"Why the paranoia?"

"Why the paranoia?"

(Or all after an incident involving film-makers 

and those "keeping peace and order")

Its been few weeks ago when reports about Policemen unjustly entered and harassed people participating in a film showing event at a memorial centre in Quezon City.

As last February 28, a group of filmmakers, including JL Burgos, the son of press freedom icon Jose Burgos Jr, hosted a film screening event entitled: ‘Sine Henerasyon’ . The event featured social-realist inclined documentaries like JL Burgos’ Portraits of Mosquito Press, which documents the struggle to assert press freedom during the Marcos dictatorship, Ilang-Ilang Quijano’s Daughters of Cordillera, about activists among the Philippines’ indigenous Igorot people, and Ej Mijares’ Shapes of Crimson, a film about a veteran artist and cultural activist Bonifacio Ilagan.

However, that incident happened that same day as according to the reports, JL Burgos said a patrol car arrived at 10:00 a.m. in the area. The policemen supposedly told them that they intended to “sweep” the place since a VIP was set to arrive later in the day.

Two members, armed with assault rifles, remained near the venue. However, a VIP supposedly did not arrive. But instead, Another group of policemen supposedly arrived at 4:30 p.m. and asked the organizers anew of the event’s intent, trying to "watch" one of the featured films as well as further questioned organisers if the films were about the New People’s Army. They also left two officers behind when they departed.

But at 8:00 pm a third patrol car arrived at the venue and officers grilled staff again about the event’s organisers. When Burgos’ and the other filmmakers confronted the officers (even asked if they are undertaking an "intelligence gathering"), they did not explain their motives and left shortly after.

Ironically, JL Burgos is a brother of the still missing Jonas Burgos. And the incident that happened at the Bantayog did reflect the paranoia taken by the system that made harassments possible including those of a film-maker or a media practitioner. The place in which the policemen afford to invade and harass features scenes, personalities, files during the Martial Law period, in which most people be described as a dark age for press freedom and self-expression.

And if one of the cops had afforded to ask irritating questions and trying to conclude that those works are subversive (and hence be liable for arrest), then what makes the works subversive? If realities made by the system made the works subversive then there is something wrong in that system not the ones against it. If works such as Burgos or Quijano did provoke critical thinking towards viewers, of seeking truth from facts, them the system whom desperately trying to maintain order simply describing them as subversives, or worse terrorists and be liable for persecution. Of what is freedom if it does not include the right to dissent?

Come to think of this, harassments such as that event and other related incidents mocks the junking of the anti subversion law decades ago, if not the rights guaranteed by the fundamental laws of the land. Journalists and media practitioners alike are end up dead if not doing their acts clandestinely or in exile just to seek truth from facts and make people be well informed on their works. But again, vigilance is a duty for the practitioner, as what NUJP Chairperson, Rowena Paraan said:

 “By lying about the reason for their presence in the first instance and the questions they asked when they returned that afternoon, it was clear that the QCPD personnel were out to intimidate the organisers of what, to them, probably constituted a “subversive” activity that shouldn’t have been allowed at all.”

“We demand that the QCPD, at the very least, apologize to the ‘Sine Henerasyon’ organisers. But to ensure that such a display of official arrogance is never repeated, we call on the leadership of the Philippine National Police to live up to their oaths and investigate posthaste the actions of the QCPD personnel and impose the appropriate sanctions on those responsible for this ill-conceived attempt to stifle free expression."

Again, the anti subversion law has been scrapped, hence nothing is wrong in showing that is contrary to the system and its belief. Second, court documents, such as "Burgos vs. chief of staff" did recognize that no matter how "subversive" it was shown such as a report, a critique, or a movie, least it is still freedom in accordance to the constitution, a right to inform and express actually amidst all threats including from the state. The obvious question is as what the late Justice Abad Santos said:

"Why were the documents, pamphlets, leaflets, books, etc. subversive? What did they contain to make them subversive? There is nothing in the applications nor in the warrants which answers the questions. I must, therefore, conclude that the warrants are general warrants which are obnoxious to the Constitution."

Hence. The movies shown by the son of Mr. Jose Burgos (of Burgos vs. chief of staff) has the right to be shown. Again, the place wherein the cops went and scrutinise around is a place to remember the martyrs whom they call "subversive."

