Final NCPAG SC Candidate List (Vince Nonato)

The final and official list of candidates for the National College of Public Administration and Governance’s student council was released Friday afternoon.

Only 14 candidates are running for eight different positions, compared to last year’s 20.

Incumbent NCPAG representative to the University Student Council Desiree Ico of Practice of Administrative Leadership and Service (PALS), is running for NCPAG SC vice-chairperson, as the running mate of Julliano Fernando Guiang, also of PALS.

Both Guiang and Ico are running unopposed.

Other NCPAG SC members seeking positions are Undergraduate Councilors Joann Salazar (for Internal Affairs Administrator) and Karlo Diaz (for External Affairs Administrator), both from PALS, NCPAG’s only accredited party this year.

On the other hand, Norman Cualteros, Rodolfo Ferdinand Quicho Jr., and Juan Valeriano Respicio IV, originally included in the first official list released Jan. 28, are no longer candidates, said College Secretary Jocelyn C. Cuaresma.

The sole pending candidate from the original list, Pamela Grafilo, was disqualified due to a violation.

NCPAG students were only able to vote for USC officials on Election Day (Feb. 24) last year as the college’s local elections were postponed to March.

May it be known to all concerned that:

I, Franz Jonathan G. de la Fuente, a  member of Interdependent-Student-Centered Activism (ISA), hereby signify my intention to file for a leave of absence (LOA) from the said organization for the duration of the college student council election campaign, beginning Wednesday, January 19 and ending on Thursday, February 17, as I did so on January 26 last year.

Given my concurrent capacity as Editor-in-Chief of Tinig ng Plaridel (TNP), the official student publication of the College of Mass Communication (CMC), my intention to file for LOA is in keeping with my desire to declare my personal objectivity and accountability to the publication I lead.

My LOA would allow me to focus solely on my stewardship of TNP during the election, and be as free of partiality as possible.



FRANZ JONATHAN G. DE LA FUENTE
IV-BA Journalism
University of the Philippines

The Aug. 23 Manila hostage-taking proved to be a bitter litmus test for many of the country’s institutions: the police, the military, the local government units, and the media. When it comes to mistakes committed, the mainstream media finds itself bearing responsibility for much of the events leading to the botched rescue operation that saw eight dead and seven injured.

The events of that evening validated the media’s powerful role in shaping events, most especially in crises. Information could be used both as a tool and as a weapon, so therefore the media had a crucial role to play in minimizing harm among the stakeholders, as well be accountable in its reportage.

The media’s most damning failure lay in its live telecast of the situation. From the get-go, the major television stations were broadcasting Mendoza’s capture of the bus—live. Reporters were on scene delivering blow-by-blow accounts of his moves, and worse, the SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) team’s. It is now assumed that Mendoza’s composure evaporated upon seeing the violent arrest of his brother Gregorio on the bus’s television monitor caused him to shoot his Chinese hostages.

Was live coverage absolutely necessary? Was there a dire, urgent need for the public to know every move of the SWAT team? While the right to be informed is well and good, we do not believe live coverage was needed. Firstly, this clearly violates the KBP’s guidelines on information disclosure in crises. A news blackout would have been already extreme but the media could have opted to delay coverage instead by half an hour or so. This was employed during the 1979 Iranian Hostage Crisis in Tehran. That way coverage would have still been delivered without compromising the rescue operation.

The very quality of coverage was also mediocre. When you have ABS-CBN airing the panicked driver Alberto Lubang’s chilling yelp “Patay na silang lahat,” without any initial verification (to its credit, GMA 7 did not), one can clearly surmise the degree of professionalism the media possesses. The images of the dead were also simply broadcast to every living room in the country without any attempt to censor or to blur. Throw in panicking (i.e. GMA 7’s Mel Tiangco), cussing, and laughing reporters who lose all self-control the moment Mendoza starts shooting complete with wild gestures—quite unnecessary—and you have a lethal recipe for news sensationalism and fact distortion. Emotions replaced rational thinking and this clouded all judgment on the part of the reporters.

Most incredible and appalling of all was the utter absence of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) in all this. For 12 hours, Malacañang lay dormant; CNN had to interview Manila’s vice-mayor Isko Moreno for official comment. For all its vaunted purposes to deliver Pres. Benigno Aquino III’s “message” effectively and swiftly to the public, Aquino delivered his statement around 12 midnight, long after blood had been spilled on the Grandstand, and much to chagrin of Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang. His statement was not exactly stellar either: aside from being seemingly a recap of the day’s events, it lacked the compassion and conviction that normally befits a leader in times of crisis. Aquino appeared frighteningly detached from reality as he sought to gain control of a situation he seemed to know little about.

