Goals. Plans. Objectives.

People have different plans and goals in life. Whether it may be a short or  in a long term goal, we must plan it ahead on how we can achieve these things.  

In my case, I have two career paths in mind on my “10-year plan” in life. Either I’ll focus practicing Business/Economics in a certain field I’ll choose after college, or pursue postgraduate studies like Law. Ever since high school, I love social sciences. I love how the people interact in the society and how different entities/factors affect the present condition of the community. In addition to that, I have this aspiration in initiating sociology-civic works even the simple ones, because I believe someday, I can contribute for the betterment of the society. However, I need to start myself and doing necessary preparations in achieving these objectives.

As of now, I want to hone my potentials, ponder my weaknesses and optimize my strengths. I believe that years I’ve spent in college would be a good training ground for me on spending time outside the university. I know that it is different out there. And UP offers a wide array of opportunities to its students to explore and maximize. Even though there are times when I feel frustrated, I know that it’s value adding experience for me. As what other says: “Push the Limit”, I want to use this line in pursuing my dreams and choosing my career on the future. I want to live what “Tatak UP” is and what an “Iskolar ng Bayan” should be.

 

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Marcelo, Victor

 

Zamboanga War: A Diversionary Tactic

Recently, our country has been plagued by various issues which are really hard to overlook because of the negative impacts that they have brought about. Right now, the primary issue in our country is the issue about the Pork Barrel scam involving Napoles, Enrile, Estrada, Revilla, and many other senators and congressmen. However, that is not the only concern that our country is currently facing. Amidst this controversy, there popped a group of people seeking for public attention. They did it right this time. Zamboanga became a war zone, a place where everything else is in a total state of chaos. The group of people that I am pertaining to is the Muslim faction known as the MNLF. It is currently being headed by Nur Misuari. But, I’m not here to discuss about the MNLF and their leader Nur. Likewise, I won’t be discussing other trivial facts such as: Who ignited the first gunfire? What I’m going to talk about is: Who was really the man behind the war in Zamboanga? We all know that the pork barrel controversy is still a hot topic; the media and the people became too focused and too riveted on this issue.  Now, that’s where the culprit came in. I hate jumping to conclusions but these thoughts were always running in my head: Is this Zamboanga war a mere diversionary tactic? Does one of the scumbag senators (Enrile, Estrada, Revilla) have an involvement in this war? Are those senators playing games on the people?

Then, my instincts were some somehow confirmed. Last September 26, 2013, Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago said that Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce-Enrile financed the war in Zamboanga. He spent P40 million to finance the rebellion by the Moro National Liberation Front. Also, according to her, Enrile could easily spend P40 million since he reportedly gave P400 million of his PDAF to Napoles’ NGOs. This made me realize how cruel Manong Johnny is. Pursuing your selfish and devilish interests at the expense of the lives of the people of Zamboanga is not morally acceptable. Obliterating the lives of those people for the plain reason of diverting the people’s attention is indeed barbaric. Actually, it will just make him (and his cahoots) look desperate. He has just proved how corrupted his mind and soul are. He will be always willing to sacrifice other people just to protect his interest on the PDAF. Despite all the demonstrations and rallies, he still opted to cling to that small tinge of “hope” that the Filipino people will divert their focus to the Zamboanga war. I know that the people’s forgetfulness is his only “friend” right now. Maybe, he is always hoping that the time will come when the Filipinos have already forgotten what he and his cahoots did to their pork barrel. But this time, what he did just aggravated the whole issue. The people became more vigilant to the fact that Enrile and the others will do everything just to change the whole picture. I hope that we will be always watchful of the other dirty and diversionary tactics that our nemeses are going to devise. 

Trifles

“Well, women are used to worrying over trifles.” – Mr. Hale in Trifles by Susan Glaspell

New infrastructures and road repairs are being made along the Commonwealth Avenue almost every day these past few months. Some of the notable changes they had accomplished are the new overpasses near UP gym and along Philcoa. What I noticed that these two bridges have in common are the steps that are not very women friendly. The steps are a bit high and have big gaps in between and these gaps will give a good view of what is inside a woman’s skirt to anyone standing below the stairs. What is more ironic is that there is a sari-sari store and a police post underneath the stairs of the bridge in Philcoa and there is a carinderia near the stairs of the overpass in UP gym. Wow.

A bit petty you might think; something that is not relevant to today’s more important issues but something as simple as this may reflect how our society takes care of our women. It still shows that sometimes we forget to consider both sexes in building a public commodity just like an overpass.

