"More than a 'call for unity': a determination to continue the struggle"

"More than a 'call for unity':
a determination to continue the struggle"

By Kat Ulrike

At first, this note commemorates the 35th anniversary of the "People Power Uprising" by remembering the courage, valour of those who bravely fought and made the ultimate sacrifice in the struggle for liberation against the Marcos dictatorship.

To a concerned folk, those memories of that four-day event in EDSA were fraught with wonder, especially how people from every walks of life, be it the civilian or the military, the soldier or the laity, becoming "together" in showing a "peaceful" alternative to a nation's problems- that despite threats of death, their "peaceful" act along EDSA did achieved.

And wouldn't be surprised that as according to Cory Aquino in her speech that "the real hero of the 'revolution' is the Filipino, who put his faith in God. The gains of the revolution, however, must be maintained and made to prosper through the people's unity."

Sounds an appeal to civic unity rather than an appeal to assert further the alternative as one would say, knowing that with the folk during those times wanting to assert further justice and retribution, the order instead "had immediately enough" of acting 'revolutionary' but instead focusing on restoring order as it creates a basis to legitimise a "new government" that of course promising the folk with words like "social justice" and "participatory democracy" treating as some kind of compromise with the them. But, contrary to most government statments and speeches that expresses mere "calls for unity" if not "healing the wounds brought by this uprising", this uprising that resulted from the downfall of the dictator Marcos is more than just a failed coup attempt-turned-peoples action.
And also to think that this event started from a call for action brought by the late Cardinal Sin (Via Radio Veritas), this four-day action as actually becoming a built-up especially by those willing to defy the policies of the Marcos regime as its earliest actions like the First Quarter Storm of 1970, the lightning rallies during the Martial Law period, boycotts against the rubber-stamp parliament, and various forms of actions especially from the studentry, workers, urban poor communities, and others both affected by economic turmoil and the repression brought by Marcos and his henchmen. These folks had enough of the delusion brought by the "new society", if not realising how Marcos's promise of ending the reign of the oligarchy and usher a reformed nation turns out to be a farce- making depictions by the mainstream press and government statements regarding this EDSA uprising as a purely spontaneous response to the calls of church and political leaders are historically inaccurate and erroneous. 

And knowing that the order rather consolidated the status quo in this ever-continuing past, has made the concerned that there is no "revolution" during that Four-day event in EDSA. Yes, it did overthrew a tyrant and formed a "revolutionary government" in its place, even created a new constitution and "trying to usher a new democracy" to take place the dictatorship; but this doesn't escape the fact that those who promised justice are the ones who fooled the folk, especially the downtrodden who promised land and fair wages, of restoring sovereignty and accountability.

***

Now,  thirty-five years after this revolt, the Filipino people find themselves under a rule no different from Marcos, except for being bloodier, a lot more nefarious, and incomparably corrupt. And it is not surprising for like his idol, president Duterte wanted to follow Marcos, but in a blunt manner starting with his anti-drug campaign "Oplan Tokhang", "Double Barrel", to those of the Anti-Terror Act and Operations "Kapanatagan" and "Kalasag" against 'left-leaning' organisations and individuals. 

Also like his idol, Duterte is fascinated with debt-driven development, particularly infrastructure programs that most of which were carryovers if not driven by loans. And contrary to the administration's promise of a "comfortable life" for Filipinos, unparalleled repression and destruction has brought an upleasant scene in the countryside and even in the urban areas "all in the name of development" that sometimes accompanied with "restoring order" for companies aligned with the order's interests. From this, the regime has borrowed billions of pesos for "construction projects" to those of "purchasing war materiel"- and this did really provoke the peasant or the urban poor dweller as the order destroy farmlands and communities. 

What more in the onslaught of the COVID19 pandemic, that Duterte rather use the situation "to restore order" with he repeatingly use the opposition as a scapegoat and distration from the administration's neglect. For Duterte, it doesn't matter about the cases to grow least it create fear for the many- as evidenced by no free/or affordable mass testing, aggressive contract tracing, or minimal support for those affected by the pandemic since the imposition of the "Enhanced Community Quarantine". Worse, with the rising prices of commodities, especially food (meat and vegetables), the people find themselves unable to make ends meet. The passage of the acts "meant to heal, rise, recover as one" rather emphasise on saving entrenched interests by means of further "opening the economy" to foreign investment with lax regulations (while leaving Duterte's own budget to his 'pet programs' that is, nothing to do with alleviating the situation). His staunch supports and gofers in the administration and the armed forces has been afforded VIP inoculation of the COVID19 vaccine; while his emergency powers granted him the authority and freedom to control appropriations for the unchecked procurement of personal protective equipment, testing kits, and other necessities for a pandemic response.

