bad and murderers should be punished,” who is to say murder really is prohibited?

In the core of the issue is maintaining social norms. As a fairly conservative country, many Filipinos frown on breaking these. This is especially true of the nature of the prohibition of hair dye, males wearing earrings, and other such unlisted dress code requirements.

However, as stated in a previous article on the issue, times are changing and with it are societal norms: (https://upismc.blogspot.com/2018/09/opinion-school-rules.html?m=1).

Those with a conservative view of what is normal in society understandably will have a difficult time facing this reality; they may never even realize this and insist on following their traditional ways. But this is fine, they are entitled to their own views of society. What is not fine, however, is when they force their views on those who do not share them. As they have their rights, so do those with views opposite theirs.

Until this convoluted issue with the school rules is resolved, students will just have to use their best judgement in what to obey or not. If they choose to visually express themselves in methods some will frown upon, they do it at their own discretion; and so will the teachers who would reprimand them for it. //by Simon Delfinado and Gabe Ulanday

Alaala ng Batas Militar, binuhay sa UP Day of Remembrance




PAGLABAN. Nagtipon-tipon ang iba’t-ibang mga grupo at organisasyon para sa programa. Photo Credit: Gabe Ulanday

Isang araw bago ang anibersaryo ng proklamasyon ng batas militar, nagsagawa ng kilos protesta ang iba't ibang grupo sa tapat ng UP Palma Hall noong Setyembre 20, 2019.

Ang kilos protesta ay bahagi ng Araw ng Paggunita sa unibersidad na unang sinimulan noong nakaraang taon. Kabilang sa paggunita ang pagkakaroon ng mga seminar at diskusyon ukol sa batas militar noong panahon ni dating Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos. Ito rin ay suportado ng UP Board of Regents (BoR) na kabilang ang Pangulo at Tsanselor ng UP. Suportado din ito ng iba't ibang mga konseho ng mga estudyante sa unibersidad.

Sa pagkilos, tinutulan ng mga grupo ang mistulang “de facto martial law” na nangyayari sa bansa ngayon, kabilang dito ang patuloy na pagdami ng kaso ng paglabag sa karapatang-pantao, pagpatay sa mga tagapagtaguyod ng mga karapatang pantao, at ang patuloy na pagpapatupad ng batas militar sa Mindanao. Bukod dito, kanila ring kinondena ang posibleng pagbalik ng sapilitang pagsali sa Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) at ang “militarisasyon” sa mga kampus at paaralan.

Pagkatapos ng programa ay tumungo ang mga miyembro ng kilos protesta sa Luneta sa Maynila upang magtipon para sa United People’s Action, isang malawakang protesta na nilahukan din ng ibang mga unibersidad at paaralan.

Idinaos din ang ilang pagkilos sa iba’t-ibang campus ng UP sa bansa. //nina Kiel Dionisio at Gabe Ulanday

UPIS SSH students win in Dyaryologue 2019



Eda White of 10-Apitong brought home first place honors and Pam Marquez of 11-Barros nabbed third place in their respective events at Dyaryologue 2019, a journalism summit hosted by the Union of Journalists of the Philippines-UP (UJP-UP) last September 7, 2019, at the UPFI Film Studio.

White’s entry was selected as the best in the Photojournalism workshop conducted by Mark Kevin Regino, BA Journalism Magna Cum Laude of UP Diliman and teacher at Operation Brotherhood Montessori Center. He instructed participants on how to properly choose and shoot scenes for photojournalism, as well as on how to caption the images.

Meanwhile, Marquez’s news article about her favorite work of fiction entered the top three in the News Writing category. The seminar before the workshop was conducted by Gerwin Tacadena, BA Journalism Cum Laude of UP Diliman and journalist for Key Media International.

Six other UPIS students participated in the seminar-workshop which also included lectures on feature writing by Jobelle Adan, BA Journalism Summa Cum Laude of UP Diliman and writer for Pinoy Weekly and sports writing by Denver Del Rosario, BA Journalism Cum Laude of UP Diliman and Sports Writer for Fox Sports Philippines.

