August 2014 - May 2015 Issue

2
2015 ASEAN Integration: Challenges and Opportunities
By Gerriane Faith Rizon &
Sherwin Oro Gabrinez

With the 2015 Association

of South East Asian Nations
(ASEAN) Integration, students and faculty members
can look forward to more
opportunities to study
abroad.
This is what ASEAN Universities Network (AUN)
Executive Director, Dr. Nantana Gajaseni, said during
her speech at the ASEAN
Academic Summit held in UP
Cebu on June 17, 2014.
We open opportunities to
the ASEAN students not only
for the AUN member universities but also for the nonmember AUN university as
well, she said.
The whole day event, with
the theme ASEAN Integration and ASEAN Higher Ed-

ucation brought together 40

academic and private institutions from around the Visayas to talk about the opportunities and challenges presented by the 2015 integration.
In her talk, Gajaseni, also
an assistant professor at the
Chulalongkorn University in
Thailand, focused on two
main topics mobility and
harmonization.
According to Gajaseni, the
AUNs role in supporting
higher education in the
ASEAN regions is tri-fold.
The AUN will focus on: (1)
the internationalization of
Higher Education or promotion of ASEAN awareness,
(2) harmonization or betterment of the quality of higher
education and (3) cross border mobility.
Gajaseni also encouraged

students to be open-minded
about opportunities and the
ASEAN integration, saying
Some universities are still
lecture-based and some students cannot be trained well
in terms of creativity, analytical skills or decision making.
The student has to learn outside the classroom by engaging in extracurricular activities, another channel for the
student to learn.
Aside from academic
knowledge, students can ensure their acceptance into
exchange programs by being
competent in science, mathematics, IT and linguistics, as,
according to Gajaseni, knowing a second language adds
to your value.
For non-AUN member universities, they can raise their
quality of education by following the AUN Quality As-

surance (QA) guidelines.

Challenges
However, aside from opportunities, the 2015 integration
also brings with it challenges
for the state universities and
colleges in the Philippines.
According to Dr. Rhodora
Azanza, the Assistant VicePresident for Academic Affairs in the University of the
Philippines (UP), it cannot be
denied that the 2015 integration brings with it a lot of
competition.
We will be opening up to
the rest of ASEAN. Yung
standards nung ASEAN employer, we have to meet that.
We have to review our curriculum, see its comparability
and competitiveness, she
said.
Dr. Alvin Culaba from De
La Salle University, also

stated in his talk during the

summit that the cost of going
on exchange programs is
prohibitive for outbound
students referring to the
high amount of costs students will have to shoulder.
Culaba also said that
Internalization competes
with other priorities such as
academics going on to state
that the end goal of a learning institution is the quality
of its education.
In terms of jobs, Azanza
stated that UP is working
double time to make sure
that it will not be left behind.
Everybody else will be
competing for a set of jobs, a
set of opportunities. We have
to prepare our students, our
graduates to cope with that
challenge, to be able to survive, she said.

Pascual Reports to UP Cebu; Responds to Concerns

By Korinna Lucero

We in UP must succeed
not because we have a reputation to protect but because we have a country to
serve. Pres. Alfredo Pascual, President of the University of the Philippines, closes his discussion with this
statement, and tries to instil the spirit of serving the
country towards the UP
Cebu community.
His visit took place in
UP Cebus Arts and Sciences Hall on February 3,
2015. An open forum was
conducted after his discussion as the highlight of the
event.
Being the 8th constituent
of the UP system, Pascual
reminds UPC is now part of
the UP system despite encompassing only 2.8% of the
UP population and despite
being the only constituent
college in the system.
Youre not small; youre
part of the big university.
He also presented UPs
strategic plan and the current situation and milestones on the programs previously implemented.

STS and Internationalization

Part of the strategic plan
is to internationalize the
university. Its main goal is
to increase UPs productivity by bringing foreign students to our graduate programs. I think the growth
of UP Cebu should focus on
graduate programs. Academic calendar shift makes
this possible.
Pascual also voiced out
his views on the Socialized
Tuition System (STS) saying I am very satisfied
with the results. Applications increased from 4091% and more are enjoying
the full tuition discount,
from 2654- 3350. Moreover,
processing of applications
became faster; from 2 to 12
months now 2 weeks to 3
months.
He admitted that 32% of
the applicants appealed of
the outcome of their STS
results but he defended it
by saying that there will
always be unique situations which cannot be covered by the predictive model such as unforeseen expenses on an ill family
member.

Despite his satisfaction

on the current tuition system, he admitted the fact
that The socio-economic
profile [of those] who enter
UP do not reflect the socioeconomic profile of our
country, and that more and
more UP students now belong to the higher brackets
of the tuition system. According to him, the root
cause can be found in admission and the only way to
address this issue is by
democratizing it. This
means extending the chances of passing the UPCAT to
those who experience low
quality education. This can
be done by making UPCAT
reviews available over the
web.
Budget/ funds and facilities
Pascual also delivered
the good news regarding
UPs increased budget.
Between 2012 and 2013,
it has increased by 60% and
this year, it has increased
to 13, 143M from 9, 373M.
He further expressed
that funds must be utilized
properly I keep on reminding the chancellors that you
need to spend the money,

dont save.
During the open forum,
Prof. Phoebe Sanchez, from
the Social Sciences division,
also raised the question on
her policy research on housing programs in Cebu City.
According to Sanchez,
her research proposal has
long been approved but,
there seems to be a delay in
the release of funds due to
the lengthy accounting
process.
Prof. Gisela Concepcion,
Ph.D, Vice President for
Academic Affairs, responded by saying she will look
up to this matter and will
give updates as soon as possible.
Unity and cooperation
During the open forum,
Pascual emphasized that
students cooperation is
badly needed in bringing
out the best in UP.
UP Cebu SC Councilor,
Justine Balane, raised the
concern on slow internet
connection. In response,
Pascual stated that an
agreement has already been
made with Smart telecommunications. The university
will have access to academic

sites for free. He further

explains that actions are
made to increase bandwidth
but still, it is not enough
because aside from academic sites, students also access
social media sites and other
sites not really related to
school works. What Pascual
wants is cooperation from
the students as well.
France Degamo, UP Cebu SC Vice-Chairperson,
also raised his concern on
the No ID, no entry policy
and questioned its efficacy.
Dean Atty. Liza Corro answered by saying that UP
Cebu spends 6 million for
security out of its 15 million
budget. What do you want,
we spend more? Pascual
adds that students can help
minimize security expenses
and should Be proud in
wearing the UP ID.
The said policy has already been implemented
since April 16, 2015. The
policy does not require students to wear their IDs all
the time while inside the
campus but, they are highly
encouraged to do so.

