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Citizen Journalism: Final Output | BA Journalism 2A (22-23)

CSSP Building: Call of Nature Unanswered

Comfort rooms are among the essential facilities out there wherever one finds themselves, be it public or private— hence their given name. But what could someone do when those places aren’t anywhere near comforting at all?

The CSSP Building, also known as Mendoza Hall, is a building located on the main campus of Bulacan State University (BulSU), near Gate 4. It currently houses two colleges: the College of Criminal Justice and Education (CCJE) and the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP). The building mainly houses the latter, hence its local name, commonly known by BulSUans.

In a rather pleasing and tranquil building, there lurks a reeking problem that any student there knows too well. It is the unsanitary and unpleasant-smelling comfort rooms, both on the building’s first and second floors.

"Kian", a third-year Bachelor of Public Administration student, points out the non-availability of tap water and the foul odor emitting from the area. Being a junior, she says that she has no prior idea how long the comfort room problem has existed, as she only started attending physical classes this second semester.

Likewise, sophomore BS Psychology student Skye emphasized that the comfort rooms of their building must certainly be renovated as soon as possible. "Kasi hindi lang mga tao sa CSSP yung gumagamit niyon [comfort rooms]", she said.

Although from a rather distant building on the campus, Jeibhine, a sophomore BSEd Major in English Minor in Mandarin student, also has a say about the matter as he is affiliated with the BulSU SG Mental Health Coalition, chaired by the CSSP Psychology Board Member. He says his frequent visits to the building have also made him aware of the problem; it's the reeking smell that he hates the most.

With all the grievances from the three of them, during an interview with then-CSSP Governor Jaecee Yong, he himself acknowledged the unhygienic and substandard state of their college building’s comfort rooms. The weak running water supply system is among those he noted.

According to him, years before the pandemic struck, the CSSP student population was only around 800, but upon the resumption of on-site classes with the current academic year, the CSSP Local Student Council (CSSP LSC) under his leadership estimated that it had doubled and that their population now stands at around 1,600.

The increase in number was among the reasons why he also saw the importance of their comfort room’s renovation, given that there are also CCJE students and faculties taking classes in their building and sharing their facilities. "Actually, we don't have any actions as we deem na yung properties ng university, yung pagsu-supply ng resources technically ay not within our hands, or our authority", he explained when asked about the CSSP LSC’s plan of action about the problem.

But he added that he and his council have had earlier talks with their local administration and their college dean, Sherwin M. Pariñas, tackling the renovation of their building’s facilities with the comfort rooms included in the plan. The perceived quickest target period for the renovation is said to be two years.

Yong, being a graduating BS Psychology student this year, hopes that the next CSSP LSC will fulfill his council’s lapses and continue to lobby the comfort room problems to their local administration. He stepped down as CSSP governor on April 30 and was succeeded by Merwyn John Cruz.

What’s next for the CSSP comfort rooms?

Merwyn, currently a sophomore BS Psychology student and the newly-elected CSSP governor for the academic year 2023-2024, says that he and his council will certainly put their platforms into fruition.

"I'm looking to conduct a poll in all of CSSP's blocks to get the statistics and consensus that will back the notion of the need for the renovation of our comfort rooms", he said when asked about the problem that he now shoulders. The poll will start at the beginning of the next academic year.

Further, he shared that recent ocular inspections were done to assess the status of their building’s comfort rooms. "We are still looking to communicate with the local admin so that we are able to get the opinion of professionals so that when the renovation starts, the most optimal methods and resources are utilized".

Once a constituent, the incumbent governor said he’s not blind to seeing such a sorry state. He believes that comfort rooms are of the utmost importance and must be given priority along with classrooms.

"The fact that CSSP students are going out of their way just to use clean comfort rooms in other buildings is concrete proof that the renovation and maintenance of the said comfort rooms are needed urgently", he emphasized.

As for the BulSU Student Handbook, there have been 27 recorded mentions of the word facilities, but there are no instances where there are acknowledgements or statements indicating every BulSUan’s right to sanitary and functioning comfort rooms.

Going beyond the university grounds and through history, this somehow counteracts the once-passed PD No. 856, also known as the "Code on Sanitation of the Philippines", signed by former President Ferdinand E. Marcos. Under Section 42 Paragraph C, it states that "rest room facilities shall be provided where faculty members can rest and get short respite from teaching chores."

Moreover, RA 11311, signed into law by former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in 2019, states in Section 4 the standards for sanitary facilities and the need for owners and administrators of land transport terminals to provide "clean sanitary facilities" for their passengers.

