Ang nakaraan...isang pangkatang proyekto...isang pagsasaliksik sa kontemporaryong kasaysayan...isang napiling paksa...isang napiling tao...si LQS...at si sonofaditch...nagharap sa CM Recto Hall...katugnaw sang aircon hehehehe
Ang mga tauhan (Dramatis Personae kung gusto niyo sosyal; nalimtan sang ginasulat ang Part One)
Sonofaditch - Negrense, mag-aaral ng Masterya sa Kasaysayan, feeling freshman
Krisdel - mag-aaral ng Masterya sa Kasaysayan, nagmula sa Miriam College (shucks!)
Maricris - nasa unang taon sa pag-aaral ng B.A. History
Lovely - nasa nth(?) year na sa pag-aaral ng Education. Masayahing bata...sobrang daldal...may topak
Carlo - Unique ni siya...nag-aaral ng Business Administration...slightly autistic...mabilis mawala...("uy, 'asan na si Carlo?")
Lydia Quindoza Santiago - makatang de-kalibre
Isang masungit na propesora sa FC
so I faced LQS and asked her if she's available for an interview. And to my great relief she agreed to be interviewed and told us she'll be available on Monday, July 23, 2:30 PM at her Room at the Faculty Center (FC). So having obtained her "matamis na oo", I met with my groupmates the next day and told them of the news...
In my haste (or nervousness, or maybe its the aircon, or maybe its because i haven't read the newspapers lately...) I didn't realize that the SONA was scheduled on July 23, Monday. So what has it got to do with the interview, you may ask? well we're in UP for crying out loud and the SONA automatically means MASS PROTEST ACTION....the tibaks were mobilizing and there were rumors that classes will be suspended on Monday -- the day that we were supposed to interview LQS...patay...
Still we refused to be daunted by the expected suspension of classes...after all, it was still a rumor last Friday. So our group agreed to meet at Palma Hall on Monday morning, before the traffic becomes horrendous, and plan on our interview, and wait until 2:30 PM...
and so Saturday passed without event and without any announcement regarding Monday. Sunday came and a lot of text messages were arriving asking me if I heard anything about Monday...hehe the clueless asking the clueless...it was only around 2 AM of July 23 that a text arrived from the CSSP Student Council that announced the suspension of classes for Monday...Thank you very much for the prompt announcement grrrrr....
But our group still had to push through with the scheduled interview...we had to assume that LQS is expecting us on Monday -- it was the only time that she'll be available, and since we had no way of contacting her, we had no choice but to come on Monday....
Monday morning: I was standing outside of Palma Hall, and text messages were arriving...
Krisdel: here na Palma Hall, wer u?
Lovely: Kuya Michael, asan na po kau?
Carlo: wer u?
Maricris: andito na po kami...
We finally managed to find each other at the lobby amidst the crowd of tibaks preparing to march toward the Batasan...good thing I didn't wear red or else I would be swept into the crowd and automatically drafted into the tibak movement...
And so we met and discussed the outline of our interview and the information we have gathered so far on LQS...we had our books on hand, Krisdel had her tape recorder...Carlo had his video camera...possible questions were discussed and agreed upon...we were ready...as in...ready na gid ya...
it was around 10:30 AM, we decided to go to the FC and check if LQS was already inside her office, it might be possible that we might conduct our interview earlier so my groupmates could come home earlier before the mass protests go full swing...
when we checked if she's available in her room, we met "ang masungit na propesora". Actually I already had a run-in with Prof. Masungit (whoever she is...) when Krisdel and I first went to see if LQS is in her room on Friday. Most of the faculty rooms at the FC are shared by some professors -- in this case LQS and Prof Masungit are, shall we say, roommates...
I went inside and asked if LQS was in, Prof Masungit replied "No, she's on leave right now..." and before I could even ask another question she said. "Don't ask me, I'm busy..." pointing to her laptop.
well OK...sorrrreeeee
so when it was Monday and we had to come inside LQS' room, I did not want to be the one to face Prof. Masungit again. So this time, Krisdel went in and according to her, before she could even get a word out, Prof. Masungit waved her hand in a "No" gesture and pointed to her laptop, as if saying:
"Don't ask me, I'm busy..."
(So now it's possible to be a bitch both verbally and non-verbally...)
so we went outside and that was when we saw a note posted on the door addressed to LQS. It was confirmation that she was there -- all we had to do was wait.
And so the long wait begins...
Next time...the FINAL CHAPTER of this epic trilogy...kadto ko anay library...hehehe
Stand Alone 1.1o
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Si LQS...(Part 1)
yesterday I was afforded a rare opportunity to meet one of the brilliant minds of Philippine Literature. this encounter is an example of how serendipity and persistence combine to make a worthwhile experience.
