#mc2024

For the UP High Prep Batch 1974, it would have been very hard to pick just one, so they decided to honor all those memories on their multiple-day Golden Reunion program. As a way to kick it off, a smaller group of the celebrants had decided that their inaugural activity was to be an offering of flowers to our school statue: The Teacher, who is fondly called Lorna, to honor the guidance and teachings that the UP High Preparatory School imparted. They visited the 7-12 Building on February 23, 2024 and had a short tour of the school grounds after one of their alumni made a short speech in front of the Student Services Office. "I think it's [the flower offering] symbolic of giving back to the school that basically nurtured you, to become who you are today," said Mr. Tomas Maceda, after the speech was concluded. Once they were finished with the tour, they proceeded to the reunion’s luncheon.

The reunion was in the making for about a year during the pandemic before it was finally able to push through. According to Mrs. Celeste Villafuerte, one of the celebrants who organized it, a lot of their batchmates had families or worked in healthcare. Because of this, they not only honored the school during their reunion, but also honored frontline workers. Mrs. Villafuerte also highlighted the importance of accommodation especially for their batchmates coming from overseas.

And so, their batch’s reunion was planned to be three days long, and had a diverse array of activities where their batchmates could pick something that suited their time restraints. The first day would entail a luncheon and an ecumenical prayer service from the Parish Of The Holy Sacrifice and The Church Of The Risen Lord, to pray for their batchmates and fellow Healthcare workers. Their next two days would then be spent relaxing and catching up with each other at a resort in Rizal.

While recounting his favorite memories of the school, Mr. Maceda shared that one of his mentors, Dr. Maria Theresa De Villa, had been his adviser when he was the head of the UP Student Catholic Action (UPSCA) in his fourth year of high school, and was his homeroom teacher in his second year at UP High. "I got the most exposure from her. She [later] became a principal [of UPIS] and a dean [of UP Open University], so you can say that she really has the qualities of a good advisor!"

He also recounted how the merging of UP Prep from Padre Faura, and UP High in Katipunan became another treasured memory of his as a UP high schooler. "Each group has its own kinds of characteristics and way of learning, and then suddenly, in our fourth year, we got exposed to another batch of students. And to be honest, they were very, very good, the UP Prep people. Very, very good."

Mrs. Villafuerte, who was originally from UP Prep, had noted the differences between the curricula of the two high schools. "Yung high school namin, experimental. 20 years lang. Yung mga graduate na una niyan, galing din sa UP High, dinala doon [sa Prep], kasi lahat ng [aming] subjects, for college. Wala kaming Home Economics, wala kaming carpentry. Yung mga subjects namin, Trigo, Geometry, Advanced English, kasi preparation for college... So, iyon, natapos na yung project, pinauwi na kami."

"So, there was a challenge for us to compete academically," continues Mr. Maceda, "to prove which school was better, initially. But when we finished high school, we could not anymore identify ourselves as [either] UP High or UP Prep, [but] only as UP High Prep. And we are proud to say that we are UP High Prep Graduates.”

They also both recalled how the old locations looked, describing the former high school building to be a bungalow-type school with many large pavilions in between. They also shared that the current UPIS 7-12 Building used to be the Narra Residence Hall, a dormitory. The differences between the old buildings and the current UPIS school grounds had left few of the alumni surprised, especially the ones who have been abroad for a while. Mrs. Villafuerte, in particular, expressed her puzzlement over the current K-12 system.

Of course, despite the changes that have happened in the past 50 years, they have still shown their eagerness to support the school by organizing multiple initiatives as a batch. From proposing to install multiple solar panels on the buildings, to gathering funds for the replacements of the computers, and even talking with the principal to provide scholarships to the students, the UP High Prep Batch 1974 have been really walking their talk to give back to the community that nurtured them.

VINZONS KIOSK

Pag-ja-jogging, paglalakad, at pag-aaral—ilan lamang ito sa ating mga karaniwang gawain sa loob ng campus. Kaya ‘di rin natin maiiwasang mapagod lalo na't panahon na ng tag-init. Buti na lang, may mga kiosk stand! Nasaang bahagi ka man ng unibersidad, tiyak na mahahanap mo ang mga ito at makakapili pa mula sa malawak na seleksyon ng mga inumin.

Ang Kiosk sa Vinzons ay maituturing na isa sa mga pinakamalapit na lokasyon sa UPIS—konting lakad lamang ang kailangan! Ang mga kiosks ay karaniwang kilala sa pagbebenta ng mga combo na pagkain, gaya ng pancit canton at fishball, pancit canton at tinapay, at iba pa. Sa kabilang banda naman, kakaiba at bago sa mga mamimili ang ibinebenta ng Marcelina Store—fried noodles at iba-ibang uri ng mga inuming magpapagaan sa pakiramdam ng mga mamimili!

Bilang tugon sa mainit na panahon, nagbebenta sila ng mga best seller nilang iced coffee at iced Milo. Meron ding mga fruit tea (na nilalagayan nila ng nata de coco) at lemonades na available rin sa iba't ibang flavors gaya ng strawberry, kiwi, lychee, at iba pa. Sa halagang Php 35 hanggang Php 65, mayroon ka nang pampagising, pampasigla, at pampa-refresh na inumin!

AREA 2

Isa sa pinakasikat na kainan sa loob ng campus ang Area 2. May kalayuan lang ito sa UPIS pero kayang-kaya namang puntahan. Pwedeng lakarin, pwede rin namang sumakay sa Ikot jeep. Ang lokasyong ito ay may hilera ng mga tindahan na nagbebenta ng sulit at abot-kayang mga pagkain.

Sa Iskorambol, patok na patok sa mga mamimili—mapa-bata, estudyante, o matanda man—ang panghimagas na ice scramble. Talagang buong taon ito dinadayo ng mga mamimili, anuman ang lagay ng panahon. Bukod sa abot-kayang halaga, talagang nakagiginhawa sa pakiramdam kapag natikman ang kanilang binebenta kaya rin ito binabalik-balikan.

Nagsisimula ito sa halagang Php 25 (12oz) hanggang Php 35 (16oz). Mayroon na itong kasamang gatas at syrup. Pero kung gusto mong maglagay ng add-ons, pwedeng magdagdag ng Php 5 para sa bawat add-on gaya ng mallows, sprinkles, pinipig, dinurog na oreos, choc-nut, frosties, coco crunch, stick-o, gatas, at dagdag pang syrup. Mayroon din silang mga tub na sulit para sa magbabarkada o pamilya; ang para sa 5pax ay nagkakahalagang Php 229, habang ang para sa 10pax naman ay Php 329; ang bawat tub ay may kasama na ring gatas, syrup, at tatlong add-ons na pipiliin ng mamimili. Ang kanilang bestseller ay ang Iskorambol na mayroong mallows at chocolate syrup sa ibabaw. O ‘di ba, sulit na!

Talaga namang napakaraming pagpipiliang toppings ang pwedeng mailagay, kaya’t anuman ang iyong hilig, tiyak na may magugustuhan kang kombinasyon ng Iskorambol!

Samot-saring tindahan din ng murang shakes ang makikita sa Area 2, at isa rito ay ang Nomie Fruit Shake and Eatery na nagbebenta ng mga lutong bahay at fruit shakes. Ang kaibahan nito sa iba pang tindahan na nagbebenta rin ng parehong produkto ay ang kanilang buy 1 take 1 promo sa murang halaga.

Marami ang pagpiliang flavor gaya ng mangga, dragon fruit, mansanas, avocado, strawberry, saging, at melon. Pwede ka rin mamili kung buy 1 take 1 o single; ito’y nagkakahalagang Php 65 (16oz) at Php 75 (22oz) para sa single fruit shake, Php 120 (16oz) at Php 130 (22oz) para naman sa buy 1 take 1 na fruit shake.

Para sa mango graham shakes naman, mayroon itong kasamang toppings na hiniwang mangga at nagsisimula ito sa halagang Php 70 (16oz) at Php 75 (22oz) kapag single, at Php 130 (16oz) naman kapag buy 1 take 1. Hinding-hindi ka rin madidismaya kapag binili mo ang kanilang bestseller na buy 1 take 1 mango graham shake (22oz) dahil bukod sa ito ay nakabubusog, makatitipid ka pa dahil ito’y hindi gaanong mabigat sa bulsa ng mga estudyante.