And by the way, since the system and its apologetics love to say pluralism, but when was pluralism be selective? Particularly those of ideas made in favor of the order? No wonder why those who seek truth from facts end pointing eyes against the so-called maintainer of order and peace.

"Disorder"

"Disorder"

One of the doors of the Palanca residence,
made before the war only to be demolished in the name of development
From Stephen John Pamoranda 

At first, it seems that most people are unaware on the state of Philippine heritage, such as its architecture save for those whom seriously afforded to read history and the willingness to seek places that was once known.

Regardless of its generation, significant feature, creator, and contribution to societal development, it seems to be quite foolish, if not stupid to disregard altogether simply because it is old, ugly, dilapidated, or even a decision of the owner to tear it down in the name of progress and modernisation. And most are intentionally unaware simply because "it has no relevance in their lives", apathetic in a sense that it has nothing to do with their labours.

How come these people are intentionally unaware despite seeing those buildings once stood and eventually demolished for a state of the art building? Months ago, there were areports about the state of the Army and Navy club near Luneta park that was end an empty shell of its pasts, then the apartments that stood before and during the war had been screened and demolished, the Admiral Apartments also shared the same fate of being demolished for the sake of building a "botique hotel" and ended blocked by an order from the National Historical Commission! A sigh of relief indeed, but days ago news about the old Carlos Palanca house at Pasay was demolished with iron railings and roof tiles removed, but again people still unaware on the state of these edifices unless it was shown in news reports, documentaries, or in social media groups concerning at nostalgia. 

And although everybody heard other edifices like El Hogar, Monte de Piedad, HongKong and Shanghai Bank, Meralco at San Marcelino, and lately the house of Carlos Palanca in Pasay, these old yet significant edifices end left in grime and soot if not altogether demolished for the sake of building another that is called "modern" and "state of the art". Yes, in a sense that it does not cultivate a sense of culture but rather for consumption; given the developer's taste for letting clients have the "room" in exchange for a thousand peso deal.  Yes, a thousand peso deal that also meant additional profits for a developer eager for prime lots including those situated in those considered as heritage zones. 

And if not for the concerned individuals or groups such as "Heritage Conservation Society" then maybe a quarter of Manila would have remained its pasts as most be end a frustrated version of Hong Kong or Singapore if not New York or Chicago, full of modern buildings and at the same time a city in disorder. As conservationists and concerned historians alike are painstakingly doing their efforts in stopping developers in raising their "progress" on those been endured for years, if not trying to preserve and improve, looking as new as in its past for posterities to come especially in a frustrated modern society. 

But come to think of this, if the purpose of demolishing old yet remarkable structures in Manila's districts is paving way of progress and development, then it is no different from barbarians ransacking cities and villages for the sake of acquiring more loot. In seeing old structures full of grime and soot, sitting and waiting to be destroyed by a contract, some would felt concerned over its beauty and time-tested strength as it survived decades of war, growth, and today's degeneration; but the latter term, whom at the same time appeared as developmental, raised the sledgehammers of progress and threatening them over till end gone- in case of the San Lazaro Hippodrome, it end demolished for a mall; so was Sta. Ana Park for a commercial complex, and Jai Alai for an aborted hall of justice yet instead was an almost complete condonimium. The edifices somehow meant to be preserved for posterity given the fact that besides the architect and the style, was also the reputation that mold the districts wherein these establishments situated. It would had been pass into adaptive reuse and thorough improvements as a continuation of its decades-old legacy, but why demolish for chrissakes? 

But as what said earlier, given the perchance for superficial modernities, then history, heritage, identity be end disregarded for commercialism and people are intentionally unaware thinking that history has nothing to do with them. As more and more speaks, types phrases like "moving on", old houses, buildings with spacious lots be end demolished for a condominium, mall, or any mixed purpose complex to be built upon in its ruins; that somehow also creates a scene of disorder in a backward society assuming to progressive. How come Malaysia, Singapore, or even Spain and Britain cares about its edifices no matter how centuries old it was made? The Philippines do love to look upon their examples so to speak as tourist zones, lovers lanes, yet they still cling to the consumerist attitude of the Yankee west that brought dependency and reluctance to heritage. 

