DECEMBER Inquiry - EIC CLOSE
Content
INQUIRY
Issues with an impact
The GUIDON
EDITOR: SARA D. MAWIS EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS: MAAN C. BERNARDINO AND BEA C. CUPIN GRAPHIC DESIGN BY: CLAIRE R. CUA, LALAINE P. LIM, AND ELLIx L. SALvADORA
Inside
Katipunan’s young breadwinners What is Katipunan doing to help its street children? A day in the life of a young scavenger Know what goes on into the life Kiko, an eight-year-old scavenger In Focus: Sharleen Chua Get to know the face behind this year’s Blue Christmas
Split responsibilities Are we asking too much from our studentleaders?
“Jampacked”
COvER PhOTO By EAN l. DACAy
DECEMBER 2008 n vOLUME LxxvI n NUMBER 7
http://www.theguidon.com [email protected]
WHEN RUBBER MEETS ROAD
Katipunan – a home away from home for many Ateneans – has become a breeding ground for theft and the occasional auto accident.
by Myron T. Dela Paz and Bea C. Cupin
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atipunan Avenue, which is a part of Circumferential Road 5 (C-5), is more than just a road leading to schools and review centers. Virtually inseparable from the Katipunan college experience, it’s also where students hang out, shop around, and even live in. Significant as the road may be for the typical passerby, it may also pose a risk to his life. These risks include cases of theft, hit-and-run, and car accidents, the latest of which involved a sixwheeler truck that hit Bo’s Coffee Katipunan. How safe then is Katipunan Avenue to the typical Atenean? The battle outside For students like Robert Beltejar (II BS LM), Katipunan traffic can be the worst nightmare. Says Beltejar, “I missed my Math finals in first year because a truck bumped into my car [as a result of the chaotic traffic].” To address traffic problems, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has implemented new schemes. One such scheme is the removal of two U-turn slots, one near
the front of Ateneo’s Gate Two and the other under the footbridge near Miriam College. Although this new system was implemented to help reduce traffic, it caused quite a stir as the MMDA failed to inform beforehand the schools, the barangay, and the city officials. According to Loyola Heights Barangay Chairman Caesar Marquez, his office received a memo from the MMDA indicating the change of U-turn schemes. They didn’t know, however, when these changes would be implemented. Says Marquez, everyone was shocked that there were new U-turn slots. Because of this, traffic was chaotic during the first few days of the scheme’s implementation. Ateneans have mixed reactions regarding the new scheme. Leiron Martija (II AB-MA PoS), thinks the traffic scheme’s okay because “more U-turns mean more traffic”. And although it has taken Mira* some time to adjust to the new scheme, she also believes that there’s nothing wrong with it. “When [the scheme] was new, it caused so much traffic,” she says in
Filipino. “But now, it seems that everything’s okay.” Others, however, have a different view. Beltejar, for instance, describes the reduction of the number of U-turns as “idiotic”. “[The U-turn is] totally inconvenient. [It’s a] waste of gas since you have to go all the way to the U-turn across La Vista,” he says. Priscilla* agrees with Beltejar and adds, “Maybe [MMDA] can adjust it by opening up the U-turns during non-peak hours so that students [who leave in the middle of the day]…don’t have to go through the inconvenience of driving all the way to the end of the road.” Besides the removal of U-turn slots, concrete barriers were also put in front of the campus’ Gate Two. This is to prevent Ateneo-bound vehicles coming from the flyover from cutting across other traffic lanes in order to reach the gate. Changes like these have improved traffic a lot, says Reynaldo Saligumba, an MMDA traffic enforcer. Before the scheme was implemented, traffic from where the barriers are now would often spill over to traffic across the flyover, he says.
Stubborn motorists Meanwhile, other factors have led to numerous accidents to occur in Katipunan. According to Saligumba, these safety hazards are especially caused by tricycle drivers who still don’t follow the new system. According to him, some tricycles that exit from Gate 3 cut across the four lanes between the exit and the U-turn slot in front of the Miriam College gate. This results in the blocking of the vehicles behind the tricycle as well as a potential risk of colliding with other vehicles. Even students are guilty of this practice. Jemima* confesses that she sometimes does the same thing because the U-turn slot is far from her. She says, however, that she only does this when there aren’t any cars approaching. Leoncio Miralao Jr ,University Physical Plant administrator, adds that, when there aren’t any MMDA traffic enforcers on duty in the morning, some drivers coming from the Katipunan flyover pass through the newly installed concrete barrier in order to avoid having to take the longer detour at Gate 3. “It is risky [since] it
obstructs the flow of traffic and sets a bad example to the grade school students,” he says. Angelo Arayata (II ABMA PoS) agrees. “We could always make the roads safer by building better and more efficient infrastructure but
there are limits to that being a solution.” He says that the real problem lies with the motorists themselves. “We have to find a way to make the drivers more efficient and more
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Accident hours. According to the MMDA, the more serious accidents occur along Katipunan from midnight to early morning.