3
Student Affairs gave her
opinion on this, stating that
Justine Balane grabs the Maybe they got used to the
top position for the UP Cebu check mark system.
Student Council (SC) for
next Academic Year (A.Y.) Voters Turnout
2015- 2016. Balane ran unThere is a slight decline
der the Union of Progressive for this years turnout-- from
Students (UPS) while Vince 69. 70% last year to 69.11%
Dingding who ran under the this year. Fine Arts students
Nagkahiusang Kusog sa had a 2.53 increase in its
Estudyante (NKE), wins the turnout compared to last
Vice- chairperson position.
years 43.75% but still have
the least number of voters
Independent Coalition
compared to other year levWhat makes this years els.
elections different from the
previous ones is the for- Recount?
mation of an independent
It is a one vote loss for
coalition. Not exactly a polit- Nicole Carreon of UPS (336
ical party, a coalition is votes) against Angel Trocio
formed by independent can- (337 votes) of NKE. Of the 4
didates merging together seats for the councilors, Troand having aligned goals. In cio is the only one from
the format of their posters, NKE.
the Office of the Student
UPS sent a letter adAffairs (OSA) also instructed dressed to the SEB requestthe coalition to use a distinct ing for a recount on the top 6
color for each candidate so positions. Their letter stated
as not to confuse the voters We believe that a one point
and to emphasize that they gap is highly contentious
are not running as a political due to possibilities of human
party. In the end, no one error (tired, sleepy and hunfrom the coalition earned a gry poll watchers). With this
seat.
granted, we aim for a more
accurate results of the StuBull Session
dent Council Elections.
Instead of having an elecUPS also requested ballots
toral debate, Tug- ani (in with check marks to be conpartnership with Lantugi) sidered as valid.
decided to host a bull sesThe party received inforsion in which the top 6 can- mation that an SMS blast
didates (Chairperson, Vice- occurred on the election day
chairperson and tge 4 coun- itself stating that circles
cilors) take the stage. Candi- must be marked with a
dates from each position check, although this remains
take turns in voicing out an allegation since the party
their thoughts on a given will not clearly state the
issue. Highlights of the people who received and
event can be seen online, on sent the SMS.
our official Facebook page.
Prof. Lorna Almocera,
Questions from the audi- SEB Chairperson, stands
ence were also acknowledged firmly by the results, saying
and were not filtered given We stick to the guidelines.
that such questions must not Christine Solon, SEB memattack a candidate personal- ber, also defended the
ly.
boards credibility by saying
19 invalid ballots from the We were not tired and we
4th years
were not hungry adding
Another thing that marks that ballots were also
this years elections is the 4th checked throughout the enyears having the most num- tire procedure. Poll watchers
ber of invalid ballots. Most of from each political party did
the invalid ballots have not complain after the countcheck marks instead of shad- ing of each batch of ballots.
ed circles.
UPS finishes off with 8
In handling ballots, mem- seats while NKE fills the
bers from the Student Elec- remaining 6 seats on the
toral Board (SEB) instructed Student Council.
and reminded the voters to
shade the circle of their chosen candidate. Ms. Anabelle
Maglasang from the Office of
By Korinna Lucero

UP Cebu on the way to Constituency

Affairs (ADAA), task force ADMIN headed by the Associate
Dean for Administration (ADA)
The UP Cebu administra- and task force CU headed by
tion is taking steps to elevate the Dean were created.
the school's current status as
The second step is the artican autonomous college into a
ulation of vision-mission stateconstituent university. The
ments. UP Cebu will then have
administration has formulated
to review, streamline and
a step-by-step plan entitled
strengthen the academic proProposed Roadmap for the
grams. This comprises the
Elevation of UP Cebu into an
ASEAN Universities Network
Autonomous Unit of the UP
Quality Assessment (AUN-QA)
System for this purpose. The
self-assessment of all programs.
document states plans for each
month from March 2014 to July
Afterwards, a college-wide
2015
assembly will be held to discuss
In an interview with Dean the alignment of research and
Liza Corro last May 15, 2015, creative works for niche proshe discussed UP Cebu's cur- grams. Next is the crafting of
rent status and the changes to research direction for each clusbe expected by this promotion ter. The elevation of programs
to constituent university.
to departments or institutes or
Currently, UP Cebu is an schools follows. Next is the creautonomous unit under the ation of colleges. After that, the
University President, Alfredo reorganization of administraE. Pascual. There are a lot of tive offices will have to be
things he approves for us. If we made. Review of the five-year
become a real constituent uni- development plan (2015-2020)
versity, we become independent is the next step.
fully autonomous, Dean CorFinally, after all these steps
ro guaranteed.
The road to becoming a con- have been accomplished, UP
stituent unit starts with the Cebu will be elevated to a concreation of task forces. Task stituent university. However,
Force ACAD headed by the this is not an easy process to
Associate Dean for Academic accomplish. A proposal made by
UP Cebu will have to be pre-

By Michelle Cabrales
Angelica Galario

sented and submitted to all

stakeholders, PAEP and the
PAC to evaluate the universitys preparedness.
Changes brought about by
becoming a constituent unit
include promotion of staff to
higher positions such as Deans
and Chancellors. Clusters will
then be called colleges, and
each college will be headed by a
dean.
I really don't see any repercussion. It's for our advantage,
especially in terms of the positions of our staff, Dean Corro
affirmed.
Being a constituent unit
will have to be granted by the
Board of Regents, she explained. The Board of Regents
will have to check UP Cebu's
excellence in programs offered,
the quality of staff, and the
facilities, among others.
Dean Corro also said that,
Once UP Cebu becomes a constituent university, we will
have an equal footing with the
other universities in terms of
the positions of the faculty. The
identity of UP Cebu will also be
established. We will also have
more access to funding and
resources.

Photos courtesy of UP Cebu's Public Affairs Office

UNDERDOGS, NO MORE
We dont want to be the underdogs anymore.
We want to give them a good fight that every
cluster deserves. -Social Sciences Stallions
By John Christian Trigo
Matthew Torregosa

The curse has been lifted.

After years of coming in last
at the universitys intramural
games, the Social Science
Clusters Stallions finally
reared their heads, gave it
their all, and won.
The reinvented SocSci
Stallions relived the saga of
the Hunger Games and captured the hearts of the audience during UP Cebus 2015
cheer dance competition breaking free from the fourth
place at long last.
Chairpersons of UP Political Science Society (UPSS)
and UP Psychology Majors
Association (UPPsyMa), Mary
Iway and Pauline Monteroso
respectively, expressed that
to become champions was
not the utmost goal.
Rather, what compelled

the Stallions the most was the

motivation to be a competitive challenger against the
other clusters. They added,
We no longer want to be
everybody's friend.
The
SocSci
Stallions
proved to be a worthy competitor against the ArtsComm
Bullets, the Management
Tycoons, and the Golden Scions (who were crowned the
champion of the cheerdance
competition) by coming in
second.
This victory is not only
limited to the people of Social
Science Cluster. This is also a
celebration for all whove
been constantly defeated but
remained on track and continued the quest for their goals.
The odds really have been
in Stallions favor this year.
Truly, they are underdogs no
more.

Otakufest is UP Cebus annual event, which condenses the love of

anime and Japanese culture all in one. Starting last year, Otakufest has
expanded from an event focused on Japanese culture as it reaches out
to those who love the KPop culture as well. In fact, one of this years
highlights is the KPop rookie group FameUs. With their 1- hour performance, the crowd went wild with many screaming at the top of their
lungs.
Otakufest is in its 7th year and it has shown its success through an increasing number of participants and guests as it welcomed approximately 4, 300 people this year. Indeed, it justified this years theme; en-

The Trio
Here (from left to right) are Isabella, Amanda and
Tanya. All 3 of them go to Ateneo de Cebu and
have been cosplaying in groups for 3 years. They
portrayed characters from the hit anime Shingeki no
Kyojin (Attack on Titan) last year and for their second
cosplay at Otakufest this year, they are playing roles
from the anime Free!. Isabella is the only one playing a female role, Gou Matsuoka. Her friends dared
to play male roles namely Rei Ryugazaki and Nagisa
Hazuki respectively. We dont do cosplaying for
competitions because we see it as a hobby and a
time to strengthen our bond as friends.

