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Press under the New Society: An analysis on the correlation of the Press with society and the journalists during the Martial Law era on the Philippines

by Marie Uy

written on 2015

for Journalism 100

A progressive Philippines was seen before the start of the dreadful Martial Law. There were no curfews, no rules that would bind the people into their dwelling fused by fear.

Before the Martial Law was proclaimed, the Philippines used to be known as the freest press in Asia.

The Philippines enjoyed and celebrated a very free press, thus having an informed society before Martial Law was implemented.

 But among all the industries and sectors in the society that Marcos could have had shut down and controlled, it was the press – the media, that he controlled and had to shut down.

Why could that be? It is because the press have the power to inform, to advocate, to encourage, to move, to control, and to manipulate the minds of the people – especially those who are easy preys, particularly those who are not literate enough that becomes blind followers of whatever they see, hear, and read on whatever the media feeds them.

 Marcos knows the importance of media in the lives of the people that is why one of the first ordinances he made was to shut down all the media institutions and organizations in the country.

Those he allowed to reopen were either already owned by his cronies, those who allied with him, or those whom he used as the distraction for what is really happening in the society at that time.

Example of those newspapers he used to distract the society form what is really happening in the country was the Business World, also known as the Business Day during the Martial Law times.

 But what is Martial Law? In a dictionary definition, one could say that Martial law is the imposition of military rule by military authorities over designated regions on emergency basis.

According to the Article VII, Section 10 of the 1935 Constitution, Martial Law happens “In case of invasion, insurrection, or rebellion or imminent danger thereof, when the public safety requires it, he (the President) may suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, or place the Philippines or any part thereof under Martial Law.”

 With Marcos implementing the Martial Law, not just the Press was oppressed, rather, the whole Philippine society did.

 During the Martial Law times, two kinds of press emerged: the Marcos Press and the Mosquito Press.

The Marcos Press are the journalists that went to Marcos side. They are safe when it comes to covering – they are sure of their lives. However, they cannot write anything bad about Marcos, the government, and the administration.

On the other hand, the Mosquito Press, or the Alternative Press, are those journalists who still practice journalism in spite of the control that Marcos put under the people during the Martial Law times.

 On the Press Freedom

As there were two kinds of press that emerged during the times of Martial Law, it is hard to say on what type of press freedom there is on the Philippine.

But nonetheless, one could say that the two press are similar in the levels of the press freedom. Why?

The two kinds of press, the Marcos press and the Mosquito press are the same in such a way that they are both constrained by the government.

The Marcos press was free in such a way that the journalists practicing under it can cover anytime and anywhere. They do have still the access that was there before Marcos declared Martial Law.

However, the Mosquito Press lost the freedom that they had before in the coverage as because of the critical way they write.

Since the Marcos administration controlled the media, the things that a journalist under the Mosquito press world say.

             We could say that Press Freedom is still not implemented very well in the country, but during the Martial Law times, it is way worse than it is now.

The essence of Press Freedom was lost during the Martial Law times, because wherever side you go, you are still constrained of something. There is no absolute chance that you will be free – like if you under Marcos rule or like if you go underground. Wherever you go, there will always be something that holds you back, that is how it is to be a journalist during the Martial Law times.

On Press Freedom’s correlation to the Journalism’s Professionalism

           The two kinds of Press that emerged during the Martial Law era had different approach as to professionalism per se.

           Personally, those who have went under the rule of Marcos could be describe as those with bad taste, and have biases and does not practice the real essence of ethics.

 Well, ethics per se is the standards set by a profession – upon meeting it sets out the bar for the professionalism under the profession, upon exercising it simply means one is professional and expert enough to reach that level of standard.

As during the Martial Law times, one could say that the journalists working under the Marcos rule could have given up on ethics and worked under him for the sake of protection.

 It is known that during the Martial Law times, those who go against Marcos, whether be it politically, in business, in media, or just in any way that one goes against Marcos – those people might lose not just their lives but also might lose those around them.

So basically, working under Marcos seem to be practical if you have family, or if you cannot compromise things for the sake of the love and calling of your profession – journalism.

             The journalists who worked under Marcos still exercise ethics, however, they lost in the ethics’ part of biases and freedom from affiliations. As they worked for Marcos, they cannot say anything negative about him. That restriction alone makes them unethical.

             On the other hand, those who went underground and continued the practice of journalism in spite of the dangers it brought to their lives, they have really the heart for the profession and they value ethics much.

           Those who went underground practiced ethics in such a way that they still write as how they write before – with no biases, they only proclaim the truth about the society, about the abuses and harshness the Martial Law regime was doing in the society at that time.

           It is because those working under Marcos tend to sugarcoat every negative thing that arises in the society, or rather, create diversions by making the unimportant things such as “entertainment” and irrelevant news become the news themselves.

That is how the professionalism between the two presses are distinguished during the Martial Law time, as to how the Press Freedom affects how their professionalism goes.

 On Press Freedom’s correlation to Institutions

Both press are not totally free but each’s differences have affected their institutions.

The Marcos Press’ Press Freedom, though limited by the bound set by Marcos, still affects how people perceive them as an institution – as “tuta” ni Marcos, or as his Watch’dogs’.

The Mosquito Press, on the other hand, have also a limit in exercising their Press freedom. However, they are perceived as ethical and highly professional institutions despite their lack of resources, and thus, they are perceived as the real Watchdogs of the society.

 On Press Freedom’s correlation to its Social impact

           Press, the media in general is one of the things that Marcos ordered to be controlled, shut down, and manipulated as he implemented the Martial Law.

           As Marcos knows the value and the power of media at that time, he had his cronies take over the media stations, institutions, and organizations to gain control over the media – and he did.

           Those companies whom he allowed to operate were those who only had permits and clearances from the Department of Public Information (DPI).

           As there were two kinds of press that emerged during the times of Martial Law, there are also two kinds of impact the journalism professionalism did have on the Philippines during the Martial Law period.

             First, those who went to work with Marcos tend to sugarcoat everything. They covered up things and prevented the negative things to go out by making the unimportant news so as to divert public attention.

           By doing so, they compromise the ethical standards, but also, the relevance they create to the society.

           Their work has no relevance at all, but guising on the truth as to something non-existing, which is really existing and real and is deadly.

             On the cultural side, the Marcos press seemed to have promoted the Philippine arts and culture, as to it is also a distraction on what is really happening.

           The economic impact of the Marcos press was really huge in such a way that Marcos even used it so as to show what is good in his administration and so as to promote the economy to the people by using the press – economic related press working under him – to make the people believe that everything in the society is well and alright.

           The political effect of those working for Marcos are also fake, for the real side of what is happening in the politics does not come out, again – it is sugarcoated.

           Basically, the constraints done by the controlled press freedom of those working under Marcos creates this kind of impact in the society at that time.

             It creates a fake and disguised society, distracted by irrelevant and unimportant things in life. I am not saying that culture and arts are not important, however, there are more important things to talk about in life such as the politics, about how does the government serve the people, where do the people’s money go, why are there a lot of killings, why did the government let those things perpetuate, and the questioning goes on. It is endless.

           The ambiguity done by this kind of reportage creates a stigma – it is present until now, the kind of irrelevant reportage wherein those unimportant are still being utilized by the media as distractions.

             Also, the soft news are being used by big media corporations as to ease down the hardness done by the hard news. It softens the mood and as to how the people think when it comes to news.

           The environment, as it is really oppressive at that time, was made as if it is a lie and things do not happen, such as the disappearances, the killings – all those things were sugarcoated, and if not, were made into something unimportant and irrelevant, or sometimes, it is not shown at all by the media.

           But who is to blame for such programming? Is it the media organizations – who base their programming on statistics, or is it the people – who feed with this kind of reportage and let them be controlled by it?

             On the other hand, those working underground have really practiced journalism by heart. The ethical standards are still practiced even if their situations are hard to imagine.

           Thus, the impact they created in the society made a very huge impact, especially as a tool for change – during those times of distress.

             The news they were writing were the truth, it was not sugarcoated unlike the Marcos press. The Mosquito press covered even if it is their lives at risk.

           Culturally, they have not much news on the culture and arts, or for those kinds of news that affect the culture because those things are not the main focus of the revolutionary paper – it is more of the change in this society, change for the oppression, to abolish that kind of government and to establish democratic rule in the country.

             The environment’s distressing situation was really shown in the reportage. They have truly exercised the ethics, and thus, have reported the truth about the factual things happening in the society.

           Also, the mosquito press did not sugarcoat and thus, have only said factual accounts as to what is really happening in the Philippine politics, such as how the international news were in the country. The Mosquito press have discussed the real goings happening in the politics unlike the sugarcoating made by the Marcos press.

             Their economic news were not just those sugarcoated things. Yes, they also reported about the progress Marcos administration did, however, the mosquito press also reported the factual devaluation and going down of the economy and have not sugar coated the fact that the country is going down financially because of debts and of corruption. Actually, this is the start of the corruption craze in the country.

 Moreover, the social impact of the whole press freedom was really huge for it helped in shaping the public opinion and perception, and if people are manipulated or not. This truly shows how press freedom affects the reportage of journalists and on how the society gets affected by the exercise of press freedom.

 On the Journalism Professionalism

As there were two kinds of press that emerged during the times of Martial Law, it is hard to say on what type of journalism professionalism there is on the Philippines.

The Marcos press truly have still exercised the ethics, but the part about becoming unbiased and without affiliations, they have not. They were writing to sugarcoat the truth in the society, thus they are not reporting the real truth – the abuse done by the government and all the killings, in exchange for their safety and their loved ones’ safety.

On one hand, the Mosquito press, really exercised ethics in such a manner that even if it is their lives at stake, they still reported the truth and what is really happening in the country.

 On Journalism’s Professionalism’s correlation to Social impact

How a journalist reports affects not just those who read the news but everyone. That is why the standards set for a journalist is high. The power vested in a journalist is expected to be utilized for the manner of truth telling, of creating social impact, of becoming a tool for informing the public, and of making relevance to the society.

