CEGP Corner

Campus Press Freedom

Our caucuses on campus situation prove the glaring cases of press freedom violations (CPFVs) in every formation. One of the worst is the case of UPLB Perspective. Direct interference of the university’s high official in the selection process is alarming and enraging.

Other publications remain closed such as The National of National University of Pintig ng Diwa of the Philippine School for Business Administration-Quezon City. Regina, student publication of Assumption University in Pampanga, was closed due to ‘vulgar and immoral language.’

These attacks aim to blunt our opposition to anti-student policies and practices of school authorities. Repression exists where commercialization of education is intense. Still, the Campus Journalism Act of 1991 (RA 7079) is being used by the enemies of press freedom to suppress student papers. Its provision on non-mandatory collection of publication fee results to closure of many student newspapers. Even as the Guild has been calling for the scrapping of the flawed law, the government continues to implement it to our detriment.

To launch an all-out campaign for CPF, all formations must systematize documentation of violations. Ensure that every member-publication accomplish the CPF profile. Submit the accomplished profiles to the National Office in the soonest possible time. Publish regional/provincial report on the situation of the campus press.

In pursuance of our three demands, [Reopen all closed student publications; Establish student papers in schools; End all forms of CPFVs] every formation, especially the chapters, must identify campaign schools with worst cases of CPFVs. Update the N.O. of your specific plans and actions. Our local struggles on campuses must reap concrete gains. Education, propaganda and alliance works are vital.

Sponsor/Co-sponsor forums, alternative classes and other venues for discussing CPF, CJA of 1991 and other issues hounding the campus press. Our objective is to raise the awareness of the most number of students and people.

Particularize the conduct of our CPF Week on July 22-26 and our National Day of Action for Press Freedom on July 25, the Guild’s 71^st anniversary. Inform us as soon as possible. We must unite the most number of students, press freedom and advocates and allies on this issue. We may launch a press conference as a kick-off for this campaign. Design broad and militant build-up activities for NDA. Our aim is to highlight our continuing struggle for press freedom vis-à-vis other democratic rights.

Tuition Hike

This is a hellish school year. Amidst the worsening economic crisis and increases in power and water rates and oil prices, many heartless capitalist educators managed to increase tuition. As a result, there has been an alarming trend of enrolment decline in many colleges and universities. Extended enrolment in many private educational institutions is a clear indication of a commercialized education. Those who cannot afford to pay high fees are compelled to transfer to schools with cheaper education or worse, to stop schooling.

If the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo government were a bit considerate, it should have declared a moratorium on tuition hikes and other fee increases. This year, 376 private schools increased their tuition. The national average of said hikes is 12.33%, equivalent to P36.66 per unit.

Instead, it continues to implement Education Act of 1982—the culprit of deregulation tuition increases. Even its own toothless agency, Commission on High Education, conveniently uses the law as an alibi. It is high time we seriously call and work for the abolition of Education Act of 1982. There is a need to develop it as a tactical fight.

Meanwhile, the sorry state of state colleges and universities has never gone any better with the government’s meager budget for education. Like her ousted predecessor, Macapagal-Arroyo ‘encourages’ SCUs to be self-reliant (read: rely on income generating projects such as privatization of assets and services and tuition hikes). In fact, tuition increases in SCUs reach to as high as 100%. Merging, essentially closure of other SCUs, is rampant.

Release regional/provincial Campus Watch, our monitor of tuition hikes, violations to democratic rights and other anti-student policies. Encourage our publications to write features and investigative reports on the history of tuition hikes vis-à-vis decline in student population, exorbitant fee increases, low salary of faculty members and employees, etc.

Most importantly, our formations must strive to develop anti-tuition hike struggles in schools and win concrete gains.

On July 11, there will be a National You and Student Summit at Balagtas Hall, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Sta. Mesa, Manila. Nearby provinces may end delegation. Other formations may launch similar indoor activities. Primary issues to be discussed in this year’s Summit include Economic Crisis vis-à-vis Rising Cost of Education, Education Act of 1982, Budget for Education and Miniaturization, among others.