PhOTO By KEvIN C. TATCO
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December 2008
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The GU
PhOTO By vEN v. vAlDEz
by Katerina D. Francisco
For some children, the streets are their only means of getting by
Sharing the Christmas spirit: Sharleen Chua
by Sara D. Mawis
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hen asked what the best thing about Blue Christmas is, Sharleen Chua (IV BS MAC) says it’s happiness imparted. “It’s an event where people from all kinds of social margins come together and smile, play, and have fun,” she says. “It’s a moment where the kids can let go of [their] problems [and] just be the [kids] that they should be.” Blue Christmas is a special project of the Council of Organizations of the Ateneo. It aims to share the Christmas spirit to underprivileged children coming from the apostolate areas of the school’s sector-based organizations. On November 29, 700 volunteers and 1000 children gathered in the Ateneo for a day of classes and games. Selected class hosts gave 44 classes on different subjects such as art, soccer, and storytelling in the morning. They then treated the children to a program of shows and games sponsored by the Office of University Development and Alumni Relations in the afternoon. As the head of this year’s project, Chua is in charge of overseeing the core’s different committees. With nearly 2,000 people under her care, she says that the responsibility is great. But her early exposure to outreach programs has given her the experience to manage the event. An only child in a Chinese family, Chua grew up to develop close bonds with her older cousins. The age difference, she says, made her mature faster than others her age. She also believes that her having no siblings was the reason why she loves being with children. “I missed that part of my life where I get to be a kid and be childish and carefree.” Her cousins and her family made deep impressions on her while growing up, but she considers her father the strongest influence in her life. “He [taught me] that [everything I do will be worth it] if I have the heart and the belief to give what I can give and do what I can do,” she says. It was her father who inspired her to join Blue Christmas. She recalls how he would bring her along to outreach programs when she was younger. They would also reserve lunchtime of Christmas Eve to visit an orphanage in Paco, Manila. “[Because of these trips], I grew up with the principle that we should help others, especially when we are in a comfortable situation wherein we are certainly able to help them, no matter what way.” She started working for Blue Christmas during her sophomore year. In her first year in the project, she joined the Programs Committee in screening hosts and inviting people to join. The following year, she became head of that committee. Before she became this year’s project head, however, she hesitated to apply. She thought that she might not be able to handle the event well. “[It] involves so many kids, so many volunteers, and so much money,” she says. But she eventually got the post after a friend urged her to try. Her stay in the project has been rewarding. Though she acknowledges the difficulties in managing such a big event, the happiness and sense of accomplishment after a successful day was worth it. “Through the kids, you learn to love unconditionally because they love you back unconditionally,” she says. She also considers the friendships she formed part of that fulfillment. “A successful project is really one wherein the event is a success and the bonds that you had…will transcend that of the project’s timeframe.” The friends she gained were part of the 700 volunteers, a number she and her team didn’t expect. With the number of children increasing from 700 to 1,000 this year, they needed the help. But the response had been overwhelming; they even had to close the sign-up booth early because they had already reached their quota. When asked what makes a good volunteer, she replies that it is all heart that matters. “People can easily be taught how to be perky with kids, how to talk with companies to get sponsorships,” she says. “But having the heart to do what you do for a greater cause is all that matters because that heart can make you reach even greater heights. Little acts will go a long way.”n
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hile walking near the Shakey’s restaurant in Katipunan, Adrian Lacsamana (AB PreDiv ’08) and his friends were approached by a boy who looked about seven years old. When the boy asked for money, the students rejected him. With a look of despair on his face, the boy offered to masturbate Lacsamana so he can get paid. “When I looked at the kid, he [looked] embarrassed to have asked me that,” Lacsamana says in a mix of Filipino and English. “But he said it anyway as if he had no choice.” While most students consider Katipunan as their hang-out during breaks, street children like this boy consider it as both their playground and workplace. In a presentation prepared by the Barangay Loyola Heights and Learning Links Center for Alternative Education, 26 street children along that area were already identified. These children can usually be found playing with their neighbors, rummaging through garbage, selling bananaque, begging, using rugby, and selling their bodies to appease their hunger. Begging from the “artistas” According to Childhope Asia Foundation, street children are defined as “young people who spend a considerable time living and/or working on the streets of the world’s cities.” They usually spend from six to 16 hours a day on the streets and typically come from families with six to 10 children. There are different kinds of street children, says Psychology Department Assistant Professor Liane Alampay, Ph.D. Some of them play on the streets because their houses don’t have much space. Some of them work and play there, despite having their own homes. But, there are others who are more at risk because they either live and work with their families or are abandoned on the streets. As far as Katipunan is concerned, 76% of the identified street children are aged between 10 to 15 years. 17% are aged between seven to nine years, while 7% are below seven years old. A ccording to Loyola Heights Barangay Captain Caesar Marquez, these children usually come from nearby communities like Daang Tubo, Marytown, and Ronas. Other part-time street children—those who don’t regularly work on the streets, come from Quezon City’s Libis and Xavierville, and Antipolo City’s Cogeo. In 13-year-old Lester* and Christian’s* case, they live near the footbridge in
front of Mercury Drug. They can usually be found on the streets playing with the other children who hang out there. From 6 am to 6 pm, these boys beg from the “artistas”—a term they use to refer to the students who give them money. By the end of the day, they’ve already went around the Shoppersville-McDonald’s stretch and have earned as much as P130 each. Christina*, on the other hand, started scavenging for trash with her neighbor cousins when she was seven years old. A year later, she now earns as much as P500 on regular days. Although they have never gotten hurt from their daily operations, Christina and her cousins say that there are some security guards along Katipunan who
frighten them off so they won’t enter the establishments. “Sheer survival” Some children earn money so they can get into Katipunan’s internet shops. Says Interactive Children’s Literacy Center (ICLIC) Area Coordinator Alexander Mainit, these children would usually dress up in dirty clothes when they beg in the streets. They then change into cleaner ones and spend P50 of what they earned for an hour or two’s play in these shops. For most children, however, working on the streets is their families’ source of income. According to Mainit, parents often deny they know that their children work on the streets. But, in one instance, he encountered a
parent who’s even proud that his children can already earn money and, thus, buy rice for their family. “A lot of [the children]’s lives are motivated by sheer survival,” Alampay says. According to her, there are families who find it urgent to have as many members of the household as possible to earn money. She also says that, because of the need to survive, they become greatly exposed to anti-social activities like child trafficking and sexual exploitation. “There is no future in the streets,” she says. Giving money isn’t an option For some Ateneans, giving money to the children isn’t an option. “[At times], I walk away without minding them,
ARTWORK By EllIx l. SAlvADORA
A dAy in the life of A young scAvenger
l Nine-year-old Kiko wakes up at 4 am in his house at Daang Tubo near UP. He then walks to his school at Krus na Ligas for his 7 am class. l Along with neighbors his age, he starts picking up empty bottles and plastic bags after classes have ended. This usually starts at 10 am. l For kids like Kiko, there's the risk of being detained bythe Department of Social Welfare and Development. To avoid getting caught by the barangay officials, Kiko and his friends hide under the parked cars in Katipunan. l By 5 pm , Kiko's done with his work. By that time, he and his friends have picked up the trash from the Daang Tubo area until 7-11’s Katipunan branch. They usually earn between P200 and P500 each. l He goes back to Katipunan in the evening. This time, he scavenges for trash with his family. This is another way for Kiko not to get caught by the barangay officials. l Kiko and his family stop scavenging by 10 pm. Until he sleeps at 11 pm, he does the next day's homework.