Marchella wants a
blue- themed costume this time
Next are cousins Lyle and
Marchella, portraying characters
from the card game Spirit Stones.
These kids blurted out different
reasons in cosplaying characters
from the said game. Lyle expressed his love for video games.
He is a certified gamer and DOTA
is one of his favourite games. On
the other hand, Marchella is sick of
the color pink and loves to have
blue this time. This is their 3rd time
joining Otaku and last year, they
played the roles of Sakura and
Shaoran from the anime series
Card Captor Sakura.
Despite being one of the kid
cosplayers in the event, both cuties proved that size does not matter as spectators flocked to have a
picture with them.

gaging into an alternate universe. Held on February 21, at the UP Cebu Grounds, one can see cosplayers, entrepreneurs who usually sell their
pre-loved anime items, and spectators who enthusiastically chat about
their interests in anime, Japanese and Korean culture with other fellow
fans.
But beyond whats visible to the naked eye, this years theme also
strengthens and creates bonds, putting an alternate universe into vision
by tying human hearts together. We spotted a few cosplayers with special bonds in real life:

Heres a real life couple, Kerty and Juri, portraying anime

couple Kei Tsukishima and Kiyoko Shimizu from the anime
Haikyuu. Haikyuu is is a Japanese shnen manga series on high
school teams competing in volleyball. Although both do not
have any particular interest in this popular sport, they confessed
that they both decided to pull off these characters due to budget concerns in having luxurious costumes this year.
The couple confessed that Otakufest is one of the highlights
in their relationship. Three days before Otakufest 3, they started
dating.
As an otaku, both are currently managing a business focused in props and costumes for cosplaying and action figures.
Further, as proof of them being certified otakus, is watching
anime together in an average of 4- 8 hours per day, making it
their bonding time.

Photo courtesy of OF Official Facebook Page

Last but certainly not the least, heres
Jack. After 2 years of constantly going to this
event as a spectator, this is his first time going as
the Masterchief from the video game Halo 4.
However, unlike the abovementioned cosplayers,
Jack decided to take a solo flight for this years
fest. I dont feel alone. Everyone is friendly and
approachable. I get to meet a lot of new friends.
Nonetheless, I must say Otakufest is getting better
and better each year. Jack is proof that not
only does Otakufest or the alternate universe
per se, strengthen bonds among people who are
related in the real universe but it can also tie
strings to those who do not even know each other
personally.

The Oxford Dictionary defines an otaku as a young person who is obsessed

with computers or particular aspects of popular culture to the detriment of
their social skills. Yet this time, the event itself gives another meaning of the
word showing that being an otaku does not necessarily mean being confined
in an alternate universe but, engaging in that alternate universe and creating and strengthening human relationships at the same time.
Heres to Otakufests 7 years and beyond! For the love of anime, for the
love of being an otaku, and for the love of creating bonds, be it in an alternate universe or in the real world.

6
The foundations to shift have
been set. The University of the
Philippines took the inception of
changing its academic calendar as
it was implemented this A.Y. 20142015. Yet, again, this only signifies
that U.P., the nations harbinger of
educational excellence and national
policies, has joined the bandwagon
of contradicting goals..
Implementing the academic calendar shift means being in cooperation with the goal of internationalizing the university. The nations
premier university wants its students to be competent enough and
equipped with high-caliber skills
not only for the regional but also for
the global market.
Furthermore, orchestrating with
other universities in the world,
especially in Southeast Asia, by
changing the calendar is a good
prospect for the incoming regional
economic integration of the Southeast Asian Nations in 2015
(ASEAN 2015). This conforms to
the vision of the ASEAN 2015, basing from Asian Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint, which is to
unify countries within the region by
breaking economic barriers, pushing reforms in investment, promoting free flow of trades and capital,
and upholding well-skilled labor
resources.
Vox Populi
Tug-ani asked students in U.P.
Cebu to share their opinion regarding the academic calendar shift.
Some tend to be ingrate with the
shift while some look it up as U.P.s
progressive step. Heres what
theyve got to say:
Initially, I thought it was fine.
Other schools outside the country
also applied this kind of schedule.
However, I realized, not really. I
can't speak for others but I feel like
it has done some psychological dissonance on me. The [first] semester
seemed shorter. Also, Finals Month
and Christmas Time fused? That
can't be fun. While you're eating
your lechon or opening your gifts,
you're stressing about grades that
aren't released yet. Unsaon nako
pagconcetrate ug kaon kung akong
gihuna-huna kay grado? Tara

Prieto, BA Psychology 2012

It wasnt a bad idea altogether.

But it didnt make sense to rush the
acad shift in the midst of all the
other things that we need to
change. Not to mention the upcoming ASEAN Integration. Imi

Espina, BA Political Science 2013

For me, the academic calendar

shift is a beneficial to the students.
The shift will be in line with the
ASEAN economic integration this
coming 2015. Synchronization of
the academic calendar with the
other ASEAN countries will open
more programs for the students.
There will also be an alignment of
the lessons and curriculum being
offered which makes the graduates
of the Philippines more globally
competent. - Rochelle Guerra, BS

Management 2013

The calendar shift, in my opinion, is really okay. I mean, it's just

the same really- the number of

When we reached about late

school days we have to endure is
more or less the same so all those November, everything was just
complaints about the calendar shift piling up like garbage on Smokey
for me are just bull. Klen Qui- Mountain. I would randomly see
my classmates breakdown, one by
anola, BS Biology 2012
Priorities are never priorities sa one. Then I thought to myself, uhatong educational system. We need oh this is not good.
Finals week started, lessons
better facilities, higher state subsidy, just wage and more benefits for unfinished, long exams here and
our teachers first. Pero giuna ang K there, project deadlines every-12 and this shift, which has never where, plus case defense and
been an issue for us. Magsure. presentations. Our outputs? All
Vince Dingding, BS Computer Sci- crammed. And did I mention it was
already finals week?
ence 2012
I didn't like it because everything
The academic shift has significantly affected the schedule and was moving by so fast that it didn't
sense of time of my Professors; and give me the time to do my best and
because of this, we are greatly af- to learn everything I should learn. I
fected --- we are more stressed than mean, I understand the instructors.
the normal stress level that a Psych They were adjusting too, just like
major is supposed to feel. We are us. Their syllabus was neatly
supposed to finish everything be- planned and their schedules were
fore Christmas but Plot twist, this all intact. I just don't know what
is when we are supposed to be busy happened along the way.
I don't know where it got messed
with something else. The usual
remedy for this during the past is to up miscalculation of the number
cut down school works and to pass of days, scheduling, or some other
it after the New Year but thanks to external factors? But what's done is
academic calendar shift, the sem done. I just hope that the 'testing
ends in the middle of December. period' for the calendar shift is
Okay, so what if we find out that already over.
If this was their idea of improvwe got an undesirable grade during
Christmas? Do you think there's ing the quality of education the
time to be depressed about it espe- Philippines has, well I guess its
cially during Christmas? I see con- time for them to rethink (if they are
flict of interests but these are only actually thinking). As of now, I
of the few things we have to suffer probably regret having the calendar
because of the shift. #HolyShift shift and believe me, it was the
Hahahahaa - Von Karlo Bayutas, consensus of everyone. But for the
long-term effects, I don't know...
BA Psychology 2012
It is very helpful for us to be we'll see. JB Bonghanoy, BS
able to be at par with our neighbor- Biology 2012
ing countries in the ASEAN region.
It also help us achieve more and Delving deeper
become more competent and be able
As its rhetoric overwhelmed the
to adapt to the norms in the region academe, U.P.s disclosure to intermaking us not an outcast anymore, nationalization has seemingly conthus being up to date. Though we cealed the adversities the students
resist changes but these are what are facing in the university. For
we need to be able to keep up with example, the manifestation of budgcompetition thus being able to get et cut by the government in the
more investors. - Moca Caal, BS university has led to impose an
Management 2011
income-generating scheme, the STS
Way back when the issue of cal- (Socialized Tuition System), to sufendar shift was still discussed and fice the meager budget. It obstructs,
debated, I'd have to be honest, I however, the democratic access to
was for it. I mean, who didn't want the university especially the poor.
that long summer vacation, right? Moreover, the low state subsidy has
Most of my classmates (incoming become one the causes of the lack or
BS Bio III at that time) were in it non-entity of facilities in U.P.
too. But fast forward to the afterInward-looking of the universimath of the so called 'calendar tys flawed system was not given
shift', what did it really cost us?
importance by the administration.
If I remember correctly, the Instead of focusing on these matschool year 2014 started about late ters by giving the appropriate soluAugust (and by late August that tions, the university on its academwould mean early September ic calendar shift has welcomed an*wink). Anyway, when everything other defeating mechanism. This
with the instructors and classrooms shift persuades the students to be
were all settled and the lessons did challenge-driven in their education
already start, it felt a bit different. I for the purpose of being employable
felt that it was a bit 'chill'. I don't to global corporations and foreign
know, maybe it was because of the employers. The present educational
long vacation or because of the new system dictates the students as
school year.
essential commodities for foreign
Moving forward where every- businesses.
thing starts to get cramped. All
Now, more than ever, U.P. must
instructors were throwing exams mold its students to be competitive
and projects everywhere and I and well-equipped with knowledge
asked, where were these when the regardless of societal factors and to
schedule was still 'light'? And then, channel them towards local job
I realized it was already late Octo- creations in the community. In this
ber and we even haven't had our way, national industrialization and
second long exams yet. Hmmm. development could be achievable.
That's interesting.