With this debt-driven 'developments' and order-driven 'repressions', Duterte has proved himself to follow the late dictator. His supporters may described his actions as a "patriotic act" this insatiable greed and fascism reflects what Marcos did during the dictatorship. Not even surprising that his undeclared state of emergency be as "smiling" like Marcos's supporters would describe his Martial Law as a "Smiling Martial Law" with all its pretension of Democracy and Freedom- depite the fact that police and military running amok and committing human rights violations left and right with the unrestrained power they have been given.

***

With this situation, the folk, regardless of what apologists insist the "developments" brought by Duterte and his henchmen, realise that the regime is following what Marcos did: a debt-driven growth, if not attempting a "smiling" state of emergency just to dissuade everyone from knowing a bloodied truth. That by using "peace and order" and "development", both uniformed thugs and interest seekers wanted to exploit (especially in this pandemic) to strike fear in every community- either by bombing the countryside or the ancestral domain, to those of harassing the opposition and even those of the concerned citizen expressing disbelief, the order Duterte brought is but a mockery of what the folk wished for- that of a "comfortable life for all" as what the president said few years past. 

And to think that this regime is a continuity of its predecessors, it retains the orderist machinery created by Marcos. As key personalities of Marcos’ martial law remained in power and at the core of the security and defense establishment- worse, none was ever punished due to their involvement in the atrocities during the dictatorship, while others rather "rehabilitated" by the new regime that promised "justice" against the perpetuators. They instead rose from the ranks of police and the armed forces, became legislators or lived in their comforts, trying to justify the dictatorship as a "necessary move against communism".  Like Marcos, Duterte catered to the interests of the armed forces and the police, appointing retired officers to key government positions, unleashing the police in the drug war and emboldening them with assurances of immunity, allotting a large portion of the budget to acquire more weapons, and giving the military increasing powers to control “the whole of nation” by making counterinsurgency the central policy of his government.
With these actions meant eschewing human rights and freedoms altogether, disregarding people's aspirations while feigning that they call for "national unity" and "healing the wounds" brought by this "People Power". But, contrary to those appeals, fascist crimes, rights abuses, and various forms of social injustices and disenfranchisements remain unabated. Any mass initiative by the folk- of workers, peasants and other sectors to uphold their national and democratic aspirations continue to be suppressed with arms and decrees.

But despite this, the folk "who has that faith in god and country" has enough of this systemic bullshit. That by broad unity, and by asserting the national and democratic aspirations this meant facing the risks, but, through that organised strength and unity lies the chance of overthrowing a tyrant even it requires going beyond the parameters. For whether it is a renewed "new society" or "new democracy" as presented by the order and its apologists, the truth is: the country remains in its centuries-old plutocratic nightmare that needs to be destroyed, and in its place lies a blossoming of a true democratic government that embodies the aspirations of the Filipino folk. 

This is no regime change so to speak as shown by the past EDSA revolts of 86 and 01, for the fact is, the folk demands a national and social revolution- and they're willing to act in it. 

"Poems made for Valentines Day"

"Poems made for Valentines Day"

"Confidently beautiful" as what she is
As her kindness, and wit gave her bliss
She has a strong heart, and courageous will
That from her smile my love for her I really feel

From the day I met I am truly inspire
That like her I am working hard for something I aspire
So was her that sometimes I answer her various questions in life
Encouraging to live life to the fullest even in this time of strife

Sometimes I am worried especially on the risks she faced
Especially if she admits her weaknesses to problems raised
I may not be a teacher, but I gave her the view to see
That despite being delicate, her strength hidden unleashes as it be

Right was her students, she is head strong and inspired their souls
For despite her weakness she tries to finish things "once and for all"
A teacher and student as always, and I hope a proud mother to see
Perhaps a loving wife and a partner in life? Yes she is, cannot deny it from me. 

