LETTER OF SUPPORT TO LH FROM FORMER EIC

LH peeps!

I am Karen Michelle Calacal, former editor. In high school we were repressed (LI/Usbong)... in College we pressed and were pressed... While we had our own issues before that we feel Campus Press Freedom was violated, more to say it's more than Repression per se but we have suffered almost all forms (from ignorant and angry teachers, etc.) yet I cannot imagine the "self-control" that we have to condition and impose on ourselves- perhaps because of the idea of fear, prioritizing first our Education/graduating, and some other or personal reasons, etc. Though we have our own share and differences in opinions, I am one with the Lorma Highlights for a variety of reasons; that LH is the only organization that is brave enough to do moral and social responsibility as the YOUTH exercising their DEMOCRATIC FREEDOM in an Academic Environment - that should serve as a breeding ground for the purpose of exercising such RIGHTS.

The role of the student paper does not have to reflect a distorted element of what is really happening to the Environment. This is just one manifestation of our Nation's current status, a picture of a derailed Nation suffering from major crises in the face of weakened leadership and spiritual dilemma. When the questioning mind begins to untangle human constriction, it is inevitable to stop it; for it is human nature to search for answers, to infer and discern TRUTH. We cannot further question when such ideas are more than visible to the naked eye and what a BLIND man can see nor feel with his breath. A man will die but not his ideas.

Though it is undeniable that the publication fee is the lifeline of the paper; SUPPRESSING its distribution is more than a GESTURE of authoritarian power- a kind of leadership that could kill human spirit and hope; ironic to the mission and vision of LC as an institution where it boasts its humble beginnings from a quiet peaceful barrio. The Administration's reaction is a pre-empted damage control.

We cannot deny the fact that CHANGE is inevitable and perfect TIMING is very important and crucial. This is a NEW WAVE of student Idealism taking its FORM. Anyway, there is more to this after College. The real world is not in Lorma and it is true that despite we see forms of injustices and sense of discontentment fired at us, we have to be reminded that this is not a PERFECT world... but at least they could have LISTENED. They should have listened using all their senses because we also CARE and there is a felt need for us to take action and work together. The article published is a clear picture of a desire to walk in a direction, a path to alleviate this sense of emptiness that the Educators and authorities have failed to fill-in because they too are in their own crises situations. The Student-Administration Dialogue is not enough to fill into the gaps; for democracy has no boundaries no matter theories have come out to define it. Lormanians are not IGNORANT and deserve to be respected. If the Academe is still in the DENIAL stage, let the STUDENTS move forward and take their coarse. Fight and stand up for TRUTH you believe in!

Why SUPPRESSION? Because Knowledge is Power so distort it. That's the idea. Whether it could be rationalized as some other way… the TRUTH IS OUT THERE.