BAGUIO CITY

PASSES ANTI-
DISCRIMINATION
ORDINANCE,
PUSHES FOR
EQUAL RIGHTS PAGE 2
PAGE 2

UP BAGUIO Makabayan HIV/AIDS cases DOH-CAR CITY GOVT BAGUIO

RISES TO END Bloc Speaks in cordillera CELEBRATES LAUDS THREE UNIVERSITIES
on National increasE by 50 UNITE FOR FREE
VAWC RABIES WOMEN
Legislative percent this year
BY SPENCER CAYABYAB AWARENESS LEADERS EDUCATION
SITUATION BY MELISSA PAQUIZ
To raise the call BY SHANICE GUARIN BY ALEXA YADAO BY DANNA DE GUZMAN
against all forms of BY CIELO ESMERIA According to the & BEA IGLESIA
violence against women Department of Health, The Department Only three women
and children (VAWC), Pag sinabing Epidemiology Bureau, of Health-Cordillera made it as an Outstanding Students from the
students, administration, industriyalisasyon, hindi ito there is a total of 286 HIV/ Administrative Region Women Leader (OWL) this University of the Philippines
staff, and maintenance hiwalay sa usapin ng tunay AIDS cases in the Cordillera (DOH-CAR) joined year. Baguio, Saint Louis
workers of University of the na repormang agraryo, Administrative Region the nationwide Rabies The awardees are Jail University, University of the
Philippines... stated Congressman... (CAR) from 1984-2017... Awareness Campaign... Inspector April Rose... Cordilleras, and Benguet...

PAGE 2 PAGE 3 PAGE 7 PAGE 7 PAGE 3 PAGE 2

 BAGUIO CITY PASSES ANTI-
DISCRIMINATION ORDINANCE, PUSHES
FOR EQUAL RIGHTS
BY BEA IGLESIA authorship, thus assuring its According to discrimination is the that the recently passed law According to Myke

T
he anti-
discrimination
ordinance of
Baguio City was
finally approved by the city
council, five years since
it was proposed by then-
councilor Edison Bilog.
During the city
councils regular session
on February 20, Ordinance
numbered 13 series of 2017
or the Anti-Discrimination
Ordinance of the City of
Baguio passed on its third
and final reading, and is
now being implemented
in the city. Initially
authored by Bilog, the anti-
discrimination ordinance is
co-authored by all members
of the present city council
after it was opened for co-
immediate passage.
The new ordinance
prohibits and penalizes
discrimination based on
religion, ethnicity, sexual
orientation and gender
identity, health status
and disability, and age.
Violators will be penalized
with a fine of 3,000 pesos on
the third offense or a 30-day
imprisonment.
In the explanatory
note of the ordinance,
it is emphasized that
discrimination is
acknowledged as a crucial
and serious issue which
victimizes disabled persons,
senior citizens, children,
HIV-affected persons,
women, members of the
LGBT, and indigenous
peoples.
presiding officer and vice
mayor Edison Bilog, stories
of discrimination cases
are alarming. He cited an
incident which allegedly
took place in a bar along
Leonard Wood where a
customer was not allowed to
go inside the establishment
because of his skin color.
Such incidents show that
there is a need for an anti-
discrimination ordinance
in the city, Bilog said. He
added, We strived to pass
this anti-discrimination
ordinance in order to
eradicate discrimination
not only in the context of
working and scurrility but
also of students who are also
victims of discrimination.
As defined in
Section 3 of the ordinance,
distinction, exclusion,
restriction or preference
made on the basis of
disability, age, health status,
sexual orientation, gender
identity, ethnicity, and
religion which impair
or nullify the recognition,
enjoyment or exercise, on an
equal footing of the human
rights and fundamental
freedoms [] of a person.
The city council tasked
the City Social Welfare and
Development Office as the
lead agency in implementing
the programs that will
address discrimination in
the city.
While the citys anti-
discrimination ordinance
recognizes the right of every
person to equal access
opportunities, Bilog said
does not legalize same-sex
marriage in the city.
Same-sex marriage is
being prohibited by national
law. In fact, it is being
penalized by the provisions
of the Revised Penal Code
and kung meron man tayong
gagawing pagbabago doon,
kinakailangan natin ng isa
pang national law para sa
ganoon ay ma-amend o
mabalewala yung provision
na iyon ng ating batas.
LGBT groups
in Baguio City have
long been advocates of
anti-discrimination.
Together with their allied
organizations, they hold
an annual pride march to
express unity against gender
discrimination and gender
inequality.
Sotero, head pastor at
Metropolitan Community
Church of Metro Baguio,
they acknowledge the
crafting of an anti-
discrimination ordinance
but the fact remains that
discrimination still exist in
the city.
We do welcome any
ordinance that would greatly
benefit the marginalized
sectors, particularly the
LGBT community who had
been the prime victims of
discrimination based on
their sexual orientation,
gender identity and gender
expression. We, however,
still face many challenges
and continue struggling for
an Anti-Discrimination Law
to be passed by congress.
Sotero said.

Photo by Cielo Esmeria

BAGUIO UNIVERSITIES UNITE FOR FREE EDUCATION

Dinamling said that the constitutional right to education of the educational budget, the Philippine education system
BY DANNA DE GUZMAN & BEA IGLESIA every person is limited to basic education only. continues to be colonial, commercialized, and fascist