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UIDON
December 2008
33
PhOTOS By KEvIN C. TATCO AND TATA l. yAP
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thinking that it’s just all part of a syndicate anyway,” says Maxine Borja (IV BS LM). “The children are just forced to be in the [streets].” According to her, she grew up with her parents telling her that these children were forced by their parents to join syndicates. “I know this isn’t always the case, but to give these kids money is to help the syndicate propagate.” In Lacsamana’s case, his giving to the street children depends on who they are. According to him, he usually gives anything he has and chats with a physically handicapped girl who hangs out near 7-11 because she’s nice. In other instances, however, he usually ignores the slightly older teenagers who place ice picks beside them while asking passersby for money or leftover food. Nevertheless, his encounters with the street children changed his perception of Katipunan. Lacsamana says that it’s in Katipunan where one can see the wide gap between the rich and the poor. “It’s ironic that people fill up Katipunan’s food establishments and yet ignore the children who beg outside,” he says in Filipino. Meanwhile, Musmos President Santi Cang (IV BS Bio) and his co-members find it difficult to explain to the children that they should be at school instead of begging in the streets. Despite this difficulty, Cang says that his being aware of street chil-
dren’s struggles has helped him become proactive to other equally pressing concerns. “One way that deepened my passion, or even my comembers’, [to continue] what Musmos is doing is… that
It also uses the Marungko method, which specifically aims at non-readers to develop their literacy skills. Sixty-one children are currently enrolled under this program, despite the barangay’s
“A lot of [the children’s] lives are motivated by sheer survival.” Liane Alampay, Ph.D.
many Filipinos have so many prejudices about poverty,” he says. “The only thing that we can do is to try to educate them, [make] them realize that they are equipped with skills… as well as the will to [create] change.” Change the system To prevent these children from frequenting the streets, Ateneo alumni founded Learning Links, a nongovernmental organization (NGO) that aims to provide supplementary educational materials, in 2000. Five years later, Marquez, together with the Department of Education, acquired and reorganized it into ICLIC because the NGO couldn’t sustain it anymore. ICLIC usually holds onehour daily classes at times when children can usually be found on the streets. Its activities include storytelling, movie-watching, and other tasks that aim to develop the children’s learning skills. forecasted number of 30 to 40 children. ICLIC has proven to be so successful that, according to Marquez, the number of street children lessened from 50 to around 20. Besides this program, the barangay has also initiated talks with schools like the Ateneo and Miriam College in helping the children. In the Ateneo, these sectors include the Office for Social Concern and Involvement and Musmos. While there have been joint efforts with barangay officials, some Ateneans have formed their own projects. In Musmos’ case, these projects include tutorial sessions and games for the children every Saturday and leadership training seminars for the teenagers. According to Ateneo Student Catholic Action (AtSCA) President Kevin Ferraris (IV BS HSc), his organization’s projects include weekly area insertions called “Babad” and regular meetings with the
children’s parents called “Bukluran.” It also has joint activities with the Pre-Med Society of the Ateneo such as their medical missions. For these sectors, however, having few student participants is a constant problem. Says Mainit, the center’s three-man staff and student volunteers are having difficulty in helping the children, the number of whom has increased to about a hundred. In Musmos’ and AtSCA’s case, their on-campus projects aren’t usually that successful because very few Ateneans are interested to
participate. It’s also because of the limited resources and time they have. “[Musmos is] trying to come up with things and projects that at least can spark interest from [the students],” says Cang. “As of now, we do not have much [activity] that really involve the Ateneo community.” For Theology Department Lecturer Rachel Sanchez, however, having many volunteers doesn’t necessarily mean a better means of helping the children. According to her, this doesn’t assure the projects’ participants that their impact can change the entire
situation. “Poverty is systematic,” she says. “We have to change the system and not just increase its volunteers.” She also says that, by not striving to help the children, people can more easily fall into materialism, pragmatism, and “many other things that draw us away from our true selves.” “Service to the children constantly reminds us what [the] the Ateneo education is for,” she says. “It’s not for ourselves. It is for others [as well].” n *Names have been changed to protect the individuals **With a report from Maan C. Bernardino
Kids at work. Keeping the kids out of the streets and into the classrooms is Barangay loyola height’s top priority.
PhOTO COURTESy OF INTERACTIvE ChIlDREN’S lITERACy CENTER
WHEN RUBBER MEETS ROAD
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defensive when driving.” Collision road Accidents in the morning are comparably not as disastrous as the ones that usually occur between 5 pm and 11 pm. Says Saligumba in Filipino, the accidents that occur in the
morning are usually few and aren’t that serious because cars move at a slow speed in traffic. Accident-prone areas along Katipunan are generally found at the U-turns as well as the gates of both the Ateneo and Miriam College. The exit at Gate 2, for ex-
ample, is a troublesome area since vehicles exiting the Ateneo must accurately calculate their entry into Katipunan. Miscalculations often lead to minor crashes. A major danger spot is found near the gate of Miriam, where a U-turn and an exit meet. Problems on the side Safety concerns and issues in the Katipunan area are not limited to the road itself. Vehicles in the parking lanes in front of Katipunan establishments are also subject to harm, chief of which is theft. While window-breaking is not common in the area since there are many witnesses and passersby, authorities say that thieves have a different target: SUV tires. Saligumba says that groups of robbers would park next to a parked SUV and steal its spare tire. According to him, it’s because these tires are very easy to take off. Thefts aren’t limited to the main road. Esteban Abada Street, which is behind Katipunan, is a frequent target of thieves. Guards from Esteban Abada establishments say that laptops and purses are
often stolen from cars parked along the road, especially in the parts unlit or unguarded by security officers. Marquez admits to having received many complaints from people, especially stu-
forts in ensuring the safety of cars parked in the establishments along Katipunan. Just recently, Barangay Ordinance 07 S-2008, which requires that parking attendants be registered with the barangay,
“Students would rather not bother with filing cases since [the hassle] would affect their academics, among other things.” Caesar Marquez
dents regarding things stolen from their vehicles. He says, however, that most of these complaints never materialize since complainants would back off once the real investigation process occurs. “Students would rather not bother with filing cases since [the hassle] would affect their academics, among other things,” he says. It then becomes more difficult for the barangay officials to track down who the thieves are and, thus, implement preventive measures. Despite these difficulties, the barangay still makes efwas implemented. “There is a need to deter crime in parking areas of these establishments,” say Marquez. Joint efforts Besides releasing the ordinance, the barangay hall has also tied up with the Ateneo and Miriam in organizing and preparing the cases of theft that occurred outside campus. Preventing these thefts from happening, however, starts with the students’ efforts. Marquez says that oftentimes, students make
the careless mistake of being complacent about their belongings, leaving behind laptops, bags and other gadgets inside their cars for many thieves to see. “It’s like you’re teasing the robbers [to steal from you],” says Marquez. He especially cautions students about this Christmas season. “Life’s difficult. So, be more vigilant when going home,” he says in a mix of Filipino and English. Parking in the right spots is also another measure students must constantly comply with. Many of the thefts occur in the less-populated areas where parking isn’t even allowed, according to him. Marquez says that maintaining peace and safety in Katipunan should be everybody’s concern. It relies on the actions of everyone involved—from students and barangay officials to school administrators. “We can’t do it alone. It should involve everybody,” he says.n *Names have been changed to protect the individuals.
Complaining isn’t enough. Despite the amount of theft complaints, barangay officials say that students rarely push through with filing cases.
