This is learning too.

Hundreds of students walked out of their classrooms last friday in protest against everything about the Arroyo government. Mainly, they're crying out against the oil-deregulation law, R-vat and the high cost of education. I am not really doing anything that day, so I walked in on them.

Sceptics would say some of these kids are just doing it for fun, you know, trip lang; then let me tell you this, there is nothing fun in walking under the 2pm sun from UST to Plaza Miranda. Remember, this is a generation raised in convenience. Why read when you can search the net? Why use the landline when you can text? Instant noodles, instant messaging, instant everything. Why be there when you can stroll in an air-conditioned mall? Being there is not convenient for them. Them being there is already impressive.

The police estimated the crowd to be around 200. I think it was way more than that. The whole stretch of Morayta was almost full of people. But I must say, they are still not that many, especially if you compare them to the crowd that watched the UAAP opening live. I think they have to work more to awaken other students fire. But for now, atleast they are watching; atleast, they are noticing.

So this is the run down of their program. The music of ethnioc durms is contiually playing at the background. Some artists made the stage backdrop on the spot with the face of Gloria with worms, then there was a lot of chanting lead by three people from different youth organizations. There was roll-call of schools that were present and each school representative said a line or two. There was a performance by the UP Repertory, a number by a group of Filipino-Americans and a rock band, a militant rock band. Some speeches by key person, the most notable being Rep. Satur Ocampo, and then more chanting. So it isn't that different from any school programs I've been to. Heck, it's defenitely more entertaining than a lot of school presentations and far more educational than some of my class lectures.

I know waht a lot of people are saying, especially the elders ones. These kids shouldn't be on the streets, they should be in their classrooms studying. They are wasting their parents' money. But these kids are right, this is learning too. And what they can learn here is far more important than what they can learn inside a classroom. For one thing, it teaches them to care beyond themselves, to care what is happening to their country; not just to get a degree and ditch the country for good, which is ofcourse what most parents want them to do. It opens their eyes and minds to the injustices that are prevalent in this country and then teach them that they can do something about it. The UP Repertory said it: nothing is going to happen is we just cope and cope with the problem, we had been hoping since spanish times yet our situation is still the same. We should solve the problem and demand our officials to find ways to solve it.

I remember one catty remark from a grandmother a few months back while a group of student protesters were passing the jeepney we are in, she said " What the hell these kids are doing; do they think if they are the president, they can do something?" Ofcourse, she is the same grandmother whines everyday because of their cursed poverty. As to her question, what the heck, the economist can't do anything about maybe these kids can. After all, they still have their values intact. And most importantly, they still believe that this country can be save, that this country is worthy to be saved. Right now, they are taking their sentiments to the streets; calling on their fellow students and urging their elders; we have a problem, we have to do something about it, we can't just roll over and die.

Ofcourse, rallies and protest actions are not the solution to the problem. At the very best they are publicity stunts so that other people, especially those in power, will give attention to the problem. They also serve as a form of check and balance so that officials will know that the public is watching their every move and always ready to cry "foul" if their actions do not benefit the public. It is democracy at work.

For these, student-protestors; the streets are equal to their other classrooms. Just like in ordinary classrooms; the true test if you learned something is when you apply what you learned in the real world. You are fighting against corruption, you want the thieves and the hooligans to leave the government. You don't like selfish officials; more so dishonest, immoral ones. Then be the opposite of those people you are against. You're disgusted by the partisan selection of government appointees; when it is time for you to select your leaders, select them well, moreover educate others on how to select well. Imbibe the virtues that our politicians have forgotten. Lead not just with your words but also with your actions. Study, it is the responsible thing to do and it is what is expected of you. After all you are demanding government leaders to be responsible and to do the job that is expected of them. Especially in these hard times, study harder. So that somehow, someday; when you are ripe and have completed your learning, maybe you can find the way to save this country; beyond crying out in the street.

p.s.

I just can't help thinking, if that number of people fought for anti-smoking, then it would truly be revolutionary. just a thought.

Peace, Love and Go USTe!

Ahh... the drumbeats of school spirit are still banging in my head. I like.

Bhubhu and I watched the UAAP opening last Saturday at Araneta. I wasn't that excited at first, I mean I've watched nearly a dozen uaap openings, it is just an hour long of dance performances, a few speeches, the parade of players and their awkward pledge of something (sportsmanship?), and UST receiving the trophies for junior and senior over-all championship. Good thing UST would be playing in the second game. Mostly, I'm just thrilled to see Araneta for the first time. (I know, it's so probinsyana but until Bhubhu went to UP, Quezon city was so foreign to me!)