S
tudents from the University of the Philippines
Baguio, Saint Louis University, University of the
Cordilleras, and Benguet State University marched to
the Peoples Park last February 23, for the Salubungan
2017 themed Forging Unities for Free and Nationalist
Education.
Kabataan Partylist, Anakbayan, Rise for Education
Alliance, National Union of Students of the Philippines,
College Editors Guild of the Philippines, and Dap-ayan ti
Kultura iti Kordilerya were part of the student action in
which participants asserted the right to free education in
state universities and colleges (SUCs), and protested against
current neoliberal attacks on education.
In December last year, the Commission on Higher
Education (CHED) received 8.3 billion pesos for 2017 in
order to provide free tuition fees in SUCs. However, details
regarding its implementation needed clarification since the
President placed the additional educational budget under
conditional implementation in the 2017 national budget
provisions.
According to Patricio Dinamling, Education
Supervisor II of CHED-CAR, an IRR (Implementing Rules
and Regulations) is yet to be drafted in order to establish
guidelines on how to distribute the educational fund to
SUCs nationwide.
Amidst students assertion of their right to education,
If we say a right, I would say hanggang sa basic
education lang talaga [] but to be honest, if we look at
the real thing, hindi naman free talaga because they are
also paying na mga others. Going after basic education []
sabihin nating privilege na though we have SUCs for them
to have a matter of choice. Yun lang po yung assistance ng
government in terms of access to education (If we say a right,
I would say that it is only limited to basic education but to
be honest, if we look at the real thing, education is not really
free because other fees are also being paid. Beyond basic
education, we can say that it is already a privilege although
we have SUCs for the students to have a matter of choice.
That is already the governments assistance in terms of
access to education).
According to Dinamling, facilities are lacking in
some SUCs in the Cordillera. With a free tuition-fee policy,
Dinamling said that this may result to unequal distribution
of funds among SUCs which will eventually affect the
quality of education in developing schools. He added that
free tuition in SUCs may discourage teachers to perform
well as they might have lesser benefits due to inadequate
budget of some SUCs.
Costly talaga yung quality education. And if you want
quality, you must have to sacrifice (Quality education is
really costly. And if you want quality education, you must
have you sacrifice).
The fight for free education continues
Despite the national governments action on increasing
which violate students indivisible right to education,
according to Cielo Marie Bayson of Kabataan Partylist
Cordillera.
There is no use in providing free education if people
will just go out and serve outside of the country, Bayson
said.
Aside from the K-12 program and tuition fee
increase, Bayson also cited profiteering schemes such as
no permit, no exam policy, no late payment policy, and
other miscellaneous fees charged by both state and private
universities as manifestations of a colonial, commercialized,
and fascist education system.
We should fight for nationalist, scientific, mass-
oriented education. Dapat ang main objective ng edukasyon
ay i-hone yung talent at husay ng kabataang Pilipino para
maging kapaki-pakinabang sa ating bansa. (The education
systems main objective should be to hone the talents and
capabilities of the Filipino youth for our countrys benefit.),
she said.
Earlier this year, the Kabataan Partylist filed House Bill
4800 or the Comprehensive Free Public Higher Education
Bill which seeks to provide free college education to
students regardless of their economic standing. Significant
provisions of the bill include: abolition of the tuition
fee system, special grant for financially-disadvantaged
students, and introduction of a nationalist, scientific, and
mass-oriented higher education curriculum.
CITY GOVT
LAUDS THREE
WOMEN
LEADERS
BY ALEXA YADAO
O
nly three women
made it to the
Outstanding
Women Leaders
(OWL) list, this year.
The awardees are Jail
Inspector April Rose W.
Ayangwa (as Advocate for
the Improvement of the
Lives of Women Deprived
of Liberty); Maria Victoria
A. Bugasto (as Advocate
of Positive Activism and
Empowerment against
Cancer); and Mary Lou B.
Galiste (from the field of
tourism). They were feted at
the Baguio City Convention
Center on March 8, 2017.
The Search for
Outstanding Women
Leaders of Baguio is an
annual activity that started
in 2006. It is a part of the
Baguio Citys Kababaihan
Festival (Womens Month).
The search has recognized
over 100 women since its
establishment in 2006.
The steering
committee of the Kababaihan
festival is headed by Mayor
Mauricio G. Domogan, co-
chaired by the City Social
Welfare and Development
Officer Betty F. Fangasan
and Councilor Lilia A.
Farias of the Committee
on Social Services, Women
and Urban Poor. Councilor
Farias was also an OWL in
the year 2008.
From eight OWLs
last year, Dolores Busakay,
secretariat of the steering
committee, said that the
three awardees were the
ones whose contributions
and impact did not only
stop at the Barangay level,
but had City-wide currency.
However, aside
from awarding OWLs, the
steering committee also gave
special awards to women
who excelled in their own
fields of expertise in the
international level, which
brought honor and pride to
the City.
The special awardees
were: Erlinda A. Lavandia,
Senior Javelin Throw
World Masters champion;
Christine Joy F. Picardal,
Ms. Diamond of the World;
International Acapella
Champion Pinopela
members Roxanne Joy A.
Omilda, Ingrid M. Payaket,
Sheevani Brylle T. Sibayan
and Charmaine Irish T.
Suyo, ; Kylie F. Verzosa,
Ms. International 2016; and
Divine M. Wally Wushu
World Cup Champion.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
A BLESSING FROM
KABUNYAN. On
January 31, 2017 at
the University of the
Philippines Baguio
IM Plaza, the spilling
of pigs blood
was performed
during the Museo
Kordilyera opening
to ask blessing from
Kabunyan, and to
protect the building
from bad spirits. The
Ibaloi ritual is also
used in thanksgiving
and asking for good
harvest. By Cielo
Esmeria
KALINGA
TRANSGENDER
CROWNED
MAKABAYAN BLOC SPEAKS ON WINNER OF
NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE SITUATION
AN LGBT
PAGEANT
BY CIELO ESMERIA Agricultural Situation
P
Meanwhile, Zarate said the congress is divided when it BY ERIKA DELA CRUZ
A
ag sinabing industriyalisasyon, hindi ito hiwalay comes to agrarian reform. The Makabayn Bloc is proposing
sa usapin ng tunay na repormang agraryo, House Bill No. 555 or the Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill transgender
thus said Congressman Carlos Zarate, (GARB), while some neoliberals, according to Zarate, from Tabuk City,
former chairperson of the House on Natural want to make amendments on some of its provisions. Other Kalinga, Jerson
Resources in a forum on the national legislative situation congressmen are also pushing for the extension of the Sabado Jr.,won the
of the country. The forum was held on March 11, 2017, 10 Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) by the LGBT pageant Cordilleras
a.m., at the Cordillera Peoples Alliance office. Aquino Administration. Best, held last March 25 at
Mining Situation Death Penalty the Benguet State University,
Numerous bills on mining are being proposed in As to the death penalty, Zarate said noong pinanukala La Trinidad, Benguet.
ang death penalty, this is the first bill by the leadership of the
congress as of March. One is House Bill No. 171 or the With the theme,
Peoples Mining Bill proposed by the Makabayan Bloc. The House last year. Hindi pa about sa economics, hindi pa about where the best trans
sa kabuhayan, or about sa shift to parliamentary federalism.
bill aims to scrap the Mining Act of 1995. beauty queens are made,
Ang pangunahing tunguhin nito hindi lang i-review On the first reading, there were 21 criminal offenses
Cordilleras Best 2017
kundi talagang ibasura ang Mining Act of 1995, at i-reorient approved for death penalty, and he and nine others voted promoted advocacies on
ang industriya ng pagmimina, at ang maging tuntungan nito against it. On second reading, it was reduced to four
the peoples basic human
ay ang national industrialization, said Zarate. criminal offenses: drug-related offenses, plunder, treason, rights, gender identity,
The bill already had gone through three committee and rape with homicide. gender sensitivity and anti-
meetings, and is now being assessed by the Technical From mandatory, it was up to to the judges discretion discrimination for the LGBT
Working Groups. Zarate emphasized the need for a whether it will be punishable by death or reclusin perpetua. community, and HIV/AIDS
complete roadmap for industrialization. According to the On third reading, only drug-related cases were punishable awareness. The pageant
Philippine Development Plan of 2017-2022 by the Duterte by death, and this was passed in congress. centered on problems
administration, a roadmap for copper and silver has been Actually, ang pinasa ng House of Representatives is that face the Cordilleras,
formed, but there is nothing on national industrialization the repeal of the law suspending the death penalty Ibig particularly the indigenous
yet. sabihin, dahil na repeal na yung batas na yun, puwedeng peoples.
Zarate also expressed their support for appointed in the coming months kapag naging batas na ito, i-ammend The Cordilleras Best
DENR-Secretary Gina Lopez. We express our full support na naman nila yung ibang batas. Implications of the law, pageant began in 2014. Since
doon sa appointment ni Gina Lopez She walks the talk according to Zarate, would be the openness of other crimes then, its goal is to bring
For the first time, ginawa niyang accountable yung mining to be amended like rape with murder, plunder, and rebellion. awareness to the problems
companies, said Zarate. However, the implementation of Also, the judges subjectivity will always be a factor for the facing the Cordillera region,
the recommendations for suspension will be problematic, decision. The judge may decide whether it will be death by such as environmental
according to Zarate, because it will still be reviewed by the hanging, firing squad, or lethal injection, he said. issues, and discrimination
Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC). against indigenous peoples.
hose interests favour the mining companies. CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
The pageant has since been
organized by the Cordilleras
Best Productions.
Most contestants
are college students from
University of Baguio, Saint
Louis University, University
of the Cordilleras, and
Benguet State University.
Its not an ordinary
beauty pageant. With
that being said, I think I
have gained authentic and
genuine confidence that I
could use in the future in
continuing my advocacy
towards respect for the
LGBT community, said
Sabado
Sabado also wants
HOW ARE WE? - Congressman Carlos Zarate talks on the national legislative situation of the country on to tackle her advocacy on
March 11, at the Cordillera Peoples Alliance office. By Cielo Marie L. Esmeria cultural preservation and
cultural proficiency.
MORE DEATHS
TO COME
I
f you do not want
to be meted with
death penalty,
then dont commit
any of the punishable
crimes.
That was what Liberal
Party member Geraldine
Roman said in a past
interview after she voted yes
to death penalty.
With majority votes
from the congresss, the
proposed plan to reinstate
the death penalty for a
selected number of crimes
has passed the first stage
toward its enactment. Even
before Duterte won the
2016 elections, he has been
vocal in promoting death
penalty in order to solve
the countrys drug problem.
Apparently, he is not alone in
advocating death penalty
most of the elected leaders
are also death penalty
advocates, including the
first transgender woman in
the Philippine government.
Minutes after the
congressional hearing on
death penalty, the result
earned comments on social
media, particularly on the
seemingly unexpected vote
of Roman. Aside from the
fact that she comes from
the Liberal Party, netizens
expressed disappointment
on the fact that she openly
forwards principles of
equality yet pushes for a
policy legalizing death
penalty which, to begin
with, promotes inequality.
But how can you
promote equality if you
disregard the basic right of
individuals to life?
In the proposed
measure to reinstate death
penalty, the punishment
is applied to crimes, most
of which involve the use of
drugs. Capital punishment,
or death penalty, is enforced
for crimes which are
considered serious
for example, those that
cause the death of another
individual. However, based
on the list of the crimes
punishable by death, the
proposed measure only
covers drug-related crimes.
Not even rape and plunder
are included in the death
list.
The thing is, you
cannot bring back ones
life once it is taken away.
In past reports on tokhang
cases, many of those who
were accused of drug-
related crimes are victims
of mistaken identity. Even
the lives of children were
simply taken away because
they defended themselves
from the police officers who
are given totalizing power to
identify those who violate
the law.
As a response to
the publics comments,
Roman said that politics
is compromise so she had
to vote for death penalty
after the house speaker gave
threats in removing anti-
death penalty solons.
Currently, death
penalty awaits its legalization
but death has seemingly
become an acceptable means
to punish those who violate
the law, or worse, those who
are only accused of violating
the law. Now that the said
measure is being served in
the table, shall we take it
just because it was voted by
our leaders? Beyond the
argument that death penalty
will serve as an effective
deterrent to crime, there sits
a considerable issue on the
still unresolved deaths of the
administrations drug war.
Illustration by Justine Caringal
BEYOND
FORMALITIES
A
fter five years since then Councilor Edison Bilog proposed this in the City Council, the anti-discrimination
ordinance (ADO) was finally approved last February 20, 2017. This ordinance criminalizes any forms of
discrimination based on religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity, health status and disability,
and age. The City Social Welfare and Development Office will be the head agency to implement the ordinance. A
fine of 3,000 pesos on the third offense or a 30-day imprisonment awaits the violator.
Indeed, this ordinance will be a huge step to a non-discriminatory and equal society which everyone has been fighting
for since the beginning. ADO will serve as the formal shield of every citizen against discrimination. However, a piece of
paper containing litanies approved by some concerned officials can only do so much.
The passage of ADO, with the aim of scrapping all forms of discrimination in the City, will construct a facade declaring
Baguio City as a non-discriminatory city, yet, it lacks actuality. This ordinance does not transcend beyond formalities.
The ordinance claims that discrimination is the distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference made on the basis
of disability, age, health status, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, and religion which impair or nullify the
recognition, enjoyment, or exercise, on an equal footing of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of a person.
However, even two months after the passing of the ordinance, discrimination, may it be implicit or explicit, is still evident
everywhere in the City.
Baguio City, as one of the finest and most-developed city in Northern Luzon, had become a dwelling place for busine
ss establishments and eventually, places of discrimination. Most business establishments in the central business districts,
following the definition of ADO, exercise discrimination. A well-known establishment located in Upper Session Road
follows a dress code. Customers wearing shorts, slippers, and sleeveless clothes are not allowed to enter the establishment.
This is an obvious manifestation of a discriminatory practice. Baguio City is located in the Cordilleras, a haven for diverse
culture. Native outfits of Cordilleran men require them to be topless and show a large portion of their legs. With such kinds
of outfit, Cordilleran men will not be able to enter establishments exercising dress codes.
Moreover, if the city is serious with its goal of creating a Baguio that welcomes all kinds of people, it will allot budget
for doing projects that will promote equality. A communication theorist named Michel de Certeau claimed that the city
space also determines the daily lives of people living in it. This means that the city planners can construct infrastructures and
buildings that can promote the eradication of discrimination. However, this is not the situation in Baguio. Pedestrian spaces
in Baguio City have the capacity to discriminate. Highly elevated overpasses cannot accommodate disabled individuals.
With the height of the overpass itself and the height of ladder steps, it does not, in some extent, recognize the presence of
disabled personsa complete manifestation of discrimination.
One of the main components of a democratic society is the participation of its citizen in decision-making. The passage
of ADO will indeed bring peoples struggles to the forefront, however, in a minute way. Like other laws passed by lawmakers,
ADO will be useless without its application to the real worldthe world wherein victims and violators both live together.
A full implementation of this ordinance, one that knows no personalities, should be pushed by both the law enforcers and
citizens. Baguio City should forward a critical society that produces laws that are actualized, that are beyond formalities.
 BIAS AND THE CHALLENGE TO JOURNALISTS BAGUIO ROADS IN BLOOM OF SMOKING CARS
AND HOTHEADED DRIVERS

