Sanggunian Elections

The Sanggunian ng Mag-aaral ng Ateneo just held its elections for new officers for the next school year last February 15 & 16. Two parties went head to head with each other. Challenging the dominant party Agila is the newly formed Partido Ignacio.

We are yet to see the official result but let me just point out a few things about this elections:

The Electoral Process

This elections were held earlier than usual and there was a lack of visual information on the whole electoral process, that is, from informing the students of the start of filing of candidacies, to the deadline of filing, the miting de avance. In fairness to the COMELEC, they encouraged the Ateneans to vote and they were able to reach their quota at an earlier time. What I would like to point out is that to encourage students to vote, they must be involved in the whole electoral process and therefore must be highly informed. I know several people who in the first semester expressed an intent to run but ended up NOT running just because of the late information about the elections. I can only point to lack information on the part of the students to which the COMELEC and Sanggu must be responsible for.

Student Parties and their Platforms

Two (2) parties ran against each other both with visions of a Sanggunian better than the present.

Here are the links of the 2 parties and their platforms:

Partido Ignacio
Agila

No objections to what they want to do for the council and the studentry. What is lacking there is their vision of the Sanggunian and its constituents as part of the Filipino society. Partido Ignacio mentions some issues (i.e. Charter Change) but it remains secondary in the context it was used. Agila uses the term "nation" in their vision but the concept of that nation is within the Loyola Schools. The observation then, is that these parties propagate a culture of inwardness or simply put, Ateneo-centric. I am not surprised since this culture is prevalent in the whole Ateneo de Manila University. "Nasa kanila na ang lahat ng pamamaraan para makialam: tv, radio, newspapers, the internet. Pero wala silang kaalam-alam sa issues. Hindi man lang magbasa ng news sa internet. Ang sine-search entertainment, gadgets," a teacher laments in one of our conversations. In my experience, you’re lucky if at least 5 of your classmates read the newspaper cover to cover.

The student council and student parties play a major role in politicization of the studentry. These are the people the community deems as their leaders, representatives. What are the plan of Partido Ignacio and Agila, within our outside the Sanggunian in breaking this apathy within the Ateneo Community? This breaking of silence, I believe, should be a major part of platforms by the student parties.

Ateneo prides itself for producing "well rounded leaders". Let us ask ourselves honestly, does it really? These "well rounded leaders" that the Ateneo boasts of are a very select few. It is not a norm which should not be the case.

In Ateneo’s Vision/Mission Statement

"As a Filipino University, the Ateneo de Manila seeks to identify and enrich Philippine culture and make its own. Through the education of the whole person and the formation of needed professionals and through various corporate activities, the University aims to contribute to the development goals of the nation.

As a Catholic University, the Ateneo de Manila seeks to form persons who, following the teachings and example of Christ, will devote their lives to the service of others and, through the promotion of justice, serve especially those who are most in need of help, the poor and the powerless. Loyal to the teachings of the Catholic Church, the University seeks to serve the Faith and to interpret its teachings to modern Philippine society."

How can Ateneans "identify and enrich Philippine culture.." when it cannot rid itself of the “elitist” culture? When it does not integrate itself with the common tao?

How can Ateneans "…seek to serve the Faith and to interpret its teachings to modern Philippine society" when a large number of us do not know society itself?

I do not wish to get the ire of the Student Parties. These are my observations. My wish is that the parties and the next Sanggunian will see this as a challenge to take bolder steps in breaking this kind of culture. See this as a challenge to Ateneans that we are not only students of the Ateneo… we are part of the Philippine society.

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Joke ng isang teacher na true to life daw* during the height of the "Hello Garci" issue:

La Salle Brothers: O, papatalksikin na si Gloria, nasan na ang mga Atenista?

Maryknoll sisters: Alam mo naman ang mga Heswita... e di ayun, nagco-contemplate pa...

*This was a joke told to us by a teacher during the height of the ConAss issue las December.