However, during the Marcos era, the two kinds of journalism that emerged were far different among each other’s ethics.

The Marcos press work ethics have really led a society that is blind at first. They have strayed the people and made them believe in the first few years that everything was going well in the New Society created by Marcos.

As they have biased reporting for they are working under Marcos, they have sugarcoated the society with news about the culture and arts. They have sugarcoated the reality with unimportant news and thus, have created a new reality to the people. They are make-believers.

Politically, they have not reported anything bad about the administration for this may cost their lives and their loved ones lives. So as to speak, they have also sugarcoated the realities of dirty politics with unimportant news and made up news about the goodness of the government.

 The economy of the country was also used because it is one of the things used to distort the reality and to confuse the people as to whether the country is really progressing.

Marcos press have allowed Business day to continue their publication because it is a newspaper about the economy and many of the businessmen use this newspaper for information. For Marcos, this is one type of distraction among this type of people.

 On the other hand, the Mosquito press’s social impact was really felt that it helped in waking up the people in the realities of the Martial Law.

 Politically, they have reported the dirty politics happening, the corruption, the killings, and thus have helped the people in shaping their opinion, with the realities presented. This alternative venue helped the people with making decisions, with changing their perspective over Martial Law, and thus making a stand against it.

 Economically, they have not sugarcoated the news and have used the economy as a distraction over the realities made by the government. The Mosquito press only reported the facts as they stay true to the profession.

They have also reported about cultural news but not as how the Marcos press used this type of news to distract the audience form the realities in the society – such as the killings, the corruption, and such actions in the government.

 The killings and the corruption are really found in the news, for the Mosquito press have stayed true to the profession and have only reported the truth in the Philippine society at that time, not just the goodness, if ever there is, in the Marcos regime.

 On Journalism’s Professionalism’s correlation to Press Freedom

           The Marcos press have given up on the exercise of their ethics in such a way they have let Marcos utilize their power in creating relevance in the society. They have allowed such perpetuation and thus, this only defines why they are shackled with Marcos. That is the reason why they are like the Watchdogs of Marcos, not the Watchdogs of the society.

 On the other hand, the Mosquito press have truly exercised the profession by heart, thus which is why they are not bound to anything or anyone. However, due to the political conditions during the Martial Law era, they are still limited by the reach of whatever they are reporting. They are limited in such a way that they have very few resources and also, their lives are at risk.

 On Journalism’s Professionalism’s correlation to Institutions

The Marcos Press professionalism ethics, as it is not exercised in its full, have also affected the integrity of the writers and of the name of the institution they are in.

On the other hand, the Mosquito Press’ ethics, as it is exercised in its peak, have earned its journalists the reputation of those who practice high and ethical journalism.

 On the Social Impact

           Truly, the Martial law is one of the period in the Philippine history that has much to say. What to say about it actually depends on the perspective of whoever has to say something about it.

           During Marcos era, the Martial law created two kinds of press: the Marcos press and the Mosquito press.

           The society have affected the two kinds of press in such a manner that the press work for the society. It has affected the way they write and the way news was framed and delivered.

 On Society’s Impact correlated to Journalism’s Professionalism

           The Marcos press had to sugarcoat the realities that happen in society even if it compromises their work standards because they work for Marcos.

           Thus they cannot let anything bad go against Marcos for it is their job to sugarcoat things and to maintain public’s perception about Marcos as good.

 On the other hand, the Mosquito press had to reveal all the negative things that happen in the society for the Marcos press only reveals the magnificent things and the grandeur of the Marcos regime, not the pressing issues faced by the society. Thus, they were able to exercise the standards of journalism in its highest sense.

 On Society’s Impact correlated to Press Freedom

           The Mosquito Press was able to exercise their Press Freedom, though with limitations due to the political conditions at that time. Also, their economic status hindered and was a problem because they have limited resources when they are going to make a publication – since their things are either confiscated or destroyed by the government.

           The Marcos Press, on the other hand, was able to exercise Press Freedom in such a way they can cover anytime, anywhere, without questioning from the military.

             However, their Press Freedom stops in the point where Marcos holds them for they are his watchdogs. They can work freely, free from the threats of death and danger but their freedom and ethics were compromised.

 On Social Impact’s correlation to Institutions

           The society have affected the institutions in such a way that they make the news for the society to be shaped and to be manipulated.

           As for the Marcos Press, as an institution, they have worked to sugarcoat and to minimize the damage of any news by writing sugarcoated and irrelevant news to distract the people from knowing the truth.

           On the other hand, the Mosquito Press have worked to further help the people in knowing the truth even if they have limited resources.

 On Institutions

           Media institutions at that time were controlled badly by Marcos, except those who went underground.

The Institutions, the journalists have their own system in doing things. But of course, there is the government that plays a vital role in exercising the profession.

Also the technologies present play a big role in the dissemination of news.

 On Institutions’ correlation to Press Freedom

           The Marcos Press were composed of Marcos’ cronies and those who presented to work for him in exchange of their safety.

           As they work with the government, they have the freedom to cover anywhere and anytime as long as they will not say anything bad against Marcos and the government.

           They have the latest and high standards equipment.

           However, their Press Freedom is at stake for the fact that they are still under Marcos and that they should follow Marcos’ bidding.

             On the other hand, the Mosquito press was composed of institutions who work to the heart of journalism and thus, have not followed Marcos.

           They could have had low resources and bad technology such as the Xerox journalism, but they have exercised Press Freedom – though it is also restricted by the political condition and threats they receive.

 On Institutions’ correlation to Journalism’s Professionalism

           As the Marcos Press’ loyalty is under Marcos, they have compromised their integrity as journalists. The institutions bound to Marcos are also his cronies but still, they are also media companies who should have worked to tell the truth, but they have not – due to the biases they have because of whom they serve.

             On the other hand, the Mosquito Press might have less technology, but their non-compliance with Marcos gave them the opportunity to exercise the professionalism of journalism at its finest.

 On Institutions’ correlation to Social Impact

           The Marcos Press, as an institution, have affected the society in such a manner that it created sugarcoated stories which made those unlearned believe it and thus became blind followers during the early years of Martial law.

           On the other hand, the Mosquito Press, as an institution, have affected the society in such a manner that it helped in shaping the public opinion and has created relevance in the society by stating the facts and by telling the truth in its full honesty.

[yuriema]

The French Press on the edge of freedom/La Presse du Francaise sur le bord de liberte

The French Press on the edge of freedom/ La Presse du Francaise sur le bord de liberte

by Marie Uy

written on 2015

for Journalism 100

“Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite,” these were the words that the French Revolution fought for. In general, the French press had been instrumental in shaping France’s history and making it into what it is today.

Though there were some censorship that exist within the French press, on its different medium, throughout the history, the French Press still got its sense of freedom for its nature is much more creating news which were highly opinionated and not based on objectivity.

This could be, however, linked into its roots, on how the French press served France over the years. As one of the instruments to France’s freedom, French press had been much more inclined on making news based on the subjective manner of those who make the news.

Even if that is not what journalism should be, the French have had accepted that “nature” of news writing in France for it had been their culture ever since. The censorship somehow does not have, or maybe could have had only a little effect when it comes to writing news for there is freedom to express opinions even in news.

Going to the application of one of the four theories of the press, the French press would best suit on the Libertarian theory of the press, but it has also somehow been transforming into Social Responsibility theory. Also, France is under a libertarian government now, which somehow strengthened the kind of journalism in France.

The Libertarian and the Social Responsibility theories of the press are two related press theories. Considered as one of the predecessor of Social Responsibility theory of the press, the Libertarian theory is highly affected and influenced by the philosophical thought of liberalism.

With the postulates and beliefs in the school of liberalism, people are given the empowerment to think freely and to have a say on things. Each individual is provided with a milieu in which the potentials and strengths of this person can be discovered.

As John Locke’s liberalism have argued that “man under the guise of reason has surrendered his personal rights to the state in return for a guarantee that the state will recognize and maintain his natural rights,” the French press had much of that argument in their press.

Also, John Stuart Mill made a synthesis on the ideas of this liberalist thoughts that were first raised by John Locke. On Mill’s On Liberty, he said that silencing an opinion might be silencing the truth and that a wrong opinion may have some truth in it. These are only few of what Mill’s On Liberty has to say on liberalist thoughts but nevertheless, these are the top two thoughts of Mill’s writing.

However, in liberalist nations such as France, the press gets a hard time for it creates a problem of “adjustment to the democratic way of life”. In a libertarian society, the press’ function is mainly to inform and to entertain the people.

Though advertising and sales is also considered a third function for the press to ensure its finance and for it to be stable and working. Also, the press had been developed as a “political institution” that serves as the watchdog of the nation. This function had been developed overtime through liberalist nations.

France had a very rich history when it comes to the involvement of the press in nation building. The French press had been an instrument in paving the way for the Fall of Bastille and then, for France to be free from the monarchial government.

Pamphlets and revolutionary newspapers spread in tens of thousands. There had been high readership and the writings were more radical. Also, the layout and the way newspapers were formatted were highly revolutionary.

It was in these pamphlets and newspapers where the people voiced out their arguments against the suppressive monarchial government they had at that time.

As the bourgeois class were already rising at that time, they were the people that had the means to voice out and to call the attention of the nation to revolt and to change the system of government in France.

Many people had a say on the government, that is why there had also been many newspaper published during those times.

Since the French press rose up during those times, its revolutionary state was dominant, and since it was so many, it was relatively cheap.

The circulation of the newspapers were not just in Paris rather it reached even the provinces of France that were not that highly developed at that time such as Monte Carlo.

Also, revolutionary caricatures had already been done by the French press at that time. The flow of ideas were really high and strong at that time, when the fight for freedom was at stake.

Thus, the history of France cannot be separated from the history of the French press, or maybe, most countries that had a revolution or movement against the government or those in authority on its history. The press truly had a huge role to play in changing the world and the societies in it.