By Ed Samuel Bacaltos

By Matthew C. Torregosa &

Korinna Lucero

Approved by the University of the Philippines Board of

Regents (BOR) on December
13, 2013, the Socialized Tuition System (STS) is seen as
the universitys response to
the never ending flak and issues of the previous Socialized Tuition and Financial
Assistance Program (STFAP)
since its establishment in
1989. The current system
aims to have a more speedy
application process, to eliminate the mismatches between
assigned brackets and to satisfy the needs of those who
belong to the lowest income
bracket. It was implemented in
the 1st semester of the academic year 2014- 2015.
In a press release, UP
President Alfredo E. Pascual
expressed his belief that the
old tuition system is no longer
responsive to the needs of UP
students. He admitted that
over the years, the true merits
of the said system were
masked by implementation
problems and issues as well.
Major changes that are
applied in the current system
are as follows: (1) simplified
basis for assignment of tuition
brackets (from a 14- page
application form to 2), (2) 30%
upward adjustment to income ranges of the tuition
brackets, not affecting the (3)
increase in monthly stipend of
Bracket E2 students (from
P2,400 to P3,500 per month
for 10 months a year in the
form of cash, meals, dormitory
accommodation, and other
benefits and services provided
by the university) and lastly,
(4) streamlining of bracket
assignment and appeal process through online application.

lected numerous criticisms

and issues, the new system is
not exempted from these.
Criticism will always be present. Here in UP Cebu alone,
the 2 existing political parties
have opposing ideas on the
new system. Union of Progressive Students (UPS) is
campaigning for the High
Five Reforms. On the other
hand, Nagkahiusang Kusog
sa Estudyante (NKE) stands
firm in disregarding the system therefore, the #JunkSTS
campaign. NKE previously
campaigned
for
Scrap
STFAP.

High Five Reforms

UPS formulated 5
reforms. The party sees that
the 1st and 2nd reforms lead to
equity and not just equality. As
stated in their official Facebook statement, the first reform suggests that The tuition
schedule must be made progressive by increasing income
thresholds at the same tuition
levels or lowering tuition levels
at the same income thresholds. In an interview, Vincent
Pakson, UPS Secretary stated that Simply the 2nd premise provides us with a system
wherein not only the income is
considered but also the expenditures and liabilities of a
household, giving household
with high income, high expenditures and liabilities a
lower bracket. Both reforms
push for equity by applying
equal treatment among students based on their capabilities in paying tuition, therefore, eliminating the thought of
paying an equal amount of
tuition regardless of the current socio- economic status.
We want to know
how we get our brackets. We
Critics
Just as STFAP col- want transparency. This is

emphasized in their 3rd reform.

The party also sees transparency as an opportunity for
students to better understand
the system and in the end,
help in identifying its discrepancies and as well as provide
solutions to it.
Mid- sem appeals is
strongly suggested in their 4th
reform. Here, UPS also sees
the possibility of continuously
changing socioeconomic contexts therefore, suggesting the
annual adjustment of the system. As they say, reviews
serve as prevention in order to
prevent tragedies to happen
that is why they are also suggesting the UCSFA as a review committee. UCSFA currently has sitting student representatives.
Aside from the monthly
stipend, UPS also sees that
Bracket E2 students must be
given book, meal and transportation allowances. Ideally,
P 3,500 per semester is good
for books. Transportation allowance varies depending on
the students proximity to the
campus.
UPS admitted that the
3rd, 4th and 5th reforms can
lead to a longer process. But
we think it is worth it. Would
you rather have an immediate
result pero dili diay ka deserving sa imong bracket? John
Isaac Saguit, a UPS member,
also expresses the partys
stand by saying We want to
keep it as fast as we can without compromising the results.
#JunkSTS
Nagkahiusang Kusog sa
Estudyante (NKE) has been
explicitly imposing contradiction against STS and its previous form, the Socialized Tuition and Financial Assistance
Program (STFAP). Being a

nationalist, democratic and

mass-oriented, NKE believes
that education is a right at all
levels. We do not and we
should not pay for our rights,
NKE
SecretaryGeneral
Myles Albasin disclosed.
Albasin furthermore emphasized that STS is no more
than a disguise for tuition increase- an increase driven by
the failure of the government
to fulfil its own mandate to
allocate education the highest
budget. In connection, the
campaign to #JunkSTS demands for a full state subsidy
for education from the government. According to Albasin,
This (the demands for full
state subsidy) would not only
benefit the UP system. The
aim of this demand is to liberate all SUCs (State Universities and Colleges), too, from
commercialization. This also
benefits the Department of
Education.
However, the question
now is amidst the current
whether this demand is feasible.
It is, NKE asserts.
There is a widespread
fallacy that the Philippines is
so poor its government could
not provide a full- state subsidy, Albasin stressed. The
secretary-general further discussed that studies conducted
in 2014 proved that the income derived from tuition and
other
fees
from
SUCs
amounts to P7.3B, which is
only 4.11% of President Aquinos unconstitutional DAP in
2014 amounting to P177B.
Subsequently, the campaign
#JunkSTS also pushes for rechannelization of the Pork
Barrel funds to education and
other social services.
On their official statement posted on their Facebook page, NKE asserted that

STS does not benefit the majority of the students. The organization added, In UP Cebu alone, data from Office of
the Student Affairs show that
only 2 out of 10 students enjoy
tuition free education through
STS.
Nonetheless, the organization recognizes that the
demand for a tuition free education is not an overnightprocess. Albasin pointed out
that there is a minimum goal,
however. This minimum goal,
as indicated in their official
statement would be for a tuition roll-back to STFAP levels
where the total amount paid
per unit is P249.75 for Bracket
9 (P4, 495.50/18 units, Bracket 9 being the default bracket
for those who will not apply for
STFAP and are thus presumed to be from the highest
income bracket.
The secretary general
also highlighted that the
NKEs campaign to #JunkSTS
is not only for the current UP
students, but also for UPCAT
passers who would have been
UP students but did not due to
financial
incapacities.
#JunkSTS, according to her,
is not only beneficial to students under Bracket E to B,
but also to those under Bracket A.
Regarding UPS campaign of reforming, instead of
junking the socialized tuition
system, Albasin disclosed that
the campaign to simply reform STS is as good as saying
that we legitimize increases in
tuition and that the previous
governments were right upon
choosing to prioritize foreign
debt servicing and military
spending over education.
#JunkSTS is the correct
call, Albasin added.

ONE BILLION RISING

FOR REVOLUTION
By Michelle Cabrales

Drum! Dance! Rise!

