Save a Drop

With arms wide open

We dream of being in the university where that proud naked man will welcome us with open arms. That naked man is none other than the Oblation, and that university is no less than the University of the Philippines.

This is every Filipino student’s dream, but not everyone gets the chance of living it. The competition is stiff, the requirements are overwhelming, the probability of getting in is too low ― the exact reasons why most remain as dreamers.

Only about 10% of the 60-70 thousand UPCAT (University of the Philippines College Admission Test) takers gets the chance to be qualified to study in UP. However, the UPCAT result only covers half of the admission process― it does not guarantee that you’re really in. The other half relies on high grades all throughout secondary education.

Those who get in gets to be called the crème’ de la crème’ and enjoy “special privileges.”

Standing on the pedestal

Being one of the chosen few, we are given bragging rights ― rights that we milk every chance we get, because we are deemed as “superior”. But in truth, we realize that we are not special at all. We are just one of the many ― and many more are better than we are.

When we get into UP, we call ourselves “Iskolar ng Bayan”. The people pay for our education, but that was before. Now, once we get into UP, people call us “sosyal”. The tuition increased, there are many cars on the parking lot, and majority of the students already bring laptops to school instead of notebooks.

Outside UP, people set high standards and expect a lot form UP students. In pageants, a UP candidate is expected to be both beauty and brains, flawless in question and answer portions, outspoken and witty. An epitome of a well rounded woman, a complete package. But a single mistake could ruin it all. Once you are in UP, a small mistake is equivalent to a major crime. Expectations lead to vulnerability to mistakes and these mistakes are magnified.

Must (but doesn’t) have

UP students are ideally smart. We are known to have an advanced curriculum. One subject is a combination of two or three in other schools, and somehow, we pass. But in reality, many of the students fail in some subjects, and there is a significant number of delayed students.

UP students are ideally principled. We stand firm for what we believe in, we fight for what we think is right, and we will bring you anywhere just to prove our point. But in reality, some of us cannot fight our biggest foe ― conformity. Some enter groups for the sake of being with friends, thus defeating the purpose of hardline principles.

UP students are ideally socially aware. What we should do always be for the benefit of the masses, in service of the Filipino people. We are supposed to give back what they have invested for us. But in reality, social awareness remains only inside the University. Some UP students only make use of their degrees to look good in their résumés and work abroad, in private companies ― or worse, under capitalists, all for the sake of their own gains.

UP students are ideally assertive. We push through our beliefs, put them into actions, and persuade others to do the same in order to stir or effect change. But in reality, we are becoming the outcome of the supposed change. We are easily influenced. Thus, we become mere products― the effect, not the cause of change.

UP students are ideally versatile. We are well-rounded individuals who could excel in any situation given the knowledge and skills that we possess. But in reality, we are the ones limiting our growth, allowing ourselves to become subjects of stereotyping and unfair labeling. We are aware, but we do nothing to change the backward trend.

Save a drop

Like a drop of water going back to the sea, and becoming only a part of the majority― leaving the university gives us no choice but to immerse in a bigger social context, and blend in.

We come to realize that Philippines is not UP, and we cannot bring everything we have learned inside the campus, there would really be some that we will be left behind. Because in the outside world, it is totally different. We are just one of the many trying to survive.

But in the end, we go back to a touchstone, and realize that the ocean will be a lesser ocean without that single drop that has been denied of it.

So we have every choice to stand out.

Wanted Perfect Boarding House

There were reports that some operators of boarding houses in Miagao do not comply with the rules and regulation set by the municipality. Also there were persistent rumors that most boarding houses do not issue receipt upon the boarder’s payment of monthly rental.

In accordance to these, the researchers conducted a census in order to find out whether these claims have enough grounds.

“Boarding House” as defined in Miagao’s Municipal Ordinance No. 96-04 is any house where boarders are accepted or accommodated for compensation by the week, or by month, and where meals are served to boarders; or where boarders occupy space only. For the purpose of this ordinance, a boarding house includes any dormitory.

It is essential that there are clear standards governing the care provided in these settings, and that these standards are monitored and enforced effectively.

This report concerns monitoring of boarding houses based on the requirements cited on Miagao’s Municipal Ordinance No. 96-04. The purpose of this report is to outline findings from our inquiry that will highlight serious problems with the way boarding houses are being managed.

Most Boarding House operators do not abide on the Ordinance which regulates the operation of boarding houses in the Municipality of Miagao.

The reporters conducted an initial interview with at least 10 boarders and owners to assess the common problems among boarding houses. In addition, a municipal ordinance was requested from the municipal office to serve as the guidelines in making the questionnaire.

In order to determine the trend, the reporters conducted a survey among 20 respondents. Each of the respondents comes from a particular boarding house in Miagao town proper or private dormitory within the UPV dorm area. A questionnaire is given to the respondents for data gathering.