With these laws in mind, it is only acceptable for students such as Kian, Skye, and Jeibhine to then question how come there were laws back then and in the present putting an emphasis on clean and hygienic facilities in public areas, but nothing was written about students' rights to have access to these, particularly within their learning environment.

Comfort rooms sure are essential facilities— it’s their purpose why they were built in the first place. But what could someone do when such a place of comfort isn’t given any priority at all? 

Just like the call of nature, with students’ grievances towards the CSSP building’s comfort rooms, will the authorities continue to stomach it or will they dare answer it? | via Nash Villena, BA Journalism 2A. CSSP Building: Call of Nature Unanswered CSSP Building: Call of Nature Unanswered CSSP Building: Call of Nature Unanswered

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Crowdsourcing Article | BA Journalism 2A (22-23)

The Storytelling Continues: Inside the Minds of Cinephiles

Watching a film is probably among the simplest joys of life. Whatever its genre, format, storyline, or actors, the audience watching a film is bound to feel something that makes their mind think and process what the film has to offer. On the one hand, some people are understandably not fond of it, but on the other hand, there is also a large population who simply cannot get enough of watching a single film from time to time— they are what we call cinephiles.

Cinephilia is the term used to describe the passionate interest and enthusiasm for films. One can consider themselves a cinephile if they have a strong appreciation for film as an art form, as the definition can be loose and cannot exactly be put into a box.

In the context of the present, there are countless ways one can watch a film aside from the usual way of going to movie theaters and watching on the big screens. This can either be through televisions, with TV stations broadcasting films within their airtimes, or through countless streaming websites and platforms with their convenience for the viewer to watch at any given time.

It is important to take note that regardless of where the film was shown, a person’s enthusiasm for films is certain to develop if what they watched truly resonated with them and the film has something they can remember for days and even years to come. This is how a cinephile is born.

Dorothy, a 17-year-old, enjoys films about mysteries. At a young age, she came to love film watching, and her favorite is the Bollywood film 3 Idiots, released in 2013. What she likes about it are the moral lessons, the actors, and the jokes certain to tickle people’s funny bone.

Iya, a 19-year-old, loves films with a touch of romance and tragedy. For her, it does not necessarily matter whether the films are local or foreign-produced, as long as the reviews or synopsis are fine. She looks forward to watching the recently released 2023 Summer Metro Manila Film Festival entry film Yung Libro sa Napanood Ko, directed by Bela Padilla.

“As long as the storyline is justifiably delivered and the moral of it is well messaged, that is how long the movie should be”, she said when asked how long a film should run. This was evident with her favorite film, The Day After Valentine's, released in 2018, as the film has a runtime of less than a couple of hours and perfectly explores the complexity of being in love.

“The main characters there tend to fix each other while they themselves are broken. This kind of plot got me [a] big time as it shows how consuming it is to pour on a cup from an empty glass”, she added.

Mary, a 21-year-old critical cinephile, says she doubts watching the 2022 film An Inconvenient Love, starring Belle Mariano and Donny Pangilinan, also known as the popular loveteam “DonBelle”. She said she tends to watch films based on people's reviews of the film, and with that DonBelle film, some say it is heartbreaking, and she doesn't want sad endings.

As for Mary’s favorite film, she is certain it is Finally Found Someone (2017), starring Sarah Geronimo and John Lloyd Cruz, because she said the film portrays the reality of being in love, getting hurt, and what it feels like to fall in love again. “Their chemistry on screen felt so natural... they can make you feel “kilig”, she emphasized.

Truly, films, regardless of their language, length, actors, or target audience, are bound to make people feel something. It tells stories where they feel they are seen and felt one way or another; likewise, it makes people experience what it’s like to be in situations they haven’t been in. And that indescribable magic alone is probably the reason why cinephiles keep and will keep watching films for as long as there is a story to tell. | via Cristine Camacho and Nash Villena, BA Journalism 2A

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Citizen Journalism: Midterms Output | BA Journalism 2A (22-23)

Malolos jeepney barker, drivers detest PUV modernization program

#NoToJeepneyPhaseOut continues to be the unyielding stand of both jeepney barkers and drivers of Malolos Central Transport Terminal after the previous nationwide transport strikes caused by the contentious Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) of the administration.

Beside Xentro Mall Malolos sits the Malolos Central Transport Terminal that holds public utility vehicles (PUVs), particularly traditional jeepneys, with both roundtrip and one-way trips to neighboring and distant places alike, such as Plaridel, Guiguinto, Marilao, and Santa Maria, among others.