GYUD FOOD HUB

Isa sa mga pinakabagong tinatangkilik at patok na tambayan ng mga estudyante ang Gyud Food Hub na nagbukas noong Enero 2023. Matatagpuan ito sa kahabaan ng kalye ng Emilio Jacinto, kaya mainam na sumakay ng Ikot jeep para mapuntahan ito. Kumpara sa ibang mga lokasyong aming nabanggit, may kamahalan ang mga binebentang produkto rito. Ngunit, huwag madidismaya—para sa mga gaya naming estudyanteng nagtitipid, basta’t may dala kang UP ID, pwede kang makakuha ng discount!

Ang Frrrüt Shake ay isa sa mga tindahan sa Gyud Food Hub na nag-aalok ng discount sa mga estudyante—sa simpleng pagpresenta lang ng iyong ID ay maaari ka nang makakuha ng Php 10 na bawas sa bawat inumin na iyong bibilhin!

Matatagpuan dito ang iba’t ibang klase ng fruit shakes tulad ng mangga, saging, mansanas, guyabano, at melon na nagsisimula sa halagang Php 120 hanggang Php 160, at Php 160 hanggang 170 naman para sa kiwi, avocado, at strawberry na hindi kadalasang ibinebenta sa ibang mga fruit shake stand. Ang mga bestseller naman nila ay ang ripe mango shake at ang avocado shake.

Gaya ng mga naging tanyag na pangalan ng mga pagkaing nagsimula sa loob ng unibersidad tulad ng Rodic’s at Snack Shack, ang Fizz Stop naman ay may kaparehong layunin—ang makapaghandog ng mga inuming unique sa panlasa ng masa. Itinayo lamang noong Oktubre 2023 ang unang branch nito sa Gyud Food Hub. Napukaw ng bagong tayong establesimyentong ito ang interes ng mga taga-UPD dahil sa kanilang customizable na carbonated fruit drinks. At para naman sa mga estudyante ng UP, pwede ka ring makakuha ng Php 5 na discount sa bawat bibilhing inumin!

May tatlong klase ng inumin na ibinebenta sa Fizz Stop—ang Fresh Fizz, Pulpy Fizz, at Classic Fizz. Tulad ng pangalan, sariwang mga prutas ang ginagamit para sa Fresh Fizz na bestsellers ng stand. Nagkakahalaga ito ng Php 85 para sa lemon fizz, at Php 115 naman para sa orange fizz. Ang Pulpy Fizz naman ay nagkakahalagang Php 85, at maaaring mamili mula sa tatlong flavors na mangga, strawberry, o kaya naman ay blueberry. At panghuli, ang Classic Fizz naman ay ginagamitan ng iba’t ibang fruit syrups tulad ng green apple, lychee, melon, mixed berries, at marami pang iba. Upang mas maging masaya at kawili-wili ang pag-customize sa ating mga inumin, sa halagang Php 30 ay mayroon rin silang add-ons na vanilla ice cream, mixed jellies, at ang paboritong idagdag ng mga mamimili, ang Yakult.

KRUS NA LIGAS

Ang Krus na Ligas ay tahanan ng kalakhan ng mga miyembro ng komunidad ng UPD. Tulad ng mga naunang nabanggit na lokasyon, isang sakay lang din sa Ikot jeep ang kailangan para makarating dito. Bilang isa sa mga pangunahing pinagkakakitaan nila ang pagbebenta ng iba’t ibang produkto, kaya kahit saang sulok ka man tumingin ay tiyak na makakahanap ka ng papawi sa iyong cravings.

Kabilang sa mga abot-kayang produkto ng mga maliliit na negosyo sa KNL ay ang halo-halo at mais con yelo—bagay na bagay sa tanghaling tirik na tirik ang araw. Matatagpuan ang munting stand ni ate Rowelita sa kalye ng Lt. J. Francisco, kahanay ng Southstar Drugstore, konting lakad lang mula sa arko ng KNL.

Ayon kay ate Rowelita, mas tinatangkilik ang paninda niyang halo-halo. Sa halagang Php 50, sa isang 16oz na baso ay kumpleto na ang mga sangkap ng malamig na panghimagas mula sa iba’t ibang kulay ng sago, nata de coco, saging na saba, kamote, gatas, hanggang sa leche flan at ube halayang nakalagay sa tuktok. Napagdesisyunan niya ring magbenta muli ng mais con yelo na nagkakahalaga naman ng Php 40 para sa isang 16oz na baso dahil sa hiling ng kanyang mga suki, at upang magkaroon ng variety ngayong mas tumitindi na ang init. Sagana rin siya sa paglalagay ng mga sangkap na, sa murang presyo, mataas pa rin ang kalidad.

Ang panghuli sa aming listahan ng mga lokasyon ay ang 1128 Tea and Cafe.Matatagpuan sa kalye ng V. Francisco, ang naturang lugar ay maituturing na hidden gem ng KNL. Maliban sa pagsakay ng Ikot jeep at pagbaba sa arko ng KNL, kakailanganin mo pang maglakad hanggang sa ika’y makaabot sa dulo ng kalye kung saan makikita rin ang simbahan at paaralan ng barangay. Maituturing mang pinakamalayo sa lahat ng aming nabanggit na tindahan, dito naman matatagpuan ang pinakamurang inumin!

May malawak na seleksyon ng mga inumin sa 1128: may iba’t ibang flavors ng milk tea, regular frappes, mga inuming may cheesecake, fruit teas, milk series, iced coffee, at maging mainit na mga kape. Mula sa presyong Php 28 ay maaari ka nang makabili ng medium-sized na inumin at Php 38 naman para sa large-sized. Ang itinuturing naman nilang bestsellers ay ang mga large premium frappe tulad na lang ng red velvet cream cheese, dark forest, at strawberry cheesecake na mabibili sa halagang Php 88. Kalakip ng kanilang murang mga presyo ay ang pagiging interactive ng mga staff sa kanilang mga kostumer sa social media page ng tindahan na talagang nakadadagdag sa nakaka-enganyong atmosphere.

Hindi lang din simpleng bilihan lang ang nabanggit na lugar. Sa ikalawang palapag ng establisyemento ay madalas na nagsasagawa ng libreng movie marathon para sa mga kostumer. Tinatangkilik din ito ng mga estudyanteng kagagaling lang sa kanilang mga klase.

Sa panahon ngayong tag-init, deserve nating kumain at uminom ng mga pampalamig upang pawiin ang ating uhaw. Dahil sa mga student-friendly na presyo, mga discount, at buy 1 take 1 na promo, tiyak na hindi ka mapapagastos nang sobra. At dahil sa malawak na variety na inaalok ng bawat lokasyon, mas mapapasaya ang iyong experience kung may kasama kang kumain at uminom ng mga inumin at panghimagas. Ano pang hinihintay mo? Halina’t yayain mo na ang iyong pamilya’t mga kaibigan at mag-food trip sa UPD!

Established in March 1987, International Women's Month has been a beacon of inclusivity and empowerment, advocating for gender equality and celebrating the achievements of women worldwide every March. In the Philippines, former President Corazon Aquino declared the occasion to be a month-long celebration in Proclamation No. 224. 1988 She also declared the eighth of March a special non-working holiday under the Republic Act No. 6949 s. 1990. This effort not only raises awareness but also promotes active engagement in gender equality and appreciating their unique contributions to society.

The spirit of Women's Month remains at UPIS through various initiatives emphasizing the importance of gender equality and the celebration of women's achievements, such as a freedom wall created by the Media Center 2024. It encouraged students to write about their thoughts on women's empowerment, experiences, and female figures who have inspired them in their everyday lives. In addition to this, the Media Center also handed out purple ribbons to students, teachers, and staff to wear in honor of International Women's Day. Lastly, the Pamunuan ng Kamag-Aral (PKA) organized a tote bag-making contest called 'BAGisbis', in which students from Grades 7-11 showcased their creativity while participating in the celebration. And as the community continues to celebrate each woman's diversity and uniqueness in UPIS, this includes its student leaders, whose efforts have inspired others to strive for excellence in all aspects of life.

Mikhaella Christina Mercurio

Mikhaella Christina Mercurio is a Grade 7 student leader from the Freshman Association. Her leadership journey began in K-2, where her classmates recognized her potential and elected her to various leadership positions. This early honor encouraged her passion and commitment to serving her peers and school community.

“Inspirations ko po is si Mommy ko and si Leni Robredo [My inspirations are my Mommy and Leni Robredo].” Mikhaella shared. Her mother's work ethic and Leni Robredo's groundbreaking impact on society encouraged her to be driven and creative and make a positive change in the Philippines.