Dyaryologue 2019 is a series of summits followed by workshops intended to instruct high school students on the basics of journalism. It was first held in August and drew more than 200 participants from schools all over Luzon, such as from Bataan and Bulacan.


Ms. Marquez of UPIS, after being proclaimed third place in the news writing workshop,
poses with her certificate for a photo. (Tecson, 2019)


Ms. White of UPIS, after being proclaimed first place in the photojournalism caption writing workshop, poses with her certificate for a photo. (Tecson, 2019)

News Feature: I Want You, to Report Criminality Now!



Recently, an alumnus of the University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) mentioned on social media that their father was accosted and robbed on the footbridge across the Katipunan Avenue connecting UP Diliman Campus and UP Town Center (UPTC) by what was perceived to be a group of underaged youths suffering from substance withdrawal. This report was followed by another UPIS alumna who claimed that perverted sexual predators frequently positioned themselves on the lower steps on the UP side of the footbridge, near the area used as an unofficial jeepney terminal.

In an interview with the UPIS alumna who reported these alleged predators, she requested anonymity and expounded on her experience with them. As she was on her way home, she was crossing the footbridge when she noticed a jeepney driver rush out of his parked vehicle and sit beside another individual on one of the lower steps of the footbridge. She did not pay much heed to this event until she noticed a woman dressed in blue pass beside the seated individuals, who then proceeded to leer on the woman’s behind and discuss the possibility of her wearing a thong.

During the interview, she expressed her shock and disgust regarding the seemingly organized systematic methods of sexual predation. She then recalled feeling dehumanized as she feared that when she climbed the steps, a similar experience would happen to her, so she rushed past the perverts and reported their presence to the security official of the UPTC currently on duty at the entrance. 

However, the security official claimed that the perverts were on the other end of the footbridge, and thus, not under their jurisdiction. The security official did instruct her to report the event to Barangay UP Campus.

Regarding these allegations, the officer-in-charge of the UP Diliman Police (UPDP) admitted that the police are aware that such occurrences do happen and he also maintained that they have been actively looking to prevent further incidents by deploying police mobiles and patrols to the area as deterrents.
However, regarding the specific events mentioned, he said that no report was made. He added that the UPDP would be able to better respond to such occurrences if all victims of such criminality would immediately report these events to them.

Further, according to the officer-in-charge of UPDP, most people who suffer from acts of criminality, do not report the events to the proper authorities as they fear rebuttal due to lack of evidence. On this matter, he encouraged such individuals to report the events to UPDP and let them be the ones to gather evidence, as each reported incident would allow the UPDP to match similarities between incidents and match suspects with their modus operandi and thus enable them to profile suspects.

Perpetrators who repeatedly commit these offenses have a better chance of being caught, as they usually follow a routine. Reports of suspects and their modus operandi would allow UPDP to deduce these routines and thus enable them to more effectively organize follow-up operations, where they have a higher chance of recovering stolen belongings or catching suspects in the act.

While vigilance is key to the prevention of being victimized, people should also be vigilant during and after the occurrence of a crime as doing so would increase the chances of minimizing damage in their personal case, while potentially preventing more damage from being done to others.

The UP Diliman Police can be contacted at their headquarters located at E. Delos Santos Street, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila, or phoned through their number: 928-3615. //by Cyñl Tecson and Gabe Ulanday

Opinion: Siguraduhing hindi magsisisi sa ROTC



Photo credit: Ulap Coquilla

Matagal nang debate ang pagpapabalik sa mandatory na pagsasanay para sa Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). Lumiyab muli ang apoy dahil kamakailan lang, nabalita ang tangka ng ilang mga kinatawan ng pamahalaan na maibalik ito sa batayan edukasyon at itakda sa senior high school.
Noong Mayo 20, 2019, ipinasa ng House of Representatives ang House Bill No. 8961 sa ikatlong pagbasa nito. Minamandato ng naturang panukalang batas ang pagsailalim ng mga mag-aaral ng Grado 11 at 12 ng lahat ng mga pampubliko at pribadong paaralan sa ROTC. Kung maisabatas ito, maipatutupad ito sa kasalukuyang Grado 11 at lahat ng mga susunod pang batch.