I
t is usual for journalists despite being biased over a account her side, the biases

to come under fire for
bias. Indeed, as a student
of journalism, who is
taught the principles and
ethical considerations of
the job, I would argue that
someone practicing the
profession, claiming to be
unbiased, would know to
herself or himself that this is
untrue.
Are students now
being taught to become
biased? I would say we are
taught how to deal with our
natural tendency to favor
a particular idea, belief, or
thing over another, which,
by the way is the case for
everyone.
Explaining bias
As students, having a
taste of fieldwork our biases
are governed by our own
personal set of ideas and
beliefs. These are influenced
by what is expected of us,
as well as the organizations
we belong to, and this
include the University. As
future journalists, editorial
pressures and institutional
policies will be added to the
list.
The unspoken fact is,
one can be biased without
compromising objectivity.
One can be objective
particular perspective, and
this is through presenting
factual information, which
highlight thereof.
Theres a difference
between An activist vs
A suspected member of
the NPA; as well as saying
an activist was illegally
arrested to writing
arrested only.
Every news story
published has been framed--
the definitions forwarded,
the way the headline was
written, manifest the biases
of those mentioned above.
So, to whom should we be
biased for?
In our
Communication Ethics
class, we were taught when
making decisions, they
should always be for the
many. In the context of
journalism, when deciding
what to write and how to
write it, ideally, it should
be for the many. More
often than not the many
includes those whose
sentiments are not reflected
in majority of stories
purportedly reflecting the
interest of the masses.
Upon surveying the
few articles written about
Alikes which take into
of these lean towards the
official sources. Indeed
theres nothing wrong with
this. It would be hypocritical
for someone who has just
argued about the necessity
of bias to say that this is
wrong. Moreover, this is
only the case of Alikes, and
we should not forget the
prejudice against activists
or those with dissenting
opinions who do not
necessarily align themselves
with the former.
Multiple perspectives,
bias towards the many, fair
and just definitions all
these may be idealistic.
But, I think, it would be a
lot fulfilling to become a
journalist, when one spends
every time in the field,
writing stories about people
whose voices are often
unheard.
The challenge now
to budding journalists like
me is to start mulling over
their biases and to have the
guts to commit to it. In the
end, it is not so much our
decisions that will matter
the most, but our reasons
and justifications for coming
up with it.
W
hen Session
road is filled
up with
food and
trade stalls, all other roads
in Baguio are filled with
jostling cars and their
frustrated drivers. I can
hear the honking cars; smell
the burnt clutches; see the
congested streets; taste the
smoke-filled air; and feel the
exasperation of everyone
caught in the turtle-like
traffic-pace.
When tourists come
to Baguio, they expect
to be mesmerized by the
naturalistic and forest-like
look and feel of the City
of Pines; to breathe in the
fresh pine-scented air; and
to drive along the rustic
and serene roads. Everyone
escapes to Baguio for relief
from the cities. EVERYONE.
They all go to Baguio for the
light mood. But then again,
they should also accept the
traffic and the air pollution
that they add up to.
Baguio City is built as
a tourist haven. People are
expected to come and go.
It is not built for people to
stay in, but for them to visit.
But today, more and more
people have been moving
and living here permanently,
if not on extended stay.
I remember when we
moved to Baguio 13 years
ago. I was so enthralled by
the green trees, the fresh
air, the calm wind, and the
vast up-down zigzag roads.
It was nothing like Manila,
and that is one of the reasons
why I loved Baguio.
Now, the place has
become crowded with local
and foreign residents
residents with their cars.
The streets of Baguio have
been jammed with a large
number of cars it could not
afford to handle. What more
when tourists invade the
city with their own cars?
According to DPWH
- BCDEO, in the last
Panagbenga Festival, almost
15,000 cars have gone up
to Baguio through Kennon
Road alone; some 9,000
vehicles during the PMA
Alumni Homecoming
Weekend last February;
and more than 10,000 cars
during the PMA graduation
last March.
Trying not to blame
Baguio city for being one
of the best tourist hubs,
but this phenomenon is
troublesome for many
residents, tourists, and
drivers of all sorts. Manong
Jun, a taxi driver, said they
make a profit 40% less than
what they make in average
during peak seasons. If they
make an average of 300
pesos per hour in a normal
Baguio day, they only make
almost 150 pesos per hour
in a tourist-packed, slow
traffic, car-congested day.
What can we do? We
cant just stop the tourists
from coming here, or
from bringing their own
cars and just tell them to
commute. We cant just stop
conducting festivals and
hosting holidays, just so
tourists will not come. This
is a battle between economy
and expediency. The
question is which weighs
heavier for the city and its
people?

TOURIST-FRIENDLY, ENVI- AND BUDGET-

DEADLY?

A
MARCH AND MENINISM
s tourists visit City General Services the city works on lesser-

T
he month of
March marked
the National
Womens Month, in
accordance to Proclamation
No. 224 s. 1988 which
declared March as the
observation of Womens
Role in History Month.
In theory, the celebration
dedicates an entire month
to the celebration of
womanhood. Still, it is
reflective of the patriarchal
society that celebrates men
for the rest of the year,
and only lends a month to
the celebration of women.
But even the dedication of
this month to women is
contested by those who call
themselves meninists.
According to Urban
Dictionarys top definition
of meninism, meninism
is an ideology that exposes
the hypocrisy of feminism
and believes in the true
equality of the genders
[unlike feminism] which
advocates the separation of
the genders by perpetuating
a made-up patriarchy and
claiming to be a victim
#feminazis.
Apparently, meninists
argue that feminists oppress
men, heres my two cents
on it: while, admittedly,
there are feminazis
feminists who demonize
men, feminism is, as UN
Women Ambassador Emma
Watson in her 2014 UN
speech, A theory of the
political, economic, and
social equality of the sexes.
So, are there meninazis, too?
No; such term would be
redundant. But allow me to
throw in another two cents
addressing the patriarchy
that meninists believe is
made-up.
According to CNN
and the Los Angeles Times,
among many other news
outlets, the Philippines is the
only country in the world,
besides the Vatican, where
divorce isnt allowed by the
law. This means women in
abusive marriages cannot
get out of this relationship.
In a report by the
Philippine Commission
on Women in 2014, it
was revealed that one in
seven wives experience
physical violence from their
husbands and 8 experience
sexual violence. In spite of
the revelation of spousal
violence against women,
divorce is still not made
available in the country. Isnt
that proof of patriarchy?
Satirical or not,
meninism is something
alarming. By coining such
term, by asking why there
is a need for women to be
celebrated, meninists usurp
the little things women
are allowed to take part of.
Meninism hijacks a belief
that concerns the promotion
of a better treatment and
demand for equity not only
for women, but for both the
male and female sex and
even all genders. It makes
a mockery of an issue that
must be taken seriously.
Sure, March was
Womens Month, but has
the quality of life changed
for women since then? Not
quite so. The Philippines
(and many other countries,
too, for that matter) has a
long way to go.
Baguio, they leave
the city with
higher economy,
more popularity, and
unfortunately, additional
waste.
So we wonder, is
tourism really beneficial, or
does it just leave footprints
the city has to clean and
spend a lot for, everytime?
We look at this query in
terms of Baguio citys
financial capabilities and
maintenance.
Councilor Elmer
Datuin, in charge of the
Committee on Tourism,
Special Events, Parks and
Playgrounds, says Baguios
tourism is at its peak from
December to May of the
following year. Baguio caters
to Christmas in December,
summer during March to
May, and also has its own
festival, Panagbenga, in
February.
Councilor Datuin
also confirmed tourism as
a factor to the change in the
population of the city as it
is also directly proportional
to the amount of waste
generated.
officer, Romeo D. Concio
affirmed this premise
and also discussed some
strategies the city does to
assess waste management in
general and at times when
tourism is at its peak.
Mr. Concio said that
there is a fixed budget and
a proposed 10-year plan
which cannot change in spite
of more people generating
waste. So we cannot say
that generated income from
tourism just compensates
for waste management. He
admits that the city spends
extremendous (extremely
tremendous) amounts,
reaching almost 140 Million
pesos at times, which comes
from all available resources,
including tourism income.
Adjustments happen n
personnel management.
Shuffling of people
forms a quick response
team reinforcements for
waste management.
Concio admits more
resources really go to waste
management, but he insisted
hindi pwedeng pabayaan
ang sector na ito. With this,
costing ways in managing
waste. Just recently, Baguio
is working on a deal with
Benguet Corp. where the
latter offers a hauling site at
Antamok, Itogon. This site
can be used for 25 to 35 years
for free. Concio estimated
that the city could save 40 to
50 million pesos.
As it may seem, city
waste management rather
embraces a more generic
scope than just being related
to tourism. It may be related
to the rise of population
but tourism, in the other
way around, helps generate
resources to assess this
issue. For the finances, the
city seems to have enough
resources for this matter but
it is always better to spend
less, and it is what the city is
working on, at the moment.
Looking at it, long-
term dwellers in the city
could help in this concern by
keeping their home well and
clean, until resources can be
used on other concerns, not
much on wastes. For now
well have to look forward to
the strategies our city does.

