The Four-eyed Journal

It’s been a long while since my last update here in The Four-eyed Journal. The last few weeks of the school year has just been too much that it has taken up a great deal of my time. Nonetheless, since this post comes during the Lenten season and it is a time for reflection not just about our faith but also among a lot of many other things, I’d like to share a video that I hope would be a good source or inspiration for all of us to reflect on.

It is a video of Mr Jun Lozada sharing his reflections on why he has come out to tell the truth despite the dangers, perils, criticisms and obstacles hurled against him from the time he has worked in the government up to now that he has stood up for the truth. It was taken in a forum in La Salle Greenhills last March 4, 2008, in which we Lasallians from Dasmariñas, Cavite finally made it out of our province to join our fellow Lasallians and Mr Jun Lozada himself for a gathering for truth, honesty, justice and accountability.

In this sharing that lasted for almost 30 minutes, Jun Lozada brought up the following points that would be good bases for our Lenten reflection:

• Apathy and indifference has pervaded our society. Even the Catholic Church has become indifferent to the truth, or the lack thereof, and the corruption in government.
• Corruption in government is a form of business. And if you would “rock the boat”, no body would do business with you again.
• Most are afraid to carry the torch of light because the very first thing to be illuminated is one’s own self thereby exposing one’s sins and dirty image.
• Conscience is the driving force for someone to brave the odds and do what is right and doing something for the truth.
• Carry the light of truth and those who thrive in darkness, corrupting others, will reject and even destroy you.
• If you will fill your heart with the light of goodness, then there will be no place for a shadow in you.
• Act with compassion, not with hatred, because compassion for those who suffer, who are oppressed, who are victims of injustice and corruption will be the reason for our collective constant struggle for change and a better tomorrow. The removal of an evil empire is simply a consequence of this compassion-driven movement.

I hope many will find a gem or two in this video and in these points of reflection. If you happen to find some more, do share them for everyone’s benefit.

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Today, Friday, March 7, 2008 marks the 1st week anniversary (naks!) of the suppression and blatant violation of the Constitutional Rights to the freedoms of abode, information, speech and peaceable assembly of the 85 students, faculty and some administrators of De La Salle University - Dasmariñas at the hands of the Bacoor PNP. And don’t forget the harassment and putting our lives and safety at risk thanks to their UDJ-297 White Tamaraw FX. Which I may add, was parked at the Bacoor Police Sub-Station at Talaba, Bacoor, Cavite last Tuesday morning and was seen going around Zapote later that afternoon.

We struggle even in our own campus

Our tragic experience last February 29, 2008 has been made known to the whole country thanks to our own small efforts which have been magnified by the media. The next logical step to do is file formal charges against the Bacoor PNP. That’s what almost everyone is expecting. The question is, will the 85 Lasallians from Dasmariñas, Cavite do so? A majority of us 85 are willing to do just that, however, by the nature of how our University works internally plus the socio-political climate in campus, we are forced to take things in much more reflective and slow manner.

The reasons for such are valid and true. However to my beloved DLSU-D administrators, undecided faculty and “snakes in the grass” let me re-echo one classic maxim about law and justice: “Justice delayed, is justice denied.”

To add further appeal, let me share that prayer that has been the battle-cry of Lasallians who have come out in support of Jun Lozada and the crusade for truth and justice:

Let me be the change I want to see
to do with strength and wisdom all that needs to be done
and become the hope I can be

Set me free from my tears and hesitations
Grant me courage and humility
Fill me with Spirit to face the challenge
and start the change I long to see

Even if I am not the light
I can be the spark
In faith, service and communion
let us start the change we want to see
The change that begins in me

Live, Jesus, in our hearts FOREVER!

It saddens and frustrates me to know and experience first-hand that the very teachers, professors, and administrators all educators in one way or another who have been lecturing us to do the right thing, to fight for our rights, to stand for what is truth and just, to grow up into the righteous leaders of this nation, to become true Lasallians enliving the Lasallian mission and the three core values of faith, zeal and communion in mission to be the first ones to silence us, coil up and let the February 29 tragedy pass on by as if it had never happened.

However, I believe there is still hope. And we, the 85 victims: your fellow students, faculty and administrators will show you that there is hope.

