January 2013

NEWSROOM

NEWS-FEATURE ARTICLE

FEATURES NOT YET NOR NEVER FOR APECO

By Anne Bernadette A. Estipona
It turned out that no consultation were made between the IPs and the Angaras, between the municipality and the Angaras. (Government Code (RA 7161), the Carper Bill, and some key provisions under the Indigenous Peoples Right Act ) Today, the TFAA consists of organizations belonging universities within the metro. These organizations welcomed the IPs as they entered the vicinity, in support against the on-going so-claimed developmental project. In an online interview with one lead researcher Hansley Juliano, also an active member of TFAA, he stated that APECOs existence counter the governments idea of development. Moreover, because of bad decision making on the duration of the project. Accordingly results to environmental degradation due to logging and destruction of mangroves. Whereas, he added, Most important, of course, is their rampant grabbing of lands, both prime agricultural lands and ancestral domains, as well as municipal waters, for their own ends, depriving the communities who have lived there for generations of their livelihood. And it's not as if we're just protecting their private interests: their livelihood is what supplies Luzon of its food stuffs like rice and seafood. We're not even counting the endangered species further endangered by APECO's encroachment. As of press time, no action from the administration was reported. One things for sure, the folks of Casiguran will not yet, nor never give up the soil that they toil. N (Sources: reports on Philippine Daily Inquirer, Matanglawin Matanglawin (Opisyal na Pahayagang Pangmag-aaral ng Pamantasang Ateneo de Manila) , APECO and the APECO struggle Imbroglio by Jerik Cruz and Hansley Juliano)

Pocahontas settled in the land which her forefathers worked hard for. But by midday, some ecozone invades the property and devirginize the twelve thousand nine hundred twenty three hectares vast riches of Casiguran. On November 24, 2012; about one hundred and fifty farmers and fishermen all the way from he province os Aurora , Quezon, marched three hundred seventy kilometers for twenty-one days to Manila ,with hope in between their fingers. Finally, arriving on December 10, a dialogue was held at the Ateneo de Manila University. President Benigno Aquino IIIs reacton was unexpected. Wherfore, he required further reviews on the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Aunthority (APECO), requesting, lets open our minds. Since 1997, Bella Angara Castillo pushed the project. It was written as House Bill 10293. Whereas, in 2006, Congressman Sonny Angara file it on the House of Represenatives as HB 5309, with support from Senator Edgardo Angaras Senate Bill 2603, that the senator filed on the senate. Both President Fidel V. Ramos and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo approved the implementation of then Aurora Special Economic Zone (ASEZA). Which later brought an uprising led by Thereby, following his footsteps was former Bishop Rolando Tria Tirona. Tirona carries on the fight for the people to recover their land. Also, with the help of other basic ecclesial communitis (BECs) of the Prelature of Infanta.

(google photos) IPs from Casiguran protesting against APECO Hereon, he gathered various groups from Europe to document the emerging construction pf APECO, and how this project affect the lives of the natives, using the slogan: Its more fun in CasiguThus gave birth to the Task Force Anti-APECO, where distinct organizations such as the Catholic Bishop Conference (CBCP-NASSA), Freedom form debt coalition, the Save Sierra Nadre Net work), and peasant members of Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka (PAKISAMA). On October 2011, Senator Sergio Osmea joined the struggle to help the indigenous peoples voices to be heard. A study had been conducted as to whether the Freeport violated a certain law.

January 2013

NEWSROOM

FEATURES
NARRATIVE ARTICLE

That
By Anne Bernadette A. Estipona

Harmonious Moment of Defeat

Tempo wavered, one by one, we garnered our musical scores. The combined female genre made an impact to hope for the winning stake. Since some are beginners, emotions collided with the frustration to alter perfection. The first touch of the keys inhibited Paola to self pity. "Slow kasi ako," she whimpers "Okay lang yan," Gem comforts. "Okay lang yan," Timmie echoes. I, on the other hand, almost quit because of the load that I can't play quite well. We continued to play although strumming went off hand. Also, it wasn't timely as expected. Moreover, Jaz and Shieal are still hesitant on how the song would blend. Droplets of rain showered optimism. Clinging on a dream, we pursued to practice the next day, determined to sterilize the raging noise. On the third day, a sound of hope was heard. Sir Dennis smiled. "Medyo bumibilog na ang tunog," he comments. port is a lifetime trohy that can never be melted in our hearts. Never heard By the end of the competition, the hosts announce Association of Business Bicol Sudents (ABBS) as the winner for 2012 Intramurals: Battle of the Bands. We never heard our place. Four days after the event, not even one of us dared to storm inside the Physical Education Department to ask. N