What went wrong? From the looks of it, Philippine society is suffering from a surfeit of information in many ways—and a rather complacent media is not helping the situation at all. From undergoing severe prior restraint and suppression under the Martial Law era, demand for instant information has reached its shocking peak. Much of this distressing reality can be traced to how the media tolerates and even encourages a shallow perception of the news, in effect holding their audiences hostage to the media’s interests.

Who sets limits then, as referenced by Aquino in his midnight message? Definitely not the audience, and likewise the state can only do so much. The answer lies in the media’s strict enforcement of self-regulation among its ranks. It should not wait for any external forces such as the government before they can even act. Keeping in mind the highest standards of broadcasting and journalism, the media ought to step up and properly fulfill its function as society’s Fourth Estate and watchdog.

If station managements simply realized the direct repercussions of their actions that evening, perhaps we would be witnessing less bloodshed in the future and maybe this country would still have a face to present to the international community. Ratings and competition aside, this would have been the only prudent thing to do.

Rights and responsibilities–at the end of the day it all boils down to these. Police officers, reporters, tourists, and even hostage-takers have these. Looking back on that fateful evening, who fulfilled their rights and responsibilities, and who did not? You be the judge.

By Ranel Ram Cheng

The First Quarter Storm of 1970 is remembered in today’s history books as the height of student activism against the Marcos government. It was a period marked with violent clashes between government troops and activists that eventually led to the declaration of Martial Law in 1972. More than just a period of rage against a fascist ruler, the FQS bore a generation of courageous and idealistic youth that created the mold for the student movement that we know today.

Forty years later, however, the country still faces the same social problems that the FQS vehemently fought against. A new generation has been born without even knowing what the First Quarter Storm was about. It would seem that the rage of the 70s has become but mere paragraphs in the archives of history.

The movie SIGWA is a fitting tribute to the First Quarter Storm. Directed by the acclaimed Joel Lamangan and filled with some of the country’s brightest stars, the movie brought the events of the FQS to life. The story takes place in the present, initially told by Dolly (Dawn Zulueta), a Fil-Am who covered the youth movement as a junior correspondent (Megan Young) and is back in search of her daughter whom she left before she was deported during Martial Law. Her journey brings her to meet old comrades and gives the audience a rather intricate picture of their personal lives as well as how the movement and its members evolved. A great part of the movie was spent guessing who became what and their reasons for doing so.

Flashbacks, non-mainstream roles

The plot also attempts to educate the audience on the movement itself with actual facts (like mentioning that their “friend” Judy who went on to become UP Faculty Regent).  The story relied much on flashbacks to set the mood of the 70s as well as to paint a picture as to how their involvement in the FQS shaped the present lives of the characters. Some details, however,  especially on the years and dates, were a bit confusing and made some lines sound more like a history lecture rather than conversation. The story did make amends with powerful one-liners and witty remarks that proved that the student activists listened well to their professors, combining theory and social practice.

The film also gives an in-your-face look to social issues like poverty, injustice, and extrajudicial violence—themes relevant today as it was in the 1970s. It also went “behind the scenes” of the movement, bringing the audience to the underground of the FQS, all the way to the camps nestled in the mountains, thus showing the human side of the revolution which is not usually seen or heard of.

Another plus for the film was how the cast, usually associated with mainstream roles, blended well with each other in their respective roles. The continuity in matching Dawn Zulueta with Megan Young was just perfect. Much more can be said of the confrontation scenes of Tirso Cruz III (hailed as this year’s Best Supporting Actor) and Zsa Zsa Padilla, which showed that politics indeed becomes personal. Where the film lacks in terms of production value, it recovers with the heartfelt portrayal of the characters.

In the end, the story of SIGWA is more than just a story of the First Quarter Storm. It echoes the call of those who lived through it—to change a system that continues to favor the wealthy few while falling deaf to the plight of the suffering many. The movie thus becomes a fitting tribute to the bravery, idealism, and sacrifices of the youth who fought during that time.

The movie ends with a high note, ever hopeful that the seeds that the youth sowed in the 1970s have begun to bear fruit and that one day, the nation shall taste the sweet victory that should come after the Storm.

Diony Hipolito prepares to shoot two charities in the dying minutes of the fourth quarter during the UP Fighting Maroons' tight game against NU Bulldogs. (Christine Anne Penalosa)

The UP Fighting Maroons were two free throws away from their first victory in the season but Dionisio Hipolito simply did not make it.