As everyone sleeps, I remained awake
Trying to stave off the mind's yesterday's baggage
Listening to music such as an old song
Whose melodies and words kept me float along
My thoughts from that song brought me to hallucination
In my sleepy haze I saw my beloved's presence
Can't resist the dizziness, mind's dancing like the dervish
So strange as that spirit of love embedded
Has turned me sober
With memories of love and sorrow
Serves as the hangover

But with that beloved's presence I ask for help
I need her more as I yearn for happiness
As if wanting to seek her hand and fly away towards nightosphere, of darkness
To escape from the maladies of fakeries and malices
And reach towards that boundless happiness

And my love says:
"No need to worry, because I am here
I will listen to your problem need not fear
For I inspire you like the waxing moon for a light
If not turned sweet that bitter wine
That the nectar from the flowers turned honey
And the spring water that slaked off your thirst
I have come all this way, eager for you
To feel the love you've seek through
I want you to laugh, be lifted and nourish
Amidst the disquiet and rage
I will soothe, and heal with my songs
Despite the bitterness and pain from those no remorse

Quite strange that so-called dream
For knowing that with her presence helps me remove the obstacles
Of hindrances that bogged my aspirations
Through her like the moon her light became the guide
Like the water quenches thy thirst
Whose songs soothes the pain of one bogged by sorrow
If not the wine that drives one to ecstasy

Will she appear again as that music plays?

"Of interest over Welfare: Sacrificing the folk for the 'economy'"

"Of interest over Welfare: Sacrificing the folk for the 'economy'"

It seems that there are two choices this Duterte regime should choose:
a. to sacrifice the very order he sworn and benefited about, or,
b. sacrifice the health and wellbeing of the Filipino folk. 

For National Economic Development Authority head Kendrick Chua, he'd rather save the order by placing the entire country under "Modified General Community Quarantine." This MGCO means removing social distancing rules in vehicles, bringing back operations in moviehouses, face to face classes, and even relaxed procedures on domestic travel (which includes less or no need for quarantine nor testing).
And this proposed MGCQ is to be set amidst the growing COVID19 cases with rising infection and death rates-what more of half-hearted government actions especially on mass testing and vaccine distribution.

And it is not surprising, for the fact that orderists would chose to save the order especially its neoliberal capitalist economy, they have no choice but to let the markets open, letting investors enter, with new exploitative policies, and make "business as usual"- otherwise, they have to provide not just a subsidy, but a "universal basic income" as almost half of the labouring folk are unemployed or having a slashed wage. They have to save capitalism for if not, the state will force to take over existing enterprises and employ people not for the sake of employment but also producing the necessary needs the market lacks of. They have to save capitalism, or consumers will fail to pay utilities such as electricity and water, especially in a time companies like Meralco and Maynilad to increase their dues.
And last but not the least, the order has to save capitalism or else, it forces each and every company, especially those who earn billions of pesos, to "share their wealth" to those who are deeply affected by this hell of a kind pandemic. 

***

On the contrary, Duterte himself seemingly toying on the idea of returning to lockdowns contrary to what his economic advisers wished for a relaxed quarantine procedures. But this lockdown-centric approach has resulted in massive losses in terms of jobs and income, making economic managers and members of the "Task Force Against COVID19" insist "opening up" the economy even for the sake of stimulating production for much-needed funds regardless of risk. 

During the early months of the pandemic (under "Enhanced Community Quarantine"), only production-based "backliners", such as in manufacturing and agriculture, were given priorities along with medical frontliners, despite slashed incomes, compressed work weeks, and downsized staff and personnel. But the fact that unemployment rose, establishments under threat of closure, and very paltry subsidies given by the state, Duterte's treatment of the pandemic is but a half-hearted one that's limited to quarantining and social distancing restrictions which it imposes with severity using police and military forces. But this doesn't escape the fact that it failed to put into place a system of mass testing, rapid contact tracing to isolate the Covid-19 virus and prevent its spread as well as immediate treatment for those affected by the virus.

***

For sure  from those acts that talked about "heal, recover, and arise as one" (including other related acts such as "CREATE bill") meant all of these: to save the capitalist-oriented economy with less or no planning, that the government has to borrow money while letting the market decide for everything including those of getting more foreign investors in exchange for less or no regulations (such as those related to labor and environment). Of course, the government has to save capitalism by any means even by debt driven growth, and wouldn't be surprised from these laws that "it doesn't matter the people will pay those debts through big, onerous taxes even after Duterte leaves and someone fills the seat; but the important is for the order making profits even at the expense of the folk". True that the government is in need of funds that meant to support its programs and all, but come to think of this: no matter what the administration and its apologists would defend these bills, the fact that president Duterte has his own biggest chunk of the budget (meant for his pet programs) shows that there's a misplaced priority such as consolidating his order and those of entrenched interests rather than providing services that's for the people. 