February 13, 2015 saw
UP Cebus participation in
the international campaign
One Billion Rising for Revolution. Students and professors alike gathered at the
Oblation Square at 4 o
clock in the afternoon to
witness the program and to
proclaim their support for
the
cause.
Survey statistics shows
the frightening estimation
that 1 in 3 women will experience abuse in her lifetime.
That means one billion
women and girls. Hence,
One Billion Rising was initiated on Valentines Day in
2012 as a call to end the
violence against women
and children.
One Billion Rising this
year aims to rise to create
a consciousness against
violence until it is unthinkable, Prof. Weena Gera of
the Social Sciences Cluster
stated in her opening
speech.
UPSTAGE initiated the
program with a natureinspired cultural presentation. Afterwards, UP Serenata led in the singing of
Lupang Hinirang. The UP
Cebu Cultural Dance Group
graced the audience with a
cultural intermission number presenting a combination of dances: fan dance,
la jota, banga and mantones.
To seal their support for
the campaign, various student organization representatives from Justice Advocates, UP Liberation for
Gays Advocates (UP LIGAYA), Nagkahiusang Kusog
sa mga Estudyante (NKE),
Union of Progressive Students (UPS), Unified Student
Organizations
(UNISO), and the UP Cebu
Student Council all gave
empowering
solidarity
speeches. Though each
organization differed in their
cause, they were all one in
giving support to One Bil-

lion Rising for Revolution.

One Billion Risings concerns also reach out to
gender equality issues, as
signified by UP LIGAYAs
participation.
UP Sayaw Evolution (UP
SAYAWE) also presented a
two-person dance drama
depicting real-life hardships
faced by women all over
the world.
Prof.
Henry
Francis
Espiritu
also
gave
a
speech, symbolizing male
support to the cause. He
received cheers from the
audiences when he said,
Why One Billion Rising
only? It should be Seven
Billion Rising!
The community dancing
at the end of all the speeches served as the highlight
of the occasion. The UP
Cebu Cultural Dance Group
and SAYAWE led the audience in a joyous choreography of Gabriela: Bagong
Rebolusyon.
One Billion Rising channels dancing as a revolution, as it allows us to
come back into our bodies
as individuals and groups
and a world, it connects our
feet to the earth and inspires us to move to her
rhythms.
To close the program, UP
Cebu
Student
Council
Chairperson April Dyan
Gumanao gave a few
words to salute the success
of the campaign.
The program would never
have been as successful
without the behind-thescenes operations of the
Gender and Development
(GAD) Office, SIDLAK Gender Resource Center 7,
UP Ligaya, and the UP Cebu Student Council. One
Billion Rising succeeded in
stoking the flames of human rights concerns that
day, and will continue to
revolve in the different
countries it touches. Till we
dance again, Iskolars!

Ang mga Hinabang nga Gitaban;

Mga Hilak sa mga Biktimang Gipasagdan
By Matthew C. Torregos
Usa ka tuig na ang
paspas nga nilabay sukad
sa Yolanda. Maypa ang
panahon, paspas kaayo
nakadagan. Apan ang mga
hinabang nga gipanghambog sa gobyerno hangtud
karun Asa naman sad
kaha
kini
nga
bulsa
nasaag?
Puro mga relief goods
nga gikan sa NGOs ra ang
nadawat sa mga biktima sa
Yolanda didto sa Northern
Cebu. Pinili ra sad ang
gipanaga-an. Kung dili kaalyado, walay madawatan.
Ang serbisyo, ginahimo
nang negosyo. Matud pa
sa usa ka tigulang nga
among nahinabi, Wala pa
gyud mi nakadawat og
bisan ni usa ka lata gikan
sa gobyerno.
Sa syudad sa Bogo sa
mismong adlaw sa unang
anibersaryo sa Yolanda,
Nobyembre 8, didto namo
nakat-onan ang kapait sa
kapalaran sa mga biktima.
Tood man, pipila na ka buwan ang nilabay, gipapirma
daw ang pipila og payroll
nga balig P10, 000.00 para
sa matag pamilya. Apan, sa
pagpenirmahay ra di-ay
naghuman
ang
tanan
tungod kay hangtud karun,

wala pa nahatag ang

kwarta. Wala pa nahatag
ang kwarta.
Og basig dili na gyud
mahatag.
Pagka-abot namo sa
Bogo, aduna na ang mga
tambok nga pulis, nag laroy
-laroy. Nag-inisog og nagbinugo, gibawalan pag-una
sa mga pulis sa pagsulod
sa plaza ang katawhan nga
pursigidong
magkatapoktapok kuyog sa ubang biktima arun hisgutan ang ilang
mga kabalaka og ang ilang
mga kahimtang! Naa may
nakalimot kadiyot nga ang
plaza usa ka pampublikong
lugar! Ing-ato ka desperado
nalang gyud di-ay nga
pugngan nga mabutyag ang
mga modos sa gamhaan.
Pagkamakalisang hunahunaon nga ang mga korap
og mga kawatan pasudlon,
niya ang mga gipangkawatan dili!
Samtang nagsugod na
ang programa og ang
pakigbahin sa mga biktima
sa ilang kalisod, nagpatukar
dayun ang mga bata-bata
sa administrasyon og kusog
nga tukar arun ma disturbo
ang programa.
Apan ang tingog og ang
hilak sa mga dinadaugdaug

mao
gihapoy
nagpatigbabaw.
Wala
kini
nga
nagpasabot nga ang mga
biktima nagpasagad o nagagad rasad sa hinabang
gobyerno. Naningkamot sila
tamas ginhawa arun hawason ang ilang mga kaugalingon og ilang pamilya sa
kalisod. Ang rason nganong
sigeg tuki nato ang mga
gisaad nga mga hinabang
nga hangtud karun wala
natagamtaman kay basig
malubong nasad kini sa
limot og mabulsa nasad.
Gawas pa, katungod sa
mga taw kini! Obligasyon sa
gobyerno nga serbisyohan
kitang mga taw! Adunay
salapi nga gipagawas. Wala
nay lain pang hapakan sa
kwartang gi-andam para sa
mga biktima kundili sa mga
biktima ra gyud!
Dili naman sad ingon sa
makurat pa ta sa mga inganing panghitabo. Korupsyon. Pagpangawat. Dugay
rang na-uso kini sa atong
nasod. Apan dili kini igong
rason arun muhunong kita
sa pakigbisog para sa hustisya og para maningil sa
mga butang nga para unta
sa katawhan apan gitagoan, gibulsa, gipalami-an, og
gitaban sa mga hakog.

HEIGHTEN SECURITY, HIGHLIGHT UNITY

Ang gusto niyo kasi ng
mangyari ata manghuhula
ang mga guard. Be proud
in wearing the UP ID.
President Alfredo Pascual,
President of the University
of the Philippines, said this
during his visit to UP Cebu
in response to a question
raised by France Degamo,
UPC Student Council ViceChairperson for the current
academic year, on the possible implementation of the
No ID, No entry policy.
At that time, the policy is
yet to be implemented in
the campus. Oppositions
raised the thought of not
having the policy for it is
not the concrete solution to
the problem on the campus security. For them,
higher fencing is better.
Moreover, others see that
having a machine that
could detect the validity of
IDs is a good move since
there are high chances of
faking it.
Through Dean Liza Corros memorandum, the No
ID, No entry policy was

implemented on April 16,

2015.Students and staff are
required to present their
IDs upon entering the
premises but, they are only
highly encouraged to
wear it while inside the
premises.
One of the most recent
cases of theft took place in
the Arts and Sciences
building. There, a projector
was stolen. Another is a
stolen Acer Switch 10 laptop in the campus dorm on
March 28, this year. Although,
CCTV
footage
could not exactly determine
the face of the thieves, accounts from dormers themselves claim that 4 medium
- built men where around
the area. Estimated worth
of the gadget was Php 15,
000 (standard price was
around Php 20, 000 but
considering a laptop usually lasts for 4 years and after
subtracting its 1- year usage, the Campus Security
office came up with this
amount). Now heres the
catch; the student was paid