***

Correct this person if he's wrong, but if anti-intellectualism that brought aloof towards history and heritage in favor of superifical progress seemed to be growing in the Star-Sprangled West then is the Philippines, its loyal subject following its footsteps of disregarding learning, preserving, innovating, and instead favoring a cycle of contented nonsense? If yes, then perhaps that disorder that brought negligence and eventual deterioration, be it the edifices this writeup featured, the music or movie, literary work that has to be played or shown, and its values trying to be cultivated, really continues with its strongest strain creeping from everybody's minds; a disorder that includes apathy, intentional ignorance of realities, and reluctance to a true kind of growth that is deeply rooted in its cherished legacy. 

"A requiem to a freshman"

"A requiem to a freshman"

It's been days ago when we hear the news

Of a girl whose depression end her blue

So cold as she's hanging her neck's on the noose

Out of the issues that trembles the muse

Like the girl who end dead few years ago

That brought waves of protests that most people know

That amidst denials, washed hand statements by CHED

Still that toothless dog of compradores made the suffering dead

After all when was the time institutions freeze up their fees

That meant despair to most no matter how they please

For what everybody sees is yearly increase

Yet the value of their institutions once cherished end in decrease

Why on earth do these happen despite all their promises

Of looking at the papers just to stop all the protests

If not they end with countless harassments

Targeting the achieving, yet defiant students

They clamor the soft words like care, concern, and support

Yet in fact they bled dry that made precious, promising lives cut short

I know that not all would hear that tragic news

Intentional ignorance as I say for it has nothing to do with their views

And why not those people on high and not her hanging on that noose?

Their actions sold to us the rope, but hope that their lives not ours has to lose.

Education at the hands of the Taipans: promoting knowledge or squeezing for profits?

Education at the hands of the Taipans: 

promoting knowledge or squeezing for profits?

It seems that Everyone is talking, be it positive or negative, about how the corporate world is now engaging in Education and its subsequent commercialisation of it. 

Using a variety of terms such as corporate social responsibility, improvement of facilities, total student and faculty care as its pretexts, the engagement of today's corporate taipans, be it those of Henry Sy, Lucio Tan, Alfonso Yuchengco, Manny Pangilinan, and others involved, this time in the field of education had almost radically changed the supposed educative aims and geared towards the demands of the world market; different from those whom treating education as means to enlighten and geared towards the needs of the people. 

However, in seeing such well known personalities in the corporate world also dealing in education, then these are one of the fruits coming from a system that has given up supporting people's welfare such as education, of becoming a privilege rather than right, of letting it alone in pursuit of "self-sufficiency" particularly those of State Colleges and Universities, like any other institutions in the name of globalisation and intense competition; hence, it is also the reason on why tuition and other fees significantly increase skyrocket, of rising dropout rates from the youths of working -class backgrounds, of silencing those against repression and fascism on campus, to the extent of trampling the rights of the students in the name of order and stability. 

And perhaps it makes the present educational system that really caters to vested interests serves not to enlighten, transmit knowledge and culture, nor cultivate critical thinking (Education: from the word 'E-ducere', 'to lead out of the condition of ignorance and lack of culture'), but rather to perpetuate itself as a corporate and guarded administration, promoting a form of schooling that is dogmatic and inefficient. 

Here are examples of what is happening in a colonial-oriented, commercialised, repressive educational system:

1.) students tend to be depoliticise by authorities in favor of the interest of the institution, infringing academic freedom and progressive instruction (focusing on "academics" yet unaware on socio-economic issues).

2.) yearly tuition and other fee increases are being justified no matter it disregards working-class students using current inflation rates (in case of the University of the East with its current 5% increase) or for unknown reasons (in case of the National Teachers College with its 6% increase).

3.) commercialisation of assets primarily used in education in the name of "self sufficiency" (in case of the University of the Philippines with its TechnoHub and UP Town Center with Ayala). 

4.) courses that are primarily catered to the demands of the world market, rather than for domestic-based national development.

These examples are being taken as part of policies tailored by corporate taipans, as well as conservative-minded administrators in the education sector. Of repressive policies guised as "student care" over those of academic freedom, rote learning over progressive instruction, repetition of old teaching methods over creating new ones, apathetic rather than sympathetic to socio-economic issues,  profit over service in its orientation. 

And those whom in favour of such policies, besides disregarding the nature of taipans "becoming" educators as exploiters, as well as insisting "private schools" as just "profit oriented" (contrary to its supposed nature as non-stock, non-profit), may assert the importance of academic excellence, discipline, effort, sanction, and reward; yet these importances requires freedom and creativity, as well as justice and fairness in making well rounded citizens of the country as insisted by those against it.