The Charlie Hebdo case is one of the best examples of the usage of liberty on the French press. The French press had so much freedom that it had crossed the border of what is right in reporting or in writing for the press, even if it is satirical.

That event should be an example and a realization for the French press that they do have a freedom and that they do exercise it very well, but they must also know when their exercise of freedom starts to abuse and to infringe on other people’s rights and freedom.

In a libertarian society such as in France, the press is very free to do and to act as to how it wants, but after the Charlie Hebdo attack, they should start thinking twice whether what they are doing is offensive, maybe not on them, but on other cultures and societies in this world.

With the freedom liberalism has advocated throughout history, it has paved the way for the existence of democracy and freedom in societies. This freedom, however, must be exercised with prudence and rationale thinking.

Though the French press is highly opinionated and subjective in nature, it should have learned its lesson after the Charlie Hebdo attack. Whether it is a satirical cartoon, or news, they should check on the facts and on the people they could have an effect.

The French press should remember that they are free to write whatever they want but they should also remember that other people have the freedom as well to react on whatever they write about.

Libertarian could be the best theory of the press for it encourages rational thinking on people but on the case of the French press, they should also exercise the ethics of the nature of the work.

Though the French press existed and rose because of its revolutionary roots, it should also bear in mind that the press is still a profession that needs careful and intelligent probing on the issues of the society and the world, not just any opinionated or rumor type of news telling.

Freedom alone is not enough, it should be guided accordingly. ###

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Le Monde

Le Monde is evening French newspaper, published both in French and English, and is owned by its own reporters. It is mainly private, which strengthens even more the argument that the French press is highly libertarian.

Unlike the Liberacion, which caters to audiences in the left, and the Le Figaro, which is pro-right, the Le Monde is actually in the center of the political affliction. However, when it comes to the circulation, Le Monde and Le Figaro are the top two newspapers.

The first publication was published on 1944, right after the German troops are out in Paris.  

Though Le Monde is highly commended for its first-class reportage, it also undergoes on some issues, just like any company.

They have also received some lawsuits, for defamation of a Spanish soccer team, and some controversies on having political affiliation. But nonetheless, Le Monde is still one of the world’s highly regarded and respected newspapers in the world.

Le Monde maintains high regard in reporting, such is the reason why they have separate publications on commentaries and editorial news.

This independence, and high quality of reporting really manifests the quality of the French press, which is a hybrid of Libertarian and Social Responsibility theory.###

[yuriema]

Reaksiyon sa Martial Law

Sa unang rinig sa terminong Martial Law hindi mapigilan ng aking isipan na pumasok ang mga nakakatakot na imahe: pagpatay, paggahasa sa kababaihan, at pagpapahirap nang paulit-ulit.

Ito marahil ay impluwensya nang aking mga napanood na pelikula ukol sa Martial Law at nabasa na mga kwento ukol dito.

 Ngunit kailan nga ba unang sumagi sa isip ko ang salitang Martial Law? Marahil ito ay noong nasa elementarya pa ako.  

 Bata pa lamang ako ay naikwento na sa akin nang aking ina ang tungkol sa Martial Law. Ikatlong kaarawan niya kasi nung araw na ideklara ang Martial Law.

 Sa pagkakakwento niya sa akin, tandang-tanda pa raw niya ang biglang pagkabalisa ng mga tao noon. Tipong wala na raw maingay kapag gabi, wala nang lumalabas ng bahay kapag lumubog na ang araw, at wala na rin daw  nagsasabi ng kung anu-ano tungkol sa pamahalaan.

 Tila raw ba ang lahat ay namuhay sa takot.

 Nung araw na ideklara ang Martial Law, hindi na raw ipinagdiwang ang kaarawan niya dahil sa ganap na iyon kaya naman maliban sa nadaramang takot noon ay nadagdagan daw ito ng pagkainis at pagkamuhi sa rehimeng Marcos.

 Maliban sa ikinuwento ng aking ina, lumalim pa ang pagkaintindi ko sa Martial Law ng tumuntong ako ng hayskul. Mas tumindi ang aking kaalaman ukol rito pagpasok ko ng UP Diliman.

 Sa karanasan ni Ricky Lee, masasabi kong maswerte siya at nalagpasan niya ang ganoong dagok sa kanyang buhay. Hindi biro ang makulong sa panahon ng Martial Law.

 Pagkabasa ko sa panayam kay Ricky Lee, dito ko napatunayang mahirap maging isang manunulat, sa mga drama o sa balita man. Dapat ay responsable ka sa lahat ng ginagawa mo, ng sinusulat mo, ng istorya mo.

 Ngunit sabagay, ano nga ba ang unang ginagamit ng mga intelektuwal sa pakikipaglaban? Ito ay ang kanilang talino at husay. Ang pagsusulat ng kwento ang ambag ng mga manunulat sa kanilang pakikipaglaban at pakikiisa sa mga lumalaban sa Martial Law. Kumbaga, sila ang mga naging modernong “Jose Rizal” ng mga panahong iyon.

 Sa pag-intindi ko kung bakit hinuhuli ang mga manunulat, ito ay dahil makapangyarihan ang mga salita. At ang mga salita ay nakaka-impluwensya sa mga tao. Ang impluwensya ay isang kapangyarihang hindi agad maiaalis. Maaaring isa ito sa mga dahilan kung bakit lahat ng manunulat na laban o may hinanakit kay Marcos ay ipinahuli, upang hindi na sila makasulat pa laban sa kanya, para sila ay matakot at mabigyang babala.

 Sa kabilang banda, ano pa nga ba ang silbi ng isang manunulat kung hindi siya magsusulat ng isang kwento?

 Para sakin, ang Martial Law ay isang obra maestrang pangyayari na dapat maiparating sa buong mundo.

[yuriema]

SONA 2014 Reaction Paper

Being his second to the last State of the Nation Address, President Benigno Simeon Aquino III took this chance to explain the good side about the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).

Throughout his speech, he has inserted for a few times the programs the DAP had funded like the TESDA’s Training-for-Work Scholarship Program, and should have funded like DILG Sec. Mar Roxas’ Operation Lambat that aims to reduce the crime rate.

If to compare with his previous SONAs, the SONA 2014 was no better than the previous ones, the fact that the president used this opportunity to be able to explain the positives of DAP, when in proper management.

There were insufficient reports on the field of education. What has happened to the K-12 implementation after 2 years of being implemented? In addition to that, what could be the other things the government is doing in preparation for the ASEAN 2015?

Also, there were no reports regarding the government’s plan on the expected electricity shortage in the years to come. The president only encouraged DOE Sec. Jericho Petilla to work with the Joint Congressional Power Commission, Energy Regulatory Commission, the industry of electricity, and to the consumers. By this time, the government should also priority this problem because electricity shortage would mean a lot to all sectors in the society, and there could be grievous effects on the country in general.

It was understandable that the SONA has a limited time, but the president could have used the time properly, reporting to his “Boss” the matters that were more important to Juan dela Cruz rather than his throwbacks before he ran as the president. He could have made his conclusion concise but well-defined.

Even so, it was what the president believed that was best for Juan dela Cruz to hear. After all, it was his SONA.

ŀ�lR�

[yuriema]

A collection of thoughts on Philippine politics, culture, history, and society

written on November 04, 2014

for Political Science 14

To begin with, Philippines is an archipelago that lies in the south of Asia, left of the Pacific Ocean, and is the north of Indonesia, Australia, and other isle countries. Its culture and past is primarily deeply rooted on this reason, thus permitting fragmentation and diverse culture to exist. This ambiguity of the country’s history, and culture, is enhanced by the language Filipinos use, by the religions present, and by the difference in the rural and urban life in the country.

 Why? As a country with a thousand and one islands, the waters separating the isles became barriers for the unity of the nation in these aspects, thus being an advantage for conquerors and invaders – which is why Philippines had been a colony of two countries in the past. A country that is not unified in the language it uses is easy to be strayed. It is an easy prey for some vicious predator. For an isle not to know about its neighbor isle’s language is a weakness that can be used against one another, by the invaders. The variation in religion and the difference of the life in the rural and urban setting are just effects of this fragmentation, however, they are also responsible for the varied society and culture we have.

 Nonetheless, the colonization we had, in return, became the reason for the diversified culture and society we have now. Aside from the reason that each region, each isle have different cultures, the foreign influence had a great effect on our culture and society, thus we feel its consequences even now.

 The colonization was also one of the reasons for having the government the country has now, for the government was based on foreign laws, foreign constitution. Also, the politics in which the government officials and employees are involved is a great manifestation of the government system and ways assimilated by the colonizers. Not just laws and hierarchy of people were introduced and influenced to us, but also the way things go beneath the system, the way the politics operate

However, some traditional values also influenced and greatly enhanced this kind of system in our country. Beliefs such as pakikisama, utang-na-loob, extended family ties, and the pervasive poverty make this system stronger and harder to change.

 Another thing that is a consequence by the colonization in the country is the loss of identity of the Filipino people. What are Filipinos, per se, that is the question. Where do Filipinos stand if their country’s society and culture is too diversified, a heritage from the colonizers? Is a Filipino a Filipino if his culture and society has been tainted and changed by the colonizers’ own culture and society?

 Furthermore, culture and history come together hand-in-hand in influencing way things go in the society, even in the government. As mentioned a while, kinship – whether by blood or ritual or by extension, greatly affects the way politics are in the country. Patronage, personalism, and particularism are all rooted from this.

 Class identification and hierarchy is strengthened even more by the belief of utang na loob, by the patron-client relations. Those in debt, usually the lower standing people in society, abide and follow orders from those they are in debt, those who have higher standing in society, those in power; thus, these people who benefit from this system manipulate the people they can and use this power of theirs for their own benefit, and sometimes they even abuse it. Few are only willing, and capable, to change this system.

 The political system Filipinos have, that was a result from the influences Filipinos had from colonizers and from the history that was imbibed since childhood, give all these implications stated above.