By: Diane On February 21, 2007

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A Woman's Burden

I just remembered a sample of a "postmodern" (*snort*) poem in one of my classes. In fairness, I thought it was witty and funny.

A Woman's Burden

.

Forgive me for I forgot who wrote this "poem". For something that is categorized as post-modern, this one hits right home.

By: Diane On February 21, 2007

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Balita! Balita!

The Good News:

The guys from Eman Lacaba Artists' Collective (ELAC) and I were talking about this last Thursday and an email to my Mahal confirmed it.Yes it's true, Rage Against the Machine will have a reunion performance (!!!) for the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival Indio, California, on April 29.

See this link and this link

I soooo wish I could see that. Wah! I think my brother will be going to Cali on April. Wah!

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The Bad News:

Another youth leader/student activist was murdered. Here's a repost of the forwarded emial that I got from the Tanggulan Network.

Student activist murdered in Camarines Norte
By Ephraim Aguilar
Southern Luzon Bureau
Last updated 06:32pm (Mla time) 02/16/2007

LEGAZPI CITY-- A member and former spokesperson of the League of Filipino Students (LFS) in Camarines Norte was shot dead by an unidentified gunman Thursday night, just four meters away from the gate of his school.

The human rights group Karapatan in Bicol identified the victim as Farly Alcantara II, 23, of Mercedes, Camarines Norte and a business administration student at the Camarines Norte State College in Daet, the provincial capital.

He was the first leftist student leader to be killed in the country this year and the fourth in the Bicol region since 2001, said Vince Kasilihan, staff of Karapatan-Bicol.

The victim was on his way home aboard a motorcycle with his professor when he was shot five times in the head at around 9:40 p.m.. The professor was unharmed.

Senior Superintendent Henry Rañola, provincial police director, said the victim was shot with a caliber .45 pistol by a suspect described as about 5 feet and 5 inches tall who was wearing Navy blue shorts.

Recovered from the crime scene were four empty shells and two deformed slugs. Investigators had yet to determine the motive of the killing.

Kasilihan said accounts gathered by Karapatan-Camarines Norte said Alcantara went home late that night because he was one of the organizers of the school's trade fair to be held Friday.

He said a school administrator staying at the guard house was able to witness the crime but could not identify the killer because it was dark.
"How could the crime have happened when the police headquarters in that area was just 300 to 500 meters away from the crime scene?" Kasilihan

Karapatan estimates the nationwide death toll from the extrajudicial killings of activists at more than 830 since 2001.#

Is this the start of the waves of electoral violence against the youth especially now that the youth has its own party, KABATAAN? Is someone threatened that one of the most potent force in the Philippine society united into a political party?

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The News that made us all GROAN:

Cesar Montano is running for senator under the administration's Team Unity. Nuff said.

By: Diane On February 17, 2007

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KABATAAN Video

... that you may never watch on TV because an ad would cost 48 million bucks.

By: Diane On February 14, 2007

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Favorite Dance Video of All Time!

This is my favorite dance video of all time. It reminds me of high school since Janet Jackson choreography is the inspiration choreography of any dance troupe in my school even if this video was released way back in 1993. Ah, I miss they days of interclass dance contests. Haha, yes, I was once a "dancer".

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By: Diane On February 08, 2007

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Kabataan-Ateneo LTTE

The Eagle has landed! On the Inquirer, that is. Our statement below is on the opinions page today. A slightly edited version though. They don't like the word "gall". Haha.

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Unlike a blue-blooded Atenean

Inquirer
Last updated 02:08am (Mla time) 02/08/2007

FIRST Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo invoked the name of Ateneo de Manila University during his appearance at the hearing of the House Committee on Ethics last Jan. 23. Refusing to answer Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano’s allegations against him, Arroyo instead filed a complaint before the ethics committee, to demand the expulsion of the congressman from the House of Representatives. (Read more...)