And thus, no wonder the folk realise that the regime is as same as the predecessors: assuming to be for "change" only to found that it is all but a continuity of things past: interest seekers, profiteers, exploiters, and at worst, murderers. Hope that in this pandemic that the folk should assert for a sound wage and salary increases; monthly economic subsidies for workers who lost their jobs, low-income or no-income families, poor peasants and farmworkers; production subsidies for small livestock raisers, as well as rice and vegetable farmers, all alongside the need for mass testing, support for health workers, and a serious treatment and vaccination program against COVID19. 

No matter what, still "Kung Hei Fat Choi!"

No matter what, still "Kung Hei Fat Choi!" 

(thoughts after people celebrating Chinese New Year in Manila
despite COVID19 pandemic)

Despite new normal procedures and advisories, of mandatory wearing of face masks and face shields, what more of trying to enforce social distancing, that people from all walks of life continue to enjoy the festivities in Binondo, Manila in celebration of the Chinese New Year.
For last January 29, Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso ordered the cancellation of all Lunar New Year celebration activities to avoid new COVID-19 outbreaks and to not put to waste the local government's efforts in containing the spread of the coronavirus.

Quite reasonable the basis for canceling the usual fanfare, but this doesn’t stop the folk from celebrating- this time with the promise of a return to normalcy if not the usual bringing joy and luck; and these folks, no matter how many they are, been looking for things providing them luck as the charms displayed in the sidewalks of Ongpin if not enjoying the mouthwatering dishes served in every Chinese restaurant in the district. Some did even visit Shrines such as the Taoist Kuang Kong temple in Kipuja st., or for Christians like the Longos Cross, offering incense, as well as prayers for thanksgiving if not for the hopes of letting the pandemic end and enjoy their normal lives back. 

That somehow for this writer would say it doesn’t matter that there’s no Lion nor Dragon dance being shown and played, for still, the celebration goes on with the folk walked in the streets of Binondo searching for luck and hope out of that “Year of the Ox.” Usually, Filipino-Chinese family gatherings during the Lunar New Year celebration are usually big, especially when clan members of up to 100 persons hold feasts to ring in the new year especially in restaurants like “President”, “Yingying”, or even “Shangrila” and “Kowloon House”; but due to the pandemic the ordinances brought by authorities only allowed families to celebrate the turn of the new year in their own homes by themselves, celebrating online via Zoom if possible. 

But this doesn’t stop the rest from going to Binondo or Banawe and really celebrate that occasion, even without the sound of the drum and the cymbal, of dancing lions and dragons (except on one occasion in a shopping centre also in Manila), what more of popping firecrackers that made the occasion memorable. "Tikoy", the rice-based delicacy synonymous with the occasion, continues to be sold in every Chinese delicatessen or at the sidewalk along with trinkets, and shrines like those said earlier opened even without fanfare or the ginger brew that's serve during the Lunar New Year. Only joss sticks and candles, prayers and hopes for a "better normal" to happen, and that includes the awaiting vaccine authorities promised to these needy folks.

Perhaps, to cut this note short, that despite this ever-looming pandemic, may the folk bid blessings and hopes that COVID19 may suffice so that everyone would reclaim their normal lives and lost luck. 

“Is it really to Rise, Recover, Heal, as ONE?”

 “Is it really to Rise, Recover, Heal, as ONE?”

(thoughts after the proposed Bayanihan to Recover as One act by Duterte's legislators,
and how the regime seemingly half-hearted in its pursuit
of recovering the country amidst rising debts)

Like the earlier Bayanihan bills 1 and 2, the proposed bill stressed the need to inject new funds meant to "fight against the pandemic" as the Philippine economy continues to drown, citing reports that the country entered into a recession as the economy plunged to 16.5% in the second quarter due to the Luzon-wide lockdown.

Sounds reasonable at first citing that the bill tends to continue the past two laws meant to promote development in the time of the pandemic, however, despite its intent, interest seekers in the government and in the private sector would dare to exploit this situation as funds from the proposed act will roll after its passing. Be it the promised subsidy, the needed budget for vaccines, necessary support for frontliners, to those of stimulus packages, the proposed act may sound helpful, but this doesn’t stop the concerned from worrying especially if this tainted by corruption and interest.

Besides this, the order’s treatment of the pandemic as a means to consolidate interests shows their obvious agenda to perpetuate power- especially that with the promised vaccines are to be given and the proposed immunisation to be commenced from mid2021 to 2022, this can be potentially becoming a form of a political leverage than a noblesse oblige. Otherwise, Duterte has no intention to conduct mass vaccination and seeks to profit from future deals. In the 2021 national budget, only a measly 2.7% of the P72 billion needed to vaccinate at least 60% of Filipinos was allocated. He did allotted PhP1 billion for vaccine procurement tho, which is way far from his pet interests such as PhP19 billion pesos for the NTF-ELCAC, P58 billion for the military’s modernization program, and PhP8.3 billion worth of presidential intelligence funds! What more that the regime is also in a borrowing spree that, as in the past administrations, will force the folk to pay for these growing debts. Yes, "these are for developments", but debt-driven.