 As discussed in the book, political culture is defined as “the pattern of individual attitudes and orientations toward politics among the members of a political system. It is the subjective realm which underlies and gives meaning to political actions,” by Gabriel Almond and G. Bingham Powell.

However, this seems to be problematic because different societal classes and ethnic groups have different values and behavior, they have different culture.

 Thus, political culture is limited to values that are relevant and relative in the shaping process of the political culture in the Philippines. These values are not the general values of the Filipinos but rather, are the forces that influence the politics, in different times and situation. Meaning, these societal values are subject to change as time pass by. It evolves, depending on the time and situation of the country.

 Though there are also values and beliefs in the Philippine culture that are bound to be enduring such as kinship-by blood, ritual, or extension; particularism and personalism; the patron-client relationships; the notion of pakikisama; and the booming poverty.

Aside from hospitality, the Philippine culture is known for valuing kinship and extended family ties. This cultural belief, that has been existing ever since the Spaniards’ era, is the root for patronage system. Whether it is by blood, by ritual, or by extension, family relationships become one vital and essential factor for this kind of system.

 Speaking of hospitality, Filipinos are known to be most hospitable, especially to foreigners. Perhaps, that could be the reason why even until now, foreigners still hold lands, properties, and power in the country. They may not run for politics, but they may be part of the people supporting those in the politics.

 Another essential element in the Philippine culture that has a grave effect on the politics is the patron-client relationship. This belief is concretized by the notion of utang na loob. This debt is usually not paid by means of money, rather by favor or other similar means. Usually, those in debt are the ones who are inferior in social standing, and creditors are the ones superior.

The notion of pakikisama has a direct effect on the type of the politics that the Philippines have. Its show-business-like is the effect of this. Basically, this notion means getting along or get along when roughly translated in English. This is why plasticity and being a user is somehow prevalent in the world of politics, just like with celebrities.

 Poverty has  an immense effect on the political culture as well. This type of living gives birth to short-term and conservative approach to life. The poor should make money with all means even if the means are against the law – that is why many poor people end up as criminals. Also, poverty is the reason why poor people sell their votes in exchange for a small amount of money that can sustain them for a short amount of time, or sometimes they exchange it for material things or food such as umbrellas, shirts, a kilo of rice and meat, and the like. This type of vote buying is prevalent especially in shanties and in poor rural areas.

 Culture affects politics like how media affects public opinion. The implications of the culture on the politics have made the culture we have now, defined by particularism and personalism, skepticism on government and laws’ effectiveness, “ambiguous class identification”, and an uncertain view on nationalism.

 The concept of personalism “blurs” the difference between public and private resources in the country. When a politician makes a project or gives a certain thing to a town, this project or thing will make the people feel “indebted” to them, making the thing or the project seem like to come from the politician’s own pocket when in fact, it may come from the government. The public care less as to where the thing came from, as long as it is there.

 The concept of particularism, on the other hand, is when a politician makes and bases its decision on its goal to increase the benefits of a certain group of people. It serves a certain interest, such as a regional interest, a family’s interest, a business interest, rather than serving the interest of the public and of the nation. This notion, which could have come from the kinship system, also results to “different rules apply on different people.” Meaning, it erodes the concept of equality as stated in the law, and hinders the development of the unity of the country, which slows down the progress of the nation.

 Societal classes have always been part of the history, even until now. It is always the rich versus the poor, the oppressed and the abusers. This particular implication could have been the result of patronage and patron-client relationships.

 Thus, these values result to people’s skepticism over their government and the laws it make. Who would not doubt a government that is weak and ineffective? Who would not doubt a government that is made up of people who are from the same lineage, who pass laws that does not benefit the majority of the public good?

 The vagueness on the nationalism is the effect of the “peaceful transition” of the American invasion to the Commonwealth government to the independent nation the Philippines is now.

 During the pre-martial law period, the Philippines was facing its transitional period. Many changes happened on the demographics, societal and economical aspects of the country, like the growth in population, change in the Catholic Church, urbanization, emergence of constituencies, development of small industrial sector, weakening of the small revenue base of the national government, and the gap between the urban and rural societies.

These factors, however, had affected the key characteristics during the pre-martial law period, in terms of the government and politics. The book had presented the following key characteristics:

·         Diversification of the elite

-          The elites were having a competition among themselves, over the control on the economy. The democracy that has been based on their ruling weakened and caused an unstable government.

 ·         Growing power and scope of the national government

-          At first, the local government units such as the municipal and provincial were dependent on the national government for revenues, which pass on the Congress first. But on Marcos’ presidency, he opt to the “internal and external borrowing” to fund his large programs such as construction of infrastructures, and markets. This centralized the control of national government resources in the presidency.

·         Decline of traditional “elitist” politics

-          This was due to the following reasons: heightened competition within the elites, growth of “student activism”, and “anti-establishment movements” against foreign countries. It resulted to great “political awareness”, critical analysis of the academe on the Philippine politics, and the audacity of media in its call against the government.

 ·         Birth of the Leftists

-          According to the book, Joma Sison said that the “Philippine society was semi-feudal and semi-colonial”. The Leftists were a small group at first but they had good leadership, influential ideology that aims on growing the nationalistic feeling, and a concrete plan that promises revolutionary change than reforms.

 After the Martial Law, the Philippines experienced the following post-martial law characteristics:

·         The role of military in the politics increased

-          There are two reason for this, first is the “increased influence” of the army in government and law-making, second is the appearance of military extremists groups which aims to overthrow Aquino’s government and create a new one.

 ·         The weakening of the Leftists

-          The popularity of Cory Aquino has weakened the left, because of the economic improvements and the counter-insurgencies of the military.

 ·         Catholic Church’s increased participation in politics and society

-          The Church has participated in quite a number of political events but its power is still limited.

 ·         NGO and private sectors increased participation in public affairs and service

-          These organizations help the government in its role and responsibility in giving public service.

 ·         The people in the business community also increased their participation in political and social activities.

-          A balanced participation in business and public service in politics is a good thing for the progress of the nation.

 ·         The 1987 Constitution provides the president lesser power

·         There were two developments in Philippine political culture

-          The first development was the change in Filipinos’ view of democracy because of the triumph of People Power and the abuses of Marcos’ dictatorship, and the second development was that the “restoration of democracy” had an effect to the growth of Philippines’ nationalism.

·         The “global environment” has changed as time passed by.

The following things however, remained quite the same:

·         The traditional political culture was revived and continues to operate

·         The political and economic power is still concentrated in the elite

·         Reformist groups failed to alter the system

·         The system is still personalistic

·         The practice of kinship and family ties still continues

·         There is no significant change in the “socio-economic” aspect

·         Traditional political behavior changed a little, or none at all

·         Continuity in “fierce” elections

·         Media’s behavior continued to be sensationalists

These things that remained the same could have been because of the “values” that seem to be ageless traditions of the Filipino culture, such as the personalism, pakikisama notion, Catholicism, and “strength of cultural influences”. Also, the gap in the distribution of the wealth and income is another reason. Lastly, Martial Law could have then helped in making this thing remain in our culture.

The increase in population, rivalry within the elites, urbanization, and “a new role” of the Catholic Church were the various reasons that redefined the pre-martial law’s context.

 First, the increase in population raised the demands in the government such as in health care, education, employment, and food production. This factor aims for further progress from the government during those pre-martial law times.

 Second, the rivalry within the elites caused the instability in the traditional “elite” democracy they have created. Thus, the proclamation of the Martial Law was said to be the culmination and manifestation of the rivalry happening within the elites.

 Third, the country had developed its industrial sector during the 1950’s.  The Philippines had different products to export, and the people were educated and business-minded, but the economy was still restrained by policies that “promoted import substitution and capital-intensive industrialization”.

 Lastly, the Catholic Church was slowly developing its activism role by supporting our some labor and reformist organizations during the 1950’s.

 I do believe that until now, the factor that affects our country’s current system of government and politics is the continuous growth of population. Not only that this factor is consistent of its effects in our society and politics, but it is also worsening.

 Poverty rate has increased. Even without the statistics, poverty is prevalent everywhere. There are lots of homeless, hungry, and sick people. Actually, it does not affect the government in terms of the way the government operates – but, it reflects how the government operates. The current poverty the Filipinos experience manifests how the government is working. It affects the government’s landscape as it affects the people’s perception on the government – as ineffective, hopeless, and not to be trusted.

 This growth in population is actually a problem, not an advantage like what most people think, such as these people would be the human resource of the country as OFWs- as DH and other degrading jobs overseas. I am not in the position to tell what is right or what is wrong but I do see the boom of the population as a problem.

The rise in population will not only be a problem of the government when it comes to the providing of public need but also, it would be a problem to everyone. There would be higher competition for resources, for most of the things that a person needs.

Of course, the elites would not be affected by this but the ordinary Juan dela Cruz will be, most of the Filipino people will be.

I agree with the perception that Martial Law was declared in 1972 because “democracy was never viable because of cultural and socio-economic conditions,” and that this perception best describes the Philippine government and politics today.

Among the conditions that were mentioned there were the strong belief in kinship that Filipinos have, tendency to favor authoritarianism, and value for hierarchy. These conditions tend to be “feudal” in nature. Aside from that, the elite’s domination mirror that of a feudal lord. The prevalent poverty and inequality the people experience now shows how this feudality exists.

Actually, it is really hard to change this feudal-like system, wherein the elites are in power. Actually whether we like or not, societal classes will always be present as long as this kind of system pervades.

As a Marxist believer, I do believe that equality should be achieved and there should be no classes anymore, that those elites be stripped off of their wealth and titles and be one of the ordinary, but not through revolution. Someone with sane and righteous mind, dedicated to this principle, and is willing to sacrifice his life, should lead this thing – but this person should come from the elites. Only someone wealthy, powerful, and influential can use such immense power to start the change, be it that temptation does not corrupt him.