Iilang mga mag-aaral ang in-eexempt ng bill. Kabilang dito ang mga “physically or psychologically unfit” ayon sa pagsusuri ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), mga mag-aaral na sumailalim na o kasalukuyang sumasailalim sa katulad na kurso, mga opisyal na manlalaro ng paaralan bilang varsity, at ang mga may rason na inaprubahan ng Department of National Defense (DND).

Kung maipasa sa pagkabatas ang House Bill No. 8961, babalik ang mga araw ng mga mag-aaral na naliligo sa pawis sa ilalim ng umaapoy na araw. Kabilang din sa programa ang pagtuturo ng “tamang ideolohiya” sa mga mag-aaral, tulad ng nasyonalismo at disiplina.

Ngunit, nasyonalismo at disiplina nga ba ang ipinapasok nila sa mga mag-aaral?

May mga pagkakataon na sinasailalim ang mga kadete sa pagpapahirap sa loob ng ROTC. Mga halimbawa dito ang pisikal, sekswal, verbal, at sikolohikal na pang-aabuso tulad ng panggagahasa, pagmumura, at malubhang pananakot at pamamalo sa hazing ayon sa naitalang mga kaso ng National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP).

Bukod dito, inilantad din ni Mark Welson Chua, isang kadete ng University of Santo Tomas (UST), ang korapsyon na laganap sa ROTC noong Enero 2001 sa The Varsitarian, ang opisyal na student publication ng UST. Mayroon di umanong mga kaso na binabayaran ng mga kadete ang kanilang mga instruktor para sa grado kahit hindi sila pumapasok. Ilang buwan makalipas, biglang nawala at nalaman na lang na patay na si Chua. Natagpuan siyang nakagapos ng masking tape at palutang-lutang sa Pasig River noong Marso 18, 2001. Ayon sa kanyang awtopsiya, itinapon siyang buhay sa ilog. Ang pangyayaring ito ay pinaniniwalaan ng marami na naidulot ng kanyang pagsisiwalat, kaya ito rin ang nagtulak para sa pagpapatupad ng National Service Training Program (NSTP) bilang kapalit ng ROTC sa bansa.

Hindi lang iyon, ginamit din ang ROTC para sa militarisasyon at sa pagpapakalat ng interes ng pamahalaan sa mga paaralan. Makikita ito sa pagpapalaganap ng Student Intelligence Network (SIN) ng DND, na ginamit para mag-espiya sa mga estudyante at kabataan. Maihahalintulad ito sa Hitlerjugend o Hitler Youth sa Alemanya noong panahon ng Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig, kung saan idinoktrina ang kabataan sa Nazismo at ginamit sila para sa pag-eespiya sa mga sibilyang populasyon at dumagdag sa sandatahang lakas ng bansa bilang child soldiers. Bukod dito, lumaganap din sa SIN ang red-tagging sa mga kadete, kung saan binansagang komunista ang aktibista at ibang mga mag-aaral na tumututol sa mga nangyayari noon sa ROTC.

Mayroon ding kaso ng pagpapapasok ng mga militar sa UP Mindanao noong 2017, kahit ayon sa Sotto-Enrile Accord of 1989, bawal pumasok ang pambansang militar at pulis sa unibersidad. Sabi ng UP Mindanao University Student Council (USC), ginamit dito ang ROTC para mabigyang-katwiran ang pagpasok ng mga sundalo sa loob ng campus.

Kung ganito ang kalagayan ng ROTC noon, paano naman makasisiguro na makaiiwas ang pamahalaan ngayon sa korupsyon ng programang ito? Ito ba ang sinasabi nilang disiplinang makukuha sa pagsasanay? Mayroon na namang NSTP ngayon hindi ba? Bakit pa ba kailangan itong palitan ulit?

Makikita rin sa kalagayan ng ROTC noon na huwad naman ang pagtuturo ng nasyonalismo sa mga kadete. Kaysa pagmamahal sa bayan ang matutunan ng mga mag-aaral, bulag na pagsunod sa pamahalaan ang lumilitaw na epekto. Kung ganito ang magiging hubog ng kanilang “nasyonalismo,” paano na ang tunay na pagmamahal para sa Pilipinas?