Hipolito missed a pair of crucial charities off a foul from Melvin Baloran with 2.4 seconds left in the clock as the National University Bulldogs thumped UP on Saturday with a pulsating 61-59 victory in their UAAP Season 73 basketball game at the Araneta Coliseum.

“I just closed my eyes and hoped it would miss,” said NU coach Eric Gonzales as his Bulldogs squad escaped UP’s late surge with only a minute down in the final period.

Joseph Terso sank his lone basket in the game from beyond-the-arc and gave NU a 60-53 edge with 51.1 seconds left in the clock but Alvin Padilla and Mike Silungan notched two straight three pointers to cut the lead to one, 60-59.

Terso missed two crucial free throws after drawing a foul with 10 seconds left in the clock that gave UP both the possession and the chance to win their first game in the season. However, Hipolito failed to convert the free throws.

Alvin Padilla organizes the UP Fighting Maroons' offense during their close game against the NU Bulldogs. (Christine Anne Penalosa)

The Maroons are still winless in 10 outings as they are moving closer to tying their dismal 0-14 win-loss record in 2007 while NU moved up to fifth place behind La Salle and kept their Final Four hopes alive.

“We’re just playing one game at a time,” Gonzales said as he added that he treats each game as a stepping stone in their run to the Final Four.

Emmanuel Mbe finished with another double-double for NU as he registered 21 points and grabbed 16 rebounds while Mike Silungan and Alvin Padilla scored 17 and 13 points respectively for the Maroons.

UP will go up against third-seeded Adamson University on August 26 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Maroon Guard Miggy Maniego drives the ball past Green Archer center Yutien Andrada in a game sans Maroons Padilla, Lopez, and Co. UP lost to DLSU, 63-84. (Christine Anne Penalosa)

The Maroons found themselves limping in the absence of three key players in today’s game.

The University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons remain winless after being defeated by the De La Salle University Green Archers, 63-84, in the second round of the UAAP Season 73 Thursday at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Fighting Maroons started the game without Alvin Padilla, who was suspended after elbowing Ateneo rookie Arthur Dela Cruz last Saturday.

The Maroons fired 13 markers in the second quarter, capped by Martin Reyes’ triple to keep La Salle within a striking distance by the end of the first half, 37-29.

They were battling an 11-point deficit when Mark Lopez hurt his right knee after a bad fall when he collided with Jarelan Tampus 4:39 to go in the third quarter.

Team Captain Woody Co followed shortly, spraining his right ankle two minutes after Lopez went down.

The Maroons then started to fall apart.

Sharing the ball

Magi Sison and Mike Silungan led the Maroons’ charge with 12 points apiece, but the Archers’ 24 assists, including nine from team captain Simon Atkins, made wonders to La Salle’s offense.

Maui Villanueva topscored for La Salle with 14 markers, while Gabriel Banal, Almond Vosotros and Tampus combined for 32 points to blow up the margin.

“During the second half, I told the boys to share the ball,” said DLSU head coach Dindo Pumaren.

Still winless in nine outings, the UP Fighting Maroons will give another shot for their first victory as they clash with National University Bulldogs 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the La Salle Green Archers will collide with archrival Ateneo Blue Eagles in the 4 p.m. game on the same day.

UP Fighting Maroons' Mike Silungan drives against Ateneo Blue Eagles' Nico Salva during the second round of the UAAP Season 73's "Battle of Katipunan Redux" Saturday. The Blue Eagles defeated the Maroons, 75-59. (Christine Anne Penalosa)

The Ateneo Blue Eagles pummeled the UP Fighting Maroons, 75-59, in their UAAP Season 73 basketball rematch dubbed “Battle of Katipunan Redux” at the Araneta Coliseum Saturday.

Sharp shooter Emman Monfort led Ateneo on the offensive end with a career-high 23 points, 14 of which came in the second quarter. Monfort also grabbed six boards, five assists and four steals.

Monfort sizzled early in the second period as he notched nine consecutive points that gave the Blue Eagles a 26-16 lead prompting Maroons coach Boyet Fernandez to call a time-out with only a minute down in the period.

“Coach Norman (Black) gave me the confidence to shoot when I’m open” Monfort said after the match.

Justin Chua was virtually unstoppable inside the paint as he scored 16 points on 80% shooting while Ryan Buenafe posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 boards for the Eagles.

“Our offense is [now] more balanced,” Black said as his squad moved to 2nd place in the standings along with Adamson.

Improving?

An enthusiastic UP fan flashes her banner as she supports the UP Fighting Maroons who remain winless after eight games into the UAAP Season 73. (Christine Anne Penalosa)

Ateneo also played solid defense against UP as they limited the Maroons’s points in the paints to just 14.