Continuing the struggle outside campus

If the criticisms from inside our very own campus is not enough, which is normal in an academic setting, we have also been engaged by individuals and groups from the public who have sent us emails, sms and made comments in our blogs that range from fair criticisms, defense of GMA to downright behavior that is no different, even worse than what the Bacoor PNP has done to us.

I say to each and everyone of you; much thanks for the added insight and the healthy conversation. I respect your positions and opinions however, it’s time to wake up, re-think your stances and face the truths:

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is “evil” and corrupt. From the “Hello, Garci” scandals, to the extra-judicial killings of activists and journalists, the overpriced government projects and the envelopes to Congressmen and the bishops, up to the NBN-ZTE controversy today. Add to that the treatment of her allies and loyalists, in particular the local government of Bacoor which was given to us last February 29, 2008 at Daang Hari and then at Niog, Bacoor.

You defend her by saying that Jun Lozada is a hypocrite and was once part of the system. True, Jun Lozada said so himself. We believe him, and we also believe that more must be exposed and confessed about the NBN-ZTE controversy by the other officials and individuals who were involved in the issue.

“Let he who has no sin, cast the first stone.”

Again, we’re not talking about Jun Lozada here, we’re talking about the “bukol” (lumps) in government projects and contracts. We’re talking about the exchange of “200″ between government officials in a fancy golf course. We’re talking about the Chief Executive Officer of this Republic, who has sworn to lie, cheat, steal and kill, defend the Constitution and uphold the laws of this land who has knowledge and direct participation in of all of these irregularities but has done absolutely nothing to remedy all of it, as prescribed in our laws.

“It’s not the economy, stupid!”

You defend her by saying that she has done well for the economy of the country. I say again, wake up!

You harp and banner the 7.3 percent growth in our GDP, the fastest in 31 years so they say, but have you really taken a second look at it? Or have you swallowed more of this administration’s propaganda designed to deceive and fool us all about GMA’s “enchanted kingdom”?

Even a government agency, the National Statistical Coordination Board (NCSB) has reported that poverty in the country worsened in 2006 which only proves that the claim of Malacañang of an improving economy is false.

According to the NSCB, 32.9% of the population, or 27.6 million Filipinos, are poor, nearly three percentage points higher than the 30% reported in 2003. This was computed using an annual poverty threshold of P15,057.

So again, borrowing the government’s own tag line; “ramdam mo na ba ang pag-asenso?” Let’s hear the 27.6 million poor Filipinos answer that. If Arbet’s mother has been complaining about increased prices of some goods, I’ve been lamenting the constant shrinkage of the pandesal and it’s increased price from 1 peso to 2 pesos, all during the term of Gloria Macapgal-Arroyo!

Lastly, Peter Wallace wraps up all of this eloquently:

We have an economy today that is skewed to favor a few. The growth is not widespread and is not reaching the bulk of the people. It is an economy that is losing its middle class (it shrank in 2007). One could say that it takes time to reduce the huge inequality that exists, or that the momentum toward that is there. But after six and a half years, surely there should have been some improvement, not a worsening.

I told ya, it’s time to face the facts.

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Last Friday, while almost 10,000 people from various sectors of civil-society rallied in Makati City to denounce the corrupt regime of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as exemplified by the scuttled National Broadband Network deal, key leaders representing the various sectors of the De La Salle University - Dasmariñas met in an emergency meeting at the University Student Council office in order to discuss its future plans and actions in relation to the issue.

Present then were the Presidents of the University Student Council, Council of Student Organizations, Faculty Association, the Directors and Heads of the Lasallian Community Development Center, Campus Ministry Office, NSTP department, Heraldo Filipino and the Dean of Student Services. The group decided that it was the right time for the DLSU-D community to put its foot down and make known to the public where it stands in these pressing issues of our times.

After deliberations, the core-group decided that an official statement reflecting the stand of the university with regards to the NBN controversy and that statement would be the start of DLSU-D’s more pro-active participation in the growing calls for truth, justice and transparency in government. More importantly, it is an answer to the call of the De La Salle Brothers, whom in the fulfillment of their solemn pledge to live out the values of a true Christian and a Lasallian.

Being the head of the Advocacy & Students’ Rights Committee of the USC, I was tasked to write the draft statement of the University. It focused on three main points: a plea to the Supreme Court for more expedient disposition of important cases before it, to the Senate to continue on with its hearings and investigations since no other alternative is credible enough to ferret out the truth, and to the Pilipino nation, to unite and act as one in ending once-and-for-all this dark age of evil, corruption, oppression and plunder that the current administration has plunged us into.