Kahit ang pamahalaan nga, taliwas sa interes ng pagkakasarinlan ng bansa ang inaatupag, kung saan hindi nito ipinagtatanggol ang soberanya ng Pilipinas mula sa mga gustong umangkin sa mga kapuluan nito. Kung ganitong mga tao ang nagsasabing dapat ituro ang nasyonalismo at patriyotismo, hindi ba’t makabalintunaan ito? Ano ba talaga ang nasyonalismo at patriyotismo na tinutukoy nila rito?

Kung tutuusin, mabuti naman din kasi ang layon ng pagbabalik ng ROTC. Tulad ng katwiran ni Pangulong Duterte at ng mga sumasang-ayon sa kanya, kailangan naman talaga ng bansa natin ngayon ang isang reserbang hukbo kung sakaling biglang magkaroon ng digmaan o sakuna. Kailangan din ng kabataan ngayon na matutunan ang tunay na pagmamahal para sa bansa natin.
Pero kung ibabalik lang ang isang programang napatunayan nang may maraming pagkukulang sa pagtataguyod ng mga layuning ito, paano ba talaga makakamit ang mga nasabing layunin? Kung hindi ito matutugunan ng pamahalaan, at kung hindi maibabalik ang tiwala ng mga mamamayan sa programang ito, malabong magtagumpay ang ROTC kahit sa kasalukuyang panahon.

Kailangan ding pag-isipan ang magiging epekto ng programa sa mga mamamayan. Halimbawa, magiging dagdag lamang sa bayarin ang uniporme at materyales para sa ROTC. Kung ipasasailalim ang lahat ng estudyante rito, paano na ang mahihirap? Kailangang maihanda nang maayos ang programang ito upang makabuti talaga sa mga mag-aaral at mga mamamayan ang ROTC.

Dahil sa mga nabanggit na rason, hindi dapat agarang ibalik ang ROTC nang hindi dumadaan sa malawakan, masusi, at komprehensibong pagsusuri at rebisyon. Kailangang siguraduhin na hindi mauulit ang mga nabanggit na pang-aabuso at maprotektahan ang mga karapatan ng lahat ng masasangkot sa programa para sa ikabubuti ng pamahalaan, kabataan, at ng Inang Bayang Pilipinas. Kung hindi, baka makadagdag lamang ito sa mga problema ng bansa kaysa makatulong. //nina Cedric Creer, Aldric de Ocampo, at Gabe Ulanday

Feature: 5 websites to help you review for an exam



Do not deny it, we all have had days like that. It is Monday, and tomorrow, first thing in the morning after the flag ceremony, you have a long test in Geometry on proving Pythagoras’s Theorem, and you do not even know what the word “postulate” means. You worry for your future and message that smart friend who always gets a score of 97% and still complains of a “low score”. You ask them to be a dear friend and send you a picture of their notes due to your own lack of notes. Unfortunately, they ignore your message.

After collapsing on the floor while pulling your hair out, you remember that feature article on Ang Aninag Online, written to help students just like you…

Now for the part you came here for. These free websites and video channels are here to help you dig yourself out of the hole of procrastination that you jumped right into.

1) Khan Academy (www.khanacademy.org) Website, YouTube Channel

Subjects: (Algebra, Calculus, Geometry, Trigonometry, Statistics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Astronomy, History, Economics, Art History, Computer Science)


Khan Academy offers a wide variety of courses especially on Math subjects. The website is user-friendly and elaborates the different topics you can review on. The videos show step by step processes which are helpful for problem solving questions. However, for someone who is reviewing, the details stated may seem overwhelmingly many, so you better not sleep!

2) Crash course (https://thecrashcourse.com) Website, YouTube Channel

Subjects: (Anatomy, Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Physics, Philosophy, History)


If you want videos which explain subject matters clearly, then look no further. Crash Course offers explanations along with captivating animations and texts to pique your interest, but some of the details and points in the video are glossed over too fast. So, you may have to replay the video from time to time.