Amidst the synchronized stereotyping, the seven all gril group band whom represents the College of Arts and Sciences, faced the ground-veering static. "Kayo ang una, kaya no pressure," says band coah and Social Science proffesor Dennis Gonzaga. -- Wrong. Beside the stage, the sevcen members composed of Shiela Alarte (Iead vocals), Jasmere "Jaz" Hipolito (vocals), Gloriette "Gem" Abundo (Bass), Marielle Jean "Goya" Raneses and Anne Bernadette Estipona (Rhythms), Timmie Alarkon (Drums), and Paola Joan Catangui (Keyboard), were intensified. Everyone is counting on them to win because the previous AS Band posed to be the defending champions for three consecutive years. "Ten minutes before the battle begins," announced the host. Still, guitar cords are need for one rhythm and bass. It turned out that one guitar had been grounded during the soundcheck... Almost all are in panic. "Five minutes," reckons the hoist. Five minutes became ten. Luckily, a guitarist from Ateneo Nursing Students Associatioon (ANSA) and Ateneo College of Engineering (ACE), lend their guitar cords, of which deep breaths emerged. As soon as we were vis-a-vis with the screeching crowd, the temperature cooled down. Three nights before The first band practice was held ar Afrodshock, located at Sampaguita street near Regent Hotel. The epoch of trust and doubt, the time of unsure beat, having no idea of what will be the 'intros' and 'outros'. Each individual is a total stranger to the other.

Overwhelming gust of support It's showtime. In the middle of singing the contest piece, Posible; the microphone condensed. Jaz was unable to render the lyrics properly. Instead, when the microphone got fixed, she repeated the verse. The crowd did not notice, hence, drawing an outrageous mishap between the frets. The shoulder strap of the bass guitar snapped making Gem genuflect to sustain the electric guitar atop her knees. Many thought she was doing an exhibition. At the part of Basang basa sa Ulan by Aegis, students of CAS ignited in singing. It braced rallying hands. The mist of light on thir cellular ohones shining in the air. "Ang saya sa pakiramdam," recalls Goya. Despite the flaws that incureed the loss; the warm breeze of support is a lifetime trohy that can never be melted in our hearts.

January 2013

NEWSROOM

FEATURES
DESCRIPTIVE ARTICLE

ORIGINALLY, MONTESSORIAN
By Anne Bernadette A. Estipona
The way to Pedro Gil is either by tricycle, jeep, or taxi. There are four schools that defines that place. These schools also sets the boundary between Paco and Sta. Ana, Manila. Turning right past through Onyx are two from the Paco side: Concordia College and Fernando Maria Guerrero School. The third and fourth schools belong to Sta. Ana. One is a fifiteen minute walk. Hence, it was named Operation Brotherhood Montessori Center Incorporated . Across it, a distance away, is St. Francis School. The four are interesting beyond their own history, but one stands out: O.B. Montessori. This is known to be one of the most prestigious academe in the Philippines, founded by Preciosa S. Soliven. The institution that paved way to the peculiar 'Montessori System'. Thus, having five branches: Greenhills, Angeles (pampanga), Fairview, Las Pinas, and Sta. Ana. The Sta. Ana branch was the very first to be built. Such a small place for learning. There are two entrances; one on the unloading zone, of which, families with cars drop off the sons and daughters for school. The other entrance was meant to be guarded by whom we called Kumander; who've memorized the names of students from Casa (Pre-school), Primary (Grades 1-3), Intermediate (Elementary), and High School. Furthermore, on the right side, a long counter served as to where the students buy food. The all-time crepe had been the flock's favorite. Kiosk was linked next to the counter. Here, montessori supplies were sold; from bags, notebooks (almost the size of a clear book ), uniforms, pencils, pencil cases, erasers, classic readers, and calligraphy papers (an intermediate pad like paper, used when we're trained the art of calligraphy writing). A whole corner is reserved as the bag area for everyone. The real campus grounds leaped beside the 'Front Office'. There rises a dysfunctional fountain in between two expanses of selected greens planted, near where the former basketball court resided, but now covered with 'Foro Romano Hall'. Then straight ahead is the agricultural

Located a few baby steps away, the intermediate building can be the passage to the Casa buliling, interconnecting by then Cafe Lycee Jasmin, where the high school students spend time enjoying their duty hours in the kitchen and running the cafeteria. Here's the rule: the girls are required to wear make-up, blue hair nets and matching turquoise apron,

blue hair nets and matching turquoise apron, at least a 'good morning towel hanging on the strings of loosely tied aprons. At the far end of the cafeteria is a vendo machine. Usually, on everyday encounters, we wear jackets On this second entrance, to the left, beside the guard post, because all classrooms are purely air conditioned. Until such is the 'Waiting Area'. Where benches are aligned for the students to sit on as they wait for their fetchers, seemingly time that thicker vests came about, to be donned with our turned out to be the Casa's playground, jumping from one checkered uniforms underneath, marking a transition of wardrobe for the seniors in the year 2007. bench to the other.

The school provided them a different attire for every day occasions; brown slacks, blue shirt, and long blazers. None other but O.B.M.C.I had such a queer environment and style. Which makes you proud of your alma mater. N