But as a student leader, Mikhaella can’t deny that there are some challenges she encounters in her daily life as she fulfills her responsibilities at UPIS. She faces hurdles such as time management and maintaining professionalism. Balancing these aspects can be demanding, yet Mikhaella remains determined in her commitment. Mikhaella’s warm and friendly energy, together with her genuine desire to connect with everyone promotes an inclusive environment where everyone feels seen and valued.

“Dito ko po nae-express tsaka nashe-share yung creativity ko… [This is where I am able to express and share my creativity…]” Mikhaella’s leadership roles provide a platform to showcase her creative ideas and build meaningful relationships with her peers and even their parents. While she embraces these opportunities, Mikhaella acknowledges the challenges of being a female leader; some may underestimate her capabilities, but Mikhaella always steps forward and rises above these perceptions, proving herself through her actions and dedication.

As we celebrate Women’s Month, Mikhaella shares a message to other young women who aspire to become student leaders: “Young women who aspire to be student leaders should never let anyone bring them down. Don’t be afraid to show the world the things you can do and always do your best. You must enjoy every step of the process and remember who you're doing it for.”

Chiomi Sophia Eisma

The Sophomore Association’s Treasurer Chiomi Sophia Eisma described her journey as a leader to be a rollercoaster ride because of the difficulties and problems she has to face. After all, she has to participate in the balancing act between student life, leading, and being a child, while aiming to break through the stereotypes about women being leaders that she finds in her surroundings.

“For me, there are a lot of advantages and disadvantages to being a leader. One of the advantages would be learning new experiences, but the disadvantages, marami din po. Sa ating mga Pilipino, kung lalaki yung lider, naiisip nilang mas “higher being” yung mga male. Tapos, kung female yung lider, dina-doubt siya ng mga tao, kasi ‘Ano yung kaya nitong gawin?’ kumpara sa male, na ‘May kaya itong gawin [... there are many too. For us Filipinos, if the leader is a man, they think that men are “higher beings”. However, if the leader is a woman, people doubt her, because 'What can she do?' compared to men, who ‘can do something.’]”

“It inspired me, seeing how I could make a difference in our batch, especially from all the problems we were facing, and seeing that I could be aware of the things I can and can't do as a person. I can make a change while inspiring people that surround me, and they’re giving me their full support in return,” said Chiomi.

For her message to young girls who, just like her, aspire to become good leaders, she shares that they should always believe in their unique and capable selves, and to surround themselves with people who will fully support them. “Do not think [about] what other people will say about you, whether negatively or positively, because we are all uniquely made to be ourselves to do the things we are capable of. Always surround yourselves with people that are willing to give their full support towards us.”

Indah Hannah Wadi

Junior Association’s President Hannah Indah Wadi recalls her exciting beginnings as a student leader back in K-2 as the president of her class. This early experience ignited her passion to continue her journey, leading her to take on various roles in elementary, including becoming a homeroom officer.

“I’d say it would be my parents who inspired me the most, they give me the courage to lead a bunch of people.” Hannah happily shared. However, navigating the path of her leadership also came with challenges, such as the need to completely find and understand herself to effectively help others. Some have also found her intimidating due to her role as a student leader. Despite this, Hannah’s passion and dedication earned her respect and admiration.

Hannah emphasizes the importance of providing a safe space for all students, particularly women student leaders who play a significant role in setting a positive change within the school community. She hopes that this compassionate environment will continue to grow in order to empower more students to take on leadership roles fearlessly.

To wrap everything up, Hannah shared a few inspiring words for aspiring women leaders who want to take the same path as her. “It’s normal to have those days where you just don’t feel like yourself and you feel burned out and tired; that’s really normal. After overcoming that, that’s when you realize that other side of yourself. Those bad days are needed for you to see the happy days and the happy side of you! So definitely, if you think that you have the heart, or if you want to try it out, you should go for it because it really teaches you a lot, and you learn a lot about yourself.”

Justice Christian Aguinaldo

When the President of this year's PKA Justice Christian Aguinaldo was younger, she had a childhood dream to become the president of the Philippines— although she states that it was just in the past.

“When I was in Grade 3, there was a teacher who encouraged me to run for Pamunuan Ng Kamag-Aral, and at first I was scared because I didn't know everybody. I had to gain votes, and I didn't know how to do that, but my teacher taught me to be part of a party list that welcomed me and helped me run.”

This encouragement would be the catalyst for a years-long journey to lead Batch 2026, and later the PKA here in UPIS. It helped her to understand how the guidance of adults around her would affect how she could learn to lead, because only through the grown-ups could children learn to handle complicated things, like legal or financial issues in an organization.

As a female student leader, she says that she has never experienced anything undesirable from the school itself just because of her gender. She points out that the leadership roles here have never placed emphasis on who can and cannot lead, and that not only are the ratios between female student leaders and male student leaders almost equal, but they are more dominated by female students sometimes! However, she does recall an experience when a younger student assumed she was a man, and it made her wonder if it was because of her name, appearance at the time, or if the student had just assumed that she had to be a man because of the leadership role she had taken on. If so, she hopes that the school can continue to educate and promote inclusivity to its younger students, so that they would not adhere to stereotypes about leadership.

As a final message to the readers, Justice urges people to take the plunge towards leadership if they want to. “Just go for it. Run for the position, kung mayroon ka talaga ng pagmamahal sa pamumuno at paglilingkod sa kapwa mo. I hope na magkaroon din sila ng person that will encourage them to run. [Run for the position, if you really have love for leading and serving your fellows. I hope that they will also have a person that will encourage them to run.]”

Alexandra Sophia “Alex” Blasi

For Alexandra Sophia Blasi, what pushed her to be a student leader at a younger age was the lack of guidance and leaders in her batch when they were in elementary. “I wanted to step up. I already had roles pagdating sa homeroom, so I felt that I could escalate to a bigger platform, for PKA, pero for my first year na tumakbo ako, hindi ako nanalo, pero I decided to try again [for the following elections], and nanalo ako for that term and the next year, back in elementary. [I already handled roles in my homeroom, so I felt like I could escalate to a bigger platform, for PKA, but in the first year that I ran, I didn't win. But I tried again next year, and I won for my next two terms back in elementary.]” When the student organizations returned in UPIS during the pandemic, she decided to run and got elected as the vice president. A year after, as a Grade 10 student, she became the president of last year's PKA.

When she was new to leading, she found it hard to establish her authority among her peers, especially because they were still young children at the time, and on different occasions had struggled with communicating and reinforcing the school rules to her classmates. Since the school consists mostly of females and female leaders, she felt that she could share her own thoughts and feelings freely, and she learned to be empathetic towards what other people feel. While Alexandra rarely faced inquiries about leading as a young woman, she proudly says that this sentiment was only more prevalent in elementary school, and that the school has mostly been supportive and empowering towards her and fellow girls.

“At present, very supportive naman ang community dito. It would generally be better kung magiging participative yung mga students, lalo na sa mga events. [At present the community here is very supportive. It would generally be better if the students were more participative, especially in events.]” She hopes that aspiring student leaders would participate as much as possible in school events, and to be proactive in the advocacies that are present around them.

“Don't be afraid to take on leadership roles no matter what people say. Don't let them invalidate what you feel, because if you feel that spark, then you should go for it. Marami ang naniniwala at sumusuporta sa iyo [a lot of people will believe and support you,]” Alexandra says.

Rachelle Nicole Torralba

Lastly, Rachelle Nicole Torralba is the current Editor-in-Chief of ‘Ang Aninag Online’, under the Media Center 2024 and a representative of the Social Sciences and Humanities Track. She is also a former Year-Level Organization (YLO) officer of the Sophomore Association (SOA), Junior Association, and Senior Council.

Rachelle’s journey into student leadership started back in elementary when she actively participated in various clubs and student councils, which eventually blossomed into something greater when she transferred to UPIS. “It is definitely challenging to manage my time for academics and leadership tasks but it is bearable with the help of my co-leaders and members especially in Media Center as they are all very reliable and hardworking.” Rachelle shared. Despite the difficulties, she remains certain that every effort, no matter how tiny, contributes to a meaningful change.

However, Rachelle believes there's always room for improvement. She suggests that UPIS can further empower its women leaders by providing them more opportunities to learn and develop their leadership skills, not just within school boundaries but also in community settings where they can also help and participate to be actively aware of the real-life societal issues we are facing.

Finally, Rachelle shared a heartfelt message to aspiring young women leaders: “Being a woman in the field of leadership is no easy task. Aspiring to such a role will undoubtedly provide challenges, but I hope you don’t get discouraged and afraid to step up because who says women can’t lead? We can and we will definitely be effective leaders. Keep in mind that we, young women, have the potential to do big things, and if given the right opportunities and platforms, all of us can bring a huge and effective change not just inside the school but also in society.”