3) My Secret Math Tutor (http://www.mysecretmathtutor.com/index.html) Website, YouTube Channel

Subjects: (Algebra, Calculus, Statistics, Trigonometry)


Now a tutor that doesn’t get mad at the mistakes you make at math is hard to find, but you’re in luck, My Secret Math Tutor is here to help you. The videos they offer can elaborate on the complex formulas and solutions in answering math through their tutor’s calm and soothing voices, making it less stressful in comprehending their lessons.

4) Statistics Solutions (https://www.statisticssolutions.com)

Subjects: (Statistics, Thesis)

Whether you are studying methods of data analysis or doing your thesis, this website will come in handy if you ever need a refresher of the formulas and solutions needed for using the chi-square statistical method. If you are analyzing your thesis research instrument and you forgot how to tally a column of data, look up the statistical method you need, and they will present it in a clear and systematic form. It helps that the website is aesthetically pleasing and very user-friendly.

5) Math is Fun (https://www.mathsisfun.com/) Website

Subjects: (Algebra, Calculus, Geometry, Physics)


If you want to review without the excruciating act of taking down notes, then try Math is Fun. They offer detailed outlines and worksheets which you can print out and answer yourself.

This article aims to minimize the impact of procrastinating and not paying attention in class. Remember that these websites are not officially endorsed by the school and are not meant to replace your teachers. You should give the teacher your full attention even if dozing off may seem more important than learning two-tailed t-test. Due to not being official school resources, the contents of these websites and videos are not necessarily the exact lessons discussed in class. It is always better to take down notes and listen to our teacher’s discussions. Nonetheless, we hope these websites prove to be helpful and still come in handy, nonetheless. //by Cyñl Tecson and Gabe Ulanday

Opinion: When nature calls, but no one answers



Photo credit: Cyñl Tecsón

On April 30, 2019 a horrible beast was sighted, a Media Center staff member reported that a toilet on the second floor was clogged to the point that the bowl was gathering sediment and that a “large black beast” was floating in the filth. The Media Center member stated that the “horrendous vile smell” which emanated from the “beast” caused himself to “lose his lunch”. On May 3, 2019, Media Center staff reported that the “beast” was still there four days after first being reported, except now it was dissolved into a “chocolate milk” like substance.

Unfortunately, sightings of the “Bann Yow Beast” have been rapidly rising. Experts of the Media Center have attributed this beast to the UPIS’ water shortage.

Since the Manila Water Company, Inc, ran into problems with its water supply, many institutions and public buildings have encountered routine water disruptions. The UPIS academic complex has not been spared from this draught. As a result, hygiene together with sanitation seems to be ignored.

(For more information on the Water Crisis, see: http://upismc.blogspot.com/2019/03/opinion-wheres-our-water.html)

Due to the disruption, water pressure in the third and fourth floors of the 7 – 12 Building has been effectively neutralized. To address the students’ “earthly needs”, the Admin, according to Assistant Principal for the Administration, Prof. Portia Dimabuyu, has decided to cordon-off the third and fourth floor restrooms and place blue water bins in the first and second floor restrooms. “Noong tuluyan nang humina ‘yung tubig, nadesisyunan ng Admin na iutos sa mga janitor na isara na ‘yung mga toilet sa third at fourth floor.” (“When the water pressure weakened, the Admin decided to cordon-off the third and fourth floor restrooms.”)

According to Prof. Dimabuyu, the blue water bins were procured through coordination with the PTA Board. “Ang ginawa naman ng Admin ay naki-cooordinate sa PTA Board para maka-aquire ng malalaking bins para punuin ng tubig.” (“What the Admin did, was to coordinate with the PTA Board to acquire large bins to fill with water.”)

The administration, Prof. Dimabuyu said, requests the participation and cooperation of the student community to use the provided containers to assist in the maintenance of the cleanliness of student restrooms by pouring water into the used toilets to substitute or supplement the lacking flush systems. She also added, “Wala rin kasing kooperasyon ng some students…” (“There is lacking cooperation from some students…”)

Unfortunately, the Admin has noted a lack of cooperation from the student community. They have noticed toilets clogged by “nature’s call” due to the lack of manual flushing and excessive use without proper disposal of sanitary products such as toiletries and used sanitary pads. They were informed by the janitorial staff that students carelessly leave said products in the toilet bowl, on the floor, etc. further contributing to the overall situation of the restrooms. According to Prof. Dimabuyu, “Kahit may tubig, ‘di sila nagbubuhos, dahil hindi flush.” (“Even if there is water, they do not pour, because it is not the automatic type flush.”)

