Manila Peninsula Incident

Yesterday, when it was announced that classes from 6:00PM onwards were suspended because of a coup threat in Makati, everyone rejoiced. Did they rejoice because there's another attempt to topple GMA or is it just because of an early vacation?

Last night a lot of students were complaining about the curfew. Did they complain because there might be bloodshed at night or is it just because they have to call the late night parties off?

Some were calling Trillianes brave. Some called him stupid. Some didn't care at all.

Andres Bonifacio would have been so proud of us.

Recent Comments

We have been receiving a lot of e-mails asking us to reveal our identities. Why this obsession? Is there no truth to the words we speak? Must our faces and so-called identities be linked to what we are say so that they can be true? You are not blind, you know we are right. How can we be not right if we are just mirroring reality. Why can't you engage us in constructive dialogue amidst the anonymity? We remain anonymous not because we are afraid but because we want to prove a point - there are students who are bothered by the things that are happening and that are not happening. We are students, undergraduates. That should be enough. Why do we need to attach names, ID numbers, and courses to what we say? What end will that achieve?

In connection to "identities", there is the question of what exactly are we doing to make things "better". On the group level, we recognize that we cannot do everything. Thus we saw that it is our role to be mirrors of reality and popular student sentiments (we either agree or disagree to these). Isn't "disturbing" an action in itself? Why are people clamoring for us to do something concrete? Is this not concrete enough? And why should we have monopoly of all the actions? There are thousands of Ateneans out there. This is our part to play. What is yours? What is theirs?

On the other level, as individuals, we are deeply engaged in many activities related to our cause. Many of us are members of organizations and some of us are into student politics. We are people who have seen the system both inside and out. We know what we are saying for we are in the system, we are not detached but truly embedded.

Are we alone in our sentiments? No. There are many who support us. Many have e-mailed us, expressing their support for us. There are also those who support us. We are a gadfly, we don't expect everyone to agree with us - what is important is that people engage us.

Headliner

Crippled Leadership

During the first semester of this school year, the Sanggunian has done nothing substantial or worthy of praise, except for the "Dress Code Buzz" if you call that note-worthy.

It's ironic how "men and women for others" can show more concern on their "right to self-expression a.k.a. right to choose what to wear in school" than on the rights of Filipinos to truth, good governance, and democracy in its true sense.

The Sanggunian, as of now, lacks the capability to move the student body towards "nation-building." Even some people from the inside are saying the same thing.

Tips for you guys:
1- Bridge leadership. Connect with different organizations and institutions (departments, etc). Create a strong network.

2- Show progress. Make yourself visible. E-mail updates to the student body or create your own website that posts updates on what you have been doing or what each of your committee/branch has been doing.

Suggested Breakdown:

Sanggunian

- Central Board

• Committee 1
  
• Committee 2
  
• Committee 3
• Committee 4

- School Board

• SOM
• Seniors
• Juniors
• Sophomores
• Freshmen
  
• SOH
• Seniors
• Juniors
• Sophomores
• Freshmen
  
• SOSS
• Seniors
• Juniors
• Sophomores
• Freshmen
  
• SOSE
• Seniors
• Juniors
• Sophomores
• Freshmen

* You can add extra pages for message from the President or whoever.

3- Utilize all directions of communication: Top-down, Bottom-up, Lateral. Have an email address or tagboard where students can give you comments or suggestions. Have regular peer evaluations among the officers. Have your course reps evaluate you and the entire organization. Etc.


Good luck, Sanggu!

~ Dimasalang