Grateful for the supportive environment at UPIS, these young women emphasize the significance of providing a safe space for all students, particularly female student leaders who play an important role in creating positive change in the school community. They believe that this compassion should continue to grow, allowing more students to take up leadership roles without fear.

They note that while stereotypes may exist outside of school, UPIS supports inclusivity and equal opportunity regardless of gender. The emphasis is not on which gender one should be to lead, but on giving all students an equal opportunity to thrive and make a difference. They hope that UPIS will continue to encourage equality and provide opportunities for students to share their advocacy, ensuring that no woman feels constricted or limited because of her gender.

To conclude, it is evident that these women are more than mere leaders in our school community; they are also our partners in changing, empowering, and inspiring youth for a brighter future. Their dedication and passion for making a change shine as a light of hope for everyone. Let us continue to promote and empower women leaders, acknowledge their significant accomplishments, and make sure their voices are heard and valued. We hope you had a happy Women's Month celebration!

Ang parangal na Rookie of the Year ay iginagawad sa mga natatanging manlalaro na unang beses pa lamang maglaro sa UAAP. Ang batayan ng pagpili ng natatanging manlalaro sa basketball ay pataasan ng pangkalahatang puntos, rebounds, assists at steals mula sa lahat ng laro. Sa table tennis naman ay tinitignan ang puntos na nakukuha kada set at ikukumpara ito sa iba pang mga rookies sa taong iyon. Kung sakali mang magkaroon ng parehas na puntos ang dalawang manlalaro, titignan kung sino ang mas maraming naipanalong set.

Ang rookie of the year award ay tinanggap ni Olympia Ducanes sa Amoranto Sports Complex noong Nobyembre 23, 2023. Sa kabila ng team standing na 1-9, siya ang tinanghal na rookie of the year ng UAAP Season 86 dahil sa kanyang indibidwal na paglahok.

Hindi raw inakala ni Pia ng 7-Mercury na siya ang pararangalan ng UAAP Season 86 Rookie of the Year para sa larangan ng table tennis. Aniya, “Sobrang saya ko noon, kasi first UAAP ko nga, tapos ako pala ‘yung magiging Rookie of the Year. Kasama ko ‘yung family ko, kumain kami sa labas para i-celebrate ‘yung achievement na ito.” Ibinahagi rin ni Pia ang kaniyang naging mindset noong nagdaang season, na kaniya ring babaunin sa mga susunod pang taon. “Para sa akin, dapat palaging positive. Matututo ako sa mga mistakes ko noong nakaraang season, para mabago ko. Kailangang ma-overcome talaga ‘yung pressure kahit mahirap na, dapat focused lang sa game, at huwag matatakot kahit na malalakas ‘yung kalaban.”

“Play to learn, not play to win.” Ito ang mga katagang pinanghawakan ni Pia. Sa kaniyang panayam, binanggit ng manlalaro ang mga hakbang na kaniyang isinagawa upang makapaghanda para sa Season 86. “Pumunta ako sa iba’t ibang mga clubs para makipag-tune up, para masanay ako, para pagdating ng UAAP, handa ako kahit sino man ang makalaban ko.” Binanggit din niyang ang buong koponan ng table tennis ay talagang nagpursiging mag-ensayo upang maging handa sa kanilang mga laro.

Ang Season 86 ay ang kauna-unahang UAAP season na nilahukan ni Pia, at maraming mga balakid siyang kinaharap bago mapanalunan ang ROTY award. “Iba talaga ‘yung pressure kapag first UAAP [season]. Syempre kasi, maraming mga manonood, kaya sobrang kabado talaga ako.” Ang mga laro para sa bawat season ng UAAP ay madalas na isinasagawa sa loob ng dalawang linggo, kaya para sa kaniya, ang pagliban sa mga klase ang isa pa sa kaniyang mga naging hamon. Upang maibsan ang takot na baka siya’y mahuli sa mga gawaing pampaaralan, ani Pia, “Nag-pray ako kay God na sana malampasan ko ‘yung lahat ng mga pagsubok. Na ma-overcome ko. Tapos ‘yung mga natambak na assignment, ginawa ko one by one.”

Ayon kay Pia, ang isa sa kaniyang mga ‘di malilimutang laro ay ang kanilang laban kontra Ateneo kung saan nila nakamit ang unang panalo sa ikalawang round ng season. “We were really happy,” kwento niya. “Tapos noong may nakalaban akong kaibigan ko rin. Dati, natatalo talaga ako sa kaniya kasi magaling siya. Kaya happy talaga ako noong nakalaro ko ulit siya, kasi natalo ko siya.”

Ang maipapayo ng Table Tennis Rookie of the Year na si Pia Ducanes para sa mga magiging manlalaro sa susunod na taon ay ang taimtim na pagpupursigi. “Syempre, you have to work hard para ma-achieve mo ‘yun. Huwag ka dapat mag-e-expect na Rookie of the Year ka kaagad. Again, play to learn.”

Sa kabila ng standing score na 1-12, si Nathan Egea ang itinanghal na Rookie of the Year para sa basketball na tinanggap niya sa FilOil EcoOil Sports Centre noong nakaraang Pebrero 7, 2024. Nagtala siya ng 10.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists at 1.5 na steals kada laro.

Ayon sa kaniya, sobrang unexpected ng kaniyang pagkapanalo at hindi niya inakalang siya ang magiging Rookie of the Year dahil ginawa niya lang ang mga dapat niyang ginagawa sa loob ng court. Ito ay matapos ang kaniyang pagpupursigi sa pag-eensayo at pagpapanatili ng positibo at matibay na mindset upang matiyak na maipapakita sa laro ang mga kakayahan ng koponan.

Para kay Nathan, naging mahirap ang pinagdaanan ng UPIS Junior Basketball Team sa nakaraang season. “It’s the pressure of not meeting the expectations of the people who support us, and also the disappointment whenever we lose in the game; but this serves as a challenge to give more effort and to be more eager to win,” aniya. “Memorable na sa aking nakapaglaro ako sa UAAP, pero iba pa rin ‘yung feeling na nakamit namin yung una naming panalo laban sa UE after so many losses.”

Sa kabila noon, nagpapasalamat pa rin siya sa pagkilalang natanggap at sa mga nananatiling walang sawang sumusuporta sa kaniya. “Kung hindi dahil sa kanila, ‘di ko po mararating kung nasaan ako ngayon.” Para sa Season 87, ani Nathan, dodoblehin pa nila ang ibubuhos na effort sa kanilang paghahanda. “We will make sure to learn from our experiences. We will treat this as an opportunity to grow more. I will make sure to maintain a positive mindset.”

Idinadahilan nila ang kakulangan ng Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) sa Pilipinas bilang rason kung bakit naghihirap ang bansa. Ayon sa kanila, kung ikukumpara sa mga kalapit nating bansa katulad ng Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia at Vietnam, mababa ang ating FDI; at dahil doon, lugmok ang ating ekonomiya.

Ngunit kontra rito, mas mataas pa rin ang ating FDI kaysa sa pinagsama-samang FDI ng Cambodia, Myanmar at Lao PDR. Kamakailan lang, inulat din ng Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) na 27.8% ang itinaas ng FDI noong Nobyembre 2023 kumpara noong Nobyembre 2022. Kung kaya’t ang tanong: bakit isinusulong pa ang economic charter change?

Sa ganitong punto, makikita ang pagkukulang ng Cha-Cha at ng mga nagsusulong nito. Bukod sa mga kontradiksyon sa kanilang argumento, naghihirap pa rin ang sambayanang Pilipino kahit nagkakaroon ng upward trend ang FDI natin. Ayon sa ulat ng IBON, 75% o tinatayang 20.6 milyong pamilyang Pilipino ang lubog sa kahirapan.

Maliban pa rito, hindi rin angkop na gamitin ang FDI bilang sukatan ng kaunlaran dahil ang ipinapakita lang nito ay ang dami ng foreign investments. Malinaw na hindi ito nangangahulugang maayos na ang ating mga pampublikong serbisyo o walang paghihirap na nararanasan ang pangkaraniwang Pilipino.

Kailangan alalahanin na sa panghihikayat ng mga foreign investors na mamuhunan sa Pilipinas, ang potensyal para sa kita at expansion ang nagsisilbing pangunahing pakay. Kapalit nito ang pangako ng inobasyon at pagsasaayos ng ating mga industriya at ekonomiya. Ngunit dahil nagsisilbing itong investment, ang prayoridad ng mga investors ay kumita. Sa kabila ng kanilang pangako ng kaunlaran, ang kanilang pagpapakahulugan sa “pag-unlad” ay nakaangkla sa kanilang mga layunin at karanasan, hindi sa kalagayan ng bayan.