The study is limited to the following boarding houses and private dormitories:

1. Car An’s Place

2. Royal Angels

3. Romyr’s Apartment and Dormitory

4. Pink House

5. RL

6. Fajarillo’s Residence

7. Nafunar’s Residence

8. Mumbay

9.  Balay Cawayan

10. Susan’s Dormitory

11. St. Michael’s Dormitory

12. Rey Dumalag’s Fashion Corner

13. Nonato’s

14. Monte Claro Building

15. Neild’s Apartel

16. Saquian Boarding House

17.Natonio’s Dormitory

18.Nochete Boarding House

19.Kamalig ni Cano

20.British House

The research and interviews from various sources showed that:

• 12 out of 20 boarding houses do not issue receipt for the boarder’s payment of monthly rental.

Issuance of receipt is important for taxpaying purposes. If operators of boarding houses do not issue receipts, it only means that there is a big possibility that they are not also paying their taxes exactly to the government.

• 11 out of 20 boarding houses do not provide a registration form to the boarders upon admission. (See Table 1 on page 10)

This violates the Sec. 9 of Municipal Ordinance No.96-04.(No owner, manager or operator of a boarding house shall accept a boarder unless he/she has signed his/her name, entered his/her address, residence certificate and personal circumstances in a register of boarders.

• 10 out of 20 boarding houses do not have fire exit.

This violates the Sec. 4 of Municipal Ordinance No.96-04.(The house must be installed with a fire alarm system and have an adequate fire exit aside from the main door.)

• 6 out of 20 boarding houses do not provide a printed copy of house rules and regulation in each room and reception room. (See Table 1 on page 10)

This violates the Sec. 10 of Municipal Ordinance No.96-04. (The owner/operator of the boarding house shall post in each room and reception room, in printed form, a house rules and regulations for the information and guidance of the boarders, shall prohibit, among others, gambling, use of prohibited drugs or regulated drugs without a doctor’s prescription, and other violation of laws, rules and regulations.

• 5 out of 20 boarding houses do not provide/institute safety and health measures for the boarders.

This violates the Sec. 11 of Municipal Ordinance No.96-04. (It shall be the duty and responsibilities of the owner or operator of boarding houses to maintain cleanliness of the boarding house and sanitation of the premises… It shall also be the duty of the owner or operator to provide and institute safety and health measures, such as fire escape, locked doors, first aid kit or cabinet and others.)

• Some of the concerns that were pointed out by the respondents were on the issue about sanitation, maintenance, privacy, security and lack of water supply.

The data show that only three (3) boarding houses were able to comply with the guidelines provided by the municipal ordinance of Miagao on the operation of boarding houses and private dormitories.

The issuance of receipt and securing the tenant’s information on or before admission are given the least attention by the owners of these commercial establishments.

Also, most boarding houses do not have fire exits but the owners have provided fire extinguishers which are not enough to secure the boarders.

If these problems will not be addressed properly and immediately it can cause future problems between the owner, tenants and the government.

Commercial establishments should adhere to the rules and regulation in order to provide quality services to the students and to other tenants.

Boarding house owners should issue receipt to serve as proof of payments and to make sure that they are exactly paying their taxes. They should also provide fire exits or backdoors in case of fire and other unavoidable circumstances. The cleanliness of the area should also be maintained for the convenience of the boarders and for health reasons. They should also give privacy and secure the things of their tenants such by providing security device on the doors, lockers, and drawers. In order to monitor the operation of the boarding house, owners should allow and give permission to the government to inspect, check and examine the area and the facilities provided.

The issue on sanitation and water supply should be given proper actions in order to provide convenience to the boarders and to compensate to the amount that they are paying.

X-men Brought to Life

I am not an avid fan of X-men series, but I remember clearly how I wanted to be one of them. Mutants, I may say are interesting and their coolness is not of question. At first I only wanted to have wings even if it is dysfunctional. Then as I continue to watch until the Last Stand, and considered having some steels like Wolverine. After that, I also want my legs stretched in order to reach my desired height and have eyeballs permanently colored with green.

What I have in mind were seemed to be impossible when I was just five or six. I thought these things will never come to life, and I will only got to be one if I will be an actress and stars on X-men and other mutant shows or the world is will be simply crazy and people suddenly do weird stuffs.

I know that moment my thoughts were so out of the world but my so-called idealistic self was brought to reality. It did! Not because I became a movie star but it was when I did learn about Ripley’s Believe It or Not during my late elementary years and Bodymod.org. just now in college. And I concluded, I am the only mutant-wanna be left behind.

Everybody has horns, spikes and tattoos all over their body while I was stuck with mere ear piercings, they are not even tunnels. I was really devastated. How come they have the same idea like me? I am not telling they stole my dreams…or should I call frustrations but the fact that there are people who undergo body modification is indeed incredible which makes me envious.

Envious in the sense that, it could have done it too but why am I not doing anything to have wings or little spikes on my head?Then these random thoughts pops on my head.

It is really surprising to know, that there are people who would pay just to look like a leopard or cat. Or to have their body fill with holes like Spongebob.

I once saw a picture of a girl with a very small waistline which I think is really pretty but made me question if it will not be difficult once she get pregnant and would it affect her child’s development? Or does she even have a plan to be a mother?