Our demands: (1) Stop tuition increases; (2) Allocate higher subsidy to education; (3) Scrap Education Act of 1981; (4) Fight for a nationalistic, scientific and mass-oriented education.

Curriculum Revisions

Under the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo regime, globalization in education continues to escalate. Besides merging the state colleges and universities and lower budget for education, curriculums are revised in adherence to the impositions of International Monetary Fund and World Bank.

In tertiary education, the general education program in the University of the Philippines has been altered. The Revitalized General Education Program (RGEP), masquerading as a liberal program, actually makes nationalism optional. By giving ‘freedom’ to students to choose their subjects, history and social sciences become mere options. Sooner or later, the scheme will be implemented in other state-run schools.

The Millennium Curriculum or Basic Education (BEC) for elementary and high school students prioritizes English, Math, Filipino and Science. All other subjects are lumped together in one subject, Makabayan. At young age, Filipino youth will have their history forgotten, their creativity and skills dulled. Such abrupt and absurd curriculum revision has sown confusion among teachers and students.

Both programs replenish the colonial character of the Philippine educational system. Both aim at molding the Filipino youth into cheap, ‘globally competitive’ labor force for multinational and transnational corporations.

We must strive to expose and oppose these. We may link up with progressive teachers union and associations.

NSTP

The National Services Training Program (NSTP) is even worse than the ROTC as it requires women students to undergo the same nauseating, senseless program of fascist orientation. The NSTP is an insulting response to the students’ overwhelming demand to abolish ROTC.

We must continue to expose and oppose this and call for the scrapping of the NSTP. In particular, we may write investigative articles on the corrupt and violent practices of ROTC officials and intelligence work carried out against progressive student organizations and individuals.

US Interventions

The US and Philippine governments are talking about the extension and widening of the scope of Balikatan exercises, approval of the Mutual Logistics Support Agreement and the participation of US troops in actual combat operations. The MLSA would transform this country into a virtual US military zone.

We must intensify efforts in opposing such blatant military intervention. We must ensure in-depth discussion regarding the issue. Include the topic imperialism in every discussion. Use creative forms of propaganda such as film showing, exhibit, concert, cultural night, etc.

Strengthen/Establish Anti-Imperialist Movement (AIM) of the Youth or any similar alliance against US military intervention in schools and communities.

All information are encouraged to respond to the National Youth Protest to Balikatan on July 4. plan other activities for this issue.

Triple Whammy

As the Gloria-Macapagal-Arroyo regime implements its wages- freeze policy, it tolerates capitalists to increase power rates, water rates and oil prices. Forced by the decrease in her popularity rating, Ms. Macapagal-Arroyo merely pays lip service to the people on the issue of Purchased Power Adjustment (PPA). As a patroness of the deregulation and privatization, she connives with the prize sector in exploiting further the people.

All formations must respond to these economic issues. We must participate and may initiate protest actions regarding these. We may reach out to local associations in communities.

Campus Journalists as Change Agents

Before we tackle some points battled by student journalists this morning, let me raise a question to you writers: “Why do you write?” It’s an elementary question isn’t it? But this question may have different answers from you mainly for the reason- not everybody is writing for the campus paper. Some of you are just here because of the fact that you are readers and as part of the writer-reader relationship, we are here to convey understanding on some issues faced by campus journalists today.

Filipino journalists, like Filipino politicians and policemen, draw the wildest mix of sentiments among the citizens. There are those who hold journalists with great owe and reverence, and others who view journalists with great contempt and derision.

We must open or minds to the struggles of campus press freedom. Though thousands of students in the country still suffers from violations of this democratic right, the Campus Press, being the voice of the students, must find way to battle censorship, intimidating and punishing Editors and writers, holding back the funds for publication or shutting down the publication, to have a publication, council and organizations.

But we can not have a direction to achieve our goals for Campus Press Freedom, if student journalists do not even have organizational objectives. We are faced by the tragedy that “Student writers, just write without a Purpose”.

Know your Purpose

The Campus paper is a breeding ground for student leaders and advocates for better conditions in the educational system and in the entire society. These are the reasons why student writers should uphold a high standard for writing meaningful and quality articles for publication. It is not mainly to “Express Oneself” as journalism is defined in high school nor attack the student council for allegedly being Puppets of the School Administrators-but to promote awareness and involvement of students in all aspects affecting them in the educational community.

