Noy: Day 1

As a Mindanaoan youth, I expect the administration of Noynoy Aquino to urgently prosecute the previous administration for its atrocities committed against the people.

Concrete actions are also expected to address the education crisis. He may allot emergency funds for education in his first 100 days and he should also push for the automatic allocation of the 6% of our GDP for education spending.

Mindanao, which plays a vital role in the agricultural sector, needs the new administration to implement a genuine agrarian reform program that will stand for the interests of the farmers.

For the working class, it is imperative that the proposed P125 nationwide wage increase be immediately approved. In contrast to what is being practiced in Hacienda Luisita, fair working conditions and the right to organize unions should be championed at all times.

And of course, I expect the new administration to deal with the peace and order situation particularly here in Mindanao. We call on Aquino to make all necessary actions to ensure the resumption of peace talks on both the MILF and the CPP-NPA-NDF.

Youth gives Arroyo failing grade; challenges Aquino to prosecute her

“Finally, the end is here and Gloria must face the final curtain,” this was the statement of Karlos Manlupig, Regional Spokesperson of League of Filipino Students, as youth led by Kabataan Partylist, LFS and Anakbayan today staged a march-protest as a send-off for Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

“We deplore Arroyo for further neglecting the millions of youth in her 9-year rule who were forced to quit school and suffer the miserable working and farming conditions in our country,” said Sheena Duazo of Kabataan Partylist.

In a study conducted by the National Union of Students in the Philippines, only 1 out of 10 Filipino students were able to get a college degree under the US-Arroyo administration.

“This our solid basis in giving Arroyo a failing mark in her performance as the president of the country,” Duazo said.

Manlupig explained that Arroyo’s exit from Malacanang today does not mean that the people will easily forget her atrocities. “Arroyo and her rabid lapdogs must pay dearly for their sins. And we will do all necessary actions to ensure that they face what they deserve,” Manlupig added.

The youth groups also challenge Noynoy Aquino to make sure that Arroyo be severely punished for all her crimes to the Filipino people.

“The “daang matuwid” presented by Aquino have to mean the prosecution of Arroyo,” added Manlupig.###

Skimboarding in Digos City

Sauntering by the shoreline with my mom, we saw some teens braving the waves of Digos City using round and short type of surfboards called skimboards. I immediately took my cam and clicked using the multi-shot function.

Skimboarding is a water sport where many Filipino youth are doing well. Contests and workshops are being conducted regularly in different spots here in Mindanao.

After watching them ride the waves, I am now planning to swap my old skateboard for a skimboard.

Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad

Here is the anime/manga for all the rakista, mga feeling rockers and rock fans.

BECK is a manga by Harold Sakuishi published by Kodansha in Monthly Shōnen Magazine. It was adapted as an anime television series with the title BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad. It tells the story of a group of Japanese teenagers who form a rock band.

Yukio, known by his friends as "Koyuki", is a regular 14-year-old Japanese boy who enters junior high school with two childhood acquaintances. One is a pervert, and ironically the other is a highly sought after female student. Koyuki's boring life is changed when he saves an odd-looking dog, named Beck, from some kids. Beck's owner turns out to be an emerging rock musician, Ryûsuke Minami, who soon influences Koyuki to start playing the guitar, and even gives one to him. The story focuses on the trials and tribulations of their rock band named BECK, and Koyuki's relationships with the members of the band, in particular Ryûsuke Minami and his sister, Maho Minami. (www.wikipedia.org.)

Raaaaaaaknroooooowl!

Sana may kasunod pa na season. Abangan ang Beck movie ngayong taon!

Uncle Sam wants us... to become stupid

Here are some cogitations after reading the article written by Victor M Rodriguez Dominguez regarding the recent strikes launched by students and faculty to expose and oppose the privatization of the University of Puerto Rico.

Dr Dominguez effectively explains the struggle for free and quality education within the historical context of the anti-colonial movement in Puerto Rico. The article is a presentation of the real economic, political and social state of affairs of a country exploited, abused and repressed by a foreign master.

The massive strikes reveal that the privatization of the University of Puerto Rico is a case not unique in their country but rather a global scheme maneuvered by the educator-capitalists to further liberalize education for the benefit of the few in order to accumulate super-profit.

A country manacled by a rapacious colonial master will suffer not only tuition fee increases but also the worst form of modern-day slavery. As predicted, poverty rate rose dramatically as a result of massive landlessness and unemployment. The classic line “the rich gets richer and the poor becomes poorer” is considered subversive and muttering it is considered an act of terrorism.

The US imperialist-local puppet collaboration might appear as an indomitable foe. They have in their hands almost all resources, chances and means to do whatever they want to attain even their most ridiculous goals. Mis-education, westernization, liberalization, privatization, globalization, deprivation, militarization, human rights violation… Is there a chance to change this funereal situation? Yes.

Cut away the weed. Let the seeds of freedom and democracy flourish and bear the fruit called “change”.

Following this line of logic, we can therefore say that only through the smashing of the chains of Imperialist thralldom can the youth have the benefit of free and quality education.

Let us unite and fight for what is right.

Here's the link: http://ethnosboriquen.blogspot.com/2010/06/puerto-rico-invisible-and-recurring.html

Students storm CHED, demand tuition rollback and refund

Davao City- Students led by progressive groups League of Filipino Students, Anakbayan and KABATAAN Party-list stormed the regional office of the Commission on Higher Education to protest the irresponsibility of the government in protecting the right to education and demanded for tuition rollback and refund.

“The tuition and other fee increases is an expression that the administration of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has sold-out the future of the youth to the avaricious educator-capitalists,” said Karlos Manlupig, LFS Regional Spokesperson.

The action was part of their participation to the Global Wave of Action wherein thousands of youth, students and teachers across the globe will launch different activities to demand for free and quality education.

According to CHED's figures, 339 private schools and 2 state universities and colleges implemented increases for the school year 2010-2011.

“Although some schools will not implement tuition increases, they still conspired with CHED by implementing increases in miscellaneous fees like laboratory fee, test fee and other fees in order to clinch super-profit,” Manlupig said.

“It is imperative that the government make immediate actions to rollback in tuition and refund the increases to the students and parents,” added Manlupig.

In a study conducted by UNESCO, 73% of the Filipino youth were forced to quit schooling due to unbearable and extortionate school fees. The study also presented that the survival rate in the college level is only 22%.

The youth challenges the incoming administration to prosecute the Arroyo government and her lapdogs that were responsible for the worsening education crisis.

“Noynoy Aquino will bequeath this rotten educational system perpetrated and tolerated by the previous administrations. He should make all necessary actions to ensure that education be made accessible to all,” Manlupig said. #