RESCUE ME. The Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue Team demonstrating
their rescue operation strategies in case of an earthquake, as they pretend-
rescue a volunteer student from a staged collapsed structure. By Toni Mae
Valeriano
LDRRM participates in
national earthquake
drill
BY ALEXIS CABURIAN
I n coordination with
the national Disaster
Risk Reduction and
Management (DRRM),
the Local Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management
(LDDRM) conducted a city-
wide earthquake drill on
March 31.
The drill started
simultaneously in different
establishments in the city at
2:00 pm.
The pilot area of the
drill was conducted at the
University of Baguio (UB)
where a simulation of a
collapsed structure scenario
took place. According to
Julius Santos, LDRRM
officer, UB was tested for
its capacity to handle an
earthquake.
Awareness in the
community and among
establishments as well as
getting households ready
for an earthquake, were the
objectives of the drill, said
Santos.
Other areas in the
city, including barangays
and establishments such as
the Department of Health
also coordinated with the
LDRRM by practicing the
duck, cover, and hold drill.
Preparation for the Big
One
In connection with a
possible strong earthquake
dubbed as the Big One
in Manila, Santos said: In
1991, Baguio was hit by a
7.2 magnitude earthquake.
If the Big One occurs, we
could still be affected.
According to Santos, the
1991 earthquakes origin
was in Nueva Ecija, which
then propagated to Kayapa,
then La Union, then Baguio.
We dont know when
the Big One will occur,
but we are working on a
contingency plan for the
city so that the damages will
be mitigated unlike in 1991,
said Santos.
According to Santos,
barangay management
committees and private
institutions are the
challenges for the LDRRM.
We had difficulties in
pulling out volunteers and
participants for this drill,
said Santos, referring to the
drill that occurred on March
31.
The LDRRM also faces
the problem of information
dissemination, according to
Santos. He said that while
public information officers
are tasked to inform the
media about shake drills
and preparation, not many
know what to do during
earthquakes and not many
are taught what to do. What
we want to do now is to
educate students on what to
do before, during, and after
earthquakes, he said.
According to Santos,
a drill was conducted on
March 14 in the University
of the Cordilleras as well as
in DepEd public schools on
March 22. He said, We are
targeting to teach students,
especially elementary
students, so that they may
teach what they have learned
in school to their respective
homes.
On the LDRRMs part,
for now, they are trying to
raise awareness on what to
do to mitigate the damages
of a possibly massive
earthquake such as the Big
One. We are still revising
the contingency plan for
the Big One, but we are
continuing to train for
collapsed structures, said
Santos. He also added that
the LDRRM is looking to
conduct a shake drill every
quarter of the year, with
the assistance of barangays
and non-government
organizations (NGOs)
Five percent of the
city governments funds go
to the DRRM, according
to Santos. From the 5%
given to us, we still divide
it for equipment, training,
and more. Sometimes,
the budget is not enough
especially during typhoons.
A large amount of the
budget given to us is spent
on rehabilitation of houses,
roads, and drainage systems.
That is where the bulk of it
is spent, leaving us little for
preparedness, Santos said.
When it comes to
government support,
however, Santos said he
feels no hesitation from
the executive (mayor)
and the legislative
(councilors) branches of
the city government. The
partnership between our
mayor and councilors is
okay. Theyre supportive, he
said.
A proposed three-digit
emergency hotline is still in
progress, said Santos. As of
now, the emergency hotline
911 in Baguio is owned by a
private group.
CITY COUNCIL PASSES
LGU P4 CODE, RECEIVES
CRITICISMS
BY SPENCER CAYABYAB
I n April 2017, the Baguio
City Sangguniang
Panlungsod approved the
Public-Private Partnership
for Peoples Initiative for
Local Governments (LGU
P4) Code, making it as good
as an ordinance.
The LGU P4 Code
was proposed in January
10 by Councilor Elmer
Datuin, Chairperson of
the Committee on Urban
Planning, Lands, and
Housing.
This ordinance aims to
promote the public welfare,
as well as promote the
interests of the communi-
ty and citizens of Baguio
through a partnership
between the LGU and
private sectors. This code
allows the City to undertake
developmental projects
such as road constructions,
agricultural innova-tions,
environmental protection,
disaster risk reduction,
BAGUIO GOVT WORKS ON
BETTER WASTE MANAGEMENT
BY RONNIEL DE VERA
T
Services Officer. Wastes
he Baguio City
Government was
recently offered a
new hauling site or landfill
at Antamok, Itogon by the
Benguet Corporation which
may help the city save more
on waste management.
Currently, the city
spends tremendous
amounts on garbage hauling,
according to Mr. Ro-
DO NOT LET HISTORY REPEAT ITSELF. Camille Bautista, a 4th year communication student,
gives her all as she re-enacts an excerpt from Buwan at Baril. Her presentation
tackles the horrible realities of Martial Law. Photo by Erika Dela Cruz/Caption by Spencer
Cayabyab
among others, in which
private sectors can be
shareholders.
Maganda naman iyon
na makipag-partner tayo sa
mga private companies.
Para naman yan sa
ikakauunlad ng lungsod
natin. At tsaka, approved
naman lahat ng ating
mga kasamang councilors
diyan e, Councilor Benny
Bomogao said.
The ordinance allows
the City government to
be a minority equity or
shareholder while the
Private Sector Proponent
(PSP) can be majority
equity or shareholder. This
means that developmen-
tal projects will not be fully
funded by the LGU alone
but rather with the help of
private sectors.
The approval of the
code is presently being
criticized by some sectors.
According to Carlito Way-as,
head of Piston Metro Baguio,
this ordinance is one step
meo Concio, City General
was of fered by the Benguet
hauled out of the city are
travelled to a site at Tarlac
pursuant to the current
waste management plan.
More expenses are
dedicated to the site itself as
well as the trip to Tarlac.
Currently, the city
government is working on
a deal with the Benguet
Corporation to be able
to use a site at Antamok,
towards the privatization
of public services and an
avenue for wider corruption.
Talagang
hakbangin ito
isang
para
i-privatize ang mga bagay-
bagay. Siyempre, private
companies ang magpopondo
dito. Tapos isa rin ito sa mga
mekanismo ng gobyerno
upang ilatag ang kanilang
mga personal na naisin,
Way-as answered when
asked about the LGU P4
Code.
Bomogao answered
the speculations with this
statement: Wala na tayong
magagawa diyan. Kung
talagang makasarili ang mga
kasama natin [sa gobyerno],
talagang magkakaroon ng
korupsyon.
The LGU P4 Code
was the SPs answer to the
Department of Interior and
Local Govern-ment Legal
Opinion No. 8, Series of
2014 that advised every
LGU to draft a public-
private partnership code.
Itogon for hauling. This site
Corporation, and Concio
clarified that the offer is free
for 25 to 35 years.
With this plan, the
city government could save
around 40 to 50 million
pesos in waste management.
The city is set to
discuss more about this
venture with the Benguet
Corporation on April 25.
 2017 Kaigorotan Youth Week
Calls for Youth
Organizations Action
BY DANNA DE GUZMAN
C
ordillera youth
groups Danum,
Salidummay, and
Anakbayan Cordillera
participated in the recent
24th Kaigorotan Youth Week
(KYW) Sinsinnapo 2017:
Engaging the indigenous
youth in the defense of land,
life, and resources where
the situation of indigenous
youths in the Cordillera was
discussed, on March 19 at
the BIBAK Hall.
This years KYW was
conducted in partnership
with Dap-ayan ti Kultura
iti Kordilyera (DKK),
BIBAK (Benguet, Ifugao,
Bontoc, Apayao, Kalinga)
Federation, Cordillera Youth
Center (CYC), Anakbayan
Cordillera, Asia-Pacific
Indigenous Youth Network
(APIYN) Network, and
University of the Philippines
University Student Council
Cultural Desk.
Julius Daguitan, the
Deputy Secretary General
of DKK and member of
KYW Commemorative
Committee, tackled
indigenous students
issues on organizational
accreditation in their
respective universities
saying in Ilokano, the
educational systems
DOH-CAR CELEBRATES RABIES
AWARENESS MONTH FOR MARCH
BY SHANICE GUARIN
T
he Department of
He a lt h - C ord i l l e r a
Administrative
Region (DOH-CAR) joined
the nationwide Rabies
Awareness Campaign; one
of the programs to mark
Rabies Awareness Month in
March.
Rabies Awareness
Campaign is celebrated
among different provinces
from March to May. In line
with this, we have partnered
with the Department of
Agriculture for the free
dog mass vaccination,
DOH-CAR Infectious
Disease Cluster-Medical
Technologist IV, Roy F.
Fiaching, said.
Prevention is better
than cure ika nga nila, no,
said Fiaching. According
to the Department of
Health, rabies is regarded
as a significant public
health problem because it
is one of the most acutely
fatal infections and it is
responsible for the death of
200-300 Filipinos annually.
Rabies is a disease caused
by a virus coming primarily
from a rabid animal saliva
that attacks the central
nervous system. Once bit
ten by a rabid animal, it may
characteristics of being
fascist and repressive is
apparent because indigenous
youth groups face
difficulties in accreditation
and registration within
universities.
According to the
participants, this is an issue
in universities like the
Benguet State University,
University of Baguio, and
Saint Louis University.
He emphasized that
forming youth groups are
important for learning
exchange in order to act
against disintegration of
culture.
Daguitan also spoke to
indigenous youths, saying
that persistent issues like
violation of indigenous
peoples rights to land,
political misrepresentation,
and commercialization of
indigenous culture are also
part of their concern.
As youth from
the Cordilleras, it is our
responsibility to take
care of what was given
to us by Kabunianthe
environment. So we should
continue to defend our land,
life, and resources, said
Ned Tuguinay, a member
of the Commemorative
Committee of KYW, in
Ilokano.
The Peace Talks
between the Philippine
cause death to a person.
Ang rabies ay 100% fatal,
walang gamot, Fiaching
explained. He mentioned
the importance of vaccines
as part of prevention from
rabies.
The vision of the
Rabies Prevention and
Control Program is to
declare Philippines as
rabies-free by 2020 and its
goal is to eliminate human
rabies infections by the
same year.
On rabid animal bites
Fiaching discussed
the things to do when
bitten by a rabies-infected
animal. Kapag nakagat
ng aso, hugasan ang sugat
sa alinmang bahagi ng
katawan na nakontamina ng
saliva, as the first step when
bitten by a rabid animal. The
victim must immediately
consult the nearest Animal
Bite Center. The dog must
also be observed for 14 days.
If the following occurs,
then you must consult a
physician:
1. Dog becomes wild
and runs aimlessly
2. Dog is drooling of
saliva
3. Dog bites any
moving or non-moving
object
4. Dog does not eat or
government and
the Communist Party of
the Philippines, and the
ongoing plan of allocating
the 8.3 billion educational
budget for free education
are also relevant issues for
indigenous youth because
these issues affect their lives
as citizens, according to
Daguitan.
Recently, the DKK
and Anakbayan Cordillera
were part of the Salubungan
protest action where
students from different
universities in the Cordillera
marched to assert their right
to free education.
Let us all be aware
of our issues as indigenous
peoples. Forming and
uniting our own groups
is one way of working
together in order to resolve
these problems, he said in
Ilokano.
The KYW is an annual
commemoration of Igorot
youths who were violently
dispersed during a rally
that opposed issues such
as the Chico Dam Project
in Kalinga, the Cellophil
Resource Corporation
logging in Abra, and the
Caao in Baguio City.
In 2015, the Baguio City
council approved a city
ordinance which declares
every first week of March as
a celebration of KYW.
drink
5. Dog dies with in
the observation period
On traditional animal bite
treatment
Hindi siya effective,
Fiaching answered when
asked about Tandok, the
traditional way of treating an
animal bite.Nagpapalala ng
sugat. Imbes na mapigilan
yung virus, sinusugatan
pa, he said. He clarified
that Tandok is no longer
encouraged these days.
On eating dog meat
Fiaching jokingly
stated that dog meat can be