PhOTO By KEvIN C. TATCO
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PhOTO By TATA l. yAP
INqUIRY
The GUIDON
December 2008
Are the demands of being part of the Sanggunian too high for its current crop of officers?
by Emman D. Delocado and Paolo B. Monteiro
“I
t wasn’t that organized last year,” says Central Board (CB) Representative Maria* in Filipino. “This year, Sanggu has a clearer vision and provides a clearer path for officers like me.” School year 2007-2008 was a year of controversy for the Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral ng mga Paaralang Loyola ng Pamantasang Ateneo de Manila (Sanggu). Gadfly Society, a “secret society” that aimed to incite change by calling on Ateneo’s sectors, launched a blog labeling Sanggu as obsolete. The difficulties that year climaxed when Karl Satinitigan (IV
alongside Sanggu duties,” she says in a mix of Filipino and English. Sacrifices have to be made For some members, being a part of Sanggu means having to make a lot of sacrifices. For Maria, this means missing out on her friends’ gettogethers and family dinners. “When my parents talk about me running again, I say that I don’t want to run anymore,” she says in Filipino. “I don’t have that much control over my time anymore.” In Clarissa’s case, this means not having enough time for academics. According to her, the time she could have spent on studying is now reserved for attending both CB and committee
“When my parents talk about me running again, I say that I don’t want to run anymore.” Maria*
BS LM), then Sanggu president, was ousted from office because he wasn’t enrolled. This year, however, a lot has changed in Sanggu. In contrast to last year’s accusation of an absent government, Sanggu has launched widely publicized projects, such as the Bring-Your-OwnBaunan scheme and Ateneo Student Concern Center’s drop boxes. But, how far have Sanggu officials sacrificed to initiate these changes? According to CB Representative Clarissa*, during the discernment talks, the Office for Student Activities (OSA) warned aspiring officers like her of the sacrifices they would have to make in their academic and personal lives. “From that, you’ll get the picture that there’s nothing you can do meetings. Besides sacrificing time, being a Sanggu official can also mean having difficulties with his co-workers. Clarissa attributes this problem to the difficulty of communicating with them because of the differences in their class schedules. Says Clarissa, working with fellow representatives means having to compromise to their needs. Late night meetings According to Section 10 (Regular Meetings) of the CB’s revised Code of Internal Procedures (CIP), representatives should meet every Friday “at the time and venue agreed upon by its members.” As far as this year is concerned, meetings are held from 6 to 9 pm usually at the Manny V. Pangilinan
Student Leadership Center. Other CIP provisions also state that tardiness and early departure will be partly considered as an absence depending on the fraction of time the officer attended. According to the Student Judicial Court executive report The Inquiry there are six block and course reps that are subjected to trial for exceeding the number of allowed cuts. As it takes Maria a while to arrive at home, she usually leaves meetings 30 minutes earlier. She believes that it might already be too late if she leaves at the end of meetings. “It pisses me off when [my co-workers] don’t understand that I have to leave because it’s too late,” she says. “I’d rather miss some parts of the meeting than be stabbed or held up.” Says Clarissa, “[It would be better] if we could move the meeting in an earlier time. [That would] improve attendance and make people more efficient.” As far as Sanggu’s weekly meetings are concerned, Sanggu President Omi Castañar (V AB DS) agrees that scheduling the meetings at an earlier time would be better. It is difficult, however, to allot a three-hour slot that the majority can attend. He also initially planned to have the three-hour meetings moved on Mondays, but with the schedule problems that arose, they continue to be held on Fridays. “Juggling obligations” According to Ateneo School of Government Leadership Program Staff member Maricel de Guzman, being a student-leader is not an easy job. Being a member of student organizations like Sanggu means having to develop the skill of juggling one’s obligations.
DATA TAKEN FROM ThE 2005 CONSTITUTION OF ThE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF ThE ATENEO DE MANIlA lOyOlA SChOOlS
After the final bell rings. More than just staying in school well into the night, student-leaders must balance their academics and Sanggunian duties.
PhOTO By KASEy D. AlBANO
“Juggling [obligations] is a skill. To get that skill, you need to practice it. It’s a process to achieve that,” she says. This means knowing how to mediate between the administrators and the students, as well as balancing it with his personal life. Being a student leader also means having to encounter different kinds of student leaders. Says de Guzman, there are dominating leaders who set their subordinates into a specific direction. According to her, leaders shouldn’t dwell much on being too dominating as this may be misinterpreted by their co-workers. There are also facilitative leaders who often encourage their co-workers to participate in making decisions. According to de Guzman, student leaders should be geared toward this kind as much as possible. Nevertheless, she believes that being a leader boils down to providing avenues for a particular community’s voice to be heard. “[It] is about being the voice of a certain community and providing [its members] with the necessary framework or [guidelines] on how to live through change.” In Castañar’s case, being a student leader means acting like one every minute of his life. Though his academic and leadership duties would often clash, he makes sure that they don’t impair his other commitments. “You have to be on your best performance because people will not really remember you for the good things but for the bad things,” he says.
Mixed feelings Like in the past years, however, students have mixed feelings for the student council. Upon getting into the Ateneo, Block Representative Paul* expected a certain presence from Sanggu. But, after one semester, he thinks that it’s not as visible as varsity teams and other student organizations. ”[Some sectors of the community] went overboard at some points,” he says, re-
She says in Filipino, ”[These student leaders] should probably study the community’s expectations of them... and find ways to innovate.” Forming leaders At the end of the day, however, officers like Clarissa find their jobs at Sanggu fulfilling. “Perhaps, the 0.01 decrease in QPI [is just fine] because you didn’t exert much time or effort as before in academics,” she says.
“Juggling [obligations] is a skill. To get that skill, you need to practice it.” Maricel de Guzman
ferring to the criticism that Sanggu is irrelevant. ”[But,] it was a wake-up call of some sort.” Meanwhile, OSA Director Christopher Castillo believes that Sanggu is performing well. ”If we grade them from one to ten, with then being the highest, they have an eight,” he says. ”Is that good? Yes.” Nevertheless, to some extent, these sectors might also have too high expectations for these student leaders. Says de Guzman, these high expectations are most likely caused by the numerous local and national issues that the school deals with. She also says that, with the Ateneo’s culture to be magis or to give more, the community can’t be blamed for setting these standards. Castañar shares the same sentiment. “Personally, I’m always telling myself that after one school year, I’ve grown a lot. I’m already reaping the seeds of maturity I had because of my Sanggu experience.” Although Maria didn’t find her job fulfilling during her first year at Sanggu, she says that her current position has made her see the student council from a different light. Says Maria, her experience this semester has offset much of the annoyance she felt. “When you’re a student leader, it’s important that you have to acknowledge all the different experiences,” she says. n *Names have been changed to protect the individuals.