How can student writers be catalysts of change?

1. Know the Culture of the students

Students from this institution display distinct norms as manifested in their language, habits, or student life when compared to other institutions in the city. Of course, there’s that certain brand you have for DMMMSU, iba naman ang tatak ng UCC, AMA, at iba pa. Sinasabi nila ang UP may Fernando Poe, Sr, yung oblation, ang UST may ST. Thomas, ang Ateneo may Santo din, isali mo na ang iba pang Catholic Schools, pero ang AMA daw sino ang kanilang modelo? Siyempre, meron din, si Jolina…What I’m saying, we do not need to write according to the standards of the big schools using the coño language of la Salle or the trying-hard pa-effect of the emerging tag-lish na madalas gamitin ng mga showbiz chikadoras kung hindi rin naman kakagatin ng mga readers natin. It’s a fact, Ilocanos are hard to please and always on the go, like the old brand “Kuripot”, the articles should be substantial and informative equipped with a language that does not require them to scan pages of Webster and Oxford. Write something that could make student lives productive. To achieve this, make a simple survey on their interests or expand your knowledge and apply the principles of development journalism and investigative journalism. Write about issues that primarily affects students, add spice not only plain news on school events, hot issues confronting middle-adult readers, tuition fee increases, problems faced by teachers and even non-academic personnel to name a few. In this way, you could revolutionize to facilitate an interesting content of the paper.

2. Develop a plans to improve on the aspect of

- Writing Styles

There are few who could write effectively in both English and Filipino. Some writers prefer to write in English, coming up with more mess after arriving in a final draft, only to find out that it is not better or otherwise far worse than the other write-ups. Use the language you can utilize at ease and easily understood by your readers. Editors are faced with this example because they often have this reporter who has a long track of wrong grammars, misspellings and getting around the bush beats. Are there too much or too little information? All you have to do is to write all the facts of the story and organize them according to importance, date, etc. Write simple and appropriate words. Be a reader as well- reading is the key to writer’s block. In this case, you will be able to absorb the energy of how other writers let their ideas flow. Experiment by using variety of styles. Hence creative writing will be improved as well as critical thinking develops. The IBC format or the Introduction, Body and Conclusion is not new in writing. However, this is a trend in English Examinations today.

- Publication and Layout

Have you seen students crumpling your newspapers in front, tearing the pages samantalang kaka-release niyo lang, kabibigay mo.E nataon na sinulat mo yung pinunit? You’re first reaction, siyempre dahil normal ka naman eh magagalit ka but it should not just move you, you should figure out bakit? Was the article poorly written? Or most of the time, hindi maganda ang layout at presentation eh hindi Makita yung picture? Even if the school publication has the best writers in the city, if the presentation particularly the type-set is not clear, it has also a big-bang on the readers. Layout artists are there not just to arrange, place graphics or do the typeset but a certain standard must also be followed. Hindi dapat pinagtatabi ang mga hindi dapat sa layouting sheet. Editors as well and advisers must find ways to improve publication and layout presentation. Computer Application programs are now trends in publication. There are loads of free wares and these do not require long-term training since computer application programs could be self-studied. The only problem is the equipment and the financial resource. Expand your readers using the Information Superhighway or Internet, with it, you could convey information to other students to provide a gateway for communication to other students and writers here and abroad.

3. Editorial and Staff Development

Skills training in seminars, symposiums, small group, chat/ e-mail could be acquired through a variety of sponsors. These opportunities should be part of the publications action plan for the year. Of course, these opportunities should not be exclusively for those in the higher positions of the publications organizational chart. There should be a criteria whom to send in this affairs. Since, a publication is faced by problems concerned on the availability of funds; it must allow a shared decision-making by editors and staff.

Decision-making is a critical and productive activity within the publication, issues facing conflicts of interests could be discussed in this matter. It can not be denied that some students are part of the publication and other organizations in the campus. However, priorities should be set and discussed in order to have balance for both. There might be instances that confidential information is fed. Hence creates problems confronting this issue. With this, the publication should strengthen its policies and guidelines to avoid this conflict.