really delicious however,
he reiterated that the meat
must be well cooked. If the
rabies-infected dog meat
is eaten raw, then there is
a high possibility of rabies
infection.
Fiaching reminded
that there will be penalties
for those who will violate
the ordinance which bans
the selling of dog meat in
the market.
DOH-CAR has plans
to conduct Animal Bite
Training and Management
programs in CAR on April
to support the campaign
of having a rabies-free
Cordillera.
KONSEHO NG MAG-AARAL. Newly-elected UP Baguio University Student
Council members sing UP Naming Mahal during their oath taking last April
18. Alliance of Concerned Students (ACS) dominates the council with twelve
elected officials. By Danna De Guzman
HIV/AIDS CASES IN CORDILLERA
INCREASE BY 50 PERCENT THIS YEAR
BY MELISSA PAQUIZ
A
ccording to the
Depar tment
of Health,
Epidemiology Bureau,
there is a total of 286 HIV/
AIDS cases in the Cordillera
Administrative Region
(CAR) from 1984-2017 in
which males having sex
with males or MSM has the
highest number of cases
having 143 HIV/AIDS
cases recorded since 1984,
according to the HIV/AIDS
and Art Registry of the
Philippines (HARP).
H u m a n
Immunodeficiency Virus
(HIV) is a virus that attacks
the bodys immune system
then causes AIDS. Acquired
Immune Deficiency
Syndrome (AIDS) is a
condition characterized
by a combination of signs
and symptoms caused by
HIV. It makes the afflicted
individual susceptible
to other life threatening
infections.
According to the HIV/
AIDS and Art Registry of
the Philippines (HARP),
there is an average of 27
HIV/AIDS cases per day
as of January 2017. This
average has increased by 1
UP Baguio Rises to End VAWC
BY SPENCER CAYABYAB
T o raise the call against
all forms of violence
against women and
children (VAWC), students,
administration, staff, and
maintenance workers of
UP Baguio participated in
the 4th One Billion Rising
(OBR) activity on February
13.
This years OBR theme
is One Billion Rising
Revolution: Solidarity
against Exploitation of
Women. It was a priority
as compared to last years
average of 26 cases per day.
In an interview, Miss
Cherrie Caluza, Nurse V
and Program Coordinator
for Sexually Transmitted
Infections, HIV/AIDS, said
the virus can be transmitted
in 3 ways: 1) unprotected
sex, 2) blood to blood,
and 3) mother to child
transmission. Miss Caluza
said that the virus can be
transmitted mostly through
unprotected sex.
The reason for the high
number of HIV/AIDS cases
between males having sex
with males (MSM) is that
the male sex organ is not
physiologically compatible
to have an intercourse with
another male, according to
Miss Caluza. A microtear
can occur on the anus
part of male during their
intercourse.
Yung microtear,
ito yung maliit na sugat sa
may bandang anus. Since
hindi nga physiologically
compatible yung intercourse
between males, malaki yung
possibility na magkasugat
nga yun, and once na
nagkasugat yun, madali siya
mainfection.
Miss Caluza said that
HIV can be transmitted
through having sex without
event of the UPB University
Student Council (UPB-
USC) Gender Desk in
cooperation with the UPB
Office of Kasarian.
According to
Sherwyne Sanchez, the
UPB-USC Gender Desk
Head, this year, OBR
serves as a celebration
of womens success. This
event is an avenue to
recognize the power of
women to unite against
all forms of exploitation.
It is a community
dance...it is a celebration
the proper use of condoms.
Transmission of infected
blood or sharing of infected
needles can also cause HIV
transmission. Miss Caluza
said, Kapag infected kasi
yung needle na ininject
sayo, its possible for the
virus to be transmitted kaya
dapat laging siguraduhing
malinis yung mga injections
na ginagamit.
Miss Caluza added
that if the mother is infected
with HIV, it is also possible
to transmit the virus to their
child during pregnancy,
childbirth or breastfeeding.
The Department of
Health urges the public
the practice of ABCDE
to prevent HIV/AIDS. A
stands for Abstinence, B for
Be mutually faithful, C for
Correct and consistent use
of condom, D for Do not
use drugs/share needles, E
for Educate yourself /Early
detection and F for F-u-
c-k responsibly.
The only way to know
if someone is infected is
through HIV test, Miss
Caluza added. The Baguio
General Hospital and
Medical Center offers free
HIV counseling and testing
from Monday to Friday.
[dahil] hindi pa rin nananaig
ang violence, matatalo
at matatalo pa rin natin
siya, thats what we are
celebrating At exactly 8:30
in the morning, UP Baguio
community gathered in
the Oblation Grounds to
groovethrough the rhythm
of Wag Matakota
song dedicated for women
with the message of
women empowerment.
OBR Revolution
was started by Monique
Wilson on 2013 as a
protest against VAWC.
PEACE BE WITH YOU?
MADDELA AND THE PEACE OPERATIONS
BY CHRISTIAN PATRICIO
N
ormally at noon,
heat scorches the
town of Maddela,
Q u i r i n o .
However, a new source of
heat blazed the town.
Members of Armed
Forces of the Philippines
(AFP) and New Peoples
Army (NPA) allegedly had
a clash at the boundary
of Barangays Ysmael,
Villagracia, and Cabua-an
on February 20. Residents of
the said barangays evacuated
at the Maddela Gymnasium.
Barangay Manglad was also
affected by the incident.
In line with this,
Cagayan Valley Alliance of
Human Rights Advocates
and Karapatan-Cagayan
Valley conducted a two-day
peace mission to look into
what really happened. The
Peace Mission happened
five days after the incident.
The Peace Mission
The first day of the
Peace Mission can be a little
tiring for those who are not
used to difficult trails. The
trail includes trekking and
river-crossing to reach the
barangays.
Barangay Ysmael
consists of seven puroks. The
large vicinity of the barangay
calls for the division of the
team to two smaller groups.
Barangay officials of
Ysmael and a team from
the delegates of the peace
mission had a dialogue
about the incident. However,
these barangay officials are
mostly from the puroks that
were not affected.
Sa totoo lang, narinig
lang namin sa radyo yung
balita (Actually, we only
heard the news on the
radio), said one official.
The barangay officials
pointed out that the
secretary of the municipal
mayor, who they named
Edwin, advised them to
evacuate immediately for
their safety. Neither elements
of AFP nor the NPA were
seen by the barangay
officials. Another team went
to interview people from
puroks that evacuated. The
interviews likewise backed-
up the pronouncements of
the barangay officials.
On the other hand,
residents of Purok 3 of
Barangay Manglad, in the
municipality of Nagtipunan
near Quirino, were forced
to evacuate after elements
of AFP appeared on the
barangay. Manglad is near
the incident site, and you
need to cross a river to reach
it.
However, unlike in
Ysmael, not all of residents
in Manglad had evacuated.
Two men were not able to
evacuate, the day of the
incident. According to the
residents, these men did not
Photo by Cielo Esmeria
know that there was an
evacuation going on because
they went to the farm. They
were named as Edrelic and
Bobby.
According to the
residents of Manglad, these
two were ordered by military
men to buy a kuwatro kan
tos and give them a chicken
for free. Edrelic and Bobby
said something in contrast.
Binilhan ko sila kasi
mababait naman. Tapos
yung manok, binibigay ko
ng libre, pero binayaran pa
rin naman nila (I bought
for them because they were
actually nice. I also want to
give the chicken for free,
but they insisted to pay),
said Bobby in an interview.
However, during the talk, he
tried to avoid the gaze of the
team.
Minura pa nga
ako ni Mayor
noong nalaman
nyang may
natira pa akong
dalawang tao
dito"
(The mayor even cursed at
me when he learned that
there were two residents
left here), said the barangay
captain of Manglad.
The second and final
day is as difficult as the first
one. The team also needed
Laude in School, Louder in Streets: Whats
more Honorable than Latin Honors
G usto ko maging
author.Magtrabaho
kung saan malaki yung
kita.Gusto ko pumasok sa
advertising.Ako gusto ko
pumasok sa broadcasting.
These are the typical
answers of current B.A.
Communication students
in the University of the
Philippines Baguio when
asked what they wanted
to do after they graduate.
Who wouldnt want to
have a successful career
after graduating from a
premiere state university?
If youre sane enough, the
first thing you would do is
look for a job, or take one
from numerous offers. Julie
and Bazoo, however, think
differently.
Julie Ann Doroja,
student number 2012-
13001, general weighted
average of 1.71, Cum Laude,
and Gene Roz Jamil Bazoo
De Jesus, student number
to cross another river to
reach Barangay Cabua-an.
Unlike the first two, Cabua-
an is much bigger. The team
was also divided into two
teams for this lone barangay
because puroks of Cabua-an
are far from each other.
Residents from Cabua-
an also saw elements of the
AFP. Some residents said
that military men directly
advised the barangay
captain for the evacuation.
However, some also said
that the mayor ordered the
evacuation. The dialogue
with the barangay officials
also did not end well because
of lack of involvement in the
discussion.
There were no harass-
ments, except for the former
barangay official who was
ordered by the military to
kneel beside a Presbytarian
Church, then interrogating
him on the whereabouts
of the alleged members of
NPA. The alleged members
of NPA ate within the
church, with the help of this
former official. However,
the official said that this
might be a political move
because it was known in
the barangay that he will
run again for a position
next election. Luckily for
them, there were no other
harassment cases. However,
the lack of harassment cases
cannot make up for the fear
the residents felt the day of
evacuation.
BY CIELO ESMERIA
2012-62022, general
weighted average of 1.74,
Cum Laude, are UPB
alumni who have chosen a
different paths that are not
typical. With Latin honors
engraved beside your name,
one would wonder what
could be more important
than being employed in a
good company with a stable
salary.
After graduating in
2016, Julie had a job offering
from a local government unit
in the public information
office, while Bazoo was
offered a job in DSWD as
a writer. Both turned down
these job opportunities in
order to choose what most
people would not include
in their Things to Do after
Graduation list: to be a full-
time activist.
Mainly naman
kasi nakita ko yung
pangangailangan sa
ganitong gawain,
"Syempre natakot
kami kaya sumunod
na lang kami sa
sinabi sa amin.
Pinabalik na kami
noong Martes,
pero hindi ko pa
rin pinapasok mga
anak ko. Takot mission team, situated at Sto.
kami, e"
(Of course, were afraid so
we just obeyed what they of AFP scattered around
said to us. We went back
on Tuesday, but I did not
consent my child to go
to school that day. Were even went near the activity
scared.), said Sherry, a
resident of Cabua-an.
What does not follow
in the interviews is that
the team found out that
res-idents from Cabu-an
evacuated on the 18th of
February, two days before
the incident.
The peace mission
wrapped up with the team
collating the information
gathered.
For Peace and Development
The heightening
number of military forces
in the countryside were
brought by the current
administrations program official in Ysmael.
on peace and development.
This is in a form that we
are all familiar with
Oplan Kapayapaan.
said Julie when asked why
she chose to take this path,
At kahit pa may pangan-
gailangan sa [financial] transportation costs. Their
status ng pamilya na day-to-day tasks involve
magtrabaho kaagad ay
mas pinili ko pa rin yung
makapaglingkod sa bayan
nang buong lakas at buong
oras. Feeling ko mas mafu-
fulfill ako sa ganitong
gawain.
For Bazoo, full-time
activism was a choice he
had to make after seeing
the realities of society.
Malaking bahagi rin talaga
na naging bahagi ako ng mga
progresibong organisasyon,
tapos naluklok sa mga
posisyon. Pag narating mo
kasi yung puntong yun, with different student and
makikita mo na kasalanan
kung tatalikod ka pa.
Kasalanan kung pipikit ka pa
kapag mulat ka na, Bazoo different colleges.
said.
Being a full-time
activist, Julie and Bazoo do
With the postponement of
peace talks with the National
Democratic Front of the
Philippines, said Anakbayan
Cordillera Secretary-
General Luke Bagangan,
they are sure that the main
target of the all-out war on
the reds are peoples from
the countryside.
Another peace
Nino, Cagayan, experienced
firthand the presence
of the military. In their
medical mission, elements
the activity area. They also
surveyed the team behind
the peace mission. They