Several students were asked for opinion regarding the hygiene and sanitation of UPIS students when it comes to using the restroom. Their answers can be summarized in one sentence: It’s unhygienic for some students who are not responsible enough to manually flush their waste. Also, it is inconvenient for some since only the 1st and 2nd floor restrooms are available. In addition, school hygiene and sanitation are important since students spend most of their time at school, from 6 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon. According to a health staff, hygiene and sanitation are important because with the kind of restroom that the school has, it increases the health risks of students.

We are all responsible for the situation of the restrooms. If we do not make do with the manual flushing or dispose of our trash, the situation of the restrooms will continually degrade. Who will be negatively affected by this in the long run? Us, the students. What do we risk? Cholera and food poisoning comes to mind. With all these risks, why do we not flush our own waste down the porcelain throne?

Some students have stated that the provided water bins are prone to rapid depletion, thus they choose not to bend into the gallon to retrieve the low levels of water to flush with.

According to a Grade 11 student who requested not to be named, the reasons why some students exhibit such unhealthy practices is due to “laziness”. “Tinatamad ‘yung mga students kasi ayaw nila sa mano-manong pag flush. Kawawa nga ‘yung mga janitor na naglilinis sa kalat nila.” (“Some students feel lazy due to them having to use a manual method of flushing. I pity the janitors who will have to clean up their messes.”)

Is personal convenience justification enough for indolence? Besides the janitors are paid to clean the restrooms and pick up rubbish, right?

While there is a janitor assigned to each of the floors, Prof. Dimabuyu has stated that they are often overwhelmed by the amount of trash to collect and the number of toilets to unclog. “Kailangan ng kooperasyon ng mga estudyante, kasi hindi naman lahat kaya ng ating mga “ate at kuya” (Janitorial Staff). (“We need the cooperation of the students, as our comrades, the Janitorial Staff cannot deal with the situation all alone.”)

Cooperation is all that the Admin asks from the students. No one wanted this water shortage. No one wanted UPIS students to have to manually pour water to down their daily refuse. For all our sakes we need to cooperate with the Admin not because they said so, but because it is for our own benefit if we keep our restrooms in clean and sanitary conditions. //by Mariel Diesta and Gabe Ulanday

Opinion: SSH Track, Media-Centered due to Media Center?



Photo Credit: Sophia Loriega, Cyñl Tecsón

“Anong track mo? Business? AppSci? Or MC?” (What’s your track? Business? AppSci? Or MC?)

This is what usually a University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) student would ask his/her batchmate when the time comes when they are to decide what track they are to apply for. Most of the time, students would rather say “Media Center” than the track it actually belongs to, which is the Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) track.

In addition to this, sentiments regarding the SSH track of the UPIS being “media-centered” due to the Media Center have been raised by various past and present members of the track on social media and in personal conversations. There are those who felt that working in the school publication, Ang Aninag Online, only railroads their education towards the media field while bypassing other fields of the SSH spectrum.

However, that is not the case according to the Assistant Principal for Academic Programs, Professor Rachel Patricia B. Ramirez, the UPIS Media Center provides more than just media experience for working in the Media Center also teaches students to be analytical and to criticise.

These traits are not just applicable in media. For those alumni aspiring to be practitioners of law, these are also key traits to have when working in a court of law. As is for those with political or administrative ambitions, internship in the Media Center can teach them to be analytical and critical of policies and how they affect those under them.

These traits are further reinforced and expanded by the cluster courses such as Practical Law and Social Analysis.

These are, according to Professor Ramirez, just some of the considered benefits that the SSH Track provides and reasons why students of the said track should indeed handle Media Center even if they do not intend to pursue a career in media.

Despite all these benefits that students of the said track could receive, the sentiment continues, especially among some students in the outgoing batches.