4. Affiliate in Organizations that Promotes the Interest of Campus Press

There are but few Organizations on the interest of Promoting Campus Press with a variety of Ideals. The Publication officers must study and seek more information about these organizations because some are just using Campus Press for the interests of politicians and certain groups which do not contribute to the real essence of true democracy and upholding student rights.

5. Know the issues facing Campus Journalism and its development

- Campus Journalism Act or RA 7079

- Academic Freedom and Commercialization of Education

- Cases in the Suppression of Campus Press Freedom

- Ethics in Campus Journalism

Campus journalists, students must continue to serve the best interests of the students and the people. Let us defend and assert the rights to free speech, free expression and free press.

portions of speech by
Karen Michelle P. Calacal, RN
former LH, EIC
during the 2nd Journalism Seminar-Workshop
College of Technology
held at Apilado Hall
DMMMSU-MLUC, San Fernando City
August 18, 2004
published with permission.

Requiem

The mind is depleted

Because his soul is immoral

The eyes are blinded

Because they fear the truth

The casket is open

For the fearful will shed tears

The DEVILS cheered

For they shall steal

The minds and bodies of the youth

The Ideologies die and perish!

Basilan was claimed by its people that it has earned its temporary peace when the American troupes joint forces with the Filipino soldiers in response to the Balikatan Exercises-2 Though the said move is condemned by militant groups and opposition because of its unconstitutionality, still the puppet government led by GMA exercised its underground powers and claimed victory using the slogan for Anti-terrorism. When America was threatened in the September 11, 2001 attack, our government took the scenario for granted. Analyzing both sides, America and the Philippines had that symbiotic relationship or parasitism: President Bush called upon the Nations to eradicate terrorism, Philippines responded, now the Americans are here to indirectly interfere again in our National sovereignty. It is remembered that the American bases left a scar among the Filipinos- the chemical wastes, the Americians, the many victims of sexually-transmitted diseases, etc. We owe a lot in exchange of a so-called Economic Free Zone popularly known as Subic and in response to an image-build-up of TRAPOS in the government. The Filipinos has been claimed to be blinded by the puppet regime expressing numerous promises on development and National progress. This is a clear implication that history just repeats itself because we Filipinos fail to correct our values thus the same exploitation of our Natural resources and our Integrity as a nation moves like an artificial food chain.

There is so much to question. Shall we say that the Filipinos chose to sell themselves to the foreigners in exchange for a greener pasture in the freedom land- green card, business opportunities, career…Or shall we blame the unique value called Filipino Hospitality wherein we give more than what we have? Or that hospitality has already been corrupted in the sense that we resort to it because we expect so much from the foreigners. That is a senseless idea! How could we gradually entrust our own security to these people where in fact they are the one’s who badly needed us? It must be clear that we are just being cheated by the provisions of the inhumane Free Trade policies!

That is why we can not blame the numerous pirates (those that imitate goods from music , clothing to the basic commodities) because on the other hand there has been no fair competition. The so called technological innovations by the Filipinos has doomed us in terms of Science and Technology

Though we have the brains- the government did not took the risk of resorting to funding these technological innovations because they want to appease the agreements made by the foreign business tycoons! On the other hand, they would express that “we have no fund for these” were in fact we have spent almost billions for a centennial celebration.

We need to correct on the value of hospitality. Our government has been cuddling the cronies of the late dictator and the many graft and corruptors. What more could we get but a massive economic sabotage, a high inflation, brain drain, low cost of living and the like. Let us correct the value on Filipino Hospitality.

So This Is What You Call Celebration?

Filipinos always find reasons to celebrate things. Christmas and New Year Celebrations are not merely traditions that changed lives but these actually resulted into serious matters as to the development of new values embraced by many.

It is a fact that these merriment could mean: family reunion, truce or cease fire, shopping time, business opportunities for those who make decors and others. It is actually a fever signaling a cancer in which its real essence has been blurred by parties, concerts, crimes, families torn apart and other social sicknesses.

These events rationalized as the celebration for the birth of a King is in reality taken for granted by business tycoons, religious fanatics, politicians, etc.

