political calling on the 29th

I am suppose to be in Los Banos for more than a week. If I really value my service to the students more than I do for my parents, I would have persisted. Apparently, despite this sense of value, a part of me still want to respond to that call and it grows every tick of the second.

KASAMA sa UP National Congress was scheduled last week, 24 October to 28 October while the General Assembly of Student Councils (GASC) from 29 October to 30, 2007. The only reason I was not allowed to go is because of a birthday celebration on the 29th. It is but a tradition that all family members be present on a birthdate. However, out of the five birthdays, I had not been home for at least once and I knew I just had to make up for it.

At the same time, the 29th is also the start of the semestral break for the primary and secondary levels. My parents had been planning for an out-of-town trip with some of the youth from the church. Surely, I wouldn't want to miss that.

But then, GASC is a very important assembly. Terry Ridon's term as the Student Regent (SR) is about to end. The GASC will be the avenue for the voting of the new SR. Ridon's beginning effort to call for a policy review of the Tuition and Other Fees Increase (TOFI) must still be pursued and if the person elected in such a position took a pro stand on this issue, all efforts will be turned to dust. Surely that cannot be allowed!

And yet, here I am, on the 29th of October, at home and quite alone for some time. My parents went to Divisoria. My brother played basketball with his friends for the whole day. My sister went to the dentist and eventually decided to hang out at the church. If this wasn't the only available time I have to meet with my former bible study leader for a few hours, I wouldn't have gone out of the house in the first place.

The owner of the estate the church was buying had to move his meeting with my dad from this morning to Wednesday morning. That meant the out-of-town trip will not come to reality since my dad have other appointments on Friday.

I should have been in Los Banos in the first place, even if I was to spend 'my' day tough on members of other political parties and it would have been worthwhile still.

a culture of indifference

This afternoon, I happen to read a blogpost by a journalism student. This certain post talked about the current state of the Philippine Collegian (Kule). He narrated that when he was asked by the publisher of the Philippine Daily Inquirer how the Kule was, his first reaction was to say that the publication is "too progressive".

"Critical of the nation's leader[s]", he criticizes the Kule for failing to give "updates on what's happening in school". Moreover, he posits that being the official publication of the university, it only represents a "small percentage of the entire UP community". He goes on further to the conclusion that the editors of three years ago are definitely a lot better, as they had at least showed "hint[s] of decency".

He ends his post by saying that "sometimes we are too immersed with ideals that we fail to see what is real" and that it is "no wonder not many journalism students are interested to join the Collegian".

Dismay is an understatement of what I felt after I had read the post.

For one thing, the Journalism Department itself teaches the students to be critical of the nation's leaders, of the policies they make, and the current situation of the country for one mere reason, it is a responsibility of journalists to the public. In simple terms, communication theories call it "watchdogs". To ask for updates, pardon me for saying, is very high school. There's a big difference between the two.

However, given that argument, I believe the Kule never failed to give updates on the current situation of the college, as it even publishes the statements of the students councils on the issues that the university is facing. It has not failed to air the eviction of tambayans in CMC. What this student might be looking for is the UP administration's side, something the Kule has attempted but the admin completely ignores.

To question idealism is to question the very principles that is taught in our department. It is this idealism that has developed ethical and news standards. It is this idealism that graduates aim for the best, for a change in the system as they see the reality in our society. It is this idealism that has taught students to look beyond the fame, the money and work on the very essence of journalism itself, a public service, a responsibility to the citizens of this nation. To question idealism is to entertain a culture of indifference, a shame in this profession.

In an interview, my uncle said, "If I had known that Journalism would be defined such as it is today, I wouldn't have entered Journalism in the first place."

At first, I didn't quite understand why he was able to say such things, as if he has lost hope of the future generation of journalists.

After reading a post written by his former students, I hate to admit that he might be right after all.

* not so convincing noh? ako rin, nahihirapan sabihin. abangan kung bakit *

when Stand UP supports...

(Student Alliance for the Democratic Rights in UP)

I've been so busy this week with my academic requirements (j122 group report, j195 pair report, two edsp122 assignments, edsp122 outline for the group report, RRL for our thesis, and j196 individual report) and that Anti-Terrorism Bill (a.k.a Human Security Act of 2007) to be implemented today (then again, I'm not sure if it is really today since rumors have been everywhere. whatever) that I must have forgotten all my other troubles.

And both my parents have been lecturing me because of the too time I devote to the council (a.k.a that damage control that also became my "hobby"). Since I was awarded that scholarship, both of them are worried I might not get the required average the network is asking me.