[yuriema]

Lakas Sambayanan (People Power) Reaction Paper

written on 2014

for Political Science 14

When people get oppressed and develop negative feelings towards the government, protests and rallies start. That is when nationalism and patriotism arises; the oppression becomes the seed for such fruit, the People Power.

Neither war nor revolution can be won when it is the state against a person. That is why the People Power had so much power in it. There is power in numbers.

During the time when the Philippines was a couple of years away from its darkest hours, Ferdinand Edralin Marcos was already planning the existence of the Philippines in a authoritarian scenario. Also, Juan Ponce Enrile, who was the point person of the Marcos Administration, was said to be part of the Rolex 12 and was one of the men who made the Oplan Sagittarius, Marcos’ plan of turning the Philippines into a constitutional authoritarian.

Though there were people such as Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. who had foreseen the existence of such country. He was then considered as Marcos’ mortal enemy. Also, people from politics such as Jose Diokno Sison and Aquino Pimentel were also considered enemies of Marcos. The Marcos administration also blamed certain individuals such as Bernabe Buscayno, an ex-NPA Commander, for allegedly starting riots.

The once progressing and quiet country in the Southeast of Asian waters soon began to be one of the most volatile and dangerous place in the world as discipline was roughly implemented by Marcos’ Martial Law. Rather than doing a good effect in the country’s system and society, it only worsened the state of the country before it was implemented.

Human rights violation was a habit at that time by the stern military forces. They had much power at that time, had better guns, and people had promotions to ranks even if they were only ordinary people. The power of the People Power was then used to make an end to all of the oppression.

After Benigno Aquino Jr. died, people made a peaceful march together with the widow of Benigno Aquino Jr., Corazon Aquino. Hand to hand, the Filipino people marched altogether and move against the Marcos regime.

With the power in numbers, Marcos was eventually uprooted from his seat of presidency. Marcos, his wife Imelda Romualdez Marcos, and their children escaped the wrath of the people by fleeing Malacanang Palace, just like what happened to Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette of France who escaped but then were eventually caught and were beheaded.

Nonetheless, the power of the people with the same beliefs and goals cannot be underestimated. It can bring down big powers such as the King or the Dictator of a regime. To reclaim freedom and peace, that power was endowed to the people by an oppressive society. When the two forces face one another, people power is enough to defeat the Ruler’s power.

[yuriema]

Batas Militar (Martial Law) Reaction Paper

written on 2014

for Political Science 14

A progressive Philippines was seen before the start of the dreadful Martial Law. There were no curfews, no rules that would bind the people into their dwelling fused by fear.  However, there were already protests against the Marcos’ regime at that time. The government was seen making its way to the proclamation of Martial Law. The political and economic crises in the country worsened, even the peso devaluated. The unemployment rate rose and the agriculture sector slowed down. Students, workers, and people from different walks of life were rallying beside one another against reasons such as the increase of the basic commodities’ prices, foreign hold in the country’s economy, and corruption. On the other hand, the government’s response was violence and not a peaceful talk and reform. Though this only sparked more revolts and protests. Violence was everywhere even before the Martial Law started. It was the Plaza Miranda bombing that led the way for the Martial Law to be declared. Liberal senators such as Jovito Salonga and Serge Osmena were injured by the explosion. Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., was the one accused in conspiring with communists behind the bombing.

Nonetheless, the late President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos suspended the writ of habeas corpus, then proclaimed the Martial Law, seeing that the bombing was enough reason for the whole country to be put into total discipline under the military’s hands.

Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. was then considered the mortal enemy of Marcos for foreseeing a “garrison state” such as this. People in the politics such as Jose Diokno Sison and Aquino Pimentel were also considered enemies of Marcos. Also, the Marcos administration blamed certain individuals such as Bernabe Buscayno, an ex-NPA Commander, who was allegedly accused of starting and being the mind of the riots.

However, there were people who contributed to the development of the Martial Law. Juan Ponce Enrile, who was the point person of the Marcos regime and Fidel V Ramos, were said to be part of the Rolex 12 and formulated the Oplan Sagittarius, the plan of Marcos to turn Philippines into the Martial Law state.

This “New Society” made violence more prevalent in society than it was before the Martial Law started. Peso continued to devaluate and the prices of the goods continued to soar.

Being in this disciplinarian state, the soldiers had better guns and became more powerful. There were promotions to the ranks even on ordinary people from Ilocos. Human rights violation became a daily basis in the Philippines’ setting at that time.

The government became “constitutional authoritarianism”, just like what Marcos wrote in his thesis.

[yuriema]

What’s the password? A reaction paper on the forum on the hacking of Philippine Electoral System and how safe are the Filipinos with their private identities

written on April 25, 2016

for STS

A few weeks from the Philippine national election 2016, the COMELEC or Commission on National Elections’ database of the biometrics and other vital information was hacked by an unknown group of hackers. This event spurred a lot of hatred from the public as to how the COMELEC safeguards the information entrusted by its stakeholders.

On the forum, it was discussed as to how the COMELEC safeguards and keeps all the records they have but the audience in that forum were not satisfied with the answers they provided.

Being in the Philippine setting, it is good to note that the internet itself is faulty, given that the Philippines do not have its own satellite for such important aspect in the society. With such system on the internet, the marginalization of the cybercitizens are at a high level. They are not safe not only with the data they give on the COMELEC in this instance but as well as with all the data they provide on the Internet.

With that said, the safety on the Internet is much of the concern here than just the issue that has happened. It all boils down to the fact that the Philippine government does not address such important aspect for development in their country and thus endanger that safety of its citizens’ existence on the cyberworld.

Rather than passing laws such as the Cybercrime law and using all the budget on the implementation of such flawed law, the government should have just used the money and added some more so as to develop and improve the internet system of the country. For as the Philippines only “borrow” internet from other satellites, this only gives a vague jurisdiction over the internet system the Philippines have.

Thus, as the custodians of the Philippine internet system and the data uploaded by the Filipinos, the government has to take responsibility over the development of its internet system as the current one does not only endanger the Filipino people over the cyberworld but it also invites hackers and other evildoers in that plane of existence.

In this matter, science should be one of the fields that should be taken into consideration and not just the mere laws and the system. With science and technology, given the proper development and support, it is really a big help not just to the people but to the entire country and government as well.

With the influx of such happenings on the cyberworld, the government should be alarmed and thus take action on what is happening rather than to create and implement laws that does not help in the development of such system but hinders it even more. Nonetheless, the Philippine government should help science develop not just because of such threat but because it must do so for the betterment of the nation.

[yuriema]

Everything is connected: a reaction paper on the public lecture of Dr. Richard Walker

written on April 25, 2016

for STS

Upon learning the title of the forum, which is Culture and the Brain, one might think that this forum will talk more about on how cultures and individuals’ minds are interconnected to each other. The interconnectivity of the cultures around the world provides basis for the globalization, and colonialism in some countries such as the Philippines.

It might be that the brain is adapting to the globalization phenomenon and this could be the reason for a society that seems to have this monotonous culture. It is also important to take note on how the different fields of learning such as media and sociology contribute to the creation and perpetuation of such culture in the global society

A single and dominant culture might disperse to vast lands and merge its culture in those minorities. This scenario is evident to colonialism and globalization. Dr. Walker’s proposed model on interconnectivity explains such phenomenon. However, it might need more research and study so as to prove its hypothesis and arguments.

Aside from these scenarios of adaptation in the culture, the arguments presented by Dr. Walker can also be applied to the interconnectedness of the body. Thus, adaptation of the body is also strongly enforced especially when changes in the environment occur, or a routine is being followed and so the body adapts to it as an everyday part of its function. Such scenario is manifested in performers and athletes.

On a personal level, the interconnectivity discussed here can also be strengthened by other theories such as the six degrees of separation theory where it is said that everyone is separated only by a maximum of six degrees, and also by the power of social media. With the arrival of social media, the connectivity built via the cyberworld translates and manifests in the real world, and thus makes the world closer by just a few clicks.

Moreover, the adaptation of the individuals to the change that is coming to their lives, to their communities manifests the variety of the similar yet different cultures around the world. But all of these changes and adaptation would not cease to happen so without collective action from the population.

[yuriema]

The French Revolution: As Seen on Les Miserables

ecrit sur 02 avril 2013

"Do you hear the people sing, singing the song of angry men?” This sentence seemed to tell what the whole musical play, Les Miserables is all about. Yes, this line came from the novel Les Miserables and was sung by the character named Gavroche, the child who was part of the Revolution. In my opinion, I do interpret this line as to what the whole musical is about; it is a musical made at the time after the French Revolution, and it expressed what the society of France experienced at that time. It was published on 1862, long after the French Revolution and the June Rebellion.

France, now a country of grandeur, luxury, and love – was viewed very differently at the time Victor Hugo wrote the novel. During those 1800’s era, France’s society seemed to be oppressed, having a lot of street settlers and beggars, and is still under a king. The architecture was far from the beautiful Paris we see on postcards. The atmosphere of the novel/play was really gloomy and dark. It only showed that France, at the time Les Miserables was written, was still afflicted by what had happened on the French Revolution. Rebellion and uprisings from the Third Estate was happening all over France during that era.

The economic and social structure of France at the time the novel was written was Capitalism – a type of social, political, and economic structure where the industry, trade, etc. are owned and controlled by private individuals or groups. The nobility and the Church, also known as the First and Second Estate were the ones holding the power. The Third Estate, the people – composed of peasants, slaves, all those people who labor are the ones working for the first two estates. The Middle Class or the Bourgeois are those people in between the upper estate and the Third Estate – they are not poor but definitely not rich. Monarchy was also apparent in the play, as it is the political condition of France when the novel was written. According to the play, on 1815, a king is once again in the throne of France. The government was still headed by a king and queen the play/novel was written.