Political Scene

It was January when it marked a so-called restoration of Philippine Democracy against a government that seems to be following a coarse of this Nation’s dark history. But what the heck? This is just one of the events that blinded the youth for them to believe that they have indeed the power to restore something for the future of a torn nation- The Philippines. We could recall the many “mahihirap” who went on rallying not because they have to fight for their principles. These people went there because “they were paid by politicians” who had their own political motives. Others were there for exposure to Media or let their names be written in the History. Let us face this overused scenario, Idealism seems to have no face anymore and if it does, it is not that pure and honest because that Idealism was paid by power-hungry Elites! To Ninong and Ninang: “Diyay pascuak tapnu ibutos kaytu manen.!”

The Family that Prays together, stays together

We salute the Filipinos for their spirituality. We salute the people who maintain the holy traditions like the Misa de Gallo, after which enjoying the aroma of a cup of coffee and puto-bumbong. Hail to all the families who maintain a yearly tradition of having their get together party and have a new version of feuds regarding on their inheritance… This is the new version of the “matibay ang bigkis ng pamilya”.

But there are families that remained happy in the cold streets. There are children who knock at the car doors selling sampaguita or singing a rough tune of Christmas carols for a penny. There are children maltreated for not bringing anything for their gambling and drunkard parents. How happy thou art fighting in front of the lechon and a bountiful banquet!

Good Luck and Mega Sales

Estrada has been removed from office! Who took the jueteng presidency? Hmmm, jueteng is IN again. “I even saw the collectors near a popular institution when I went home to Lingsat (tsk!tsk!tsk! definitely not Lorma!)”. According to a reliable source, it is only in La Union where these illegal gambling is revived!

“Nagbukas ang popular na shopping mall sa bayan. Guess what? Their security guard is so… as in binukitkitan pa ang bag ko and attempting to open pa my wallet! (Di ba Jen?) Heck, see how scrupulous people are. I was even in my uniform that day enjoying a window shopping.” Says one student.

Mall owners wont be putting security precautions like that if shoplifters are not… Christmas sale is greatly driving people crazy! The sale sign actually is an effective stimuli in luring passersby. Unluckily, one student was mistaken as a shoplifter!

Game shows are truly hitting the ratings and paving a new craze for “sugadors” who make use of their telephones, internet and celfones (high-tech gambling!). I hear the famous lines: “sure ka na ba?” “You’re the weakest link, goodbye!” “Is that your final answer?”. Is there any way to earn money through actual hard work and not relying on that so-called luck?

Teaching Strategeezzz?

What’s wrong with the lecture method in exchange of handouts photocopied by…? Despite of this recent scenario that we have the technology like that of the “Online ED.”, many instructors are still up to the tradition of “employing dictation, board, projector, etc.” Suddenly, there is an emergence of that so-called handouts! Popular ba? Whew! Call it an advantage because students don’t have to develop “kalyo” in their fingers while they let their Panda danced on their beautiful Sterling notes. (Nagpromote pa akech!) Advantage because students will somehow be enticed to read in advance on topics and all they have to do during the discussion proper is to ask questions or take a pre-quiz. On the part of the professor, it is a lot more advantage. Why? Ahem, he/she does not have to exert more effort in dictating(bawas pa siya sa risk ng throat problems) and “tipid pa sa chalk at white board marker”. Mind you! Kaya kumita na naman ang mga may-ari ng photocopiers dahil nadagdagan na naman ang kanilang selling factor! Tsk tsk tsk!

I’m not against handouts or any improvements in teaching strategeezz. However, if these topics are explained well by instructors then there is no question on its emergence.(Mabilis nga naman ang discussion di ba? Kaya nga malaking tulong para hindi na magmake-up class during the night?) At least kahit gumasto ang student, may malaking benefit ang pagpapa-photocopy ng handout. It is even cheaper than buying books and help save time when you research in the library because it is actually an outcome of many references. According to a boardpasser, it helped him a lot during his review kasi naka-simplify na ang reading material? Kaya lang, it’s up to the student to really scrutinize kung ang handout ay merely copied, recycled, wrong grammar, etc. in order to find out kung updated pa ang material at may mataas na significance sa pag-aaral.