Then when I saw a picture of guy with a tunnels on his nose it made me ask my friends if what happens when he sneeze. How about a guy fill with lip piercing? It made me wonder how will he kiss his wife.

I have anything against body modification, just what I have said earlier, I am a fan of mutants. But why would I not try to do extreme things on myself given the technologies and instruments that could make me one of them? I only have one answer things should have a purpose.

I am not saying that doing any form of body modification such as tattoos, piercings, implants, branding, scarifications and other practices for whatever reasons may it be aesthetic or cultural is wrong. Since I myself is guilty of having one which is through piercings plus the fact that body mod is practiced by different religions and cultures.

All I am thinking is that, every body modification that I want should serve something or at least it is really because I want to, not because they tell me it is cool.

I honestly wanted to have a tattoo of my love ones on my back and arms to serve as a memory enhancer and if I get amnesia, there is no chance of not remembering them. But I could not do it now. Why not? Considering how free the university is, I still have my future plans and work is one of my considerations. But I am not saying I will never do that because eventually I will, in the right time and of course with the right names to have as designs.

For now, all I can do is watch these unique people because they made me realised that nothing in this time, is impossible. And with a smile of contentment, seeing them and getting to know some has brought X-men into life which I guess is the craziest and coolest thing man have ever did.

Identity Crisis

The youth, as they say are great imitators and are often victimized by what they see on TV, heard from the radio, and read on magazines. They get their sense of identity to what the dominant culture offers, but somehow, there are some who find belongings together with the  so-called deviants of the society.

However, looking to the present situation, I can say that more teenagers are losing their real identity because of the commercialization of these subcultures.

Subcultures, as we all know are formed out of deviating from the mainstream or from the dominant culture. These are formed by people with the same ideologies which are reflected through their appearance, communication style, and beliefs.  With the media, each distinction served as mere branding and for merchandize now.

In a study conducted by Joseph Klapper, he explained that media serve as mediating factors that could either produce direct effects or as a contributory agent. According to him, mass media only reinforce existing behavioral predispositions.

In the case of Filipino teenagers, one can see them walking on the street per group, wearing the same clothing and carrying the same brand of merchandize. This is because Western countries are targeting mass audience through hidden persuaders embedded in every Western movie, cartoon, news analysis, TV program, video tape, compact disc, advertisement and product. Filipinos who easily give in to the bait are easily influenced especially on how they think and feel about themselves and the society.

The youth, according to Heaven and Turbidy are the part of the community who are most receptive, or, alternatively, susceptible to, foreign cultural practices. Frequently, youth is associated to rebelliousness. They are the part of society that are most likely to engage in a process of cultural borrowing that is disruptive of the reproduction of traditional cultural practices, from modes of dress to language, aesthetics and ideologies.

This borrowing of identities among teenagers often leads to different problems associated with this age group. Some of the youth actually do not know when and how did their particular subculture came to life. All they know is how they are supposed to look like one they have chosen a group to conform with.

Ever seen a 16 –year old boy wearing a statement shirt, let us say it has “Black Sabbath” printed on it and ask him what does it mean, and he will be saying nothing. Also, everyone they see wearing dreadlocks hair is already called Rasta. Do they even know how it is to belong to be called Rastafarian?

The teenagers’ idea of subculture and identity is limited on what the media projected. Often times, it is of negative connotations, but they do not bother to argue or question since it seemed to them that the culture is cool.

The ideologies and practices that should be the standard basis for belonging to a certain subculture are over powered by the trendy clothes and catchy songs. Slowly, subcultures become part of the mainstream because of globalization and commercialism.

To support my claim that media have great effects on teenagers, InterMedia, a nonprofit company that conducts global research and evaluation, and specializes in the field of media and communications, conducted a study about analysis of trends among young people and media in Central and Eastern Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Baltic States.

As might be expected, young people most often seek entertainment from all the media they follow. They tune in to television for films, music shows, game shows, soap operas and series, sports events, fashion/lifestyle programs, etc. They tune in to radio to listen to their favorite types of music. They use computers and the Internet primarily to use e-mail and chat with their friends, to download software and music, and to play games. Their main interests in newspapers and magazines centre on celebrities, rock groups, sports, fashion, horoscopes and crosswords (InterMedia.com)

This study shows that the teenagers’ behaviors are greatly affected by the media. Nevertheless, their sense of identity is dependent and undergoes alteration through exposure to different medium. What I am trying to convey is that, teenagers have lowered the value of subcultures and have made a fool of themselves through believing that they are keeping it real well when in fact they are hiding their real selves.

If this kind of thinking continues to exist, the real essence of deviation will be totally gone and will be replaced by profit oriented thoughts by the mainstream; made possible by the media. We, the youth should know what we really want and believe in. We should not let the media control us, make use of their packages to lure us in believing and conforming to a particular group without even knowing a thing about it. We should be  knowledgeable about our own selves before jumping into something for the sake of belonging.