Sa usapan ng kasalakuyang Cha-Cha, malinaw na malaking kontradiksyon ang lente ng pagnenegosyo na ito sa pampublikong serbisyo at institusyon ng edukasyon na ang pangunahing layunin ay magsilbi sa sambayanang Pilipino. Kung ilalagay natin sa kamay ng mga banyaga ang ating mga paaralan, ang iiral sa silid-aralan ay ang pagpaparami ng kapital sa pandaigdigang merkado kaysa sa ating sariling kasaysayan at bayan. Ang tanging makikinabang dito ay ang mga dayuhang kapitalista at muling mapag-iiwanan ang masang Pilipino.

Noong Disyembre 14, anim na buwan mula noong naluklok bilang pangulo si Marcos Jr., inanunsyo ng House Committee on Constitutional Amendments ang plano nitong talakayin ang charter change pagkatapos ng holiday break ng Kongreso. Naganap ang unang pagpupulong para sa Cha-Cha ng administrasyon noong Enero 26, 2023. Sa loob ng 16 buwan, mangilan-ngilang bersyon at hearings na rin ang isinagawa upang itaguyod ang pagsasabatas nito. Ngunit, sa kabila ng lahat ng panahon at pakikipagtalastasan, isinasawalang-bahala ng pamahalaan ang taong bayan sa usapan ng pagbabago ng Saligang Batas. Ayon sa isang sarbey ng Pulse Asia noong Marso 27, three-fourths ng mga respondents ang umaamin na sila ay may “little to no knowledge about the 1987 Constitution.” Kasama na rito ang kung paano isinasagawa ang charter change.

Nakakaalarma ito dahil dapat pinagtutuunan ng pansin ang Konstitusyon at kung ano mang rebisyon ang nais gawin dito lalo na sa konteksto ng ating kasaysayan. Maaaring samantalahin ang kakulangan sa impormasyong ito upang basta-bastang baguhin ang Saligang Batas ayon sa interes ng iilan.

Ang Cha-Chang nais isabatas ngayon ng administrasyong Marcos ay isang amendment sa Konstitusyon. Nilalayon nilang dagdagan ang Artikulo 12, 14, at 16 ng “unless otherwise provided by law.” Sa pamamagitan ng pagdaragdag ng sugnay na ito, mabibigyan ng kapangyarihan ang mga mambabatas na piliin ang mga institusyong maaaring maging 100% foreign-owned. Dito pa lang ay malinaw na maaari itong abusuhin at maging breeding ground ng korapsyon.

Dagdag dito, sadyang mahal ang economic charter change. Sa katotohana’y binigyan na ng Kongreso ang Commission on Elections (COMELEC) ng badyet na PHP 14 bilyon upang isagawa ang eleksyong plebisito, ngunit naniniwala sila na hindi pa ito sapat. Nangangailangan pa ng karagdagang PHP 12 bilyon hanggang PHP 13 bilyon upang maisagawa ito. “The COMELEC will have a financial crisis just in case a national plebiscite materializes this year,” sabi ng executive director na si Teopisto Elnas Jr.

Suhestiyon naman ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. na kung magkakaroon ng eleksyong plebisito, mas mainam ang dual vote na magaganap sa Mayo 12 sa susunod na taon, kasabay ng eleksyon sa 2024. “Dahil kung paghihiwalayin natin ‘yang election saka ‘yung plebiscite, parang dalawang eleksyon ‘yun e, napakamahal,” amin ng presidente. Ngunit, hindi pa rin nito isinasaalang-alang ang dagdag na materyales, kawani, at makinarya na kinakailangan—sumabay man ito sa isa pang eleksyon o hindi.

Bukod dito, nagkakaroon din ng imbestigasyon patungkol sa posibleng panunuhol sa pagsasagawa ng People’s Initiative. Sa unang bahagi ng Enero, ang mga nilagdaang dokumentong sumasang-ayon sa pag-amyenda sa Konstitusyon ay nagsimula nang kumalat. Ayon kay Albay 1st District Representative Edcel Lagman, mayroong ilang mga mayor na nakatanggap ng mobilization funds na nanggaling sa Ako Bicol partylist coordinators upang makakuha ng suporta sa petisyon. “Voters who would sign the petition or people’s initiative will be given PHP 100 each,” ani ni Lagman. Ito’y tinanggi ng Ako Bicol Representative na si Jil Bongalon at ng presidente ng League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Albay Chapter na si Raymond Adrian Salceda.

Hindi lamang umano sa Albay naganap ang sinasabing vote-buying. Ayon sa Kabataan Partylist, mayroong “template form” na ginagamit upang mangolekta ng mga lagda para sa People’s Initiative. Sabi pa ni Imee Marcos, “PHP 20 million total kada distrito ang inaalok, meron pa akong narining ‘nung malaking siyudad na pinangakuan din ng ganoon at ang sabi magproduce kayo ng 20,000 signatures by January 13.”

Mayroon ding nadagdag na PHP 26.7 bilyon na pondo sa naaprubahang 2024 badyet ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) na dapat para sa Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), na ayon kay Sen. Imee Marcos ay ginamit din na panuhol para sa People’s Initiative. Ang lalong nakababahala ay tila sorpresa ang ilang bilyon na ito, hindi lang sa Senado na nag-apruba ng badyet, kundi pati na rin sa DSWD. Ayon nga kay DSWD Undersecretary Fatima Aliah Dimaporo, ang PHP 26.7 bilyon ay isang “happy surprise.”

Bilyong-bilyong pera ang ginagastos para sa paglelehitimo ng charter change na dapat ilaan na lamang sa mga sektor na “nilalayon nitong paunlarin” tulad na lamang ng sektor ng edukasyon. Malinaw sa lahat ng pondong winaldas na sinasayang lang ng Cha-Cha ang oras at pera ng bayan at ang kinabukasan ng milyon-milyong kabataang Pilipino.

Lugmok na lugmok ang estado ng ating sistema ng edukasyon dahil sa pagsasawalambahala ng gobyerno. Hindi rin maikokonsidera ang 100% foreign ownership bilang solusyon dahil sa mahabang kasaysayan ng dayuhang impluwensiya sa ating edukasyon na nagdulot ng negatibong epekto sa kalagayan ng karaniwang mamamayang Pilipino.

“90% of Filipino children aged 10 struggle to read or understand simple text,” ayon kay Prop. Portia Padilla ng UP College of Education. Ngunit hindi lamang mga kabataan ang mababa ang reading comprehension. Ayon sa parehong pag-aaral, 200 na guro mula sa Bangsamoro Region na kasali sa programa para sa pagbabasa ng Department of Education (DepEd) ang nakakuha ng gradong “below 50% in reading comprehension.”

Maraming rasong makapagpapaliwanag sa mababang reading comprehension ng mga Pilipino. Maaari nating isipin ito bilang siklo kung saan ang mga guro at mag-aaral ay kapwa kulang ng kinakailangang kasanayan. Subalit, ang pinakamalaking salik ay ang pagpapahalaga ng ating gobyerno at mga paaralan sa wikang Ingles. Sa unang State of the Nation Address (SONA) ni Pangulong Marcos Jr., binanggit nito ang importansya ng marketability natin bilang isang “English-speaking people” sa pandaigdigang merkado. Bunsod nito, nais ng pangulo isulong ang Ingles bilang midyum ng pagtuturo.

Matagal nang mahigpit ang hawak ng wikang Ingles sa edukasyong Pilipino. Simula pa noong pananakop ng mga Amerikano, ginagawang simbolo ng “karunungan” at ng pagiging “maabilidad” ang pagkabihasa sa Ingles. Dahil dito, naisasantabi ang iba pang wika sa Pilipians. Ayon kay Leila Areola, Director IV ng Curriculum and Instruction sa DepEd Bureau of Learning Delivery, na 78,872 lamang sa target na 305,099 na guro ang trained sa paggamit ng mother tongue bilang midyum ng instruksyon.

Kapalit ng paggamit ng wikang hindi atin para sa pandaigdigang merkado, nawawala sa pagsasalin ang ganap na pag-unawa at pagpapalalim ng mga konseptong dapat nakalapat sa karanasang Pilipino. Masasabing kapareho nito ng ideolohiya ang Cha-Cha kung saan nauuna ang marketability at napag-iiwanan ang ipinapangakong pag-unlad.