back with the amount as

the 22 guards divided the
amount among themselves.
Yes, I must reiterate that
the guards paid for the
amount.
Are the security guards
ready?
Very clear ang instruction: No ID, no entry.Sir
Jerry Bajada, Campus Security head, said in an interview. But wait, did I just
hear that?
In an incident, I was
holding my ID on my hand
and just as I was about to
enter the premises, the security guard left his post
and had a pee in one of the
corners of the building
nearby or the CCC. For a
minute, I was in a rage and
thought that the policy is
slowly losing its essence,
the way I see how the
guards perform. I did enter
the campus without the
guard checking my ID.
I have also been hearing
stories of students who can
freely enter the campus just
because the guard can rec-

ognize their face and can

tell that they are students.
Being friends with the
guards is indeed a plus.
Security lapse nasa
guard. Bajada admitted.
He added that in response
to their lapses, he is going
to post a memorandum
next week (the interview
was conducted on April
30), a follow- up from what
the dean has previously
released. He further mentioned that being lax in their
posts and not getting their
job done correctly can be
possible grounds for the
termination in the 3rd offense. Wala man nilagibuhatilangtrabaho.
One can easily enter the
AS building without an ID
by passing the CCC entrance. For so many times,
the campus security guards
are caught off- guard. For
so many times, I have entered the campus without
presenting my ID. Isnt this
alarming?
May this article serve as
a wake- up call to all those

sleeping and lax guards

hanging around or taking a
break and leaving their
posts. Seeing all these, the
policy may have lost its
essence but then, we must
still unite in heightening
campus security.
Others may view the policy as a band- aid solution
but I dont think it is that
hard to present your ID,
right? As students, it is also
our responsibility. Lets
think of presenting our IDs
as our small contribution in
assuring that we are safe
while inside the premise .
As students who now
follow the policy, I think it is
also about time the guards
do their part as well in thoroughly checking our IDs. I
dont
think
thoroughly
checking IDs would take
much time and will only
take 20 seconds at most.
We can only heighten
campus security through
unity-- students who follow
policy and vigilant guards
must be a good combination.

The
Commission
on
Higher Education (CHED)
recently approved applications for tuition increase of
28 universities here in Cebu.
Once again, CHED proved
itself unworthy of continuing
to exist as it already ceased
to serve its purpose. Instead
of primarily protecting students and regulating tuition
increases, it has become a
facilitator as well as a conspirator of capitalists in the
scheme of commercializing
education. In fact, Dr. Freddie Bernal, regional director
of CHED Central Visayas,
was reported by Cebu Daily
News to have said, We
(CHED) cannot put a stop to
a tuition increase.
Bernal reasoned out that

tuition increases are necessary for these are the only

possible means for private
universities to meet the demands for a quality education, as these universities
are not subsidized by the
government. In accordance,
Bernal reported that 70% of
the income of this increase
will be allocated to boost the
salaries of the faculty; the
20% will be spent for the
improvement of facilities;
and only the remaining 10%
will be saved as a return of
investment.
However, reality does not
agree with the regional director. Universities and colleges do not generate income solely out from students tuitions. For years of

operation, universities have

saved billions out from the
excess of other school
fees that students pay. The
National Union of Students
in the Philippines (NUSP) Cebu provides that the University of San Carlos (USC),
for example, in 2013 alone
has accumulated savings
amounting to P195 million.
Universities and colleges
could have used these savings, to increase the salaries
of the faculty and improve
its facilities. These savings,
then, could have prevented
the occurrences of tuition
increases because universities and CHED have always
used the salary-increaseand-improvement-offacilities mantra to justify

and sugarcoat their tuition

increases. These savings
could have saved a number
of students from further burden but these did not.
CHED, itself, established
the reason why.
Through its Memorandum Order No. 3, CHED
enforces that salary increase should only be ejected out from the income of
the students tuitions alone
and never from the savings
derived from the other
school fees. Consequently,
the re-channelization of the
above-mentioned savings is
illegal. Thus, though USC,
for example, has banked
billions from the other
school fees paid by its students, the university cannot

make use of these savings

to increase the salary of its
faculty-- which in turn necessitates for tuition increase. CHED Memorandum Order No. 3 is basically
encouraging tuition increases.
CHED itself has become
a lousy business partner of
capitalists. Education is now
but a business. Remember
Kristel Tejada of UP Manila.
Remember
Rosanna
Sanfuego of Cagayan State
University. Remember these
two students whose deaths
were driven by the commercialization of education.
Does this mean life equates
the costs of having quality
education?

HOWS UP

10

LIFE?

Biology
Pagkadungog nimug UP murag proud kaayu ko.
Here in UP cramming kaayu; daghan kaayug buhatun.
Karun sa UP Daghan nasad kug friends. Ang mga
professors paspas kaayu, then maulaw kag ask. Ang
uban wiling mu tubag sa pangutana and gamay ra muhatag ug grado. UP life is lisud and dili kaayu ka maka enjoy. Sometimes, maka ingun ka na dili ko fit diri sa UP
kay taas ra kayu ang standards ang mga professors.
I remember by the time I sang during cookout, kay
wa jud ku gkulbaan. Confident kaayu ko. Naka expect na
gani ko na madaug ko, pero wa lang gihapun ko na assume. Happy kaayu ko nakadaug sa Cookout. Taas kaayu akung pagtan.aw sa Cookout kay daghan na man ang
mga nangapil, tapos nakadaog ko. Nakarealize ko na
pwede ra madaug ang maskikinsa kay dili kaayu bongga
ang uban.
Khryzl Yap Barbarona Biology I

Interviewer: John Christian Trigo

and stories about UP life and many said that there was
no life in UP at all, that it was all about academics. But
somehow, in one way or another, that got me expecting
for the best aside from the worst.
So far, UP life has been challenging and stressful but
not in the worst way I expected it to be, maybe because
Im still a freshie and Im just starting out. I like my teachers very much and Ive learned a lot from them already
from academics to making good life decisions. Theyve all
somehow given me epiphany about this and that which
helped my analytical skills a lot. At first I thought I would
be friendless because I wasnt from here and I struggled
with my Cebuano, but I actually met really extraordinary
people who are the friendliest and the funniest and had
the patience while they struggled speaking to me in Tagalog. My classmates and organization mates are very fun
to be with too. Everyone is so friendly and approachable.
The environment has been and still is very euphoric. It
feels like every day is a new day both in Paradise and
Hell.
The most significant event of my UP Life would be
getting in AIESEC. I wanted to be part of an org to be
more than being just another student in UP and AIESEC
is
definitely
helping
me
with
that.
UP life feels like being in a theme park: there are lots of
rides and people, and they can make you feel happy,
sad, crazy, shocked and confused, or all at the same
time. There are a lot of things going on, and sometimes
youre just there in the center standing and watching or
waiting in line for the next ride. Its been tiring but nonetheless fun and I look forward to whats to come.
-J. Priyanka Dalagan Management I