Meanwhile, UP is still winless after eight games in the season.

Martin Reyes led the Maroons’ losing effort with 15 points, all from beyond-the-arc, as Magi Sison finished with a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds.

“The players are improving but I challenged them that one of them should step-up for the team,” Coach Boyet Fernandez said.

UP will play against the De La Salle Green Archers, Ateneo’s archrival, on August 29. La Salle won against National University , 59-56, in the second game.

The scores:

ADMU 75- Monfort 23, Chua 16, Buenafe 12, Salamat 9, Dela Cruz 6, Golla 4, Long 3, Salva 2, Escueta 0, Erram 0, Tiongson 0, De Chavez 0, Austria 0.

UP 59- Reyes, Martin 15, Co 13, Silungan 11,  Sison 10, Padilla 6, Saret 2, Manuel 2, Reyes, Miguel 0, Maniego 0, Hipolito 0, Juruena 0, Gomez 0.

Quarter scores: 17-16, 37-29, 57-43, 75-59

Kindly click image to enlarge.

Source: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/photo.php?pid=141696&id=125398160840177

]]> http://www.tinigngplaridel.net/sports/2010/08/09/uaap-season-73-2nd-round-pairings/feed/ 0 http://www.tinigngplaridel.net/sports/2010/08/07/bulldogs-rally-past-maroons-in-last-minute-upset-70-66/ http://www.tinigngplaridel.net/sports/2010/08/07/bulldogs-rally-past-maroons-in-last-minute-upset-70-66/#comments Sat, 07 Aug 2010 15:15:10 +0000 Franz Jonathan G. de la Fuente (TNP) http://www.tinigngplaridel.net/?p=1066 By Mikhail Franz Flores

Miggy Maniego weeps while singing "UP Naming Mahal" as the Fighting Maroons lost the game against NU Bulldogs on Saturday, 66-70. (Christine Anne Penalosa)

At halftime, the UP Fighting Maroons were smiling as they finished with a 41-21 lead over the National University Bulldogs. But when team captain Woody Co was fouled out early in the third quarter, the game’s momentum shifted and their early jubilation ended in tears.

NU rallied from a 20-point deficit to stun the Maroons, 70-66, in their UAAP Season 73 basketball match at Fil-Oil Flying V Arena in San Juan City on Saturday as UP suffered its most heartbreaking loss in the season so far.

UP is now ranked at the bottom of the season roster, with seven losses at the end of the UAAP’s first round , duplicating their 2007 record, the year they lost all 14 games in the season.

Joseph Hermosissima poured in 13 points including a crucial three-pointer with 48.7 seconds left in the fourth quarter as the Bulldogs grabbed the lead, 68-66, for the first time since the first quarter.

“I knew it would come in,” Hermosissima said after the match.

Joseph Terso sealed the fate of the Maroons after converting two crucial free throws off a foul from Joshua Saret with 14.8 seconds left in the game clock.

Emmanuel Mbe posted a double-double for the Bulldogs with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Free throws

Martin Reyes shoots a three-point basket over Joseph Hermosisima and gave the Fighting Maroons a commanding lead in the first half against the Bulldogs, 41-21. (Christine Anne Penalosa)

“I reminded them of their commitment. If you’re still in it, this is now the time,” rookie coach Eric Gonzales said when asked how the team managed to get back on the match after a dismal first half.

Woody Co left the game at 8:53 minutes in the third quarter after fouling Melvin Baloran. Co, apparently annoyed by the call, cursed referee Raffy Britanico and was slapped a technical foul.

Baloran converted his four free-throws and Mbe finished a lay-up as NU scored six points in a single possession to shift the game’s momentum.

Martin Reyes led UP with 15 points, 9 from beyond-the arc, as the Maroons wrapped-up the first round at 0-7

Coach Boyet Fernandez took the blame on UP’s loss. “Win or lose, the blame is on me,” he said.

“The boys did well. I give credit to them,” he added.

The Maroons’ shooting sizzled in the second quarter as they scored 28 points in the period as their offensive attack was backed up with a solid defense that reduced NU to 11 points in the period.

The scores:

NU 70- Hermosissima 13, Mbe 12, Terso 12, Baloran 9, Khobuntin 6, Ponferrada 6, Eriobu 4, Malanday 3, Ludovice 2, Javillonar 2, Magat 1.

UP 66- Reyes 15, Padilla 11, Silungan 9, Lopez 8, Sison 6, Juruena 6, Hipolito 4, Gomez 4, Reyes, Mikee 2, Co 1, Saret 0, Maniego 0.

Quarter Scoring: 10-13, 21-41, 52-55, 70-66.