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Millennials x Activism

Following the visit to Bantayog ng mga Bayani, which was our last CWTS session for the semester, I had developed a new perspective on the activism, or lack thereof, of our generation today. I realized that the generation, the circumstances we are in, the state of the economy, of the nation, and factors as such determine the magnitude of our actions; our radical efforts. It is not in whether we parallel the effort and strife undertaken by the previous generations, but with what we do with what we were left with. We should see to it that whatever they fought so hard for would not just fade to nothing, that we stay radical and fight for what we believe in, in whatever way we can; given the situation we are in.

It just so happened that the generation during Marcos’ regime had been unfortunate enough to be put in such position, which was more difficult, when compared to if the same instances were to occur today. But the severity of their situation is what led their generation, to do something extraordinary; because it was called for. And now that we have the said freedom they fought so passionately for, it is up to us to put it to good use and continue their legacy. I don’t see it necessary to have the take-it-to-the-streets type of rallies anymore, because we now have the power of social media. It is our job to put this to good use as a platform to voice out our concerns. We millennials lack awareness, we aren’t shaken or unsettled even the slightest bit and frankly, some of us just don’t care. That’s because we haven’t woken up to a brutal reality such as the one caused by Martial Law. Yes, the earlier generations had some sort of awakening in the form of the Marcos’ regime, but do we really need something as severe as that to happen before we start making an effort?

 

Ma. Bianca Ysabelle C. Kit
2012 58453

Giving up should never be an option

“The reason most people never achieve their dreams is because they simply give up. Life was never meant to be easy – its a constant struggle, with extreme lows and extreme highs. Remember that the times when its most important to persevere are the times that you will be most tested.”

There are times when I just wanna give up on life. There are moments when I simply sat down and cry because of the problems life has been throwing right at me. There are instances when I just want to disappear from this world and never come back. Then, I remember why I am here, I remember what I want to achieve in life. The constant struggle of surviving is just a part of my journey to where I wanna be. I just have to remind myself that it will all be worth it in the end. It will never be easy but as long as I believe in myself, as long as I do my best in everything, as long as I keep on fighting, everything will be alright.

 

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Passion for Art: A Way to Survival

Roman Polanski’s The Pianist (2002) confers about the happenings in Warsaw, Poland during the Second World War. It particularly focuses on Wladyslaw Szpilman, a pianist who works for a local radio. At the occurrence of the war, the Nazis make it difficult for the Jewish people to live. They vacate them to a Jewish residence where in they are away from non-Jewish Poles. Some starves to death and others are killed for no reason at all. The Nazis even slaughter them anytime they want to. Wladyslaw and his family are one of those who suffer in the hands of the German soldiers.

Art, in any form it may be, brings out the beauty in everything in life. It has everything that makes life worth living. It conveys a particular part in someone’s life that makes it so easy for him to express his emotions. It gives hope to people suffering from adversities in life. It tends to give people the optimism that there are greater things in life that awaits them after every pain they encounter. In times of need, art gives people the ability to continue and face the challenges ahead of them. Through this, they may communicate with each other and know that they are not alone. It gives people the opportunity to utter things that they cannot say verbally to everyone.

Wladysaw is just one of the few survivors in the war. He shows the true character one has to have when in the middle of a war. He does everything in order to survive. He is not one of those who just let themselves starve to death and do nothing to stay alive. He shows the value of life and though he is in a difficult situation, he never gives up and never loses hope. When they evacuated, he serves as a Jewish pianist during the Holocaust to be able to gain enough money so that his family will have food to eat. He illustrates the attitude one has to have to be able to live on. What he really signifies is what every one has to have when in a particular situation such as a war. He creates a mindset for people watching the film that there is still hope in life, that even in the midst of a war, they can still survive. He has become optimistic and he touches people’s heart by never giving up in life. Even if his family was not with him until the end, he did not let it take away his eagerness to get out of the war and survive until it ends. The enthusiasm to endure all the hardships a person may face is the most important thing Wladyslaw shows in his love for playing the piano.

During the time when his family was one of the Jews who waited for the train to come and take them to a camp where they will face their death, there are a few who played their own musical instruments while waiting. They engage in this recreation to lift their spirits up. For these people, it serves as a way to free them from the reality that death is coming and it will take them at any moment. Instead of letting life pass by without having to enjoy the few minutes they have left, they simply let music fill their minds and make them see the beauty of life despite of the tragedy they are about to face. These people obtain the strength they need through melody. Clearly, it seems that music fills the missing part of them that needs to come out, and that is the happiness and joy they truly deserve which the Nazis are about to take away from them.