Resolutions

We are observing Christmas and New Year celebrations annually and yet the transformation that we are actually aiming is too ambitious but like a turtle! We crave for many things like progress in terms of economy and uniting our family but have not started from the basic that is within our selves. The Filipinos are known to be “Maka-Dios”, a very important value. Very few are living with this, it is something so difficult to maintain. Yet, if we have the will power to stop anything detrimental to our being, then good, for it will not only benefit ourselves but the others as well. Let us not wait for another New Year to come with new list of new years resolutions turned out to be unresolved. Let us remember the very reason why these celebrations exist and became a part of our culture.

LORMA ON HIGH GROUNDS: REACHING BEYOND THE NICHE IN SHAPING THE IDEALS OF THE YOUTH

Rizal clearly stated in one of his most popular quotations that, “the youth are the hopes of the fatherland” it is an unquestionable fact that the youth of our nation inherits the future responsibilities of our present leaders and it is a reality that the youth must be guided by an educational institution. However, the youth of today is a product of various trainings as dictated and chosen by their culture, their institution, and perhaps by virtue of their own principles and the like.

The youth, before he enters into the complexities of this society must be molded and his principles and learning are therefore being reshaped as he continues to challenge and be challenged in the game called life.

The beginnings of the youth are clearly portrayed in Lorma Colleges’ Mission and Vision. Lorma Colleges began a history of small yet noble deed of what we call service and this principle has continued as the institution has aged to thirty-one years. But the thirty-one years of this dedicated institution does not only manifest an end or what we call termination. It is an end of a chapter by which Lorma has gone through but it is a manifestation of a rebirth or a beginning of another challenge. That challenge does not only involve the students who serve as main characters and subjects of Lorma’s history but also, it involves the people within and beyond the institution’s spheres.

As history answers, Lorma prioritized Quality Education, and Christian emphasis in shaping the ideals of the Youth. As society and with respect to our nation’s embrace in global excellence, the institution that begun in a quiet peaceful barrio undergoes the so-called metamorphosis, which is natural in most Colleges.

This metamorphosis proves that Lorma Colleges can stretch its aims to help people from beyond its area and reshape the Youth’s idea to inculcate into them virtues vital to nation building and national progress.

In addition, Lorma’s efforts cater tom produce effective leaders who will contribute to the betterment of our country.

Lorma Colleges is taking another step in molding the human person as a better citizen; as a sign of this effort, the institution has widen its areas in educational interest, It has embraced Computer Technology in order to answer the demands of global competence. Yes, this institution has progressed through the years through due to its attempt to bend its role in shaping the ideals of the Youth.

"Shaping ideals is not an easy task, it involves principles, and it involves dedication."

Lorma Colleges has proven its worth in the aspect of contributing effective leaders. Lorma Colleges continues to challenge and be challenged because the Filipino nation demands for quality leaders and to be able to meet this, an institution dedicated to service should guide the Youth.

Let us remember that the school is the training ground and the key in opening gates for a successful future for future citizens and effective leaders in the realization of a progressive nation.

* printed with permission from Karen Michelle Calacal, RN
EIC, the Lorma Highlights (sy 2003-2004)

NOW SHOWING: Gloria Labandera episode X

The Philippines is paving another trail when its Democracy was put into test during the Makati incident last August. Many points have been raised. The Armed Forces of the Philippines was even shook by the Ideologies of the Magdalo group- soldiers being accused by the Arroyo government for an alleged mutiny. Although the incident ended up with the negotiations through the help of Cimatu, the proclamation of the President marked that the battle is just the beginning of another episode of Gloria Labandera X.

The National security adviser, as well the NBI chief would point to one question; that is “who’s the mastermind?” Now, the index finger would point to Senator Gregorio Honasan. Hence, certifies this movie as box office action film showing with its characters- no other than the major politicians of today’s Philippine government. The plot includes the ailing economy accompanied by massive rallies, the Mindanao Peace Situation, the upcoming 2004 elections, and the like. As part of the acting element, Politicians would ride unto this environment by series of press conferences airing now their analyses on the situations of the country and suggesting some of the solutions to alleviate the problems. It sucks but this system has been with us for a very long time.