Of course it went through the usual process of editing, revising and proofreading so that the University would have little to no regrets in coming out with such a statement. The result thus is the final version as reproduced below in full verbatim, and since I am among the writers, it is written in Filipino. (an English translation will soon be made available)

—–

ANG PANAWAGAN NG PAMILYANG LASALYANO MULA SA DASMARIÑAS, CAVITE

Tayo ngayon ay nalalagay sa kaguluhan, korupsyon at kawalan ng katapatan mula sa pinakamataas na antas ng ating gobyerno. Ang mayapa, demokratiko at tapat na paghahanap sa katotohanan at hustisya ng sambayanang Pilipino ay sistematikong sinusugpo, hinahadlangan o di kaya’y binabaluktot upang mapanatiling nasa kadiliman ang taumbayan.

Ang hinaing at panawagan sa katotohanan at hustisya ay hindi bulong lamang ng iilan sa kawalan. Ngayon, ay lalo pang dumarami ang mga sector ng lipunan na kumikilos upang mailabas ang katotohanan at makamit ang hustisya.

Kasama ng mga iilang tapat na opisyal ng gobyerno at ang mga grupo mula sa iba’t-ibang sector ng lipunan: ang mga relihiyoso, kabataan, estudyante, guro, manggagawa at mga naisasantabi tulad ng mga maralitang tagalungsod at iba pa, kaming mga miyembro ng Pamilyang Lasalyano sa Dasmariñas, Cavite, gabay ng mga dakilang aral ni San Juan Bautista De La Salle at mga Prinsipyong Gabay ng Pamilyang Lasalyano, ay nakikiisa sa panawagan para sa katotohanan, katapatan, at pananagutan ng mga tiwaling opisyal ng pamahalaan.

Kami ay nananawagan sa:

1. Kataas-taasang Hukuman upang agarang resolbahin ang isyu ukol sa temporary restraining order na ipinataw nito upang ipahinto ang pag-imbita kay Kalihim Neri na magsalita sa Senado ukol sa mga nalalaman nito sa ZTE – NBN Deal;
2. Senado na ipagpatuloy ang pagdinig sa ZTE – NBN Deal at iba pang maanumalyang kinasasangkutan ng rehimen ni Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo upang malaman at panagutin ang mga tiwaling opisyal na nagkasala sa sambayanang Pilipino; at
3. Sambayanang Pilipino na sumama at makilahok sa mga mapayapa at demokratikong pagkilos, mobilisasyon at pagbubuklod-buklod hanggang sa makamit natin ang matagal na nating minimithi: katotohanan, hustisya; maka-tao, makabayan at maka-Diyos na panunugkulan.

Faculty Association
University Student Council AY 2007-2008 (USC

For Concurrence:
Alumni Association, Inc.
Kapatiran ng Bagong Lakas, Kaunlaran at Tatag (KABALIKAT DLSU-D Employees Association)
Parents Association of La Salle Cavite (POLCA)

—-

This statement was read out loud by yours truly in a mobilization of students, administration and faculty of DLSU-D earlier today at around 11am. During the gathering, two television sets were setup to display and make audible to the whole university the live coverage of the Senate hearings in which De La Salle Brother Felipe, FSC testified and recounted how the family of Jun Lozada came under the protection and aid of the De La Salle Brothers. When Bro Felipe, FSC told that the reason why the Brothers helped the Lozadas is because it was their obligation and duty as Christian brothers to help those in need, the almost 300 students who joined the gathering cheered and applauded with great pride.

Aside from the official statement by the University, representatives from the various student sectors were invited to speak and air their advocacies and stand in this issue. Those who were represented were the University Student Council, led by Joymay Amihan, Council of Student Organizations, Lasallian Pre-law society, Political Science Program Council, the College of Liberal Arts Student Council led by Jackner Borja and the brave student from ENT11 who also shared their stand. It was, in a nutshell, a showcase of street oratory by Lasallian students from DLSU-D.

This small act is a testimony and message that we Lasallians in Cavite are not silent and apathetic to the national situation and that the De La Salle Brothers are not alone in their quest for truth, justice, peace and prosperity for the Philippines.