Issues with an impact
The GUIDON
EDITOR: SARA D. MAWIS EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS: MAAN C. BERNARDINO AND BEA C. CUPIN GRAPHIC DESIGN BY: CLAIRE R. CUA, LALAINE P. LIM, AND ELLIx L. SALvADORA
Inside
Katipunan’s young breadwinners What is Katipunan doing to help its street children? A day in the life of a young scavenger Know what goes on into the life Kiko, an eight-year-old scavenger In Focus: Sharleen Chua Get to know the face behind this year’s Blue Christmas
Split responsibilities Are we asking too much from our studentleaders?
“Jampacked”
COvER PhOTO By EAN l. DACAy
DECEMBER 2008 n vOLUME LxxvI n NUMBER 7
http://www.theguidon.com [email protected]
WHEN RUBBER MEETS ROAD
Katipunan – a home away from home for many Ateneans – has become a breeding ground for theft and the occasional auto accident.
by Myron T. Dela Paz and Bea C. Cupin
K
atipunan Avenue, which is a part of Circumferential Road 5 (C-5), is more than just a road leading to schools and review centers. Virtually inseparable from the Katipunan college experience, it’s also where students hang out, shop around, and even live in. Significant as the road may be for the typical passerby, it may also pose a risk to his life. These risks include cases of theft, hit-and-run, and car accidents, the latest of which involved a sixwheeler truck that hit Bo’s Coffee Katipunan. How safe then is Katipunan Avenue to the typical Atenean? The battle outside For students like Robert Beltejar (II BS LM), Katipunan traffic can be the worst nightmare. Says Beltejar, “I missed my Math finals in first year because a truck bumped into my car [as a result of the chaotic traffic].” To address traffic problems, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has implemented new schemes. One such scheme is the removal of two U-turn slots, one near
the front of Ateneo’s Gate Two and the other under the footbridge near Miriam College. Although this new system was implemented to help reduce traffic, it caused quite a stir as the MMDA failed to inform beforehand the schools, the barangay, and the city officials. According to Loyola Heights Barangay Chairman Caesar Marquez, his office received a memo from the MMDA indicating the change of U-turn schemes. They didn’t know, however, when these changes would be implemented. Says Marquez, everyone was shocked that there were new U-turn slots. Because of this, traffic was chaotic during the first few days of the scheme’s implementation. Ateneans have mixed reactions regarding the new scheme. Leiron Martija (II AB-MA PoS), thinks the traffic scheme’s okay because “more U-turns mean more traffic”. And although it has taken Mira* some time to adjust to the new scheme, she also believes that there’s nothing wrong with it. “When [the scheme] was new, it caused so much traffic,” she says in
Filipino. “But now, it seems that everything’s okay.” Others, however, have a different view. Beltejar, for instance, describes the reduction of the number of U-turns as “idiotic”. “[The U-turn is] totally inconvenient. [It’s a] waste of gas since you have to go all the way to the U-turn across La Vista,” he says. Priscilla* agrees with Beltejar and adds, “Maybe [MMDA] can adjust it by opening up the U-turns during non-peak hours so that students [who leave in the middle of the day]…don’t have to go through the inconvenience of driving all the way to the end of the road.” Besides the removal of U-turn slots, concrete barriers were also put in front of the campus’ Gate Two. This is to prevent Ateneo-bound vehicles coming from the flyover from cutting across other traffic lanes in order to reach the gate. Changes like these have improved traffic a lot, says Reynaldo Saligumba, an MMDA traffic enforcer. Before the scheme was implemented, traffic from where the barriers are now would often spill over to traffic across the flyover, he says.
Stubborn motorists Meanwhile, other factors have led to numerous accidents to occur in Katipunan. According to Saligumba, these safety hazards are especially caused by tricycle drivers who still don’t follow the new system. According to him, some tricycles that exit from Gate 3 cut across the four lanes between the exit and the U-turn slot in front of the Miriam College gate. This results in the blocking of the vehicles behind the tricycle as well as a potential risk of colliding with other vehicles. Even students are guilty of this practice. Jemima* confesses that she sometimes does the same thing because the U-turn slot is far from her. She says, however, that she only does this when there aren’t any cars approaching. Leoncio Miralao Jr ,University Physical Plant administrator, adds that, when there aren’t any MMDA traffic enforcers on duty in the morning, some drivers coming from the Katipunan flyover pass through the newly installed concrete barrier in order to avoid having to take the longer detour at Gate 3. “It is risky [since] it
obstructs the flow of traffic and sets a bad example to the grade school students,” he says. Angelo Arayata (II ABMA PoS) agrees. “We could always make the roads safer by building better and more efficient infrastructure but
there are limits to that being a solution.” He says that the real problem lies with the motorists themselves. “We have to find a way to make the drivers more efficient and more
CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
Accident hours. According to the MMDA, the more serious accidents occur along Katipunan from midnight to early morning.