First, the serendipity part: On assignment in our Contemporary Philippine History subject to conduct an interview exploring a certain period of Contemporary Philippines, our group decided to concentrate our efforts on researching on the Martial Law Period - with a "special focus" on literature.
A few days ago, we were still unsure how to proceed with the topic that we had chosen. As I have stated in my previous blog, we still have to figure out whom we should interview. We were told that UP is literally crowding with writers who were active during the Martial Law Period but the problem is none of us knew any who might be willing.
Here's where SERENDIPITY struck: Monday of the previous week, one of our groupmates, Krisdel brought with her a student research paper detailing the works of three women writers during Martial Law. And from the three, one name stood out: Lilia Quindoza Santiago...
The reason why we chose her is that based on the interview conducted by the student researchers in their work, she had actual experience of participating in the so called "underground movement", and have had to live in the mountains for several months before being captured and "man-handled" by the military; she has gone through a lot as a member of the underground and we felt that her unique perspective is what our research needed.
And so we did the research on our "target". Only when I have seen the books that she has written and read some of her works did I begin to appreciate that the person that we are about to meet is one "makatang de-kalibre". Dr. Santiago (a.k.a. LQS) is a feminist writer and many of her works touched on poetry with a "feminist touch"; her works on the discourse of feminist literature is a critical and revisionist look at how the role of women was viewed throughout history. I have read her two books of poetry and it an enlightening read - feminist poetry has a different perspective, a different "approach" when compared to the male, "macho" literature prevalent during the Martial Law Period. From her studies of radical literature I found several "gemstones" of protest poetry: from Pete Lacaba's "Prometheus Unbound" and "In Memoriam" to Jose Ma. Sison's "The Forest is still Enchanted", to Jose V. Vitug and Emmanuel Lacaba's works as well as the poetry of their other compatriots - writers both male and female, known and unknown, those who lost their lives in the struggle and those who survived to carry on.
Reading on LQS' works has already been enlightening, can't wait to meet her in person...and this is where PERSISTENCE comes in...
We were supposed to meet LQS during her book launching Thursday last week. That was the only time she was available in the University for she is currently on leave and will be going to the University of Hawaii next month -- our "target" might slip out of our sights if we don't get to her soon...challenge ni...we were supposed to be there as a group -- ang ending ako lang kag si Carlo, another groupmate, ang nag-attend sang book launching.
And so we had to sit there at C.M. Recto Hall for about 2 hours listening to LQS lecture on what she called "Daduma(sic) Pay" translated: "At Iba Pa" -- other perspectives in viewing Philippine Literature from Ancient until Present times. She spoke for about 40 minutes, and the impression I got was that LQS is a mild-mannered, soft spoken woman whose years of experience and her literary expertise did not make her an intimidating figure. This impression was confirmed when I approached her after the event and asked if we could interview her. Carlo was gone at this point for he had a class, and so here I was, the lone messenger of our group, facing LQS, Professor of Filipino and Philippine Literature, accomplished writer and literary critic, "makatang de-kalibre".....
to be continued....may class pa 'ko eh. hehehe
Stand Alone 1.09
First, the serendipity part: On assignment in our Contemporary Philippine History subject to conduct an interview exploring a certain period of Contemporary Philippines, our group decided to concentrate our efforts on researching on the Martial Law Period - with a "special focus" on literature.
A few days ago, we were still unsure how to proceed with the topic that we had chosen. As I have stated in my previous blog, we still have to figure out whom we should interview. We were told that UP is literally crowding with writers who were active during the Martial Law Period but the problem is none of us knew any who might be willing.
Here's where SERENDIPITY struck: Monday of the previous week, one of our groupmates, Krisdel brought with her a student research paper detailing the works of three women writers during Martial Law. And from the three, one name stood out: Lilia Quindoza Santiago...
The reason why we chose her is that based on the interview conducted by the student researchers in their work, she had actual experience of participating in the so called "underground movement", and have had to live in the mountains for several months before being captured and "man-handled" by the military; she has gone through a lot as a member of the underground and we felt that her unique perspective is what our research needed.
And so we did the research on our "target". Only when I have seen the books that she has written and read some of her works did I begin to appreciate that the person that we are about to meet is one "makatang de-kalibre". Dr. Santiago (a.k.a. LQS) is a feminist writer and many of her works touched on poetry with a "feminist touch"; her works on the discourse of feminist literature is a critical and revisionist look at how the role of women was viewed throughout history. I have read her two books of poetry and it an enlightening read - feminist poetry has a different perspective, a different "approach" when compared to the male, "macho" literature prevalent during the Martial Law Period. From her studies of radical literature I found several "gemstones" of protest poetry: from Pete Lacaba's "Prometheus Unbound" and "In Memoriam" to Jose Ma. Sison's "The Forest is still Enchanted", to Jose V. Vitug and Emmanuel Lacaba's works as well as the poetry of their other compatriots - writers both male and female, known and unknown, those who lost their lives in the struggle and those who survived to carry on.
