WHY AK?

Why I am in ASAP-Katipunan

It was just last year when I experienced to vote for the first time in the country’s premier state university. Having a little knowledge on the campus politics then, I was after for leaders who will best serve the student body—leaders who will be approachable, responsible (both as leaders and as students), and determined to serve. I voted for Bigkis UP Manila (6 of the 9 posts in the University Student Council). I was thinking that they would best represent the cause of the student body. On the other hand, I chose to vote only three USC candidates from the ASAP-Katipunan. To be honest, I had biases against the activists when I was in first year. I find them too confined in their own world of opposing and opposing the administration.

However, things began to change last semester particularly in the month of August. In one of my major subjects (Political Science 14), the whole class was sent to the most depressed communities in Bulacan for what we call a Basic Masses Integration Program (BMI) sponsored by the ASAP-Katipunan. Through such, we were able to live with the peasants for one night and two mornings having the goal of understanding their present condition and sentiments as well.

There I saw, smelled, tasted, and felt poverty—-it was all over the setting. Children would need to go through two mountains to get to the nearest school everyday. Peasants would choose to work even though they are oppressed in the inequalities in the world of agrarian (brought by feudalism) because they want Filipinos to have enough food (rice in particular). There I saw life on a very different side. As new buildings are constructed in the most urbanized areas in our country, more and more Filipinos get hungry in the other parts.

There I saw the ASAP-Katipunan members in a way like I have never seen them before. The people (peasants and their families) there know them well and would even choose to offer us the best food they have not minding their own selves. For a minute or two, I was left pondering. In my first year in UP, I had my share of biases against these people—the same people who have been one with the masses; the same people who have long been fighting for the good of all—for equity.

Last year I was allergic to their chants but now I know that every chant is for a child who opts to go through mountains just to get education. Last year I was allergic to their protests but now I know that it is for a peasant who opts to still plow the lands even though they do not receive what is due to them. Last year I was allergic to their statements but now I know that it is for a Filipino struggling to live despite the challenge of poverty.

I am an AK member because I now simply share their principles—what they are fighting for—what we all should be fighting for. Before thinking of how we students can get the most out of everything, there is a need for us to go back to the very point of being Iskolars ng Bayan. We are all struggling for change. We want change. But we must be careful in choosing the kind of change we wish to transpire. I am not saying that the principles of Bigkis or the mechanisms which they prefer are wrong. Nobody can impose which one is right. But my principles are now with AK—guided by the true condition of our society and enlightened by our people. It was not AK which was confined in their world of opposing and opposing the administration. It was me who was confined in the world of urbanization forgetting our brothers and sisters on the other side.

Do you now see?

ASAP-Katipunan.
TUNAY. PALABAN. MAKABAYAN.

2009

It’s an ordinary evening for me again— alone in the room while listening to music. Ordinary and yet I have lots of things in mind. A few hours from now, I will be going back home after seven months. It just gives me the feeling that I have changed a lot since then— lots of downfalls can be recalled. Still, every day becomes more and more worth to live for. Well, there are plenty of lessons I learned from what transpired this year. Year 2009 may have been the worst for me to certain extents but more than that, I shall remember it as the venue where I have grown into the man I am now.

On Fraternity

At first, I do not really buy the idea of having the need to be part of a fraternity. I was one of those who view fraternities equated with brutish acts and violence. But, the Sigma Kappa Pi changed the way I see fraternities. It allows you to somehow sacrifice your individual interest for the interests of all—Democratic Centralism, it is. It takes time to understand such but once you are truly guided by the truth and enlightened by the masses, all the sacrifices will all be worth it—all the odds will be justified in a manner which could not be expressed through words. You just feel and know it.

On Friends

Probably the most complicated aspect of my life this year is in the field of friendship. I gained new ones while somehow losing other friends because of the circumstances and part of which are also my mistakes. I just hope that next year will be a better one in terms of my relationship with my friends and people around me in general. Thanks to Tuks for all the lessons, Ekit and Edit for the new wave of experiences, Polis for the incomparable memories, 3rd Year PolSci Buddies Keith and Florian for the unforgettable sleepovers, Buddies Mac and Josh for the rocking songs, AMS for the moral teachings and fun bondings, CYA for the joyful moments together, Maroons for all the laughs we’ve shared, all the people who have touched my life individually (you know who you are), and to Da Cores for the patience, trust, and acceptance.

On Studies

I always cram lately and I made absences already just to make up for my responsibilities in varying commitments. I just hope and pray that God will give me extra strength to cope better. I must also bring back my focus because in the first place, my parents sent me here to study well.

On Love

I had Jamie and I learned a lot from our relationship. It was not just about love nor sweet moments together but it was more about two people from different worlds who both tried to adjust to be complemented with the other and just let each other feel the warmth of love and passion.