PhOTO By KEvIN C. TATCO
22
December 2008
INq
The GU
PhOTO By vEN v. vAlDEz
by Katerina D. Francisco
For some children, the streets are their only means of getting by
Sharing the Christmas spirit: Sharleen Chua
by Sara D. Mawis
W
hen asked what the best thing about Blue Christmas is, Sharleen Chua (IV BS MAC) says it’s happiness imparted. “It’s an event where people from all kinds of social margins come together and smile, play, and have fun,” she says. “It’s a moment where the kids can let go of [their] problems [and] just be the [kids] that they should be.” Blue Christmas is a special project of the Council of Organizations of the Ateneo. It aims to share the Christmas spirit to underprivileged children coming from the apostolate areas of the school’s sector-based organizations. On November 29, 700 volunteers and 1000 children gathered in the Ateneo for a day of classes and games. Selected class hosts gave 44 classes on different subjects such as art, soccer, and storytelling in the morning. They then treated the children to a program of shows and games sponsored by the Office of University Development and Alumni Relations in the afternoon. As the head of this year’s project, Chua is in charge of overseeing the core’s different committees. With nearly 2,000 people under her care, she says that the responsibility is great. But her early exposure to outreach programs has given her the experience to manage the event. An only child in a Chinese family, Chua grew up to develop close bonds with her older cousins. The age difference, she says, made her mature faster than others her age. She also believes that her having no siblings was the reason why she loves being with children. “I missed that part of my life where I get to be a kid and be childish and carefree.” Her cousins and her family made deep impressions on her while growing up, but she considers her father the strongest influence in her life. “He [taught me] that [everything I do will be worth it] if I have the heart and the belief to give what I can give and do what I can do,” she says. It was her father who inspired her to join Blue Christmas. She recalls how he would bring her along to outreach programs when she was younger. They would also reserve lunchtime of Christmas Eve to visit an orphanage in Paco, Manila. “[Because of these trips], I grew up with the principle that we should help others, especially when we are in a comfortable situation wherein we are certainly able to help them, no matter what way.” She started working for Blue Christmas during her sophomore year. In her first year in the project, she joined the Programs Committee in screening hosts and inviting people to join. The following year, she became head of that committee. Before she became this year’s project head, however, she hesitated to apply. She thought that she might not be able to handle the event well. “[It] involves so many kids, so many volunteers, and so much money,” she says. But she eventually got the post after a friend urged her to try. Her stay in the project has been rewarding. Though she acknowledges the difficulties in managing such a big event, the happiness and sense of accomplishment after a successful day was worth it. “Through the kids, you learn to love unconditionally because they love you back unconditionally,” she says. She also considers the friendships she formed part of that fulfillment. “A successful project is really one wherein the event is a success and the bonds that you had…will transcend that of the project’s timeframe.” The friends she gained were part of the 700 volunteers, a number she and her team didn’t expect. With the number of children increasing from 700 to 1,000 this year, they needed the help. But the response had been overwhelming; they even had to close the sign-up booth early because they had already reached their quota. When asked what makes a good volunteer, she replies that it is all heart that matters. “People can easily be taught how to be perky with kids, how to talk with companies to get sponsorships,” she says. “But having the heart to do what you do for a greater cause is all that matters because that heart can make you reach even greater heights. Little acts will go a long way.”n
W
hile walking near the Shakey’s restaurant in Katipunan, Adrian Lacsamana (AB PreDiv ’08) and his friends were approached by a boy who looked about seven years old. When the boy asked for money, the students rejected him. With a look of despair on his face, the boy offered to masturbate Lacsamana so he can get paid. “When I looked at the kid, he [looked] embarrassed to have asked me that,” Lacsamana says in a mix of Filipino and English. “But he said it anyway as if he had no choice.” While most students consider Katipunan as their hang-out during breaks, street children like this boy consider it as both their playground and workplace. In a presentation prepared by the Barangay Loyola Heights and Learning Links Center for Alternative Education, 26 street children along that area were already identified. These children can usually be found playing with their neighbors, rummaging through garbage, selling bananaque, begging, using rugby, and selling their bodies to appease their hunger. Begging from the “artistas” According to Childhope Asia Foundation, street children are defined as “young people who spend a considerable time living and/or working on the streets of the world’s cities.” They usually spend from six to 16 hours a day on the streets and typically come from families with six to 10 children. There are different kinds of street children, says Psychology Department Assistant Professor Liane Alampay, Ph.D. Some of them play on the streets because their houses don’t have much space. Some of them work and play there, despite having their own homes. But, there are others who are more at risk because they either live and work with their families or are abandoned on the streets. As far as Katipunan is concerned, 76% of the identified street children are aged between 10 to 15 years. 17% are aged between seven to nine years, while 7% are below seven years old. A ccording to Loyola Heights Barangay Captain Caesar Marquez, these children usually come from nearby communities like Daang Tubo, Marytown, and Ronas. Other part-time street children—those who don’t regularly work on the streets, come from Quezon City’s Libis and Xavierville, and Antipolo City’s Cogeo. In 13-year-old Lester* and Christian’s* case, they live near the footbridge in
front of Mercury Drug. They can usually be found on the streets playing with the other children who hang out there. From 6 am to 6 pm, these boys beg from the “artistas”—a term they use to refer to the students who give them money. By the end of the day, they’ve already went around the Shoppersville-McDonald’s stretch and have earned as much as P130 each. Christina*, on the other hand, started scavenging for trash with her neighbor cousins when she was seven years old. A year later, she now earns as much as P500 on regular days. Although they have never gotten hurt from their daily operations, Christina and her cousins say that there are some security guards along Katipunan who
frighten them off so they won’t enter the establishments. “Sheer survival” Some children earn money so they can get into Katipunan’s internet shops. Says Interactive Children’s Literacy Center (ICLIC) Area Coordinator Alexander Mainit, these children would usually dress up in dirty clothes when they beg in the streets. They then change into cleaner ones and spend P50 of what they earned for an hour or two’s play in these shops. For most children, however, working on the streets is their families’ source of income. According to Mainit, parents often deny they know that their children work on the streets. But, in one instance, he encountered a
parent who’s even proud that his children can already earn money and, thus, buy rice for their family. “A lot of [the children]’s lives are motivated by sheer survival,” Alampay says. According to her, there are families who find it urgent to have as many members of the household as possible to earn money. She also says that, because of the need to survive, they become greatly exposed to anti-social activities like child trafficking and sexual exploitation. “There is no future in the streets,” she says. Giving money isn’t an option For some Ateneans, giving money to the children isn’t an option. “[At times], I walk away without minding them,
ARTWORK By EllIx l. SAlvADORA
A dAy in the life of A young scAvenger
l Nine-year-old Kiko wakes up at 4 am in his house at Daang Tubo near UP. He then walks to his school at Krus na Ligas for his 7 am class. l Along with neighbors his age, he starts picking up empty bottles and plastic bags after classes have ended. This usually starts at 10 am. l For kids like Kiko, there's the risk of being detained bythe Department of Social Welfare and Development. To avoid getting caught by the barangay officials, Kiko and his friends hide under the parked cars in Katipunan. l By 5 pm , Kiko's done with his work. By that time, he and his friends have picked up the trash from the Daang Tubo area until 7-11’s Katipunan branch. They usually earn between P200 and P500 each. l He goes back to Katipunan in the evening. This time, he scavenges for trash with his family. This is another way for Kiko not to get caught by the barangay officials. l Kiko and his family stop scavenging by 10 pm. Until he sleeps at 11 pm, he does the next day's homework.