area and took pictures of
the delegates. Because of
this, some delegates were
forced to go back early in
their respective provinces
or cities because of risks in
security.
A lot of residents from
these barangays, call for the
immediate resumption of
the peace talks.
Gusto naming
ituloy ang peace talks para
wala nang katulad nitong
mangyayari sa mga susunod
na panahon (We want to
resume the peace talks, so this
event wont happen again in
the future), said a barangay
With this, there lingers
a question: Is this peace and
development operation
really for peace?
not receive salaries, but get
financial allowance enough
for their daily meals and
connecting with the student
council, teachers, and staff
of different universities in
Baguio, Benguet, and La
Trinidad in order to forward
Cordillera Youth Centers
campaigns and gain support
from these universities. You
might think their degree is
useless because they dont
practice it professionally,
but when they were asked
if they still apply what
they have learned in UP,
they said Oo, gamit na
gamit. Aside from talking
teacher organizations,
they also facilitate Citizen
Journalism Trainings in
CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
Sweeping for a Living: A
Two-hour Experience
BY SPENCER CAYABYAB
A
fter a tiring walk
along Session Road
and the Maharlika
Livelihood Center, I decided
to sit at the left corner of the
Rose Garden in Burnham
Park to take a rest. From
where I was seated, I can
clearly see the vast number
of tourists having their
picnics on their thin blankets
despite the summer-like
weather. Teenagers beside
me were holding their
selfie sticks while taking a
groufie. In front of me was
a man carrying his child on
his shoulder as he holds his
wife with his right hand. To
my left, vendors were noisily
marketing their products to
the people.
While I was enjoying
these scenes, a woman
approached the plastic
trash bag approximately
ten feet away from where I
was seated. Unexpectedly,
she caught my attention.
She was wearing blue long
sleeves topped with green
tees. Her green pants were
loose and her rubber shoes
were slightly damaged. She
was wearing a white hat
and was carrying cooking
tongs, which I found weird.
She stayed there for a few
minutes then immediately
went to another trash bin.
I approached the
woman and asked her if I
can follow her. Despite the
shadow covering the register
of her face, I still noticed her
reaction. She was shocked.
She just gave me a blank
stare for about three seconds
which almost convinced me
not to continue with my
plan to write about her job.
Yet, in the blink of an eye,
her shocked face eventually
turned into a smiling face
saying the words Sige lang,
anak.
She continued
segregating the trashes. I
introduced myself to her
while I was putting the used
bottles in a plastic bag. After
my introduction, she talked
about herself. Her name
was Malou. She is a street
sweeper in the Rose Garden
for about twenty years now.
Originally, she did not have
a job, but, when her husband
died, she replaced him on
the job to be able to feed her
two children.
After a long
introduction, we already
finished segregating the
trashes in the first trash bin.
Nanay Malou then carried
the plastic bag full of tin
cans, bottles, and barbecue
sticks with her. The bottles
and tin cans, according to
Nanay Malou, will be sold at
junk shops for extra income.
For a kilo of bottles and tin
cans, Nanay Malou will get
ten pesos. Meanwhile, the
barbecue sticks will be used
for maintenance of the Rose
Garden. These barbecue
sticks will serve as fences
for the plants so that people
would not pick on the plants
or step on them.
It was already eleven
in the morning and Nanay
Malou decided to take a rest
on a bench located in the
middle of the Rose Garden.
Still holding her tongs,
Nanay Malou talked about
her life as a street sweeper.
According to her, she leaves
her home in Bakakeng as
early as five oclock in the
morning to arrive at the
Rose Garden by 5:30 A.M.
She would work from six
oclock in the morning
until three oclock in the
afternoon. There are no
breaks except for lunch at 10
A.M.
Mahirap talaga. Lalo
na kapag ganito kainit.
Pero siyempre, tiis-tiis lang
tayo. Nanay Malou said
when asked to describe her
job. She even shared her
experiences being caught
in the middle of gang and
fraternity wars and even
witnessed incidents of pick
pocketing.
Nanay Malou, after
doing all the work for nine
hours and facing all the
dangers of her job, will
get only 500 pesos from
the City Government per
day. According to her, this
amount is not enough for
her familys daily expenses
and do not commensurate
to the extent of she and her
colleagues do in the park.
They do all the cleaning,
picking and segregating of
garbage, gardening, and
even assisting of tourists.
She even complained about
the loss of college students
taking Civil Welfare and
Training Service (CWTS)
who help them clean
the park. She pointed to
the revitalization of the
mandatory Reserved
Officers Training Corps
(ROTC) Program in senior
high schools as the reason
for this loss.
While Nanay Malou
was sharing her experiences,
I have noticed that the
trash bin that we have just
emptied a while ago was
again full. So, we paused
again to segregate the
trash. After we segregated
the garbage on the trash
bin, we roamed around
the park. While roaming, I
realized how people, both
locals and tourists, were
irresponsible in disposing
their wastes. Plastics, paper
bags, pamphlets, tissues,
and even used diapers
were just thrown around.
Surprisingly, Nanay Malou,
while picking up the trashes
with her tongs, does not
complain.
Sanay na ako sa mga
basura ng mga tao dito.
Alam mo, kahit mga taga-
dito, wala pa ring disiplina,
Nanay Malou said.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
BEHIND THE STALL:
The Sampler Girl Experience
BY TONI VALERIANO
M
aam, Sir, free taste po! Tikman niyo po! Libre lang!
How do you feel every time you get a free
sample of food or drink? Happy? Elated? Blessed?
Satisfied? Special? Excited? Was it good? Was it delicious?
Would you buy the product? How were you motivated?
I bet you were lost in the food and the concept of it
being free of charge, that you didnt have the time to notice
the girl behind the stall giving you the sample. Or was it the
girl that made you take a cup or two of the sample?
Pat might have been the girl from whom you took
juice samples from. She is 17 years old, tall and mature for
her age. Supposedly a 2nd year tourism student, but due to
financial and familial problems, she paused from studying.
She is the second child of a housewife and a currently idle
seaman.
It was two days before the Panagbenga Grand Float
Parade, when Pat and her mother received an offer as
Sampler Girls. They accepted the job instantly. It was
a 4-hour job with a 600-peso salary. Pat, despite being a
minor, took the not-so-heavy job thinking she would earn
money to spend for the Session Road in Bloom and that it
would be a great experience. Its easy money and its fun. Its
perfect for a first job.
On the day of the Grand Float Parade, Sunday, was
also the day she worked as a sampler girl. With joy and
excitement, she woke up at 4:30 in the morning to eat
breakfast, fix herself, and put on her Ceres t-shirt and her
No-make-up make up.
With her supportive family, they left the house before
5:30 am so they would not be late for their 6 am call time.
Despite the heavy traffic they encountered around the UP
Drive area because of the large volume of tourists and cars,
they arrived at the 7-11 branch near Victory Liner on time.
HOUSEHOLD PIGGERIES: HARMFUL OR BENEFICIAL?
BY JOESA LYN VILLARUEL
H
ousehold piggeries are common to residents of Brgy.
Camp 7, Baguio City because of its convenience,
since it is only in the owners backyards, and the
large profit that owners will gain.
Kinalakihan na namin to. Sa nanay ko to natutunan,
yung pag-aalaga ng baboy. Nagsimula ako mga 4 hanggang 6
lang ang mga baboy ko nung una, said Merla Latawan Coa,
owner of one of the biggest household piggery in Camp 7.
Coa is a resident of Brgy. Camp 7 who lives near a river. She
has a compound for her pigs but she also stated that she has
her own septic tank where the manure and other waste of
her household piggeries flow. However, not all the owners of
household piggeries in Camp 7 have their own septic tank.
Presidential Decree No. 856 or more commonly
known as the Code on Sanitation of the Philippines,
Chapter XVII, Sec 71 defines septic tank as a water tight
receptacle which receives the discharge of a plumbing
system or part thereof, and is designed to accomplish the
partial removal and digestion of the suspended solid matter
in the sewage through a period of detention. The waste
Even before the sunrise, there were already a lot of
tour buses, vans, and tourists scattered in the area. They
were all there to see the Grand Float Parade, and for Pat,
potential customers.
The annual Panagbenga Grand Float Parade drove
these people to come to Baguio. The parade was graced by
big stars: Jeyrick Carrot Man Sigmaton, PBA superstar
Asi Taulava, a PNP Chief Bato dela Rosa mascot, Alden
Richards, Maine Mendoza, Enchong Dee, Bea Alonzo,
Jericho Rosales, and Miss International 2016 Kylie Versoza.
The large number of people were drawn to Baguio City by
the exquisite floats, famous celebrities, and the Panagbenga
experience.
Pat was briefed on where her stall is, what product
she is promoting, and how she is supposed to distribute the
samples. Her stall was located at the right side of the entrance
of 7-11, opposite the stall her mother is manning. Shes to
sell the organic fruit juice from South Africa, Ceres. There
were two flavors, Melody, the sweeter one, and Whisper. She
was told to fill the cups half full. She needed to finish about
50 juice boxes. She was told to offer juice to all the people
passing by.
She started giving out samples at 7 am. Chill lang nung
una, nanginginig kasi ang daming kumukuha. Dapat mabilis
para tuloy tuloy silang kumukuha, para di maubusan, she
said. She didnt feel nervous at all. Excitement filled her. She
felt happywith this being her first job.
The place was filled with an even bigger crowd when
the parade started at 8 am. She felt overwhelmed with the
influx of people. Her boss even helped her out because her
trays were being emptied in just a few seconds. She didnt get
the chance to see the floats even though they were paraded
just in front of her.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
should be buried to the soil so that no bodies of water
would be affected. Having a septic tanks for the household
piggeries are the main problem of owners because there
are no allocated funds from the barangays budget for the
construction of septic tanks. The owners are tasked to make
their own septic tanks from their own pockets.
Yung iba walang perang panggawa ng sarili nilang
septic tanks kasi maliit lang din naman yung mga babuyan
nila, mga dalawa o tatlo lang naman alaga nila, san sila
kukuha ng budget? said Coa.
Household piggeries are one of the sources of pollution
that is composed of chemicals like acids, organic, solid,
metal and dust particles called particulate matter (PM). PM
can be harmful to people who will inhale it and because its
structure is so small that it is suspended in the atmosphere.
When the barangay hall was asked about their
statement about the issue, a barangay official directed the
reporter to the barangay health center. However, the health
center was not available for interview on that day.
City Govt... from page 3
The OWLs
From Jail Inspector
of the Bureau of Jail
Management and Peneology
(BJMP), Ayangwa rose from
the ranks to become Senior
Inspector. She spearheaded
programs which aimed to
improve the lives of Persons
Deprived of Liberty (PDLs),
particularly women.
She was appointed
warden of the Baguio City
Jail Female Dorm in 2016.
Among her programs and
projects are: short courses,
self-help programs and
life skills, and livelihood
lectures, designed to provide
continuing education for
the PDLs; May Edad Man
sa Piitan, May Pakinabang
which involves senior
women PDLs in productive
activities; a public display
center for baked goods and
handicrafts made by women,
where they also earn their
personal incomes; regular
remittance of their SSS
contributions; Harmony
Choir; andPag-aaruga Ko
Kasama Pamilya Mo. The
latter project encourages
service providers to conduct
regular visits to the families
of indigent PDLs in order
to address insufficient basic
needs through contributions
and donations.
Bugasto, on the other
hand, is a cancer survivor