Dahil dito, hindi maipagkakailang maapektuhan din ng 100% foreign ownership ang karunungan ng mga mag-aaral na magbasa at magsulat sa sarili nilang wika. Sa mas matinding presensya ng mga dayuhan sa ating mga paaralan, lalong maisasantabi ang Filipino. Mananatiling midyum ng instruksyon ang wika ng mga banyagang nagmamay-ari ng ating mga paaralan. Kahit manatili mang asignatura ang Filipino, hindi sila bihasa sa ating wika at kasaysayan kaya’t sinong makakapagsabi na mabibigyan nila ng hustisya ito?

Ganito rin ang alalahanin sa magiging epekto ng dayuhang presensya sa kasalukuyang kurikulum. Wala pa nga sa kanilang kamay ang ating mga paaralan ay matagal nang binabastardo ang ating mga aralin upang iangat ang naratibo ng mga korap at abusado. Halimbawa nito ang baliktad na kwento at kulang-kulang na impormasyon na tinuturo sa mga estudyante patungkol sa mga pang-aabuso sa ilalim ng diktadurya ni Ferdinand Marcos Sr. Bunsod ng isang memorandum ng Bureau of Curriculum Development (BCD) ng DepEd, ginawang “Diktadura” imbis na “Diktaduryang Marcos” ang pangalan sa yugto ng Batas Militar.

Patuloy na umuulit ang kamalian ng ating kasaysayan noon dahil itinatanggi at binabaluktot ito ng sistema. Mula pagkabata, tinuturuan ang mga Pilipino ng mali at kulang-kulang na impormasyon tungkol sa diktadura ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Sr.. Parehong-pareho lang ito sa mga paaralan at konserbatoryong itinayo ng mga banyaga noon na nagtuturo ng “malinis na bersyon” ng paghahari. Kaya hanggang ngayon, inaaral pa rin ng mga bata ang mga “kabutihang dala” ng pananakop ng mga Espanyol, Amerikano, at Hapon. Sinong makapagsasabi na hindi ito gagawin ng mga foreign investors, lalo na’t sila na ang nagmamay-ari ng ating mga eskwelahan?

Ngunit, ang pinakamalaking sala ng ating sistema ng edukasyon ay ang pilosopiya ng ating pamahalaan na “Basta nakakapasok ang estudyante.” Halimbawa nito ang No-Fail Policy na umiral noong kasagsagan ng Covid-19. Nais pa rin ng DepEd at CHEd na ituloy noon ang akademikong taon sa harap ng pandemya at ito ang nagsisilbing “solusyon.” Sa halip na tugunan ang krisis sa mental health ng kabataan, binigyan na lang nila ito ng band-aid solution sa pangakong hindi sila babagsak basta’t pumasok sila. Mayroon namang mga batang natulungan ng polisiya: basta’t tapusin lang nila ang kanilang mga gawaing pampaaralan, matiwasay na silang makakaakyat sa susunod na baitang. Ngunit, ipinapakita nitong iba ang prayoridad ng gobyerno patungkol sa ating edukasyon. Malinaw na sinisigurado lang ng ating sistema ng edukasyon ang regular na pagpasok ng mga mag-aaral at ang kanilang pagtapos sa pag-aaral sa lalong madaling panahon. Ang kurikulum natin ay nagsisilbi na lang checklist kaysa sa gabay sa pagtuturo. Dahil dito mas umaangat ang pagsasaulo ng impormasyon kaysa sa pagpapalalim ng pag-uunawa. Ayon kay Cynthia Bautista, EDCOM 2 adviser at dating dean ng UP Diliman College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP), ang ganitong pag-uugali ang bumubuo sa reputasyon ng ating mga paaralan bilang mga diploma mills. Bunsod nito, ang maakit din natin na paaralan mula sa mga dayuhang kapitalista ay kapwa diploma mills rin. Sa madaling salita, ang sisiguraduhin lang ng mga foreign investors ay ang bare minimum dahil ito ang nakikita nila mula sa ating pamahalaan. Dagdag dito, di hamak na mas maliit ang kinakailangang puhunan para sa mga paaralang bare minimum. Kahit ano man ang kalidad ng edukasyon, hanggang may mga mag-aaral na pumasok at makapagtapos, kikita sila.

Isa pang problema na kinakaharap sa ating institusyong pang-edukasyon ay ang mababang sahod ng mga guro. “The current salary level of teachers and other workers in government is not livable,” sinabi ni Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Partylist Chairperson Vladimir Quetua. Ang sahod ng mga guro sa mga pampublikong paaralan ay PHP 36,000 lamang, habang ang mga guro naman sa mga pribadong paaralan ay sumasahod nang mas mababa sa halagang PHP 27,000. Sa patuloy na lumalalang “inflation, hindi ito sasapat sa lahat ng mga gastusin, lalo na ng mga may sari-sariling pamilyang binubuhay. At kung hindi sapat ang pagpapasahod ng mga pribadong paaralan natin ngayong investors pa lang ang mga dayuhan, paano pa kaya kung kanila na ang buong pagmamay-ari sa mga ito?

Ang lalo pang nakapanghihinayang ay mayroon nang mga panukalang batas ukol sa pagtaas ng sahod ng mga guro na hindi lang binibigyang-pansin ng gobyerno, tulad ng Senate Bill No. 4 at Senate Bill No. 1164. Ang Senate Bill No. 1610 naman ay ukol sa pagbibigay-daan sa mataas na kalidad ng pagtuturo sa state universities at ibang mga kolehiyo sa pamamagitan ng pagbigay ng libreng tuition. Dagdag dito, kung ikukumpara sa ating mga kapitbahay, kakarampot lang na pondo ang nilalaan natin sa edukasyon kada taon. Inilaan ng gobyerno ang 3.6% Gross Domestic Product (GDP) sa edukasyon mula 2014 hanggang 2022. Noong 2017 naitala ang pinakamataas na budget na umabot sa 3.9% GDP. Subalit, maliit ito kumpara sa Vietnam at Malaysia na naglaan ng 4.2% ng GDP at sa Singapore na naglaan ng 25.8% ng GDP noong 2018. Dahil dito, makikita natin na ang pag-amyenda sa 1987 Konstitusyon ang kanilang pangunahing layunin, hindi ang pagpapaunlad ng kalagayang pang-edukasyon ng ating bansa.

Hindi uunlad at magkakaroon ng matinong edukasyon ang Pilipinas kung patuloy na isusulong ang privatization ng mga paaralan. Ayon sa ulat ng IBON Foundation Setyembre 2023, 13.2 milyong “self-rated” na pamilya o 48% ng pangkalahatang populasyon sa Pilipinas noong ay nagmumula sa mahirap na pamilya. Dagdag pa rito, 18.2 milyon o 67% ng sambahayan ay mababa ang savings sa ikatlong kwarter ng 2023. Mula sa mga nabanggit na datos, masasabi nating ang karamihan sa mga Pilipino ay hindi makatatanggap ng matinong edukasyon hangga’t sila ay mahirap, at ang gobyerno ay patuloy na inaprayoridad ang pagtataguyod ng mga pribadong paaralan.

Ngunit sa kabila ng lahat, kailangan nating alalahanin na ang masang Pilipino ay hindi magpapaloko. Mangilan-ngilang kilos-protesta ang isinagawa laban sa economic charter change linggo-linggo, at araw-araw ring dumarami ang mga grupo, organisasyon, at mga network na nanawagan para sa tuluyan nitong pagbasura. Noong Marso 22 lamang ay nagkaroon ng kilos-protesta sa labas ng Commision on Higher Education (CHEd) ang iba’t ibang mga student organizations laban sa 100% foreign ownership sa mga institusyon ng edukasyon. Malaking bahagi rin ng paggunita ng ika-38 na anibersaryo ng EDSA noong Pebrero 25 ang pagkontra sa Cha-Cha. Nagpahayag din ng pagtutol ang iba’t ibang sektor ng UP sa pamamagitan ng papaskil ng mga poster at tarpauling nagtataglay ng panawagang “No to Cha-Cha!” sa buong campus.

Bukod dito, ilang grupo rin ang nabuo upang kondenahin at labanan ang Cha-Cha. Halimbawa nito ang Teachers, Education Workers, and Academics Against Charter Change (TEACH). Nanawagan ang grupo sa kanilang inilabas na pahayag, “Rather than open up our schools to foreign ownership, the Philippine government should be reminded that improving the quality of Philippine education is a state obligation.”