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UIDON
December 2008
33
PhOTOS By KEvIN C. TATCO AND TATA l. yAP
y.
thinking that it’s just all part of a syndicate anyway,” says Maxine Borja (IV BS LM). “The children are just forced to be in the [streets].” According to her, she grew up with her parents telling her that these children were forced by their parents to join syndicates. “I know this isn’t always the case, but to give these kids money is to help the syndicate propagate.” In Lacsamana’s case, his giving to the street children depends on who they are. According to him, he usually gives anything he has and chats with a physically handicapped girl who hangs out near 7-11 because she’s nice. In other instances, however, he usually ignores the slightly older teenagers who place ice picks beside them while asking passersby for money or leftover food. Nevertheless, his encounters with the street children changed his perception of Katipunan. Lacsamana says that it’s in Katipunan where one can see the wide gap between the rich and the poor. “It’s ironic that people fill up Katipunan’s food establishments and yet ignore the children who beg outside,” he says in Filipino. Meanwhile, Musmos President Santi Cang (IV BS Bio) and his co-members find it difficult to explain to the children that they should be at school instead of begging in the streets. Despite this difficulty, Cang says that his being aware of street chil-
dren’s struggles has helped him become proactive to other equally pressing concerns. “One way that deepened my passion, or even my comembers’, [to continue] what Musmos is doing is… that
It also uses the Marungko method, which specifically aims at non-readers to develop their literacy skills. Sixty-one children are currently enrolled under this program, despite the barangay’s
“A lot of [the children’s] lives are motivated by sheer survival.” Liane Alampay, Ph.D.
many Filipinos have so many prejudices about poverty,” he says. “The only thing that we can do is to try to educate them, [make] them realize that they are equipped with skills… as well as the will to [create] change.” Change the system To prevent these children from frequenting the streets, Ateneo alumni founded Learning Links, a nongovernmental organization (NGO) that aims to provide supplementary educational materials, in 2000. Five years later, Marquez, together with the Department of Education, acquired and reorganized it into ICLIC because the NGO couldn’t sustain it anymore. ICLIC usually holds onehour daily classes at times when children can usually be found on the streets. Its activities include storytelling, movie-watching, and other tasks that aim to develop the children’s learning skills. forecasted number of 30 to 40 children. ICLIC has proven to be so successful that, according to Marquez, the number of street children lessened from 50 to around 20. Besides this program, the barangay has also initiated talks with schools like the Ateneo and Miriam College in helping the children. In the Ateneo, these sectors include the Office for Social Concern and Involvement and Musmos. While there have been joint efforts with barangay officials, some Ateneans have formed their own projects. In Musmos’ case, these projects include tutorial sessions and games for the children every Saturday and leadership training seminars for the teenagers. According to Ateneo Student Catholic Action (AtSCA) President Kevin Ferraris (IV BS HSc), his organization’s projects include weekly area insertions called “Babad” and regular meetings with the
children’s parents called “Bukluran.” It also has joint activities with the Pre-Med Society of the Ateneo such as their medical missions. For these sectors, however, having few student participants is a constant problem. Says Mainit, the center’s three-man staff and student volunteers are having difficulty in helping the children, the number of whom has increased to about a hundred. In Musmos’ and AtSCA’s case, their on-campus projects aren’t usually that successful because very few Ateneans are interested to
participate. It’s also because of the limited resources and time they have. “[Musmos is] trying to come up with things and projects that at least can spark interest from [the students],” says Cang. “As of now, we do not have much [activity] that really involve the Ateneo community.” For Theology Department Lecturer Rachel Sanchez, however, having many volunteers doesn’t necessarily mean a better means of helping the children. According to her, this doesn’t assure the projects’ participants that their impact can change the entire
situation. “Poverty is systematic,” she says. “We have to change the system and not just increase its volunteers.” She also says that, by not striving to help the children, people can more easily fall into materialism, pragmatism, and “many other things that draw us away from our true selves.” “Service to the children constantly reminds us what [the] the Ateneo education is for,” she says. “It’s not for ourselves. It is for others [as well].” n *Names have been changed to protect the individuals **With a report from Maan C. Bernardino
Kids at work. Keeping the kids out of the streets and into the classrooms is Barangay loyola height’s top priority.
PhOTO COURTESy OF INTERACTIvE ChIlDREN’S lITERACy CENTER
WHEN RUBBER MEETS ROAD
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defensive when driving.” Collision road Accidents in the morning are comparably not as disastrous as the ones that usually occur between 5 pm and 11 pm. Says Saligumba in Filipino, the accidents that occur in the
morning are usually few and aren’t that serious because cars move at a slow speed in traffic. Accident-prone areas along Katipunan are generally found at the U-turns as well as the gates of both the Ateneo and Miriam College. The exit at Gate 2, for ex-
ample, is a troublesome area since vehicles exiting the Ateneo must accurately calculate their entry into Katipunan. Miscalculations often lead to minor crashes. A major danger spot is found near the gate of Miriam, where a U-turn and an exit meet. Problems on the side Safety concerns and issues in the Katipunan area are not limited to the road itself. Vehicles in the parking lanes in front of Katipunan establishments are also subject to harm, chief of which is theft. While window-breaking is not common in the area since there are many witnesses and passersby, authorities say that thieves have a different target: SUV tires. Saligumba says that groups of robbers would park next to a parked SUV and steal its spare tire. According to him, it’s because these tires are very easy to take off. Thefts aren’t limited to the main road. Esteban Abada Street, which is behind Katipunan, is a frequent target of thieves. Guards from Esteban Abada establishments say that laptops and purses are
often stolen from cars parked along the road, especially in the parts unlit or unguarded by security officers. Marquez admits to having received many complaints from people, especially stu-
forts in ensuring the safety of cars parked in the establishments along Katipunan. Just recently, Barangay Ordinance 07 S-2008, which requires that parking attendants be registered with the barangay,
“Students would rather not bother with filing cases since [the hassle] would affect their academics, among other things.” Caesar Marquez
dents regarding things stolen from their vehicles. He says, however, that most of these complaints never materialize since complainants would back off once the real investigation process occurs. “Students would rather not bother with filing cases since [the hassle] would affect their academics, among other things,” he says. It then becomes more difficult for the barangay officials to track down who the thieves are and, thus, implement preventive measures. Despite these difficulties, the barangay still makes efwas implemented. “There is a need to deter crime in parking areas of these establishments,” say Marquez. Joint efforts Besides releasing the ordinance, the barangay hall has also tied up with the Ateneo and Miriam in organizing and preparing the cases of theft that occurred outside campus. Preventing these thefts from happening, however, starts with the students’ efforts. Marquez says that oftentimes, students make
the careless mistake of being complacent about their belongings, leaving behind laptops, bags and other gadgets inside their cars for many thieves to see. “It’s like you’re teasing the robbers [to steal from you],” says Marquez. He especially cautions students about this Christmas season. “Life’s difficult. So, be more vigilant when going home,” he says in a mix of Filipino and English. Parking in the right spots is also another measure students must constantly comply with. Many of the thefts occur in the less-populated areas where parking isn’t even allowed, according to him. Marquez says that maintaining peace and safety in Katipunan should be everybody’s concern. It relies on the actions of everyone involved—from students and barangay officials to school administrators. “We can’t do it alone. It should involve everybody,” he says.n *Names have been changed to protect the individuals.
Complaining isn’t enough. Despite the amount of theft complaints, barangay officials say that students rarely push through with filing cases.