By: Diane On February 08, 2007

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TXTPower Campaign Updates

Please visit TXTPower's website. I've linked the niftly little banner on my previous post to their site. And please do participate in the boycott. On my part, I'll be using my mom's SUN Cellular line. (wow, Extra Challenge! I really have no patience for crappy connection. Jhann, you better text me still or else... >:D )

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Boycott Big, Bad Globe Starting Feb.8

In response to Globe Telecom’s “barefaced and shameless” defiance of a National Telecommunications Commission order to rollback unlimited texting rates, consumer group TXTPower today announced a nationwide boycott of the firm’s services starting February 8.

In a statement emailed to the media, internet forums and mailing lists at 1:00 am today, TXTPower said “consumers should make their power known to Globe and like-minded corporate scum who disrespect consumers and who defy the law.”

TXTPower’s call for a boycott asks subscribers incensed by Globe’s intransigence to choose any or all of the following:
Avoid SMS and Calls through the Globe network. Find other ways to communicate.
Postpone automatic and card reloads
Postpone GCash transactions
Postpone line applications
Refrain from getting icon/music/visual downloads from Globe
Refrain from using Globe’s GPRS and 3G services

(Read more...)

By: Diane On February 07, 2007

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Globe Update

Globe refuses to heed the NTC's suspension on their new promo for Unlimitxt. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. Maybe tomorrow they will implement the old Unlimitxt scheme. Until then,

By: Diane On February 07, 2007

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TXTPower! Sa mga Globe users diyan...

I've been a Globe user since 2002. I don't see myself switching to another line soon. But good for us that the NTC taught Globe a lesson. Abuso na eh!

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NTC suspends Globe’s Unlitxt SMS promo

Orders return to old unlimited text prices

By Erwin Oliva
INQUIRER.net

Last updated 02:41pm (Mla time) 02/05/2007
MANILA, Philippines -- The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) ordered Globe Telecom to suspend an allegedly devious promotion that supposedly increased the offering rates for its unlimited short messaging system (SMS) service by over 100 percent, an official told INQUIRER.net Monday (Read More...)

By: Diane On February 06, 2007

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An Atenean must be a man for others

This is a statement from Kabataan-ADMU regarding Mike Arroyo-Alan Peter Cayetano face-off at the House Committee Hearing last January 22, 2007.

A repost would be highly appreciated.

- - - - - - - - -

The First Gentleman has some gall to invoke the name of the Ateneo at his appearance at the HouseCommittee Hearing last January 23. Refusing to answer to Pateros Representative Cayetano's allegations of corruption, Arroyo instead filed a complaint to the Committee on Ethics to removethe congressman from office last 2006.

"Ateneo de Manila seeks to preserve, extend, and communicate truth and apply it to human development..." so says the Vision/Mission Statement of the Ateneo de Manila University.

Clearly, Mike Arroyo does not manifest the mission and vision of the school thus, does not have the moral ascendancy to drag the name of the Ateneo in his personal crusade to crush those who dare question his actions as a public figure and official. He does not manifest the basic principles of honesty, integrity and all the values an Atenean must possess.

Representative Cayetano is not the first to feel the wrath of the First Gentleman. In 2006, Arroyo filed several multimillion libel cases against journalists, editors whose only objective is to report matters of public interest. In the end, the biggest victims of Arroyo's abuse of power are the Filipino people who left with unanswered questions regarding corruption issues pitted against him.

We are honored to be from the Ateneo. We decry the use of the name of our alma mater by a person who refuses to be transparent in matters of public interest. We always say that an Atenean must be a man for others. Mike Arroyo, clearly, is not.

Hyra Dela Cruz
Spokesperson
Kabataan Partylist- Ateneo de Manila University Chapter

By: Diane On February 05, 2007

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That Little Italian Place: Bellini's

Jhann and I finally tried eating at Bellini's and it's one of the nicest experiences I've had this year.