Christian Monsod during an interview on “Why coups keep repeating itself in the country” mentioned that “Filipinos could tolerate poverty but they could not tolerate injustice.” manifests that the problems of the yester years, although investigations and recommendations were made, were not solved and resolutions failed strongly. The show goes on with even more conflicts, some so-called advocates like Speaker Jose De Venecia would catch attention giving life to another sequel of Cha-cha because it could facilitate in solving the worsening scenario of Philippine politics.

Yes, Filipinos are indeed immuned with the Political situations of the country: “Putakan dito, putikan doon.” With the effort of Senator Panfilo Lacson’s expose on Mike Arroyo as Jose Pidal involving the first gentleman’s alleged kick-back on the so-called most expensive road project in the country. Issues rested for the last few months before the president’s State of the Nation Address were revived to add sweet, sour, and salty spices on the status of graft and corruption involving government projects.

More and more conflicts came out when Laarni Enriquez shed her tears on television expressing her grief when she was pointed as the mastermind of the Makati incident. What’s ambigious about it was that there was no search warrant in the townhouse where the evidences were found. Analysts, as extras suggest that GMA’s declaration of “State of Rebellion” might add points on the government’s side to win the case but the special appearance of not so important personalities counter the declaration as unconstitutional. This is just one of the few alibi that was mentioned on TV which might endanger the life of the claimed un-accessible Honasan. The declaration was thought to be a mark of a martial law declaration. Whew! Funny thing, former president ERAP on one of the scenes had a joy-ride during the Oakwood take-over which made a bad screen editing of the bloodless action movie.

And who are the GUARDIANS? These are just few of the stuntmen and extras involved in the “kaek-ekan scene” of the chief of staff’s press releases.

The spheres of both Senate and Congress proclaimed their own investigation on the Oakwood Incident beside the other committee appointed by GMA.

Few weeks later, the “state of rebellion” lifted and the business people rejoiced and expressed their greatfulness. Gordon rejoiced for a moment for it would give new hope for Wow Philippines. This action signaled a positive outcome for the sector while U.P. is no longer one of the top-performing Universities in Asia.

What is so noticeable on the movie, is the “papansin” and ride-on artistic expressions of the show-biz circle making the Oakwook incident as themes in comedy series, concerts (remember the rock for peace?), interviews to trying hard starlets, and part of the daily conversations of variety shows as well as show-biz talks. Ewww, exists only in the Philippines.

The climax of the movie leaves the Filipino audience hanging for a while when the Marcoses gave an extra scene on the Swiss phenomenon. The bad movie in the making clouded the audience when the succeeding scenes got distorted and an episode of Ninoy’s Death re-open the appeal of his convicted assassins’ to reduce their sentence. Cory Aquino recalled her courage under fire.

Bad ending, the last scene was with Ramos raising his thumbs signaling for another sequel wherein he will be playing as one of the few good men.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO EARTH IN THE YEAR 2020?