The story is all about the life of an ex-convict, Jean Valjean, and on how he rose up (with the help of Bishop Myriel) and became successful in life as a mayor, met new people (Fantine, etc.), had a family he could call (with Cosette as his adopted child), escape on his haunting past (Javert), and face the fears of a father having a daughter leave for marrying a guy (with Marius). All the events that happened in the story involves him, as he is the protagonist. However, the play also had many subplots, like the story of being a textile worker and a prostitute at that time (Fantine’s story), the love story of Cosette, Marius, and Eponine.

All the characters have their own significance. Each character has their own deeper meaning as to what their character says. Jean Valjean’s character symbolizes the character of the oppressed, the slaves and peasants that were being tormented at that time, though he managed to become successful in his life as the story progressed. Fantine is the character symbolizing the women being abused. Cosette’s character, as a child, symbolizes the unfortunate situation of poor children that were being mistreated; but as an adolescent, her character symbolizes love. These three characters were symbolizing what was written in the preface of Les Miserables,

“So long as there shall exist, by reason of law and custom, a social condemnation, which, in the face of civilization, artificially creates hells on earth, and complicates a destiny that is divine with human fatality; so long as the three problems of the age—the degradation of man by poverty, the ruin of women by starvation, and the dwarfing of childhood by physical and spiritual night—are not solved; so long as, in certain regions, social asphyxia shall be possible; in other words, and from a yet more extended point of view, so long as ignorance and misery remain on earth, books like this cannot be useless.”

Also, according to one site I have searched before, Hugo explained his ambitions for the novel to his Italian publisher.

“I don't know whether it will be read by everyone, but it is meant for everyone. It addresses England as well as Spain, Italy as well as France, Germany as well as Ireland, the republics that harbour slaves as well as empires that have serfs. Social problems go beyond frontiers. Humankind's wounds, those huge sores that litter the world, do not stop at the blue and red lines drawn on maps. Wherever men go in ignorance or despair, wherever women sell themselves for bread, wherever children lack a book to learn from or a warm hearth, Les Miserables knocks at the door and says: "open up, I am here for you".”

Thus, those characters of Valjean, Fantine and Cosette signify the people that were being mistreated during that era. The character of Javert symbolizes the monarchy: oppressing the poor, abusing the women and children, and ignoring the cries of their people. And so, Marius’ character symbolizes those people in the rebellion, fighting for liberty, equality, and fraternity.

           Jean Valjean’s character is very important because his character has shown the status of those in slavery and on how they live during that time. It is also his character that has shown the virtue of being religious and God-fearing, on how religion changed his life. The character of Fantine is important as well because the things that have happened to her convey what the women in that status of life are experiencing. Cosette’s character as a child is also important because her character illustrates the kind of abuse children get during that time in France. As to Javert’s character, it is as important as that of Valjean’s because his character symbolizes the monarch and on how they oppress and abuse the poor, the peasants, and the slaves – everyone that is in the lowest of the societal caste. On the other hand, Marius’ character is also important as his character, signifies the rebellion and the people revolting against the monarch. All these characters contribute greatly to the flow of the story nevertheless; these characters also denote a lot of meanings and ideas that were put in by Hugo in this play.

In my personal opinion, the film has not actually shown the French Revolution; rather it was the June Rebellion of 1832. As I watched the movie again, I looked at the sequencing of events and have compared it to what really happened in the history of France. The French Revolution is connected to the novel/play in such a way; the social events that were included on the play and have happened on real life were all the succeeding events that have happened after the French Revolution. Those events happened probably because of what has happened in the French Revolution, the Third Estate had the courage to do those rebellions. Aside from that, Victor Hugo also used his personal experience in writing the novel/play. He had his friend’s life as an inspiration to Jean Valjean’s character, plus he also added his experiences on real life on the novel itself. Hugo had experienced to be in a rebellion because he volunteered on such, like what Valjean did. Indeed, the play Les Miserables did not only show a glimpse on the history of France but also, of the lives of the people, especially the poor, the oppressed, and those on the rebellion at that time. The title Les Miserables really fits the content of the novel/play.

There are a lot of legacies left by the French Revolution. Initially, it led the people to an essential transformation in self-identity. After the 1789 – 1799 French Revolution, the French people on the Third Estate had the courage to do more uprisings and revolts, such as that of the June 1832, which was then the event that was used in the play Les Miserables. The French Revolution garnered not just the attention of the French men but also of the world! Also, the Revolution was a manifestation of a more prosperous middle class becoming conscious of its social importance. Though according to some, the Revolution was the result of a few conspiring people who brainwashed the mass into challenging the old laws—this claim was rooted in the belief that the revolutionaries had no legitimate complaints.  Others see the Revolution as a class struggle. Whereas, the people gained direct experience in the political ground – they voted, joined organizations, march for political ambitions. Revolution became a practice, and and republicanism a lasting alternative.

If I were to compare Les Miserables with any other novel I have read before or I do know that has the similar message it wants to convey, it would be the Noli Me and El Fili of Jose Rizal. Here are their similarities, both novels were musical, or can be musical. Both novels have similar description of characters – those oppressed, priests, and government people. Both novels are lengthy. Both the protagonists died in the end of the story. Whilst the atmosphere of the ending differs because in Rizal’s novel, it is tragic; Les Miserables had a happy ending.

I think the message of the film was put across more effectively because the film was a musical. The melody of the songs added a strong effect to the atmosphere of the scenes. As the characters sing, the tune of their voice, the background music, the overall presentation of the songs were so good those things cumulatively added to the way the actors have conveyed the messages of their characters; adding the fact that the actors who portrayed the characters were from Hollywood’s A-list of celebrities. Indeed, Les Miserables The Musical has communicated its message to the people more effectively because the songs have added to the mood and to the way the message was conveyed.

As what a quote I have read before says, “Sometimes, we just need to find the perfect lyrics that will fit to our emotions.” Les Miserables The Musical did just that. What the people felt and experienced during those times of oppression was put into a novel, then into a play, then into a film. Les Miserables is really a good musical to be watched! The two and a half hour sitting in front of the big screen or the television or wherever you watched this movie is really worthwhile. From a theater major’s point of view, Les Miserables is certainly one of the greatest novels ever written. This movie made me appreciate France and its history even more.

[yuriema]

On and off: How media is being regulated by different regulations

written on 2015 

for Communication 140

Media is a very powerful tool and institution. It is also known as the Fourth Estate, as the watchdog. The media reports the issues, events, and other important things that has impact on the lives of the people in the society. Furthermore, this only proves that media has the power to create an effect and to influence the people as to how they behave, live their lives, and interact with the society.

Media’s power is so strong that regulations have been created to control it and to limit its ubiquitous presence and its content. These regulations are either formal, informal, or a combination of both.

Formal controls are those that are formally written down. These are usually rules and laws by the government, by media regulating bodies, and by the code of ethics the media networks and institutions have created themselves.

On the other hand, informal controls are those rules that are not written down. These are usually the norms and traditions that go around in the industry that are passed down through oral tradition or just by the practice of the work in the media industry.

Combination of both types of regulations pertains to the practice of being regulated both by the formal and informal means of regulation. Also, Rent seeking falls in the combination category of regulations. Rent seeking means that the media networks and institutions will do political favors in exchange for economic and political power. Nowadays, this is usually the practice of regulation in the business of media (Santos, 2003).

In the Philippine context, media has always been a business, an enterprise that is more concerned on the ratings game and earning from their advertisers. The content of the programs are compromised based on what is trending, what the advertisers want – basically, the content of the media products seen by the people are already regulated. Quality programs are rarely seen in the Philippine television nowadays.

Regulation on the content can be one of the reasons for such quality of programs. The other aspects of media that is being regulated, but not limited to, are the following: licensing and franchising, and the business of advertising.

Variety of bodies and institutions regulate the media but the most common and known regulators are the following: government and its rules and laws, the Church and its morals, the civil society, the media regulating bodies, and the networks themselves. Popular media regulatory bodies include the Movie and Television Classification Board or MTRCB, and KBP.

Majority of the types of media that are being regulated in the Philippines are the following: broadcast media, film, advertising, print media, and recently – the social media due to the implementation of the Cybercrime law.

One of the things that should be looked upon on when regulation is being tackled are the rights for free speech, expression, and of the press.

Film, for instance, is an audio-visual art form, a form of expression, and it is not part of public domain as it does not use any of the public air waves. The producer is the one that funds the entire project. With that premise, it should not be included in the things that are being regulated as it is a form of expression, of art. However, due to some of the society’s standards such as the bar for obscenity, of foul wordings, and such rated-SPG content, some media content must be regulated. For example, when the film Fifty Shades of Gray was shown in the Philippines, some scenes were already censored. However, this censorship was not given by the MTRCB but of Columbia Pictures. Self-regulation was practiced by Columbia Pictures in this case.

In some ways, advertising also censors media in some ways. Somehow, this business of the media networks and institutions interferes for the content of the media programs, as well as to the programming of the programs. For example, labor issues of SM Malls were not reported before due to SM being a major advertiser. Same goes with other major advertisers that have issues in their company.

For print media, although the press is protected in the law, there are still some regulations that sort of occur. Back in Philippine history, Martial Law heavily regulated the press that it even paved the way for an underground press to be created so as to, in some way, “freely”, this press can express its sentiments against the Marcos regime and report all the other news that  were not being reported by the press that is pro-Marcos. Nowadays, regulations in print media somehow comes from self-regulation, which means that the publication itself has the hold if it will censor or not, and the censorship can be affected by factors of advertising, ownership, and other political-economic relationships – and this also occurs in other forms of media.

Nonetheless, media should be regulated due to various reasons. First, so as to avoid the monopoly of the ownership, and that Filipinos should be the major owners of the media networks and institutions in the country – same goes with any other business in the Philippines.

Second, it is to avoid the monopoly of content. Media, being a powerful tool for influence, should be regulated in terms of this so as not to saturate the people with same content over and over again, and so as to provide space for the people to have the freedom to choose within the available choices given.

Third, so as to protect the society with content that are already way beyond the bar of standards such as the tolerance for violence, and for obscenity.