with stage 4 Pagets disease
of the breast, a rare form
of breast cancer. Since
she was declared on
remission, she dedicated
her life to her advocacy:
raising awareness on cancer
preventive measures, early
Laude in School... from
page 8
Bazoo said he was glad
because he was not part
of the mainstream media,
Yung mainstream media,
mahalaga sa kanila na wala
silang pinapanigan. Pero sa
makauring lipunan, may
papanigan at papanigan ka
talaga.
Student activists are
often stereotyped as students
with low grades. Julie denies
this generalization, Excuse
me. Syempre hindi naman
totoo yun, nasa indibidwal
yun. For Bazoo, grades
are not the standard of how
much you learn about the
society, Mas marami pa
rin tayong matututunan
sa labas ng unibersidad,
sa labas ng eskwelahan, at
hindi naman nasusukat sa
grades yun. Yung interes
mong tumulong sa iba, wala
namang grades doon.
Choosing the
unconventional path has
its consequences when it
comes to acceptance from
their families. Julie, being
the eldest child and the first
to step in UP, had a hard
time convincing her parents
about what she wanted to
do. They had financial issues
and she was her parents
hope of bringing them out
of discomfort. Sa umpisa,
detection, and cancer-
related treatments. She is
currently the president of
Mindas Buddies, the only
cancer support group in
Baguio, which helps cancer
patients and their families
by coordinating with various
organizations, hospitals and
pharmaceutical companies
to get free or discounted
medicines as well as cancer
treatments and other
medical procedures.
Bugasto initiates
and/or joins clinical breast
screening programs and
medical missions. Aside
from these, she is also a
frequently invited speaker
around the country, and
has been a part of cancer-
awareness campaigns such
as Baguio Cancer Chats of
2007 and 2010; 2007 Avon
Walk for Breast Cancer
Awareness and 2010 SM
Baguio-Avon Walk for
Breast Cancer Awareness;
Camp John Hay 100 Years
Foundation Walk for Breast
Cancer; 2014 Zumba for
Breast Cancer Awareness;
and OKtober, Check
Yourself , 2015-16.
Galiste is the Executive
Director of the Hotel and
Restaurant Association
of Baguio (HRAB) since
2004, and has been active
in improving the tourism
situation and the hotel
and restaurant industry in
Baguio City. She is the force
behind Baguios most visited
activities, and among these
are the: week-long Session
Road in Bloom (SRB) since
2006, and month-long
Baguio Blooms since 2015.
Ever since handling
the SRB, she has supervised
hindi talaga fully-welcomed
yung desisyon ko. Pero
through time, nakikita nila
yung significance, yung
passion, naintindihan din
naman nila, Julie said.
Bazoo, compared to Julie,
didnt have a hard time
telling his parents about
it. His parents were also
student-activists back
then, and they were not
as financially troubled as
most of the masses. Ang
inasahan lang din naman
sa akin ay magkaroon ako
ng magandang trabaho, pero
nakita kasi nila na doon
din talaga ako umunlad
bilang indibidwal, na
nakikita ko yung sarili ko
na kasama yung malawak
na hanay ng mamamayan
bilang aktibista. Though
may kasiyahan din
sa pagtatrabaho na
makakapag-ipon ka para sa
pamilya mo, yung ganoon
kasi magagawa mo pa rin
siya pero hindi nakatali sa
pera o sa kontrata, kundi sa
prinsipyo at sa pagmamahal
sa bayan, said Bazoo.
Julie and Bazoo
emphasized the youths
role in constituting change
when they were asked to
give a message to the youth
today, Bukod sa makialam,
sana maintindihan
natin na malaki yung
gampanin natin...
a feeding program for Makabayan Bloc... from
Baguios street children, page 3
blind and homeless every
Thursday morning of the Lowering the Age for
SRB week. Criminal Responsibility
She also chairs There has been a
committees which have proposal to lower the age of
organized activities like: criminal responsibility from
Longest and Tastiest Raisin 15 years old. to nine years
Bread 2004; Giant Ice old. This means children
Castles 2005; Baguios aged nine may be jailed
Original and Longest if criminal offenses are
Longganisa 2006; the committed. This was part
Largest Wedding Cake of the 1930 provision of the
2007 and 2012; Chefs on Revised Penal Code, but was
parade 2008; Largest motioned by Sen. Francis
Pizza 2009; Baguio Pasta Pangilinan to revise the age
Festival 2010; Rice and limit from nine years old to
Shine 2011 and 2014; Six 15 years old.
Giant Cakes 2013; and Tax Reforms
Its More Cupcakes in the A propoal to
Philippines 2015. add excise tax on diesel,
She also helps various luxury cars, and soft drinks
barangay groups and socio- has been introduced in
civic and non-government congress. With diesel, the
organizations in their fund congress recommended
raising activities by giving to add six pesos per liter,
them complimentary stalls. affecting not only direct
The search for consumers but everyone
OWLs aims to recognize in the country. Can you
exceptional performance imagine ang domino effect
and significant nito sa consumers? Dahil
accomplishments; reward
and encourage consistent
superior contributions; and Behind the stall... from
inspire and motivate women page 9
to live up to the ideals of
being development-oriented She just danced and swayed
leaders in their own right to the music whenever she
and ranks. had the chance.
The criteria After a while, the
for evaluating the crowd dispersed. The
accomplishments handing out of samples
of nominees are: became slack about three
noteworthiness of the hours into the job. Despite
outstanding performance or being tired standing for
contribution/s; the results three hours straight, Pats
or impact of performance or excitement still didnt fade.
contributions; the reliability She was happy
and effectiveness of the interacting with people.
outputs; and the consistency She got to meet different
of performance. kinds of humans Humans
in Baguio. There was this
American who asked her
kung tayo na may ganitong questions she didnt know
edad, lakas, enerhiya, at the answers to, because they
panahon, huwag natin were in English. There was
sayangin yun kasi malaking an old lady who came back
responsibilidad na hindi several times because she
ito mapunta sa wala... liked the juice. There was
Tatanungin mo na lang yung a guy who gave Pat food
sarili mo, Ano bang puwede because he was mesmerized
kong gawin? by her beauty, not by the
Bazoo raised a product. There was a group
question for every youth of friends who asked for a
to answer, Ano ngayon whole juice box they could
kung tayo ang pag-asa ng drink for their trip back to
kinabukasan kung hindi Manila. There were people
naman tayo ang pagkilos ng giving Pat calling cards and
kasalukuyan? offering her jobs in that line
You may have entered of work, because they say
UP thinking it would be a she is natural. The guard
piece of cake graduating in 7-11 also took samples
on time, but ended up again and again. There was
graduating after six years. a creepy guy who came
You may have thought youd back to her stall about five
be a journalist, but ended times, hoping to catch her
up wanting to be a social attention.
anthropologist. You may The common phrases
have planned on totally she heard from the customers
focusing on your academic were Masarap! Uy! Bago! full to some people and
duties, but was later given Wow! Imported! Pwede
positions in your three ba sa bata? Pwede ba sa
different organizations. diabetic?
Bazoo and Julie are just Most of her customers
the same as all of us; They were tourists. There were
had different goals in the people who conversed with
beginning, but as they her. May mga nakipag-
continued to develop in chikahan sakin. Masaya
their chosen paths, their kasi nalilibang ako. Di ko
goals developed with them. namamalayan yung oras at
Like they said, their choices pagod. Nakangiti sila habang
were made when their eyes kumukuha, nakakagaan ng
were opened. The question loob She said the smiles
is when will you open yours? of the people getting her
samples made her feel better
ang malalaking factories
are using diesel. Ang mga
jeepney, diesel. Ang mga
malalaking trucks, diesel,
said Zarate. There was
also a move to remove the
exemption of senior citizens
and persons with disabilities
from value-added tax,
but this was opposed
immediately. Congress also
wanted to add value-added
tax to remittance centers,
but this was also instantly
stopped.
Peace Process
The peace talks has
been one of the main
agendas of the Duterte
administration. Its
resumption in August 2016
has been fully supported
by the Makabayan Bloc.
According to Zarate, the
Duterte Administration
has been bold about
pursuing peace by issuing
a unilateral ceasefire, and
the reaffirmation of past
agreements like the Hague
joint declaration, release
of National Democratic
and took away the
tension she was feeling.
Not all people accepted
her offer. Pat said that there
were 2 out of every 10 people
who rejected her. They
thought the samples were
Turmeric tea. She felt okay
with it because majority of
the people took the samples,
and a lot of them also came
back for seconds or thirds
or more. Its part of the job.
Okay lang kasi mas madami
naman yung tumatanggap.
Nasasarapan sila kaya
yung iba bumabalik
balik. Nafla-flatter ako
kasi produkto ko yun.
She said the
experience was similar to
whenever she is cooking
at home. She would make
her mom taste the food
she made; sometimes
her mom would like it,
sometimes she doesnt like the fountain, the siren of the
to taste it, and sometimes
she wouldnt like it.
She took a 30-minute
break before 10 am. She
sat and took selfies, by
herself, with her boss, and
with the crew (which was
composed of her mom and
her supportive family). Her
dad and her siblings just
hung around 7-11. Seeing
her siblings playing around
and talking to her eased
her and made her feel light.
They stopped giving samples
and started packing up by 11
am, even though they didnt
finish all the juice boxes.
They just gave the boxes
shop.
took some of them home.
Bitin. Gusto ko pang segregating for the third
mag-serve. Gusto ko pa
sanang ubusin yung sample
pero tapos na yung oras.
Pat loved the
experience. She loved her
first job. It was entertaining,
fun and enjoyable. It was
a light job. She met a lot of
people. It was the perfect
first job. Masaya. Mag-
saSampler Girl ulit ako.
Front of the Philippines
(NDFP) consultants,
and the acceleration of
the agenda for peace
negotiations including the
Comprehensive Agreement
on Socio-Economic
Reforms (CASER).
After Zarates
discussion, Councilor
Allad-iw, Committee on
Employment, Livelihood
and Cooperatives, and
Persons with Disabilities,
and discussed on local
situation of Baguio City.
Allad-iw expressed support
for the peace talks and
the struggle to pass the
Peoples Mining Bill. Allad-
iw also opposed the Oplan
Tokhang of the Duterte
administration.
The forum was
organized by the Cordillera
Peoples Alliance,
Tongtongan Ti Umili,
and Bayan Muna. People
from different sectors also
attended the forum.
Sweeping for... from page 9
After checking the
entire park, Nanay Malou
and I decided to take a quick
rest under the shade of a
tree. It was already 12 oclock
in the afternoon. While
we were sitting, Nanay
Marciana, another street
sweeper, approached us.
According to them, chatting
with each other makes their
typical day less boring.
Though I cannot fully
understand their language,
their closeness was evident
in the way they talk to each
other. Their smiles were
real and innocent as if they
were teenage bestfriends
having a chat with one
other. In a span of ten
minutes, they talked about
the children playing in the
park, the opening hours of
City Hall at noon, and the
collection hours of the city
garbage trucksmall topics
that have shown their huge
respect for each other.
Their conversation
stopped when Nanay Malou
noticed that the trash bin
that we have emptied a while
ago was again full. Nanay
Marciana went to the other
side of the Rose Garden to
pick up the garbage while
Nanay Malou and I went to
the trash bin for the third
time. We again segregated
the trashes and put inside
a plastic bag all that Nanay
Malou can sell in the junk
After we have finished
time, it was already one
oclock in the afternoon
and I already needed to say
goodbye to Nanay Malou.
Maraming salamat po
ulit, Nay. Saludo po ako sa
inyo, I said.
Salamat din, anak!
Sige, ingat ka! Nanay
Malou said while wearing
a bright smile on her face,
still covered by the shadow
of her hat.
 Baguio City
HIGH KICK. High school ranks 1st in
delegates from Ifugao play
sepak takraw against Apayao
in the 2017 CARAA held in
the CARAA
Baguio City last February. By
Erika Dela Cruz
Meet 2017
BY ANGELICA ENCOMIENDA