At present, despite the laws meant to "heal", and "recover" by legislators, as well as companies trying to simulate production to recover from pandemic-driven losses, the country remains in recession, recording another 8.3% drop in the last three months of 2020. It is also stated that the funding as proposed by the bull will deliver subsidies both to help businesses survive the pandemic and to aid poor Filipinos.
And, sorry for the thought, for as these politicians promised that the proposed law would benefit the folk both in proving the needed subsidies, then how come it is the same politicians who nod at what president Duterte wished for a bigger budget for consolidating the order by force? For sure the folk would have wanted a caring administration not a fear provoking one as what Duterte did-way contrary to his promise of "malasakit", which again connotates to a care, if not benevolence. 

Again, regardless of the order’s statements, people demand for transparency and accountability especially with the act involves the coffer of the people. Especially that with this pandemic, the much-needed assistance is meant to be given as possible. After all, of what is “one” refers to n that “to heal/recover as one” if it didn’t refers to the folk?

Anyway, wouldn't be surprised that the folk is now "awakened, united, fighting as one" because of the regime's half-hearted actions meant to "heal, recover, and arise" as "one."

Solidarity with the Burmese people!

Solidarity with the Burmese people!

by Kat Ulrike

"A nation is a collective term applied to a people, irrespective of their ethnic origin, living in close contact with one another and having common interests and sharing joys and sorrows together for such historic periods as to have acquired a sense of oneness. Though race, religion and language are important factors it is only their traditional desire and will to live in unity through weal and woe that binds a people together and makes them a nation and their spirit a patriotism."

- Aung San

It is not surprising that the Burmese people fight back in condemning the February 1 putsch and its imposition of national emergency. The putsch, led by Gen. Min Aung Hlaing have seized political power and imprisoned elected leaders including Aung San Suu Kyi and other members of the National league for Democracy (NLD). 

Using claims of electoral fraud as its pretext for the putsch and the refusal to recognise NLD's victory over the military-backed party, this preempted the opening of the parliament which was elected in the November 2020 elections. This justification for dissolving the parliament in favour of the junta shows that the military can't go beyond its perceived order as it is imposed against the will of a democratically-elected parliament and government of the Union of Burma. Moreover, the arrests of the personalities, especially those of Aung San Suu Kyi is opposed by the majority of the Burmese folk as well as the international community. But still, the junta and its ulterior moves, no matter how people strongly oppose it, continues to remain stubborn as those of its past predecessors that has reigned for more than 50 years.

If to recall back, the Burmese people have suffered untold abuses, human rights violations, plunder of natural resources, and corruption by military officers especially those implicated in drug and gem smuggling. It was in 2016 when the military had to set a compromise with elected civilian leaders through a power sharing agreement- with seats reserved for the military, and granted the power to appoint the vice president, as well as ministers such as defence, interior, and other ministries and departments of importance. 

On the other side, despite Aung San Suu Kyi's popularity, the 2017 military crackdown at the Rakhine state, which forced to displace 70000 Rohingyans to neighbouring Bangladesh, has benefited the order through the military. Worse, to hear state counsellor Suu Kyi defended that action before the International Court of Justice, thus damaging her reputation as a stateswoman. The military putsch also represents a major change in strategy by the military with the 2008 Constitution was created by the military to protect their interests and continue their influence in the political sphere in the knowledge that the NLD would win elections. The putsch also meant Min Aung Hlaing's yearning to enter the political arena especially with the Defence Services Act would have meant forcing him to retire on his 65th birthday in July 2021. It is unsurprising that with Min assuming the leadership  means distorting the constitution solely for himself first as a Junta leader, and eventually a potential "president". This would saved him from potential prosecution and accountability for alleged war crimes during the Rohingya conflict in various international courts.

But what is really concerning is the Burmese folk themselves and its "newfound democracy". For after the "democratic experiment" being quashed by officers in uniform on the basis of "restoring order", the imposed restrictions on information flows has brought concern not just for the Burmese but also the international community the way authorities forced internet service providers to block social media sites Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 

Despite this threats looming, the Burmese folk must fight back against the moves brought by the Burmese military junta and its supporters. True that the "democratic experiment" is interrupted by the putsch that lead to the return of the military in power. But, as seen by recent events, the Burmese folk is roused by the military junta to take the streets, mount strikes, take arms, and assert a real people's democracy as envisioned by Bogyote Aung San and his compatriots in his struggle for independence.