Whatever, I always believed that when God gave me this scholarship, He didn't want to give me more pressure (I keep telling myself). And I've already learned the trick to life, to just obey God, to be what He called you for. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all things shall be added unto to you"

Crap. I'm getting out of focus.

Then there's that HSA.

I can't really say what the popular sentiment of the MassComm students are, but what I can safely say is that Journalism students are craving for information regarding the said Act.

And with some initiatives from certain professors, I've taken the chance to organize a forum/ discussion when I convened the council meeting last Tuesday. And the council members readily agreed.

However, the Office of the Dean was quite apprehensive. The Dean particularly said she doesn't know still the sentiments of the faculty regarding the said Act. Moreover, she wasn't at all familiar of the Act that she can't speak for herself. (and seriously, god! is that how apathetic people can be? that a surveillance had already happened and still they do not care??) However, they let us use the CMC Auditorium for free.

And since "he" didn't know anything about the HSA, he left everything to me, which is quite good actually, at some point.

I've started texting a prospect speaker and apparently, he never replied. Come Saturday, I still didn't know who else to contact.

So I texted our campaign manager, Divs, who forwarded the message to Kepi. And god, has he put so much effort on this!

He kept texting people to look for contact information of personalities that can help us with the forum. By Saturdaynight, he has already given me three numbers.

However, by Sunday afternoon, no one was still sure to come. He texted for updates, and of course, I told him nobody had confirmed yet. A few hours more, he bombarded me with six numbers, of which one had confirmed. Aside from that, he had already contacted the Student Regent, Terry Ridon, who also contacted a law professor who was willing to talk during the forum. (and if Ii may also note here, this was after a series of prayers I called for to the Christian members of the council, because seriously, i think that's what we lack)

However, being rational and ignoring the prayer session, I'd like to give credit to Stand UP. Half of whatever turns out tomorrow will be on their credit. Sure, it could be argued that they're just after the statement against the Act and all that, but it doesn't matter. They'e been all the help I need.

And quite honestly, at certain times, I felt they were just using me for their own interests, like I'm just being used. But I guess perspectives do change. I've changed. And I've learned to love these people, as individuals and for the principles.

At this time, I can surely say, to run under Stand UP was never a mistake, to fight in principle, to rationalize what truly benefits people. To be associated as an activist, I care not. Better to be progressive than to be part of this apathetic culture.

Tunay. Palaban. Makabayan. Stand UP.

A little note from me:
I know, poor construction. Sana wag na lang muna tayo mag-edit ha? bilang disoriented pa ako sa buhay ko. salamat : )

big changes [2]

I am going to be part of that system...sigh...

Jam texted me while we were in the middle of the Noypi program the council organized with ABS-CBN. To my surprise, she congratulated me for being one of the two GMA Network scholars.

So I was happy, sure. And I felt like I had to tell my mom personally, not even on text message. I had to wait for her class to end.

And also, this is what my dad had always wanted. Scholarship. Sure job. GMA Network. And I guess, I was able to give him what he dreamed of.

But. Why do I have this but in life?

I'm not being ungrateful or anything. But after all the realizations I've had last year, do I really want to work for that network? A network based on the capitalist system whose priority is to hit the ratings which will attract advertisers and most likely lead to lesser journalistic standards.

I promised myself that I will not compromise whatever principles I have learned just to "sell". Moreover, I actually came to a point that I do not want to be associated with such organizations.

But again, here I am, blessed yet torn.

My dad says it's good to recognize the perils of that system, but running away from it is another thing. How can anyone idealistic run away from the chance to actually change the system?

I hate myself for feeling such.

But I am thankful, seriously (And I'm not trying to convince myself here)

In the words of Sir Arao, palibasa aktibista...

while in j199 class...

In the midst of a discussion on development research, sir arao asked questions about our fashion for the day:

(I was wearing a black spag strap top covered by a white cotton blazer, and mind you, my nails are in raspberry red)

Sir Arao: Ms. Teodoro, why are you wearing that color? It's not as if this is the first time I've seen you in that.

"I've been very inclined to wearing red and black these past few days"

Sir: Exactly. Why?

"Something political"

Sir: See. I can understand the red but black... oh well, the black shirt day for the killing of journalists

* Actually, that's not exactly the reason. Black signifies death of democracy. Red signifies vigilance and activism.

Jam, a friend and ujp chairperson, comments, "friend, di ko na-imagine magkakaganyan ka"

sa totoo lang, "ako din"