Furthermore, the profit-orientedness of today's education institutions does not guarantee improvements regardless of its objectives. Year-ender Consultations involving administrators, faculty, employees, and students often question the importance of yearly increases yet seeing the actual problem regarding facilities and the rising dropouts every semester; and even resulted to protest actions if administrators stubbornly pursue their attempts that endanger student's right for education, resulting to a series of threats over those being consistently against it (in case of the students from the University of the East and the National Teachers College several days ago). If not mistaken, the Dominican-controlled University of Santo Tomas also pursued their Tuition Fee Increases amidst opposition from students, even telling that the Consultation was made for formalities, and the increase be still pursued with or without the meeting required in accordance to the Memorandum order said by the Commission on Higher Education. The latter, assuming to have regulatory powers, do bark but doesn't bite hard. 

Anyways, come to think of this, if today's taipans, via its administrators in charge did afford to describe their control over non-profit institutions like schools as their "social responsibility", then how come it turned out to be a lucrative profiteering scheme like any other institution being controlled by theirs? As well as imposing policies that some of which contrary to their vision and mission statements? The memorandum orders made by the Commission on Higher Education, as well as the controversial Education Act of 1982 do bark but doesn't bite hard in confronting such serious problems that brought strikes and protest actions. Again, today's Education has become a commodity that students can buy, and income, rather than knowledge has become a factor in continuing it. Those who can afford may afford to become professionals with prestigious titles, while those who can't are being forced to become workers with jobs catered to these people in accordance to the demands of the market. But for reality's sake, it may also not guarantee their tenure, benefits, as well as their daily bread. 

Perhaps, regardless of the justification coming from these taipans, administrators or its apologetics, it may likely not to stop the rage, but aggravate further calls coming from the concerned students as well as parents, since they are directly affected by yearly increases, as well as policies that endangers academic freedom as well as their right to educate. 

And no wonder why there are still protests in Mendiola led by these same  students that can also happen anytime. 

 

"We Belong..."

"We Belong..."

"Let there be light as what they say, but we are still living in darkness..."

These are the words a concerned citizen exclaimed about the present situation of one's own country, also imbued with youth and idealism cultivated from actual realities, that citizen has enough well to  seek for an alternative to the clear and present crisis that made a country stunted in its growth for generations; amidst all the modern anemities being sought, if not being experienced as a showcase of progress.

But despite all those experiences, that citizen still living in darkness, and had to ventilate greivances and aspiration in conventional fora only to be denied because of a prevailing culture such as an assertion of ignorance, intentional apathy, if not banish independent minded professionals and achievers; and remaining those who rather stand idle, assuming to be progressive yet unassertive for it may costs their comfortable positions. 

Worse, dismissing an inconvenient truth as false if not an exaggerated truth. Yes, exaggerated in a sense that it includes misinterpretation of facts, of false flags pointing one towards another, of turning lies, half truths into full ones known by many as true and nothing else despite what was actually happen. The system did benefit from these nonsense, and one of which is an apathetic if not an escapist populace trying to evade the inconvenient truth than risk losing their comfort zones. 

Again, that citizen and others concerned seeks that light. If there is then has to rage against its dying, trying to make sparks as much as it can just to make its light shine greater no matter what the establishment tries to take it off. If one would ask "why we fight" would say that "We belong to those whose conscience guide us to seek major changes, we deign to act guided by aspirations and responded to existing realities." 

And that realities is far from what the system, the establishment, the order tends to insist and show to many. If there's progress, then only 40 richest personalities experienced growth up to 159% while ordinary citizens has to get contented on 104 pesos for a day; those who really worked hard end having its earning a quarter as its portions be end directly to taxes and paying high-priced utilities, while access to needs such as health and education be deemed insufficient and caters to a selected few. 

So, from what direction is that righteous path being peddled by the present order going if that's the case? Of what is righteous if people behind it aren't in actual? No matter what they say and "prove" such as skyscrapers and well paved roads and bridges, the same old situation continues to prevail. That amidst rising economic rates, so are the poverty and unemployment rates; amidst papers bragging about agrarian reform and emancipated farmers, so is centuries-old feudalism that also benefits multinational companies; and amidst high rise towers in the highly urbanised cities, so are the shantytowns made by those whom, ironically constrict those high rises. Yes, the situation continues to prevail for the system itself caters to themselves as in their good old days. 