 

When "heritage" is mocked by those who promised to preserve it

When "heritage" is mocked by those who promised to preserve it

(Or: thoughts after Facadism, old buildings, heritage revival, and interest)

By Lualhati Madlangawa- Guererro

 

It is not surprising for these newfound owners, developers, and state authorities alike that they take consolation in the small mercy such as retaining a façade. using "heritage" as one of its reason, that compromise being brought by these greed-driven people is but a passive-aggressive one, a gross hybrid of conflicted intentions disguised as "continuity".

However, that continuity was but a mockery, especially that as heritage conservationists and concerned architects, urban planners, spoke seriously of plans that merges the legacy of the past to present and future day demands, authorities either pretending they're considering their words, just plain and simple deaf, or bluntly speaking if there's "money" in those proposals driven. Not surprising that no matter they're good, still being downplayed by authorities while seriously listening to scrupulous ones willing to sacrifice heritage in favour of a greed-driven illusory kind of progress.

Because of this would say that heritage, history, identity, altogether continues to be mocked to and fro by its newfound owners and developers preaching "progress". That especially using façadism as its basis for destroying structural integrity, most structures, whether known for having stood the test of time ever since it was built, or being built by an architect considering the bridging of localised settings and of international designs, are either stripped its structure and leaving its shell, or altogether demolished till none, just for today’s “perception of development”. 

Quite lamenting isn’t it? Especially that from those structures reminds of an attempt for a progressive past, if not by trying to make modernity tailored to fit into heritage. And now that by seeing those assuming they’re “preserving” rather destroying its integrity, then of what is “preserving” they’ve been bragging about? Expect authorities who promised to "revive" or "preserve" every age-old district rather end mum as they themselves also implicated in this travesty of destruction wrought by these developers. For sure people would remember some years ago the former Estrella del Norte was burned and despite its owners promising to retain chose not preserved its structure in favour of “recreating” it (except that the "rebuilt" structure was of one, rather than the original two-storey building), followed by news about Uy Su Bin, Capitol Theatre, Sta. Cruz Building, American Chamber of Commerce, and even the old Magnolia ice cream plant in Echague end as shells of once proud past with its interiors wrought out of the wrecking ball! These structures were as far from what developers being promised about-of preserving heritage. Worse, written off for the demolition by by government officials while playing deaf at those who demand reconsidering the structure's demise. Even the world-renowned Philamlife building wasn't spared by the demolition ball as its "newfound owner", no matter it promised to retain it, rather thinks about building a condominium for their greed!

If those walls and halls could speak, these would tell tales of past legacies, bad compromises, angry developers, and “newfound owners” who, dissatisfied with the meagre notion of repair and reuse, are driven solely by remorseless greed- if not those of exorbitant taxes and utter disregard of heritage by both owners and authorities with the latter that sometimes "promised" to revive only to be treated as empty rhetorics. Again, it is not surprising especially when some state authorities and "newfound owners" alike are driven by greed to disregard history, or in this case, feigning that they acknowledge history when in fact it isn't- just adding salt to a gaping wound rather. 

Perhaps, for the developers and some "assuming to be concerned", that sticking a new structure behind the shell of an old one in this manner is a pitiful way to go about things. It is not worthy of the term architecture nor preserving heritage and remembering history. As resources grow ever fewer, the practice of sacrificing good-quality buildings for some cheapjack disposable replacements cannot be justified no matter developers be "trying to" when in fact "trying for goddamn sakes". But the fact that no matter what these "developers" trying to justify about, that the best default choice will always be to revive, restore, repurpose and reconfigure existing buildings. For knowing that these structures stood the test of time, of war, calamity, everything that these witnessed history, these should be given a real lease in life instead of being mocked in a guise of "pseudo-relevance". For sure people did think about London, Paris, Madrid, Singapore, or even New York, so why not about Manila and its surrounding cities?  

More than a throwback: For the resumption of the National Vaccine and Sera Production Program

More than a throwback: For the resumption of the
National Vaccine and Sera Production Program

It's been decades passed since the Philippine serum and vaccine production program was suspended in the 90s. Probably due to budget constraints, neoliberal economic policies, and the closure and moving of the former Biologicals Production Service to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Alabang in Muntinglupa, the program is relegated into a memory of those who can recall as such.