Regulating bodies are needed as self-regulation is not always reliable for self-interests may hinder it upon exercising. On the other hand, the civil society’s presence in the media so as to regulate its content is not that evident and strong enough so as to have a hold and say on the content. Thus, the civil society in the Philippines can act only to the extent that each individual is aware and is willing to make a move to change, and therefore, be the regulators themselves.

 References:

Santos, Josefina M. C., (2003) Out of reach: Television, the public sphere, and civil society in the Philippines, retrieved in Philip Kitley (ed.) Television, regulation, and civil society in Asia: Routledge Curzon, pp. 131-147.

[yuriema]

A critique on Norman Solomon’s The Highly Deceptive Media: Decoding Spin and Lies in Mainstream News

by Marie Uy

written on 2015

for Communication 140

As an ideological state apparatus, the media plays a vital role in the perception of the people in the society. However, not everything seen in media can be believable – as what Norman Solomon’s book The Highly Deceptive Media says.

What was interesting in the book was the way articles were written. Like an entry in a media diary, the articles were easy to read. Also, it was written in a very entertaining way, in such that it evokes the reader to ponder further on and he may even sometimes ask himself while reading the book as to why media functions in such ways that deviate from the ideals of news reporting.

Being in an American context, the book provided examples based from the mainstream media in America during 1999, the year the book was written.

           Although the context of the book was American, it can be easily related to the context of the Philippine media, given the fact that the mainstream media in the Philippines is highly patterned with the mainstream media of America.

           Interesting points about the pertinent issues in media were raised, such as ownership, commodification, labor issues, masking, the practice of hegemony and the pervasive promotion of the consumerist culture, racism in media, and distortion of history and realities. All these issues are also present in the Philippine media today.

           Hegemony, or the perceived power by the dominant group over a minority and then they promote their ideas and somehow make it the dominant culture in the society, was the idea that encapsulates all the deceptions and lies being fed by the media in the society.

           In the book, the relation of politics and media was discussed as the Solomon discussed the bombings of the US in other countries. Somehow, media was also used either to heighten the happenings or to distract the people from it. A very good example of it in the Philippine context is the issue when the SAF was killed and it was reported late as the media focused more on the Miss Universe pageant at that time.

           When it comes to ownership, the elites who control the media spectrum has the power and the final say as to what will be news and what will be not. In the Philippines, the news about the minority such as factory workers, indigenous people, laborers, and the labor issues of the ordinary “Juan dela Cruz” is not being aired nor publicized by mainstream media as it will affect their personal interests.

           As the owners of these media institutions are also businessmen, they also try to protect the interests of their other businesses as well as their prospect or current partners’ interests. That somehow makes the news reporting biased.

           A good example of this is on how TV5, did not air much stories about the issues on a mining company. It is because Manny V Pangilinan, who owns TV 5, also owns that mining company. The bias in news reporting is explicitly seen here as the network tries to protect the interests of its owners even if the integrity of their news reporting is sacrificed.

           That also boils down to the fact that the news can be controlled by those who own the institutions, which makes ownership of media institutions as a serious problem. Aside from the biases and the possible monopoly of content, the elite or the dominant class will be the ones who will have a say on what are the news.

           Also, the content of the media will hardly ever be about the issues faced by the common Filipino such as poverty or the factory workers’ issues on wage and compensation. The stories of these people are somehow undervalued as they are not seen and considered as news worthy when in fact, their stories are much more relevant to the society. An example of this are the protests of the SM employees that are not being reported. The media would rather focus on cheap entertainment and let the people consume not-so-relevant news in the society.

If ever these people will be presented in the media, there are huge inaccuracies and misrepresentations. It is because the perspective of those who make the content are not of those people but of the dominant class.

           An example of this would be the drama shows or the “teleseryes” being shown during the prime time every week. As the Filipino dramas are bombarded with poverty, the usual image being projected of being poor are always the same, that the poor woman is weak and has the desire to go from rags to riches; that she has to have long silky hair, white complexion, and shiny teeth to be beautiful and so as to be at par with her competitors for her beloved one; or sometimes she has to acquire power with all means she can so as to exercise vengeance to those who abused her.

           The perpetuation of these ideas, even in dramas, desensitizes the media illiterate audience and makes them numb to these ideas and they just accept it. These deceptions of the media that is somehow rooted and caused by the influences of the foreign invaders in the country in the last decades are already engraved at the back of the minds of the people, making it hard to get out of such system, given that the media furthermore perpetuates this as this is the culture of the dominant class.

     Furthermore, this book The Highly Deceptive Media: Decoding Spin and Lies in Mainstream News discusses not just the lies and deception in the mainstream news but in the entire media sphere as well. It has discussed the pervasive issues on labor, on ownership, on commodification, on the distortion and masking of images presented by the media, on racism, on the business aspect of the media, and media’s relation to politics and its use of escapism so as to divert the attention of the people.

 Thus, the ideas provided by Solomon in his book are not just relevant during his times but will be forever relevant until a radical change happens in the media landscape. As long as the media continues functioning the way it goes now, the truths and realities presented by Solomon will always be true. A collective effort from the people is needed so as to push a real change in this system filled with deception and lies.

[yuriema]

A review on The Real Eve

written on July 02, 2012

Whenever we trace our evolution, a lot of theories and hypothesis that were proposed intervene in our research, in which these studies may either help or confuse us. Many studies, researches, and tracings were done to prove such ideas. Nonetheless, in a documentary titled The Real Eve, a theory which states that we all came from a genetic Eve was researched, and thus proven.

The Real Eve, or much better if called the Genetic Eve was the woman in which whom everyone in the world could trace up a common ancestral line through their mitochondrial DNA. Unlike the Biblical Eve, Genetic Eve was not the only woman in her time; though it was only her mitochondrial genes that prevailed over the generations. Their only similarity is that they are both known as the mother of mankind, considering the fact that it was only Genetic Eve’s genes that is still existing partly today.

In the documentary, scientists showed a route map wherein the paths that the descendants of Genetic Eve took on were shown. Those were the paths they travelled in on discovering new lands in our world and on populating the world. The study that was made in this documentary was strong on its evidence, thus it was supported by the genetic tracking that the scientists conducted.

Personally, I believe that Genetic Eve and Biblical Eve is just the same in one way or another. In the last part of the documentary, it imparted an important message to everyone, that all of us are brothers and sisters despite our racial and parental difference. According to the Bible, it is because all of us are God’s children; and according to the documentary, it is because our Genetic, ancestral mother is the same. It seems like both the Bible and documentary has the same moral.

[yuriema]

Review on Fifteen Minutes

by Marie Uy

written on July 22, 2013

for Broadcast Communication 10

Would you go against all measures just to have fifteen minutes of fame? If you would be allowed to take no responsibility for any crime you would commit, would you commit one? Moreover, would you commit a crime in exchange of fame? These questions baffled my mind as I was watching Fifteen Minutes – a thrilling, suspense, and action movie released in 2001, directed by John Herzfeld, starring Robert De Niro, Edward Burns, and Kelsey Grammer.

Basically, the movie was all about two guys from Eastern Europe, named Emil Slovak and Oleg Razgul. Both of them had their own goals in their trip to U.S.; Slovak wants to get his share from some stolen money, and Razgul wants to document their trip to New York. When Slovak found his friend who was keeping the money, it turns out the money was already gone. And with that, Slovak kills his friend and the woman his friend is living with, while Razgul films the entire murder with a video camera he stole. They set fire and the whole building was burned; though a witness had escaped it. Now here enters an NYPD cop-detective with a fame like-of-a-local-celebrity named Eddie Flemming (De Niro), who was paired up with a fire investigator named Jordy Warsaw (Burns). As they were paired, Jordy’s commanding officer urged him to get a bit of Flemming’s publicity. They have inspected and connected the dots, and have discovered who the murderers were. Then there were chasings, shoot outs, and killings. Soon, Flemming becomes the new target of Slovak, as their ultimate goal is to eliminate someone famous, plead for impunity through temporary insanity, then make tons of money by selling the video and have the rights in their story.

The movie had used old themes as its theme - fame, fortune, glory. Many times had these ideas been used in movies, novels, plays, and other entertaining material; but it was the first time I have watched a movie integrate it with crimes. The setting was in New York, the city that never sleeps – literally, with those crimes happening around. As to its plot, the story goes well to its climax down to its resolution; though I have found a lot of “weird and unnecessary” subplots. There were scenes in the movie that seemed superfluous, like the fire investigator developing feelings towards the witness and such. Those scenes did not help in establishing the story and the conflict further; perhaps it was only shown to help develop the character.

This movie is satirically done. Violence is seen almost in all scenes yet there in one scene – that of the tabloid television show, it says about forgiveness. It tries to show the best of both worlds. In one hand, it lets us assume of those morals in life; yet in another hand, it depicts violence. Also, this movie made some ingenious points about the way one would view fame and responsibility. Being famous on what you do is good, but being responsible on what you do is better.

Nowadays, this movie does not only play as a satire but it is also a “what-if” scenario in the culture of “reality” television. It is frightening that this movie would happen in real life, but the way our society is now makes it probable. Actually, there were already shows that have broadcasted such.

Fifteen Minutes have shown how the media exploits violence for ratings. As murder was shown on primetime television in this movie, it makes one think that we may be closer to that situation becoming a reality than we should find it acceptable. Aside from the scene that had broadcasted Flemming’s death, there was this scene wherein a new producer was brought to Robert Hawkins (Grammer), the host of the Top Story, to “broaden the format” of his ratings-grabbing show. Hawkins just scoffs off at her and argued that if there is no genuine bad news, some has to be made. Like what Hawkins has said, “If it bleeds, it leads.” For him, it is like everything about news must have to be about violence.

That is true for the world of media, even here in Philippines. Personally speaking, every time I am watching 24 Oras or Saksi, I would ask myself “Isn’t there anything good that’s happening in this country, in this world?” Though 24 Oras has this segment Good News, that segment is not shown often; and yet the segment is all about if not returning lost items or lost people being found, it is about some missions of some organization to poor communities.