Computer Science
UP equates to excellence, integrity, and serving the
nation. And to be able to uphold these three things, one
must exert tremendous amount of effort, self-discipline,
time management. While balancing everything in the
pursuit of entertainment and happiness and that is exactly
what Ive been trying to do for the past months. It just
great, that Ive friends, really great friends to help me in
each & every way. So long, its been tough, and there are
some moments which makes you rethink about your capabilities but theres no other way than to go up in UP.
The truth is life here is harder than how I projected it
to be. But, Im still really adjusting as to how I can set my
priorities straight without necessarily compromising my
Mass Communications
academics or my interest.
Lisud jud ang UP life, in a sense, na kahibaw ko na
-Mary Rose Ampoon Computer Science I
akung kauban sa school kay puro mga bright jud. Didto
sa ilang schools, hakot sila ug awards sila Ako onetsly,
Fine Arts
wala koy rank. UP is welcoming especially the upper
At first, akung pag tan.aw sa UP is intimidating kaa- class men. Uban teachers chill ra, pero naa puy uban,
yu. Ang environment nice kay daghan ug tress. Chada terror. Pero, okay ra sya. Para nako, as the time goes by,
kaayu sya. Nag aabot man ang mga bright na tao. Char. fit ra ang pagka terror. So far, so good. Except sa PolSci
Cool kaayu ang mga teachers. Its a roller coaster ride. 11. Wa ju kuy definite na barakada, pero every course
Na challenge ko, especially, sa amu ang mga plates kay naa kuy friend. It is so helpful, in a scence na maamong mga teachers kay dili basta basta, in short, awe- katabang sila nan aa kuy kailangan na specific na field na
some sila, like us. Karun nga nagdugay nami dri sa UP, feel nako na mau na ilang forte.
Happy kaayu mi sa mung mga friends kay enjoy sya
Masscomm participating in the cookout and supportmaski na stress ang life. Labaw, na atong pagCookout, ing events like campus patrol, first time nako na witness
kay enjoy kaayu tungud sa mga bands ug sa rampahan, ang mga nin.ana. First time nako maadto an ang mga
kantahan, sayawan, ug tanan.tanan. Friendly pud kaayu facilities na wow kaayu, while sa public schools dili kayo
ang mga seniors. I met people like me and Im so happy. nin.ana. Prepared jud kaayu, every segment, equipment
Different ra kaayu sa school nako sauna, mas friendly pa. and everything kay pinaghandaan. Maka ingun jud ko iba
Naka adjust na sa culture, then okay ra akung UP life. Abi ang UP. Ma compare jud nako, kaysa ila jjud, kay para sa
nakug lisud kaayu pero kaya ra d ai with the help of God ila kay 1.0 to 2 kay gamay ra sa ila. Didto ra sa ila kay
and enough passion to drive me to become a good stu- chill lang, while here at UP kay maka kuha kag 1 if grabe
dent.
na imung effort, sometimes wal. Lisud kaayumakuha sa
-Regina Marie Fernandez Fine Arts I UP ang 1. Sunogun na jud literally ang kilay.
The way students talk even ordinary conversations,
Management
kay naa juy something educational. Di parehas sa uban,
Before entering UP, culture shock, challenges and uyab2. Dri kay about sa course, lessons and educational.
the stress of them were expected. I expected UP life to Mass comm kay tabian and pinakavain na batch. UP life
always burn me out due to less sleep and more home- is tiring and pressured ka but worth it tanan.
work. I also got pressured at first because Ive read blogs
-Thesha Mae Godoy Mass Comm 1

Hello again! I'm not surprised none of you has

upgraded, you're still losers. I mean, what else are
you? You follow rules, you're irrational and you submit yourselves to stupid shiznette all the farking
time. Haaaist. How sad are your UP lives. Whatever, inyoha sad na. Di nalang ko mu-care. I have decided to stop caring about the world last month
when I realized my parents don't love me enough
(#hugot --> ew jej, pariha ninyo). Anyway, unsa ma'y
atong sturyaan? I wanted to talk about what I heard

a long while ago: naa man diay kuno'y gitangtang

nga worker kay nasakpang natulog sa usa ka respetado (?) nga person dinhi sa school! Pak boak
kaluoy sad ni manuyyy! Nakalimot siguro'g inom ug
kape! Haaay kaluoy sad. Wa bitaw koy sure sa
sturya ha, pero ako mabawan ra bitaw ko sa rason.
Hinuon, unprofessional man sad ang gibuhat gud.
Aw pero unsaon nga di man gyud sad siguro professional si manuy! Char! Neweizzz, ang akong chika
lain kay ang kagubot nga giagian sa atong pinalanggang NKE niadtong mga niaging semana. Di mo
malain nga sa ilahang victory party, ni attend ang
usa ka controversial nga former student regent nga
nag bedazzle kuno ug crystals sa iyahang denim
shoulder bag nga iyang ginamit pag high school!

Mathematics
Pag HS, UP High man ko, murag nakakita nako sa
overview of UP. Pagkakita nako, medyo stressful jud sya,
pero at the same time naa jud kay makat.unan. Naa jud
kay ma learn from it. So far, okay raman, medyo, nay
times na maglisud sa mga test, and the same time fun
gihapun sa mga activities. Lisud ang discussions and
stressful ang mga activities. Aja pa. Nindut jud ang mga
professors, mu teach ug tarung and learn through them,
nay uban dili masabtan and others na outstanding. Masaban jud ang topic. Friendly man s dang mga Math. As a
batch lingaw kaayu mi. Talk-talk to each other. Suod
kaayu mi.
UP is exciting and maka ingun ka na mabilib ka on
how UP molds you. Nag start na syag mold namu from
Stage 1 hantud magka anam, thorugh ideas and different
things na pwede nimu makatunan
-Deither Abilong Math 1
Political Science
UP is a university with the good name. As a political
science student, my life stressful but definitely worth it.
Professors, much like the students they teach have their
own set of values and ideals and rather than impose
them, instead provide an environment necessary in fostering these ideas closer to the absolute truth.
Now, I believe UP is an institution that lives up to its
name, honor and excellence indeed. Beyond that, it is an
experience above the constraint of your words. Up can
only be describe by itself, UP is UP, it is what it is maybe even more.
-Pierre Judd Alvizo Political Science 1
Psychology
UP is a prestigious school and only the smart people can go, and look up by people. Pag sud naku sa UP
life, it was like a culture-shock. Akung expectations na
lisud jud kaayu na I really need to focus in my studies that
I might not able to make friends. After a few months,
comparatively from other school, mas naglisud sila because they have many units, sa UP na less units I can
make friends.
I find it weird that some professors give easier and,
some, harder classes. Different classes vary from different professors. Some professors view on education is
about you learn and its really interesting. Since, Im not
close with a lot of people and your first impression can be
hard. In some of my experience, there are some of the
people I dont want to be associated but turned out to be
nice.
Describing UP in one word: Unexcpected. You know
you could have so many expectations and there about
UP, its really not its rumored to be. Its different. Yes its
challenging and fun, comparatively from other schools.
Here its liberated and explore yourself more than other
schools and you can feel the responsibilities and the
freedom.
-Feeona Jyllian S. Espiritu Psychology I

Charbaki joke!!! Nag embezzle bitaw kuno ug

kwarta, murag mga fifteen melyon lang naman!
Kuyaw nis madz da! Magkalisod naman gani kog
huwam sa akong kinolekta nga kwarta para intrams shirt kay ako untang ipamlete, siya kay
sayun ra kaayong naka embezzle! Haaay kanindot
gyud paminawn sa "embezzle", murag sparkles ug
glitters gyuy akong ma-imagine! Char! Wa na gyud
ni'y padulngan akong sturya ay. Unya giduka nasad
ko ron (time check: 09:47am). So bye! Uy wait, can I
make a special mention to all the pretentious f****
out there? Please, I hope you all realize how lame
you sound, trying to act smart and cool on social
media. Bisag unsaon ninyo, loser gihapon mo sa
akong panan-aw. Bye.