However, with the recent sharing of a photo by Architect Gerard Lico about how the Philippines during the Commonwealth period afforded to donate locally-produced vaccines and sera for the Chinese, it seems that the Filipinos during those times were somehow serious in engaging in the sciences, and it was more than just research and development, but also production and distribution of such creations whose drive was to prolong life.

That somehow made the concerned who sought would say "why not give it a try"? Especially that in a time of COVID19 pandemic that's still rolling, and some countries (such as Cuba, Vietnam) afforded to create their local variants while waiting for imported vaccines, that the Philippines would’ve engaged more in biological sciences as in the past- if not for some politickings and economics agreements that limits such wondrous ambitions.

Looking back

The Philippine serum and vaccine production had its beginnings with the creation of the Bureau of Government Laboratories (BGL) in 1900, simultaneously with the establishment of the civil government of the Philippines during the American occupation. This bureau replaced the Spanish-era "Laboratorio Muncipal", that also dealt with science and sanitation during that period. In 1905, the BGL became known as the Bureau of Science, that also dealt with the the study of tropical diseases and laboratory projects, as well as a public health laboratory of the former Board of Health of Manila. However, very much earlier, the Spanish Colonial Government introduced its own anti-smallpox inoculation campaign at the instance of King Charles IV of Spain, who sent to the Philippines his physician Dr. Francisco Javier de Balmis. This scientific expedition resulted one year later, in 1806 with the creation of the Central Board of Vaccination whose specific duty was to prevent smallpox.

The Bureau of Science, which was later transferred to the Department of Agriculture, underwent a basic change from being a public health laboratory to a general scientific laboratory, with inclination towards towards agriculture and food processing, while medicine and pharmacy relegating to the background. Not much focus was given on the development of industrial technology due to free trade policy with the United States which nurtured an economy geared towards agriculture, commerce, and trade.

This condition, however, did not long as in response to the needs for the development of public health in the Philippines, the Bureau of Science flourished again as a public health laboratory, this time with greatly expanded activities resulting in the overcrowding of its building in Manila. To cope with the expansion, Agriculture Secretary Dr. Galicano Apacible, set aside a big lot formerly used by the former Agriculture bureau as an experimental animal station and ordered the transfer of the serum laboratories of the Science Bureau, using an old stable building which eventually served mainly as washing, media room, and as pilot project laboratories. From then on this became known as the Alabang Serum and Vaccine Laboratories. 

According to an old article, the laboratory built during the 1920s utilised two of the 110 hectares, with a small power plant, and about five nipa huts for its laborers clustered around the laboratory building. In fact, the facility was almost sold twice at a nominal price "for having been a losing government project". But in 1936, the laboratory was given an opportunity by being transferred from the bureau to the University of the Philippines School of Hygiene nd Public Health, at the start of the commonwealth government. It was placed directly under the charge of the head of the Department of Sanitary Bacteriology and Immunology.

With a revolving fund of 100 thousand pesos, a 10-year construction and improvement program was launched that at the start of the of the second world war, it was half-completed. It also served as a Hospital by the Imperial Japanese Army while continuing its routine vaccine and serum production. An underground bomb shelter the soldiers was also dug in the site, and even released snakes from its serpentarium before liberation to "booby trap" the area against the advancing Americans. 

In 1947, the newly-formed republic moved the laboratory into the hands of the Department of Health, becoming a part of the Public Health Research Laboratories. In 1952, it became a recipient of FOA/PHILCUSA dollar commodities amounting to 200 thousand US Dollar aid which greatly rehabilitated the facility. This rehabilitation program not only improved the facility but increased its essential biological products which not just benefited the Filipinos but also other Asian countries in need of essential vaccines and sera for disease control. This facility eventually became known as the Biologicals Production Service (BPS), and continued its operations in Alabang until it was suspended in 1996 (in the case of rabies vaccine) when the facility was moved from the 1920s-era building to a new one beside the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), also in Alabang. In November 2000, the Biologicals Production Service of the Department of Health (DOH) was formally merged with the RITM. 

According to a writeup made for the participants of a field visit during the 9th session of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Committee of the Western Pacific, Manila in 1958, The biological products manufactured in the Serum and Vaccine Laboratories at the Alabang Compound were those of the following:

• Cholera-Dysentery-Typhoid Para A vaccine
• Cholera vaccine
• Gonococcus vaccine
• Anti-rabies vaccine (both human and veterinary)
• Typhoid Para A vaccine without phenol
• Typhoid vaccine without phenol
• Smallpox vaccine (dried vaccine virus)
• Anti-tetanic serum
• Anti~dysenteric serum 
• Anti-gas gangrene serum (now discontinued)
• Cobra antivenin serum
• Normal horse serum
• BCG vaccine and tuberculin dilutions
• Diphtheria toxoid
• Tetanus toxoid 

These vaccines were eventually be discontinued with the anti rabies vaccine as the last being produced at the BPS laboratories in Alabang in 1996. From then on the Philippines depend on imports and from the private pharmaceutical institutions.