Music plays an important role in the film. It signifies the strength and the willingness of Wladyslaw to endure whatever the Nazis do to him. It serves as an inspiration for him to stand for his family. As the war prolongs his starvation, his passion for music makes him willingly hope for the best. The love for music gives him a brighter outlook in life and makes him optimistic enough to see that in the end, he will still be alive and help will come to them. Even without the piano itself, Wladyslaw still practices his notes and plays in the air. It is his way of comforting himself and making him feel the hope of survival. He acquires the strength he needs in order to hold on from playing. It makes him happier when he plays. It seems that he forgets everything when he sees a piano and creates harmony from it. It appears that music serves as his escape from the bitter things in life that he is facing. It brings him to a different world where all he needs to do is to play and create music.

Music touches every person’s heart. Being a musician has a great impact to everyone. Only few have the ability to express their emotions through musical instruments. There is a certain importance of musicians in the world’s history. Without them, it wouldn’t be complete. Music has been a part of every person’s life. It is something that cannot be taken away from a person who is devoted to it. It is a way of expressing their feelings whether it be happiness or downfall. After having to create music, a person will be able to breathe again and move on having a positive viewpoint in life.

In the Second World War, Wladyslaw uses his love for music as a thing to hold on to and every person in the same position as him should have done the same thing. Music serves as a motivation for him to hope for the better things to happen. Fortunately, Captain Wilm Hosenfeld feels the love for music that Wladyslaw has. He appreciates the passion that the pianist has to survive and to continue the life he deserves. He realizes the value of life for Wladyslaw that made him think of setting him free. He sees in him the capability of doing whatever it takes to survive. It created a friendship between them bounded by the fact that they understand each other and they are willing to help one another. Undoubtedly, music really connects the hearts of people to each other. It relates the feelings of one another. They may have come from different worlds and has dissimilar outlooks in life; music makes it possible for them to understand each other.

The Pianist tells people how important life is. It gives them a positive view of surviving even if they are in the middle of a war. Art is one significant aspect in a person’s life that gives him the willingness to do whatever it takes in order to live on. It is a way of lifting the spirits of people that has no where to go to. It gives them the motivation to fight for what they believe is right and for a life they truly deserve. Wladyslaw is a good example of a person who considers art as his way of coping with life. His passion for music leads him to continue existing in this world. He endures everything hardship he faces because he knows that there is still hope for living and starting all over again. This film makes people realize that when a person as a passion for something and is willing to use it as his inspiration, he will be able to stand up and live on.

 

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The Truth Is

I am recently recovering from a severe case of fandom. This springs from the recently concluded, first ever season of The Voice Philippines. My bet since Day One actually won and is the first Voice of the Philippines! His name is Mitoy and was in Team Lea (Salonga). I loved him not only because of his vocal prowess and how effortlessly he tackles every jukebox hit he performs, but also because I have been a fan of Lea Salonga ever since I learned how to hit a note. I believe that she truly was the best, most experienced, vocal coach in that singing competition. 

However, as most of us know, if you’re in the Philippines, singing competitions are not just singing competitions. Years of colonization, and other external influences would tell us the cold hard truth: Filipinos are shallow. Yes we can recognize an ultimate performer, but in our society, beauty and appeal to the mass are still the bigger factors. 

Upon the announcement, most people in social networking sites commented that the runner-up, Klarisse (from Team Sarah) would still end up with a more stellar career because of the face value. Also, Sarah Geronimo represents the Pinoy pop culture, and Lea Salonga, is already at her prime, and well… isn’t very pop to be honest. 

In this day and age, amidst all actions that are being done in hopes of alleviating the concept of beauty as the basis for everything, one can only hope for all the best for Mitoy. Because vocally, he really represents what a winner should be. 

To Give and Not To Count the Cost

 

Service. What does it truly mean to be of service? Do we do it out of the innate desire to help out in times of adversity or because at the end of it all, recognition awaits? 

This school year was truly an eye opener as I was able to recognize that service need not come from those with positions, those in higher authority. Anyone can be of service. My organization has given me, among others, the opportunity to be able to reach out and do something for someone other than yourself.