Professor Ramirez suspects that the sentiment originates from the size of the workload of the Media Center. While yes at first glance, the massive workload might seem to single out media work, students should also note the previously mentioned traits that one is able to hone while working in the Media Center.

If it may seem to them that the administration is deaf to these sentiments, they are terribly mistaken. Every three years a curriculum evaluation is conducted where concerns like this are all taken into consideration and the appropriate changes are made to correct such concerns and to avoid other potential concerns.

However, if a concern is detected and it cannot wait the three years to correct, immediate changes are made to correct them, according to Prof. Ramirez. An example of this is the removal of the Philippine Nationalism class and its replacement with the Social Analysis class. It was seen that the former was not as appropriate for the track as the latter, therefore it was changed.

“...Kailangan mong i-weigh. Ano bang mas mahalaga, kung ano bang mas mainam sa track?” Professor Ramirez stated. (You have to weigh, what course is more important? What course is better for the track?)

When asked if changes to the curriculum are experimental, Prof. Ramirez had this to say, “[Noong] time pa ni sir SJ, pinag-uusapan na yung bagong curriculum. Bago pa man naglabas ng curriculum yung DepEd, mayroon na tayong naiisip na [curriculum]. So I wouldn’t say na experimental batch kayo if it means na pinag-eeksperimentuhan yung batches. Na parang hindi justified or ‘di pinapag-isipan yung mga pinapatupad kasi that’s not true. Kasi masusing pag-aaral naman ang ginawa sa bawat course na i-ooffer,” (Even during sir SJ’s time, the new curriculum was already being discussed. Even before DepEd released their curriculum, we already had a curriculum in mind for our school. So I wouldn’t say that you're an experimental batch if it means that the batches are being experimented with. As if the courses implemented were not justified nor thought of, because that’s not true. Because thorough studies were conducted to each course that will be offered.)

Every year, feedback forms are given to students from all the tracks for their input regarding their classes and cluster courses, so that there exists a private, official and formal method of expressing such concerns.

“Every year naman may evaluation for tracks eh. Kung nilagay nila yung sentiments nila sa evaluation form at marami silang may ganoong sentiment, pwedeng nagawan sana ng paraan yung nakikita nilang ‘di okay sa kanila,” Professor Ramirez said. (There’s an evaluation for the tracks every year. If they were able to put their sentiments regarding their track on the evaluation forms, and many while many others agree with them, then the issue that they saw could have been addressed.)

The administration is always open to comments and questions regarding the school and its policies. Mostly, it is the student that is too afraid to ask for clarification, so they resort to rants and tirades on social media. The administration will be unable to address issues such as this if it is not brought up to them in an official and formal manner.

“...Paulit-ulit kong sinasabi, kung may mga concern about the track, isulat nila sa evaluation form o sabihin nila sa faculty… Pag hindi nila sinabi, paano namin malalaman yung mga hinain nila?” (I repeatedly say, if they have concerns about the track, they should state it in the evaluation form or tell the faculty… If they don’t share their feelings, how would we know their sentiments?)

As for why students do not approach the admin or faculty with their opinions, there exists an unfounded fear that there will be reprisals for having subversive views about the policies. Why would the administration encourage students to share their opinions if they were to just punish them for it? Does the administration really strike these students as sadistic?

There are also those who choose not to write their full opinions in the evaluation form due to them not being able to immediately see change or instantly have curricular revisions.

For those seeking immediate changes, are you willing to delay your graduation and just trash the classes you are already taking and replace it with another this far into the school year? You may not get the curriculum that you want but you will help make it better for future members of the track.

It should also be noted that it is a good thing that the UPIS is free to adjust its curriculum every year if it needs to. All the administration needs to implement changes is the approval from the University of the Philippines College of Education. Other schools, on the other hand, would need to wait for approval and testing from the Department of Education which could take multiple years.

If the members of the SSH track do not want responsibility for the Media Center due to its “irrelevance” to the entire field of SSH, who shall? The Applied Sciences and Engineering track? Their field is definitely closer to Media than the track that has had at least one semester of Journalism class. //by Ned Pucyutan and Gabe Ulanday
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