Hindi malulutas ng foreign ownership ang krisis sa edukasyon sa Pilipinas—maaari pa itong makadagdag sa mga kasalukuyang kakulangan sa ating kurikulum. Sa halip na ang pagtuunan ng pansin ay ang mga kapalpakan sa loob ng sistema ng edukasyon, inuuna pa ng administrasyong buhusan ng pera ang economic charter change na wala namang maipapangakong ganap na pagbabago.

Asahang sa araw na tuluyang maipatutupad ang Cha-Cha, tulad ng mga banyagang mananakop noon, gagawing westernized at for-profit ng mga foreign investors ang ating mga paaralan ngayon.

Dati nang kinontrol ng mga dayuhan ang ating mga institusyon ng edukasyon. Nagpondo at nagtayo sila ng mga paaralan upang turuan tayo kung paano maging mas masunurin bilang kolonya. Ginamit nila ang kanilang wika bilang panturo at itinuring nila ang kanilang kultura bilang nakaaangat sa sariling atin. Malaki ang posibilidad na mangyari ito sa pagsasabatas ng Cha-Cha, lalo na't wala sa mismong amendment ang mga regulasyon na maaaring makapagpatigil sa pang-aabusong tiyak na mangyayari.

Bilang mga mag-aaral, kailangan natin idiin sa mga nanunungkulan ang pagbabasura ng Cha-Cha. Sapagkat ang tunay na kailangan ng mga estudyanteng Pilipino ay isang sistemang pang-edukasyon na nakalapat sa kanilang mga karanasan at realidad bilang Pilipino. Manawagan tayo na mabigyan ng respeto ang ating kasaysayan at wika sa pagtuturo. Mag-anyaya tayo ng ating mga kamag-aral na gamitin ang ating wika at humanap ng mga paraan upang pahalagahan ito. Makiisa tayo sa mga kilos-protesta para sa sapat na sahod at benepisyo ng mga guro at staff ng bawat paaralan. Dagdag dito, suportahan natin ang mga unyon at ang mga indibidwal na namumuno sa mga pagkikilos na ito. Matitiyak lang natin ang ating karapatan sa dekalidad na edukasyon kung pagsasama-samahin natin ang ating mga boses.

Hindi malabong matugunan ang mga panawagang ito ng ating gobyerno lalo na’t may pondo namang nakalaan para rito. Huwag tayong magsawa sa pangangalampag at paggigiit na itigil ang Cha-Cha, at sa pangangampanya para sa makamasang sistema ng edukasyon! //nina Mayden Bartolabac, Japhet Casabar, at Eda White

#NoToChaCha

Mga Sanggunian:

Africa, S. (2024, February 4). The spectacular errors of economic cha-cha proponents. IBON Foundation. https://www.ibon.org/the-spectacular-errors-of-economic-cha-cha-proponents/

Ager, M. (2024, March 13). Bill on people’s initiative, penalties for signature buying, selling filed. INQUIRER.net. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1917149/pimentels-bill-provides-for-pi-penalizes-signature-buying-selling

Canlas, R. (2024, March 6). Women organizations oppose ‘Cha-cha’. Manila Bulletin. https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/6/women-organizations-express-opposition-vs-cha-cha-on-women-s-day

Cayabyab, M. J. (2023, September 12). DepEd hit for rebranding of Marcos dictatorship. Philstar.com. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/09/13/2295879/deped-hit-rebranding-marcos-dictatorship

Chi, C. (2024, January 13). Explainer: With students’ poor literacy, are all teachers now ‘reading teachers’? Philstar.com. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/01/11/2325063/explainer-students-poor-literacy-are-all-teachers-now-reading-teachers#:~:text=At%20 least%2090%25%20 of%20 Filipino,in%20the%20Philippines%20at%2070%25.

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Chi, C. (2024, February 15). Salary hike for teachers? DepEd defers answer until World Bank study complete. Philstar.com. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/02/15/2333571/salary-hike-teachers-deped-defers-answer-until-world-bank-study-complete

Chi, C. (2023, July 17). Most private school teachers paid less than entry-level salary in public schools — survey. Philstar.com. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/07/17/2281732/most-private-school-teachers-paid-less-entry-level-salary-public-schools-survey

Chi, C. (2024, February 23). Philippines’ “diploma mill” rep may attract low-tier foreihn universities, expert warns. Philstar. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/02/22/2335333/philippines-diploma-mill-rep-may-attract-low-tier-foreign-universities-expert-warns

Cigaral, I. N. P. (2024, February 13). Net FDI inflows soared to near two-year high in Nov 2023. INQUIRER.net. https://business.inquirer.net/445148/net-fdi-inflows-soared-to-near-2-year-high-in-november-2023

Communications, E. 2. (2024, February 20). Allowing foreign ownership is only a first step in promoting internationalization in education – EDCOM 2 Executive Director. EDCOM 2. https://edcom2.gov.ph/allowing-foreign-ownership-is-only-a-first-step-in-promoting-internationalization-in-education-edcom-2-executive-director/

De Leon, D. (2024, January 25). Why mounting a 2024 plebiscite on charter change will be a daunting task for Comelec. RAPPLER. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/issues-comelec-face-plebiscite-charter-change-people-initiative-2024/

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After the fire, the tenants experienced difficulties with relocating and rebuilding their establishments. According to an article by ABS-CBN, the University’s Business Concession Office drew lots for the affected business owners. Those that were picked were allowed to reopen in other locations on campus, such as Vinzon’s Hall, the Food Hub next to the Fine Arts Building, the Centennial Building, and the Acacia Building, among others. Some tenants were able to rebuild at the old tennis court nearby, provided by the administration as a temporary space, and others opted to reopen in Area 2. A month later, during the 1334th Board of Regents meeting held in April 2018, former UP President Danilo Concepcion announced plans for the rehabilitation of the SC into a more modern structure. And thus, “DiliMall” was born.

The move to rebuild and rebrand the SC as DiliMall was criticized by community stakeholders because the administration’s priorities seem to be misplaced as revealed in the proposed floor plan of the structure posted by the UP Diliman University Student Council (USC) last November 24, 2023. Robinsons Easymart and other known restaurants such as Mary Grace, Pancake House, and Army Navy take up the first floor, while the space given to UP vendors is found on the third floor. Not to mention, the vendors in the tennis court are at risk of being displaced once again since the space will be converted into a parking lot.

This begs the question of whether these “development plans” are truly for the benefit of the community or are merely ways for developers and businesses to capitalize on the university.

In light of this, last March 12, the “UP Not For Sale Network” was launched, consisting of various organizations namely, the USC, Shopping Center Association, UP Academic Workers Union, UP Workers Alliance, Movement for Democratic Governance, and Local College Councils. The network calls against the commercialization of DiliMall and pushes for the prioritizing of the UP Community.

DiliMall is not just the issue

DiliMall is not the first time the UP community has faced commercialization on campus. In an article by the Philippine Collegian, USC Councilor and Community Rights and Welfare Head Kristian Mendoza claimed that DiliMall is part of the implementation of the UP Master Development Plan (MDP), a land use policy approved by the Board of Regents in 2014 aiming to “proactively and systematically” develop UP’s land assets.

Before this, the UP Administration had already begun developing idle lands of the university, approving Ayala Land’s bid to convert 37.5 hectares of land into an information and technology hub in 2006—the UP Ayala Technohub.

The UP Integrated School (UPIS) community is familiar with this issue, as the old Grades 7-10 Building was replaced with the UP Town Center in 2013 by the same developer. From our 8-hectare land along Katipunan Avenue, we were moved to a building built and donated by the Ayala Corporation, a 5-structure facility with a main 4-story building, where the Narra Residence Hall once stood. The new 7-10 Building was budgeted at P180-million, from which P40-million was allotted for upgrades to the Grades 3-6 Building.

Only 10 years later, the Grades 7-12 Building is in a state of downfall, proving to be a great inconvenience and safety hazard to the UPIS community. During the Academic Year (A.Y.) 2022-2023, grades 3-12 students had to share the 3-6 Building since the structural integrity of the 7-12 Building was still being assessed. In A.Y. 2023-2024, although the 7-12 Building was cleared for use, parts of the building have been barricaded due to the degraded structure resulting in longer detours when moving from classroom to classroom and restricted movement among students, teachers, and staff.

The new Gyud Food Hub, which opened in December 2022, posed similar concerns as the development of DiliMall with failing to prioritize UP vendors that have long served the community. In this case, vendors displaced from the Main Library received a handwritten note from President Concepcion assuring them slots in the new facility. However, contrary to the administration’s promise, these vendors were not granted a space in the hub.