Anyway, I totally did not anticipate the eight school bands being there. I know they would be there, it is the opening ceremonies afterall, I just did not expect how intense it was that they are all there( I'm not sure but I did not feel the presence of Ateneo). It was fun. The UE band was banging non-stop, the FEU cheerers were entertaining with their movements and it was totally fun to see the UP gallery imitating them(OK, including me, it was so cute!)

So, the ceremony started and I must say, it must be the best opening I've watched. It was totally smooth, no awkward moments, very entertaining and really innovative. So snap snaps for UP. (Bhubhu said it would have been more fun if they set the UP president on fire. She doesn't like her and her TOFI policies.) Anyway what I liked best were the parade of the players, which included players for different disciplines and not just basketball, and the pledge which is taped; effectively eliminating the awkwardness of reciting it live by someone who is not a good speaker in any way. But my favorite part is when they awarded the trophies to UST and the whole gallery went "go uste", that cheer has strong unifying powers. hehe.

Moving on to the first game, its FEU vs. Adamson. By this time, Bhubhu and I left the UP side and went to UST(we are totally going to have problems come cheer dance time.) I wanted to cheer for FEU since I know they are the better team but Bhubhu suggested to cheer for ADU, the underdogs for a change. I looked forward in imitating the FEU cheerers but I realized that I know the ADU chants better so Lets Go Falcons, Lets Go! It turned out to be an exciting game, FEU was leading for the most part then Adamson grabbed the lead on the fourth and it really looked like there would be an upset but FEU drilled a 3, ADU made some mistakes on dealing with it, seriously they should not have gone for a 3, a 2-point goal would be OK, after all everybody loves overtime. So FEU won, but still, it was very exciting; ADU deserves some snaps.

And now, my growling tigers entered the court. I really love this team. I don't have a crush in any one of them, but I love them.(OK, I think Mirza is handsome, not pretty boy like Ababou, but gwapo, model-gwapo, but that is a totally different discussion.) It was actually thrilling to see them. You see, it wasn't thrilling to see them in school, they're tall so you almost always notice them but it doesn't have the giddy effect. But then again, when I was in school they were not champions so they were not that popular and it was a different team really (their free-throw stats would definitely tell you they are a different team!) Anyway, the last time I watched a live game was in my first year so it was a really long time ago and in Makati Coliseum (I even had to drag my brother from his thesis so we can watch the game.) as I've said Araneta Cubao was not really part of my world. Argh...but it was so intense, I was shouting and moving for 2 hours straight. I don't think I have ever shouted that much my whole life. It's really different when you have the drum line behind you and a thousand or so people shouting with you, your adrenaline shoots up to the roof, unlike at home when it was just me and Bhubhu yelling at the TV, sometimes its just me. I want to do this again! Can't wait to do this again.

So, UE won. Big deal, they still would not win the championship anyway. But man, Jervy Cruz is really good. 26 points, no fouls, wow! Japs is doing better at free-throws and Ababou is really stepping up. But Mirza, hon, where were you? He made what, two points? I think he was the missing ingredient why UST lost. And Francis Allera, he reminds me of Vizcarra and Luanzon, he is not consistent and makes too much unnecessary fouls (then again, I am not a basketball expert), he is just, I don't know not at par with Ababou and Mark Canlas, I don't think he playing up to his full potential. I have yet to take him seriously. Argh, I hope he'll do better. I hope they would all do better. They did good, but they need to do better, a lot of teams are very strong this year. C'mon guys! More Roar!

and please, please, please do not lose twice to Lasalle or Ateneo and under no circumstances should you lose to UP, NU or ADU please. Just make us proud. Stay away from injuries and don't neglect your studies. It is so demoralizing when someone sits out a whole year because of academic problems. So make sure that doesn't happen again.

this piece totally lacks direction and continuity, I know. I don't care, I'm happy.

Hi blog! I miss you.

I am so sorry for abandoning you. I just got scared, this blogging thing makes me feel good and happy and it doesn't go well with my self-destructive theme. But the thing is, I really love writing and I really like blogging. So, I'm back and I promise to be faithful, I won't go astray again.

So Bheng posted in her blog why she writes. So it got me thinking, then an answer immediately popped in my head. I write so I won't go crazy.

So here I am again, trying not to go crazy.