Looking at the present

Today, the Philippines depends on private pharma and international suppliers for necessary vaccines and sera for disease control. Which in the case of today's COVID19 pandemic, has to depend on China's State-owned Sinovac, Sinopharm, Cansino; US-based Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson, and Moderna; and Britain's AstraZeneca. Once, President Duterte bragged that he will reward half-a-million pesos to Filipinos attempting to produce a local COVID19 vaccine, however, this was downplayed by critics as a political placebo making false hopes during the early months of the pandemic. The pandemic also involved some medical con-men like the case of "Fabunan Antiviral Injection", whose creator claimed that "can treat dengue, chikungunya, dog bite, snakebite, and HIV/AIDS." Fabunan also claimed that his creation can cure if not immunise Coronavirus- only to be dismissed as a "joke" with government authorities clarifying that the "vaccine" as not approved by the Food and Drug Administration citing its unproven claims to be "safe and effective" regardless of those who "supported" Fabunan's creation; nor dismissed by the Indonesian authorities by telling that “there hasn't been anything granted” to produce that said vaccine as claimed by Fabunan's supporters. 

In the case of the RITM, it became part of their role as a research and treatment facility for diseases to continue the role of the former BPS, however, in the case of COVID19 pandemic its role seemingly limited to those of testing for COVID19 cases. Recently, in a post brought by Architect Lico showing Filipinos donated Vaccines and Sera to the Chinese before WW2, it seemed that since China today afforded to create its own vaccines via Sinovac or Sinopharm, how come the Philippines that once produces its own vaccines and sera didn't continue doing it? For sure it is the part of the RITM to continue what the former BPS did according to its charter. Or is it because of the typical present government view that the state shouldn't interfere with the market? Come to think that state-supported vaccine production was suspended in 1996, and if it did "continued" then how come it didn't pursue continuously? Is it because of budget constraints, or some government personality or a clique decided  not to interfere what the market offers?

In fact, three decades ago, a "national drug policy" was enunciated by the Department of Health despite the fact that the country pursues its neoliberal economic agenda. The policy was meant to resolve the lack of raw materials in the production of vaccines, sera, and other drugs by means of local alternatives. And according to the policy, one of the pillars was to achieve relative self-reliance in the manufacture of strategic pharmaceutical products, while the objective was to develop the capacity to manufacture the necessary pharmaceutical chemicals (i.e. intermediates and basic) in pursuit of making the country less reliant on foreign sources and avoid the detrimental effects and vagaries of such dependence. And locally speaking, antibiotics such as ampicillin, amoxycillin, and clocacillin were locally produced while other raw material requirements for pharmaceutical production remained imported.

But this maximisation didn't stop neoliberalism to prevail especially in the pharmaceutical industry. state-sponsored Vaccine production remained suspended, as the government rather pursue importing vaccines from abroad. Wouldn't be surprised if the policy was also treated as a "milking cow" by scrupulous officials pretending they're "concerned" about development, what more of the lives of the people wanting vaccines to prolong life. 

For now the government continues its neoliberal tendency that seriously affects the pharmaceutical industry. And as for the old facility in Alabang, it was lucky that it wasn't been leveled to the ground unlike other art deco/or prewar structures in Metro Manila. The building, long dilapidated after its former occupant moved to a larger facility had since languished in silence, and was reduced to a dark curiosity amid high-rise structures and upscale malls. Last 2009, in line with the company’s expansion plans, Filinvest Alabang Inc. (FAI) president Josephine Yap made the crucial decision to save the entire BPS building—not just its façade—and have it integrated into the new wing of Festival Supermall  as a move towards adaptive reuse. At present, the building is being restored to its former stately grandeur, with portions of it possibly being turned into a museum.

***

Sources:

The Alabang serum and vaccine laboratories and their rehabilitation with FOA-PHILCUSA aid

Date 1 October 1958 TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF FIELD VISITS

Sixth Meeting of the Advisory Panel on Preventive Medicine (segment: On the Alabang Serum plant)

Art Deco outside, cobras inside: 1920s building saved in Muntinlupa

This 94-Year-Old Art Deco Building Stands Right Beside A Mall