Moreover, the implementation of these establishments serves to exacerbate class disparity in the university by focusing on businesses catering to higher-income consumers that exclude students and lower-income community members. Again, the firms affected by the 2018 fire incident in the Shopping Center are still grappling with getting proper spaces allocated among them where established businesses have taken precedence over them.

Additionally, vendors and business owners are not the only ones being displaced by UP’s development plans, but as well as its residents. Homes and residences were demolished and claimed in accordance with the UP MDP. Some of the affected communities were Pook Village C, residents located at the UP Arboretum in 2020, and farmers from Pook Aguinaldo in 2021. These communities and families have been residing in the said areas for decades without any issues, only for them to be evicted from their homes; their livelihoods taken away to give space for “sustainable” infrastructure projects, without proper plans for relocation.

This further demonstrates how commercialization discriminates against marginalized individuals within the UP Community and society.

Additionally, the commercialization in UP Diliman may lead to the phase-out of small local businesses and vendors that have long been an integral part of the community. This greatly affects not only their livelihood but also the culture and diversity of the university’s environment.

Concerns and detractors from the UP community continue to rise towards this issue as stakeholders of the community are negatively affected and neglected by the university. Examples of affected sectors are dormitories, classrooms, and faculty buildings, all of which are experiencing problems with their space, functionality, and facilities.

It is important to maintain and improve the academic environments of UP as this will keep the university’s name, provide equal learning opportunities, liaise with the communities, and secure student wellbeing. These areas are fundamental in the institution for they facilitate learning and contribute towards its success as a top-ranked higher learning institution. To uphold the eminence that characterizes UP, we need to give priority to the conservation and upgrading of academic spaces.

Commercialization for who?

The university insists that converging with the private sector is beneficial as income generated from these rented spaces can be directed to academic and community needs. However, based on the 2016 audit report by the Commission of Audit, it is revealed that Ayala Land Inc. has 209.2-million pesos worth of unpaid obligations to UP. The amount comprises underpayments in rent income and late interest payments for the spaces at UP Technohub and UP Town Center. This raises the question as to why the university continues to commercialize its land when the previous corporation failed to keep up with its lease agreements.

Nevertheless, the university is still in dire need of other means of income. Government funding shortages can be pointed as to why the university insists on commercializing its land assets. Despite the fact that UP’s 2024 budget increased by P508-million, amounting to P24.771-billion this year, 80% of the funds were allocated for the university’s infrastructure projects. Sectors such as utility and maintenance incurred a P1.3-billion cut, and the budget for university operations was reduced for the new budgetary focus. According to an article by the Philippine Collegian, even if the funds for infrastructure were excluded, UP still suffered a P873-million cut. Additionally, P943-million will be cut for the provision of higher education services—which may result in fewer resources allocated to quality education for students. Taking all of this into account, it can be understood why commercialization may appeal to UP—as the university is getting increasingly pressured by almost all sides of its community to take action for its funding shortfalls.

Even so, our integrity as a public education and service institution must come first. It must be emphasized that UP serves as the nation’s model for quality education, and when we allow commercialization and privatization to be fostered within our institution, it may invite other educational institutions in the country to also be dependent on for-profit provisions. Reinforcing this notion, the presence of privatized businesses as stakeholders in the university may greatly influence university decisions, academic programs, and student policies.

In the end, UP must decide between prioritizing the community's interests or pursuing commercialization at the expense of its constituents. However, we’ve experienced the effects of this firsthand: the building we’ve sacrificed for profit forced us to settle for our current building–one that is deteriorating, crumbling piece by piece. We must ask ourselves: are we going to let this happen again? If the university chooses to commercialize its spaces for funding, attention, and care for its students and community must still be sustained.

Therefore, we need to oppose the commercialization of spaces and services in our university, assert our right to quality basic academic spaces and student facilities, stand with the vendors, employees, and families affected, and call on the administration to negotiate better terms with business partners—terms that put the benefit and interest of the UP community first. Furthermore, it is important to stress the need for more funding from the government to be able to run UP’s essential activities and programs successfully. We should come together to protect the good name of our institution and meet its responsibility to the UP community and the Filipino people.

// by Kela Alcantara, Grace Gaerlan, Xia Mentes

Sources:

Abello, L. T. (2024, February 6). UP students protest increasing commercialization of campus spaces. Philstar.com. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/02/07/2331536/students-protest-increasing-commercialization-campus-spaces

Abello, L. T. (2024, March 12). UP community on ‘DiliMall’ opening: ‘Do not commercialize the services to the people’. Manila Bulletin. https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/12/up-community-on-dili-mall-opening-do-not-commercialize-the-services-to-the-people-1

Chua, C. (2022, July 6). UP’s Proposed 2023 Budget Set to Fund DaniCon’s Infra Splurge in His Last Year in Office. Philippine Collegian. https://phkule.org/article/586/ups-proposed-2023-budget-set-to-fund-danicons-infra-splurge-in-his-last-year-in-office

Daduya, J. (2023, January 28). “Nabudol kami!”: UP’s small-time vendors cry foul over Danicon’s unfulfilled promises.https://csspsinag.wordpress.com/2023/01/28/nabudol-kami-ups- small-time-vendors-cry-foul-over-danicons-unfulfilled-promises/

Gavilan, J. (2018, March 8). From photocopying services to Rodic’s: What’s inside UP Shopping Center. Rappler. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/197714-things-to-know-up-diliman-shopping-center/

Gonzales, I. (2016, February 25). Ali reviews COA findings on unpaid obligations to UP. Philstar.com. https://www.philstar.com/business/2016/02/02/1549017/ali-reviews-coa-findings-unpaid-obligations-up?fbclid=IwAR2xWm74RVI8zYPn3EHJ9eUw0jaLyj3TMVziHv6i9RFSKZuwoHnDfz-zZsU

Lara, R. (2018). Decisions of the Board of Regents 1334th Meeting, 6 April 2018. The University of the Philippines Gazette, 49(3), 23-24. https://osu.up.edu.ph/2018/04/1334/

The team was off to a shaky start, falling short in the extended first set with 28 against 30. Eyeing for a comeback, they immediately recovered in the second set, showing off their solidified defense with Sofia Inandan’s blocking and Trisha Leguiab’s excellent digs, which paved the way for them to wrap up the set with 25-23.

Elisha Capus’s winning spike kicked off the third set, and the team went invincible for six more points. In a lengthy play in the third set, with the Junior Maroons armed with a seven-point lead, Khloe Long aided floor defense with a set before Janella Guarino’s spike swiftly secured the point. This set proved to be their strongest, ending at 25-13.

Motivated by their one-set advantage, the Junior Maroons sustained their momentum in the fourth set holding on to a slim two-point lead, which the girls turned up a notch, as they rallied behind Nina Abad and Janella Guarino to pull away. With a stable reception from Leguiab, a swift set from Long, and a powerful kill from Guarino, the team was able to close the match with the final score 28-30, 25-23, 25-13, and 25-23.

According to Coach Andy Fiel, Head Coach of the UPIS GVT, their goal for joining this tournament is for the girls to gain playing experience, improve on their weakest areas, become more familiar with one another, and evaluate the efficiency of their current training program.

As this is the team's first lengthy conference following the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86, they are working to develop their team dynamics aside from individual skill improvement.

“Mas familiar na sila sa isa’t isa. They’re playing more effectively together; they’ve had more experience because of the UAAP so they’re playing as a cohesive unit, compared to when they played in the UAAP,” Coach Fiel added.

Team Captain Janella Guarino also shared that throughout their journey in the conference, the team was able to perform well and overcome any initial jitters. “Feeling ko, mas maganda ‘yong performance nila ngayon, mas nalalabas nila ‘yong laro nila, compared noong nasa UAAP since parang pressured pa,” she said.

Additionally, Guarino expressed pride and shared that—to their advantage—some of her teammates were swiftly able to adjust throughout the game, with Khloe Long switching from setter to spiker mid-game and Keira Hernandez filling in for setting. Guarino mentioned that rotating players’ positions is not uncommon for them. Even though they do not practice this regularly in training, it is nevertheless executed well when needed.

UPIS GVT gained their second win in the conference after defeating Hiraya Volleyball Club in straight sets with a score of 25-11, 25-21, and 25-21, last March 10 at the WCC Gymnasium.

After a loss to the WCC Lady Vikings in their March 17 game, the UPIS GVT made a comeback and clinched their semi-finals spot for the MSC after nailing both rallies against the Assumption Antipolo Amazons last March 24. The Junior Maroons team stands at 4-1.