Reading on LQS' works has already been enlightening, can't wait to meet her in person...and this is where PERSISTENCE comes in...
We were supposed to meet LQS during her book launching Thursday last week. That was the only time she was available in the University for she is currently on leave and will be going to the University of Hawaii next month -- our "target" might slip out of our sights if we don't get to her soon...challenge ni...we were supposed to be there as a group -- ang ending ako lang kag si Carlo, another groupmate, ang nag-attend sang book launching.
And so we had to sit there at C.M. Recto Hall for about 2 hours listening to LQS lecture on what she called "Daduma(sic) Pay" translated: "At Iba Pa" -- other perspectives in viewing Philippine Literature from Ancient until Present times. She spoke for about 40 minutes, and the impression I got was that LQS is a mild-mannered, soft spoken woman whose years of experience and her literary expertise did not make her an intimidating figure. This impression was confirmed when I approached her after the event and asked if we could interview her. Carlo was gone at this point for he had a class, and so here I was, the lone messenger of our group, facing LQS, Professor of Filipino and Philippine Literature, accomplished writer and literary critic, "makatang de-kalibre".....
to be continued....may class pa 'ko eh. hehehe
Stand Alone 1.09
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
English-Tagalog Dictionary
the recent new revelations of errors in textbooks used in public schools have caused controversy once again in the DepEd. Among the errors enumerated is a "ridiculous" translation of English terms into Filipino. Here's a sample of what happens if we're not very careful with our "translation" (taken from a reaction posted in a website I visited). Though I'm not sure if these were taken from actual economics or bookkeeping textbooks, you can see that the results could be hilarious. ~ ditch
asset - ari
fixed asset - nakatirik na ari
liquid asset - basang ari
solid asset - matigas na ari
owned asset - sariling pagaari
other asset - ari ng iba
miscellaneous asset - ibat-ibang klase ng ari
asset write off - pinutol na pagaari
depreciation of asset - laspag na pagaari
fully depreciated asset - laspag na laspag na pagaari
earning asset - tumutubong pagaari
working asset - ganado pa ang ari
non-earning asset - baldado na ang ari
erroneous entry - mali ang pagkapasok
double entry - dalawang beses ipinasok
multiple entry - labas pasok ng labas pasok
correcting entry - itinama ang pagkapasok
reversing entry - baliktad ang pagkapasok
dead asset - patay na ang ari
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Sunday, July 15, 2007
DIVERSIONS and DISTRACTIONS
every so often some event just happens to disrupt the "tranquility" of my academic studies, occurences often random and unplanned...to translate: kis-a sa akon nga pag-eskwela may ara gasinabad nga mga wala diri wala didto hehehe
being in a liberal academic environment has it's share of sudden "what the hell?" moments. You might be sitting quietly inside your classrooms when suddenly screams of indignation could be heard right outside the corridors, with the "tibaks" (UP slang for "activists") making "baka" (protest, as in "makibaka"), and then there would be a tibak propaganda officer entering your classroom with urgent summons for you to join their cause. there was one time the tibaks were calling for students to join them on a march to Mendiola for a demonstration against the HSA among other demands and concerns that they had (political killings, the "commercialization" of UP education, the whole shebang). I told myself, "You must be kidding, and layu-layo ng Mendiola..." and so the tibak P.O. gave his rousing harangue and left...nobody followed...
another time there was this convoy going around honking their horns while classes were going on, another protest perhaps...nobody seemed to mind, everybody seemed used to these disruptions...ako medyo ga manol-manol pa..."spontaneous" protests and mass actions are not very common here in the colleges in Bacolod...bilib ako sa mga student activists here who really believe in what their fighting for and I am just amazed at the different tactics they employ (from mass rallies to spraypainting garbage cans and walls)...but still, layo gyapon ang Mendiola ah...hehehe...goodluck na lang sa mga tibaks...keep up with the "distractions"...
From the unplanned "distractions" we move on to the "diversions" that I am a willing participant in. Now if those tibaks announced that there would be a book sale offering countless titles on world history, philippine history and classical literature -- with FREE books for the first hundred attendees at Mendiola, I would've jumped from my seat and joined them. To hell with diokno! To hell with classes! (but since when nagka-booksale sa Mendiola?, dreaming again!).