Sure it wasn’t easy. Imagine waking up to a Saturday dedicated to pampering yourself, excessively sleeping on the living room couch, and streaming your favorite TV shows. Those are all simple joys that can easily be done. But choosing to get up from bed at 6:30 am on a Saturday, is already service. Choosing to spend your free time, making less fortunate kids smile and helping a province build their first eco-library, when you could be doing things for yourself, is already service. And honestly, the world doesn’t owe you the recognition for you to do all this. When the desire to help out naturally springs from you, you’re actually not doing it for the betterment of yourself. You’re simply helping the world and making it a better place by being of service.

So choose to serve others- not for yourself but for the world. A little act of kindness can always go a long way. Hold on to that. 

Reality Bites

I was able to catch the John Webster classic, The Duchess of Malfi, a tragic play that was wonderfully executed by our very own Dulaang UP. The play centers on its female protagonist who goes against her treacherous brothers and marries someone beneath her out of love. This then alarms everyone involved in the story, which leads to a series of scheming, destroying, and ultimately, death for most of the major characters. With each scene, each melancholy that unfolded before my eyes, I was faced with the realization that most of the tragic truths in the story are still relevant to our society today.

The play was named after the Duchess of Malfi, but in the story, was she really the main protagonist? I was able to witness how most of the male characters dominated the scenes, such as the Duchess’ corrupt brothers, The Cardinal and Ferdinand, Bosola, the spy involved in most of the deaths that transpired, and Antonio, the main reason for the Duchess’ demise. The female characters in the story had subpar roles: a mistress and a waiting-woman. Ironically, they were also the first ones to die in the story.

Also, it was of no surprise in the story that church leaders were corrupt, men were excessively lusting over other women apart from their betrothed, and women were charged with strangulation or death if proven disobedient to the laws of society.

Nowadays, the world seems kinder, more discreet with how women are treated and how men in such high positions are tolerated, but ultimately, we still face the same problems of corruption, infidelity, and objectification of women.

The Duchess of Malfi was successful in portraying these incorrigible truths mixed with sex, violence, and tragedy- amidst its dark and provocative overall theme. In the end, the play’s scene stealer was Bosola, who also faced his demise when he tried his hand at redemption after a series of evil scheming.

 

Christelle Tiberio

Pastime of Our Generation

We are living in a generation swept forward by great waves of technological discoveries which are affecting the very fabric of our society. The introduction of televisions, internet, game consoles and smartphones has left billions of people with new realization that caused an exodus from our previous lifestyles. The biggest and the most notable change could be found in what we do for our pastime. People from previous generations entertained themselves with outdoor activities involving physical movements. However, living in an era where “fun” is accessible with just few clicks and taps, we tend to confine ourselves in between the four walls of our rooms. There, we hone our skills in the art of using fingers by doing any of the following activities.

 

First is watching television. This has become a mandatory requirement in our lives. Every day we rack up hundreds of hours sitting in front of a screen, only to exercise our fingers from time to time when shifting through channels. So what makes us captivated to it? In its purest essence, television offers escapism. It frees us from the chains of problems and takes us away to different places and worlds. It also has the power to move and to entertain us.

 

Second is playing games. The period when gaming was solely under the realm of obsessed male teenage geeks no longer exists. The mass distribution of smartphones has made gaming possible to target women and older people. Today’s generation of games not only stimulates our minds through vivid animations but through a simple but sensational process called “tapping.” Another reason for playing games is that it provides challenges. These challenges are neither too easy nor too hard that it results in boredom or frustration. They are just right enough to pump excitement through our whole body and relieve our stress when we play games.

 

Third is devoting ourselves to social networking. We are living in a generation where the social network system is the global boom. Almost everyone in the world, regardless of their different backgrounds, has either a Facebook or Twitter account. Thanks to social networking, the world has become a smaller place. Communicating with others has become a very simple task. Instead of going out to meet someone in person, all we have to do is scroll through posts and type comments in our rooms. Other benefits include staying connected with old friends without forgetting them and satisfying our needs of belongingness and self-presentation.

 

These activities give entertainment far beyond what the past generations have experienced. Nonetheless, we must be careful not to be swept away by the flood of “fun” that they provide. Watching too much television, playing too much games and devoting our very lives to social networking will loosen our hold on reality. We must always keep in mind that these activities are meant to dismiss our worries and they should never become reality itself. It is high time that we spend our pastime by taking a step away from our rooms, from mastering the art of using fingers and start engaging in outdoor activities which promote reality.