More actions from the DLSU-D will be be unfolding in the coming days, we would not stop until the truth has come out, until justice is served and prosperity come to this great country of ours.

It’s time like these that makes me damn proud to be a Lasallian! Animo La Salle!

*more photos here and much more to come in the days ahead.

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Next week, from January 23-25, 2008 DLSU-D will once again celebrate the Lasallian Festival. Three days of fun-filled and exciting activities that are aimed to celebrate what it is to be a Lasallian.

Asides, it’s three days of fun and everyone is allowed to come to campus in civilian clothes. So expect Lasallians to strut their latest and hippest jeans, shoes, tank-tops and other apparel. I bet some would be wearing the fruits of their Christmas seasons’ gift and shopping madness. A few reservations I have because right after the Festival, comes the Mid-Term exams, meaning those who still haven’t paid their tuition fees for the past term would have to slug it out again for that badly-needed tool-of-oppression that we formally call the exam permit. More on this on another post.

Going back, the Lasallian Festival evolved from the Lasallian Days wherein we celebrate the University Foundation days. I forgot the real reason as to why the celebrations were re-named into Lasallian Festival but it does the trick and befits the scale and level of celebrations that take place during this event.

To further explain this year’s theme, I have blatantly copied share with you the briefing and explanation of this year’s theme and logo design.

Let us be one with the community as we come together this Lasallian Festival 2008. A line up of amazing activities is specially organized by colleges and student organizations. With this year’s theme “ Kayang-kaya kung sama-sama, ” students, faculty, administrators, and staff join forces to offer some cherished yearly events with a twist and fresh and thrilling concepts for everyone to enjoy and learn from.

Celebrate with your fellow Lasallians this January 23,24 and 25!

The Logo

Bayanihan, the spirit of communal unity and effort to achieve a common goal, has been with Filipinos for centuries.

The different La Salle institutions in the country are working towards One La Salle which would generate greater and more creative synergy among Lasallian schools and improve the overall quality of Lasallian education in the country.

Not losing the trait passed on by our ancestors and driving on the road towards a One La Salle, the Lasallian Festival 2008 theme “Kayang-kaya kung sama-sama,” reflects the essence of Bayanihan and the mission of One La Salle in its every objective, activity, and event. It is further supported by the seven characters in the logo, signifying the University’s colleges of Liberal Arts, Engineering, Architecture and Technology, Business Administration, Law Enforcement Administration and Public Safety, Education, International Hospitality Management, and Science.

With every member of the community contributing and helping in this endeavor, we, as Lasallians, will create more possibilities for every person, whoever he may be.

So once again, yours truly would be more than the busy bee as I help the SERVE Volunteers and the University Student Council in preparing their activities for the Festival. There are rumors that La Salle Greenhills Alumni Gary Valenciano will come and perform on the last day of the Festival at the newly re-named DLSU-D Gym, Ugnayang La Salle. Aside from that, there will be a Battle of the Bands courtesy of the College of Liberal Arts Student Council on the 2nd day, January 24. Mannequin will be joining the contest as well as Propaganda. Two of the best bands in DLSU-D. What’s more exciting about this is that the contest will be held on the day of “Open Campus” which means non-DLSU-D visitors could come and join in the celebrations. They have to bring IDs for security purposes but it will be worth the trouble.

As for me, I’ll be speaking at the Lasallian Forum on January 23, 2008 on the topic of the Vocation of being a Lasallian Youth. An honor and a daunting task as honestly, I’m still clueless as to what to say at the forum. The organizers may hate for this but I have a few qualms about the topic, because if one were to think about it, is being a Lasallian Youth really a vocation? If we go by what the word ‘vocation’ means I’m sure those in the know or familiar with the word would understand my dilemma. It’s a good thing though that I’ve done some research and have already prepared to address this issue. I’ll share about it after speaking at the forum because hey, I don’t want to spoil my little moment of glory. lolz

There are a lot of other great activities lined up for the Festival. Plus there will be a trade fair where goodies and lots and lots of good food would be up for grabs! Already, the Lasallian Festival is something we are definitely looking forward too. I just hope that professors would not spoil the fun by not allowing their students to attend the activities as alternative classes and instead give out quizzes and projects. Please naman, maki-saya na lang muna kayo.

Lastly, the University Student Council has a bombshell of a surprise for the Lasallian community come the Lasallian Festival; watch out for it!

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