Well, we define the bad news as those of the violence related. What about the good news? Aside from those questions penetrating in my mind, there is this thing that made me curious all of a sudden: would the society still be interested to listen to the news programs, to the media, if everything they would hear about it is just good news? For me, media is created to inform the public, and to promote what is right for the society. From good to bad, sports to entertainment, past to future, poor to elite, and the everyday life of a person – media covers everything. It’s just that our world has so many problems that one happens after another. That could be the reason why the media and the news programs talk of “bad news” most of the time. Maybe the “goodness” of the world is already passing.

So much of that, I personally think that without “bad news” people would not be interested to listen to the media and news programs. Why? It is simply because without any problem or conflict, life would be boring. These “bad news” or problems that each person or may it be a whole country may encounter gives thrill on how life goes on it. Life comes with problems; never had it existed without one.

Enough of those insertions of personal thoughts about the role of media, in the movie Fifteen Minutes, the media had been irresponsible for doing such. What they only cared for were the ratings. The media also has the sole responsibility as to how the society thinks. Media has the power to influence society. Let me take Slovak as my example. As he watched that tabloid television show, the one that is like Face to Face, he had then known that in the United States “No one is responsible for what they do.” Then that is when he made a plan that he would kill someone famous, video it, then act insane when he would be caught, and then sell his video at a high price. It was the media that has influenced his way of thinking.

I personally believe that the media people were responsible for what will be publicized by the media; the media then releases the information given by the media people, and therefore influences and affects the viewers somehow; and then, the society receives the information and acts as to how they are able to perceive the information; and finally the society gives feedback to the media people through the ratings and other similar way, and the cycle goes on. So everything roots from no other than the media people, the people behind and in front of the camera. That is why when Hawkins had broadcasted the killing of Flemming for the sake of ratings, which was very unprofessional, unethical, and irresponsible, it just shows how greedy he is.

The media people have all the responsibilities as to what will be broadcasted. It is their responsibility to inform the public as to what is happening in the society and in the whole world. They have the power to control the media, and the power to control the society as well – and that would be mass hypnotism. So much of that, let me take Hawkins as my example. Hawkins had the power to decide as to what will be shown in his show Top Story. Aside from the fact that he is like the “big” boss, he has also the power to decide on technical matters as to when his show is suggested to “broaden its format” by a new producer. The media people, who are like Hawkins, would shun off morals for the sake of fame, fortune, and glory. They use the media for their own benefit. They use the media as their medium in communicating and informing the public – and in influencing them, both positively and negatively.

And the society, who is the victim of this hapless state, is being consumed to this ideology of fame, fortune, and glory. How? Just look at the auditions of any celebrity-search or talent-search. When I took part of  GMA News TV’s Reel Time Mokyumentaryo: Sikat, I have learned that many of these aspiring talents and celebrities wanted to be one just for the sake of money, and of course, of fame. They thought that being a celebrity would give them easy money. But hey, they were wrong there! I spent a year in the theater world and to tell you, it is not easy to act, especially with those night rehearsals, bossy directors and older actors, abnormal schedules, and such. Smiling in the camera and having a photoshoot is not easy as well. It is hard to appear “natural” as to when you are being commanded to be like this and like that. It takes some time to internalize and be that whatever character. And to be paid big in the entertainment industry, you have got to be excellent; to have a lot of shows, you have got to have connections; and to stay long, you have to be patient and humble.

Despite of those things, many still believe that being famous is good because of the perks they would get. Yes, there are perks but there are also disadvantages. Let me go back to the movie Fifteen Minutes and this time, let me take Flemming as my example. He is an NYPD cop-detective, and he is famous – though he is not a celebrity. What is the result? He was targeted as Slovak’s next victim.

You see, being famous lets one be known to the public – whether it be in the good or bad limelight. Here are the positives of being famous: attention, of course; money, because opportunities would be given to you because you are “known”; and glory, you would just feel it suddenly. Now here are the negatives of being famous as well: jealousy, you cannot escape this, there are people who would always bring you down; and “unwanted” attention and gossip, because you are famous, people would most likely make you a topic or something else of what is related to what they are talking about – like when they are talking about surgery and for instance, one could say “Oh, have you heard of this singer? She’s just purely voice before, it’s just that she had a lot of the doctor’s magic” or “Hey, why don’t you imitate this singer and have a surgery as well?”

The thing here is that when someone gets famous, he or she is exposed to all of what I have mentioned, and going back to the real topic, Flemming got all of that stuff. He is famous, he got money, and he got his girl; though he also got jealousy – from Jordy’s commanding officer, and that unwanted attention – from Slovak. That is the truth about fame, but many are still vying for it.

But as what I have said earlier, being famous on what you do is good, but being responsible on what you do is better. The movie Fifteen Minutes has also cleverly studied the lack of responsibility in our society.

There is no perfect movie but I could say that Fifteen Minutes is one of those exceptional movies created. It has flaws too, especially on the end part. The movie made up its argument but its tone was confusing. It attempts humor on scenes where it seems inappropriate. But nevertheless, it is an eye-opener to those people blinded of such ideology like fame, and an exposition of truth of the media’s purpose.

Fifteen Minutes is a thriller that just not manifest about crimes and the world of media, but it also brings up questions about our society that are appropriate now. It had an intelligent scrutiny on the media, the media people, and our society. This movie’s not just any ordinary cop-thriller movie; it would make you think about how the media and the society affect each other. Plus, it also made the media and U.S.’ judicial system as its targets, it is fearless to do such.

[yuriema]

A collected response to the memories of Collection

Personally, I was already interested with this play because the one who would direct it was my Theater 100 professor, Dexter Santos. He is a brilliant director that was why I was really excited to watch Collection! And as the lights dimmed off, I knew that I would collect new memories as I watch this play.

Regarding the elements of drama, the play had an episodic plot; scenes occurred through episodes and there were flashbacks as well. The transitions made were very good, making the entire transition seem like another part of the scene. Carlo Vidal, who was main character of the story, was portrayed very well; though my favorite character there was Augustine Mendez, the student who raised all the issues that made up the whole conflict in the story. The theme of the play was about how greediness can destroy you. It was shown in the play by the character named Carlo, that not all things could be bought by money; and that the best things in life are free. Also, it had tackled the ideology of the existence of souls. The language spoken mostly during the play was English; though there were times that some of the characters spoke Filipino because of their character. Magnificent would be the word that would describe the whole play!

Most of the scenes in the play did not have a bulky setting, though there were times that the setting became bulky depending as to where the scene happened. The lighting have greatly impressed me, the lights have hit all the right angles for each scene. When it comes to the sound however, I was not satisfied with the quality of the speaker. There were times wherein a character would talk and the sound coming from the speaker had some annoying sound like that of a static sound. Then again, the background music used in the play blended well on the setting and scene. The costumes worn by the actors suited their characters perfectly. I liked the design of some of the gowns there! The audience were not just UP students, there were also some of the UP alumni and outsiders as well. The entire play ran for about two hours and thirty minutes, though there was a 10-minute break by the middle of the story.

And just as what I thought, the director did not fail to direct a best show. Just as what I was expecting on him! I have watched the play with great interest not only because it is my professor’s work or that my theater-mate crush is there, but because the messages of the play intrigued me. I greatly agree to the theme of the play! Also, the ideology of soul made me curious about what was to be told about it. I do believe in souls and I am intrigued to know more about it.

Hence, it inspired me because I also believe in the ideas presented by the play. If there is one thing I would collect, it would be memories. Because collecting material things will only bring nothing but temporary satisfaction! That is the materialistic idea I have seen on the play. Personal opinions aside, it is a play everyone must see! The Collection is an epic play that would surely make you laugh yet ponder on worldly ideas. It will make you see what life offers more other than that materialistic money existing in our society.

[yuriema]

Prometheus’ Chains

Striving in this world of agony,

Thwarted by these chains of misery,

Running through the paths of hopelessness,

Urged by pain and violence,

 Grabbing now even the edge of a sword,

God, forgive me for neglecting Your Word!

Lest I will take all measures to be free.

Emancipated afterward, I will be.

 Though I shall pass through the needle’s eye,

Obtaining liberty after is worth a try.

Battling for the chains to unbind,

Every move, I have seen through my mind.

 Freedom from all forms of chain,

Reach it with all might and strain!

Empower ourselves not by regression!

Eliminate oppression, have an expression!

Prometheus’ Chains

by Marie Uy

written in 2013

as a contest entry

[yuriema]

Sa Lipunang Baliktad

Hindi tayo makakalaya

At hindi ako naniniwala na

kaya nating baguhin ang ating lipunan

Sa tingin ko ito’y nakakagulat ngunit

“Dapat ipaglaban ang kalayaan”

ay isang pagkakamali, bagkus

“Ang kalayaa’y ilusyon”

Kaya naman aking sasabihin sa lahat na

“Walang kwenta” ang kalayaan

Malalaman ng lahat na hindi

Kalayaan

Ang sagot sa problema ng lipunan -

Ito’y

Ang Karahasan

Kaya dapat iwaglit -

pag-iisip para sa kalayaan.

Tayo’y dapat magkaroon ng

Pwersa

At hindi ng

Kagandang Asal,

Magkakabuti ang lahat sa pamamagitan ng ganitong pag-iisip -

Opresyon at Kaguluhan at Kasamaan

Dapat nating labanan ang

Kapayapaan at Kalayaan at Kabutihan

Ang mananaig sa huli ay

Karahasan at Eksploytason

Hindi na makikita ang

Kagandahan ng mundo

Mabuhay ang

Karahasan

Laban sa

Kalayaan

lahat ay kikilos para dito –

Dahil

“Laganap na ang kasamaan”

At walang kwentang sabihin na

May pag-asa pa

Lahat ng ito’y magkakatotoo kung ito ay ating babaliktarin.

Sa Lipunang Baliktad

by Marie Uy

written in 2013

as a contest entry