Mang Renato, a jeepney barker for 21 years and a father of six, said that he won’t necessarily be affected by the jeepney modernization. But he makes clear that he sympathizes with traditional jeepney drivers, who will not be able to afford the modernized ones.

"Sana hindi na matuloy yung mga phase out na yan, kawawa yung mga operator", he expressed. "Paano kung walang pera yung mga operator… paano yung mga drayber. Syempre kung walang pera, wala silang dyip na modern", he continued.

Although his livelihood will not be directly affected by the modernization, he stressed out: "Wala naman ding pinagkukunan ‘yan [mga drayber], syempre masakit din sa kanila yan." To add to his sentiment, he said that there were kind drivers who were willing to give him extra income whenever their jeepneys would be full of passengers, thereby adding to his disapproval of the government’s plan.

Mang JR, a traditional jeepney driver for two decades, also strongly expressed his disfavor for jeepney modernization: "Syempre nakasanayan na namin itong gamitin, tsaka dito ‘di masyadong ano… kapag binyahe na namin, sa amin na kita. Eh kapag sa modern babayaran mo sa gobyerno."

He further explained that the government is basically phasing out their jeepneys and leaving them in immeasurable debt, which they cannot afford to pay. "Pabigat talaga samin talaga", he said.

"Napag-aral ko yung mga anak ko… yung pang-araw-araw namin hanggang sa bahay, kuryente [at] tubig, dito kami kumukuha", he added, emphasizing the importance of his job for his family to stay afloat.

As for his opinion about why the government is pushing PUV modernization in the country, he thinks they are trying to raise the standard of the Philippines’ public transport on par with Hong Kong’s minibuses, vehicles used to reach places standard buses cannot.

Fiercely pointing out the flaws of the jeepney modernization, "Bunso", also a traditional jeepney driver for almost three decades, said that should the jeepney phaseout be implemented, there will be a great loss to every jeepney driver’s family.

"Maraming epekto, dahil gawa nga ng yung dyip namin imbis na wala kaming utang, magkakautang kami na malaki: milyon. Yung dyip naming pansarili, magkakaroon kami ng amo ngayon", he expressed. 

Among others, what worries him most about such a policy is its effect on the education of their children: "Kahit paano nakakapagpa-aral kami. Ngayon, ‘pag dumating yang modern na yan, baka hindi na kami makapagpa-aral kahit kinder."

He also cannot help but feel bad for fellow drivers who switched to modernized jeepneys because he is certain they are in debt with millions of pesos. "Malaki hulog doon sa modern... tatlong milyon ‘yon", he said.

Asked if he would ever be in favor of the jeepney modernization program, "Kahit kailan, hindi.", he ended.

The sentiments of Mang Renato, Mang JR, and Bunso were only among the many from the transport sector who will be directly affected by the controversial PUV modernization program that most of them believe to be "anti-poor."

The PUVMP was issued way back in 2017 under DOTr Department Order No. 2017-011, also known as the Omnibus Guidelines on the Planning and Identification of Public Road Transportation Services and Franchise Issuance, during the Duterte administration. Its importance was restated by Transportation Secretary Jamie Bautista under the Marcos administration, with the same aim to provide the Filipinos with a safe and environmentally sustainable transportation system despite the expensive transition that would leave most jeepney drivers behind. | via Andrea Apit, Caryl Flores, Athena Morales, & Nash Villena, BA Journalism 2A

#NOTOJEEPNEYPHASEOUT: Short Documentary #NOTOJEEPNEYPHASEOUT: Short Documentary #NOTOJEEPNEYPHASEOUT: Short Documentary

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CSSP Building CR Story: Survey 02

After attending and getting the opinions from the community, I then proceeded to ask questions directly to the CSSP Governor Jaecee S. Yong.

According to him, the CSSP Local Student Council (CSSP LSC) is fully aware of the unhygienic and substandard state of their college building's comfort rooms.

Like the concerns I have gathered from my participants, he himself have acknowledged the weak running water supply system of both comfort rooms among others.

He said it was made more evident when the on-site classes in the campus have returned. According to him, years before the pandemic struck, their college population is around 800 students. But now, their college's population stands at around 1,600 students. Thus they certainly felt the need for the improvement of the said comfort rooms. Not to mention, there are also classes from the College of Criminal Justice and Education (CCJE) taking classes in their building and using their facilities.