B
aguio Cty ranked
1st in the Cordillera
Administrative
Region Athletic
Association (CARAA) Meet
2017 with 232 gold medals,
112 silver medals, and 59
bronze medals. The four-day
sports event (February 4-8)
was spearheaded by Baguio
City with the theme One
Spirit, One Team, Creates
Champion! The event
was also presented by the
Department of Education-
Cordillera Administrative
and their teachers. To those
who contributed to their
success, we would like to
express our thankfulness
to all of them. Once again,
to our athletes and coaches
in Baguio, we are so happy
for them and we are so
proud of them, Attorney
Augustin Laban III, Officer-
In-Charge Schools Division
Superintendent Baguio City,
said in an interview.
The seven
delegations competed in
fourteen sports including

TAKBO
Region (DepEd-CAR).
Benguet ranked 2nd
place with a total number
of 194 medals while Mt.
volleyball, swimming,
sepak takraw, athletic,
arnis, badminton, baseball,
and others. Most of the

AMIANAN
Province was 3rd place sports events were held at
with a total number of 100 the Athletic Bowl. Sports
medals. Athletes, coaches, competitions were divided

2017 IN UP
chaperones, and trainees into the elementary division
from the different provinces and secondary division.
in the CAR participated Mayor Mauricio

BAGUIO
in the annual sports
event. Other delegations
who participated in the
CARAA Meet 2017 were
Abra, Apayao, Ifugao, and
Kalinga-Tabuk City.
BY JOESA LYN VILLARUEL We would like to
congratulate all our athletes
Domogan was present
during the CARAA Meet
2017 Closing Ceremony on
February 8 at the Athletic
Bowl. Hopefully, with your
participation, you did not
only win for yourself. You
won for your provinces and

W
ith the
advocacy
on fitness
and wellness
achieved through training
and running regularly, the
UP Vanguard Inc. Northern
Luzon Baguio Chapter
and UP Baguio Corps of
Cadets spearheaded Takbo
Amianan 2017 held at UP
Baguio, last March 19.
Takbo Amianan is
an annual fun run whose
proceeds help the UP
Baguio community by
giving emergency tools, first
aid kits, and a generator to
supply enough electricity
within the IB (Iskolar ng
Bayan) Building in case of
brownout. It is composed of
four categories: 21K, 10K,
5K and 3K. The fun run
starts at 4:30 in the morning
from Baguio. We are so your city as ambassadors
talaga which is yung sa proud of them. They have of goodwill and most
DRRM (Disaster Risk and surpassed their winnings importantly, youre able to
Reduction Management) every year thats why we gain more friends and learn
as a marathon, para sakin are so proud of them. We the meaning of teamwork
successful siya despite some would like to thank those and cooperation Mayor
difficulties sa mga road na people who have been part Domogan said during his
dinadaanan ng mga runners. of their success, to their speech in a message for the
Saka masaya yung mga parents, to their guardians, participating young athletes.
runners kasi na dumating all of their trainers, all the
and lagi kaming nakakarinig members of their families,
ng congratulatory expressions
from them, said CMaj
Gemma Rose Cayanan 2Cl,
UP Baguio ROTC Ex-O.
Finishers received
loot bags containing Water
UC Jaguars Miraculous
Reimagined, Gatorade and
discount coupons of Grab,
as well as their certificates
Comeback wins BBEAL Mens
of recognition their. 21K
and 10K finishers also got
finishers shirt. Moreover,
Volleyball Championship
the first 50 finishers within
each category got finisher
medals. BY REVIN MIKHAEL D. OCHAVE

for 21K runners and lasts
until the last runner of 21K
arrived.
Approx i m ate ly
180+ runners participated
this year compared to last
years 150+ participants. The
runners this year includes
professional athletes and
marathon enthusiasts
coming from the Cordillera
Region, Pangasinan, La
Union, and even Manila.
The runners ages ranged
from five to 70+ years old.
Para sa akin, masasabi
ko na successful siya pag
nafulfill nya yung aim niya
Event organizers also
provided the runners with
water stations, boiled eggs
and sweet potatoes at every
turning point. Marshals,
composed of Military
Science 2 cadets and the
various organizations and
individuals who volunteered
for the event, were located at
blind spots for the runners
safety.
The UP Baguio
Corps of Cadets started
Takbo Amianan in 2015, a
counterpart of UP Diliman
Corps of Cadets Dash.
T
he UC Jaguars seals the deal for another
championship at the Baguio Benguet Educational
Athletic League (BBEAL) Mens Volleyball this
year, having won the 5 setter battle against the UB
Cardinals. Odds against them were high with University of
Baguio having a 2-0 advantage against them. However, in
a miraculous turn of events, they managed to pull through
during the last three sets and crushed their opponent with
staggering scores.
Set 1 was a battle fought hard for the UC Jaguars,
which however, ended in the Cardinals favour with a two
point lead. The set scores being 25-23, a near neck and neck
between the two. The second set ended almost the same, with
UB winning with 4 point- difference against the Jaguars. It
ended with 25-21, giving UB a 2-0 set advantage.
The Jaguars however, was not disheartened by this and
pushed on. The third set they dominated with a 5-point lead
that gave them a 25-20 set score, a shock to the crowd and a
ray of hope for the University of Cordilleras. By the end of
the 4th set, the Jaguars have turned the tide and managed to
win the set with a staggering 25-14 score lead.
Finally, after 5 sets and a 2-0 set disadvantage, UC
jaguars made a miraculous comeback and won the final set.
The game ended with UC Jaguars 15-13 score and 3-2 set
lead.
BBEAL
This marks the Jaguars second championship in a
row, after their seven-year drought before last years win.
The University of Cordilleras nearly dominated the overall
crown with nine championships from the first phase
and 5 more for the second. The Jaguars claimed the 6th
championship for the second phase, which gave them a total
of 15 championships for the 30th season of BBEAL.
CORDILLERA WOMEN CALL
FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND
PEACE
M
ore than just
celebrating
womanhood,
w o r k i n g
women from various
progressive organizations,
based in the different
provinces of the Cordillera,
called for lasting social
justice and peace, on March
8, at the Igorot Park.
New and old issues
confronting women and
their children, as well their
triumphs in combating these
issues were raised, namely,
those on peace or its lack,
particularly the continued
political repression of
activists and human rights
defenders, militarization,
and consequently, violence
against women and
children, and sustainable
livelihood and appropriate
social services for women,
or its inadequacy.
The event was
attended by various
progressive organizations in
the province, not only those
on women (Innabuyog-
Gabriela, Ub-ubbon di
Binabai ad Ifugao or UBI,
Save Apayao Peoples
Organization or SAPO,
BIDANG Abra), but also on
human rights (Cordillera
Human Rights Alliance or
CHRA), youth and students
(Anakbayan-Cordillera),
workers (Kilusang Mayo
Uno-Cordillera or KMU-
Cordillera), and national
democratic movements
(Tongtongan Ti Umili), as
well as other organizations
from various institutions
such as All UP Workers
Alliance and UP Kasarian
from UP Baguio.
Councilor Lilia
Farias, head of the
committee on social
services, women and urban
poor, also gave her solidarity
message through Arnea
Canutab, executive director
of Young Womens Christian
Association-Baguio
(YWCA-Baguio)
The Filipina working
women today
Imelda Tabiando,
secretary general of CHRA,
condemned the House of
Representatives for passing
the death penalty bill, which
excluded rape and plunder
from the punishable crimes.
They said that they passed
this bill in order to achieve
BY ALEXA YADAO
achieve peace. But the
peace we want to achieve
is eradicating hunger, all
children can afford to go to
school, all of us have jobs, all
of us have sufficient salaries,
all of us have housing, said
Tabiando, in Ilocano.
She said that
the congressmen and
women who voted for the
reinstatement of capital
punishment did so for their
own interests, and it was
easy for them to pass the bill
since corruption, plunder
and rape were not included,
the latter being one of the
gravest crimes that can be
committed.
But we see at present
that nothing has changed
despite everything which
were promised to us, and
we see that things have
gone worse. We know that
women and children are
the most vulnerable from
the recent events which
took place, she continued
in Ilocano, referring to the
armed encounters between
the Government of the
Republic of the Philippines
(GRP) and the New Peoples
Army (NPA), and the arrest
of suspected members of the
NPA, all of which transpired
after President Dutertes
declaration of an all-out
war, after the collapse of
peace talks last February 9.
Tabiando also
criticized the governments
OPLAN Kapayapaan, by
raising and condemning the
illegal arrest of Sarah Abellon
Alikes, a Kankanaey-
Igorot from Mountain
province, and a political
activist, who is a board
member of the Regional
Development Center -
Katinnulong dagiti Umili ti
Amianan (RDC-Kaduami),
a non-governmental
service institution that
helps in the development of
communities in Northern
Luzon.
The manner by
which she was taken by
state security forces and the
illegal and unjust detention
she had to experience are
continuing acts of political
persecution reminiscent of
the martial rule, Tabiando
said, referring to Alikes
arrest.
The governments
OPLAN KAPAYAPAAN,
the national internal
security policy that is
in effect, is simply a
continuation of the past
governments operational
plans that are marching
orders for state sponsored
terrorism, she added.
Militarization and
repression
Connie Hapulon,
Secretary General, of UBI-
Ifugao also blamed Dutertes
all-out war policy for the
lack of peace in Ifugao,
specifically, the continued
militarization. On February
12, over 54 households
were affected by an armed
encounter between the
NPA and the 54th Infantry
Batallion of the AFP in
Naman, Asipulo, prompting
them to evacuate. Aside
from the evacuation, the
armed encounter also had
economic consequences,
according to Hapulon, that
is, instilling fear among
farmers in Naman who are
now afraid to farm their
lands. Ifugao Representative
Teddy Baguilat, on February
17, urged for a truce, and
for the resumption of peace
talks.
These events are
there because of Dutertes
declaration of an all out war.
Additionally, organizers and
members of organization
in our town are being
subjected to continued
political persecution,
and intimidation. They
intimidate us, we are
harassed, and we are
put under surveillance,
Hapulon said in Ilocano.
Speaking of political
persecution, she also
expressed support to Alikes,
saying that Alikes has long
served Ifugao by organizing
women.
Maricris Banawag
from Innabuyog Kalinga
also narrated the same
experience of intimidation
and abuse experienced
not only by women, but also
children, and farmers in
Kalinga. This intimidation
according to her, is to get
information regarding NPA,
listing people as members of
Cafgu, suspecting farmers
as supporters of the NPA,
and luring women despite
knowing that they have
husbands Banawag said in
Ilocano.
With these, she
narrated how they
conducted a dialogue with
the AFP to address these
problems. However, she
said that folks, in the end
boycotted the activity
planned by the AFP, and
submitted a petition to the
AFP to leave their town. This
was met with an applause
from the audience.
Sexual harassment and
abuse
Emerita Dasol, of
Binnadang, Mt. Province,
meanwhile talked about
violence against women and
children.
Basing on data from
the Civil Registrar, there
are 1278 cases of teenage
pregnancies from 2014-
2016. These are teens with
ages 11-17 years old. On
the other hand, according
to data from BJMP [Bureau
of Jail Management and
Penology] there are 17
rape cases. The ages of the
accused are 50 years old and
above, and the victims are
9-14 years old, Dasol said
in Ilocano.
This shows the Photos by Alexandra Himaya D. Jaramillo
present status of women and
children. However, what
these women did, contrary to
what has been said that they
are weak, they organized
themselves, they educated
themselves regarding their
rights as women. Since
they could not wait for
the action of the agencies
which are responsible for
arresting rapists, the women
themselves arrested these
abusers, she added.
Dasol said that this
proves that when women
organize, they have power,
and that women have a
huge role in changing their
present status.
All speakers called for
the continuation of peace
talks in order to address the
roots of the civil war in the
country.
We remind the
Duterte administration, that
repression does not birth
peace, it births and breeds
resistance, Tabiando said.
Additionally, all
women expressed their
support to Alikes, saying
that she has been active in
helping to organize women
in various provinces of
Cordillera.