On Faith

It was through my roller coaster ride that I got the chance to talk to God more often. But more importantly, my faith grew in a way that I get to appreciate good things more than the way I appreciate them before. Indeed, it was through darkness that I really realized the beauty of light. God is great.

“There are things in my life which even the purest of purest reasons would never dare to understand, but even though I struggled—I managed to live”…

Dinig Sana Kita

On “Dinig Sana Kita”

Our human senses, though often unappreciated, do us huge favors which contribute to our humanity. In the conventional perspective of humans given our subjective biases, we feel normal and complete if all our senses function well. As a result, a distinct kind of discrimination over those who do not enjoy all their human senses exists in our society. Most look at them as lesser humans. But, what is it really that makes us humans? Does being disabled really limit our ability to be happy and live normally in this material world?

Dinig Sana Kita is a movie which has a “deaf theme” offering a story which challenges the conventional views regarding deaf people who are deprived of hearing both noises and melodies. What is more interesting is that it affirms the notion that the deaf can be happier than most people. It appears that the inability of most people to be simply contented with what they have causes their lack of appreciation for being complete physically. Most fail to enjoy life because they are too busy looking at what is not there.

The politics within the family was also depicted in the story. As what most people say, most of the rich people in terms of economic resources are those who do not have a stable family life. Hilarious as it may appear but the societal framework of today seems to affect the way we live our lives and the way we see ourselves as part of the world as a whole. Because of our thirst to gain more economically, we unconsciously lose the things which are actually the more important ones.

While starting to live by the rules of the society imposed by the period of modernization and globalization, we also start forgetting the kind of persons we were or to certain extents, the kind of persons we should have been. The fathers forget to be fathers while being too busy on their roles as breadwinners. The mothers forget to be mothers while being too busy with their friends and social activities. The sons and daughters forget to be children while being too pre-occupied of their complaints which lead to rebellion.

It is but amazing to realize that the beauty of life is not restricted within the walls of perfection but rather appreciation. One can be happy only when he or she chooses to be happy regardless of not having everything. Perhaps, happiness has never been something too difficult to attain but a choice to be simply chosen.

Rio’s 18th: A Night

Rio’s 18th: A Night to Remember

My confirmation of attendance prior to the invitation to Rio’s party came in as a short notice. Up to the day of her birthday, I was not sure if I should come to the overnight party in an exclusive resort in Laguna especially it was only Vanessa who confirmed from my block mates. In a way, I was thinking that if Rio’s friends (Marvin, Faith, Brin, and Tal) would be there, maybe Vanessa and I would be out of place as they might be doing a lot of catching up together. But, as evident as it appears I chose to attend the party. Vanessa and I met at the Metropoint in Pasay City and we were later fetched by Rio, who was then with Marvin and Faith already. We then rode a jeep to go to Rio’s relatives’ house from which we had early exchanges for about an hour of basic information and stuffs new friends usually ought to know.

When the family driver arrived, we were then driven to Calamba, Laguna which is the venue proper of the party. Along the trip which lasted for about two hours, Vanessa and I got the chance to know Marvin and Faith better. The trip was sort of a “high-school-days-experiences-sharing” which was of course a perfect way to start the great friendships yet to be formed.

When we finally arrived at the resort, more moments of conversation with Marvin and Faith transpired. And later that night, Brin and Tal arrived to join the party. Lots of pictures were taken—-and for the FIRST TIME—– I was able to carry and touch a dog! Thanks to Marvin for that. Then we had dinner which went well because what I expected (the out of place thing) did not happen. They never failed to converse with Vanessa and I. After the dinner, WE TOOK THE POOL which I think is the most amazing thing we did that night. We played “ICE-ICE-WATER”, “7-UP”, “CLICK-CLICK”, “PING PONG PANG” etc. I can still hear how our voices roar the night of incomparable happiness. We then sang with the videoke and at around 1 a.m, Marvin and I went upstairs to go to bed as we need to leave by 4 in the morning. Well, I was not able to sleep. We just shared a lot of things which I think is one of the stuffs I appreciate in friendships.

By 3:30 am, we were already preparing ourselves to leave. Vanessa also needed to go home early that’s why she decided to go with us. The trip back to Manila was relatively a lot shorter. Rio’s party was not just a night of celebration but was also a night of building friendships and making old friendships stronger. It is a night I will remember.

Faith- I am proud to have known her. She’s very supportive and she speaks direct to the point. She is sweet, cool, and bubbly.

Brin and Tal- they are both smart and fun to be with individuals.

Marvin- I applaud him for being a loving son. I was very happy upon hearing how he talks to his mom over the phone.

Vanessa- After knowing her better, I can say that she really is a loyal friend. (Nessa, sorry for not acting that good in the game CLICK CLICK CLICK) hehe
Rio- is now a lady who is ready to face the world of challenges but with her friends on her side? I think it would be easier for her to overcome such.