When asked if the CSSP LSC has any plan of action regarding the problem, he said they have none.“

Actually, we don't have any actions as we deem na yung properties ng university, yung pagsu-supply ng resources technically ay not within our hands, or our authority (CSSP LSC)”, he explained.

But he did said that they have already consulted and discussed the matter to the students in their college, followed by a consultation to the CSSP local administration. With the last talk they had along with their college dean, it was settled that there is a plan to renovate their building's comfort rooms.

They hope that the bidding for the renovation of the comfort rooms along with the equipments and materials would start this year.

Furthermore, he said that the perceivable quickest target period for the renovation would be two years. He is hopeful that by that the comfort rooms of their building are then renovated.

Photo 01. CSSP Governor Jaecee S. Yong

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CSSP Building CR Story - Survey 01

The community that I have chosen to tell their existent and persistently experiencing issue is one that would more or less be overlooked by anyone whose goal is to pursue stories from a community. It is physically not as big as a barangay but it certainly has the qualities of it—the CSSP community within the Bulacan State University.

Photo 01. The CSSP Building.

Upon conducting a series of interviews with members of the community and those who are affiliated, they all have raised a single concern: the not well-maintained comfort rooms of the first and second floor of Mendoza Hall, most commonly known as the CSSP Building.

Photo 02 and 03. The CSSP Building comfort rooms.

First, “Kian”, a junior student from Bachelor of Public Administration 3A, said in her interview that she has no primary idea of how long the comfort room problem has been existing since it was her first academic year attending physical classes at the university. But what she does know is that such facilities are certainly one of their concerns because of its non-availability of tap-water and the foul odor emitting from the area. She hopes for the renovation of the comfort rooms if possible, as she noticed such renovations are taking place in other college buildings such as the Flores Hall. All in all, Kian is all for a “clean, well-maintained, and sufficient space for students to freshen up, especially now that on-site classes are back.”

Photo 04. “Kian” of BPAd 3A.

Second, Skye, a sophomore student from Bachelor of Science in Psychology 2C, asserts in her interview that the improvement of such facilities are long overdue. She thinks the problem has persisted ever since the face-to-face classes in the university have resumed. Likewise, she deems the matter as something that should be dealt with great priority saying “ASAP, kasi hindi lang mga tao sa CSSP yung gumagamit niyon [comfort rooms]”. The improvements she’s referring to are not only the cleanliness but the actual repair of unavailable cubicles to avoid having a crowd inside a place wherein one should be able to do their business, she emphasized.

Photo 05. Renee’ Skye Enriques of BSP 3C.

Third, Jeibhine, a sophomore student from Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in English 2E, also raised his opinion regarding the matter in his interview as he is someone who is affiliated with the BulSU SG Mental Health Coalition, a committee led and chaired by the Psychology Board Member from the CSSP Local Student Council. His frequent visit to the building has made him notice the comfort room problem as well. The reeking smell is what he hates the most from it, next to the nonfunctional faucets and out of order toilets.

Photo 06. Jeibhine Turla of BSEd Major in English 2E.

Fourth, “Strawberry”, a sophomore student from Bachelor of Science in Psychology 2A, staunchly criticized the problem by pointing out that it has long persisted “ever since nag-start face-to-face ganun naman na yung estado na naabutan ko [comfort rooms]”. She hopes for the immediate renovation of the restrooms and the addition of bidets for each cubicle because “Ang hassle kasi kapag wala, need mo pa kumuha ng gripo sa sink e tapos minsan hina pa ng tulo” hence everyone takes a while to finish their business. “Kahit yung man lang, basic necessity sa isang comfort room”, she ended.

Photo 07. “Strawberry” of BSP 2A.

Lastly, Merwyn, a sophomore student from Bachelor of Science in Psychology 2C, put out his opinions by concurring with the other participants saying it certainly has been present ever since he started attending on-site classes “way back before our batch’s first academic year”, he emphasized. He pointed out that the critical problem with the comfort rooms of their building is the lack of running water; seeing how he noticed other colleges have functional comfort rooms with running water. He ended by saying that resolving the problem he mentioned requires plumbing that must be “attended to professionally.”

Photo 06. Merwyn John Cruz of BSP 3C.

To sum up all of the responses I got from the interview I conducted in the CSSP Community, aside from the descriptions of the comfort room problem, they all have met in the middle by hoping that the CSSP Local Student Council and their local admin be present in dealing and resolving the existent problem that they are persistently experiencing in their building to which they all considered a second home.