Perhaps, amidst all the bullshit that has happening and prevailing, its up to the people concerned whether to content in being repressed under the system or going beyond the parameters of so-called legality just to assert what is just and right, that affects even themselves as individuals. There are people who are also getting tired of EDSA yet willing to create another that's different yet radical, or underneath calls such as for the ouster of an incompetent head of state during protest marches lies their call for bloodshed against the system; pardon this person's language but reality bites to hear people speaking or yearning for hell to create heaven, for calls for social change comes with the price called sacrifice, that calls for unity does not mean unity with the system and its running dogs; and those who yearn for ideas like liberty, equality, fraternity are also crying for realities like bread, peace, and land. Of what is toppling the dictatorship if not because of repression alone? Even rising hunger and inflation rates made them sick and tired of that dictatorship too! 

Anyways, for few days, if not weeks or even months, lies hope with eyes wide open in this continuing past; and call upon those who are willing to share the vision that continues a protracted quest to the extent of making "rule of law" made by self-proclaimed "righteous" point its words to themselves because of not siding with truth and just. 

Treating the battlefield as if computer games

Treating the battlefield as if computer games

It's been few days ago when reports dealt about President Aquino talking with the families of the fallen 44.

Supposedly more of concern and comfort featuring those of the benefits they will be receive, including those of financial support from private companies, that few hours of conversation, also had been cordoned-off media by the authorities, end worse as expected. That, instead of acting as a father to the nation, more of a spoiled brat who as if thinking about keeping his own pride rather than heed the cries of his constituents, particularly the families of the 44 men killed at Mamasapano in Maguindanao.

That somehow made people felt irritated in what he's acting about, be it in his smirks, laughs, and the messages he directly spoken to the families of the victims. As according to ABS CBN news, one of the family members said that they were offended about the President's replies, one of which is this:

"Are you playing computer games?"

That message is simply quite stupid and offensive for the wives and mothers of the fallen, far from what has been questioned such as not been given an airstrike for a fire cover and least save some, if not most men from the sudden reprisal. It made even worse with the President laughing, if not blaming PNP General Napenas just for the sake of answering the said issue straight from their questions:

"Who is to be blame? It is Napenas for he's the one who had planned it!"

Despite what the President said, victims are still thinking that it is impossible for the President himself not to know about "Oplan Exodus" or "Oplan Wolverine". Days ago, The Senate inquiry had showed that the President was briefed about the operation by both suspended PNP chief Alan Purisima and General Napenas last January 9 in Malacanang; that operation wasn't known by The Interior and Local Government secretary Mar Roxas, nor the Central Command of the PNP who supposedly monitors, coordinates with the Special Action Force during that said fiasco.

Again, what Aquino et al. did in that operation was sheer stupidity for the sake of personal fame and diversion from the existing controversy. Aquino tries to be like Begin or Meir, Purisima for Dayan, Napenas for Netanyahu only to found out that their Entebbe end failed for keeping up to themselves and not being coordinated by the Central Command. That instead of medals, caskets; instead of praise, mourn; instead of concern, uttering bullshit to the victims such as comparing the battlefield to computer or any other kind of video games. 

Perhaps, with the existing bullshit coming from the administration and from the President himself, this means an endless ostracism just like his predecessors; as Sorrow, pain, disenfranchisement, hunger, turns to rage, anger as questions left unanswered from the one whose righteous path leads to nowhere. 

Ode to the BREW KETTLE

Ode to the BREW KETTLE

Not quite bitter, makes a heart tender

As it waters the barren till fine

Crisp is its taste never the waste

That somehow made Brew Kettle mine

Belgian inspired as others say

But to this person would say "come what may"

It's like any other beer as what most see

But the taste somehow fine according to me

However's abit expensive since it's Belgian-inspired

No matter it is made in Laguna as the owner aspired

To brew that crisp taste from the kettles in halls been

And end bottled with "Brew Kettle" label seen

And promoted by maidens clad in black

So beautiful that makes one enticing to buy and back

No matter how expensive the beer as most see

It waters the barren heart according to me

Therefore like the Belgians let us celebrate

Let's toast with the beer so crisp as the taste

With the twist of citrus unlikely for a waste

Hence enjoy before its too late