They say that the only constant in the society is change. Change affects a lot in the process of man's advancements; change is the ultimate tool in man's quest for answers to serious questions such as questions regarding his origin and his being. Change is the ultimate tool in man's untiring effort to search for answers in the real world, questions as demanded by man's rationality in nature. Change hence as a natural process manipulates society, lifestyle, environment and other areas where man is undergoing his quest for answers.
As we study history, the years that gone by has its own identity, there was a year for the industrial revolution after the so-called reformation as lead by Martin Luther and his predecessors, the year marked the beginning of a technology that lead us to what we call now as the age of computers since electricity was invented and perfected by man. Future shock may be only minimal for people living in the first world countries such as the United States but for third world countries who are ten years behind? It may be a worse scenario compared to a social condition as to culture shock. Yes, the millennium fever pave the way to an alarming preparation for the future and the future is the only indicator that man has yet risen and at the denouement of the so-called saga: "Machine World and Man". May Future shock be a challenge as I introduce and explain my research in what will happen on earth by the year 2020?
Science and Technology can not merge but they work as one because man has formulated different areas of discipline through it by devising intelligent ways to create an even more interesting body of discipline. Yes, we can say that Science can not merge because of several points but it can not be denied that they are correlated with each other because of their overlapping disciplines that in turn share the same points and foundations. \
The year 2000 was predicted as the end of computers rule over technology because of the problem on Millennium bug but it has been remarkably been solved and now Computer Technology has not been terminated and extinguished in its role in man and his society.
Let's look at the future…
The mover of technology is man. Man utilizes technology in order to satisfy his needs for survival even at the beginning of his existence. In the year 2020, man will face different challenges in a virtual reality, a reality created by man because by that time, nature is already at the verge of extinction. Forests may be closed for man. Fossil oil may already be scarce in the Middle- east and probably some areas who has the supply may try to horde it for their own country's benefits. Due to the demands in the advancements of technology, man may not notice that he has to conserve harder because the sources for technology has already started to diminish. Due to man's space technology, they try to send space explorations and apply Chemical Science to give life to Mars trying to match the natural processes happening on Earth such as precipitation for the supply of potable water, snow maybe, manipulation of its atmospheric condition for plants to live performing processes like photosynthesis or unusual plantlike organisms that will perform the processes of chemosynthesis… so on so forth.
Eversince NASA began, it had already launched a space lab conducting that research on water purification and the new science called hydrotechnology. After years of experimentation, scientists have come up to a plan to produce similar phenomenon on Earth to Mars in order for Ecology to exist in the planet red. But before hand, earth is not destroyed but it became a robotic society whereas the main source of power in the solar energy. However, due to the advancements of robotics which replaced several factory workers, man has gone to other careers in order to supply his basic needs and his wants in order to make his living comfortable. The following are the newly-found jobs which are incorporated in the 2020 Technology: 1. Tissue Engineers- During the success of the Human Genome Project supported by major countries of the world, Man-made skin is already in the market and tissue culture has progressed creating organs. Now, organ donation is rare because Researchers have successfully grown new organs like intestines, liver, etc. inside man's abdominal cavities. The only limitation is man's inability to grow a brain because a law has been implemented that the brain should not be manipulated by any man because of the proliferation of dangerous mutants which in turn became threats in the society. 2. Gene Programmers. Digital Genome Maps allow laboratory technicians to create customized prescriptions, altering individual genes by rewriting lines of computer code. After scanning your DNA for serious defects, doctors will use gene therapy and smart molecules to prevent a variety of diseases, including certain cancers and immunize you with AIDS and dangerous virus which are airborne. 3. PHARMERS. Restaurants and other fast food chains will raise their own crops and produce their products out of it. They may raise livestock such as chicken that have been genetically engineered to produce therapeutic proteins. Works in progress include a vaccine-carrying tomato and drug-laden milk from cows, sheep and goats for human consumption.4. Data Miners instead of computer scientists and researchers take over the internet technology providing hologram technology to access the internet even under water. The cable channel can already be accessed even during electrical interruptions and wireless technology is now applied in every household. The cellular phones is reduced in a microchip which can be implanted in the eardrum. Dialing and communicated can be made easy as the brain makes signals through the chip.5. Virtual Reality Actors. Oscars had become more sophisticated and it has promoted a new category on best virtual movie. Acting made easy for actors who don't do drama and other genres because their artistic expression can be manipulated in the Filming computer.6. Knowledge Engineers replace the teachers in the classroom. The right for freedom for education is being practiced by almost all the countries' scholars and ordinary students. Even postgraduate courses can avail of the same benefit using the Knowledge Engineer Technology whereas the virtual school will come to you as sent by your personal computer, laptop, notebook computer of the latest technology implanted in your brain which is also a small modem for picking up signal in international conferences and seminars in Prime Universities of your own choice. Many jobs had been created in 2020 because man tries to advance his lifestyle in order to fit for the new world in Mars or in order for them to have better job opportunities in a civilization that is located in the moon.
However, man lost the following jobs, stockbrokers, CEO, Insurance and Real Estate Agents because majority of the population is self employed and they don't need boss. They are bosses of their own selves, the only important pecuniary in the 2020 society is information quality.