I mentioned in my previous blog post that the malls have been extensions of reading rooms in the library for me. Since the main lib closes at 5 pm, and there are no tambayans or lounges that are free for all (not exclusive for clubs and orgs) around UP, I have to find a suitable place to continue my readings -- with wide spaces, relatively quite atmosphere, kag kung pwede aircon? hehe -- and the malls are my refuge during these times. Lapad na, lapit pa kalan-an kag CR, but then I have to contend with the noise around me and the other "distractions" (PDA couples -- prev. blog pls). I am amazed that I am able to conduct a thorough reading of a book i've borrowed from the lib in the foodcourt of SM North -- the noisiest place i've read in so far. There was even a time last saturday that a barkada crowded around the next table where i'm sitting (imagine the seats in the foodcourt of Rob Bacolod, I'm occupying one side, while they were on the other side, and spilling over to my side). They were a bit rowdy but I ignored them (a great effort on my part). Suddenly I heard one of them say to their other friend, "'wag ka ngang maingay, may nag-aaral diyan sa tabi mo!" hehehe who studies during saturdays in the middle of the mall, by the way?
Come Sunday all academic pursuits are forgotten for a few hours. I go to mass at the Church of Holy Sacrifice, roam around the Shopping Center, go to the mall (SM North, or Trinoma, where I'm composing this blog at the moment), sniff around the bookstores (of course, Powerbooks...where else?), log on the internet...surf-surf, blog-blog...then if my budget allows it, a movie to cap off my afternoon... ahhhh relax ta anay ah...the hours pass by and you don't seem to notice it...then it's time to go home and face my tasks as a student...
Each day is just a balancing act between the "tasks" and the "diversions". And then there's the "distractions" that come once in a while...hay, hwat a layp.
Stand Alone 1.08
being in a liberal academic environment has it's share of sudden "what the hell?" moments. You might be sitting quietly inside your classrooms when suddenly screams of indignation could be heard right outside the corridors, with the "tibaks" (UP slang for "activists") making "baka" (protest, as in "makibaka"), and then there would be a tibak propaganda officer entering your classroom with urgent summons for you to join their cause. there was one time the tibaks were calling for students to join them on a march to Mendiola for a demonstration against the HSA among other demands and concerns that they had (political killings, the "commercialization" of UP education, the whole shebang). I told myself, "You must be kidding, and layu-layo ng Mendiola..." and so the tibak P.O. gave his rousing harangue and left...nobody followed...
another time there was this convoy going around honking their horns while classes were going on, another protest perhaps...nobody seemed to mind, everybody seemed used to these disruptions...ako medyo ga manol-manol pa..."spontaneous" protests and mass actions are not very common here in the colleges in Bacolod...bilib ako sa mga student activists here who really believe in what their fighting for and I am just amazed at the different tactics they employ (from mass rallies to spraypainting garbage cans and walls)...but still, layo gyapon ang Mendiola ah...hehehe...goodluck na lang sa mga tibaks...keep up with the "distractions"...
From the unplanned "distractions" we move on to the "diversions" that I am a willing participant in. Now if those tibaks announced that there would be a book sale offering countless titles on world history, philippine history and classical literature -- with FREE books for the first hundred attendees at Mendiola, I would've jumped from my seat and joined them. To hell with diokno! To hell with classes! (but since when nagka-booksale sa Mendiola?, dreaming again!).
I mentioned in my previous blog post that the malls have been extensions of reading rooms in the library for me. Since the main lib closes at 5 pm, and there are no tambayans or lounges that are free for all (not exclusive for clubs and orgs) around UP, I have to find a suitable place to continue my readings -- with wide spaces, relatively quite atmosphere, kag kung pwede aircon? hehe -- and the malls are my refuge during these times. Lapad na, lapit pa kalan-an kag CR, but then I have to contend with the noise around me and the other "distractions" (PDA couples -- prev. blog pls). I am amazed that I am able to conduct a thorough reading of a book i've borrowed from the lib in the foodcourt of SM North -- the noisiest place i've read in so far. There was even a time last saturday that a barkada crowded around the next table where i'm sitting (imagine the seats in the foodcourt of Rob Bacolod, I'm occupying one side, while they were on the other side, and spilling over to my side). They were a bit rowdy but I ignored them (a great effort on my part). Suddenly I heard one of them say to their other friend, "'wag ka ngang maingay, may nag-aaral diyan sa tabi mo!" hehehe who studies during saturdays in the middle of the mall, by the way?
Come Sunday all academic pursuits are forgotten for a few hours. I go to mass at the Church of Holy Sacrifice, roam around the Shopping Center, go to the mall (SM North, or Trinoma, where I'm composing this blog at the moment), sniff around the bookstores (of course, Powerbooks...where else?), log on the internet...surf-surf, blog-blog...then if my budget allows it, a movie to cap off my afternoon... ahhhh relax ta anay ah...the hours pass by and you don't seem to notice it...then it's time to go home and face my tasks as a student...
Each day is just a balancing act between the "tasks" and the "diversions". And then there's the "distractions" that come once in a while...hay, hwat a layp.
Stand Alone 1.08
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