Bellini's is located (or rather, hidden) at the Marikina Shoe Expo, Cubao.

I've always been curious with this restaurant. When I was in high school, I used to buy my school shoes at the Marikina Shoe Expo. I've always known that an out of the way restaurant was there but I never had the urge to try it out until I saw an episode of UNTV's Strangebrew where Tado and Erning got to try out authentic italian cuisine at Bellini's. It took me 4 years to get around and actually try it.

We arrived at the restaurant at around 730 pm and saw a good number of diners, mostly families or lovers. The interiors are definitely will give you the feel of Old Italy with its big, red tile floors, white walls, ceiling murals (an attempt at ceiling frescos) and beams from which decorative imitations of ham, sausages and grapevines hang. The soft yellow lights gave the place a cozier, more romantic feel. Our waiter led us to a corner table for two beside their wine collection. The restaurant's owner, the famous Roberto Bellini personally greeted us as we sat down and made sure that we were comfortable.

Bellini's has a fairly extensive menu of pasta, pizza, meat, fish and desserts. Before we went, I did the honors of researching on the internet on the must-try's of Bellini's so ordering was quite easy. We settled on Salmon for appetizers, Osso Buco Steak, Spinach Ravioli and Funghi Spaghetti for our main course. For drinks we ordered Mango Shake for Jhann and the house sweet wine for myself.

The appetizer is actually a slice of smoked salmon and cheese on crostini. It's just a simple dish that went so well with the sweet wine. The strong flavor of the salmon balances out the sweetness of the wine. The cheese was mild enough noy to overpower the salmon yet gives bit of bite. For a mere P140, Jhann and I had 2 pieces each.


For the main course:

Ravioli

It's too bad that they don't have truffle cream that night so they instead put cream sauce on the spinach-ham ravioli. But it still tasted really really good. The ravioli filling was a slush of, well, spinach and ham and I'm guessing a bit of parmeasan cheese. I could only imagine what would it taste like with its original sauce.

Funghi

We made the "mistake" of choosing the spaghetti noodle to go with the mushroom sauce. When it made its way on our table, it looked rather unappetizing because of its pale color with white noodles, slightly runny white sauce and slices of mushroom. The taste made up for its appearance. I was so pleased that even if the ravioli and funghi both had white sauces, their taste were significantly different. While the ravioli had the standard Alfredo sauce, Funghi has a mildly flavored sauce, delicately tasting like onions thus highlighting the flavor of the mushrooms.

Osso Buco

Osso Buco is just like the "Bulalo!" as Mr. Bellini would say (with gusto!) but cooked in tomato sauce. My boyfriend woul describe it like a cross of caldereta and bulalo. In the menu it is described as Bone Marrow Steak. To me it reads 1 million calories and cholesterol. Not bad for P230 pesos. I you're a hearty eater, this may be a bit bitin but for us, pasta can make us feel full fast so we had this almost like a side dish. We need some protein in our carbohydrate laden meal. ;)

By the end of the main course we were feeling full but just to end the wonderful meal, we decided to order a serving of Panna Cotta. The creamy flan was served in the middle of a pool of coffee liquer. It was to die for! We LOVE LOVE LOVE the Panna Cotta! It was not overly sweet, almost just the natural sweetness of milk. Go to Bellini's if only to taste this!

Panna Cotta

We stayed for a little after our meal. We took pictures of the interiors and a few goofy pictures of ourselves in the restaurant. I wanted to have my picturetaken with Mr. Bellini but Jhann was dyahe since Mr. Bellini looked rather busy entertaining all his guests. He was after all, a hands on owner. We stayed to listen to the resident acoustic singer/guitarist. A Bellini daughter graced the customers a few songs some of which are Italian adding even more to the ambiance.
I fell in love with this place. I defenitely want to go back. For just P1,023 for the dinner for two plus the romantic ambiance, it's a bang for the buck.

By: Diane On February 04, 2007

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