11
JANUAR ERENO YAP
Interviewer: Alex Durog
BIRTHDAY
January 13

age when I
discovered literature and the high
that comes with trying to write one.
DIVISION
And if that wasnt romantic enough, I
Arts and Humanities
had to steal time to read novels and
write stories without my folks knowing
RANDOM FACT
about it because I was aware that
Writing what may be fiction and poet- they had a stranger for a son. It was
ry, movie marathons, reading literaapprenticeship under duress, clandesture I hardly understand, photogtine and dangerous. I was studying
raphy, shooting documentaries, cook- nursing, but when they werent looking, swimming, noodles, sleeping,
ing, I had a double major. Can you
eating, sleeping again
imagine my parents discovering that I
was college papers editor-in-chief
WHY WORK IN UP?
only at the end of the semester? Can
Not being a UP graduate, I always
you imagine the fury that was already
wondered about that rather peculiar
moot and academic? LOL.
sense of pride a UP graduate exudes
ADVOCACIES
when he talks about his/her alma
mater. While theres the pervasive
In one of my writing assignments as a
fact that many of the big names in
journalist, I interviewed a fisherman in
the community trace their education
an island up north. The fellow told me
from the state university, I have not
he earned roughly P120 a day. With
really appreciated the full weight of
that, he had to feed a family of six.
that self-worth. Yes, until I set foot
How was that possible with three
here. I had to make the big leap to
meals a day? Back in the city, you
get a deep appreciation of that fact. often get stalled in the middle of eatThe handful of years Ive been here, I
ing your P120 value meal because
saw a culture of hard work, diligence
you suddenly remember one true
and responsibility on all levels. Everystory from out there. You ask me
one
about advocacy? Its in that cramp,
breathes in uncomfortable space between two
the culture tales of contrasting realities. There is
an inequality that we all need to talk
about, to do something against.
DESCRIBE
COLLEGE
MESSAGE FOR UP CEBU STUDENTS
LIFE
In simple terms, theres no such thing
It was
as selfie here, its all us-sie. The
schizosimplest theories in whatever discipline
phrenic in
youre engaged in reaches out as
a lot of
useful knowledge to a larger commuways. I
nity beyond yourself. You know that,
had to
drop paint- thats what your teachers tell you
everyday in many different ways.
ing as a
way of life Never ever miss the point of helping
because it the rest of your countrymen.
was at that

By Bayani Acebedo

12

MARTIAL GROUNDS

In the bastion of freedom

and social-awareness, there
is a scheme that threatens its
stakeholders.
The University of the Philippines Board of Regents
(UP BOR), the highest-policy
making body of the University, approved the new Code of
Student Conduct (CSC) in
UP Diliman last June 30,
2014 even though dissent
against the student code
were made by studentleaders for it is punitive in
nature. Moreover, Commission on Higher Education
Chairperson Patricia Licuanan and the BOR suggested that this code shall also
be adopted by other UP universities, such as UP Cebu,
in their student manual.
The Student Code of Conduct, which was made for
five years as a replacement
to its 1998 version, is a set of
standards
and
proper
norms that students must
heed in the university. Any
act that deviates from the
provisions implemented in
the code is an act of
misconduct.
Since 2009, the year the
student code was attempted
to be revised and implemented, student leaders have
drawn flak from it. In the
same year, provisions of the
code were made that was too
imposing with stricter penalizations being given to
disruptive behavior and
breach of peace. The main
revision of the code, which is
to decentralize the Student
Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT),
will only allow the administration to turn a blind eye to
students by the coerced removal of their rights to execute legitimate judgment on
violations and offenses. Lack
of consultation and lack of
the student representation in
its drafting committee are
also some of the reasons
why student formations negate the code and this led to
the postponement of the
codes implementation. This
only shows how controversial
the code is.
Yet, five years of drafting
revisions only means enforcing more repressive rules in
the University. The code has
never acknowledged the
rights and welfares of the

students from vague provisions and much varied

probable punishments that
penalize the students misconduct, to rules that equate
to the manifestation of deterring the students right to
organize and expression.
CSCs section 2.2.1 of the
CSC states that students
with less than one semester
of residency in the University
are not allowed to join any
student organizations. On the
other hand, recruitment band
for fraternities and sororities
was extended to one-year of
residency.
Organizational
force will eventually be inadequate to run tasks and activities and this might cause
the death of student organizations. Provisions like this
are an utter contravention to
the Philippine Constitution.
Moreover, Section 1.3.1
and 2.2.1 of the CSC stated
that deeds causing disturbance or breach of peace
will be penalized, ranging
from a 15-day suspension to
expulsion from the University. No activities were directly
classified as breach of
peace in the CSC. As a condition with no sufficient
grounds for such, that is one
of the lapses of the student
code. This provision can be
used by the administration to
protest the mobilization of
students in the University as
an act of disturbance and
penalties involved might be
used to threaten them.
Provisions that are imposed in the CSC are grave
threats to the wellness of
student body. The CSC inadvertently suggests that the
students are naturally felonious and makers of mischief
by not inputting any rights to
the code. The policies that
are mandated curtail the constitutional rights to expression, organization, and assembly.
Presently, more revisions
of the code are set to be
drafted for more clarity and
more objectiveness. Regardless of the revisions of the
code that are to be made by
the BOR, the point is still
focusing on what students
are not allowed to do rather
than principally holding the
rights and welfare of the students.

Apparently, the implementation of the new student

code is irrelevant to the present concerns of the whole
UP system. These should be
addressed by the admin instead: the ceaseless stance
of mitigating any forms of
commercialization of education such as the socializedtuition system that prevents
potential UP students from
getting in the university; the
academic calendar shift that
is not a response to student
bodys productivity in terms
of global competitiveness;
militarization of UP Mindanaos campus that terrorizes
the students; campus expansion that may affect the informal land settlers; and idle
assets that are supposed-tobe used for the benefit of the
students are instead being
turned into hubs of capitalism.
Divisive
mechanisms
such as the student code in
the university will only obstruct the students to organize and respond to issues
that affect them. In times like
these, when the system outside the academe compels
us to be more vigilant and
critical, and through organization and any form of mobilization these issues affecting
us can be addressed, it is
absurd that the administration should impose a code
that restrains us from doing
so. The rights-based Student
Handbook of Rights and Responsibility, which is similar
to UP Cebus Student Manual, should be passed and
ensued applicability to all UP
constituents.
Action will never breed
progressiveness if students
are hindered in exploring
their interests or blocked
from organizing to make objections. Unity, as one UP
system,
will
never
be
achieved if students are prevented from exercising their
rights and welfare.
Now more than ever, the
call to obliterate any form of
repressive school policies is
becoming more relevant. As
Iskolars ng Bayan, we must
uphold UPs character as
nationalist, democratic, and
pro-people university.

FEATURE WRITERS
Jace Trigo
Michelle Cabrales
ASSOCIATE EDITOR (INTERNAL) Matthew Torregosa
Ed Bacaltos
Sherwin Oro Gabrinez

EDITOR IN CHIEF
Gerriane Rizon

MANAGING EDITOR
Euben Arzadon

ARTISTS
Armand Dayoha
Aldrin Abellanosa Navarro
Aldwyn Cabarrubias
Bayani Acebedo
Ressian Dhel Ebio

CIRCULATION MANAGER
Rochelle Inferido Salas

LAYOUT ARTIST
Alvin Pino

NEWS EDITOR
Korinna Lucero

PHOTOGRAPHERS
Frances Pasicolan
Isabella Rain Bontuyan

ASSOCIATE EDITOR
(EXTERNAL)
Maggy Cerenio

FEATURE EDITOR
Chelzee Salera
SECRETARY
Franel Mae Poliquit
NEWS WRITERS
Krystal Joy Lim
Joanne Benedicto
Joy Gorumba
Alex Durog
Angelica Galario

For decades now, Tug-ani

has been a trustworthy medium in delivering quality news,
preserving the details of our
chronicles and giving light on
current issues.
And we continue to strive to
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We at Tug-ani endeavour to
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We believe that information
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putting bare facts over our own
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even though wethe writers at
Tug-anihave our individual
points of view, we have the

ADVISER
Prof. Henry Espiritu
AS 159, UP Cebu
up.tugani@gmail.com
www.fb.com/uptugani
Member of College Editors
Guild of the Philippines

publications interests at heart

and so we set aside our own
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Therefore, we hereby reaffirm Tug-anis status as a nonpartisan institution. We attest
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Be well guided, Iskolars!