PhOTO By KEvIN C. TATCO
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PhOTO By TATA l. yAP
INqUIRY
The GUIDON
December 2008
Are the demands of being part of the Sanggunian too high for its current crop of officers?
by Emman D. Delocado and Paolo B. Monteiro
“I
t wasn’t that organized last year,” says Central Board (CB) Representative Maria* in Filipino. “This year, Sanggu has a clearer vision and provides a clearer path for officers like me.” School year 2007-2008 was a year of controversy for the Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral ng mga Paaralang Loyola ng Pamantasang Ateneo de Manila (Sanggu). Gadfly Society, a “secret society” that aimed to incite change by calling on Ateneo’s sectors, launched a blog labeling Sanggu as obsolete. The difficulties that year climaxed when Karl Satinitigan (IV
alongside Sanggu duties,” she says in a mix of Filipino and English. Sacrifices have to be made For some members, being a part of Sanggu means having to make a lot of sacrifices. For Maria, this means missing out on her friends’ gettogethers and family dinners. “When my parents talk about me running again, I say that I don’t want to run anymore,” she says in Filipino. “I don’t have that much control over my time anymore.” In Clarissa’s case, this means not having enough time for academics. According to her, the time she could have spent on studying is now reserved for attending both CB and committee
“When my parents talk about me running again, I say that I don’t want to run anymore.” Maria*
BS LM), then Sanggu president, was ousted from office because he wasn’t enrolled. This year, however, a lot has changed in Sanggu. In contrast to last year’s accusation of an absent government, Sanggu has launched widely publicized projects, such as the Bring-Your-OwnBaunan scheme and Ateneo Student Concern Center’s drop boxes. But, how far have Sanggu officials sacrificed to initiate these changes? According to CB Representative Clarissa*, during the discernment talks, the Office for Student Activities (OSA) warned aspiring officers like her of the sacrifices they would have to make in their academic and personal lives. “From that, you’ll get the picture that there’s nothing you can do meetings. Besides sacrificing time, being a Sanggu official can also mean having difficulties with his co-workers. Clarissa attributes this problem to the difficulty of communicating with them because of the differences in their class schedules. Says Clarissa, working with fellow representatives means having to compromise to their needs. Late night meetings According to Section 10 (Regular Meetings) of the CB’s revised Code of Internal Procedures (CIP), representatives should meet every Friday “at the time and venue agreed upon by its members.” As far as this year is concerned, meetings are held from 6 to 9 pm usually at the Manny V. Pangilinan
Student Leadership Center. Other CIP provisions also state that tardiness and early departure will be partly considered as an absence depending on the fraction of time the officer attended. According to the Student Judicial Court executive report The Inquiry there are six block and course reps that are subjected to trial for exceeding the number of allowed cuts. As it takes Maria a while to arrive at home, she usually leaves meetings 30 minutes earlier. She believes that it might already be too late if she leaves at the end of meetings. “It pisses me off when [my co-workers] don’t understand that I have to leave because it’s too late,” she says. “I’d rather miss some parts of the meeting than be stabbed or held up.” Says Clarissa, “[It would be better] if we could move the meeting in an earlier time. [That would] improve attendance and make people more efficient.” As far as Sanggu’s weekly meetings are concerned, Sanggu President Omi Castañar (V AB DS) agrees that scheduling the meetings at an earlier time would be better. It is difficult, however, to allot a three-hour slot that the majority can attend. He also initially planned to have the three-hour meetings moved on Mondays, but with the schedule problems that arose, they continue to be held on Fridays. “Juggling obligations” According to Ateneo School of Government Leadership Program Staff member Maricel de Guzman, being a student-leader is not an easy job. Being a member of student organizations like Sanggu means having to develop the skill of juggling one’s obligations.
DATA TAKEN FROM ThE 2005 CONSTITUTION OF ThE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF ThE ATENEO DE MANIlA lOyOlA SChOOlS
After the final bell rings. More than just staying in school well into the night, student-leaders must balance their academics and Sanggunian duties.
PhOTO By KASEy D. AlBANO
“Juggling [obligations] is a skill. To get that skill, you need to practice it. It’s a process to achieve that,” she says. This means knowing how to mediate between the administrators and the students, as well as balancing it with his personal life. Being a student leader also means having to encounter different kinds of student leaders. Says de Guzman, there are dominating leaders who set their subordinates into a specific direction. According to her, leaders shouldn’t dwell much on being too dominating as this may be misinterpreted by their co-workers. There are also facilitative leaders who often encourage their co-workers to participate in making decisions. According to de Guzman, student leaders should be geared toward this kind as much as possible. Nevertheless, she believes that being a leader boils down to providing avenues for a particular community’s voice to be heard. “[It] is about being the voice of a certain community and providing [its members] with the necessary framework or [guidelines] on how to live through change.” In Castañar’s case, being a student leader means acting like one every minute of his life. Though his academic and leadership duties would often clash, he makes sure that they don’t impair his other commitments. “You have to be on your best performance because people will not really remember you for the good things but for the bad things,” he says.
Mixed feelings Like in the past years, however, students have mixed feelings for the student council. Upon getting into the Ateneo, Block Representative Paul* expected a certain presence from Sanggu. But, after one semester, he thinks that it’s not as visible as varsity teams and other student organizations. ”[Some sectors of the community] went overboard at some points,” he says, re-
She says in Filipino, ”[These student leaders] should probably study the community’s expectations of them... and find ways to innovate.” Forming leaders At the end of the day, however, officers like Clarissa find their jobs at Sanggu fulfilling. “Perhaps, the 0.01 decrease in QPI [is just fine] because you didn’t exert much time or effort as before in academics,” she says.
“Juggling [obligations] is a skill. To get that skill, you need to practice it.” Maricel de Guzman
ferring to the criticism that Sanggu is irrelevant. ”[But,] it was a wake-up call of some sort.” Meanwhile, OSA Director Christopher Castillo believes that Sanggu is performing well. ”If we grade them from one to ten, with then being the highest, they have an eight,” he says. ”Is that good? Yes.” Nevertheless, to some extent, these sectors might also have too high expectations for these student leaders. Says de Guzman, these high expectations are most likely caused by the numerous local and national issues that the school deals with. She also says that, with the Ateneo’s culture to be magis or to give more, the community can’t be blamed for setting these standards. Castañar shares the same sentiment. “Personally, I’m always telling myself that after one school year, I’ve grown a lot. I’m already reaping the seeds of maturity I had because of my Sanggu experience.” Although Maria didn’t find her job fulfilling during her first year at Sanggu, she says that her current position has made her see the student council from a different light. Says Maria, her experience this semester has offset much of the annoyance she felt. “When you’re a student leader, it’s important that you have to acknowledge all the different experiences,” she says. n *Names have been changed to protect the individuals.
