*Larita Kutsarita - n. see THE AUTHOR
*Spoonfuls - n. articles/dispatches/scribbles by Larita Kutsarita
(Background photo by Aiess Alonso)

Thursday, September 29, 2011

To Those Who Missed the Making of History


If anyone attacks us and if the conditions are favorable for battle, we will certainly act in self-defense to wipe him out resolutely, thoroughly, wholly and completely (we do not strike rashly, but when we do strike, we must win). We must never be cowed by the bluster of reactionaries.
- Mao Zedong on the Kuomintang fight   

I was late. On the 23rd of September this year, I have to admit, I did not go to UP Diliman at the pre-arranged calltime. The previous night's "Walastik! Repapips, Dehins sa Cuts" concert/vigil ended at around one in the morning, plus I've always had problems with waking up early since the day I was born (I probably came out later than expected, too), so my stupid body clock was just not going to do me any favors. Waking up at 7 a.m., the calltime, itself, sent me to a "shower shortcut" (a few splashes here and there), a breakfast of Prest-O and Choc-O amidst my "F**k-Oh's" while running towards an Ikot jeep, and a guilty discovery of what looked like hundreds of students already geared for the day's drill: UP STRIKES BACK's Third Day--The Tsunami Walk that was supposed to literally rock the gates of Malacañang.

Then again, when one commits a mistake, one simply corrects it as quickly as possible. So I ran to and from colleges, together with rows of genuine "Iskolar ng Bayan/Alagad ng Media" from the College of Mass Communication. It was exhilarating to be able to stage a snake rally and penetrate the walls of the College of Music and shout out messages such as "Edukasyon, edukasyon! Karapatan ng mamamayan!" along its corridors in the midst of its usually undisturbed melodies. Joining the rest of the UP Diliman contingent in front of Palma Hall was an altogether different story, however. "Exhilarating" is a term that does no justice. At first, the number of students, faculty, and employees did not seem so big, but as the long march began, as it proceeded along Philcoa, it suddenly dawned on me that we would, indeed, be flooding Mendiola.

And I was not wrong. After an estimated 10-kilometer walk from Diliman to Mendiola, I witnessed one of the most mindblowing scenes in my life, so far: joined by the contingents from other state colleges and universities, our combined numbers barely filled the Don Chino Roces Bridge. "Parang Mayo Uno lang!" I thought to myself. At this point, the bridge was filled with various and yet solid chants that were so loud that it was impossible to converse with anybody audibly. If Butch Abad claimed that there was no budget cut at all, he had to be seriously mistaken. If PNoy declared us his "boss," he was a total prick for lying. 8 000 people from academic institutions leaving their respective buildings (or lack thereof), has got to reiterate one glaring truth: We refuse to take a step farther on the Tuwid na Daan. It is now clear what this straight, yellow brick road entails: foreign interests before those of the Filipino people, 100% privatization of social services (one of the provisions in PNoy's proposed Charter Change--the fastest and quietest bill that is in progress in the House of Representatives), and all other neoliberal policies that will do Uncle Sam proud.

Further proving its anti-people stance, the current administration spits in the face of the youth when Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte says, "Focus on your studies," addressing the tens of thousands of students who went on a nationwide strike last week. How the hell can I focus on our studies when I have a friend who works extra hours to pay her overdue 2008 student loan? When my brother's tuition fees range from P20-25 000/semester while I was able to finish most of my units at P300 each? When my orgmate's bandmate was granted Bracket E1 (free tuition) by the UP Diliman's Socialized Tuition and Financial Assistance Program (STFAP)--"an income generating program," as former UP President Emerlinda Roman would refer to it, as-a-matter-of-factly--but was also, recently, barred from enrolling because of his unpaid student loans? Now, this is only a single yellow brick, for I have found it impossible to "focus on my studies" eversince the Ayala-initiated and National Housing Authority(NHA)-implemented QC-CBD project and other plans designed by business oligarchies have been sending hundreds of thousands of homeless families to hellish places such as Montalban, Rizal along faultlines with no eletricity or water, because, apparently, the cities are better off filled by condominiums, parks, malls, and all that cosmopolitan jazz rather than actual residences. The book, Philippine Social Realities, which was published decades ago, may get republished and rewritten, but the reality that "seven out of ten Filipino farmers remain landless" still remain an unchanged reality up to this day. Yes, Miss Valte, it is only right that we focus on our studies, if only your boss--because it is now quite obvious that we are, in fact, not PNoy's "boss"--focuses on our education. If only this administration focuses more on what its constituents need in order to rightfully call themselves citizens of a democratic society, rather than kissing foreign, imperialist asses.

The world is alit with the flame of protest: The 100 000 students leaving their classrooms and heading to the streets of Chile, the thousands who have been occupying Wall Street, the tens of thousands who declared a National Strike in the Philippines. These and other symptoms of an oppressed society will eventually ripen the conditions for what Mao Zedong once described as "self-defense." Indeed, the state must be afraid of its people, and not the other way around. Because the times call for more militant actions than lighting candles against budget cuts, or claiming responsibility for convening progressive alliances that oppose budget cuts but whose presence is merely felt in photo opportunities, Facebook posts, and a few meter-stroll as their so-called "involvement" in last Friday's Tsunami Walk. Yes, UP ALYANSA, I am talking to you. Go fix yourselves, and do something genuinely "para sa bayan." Your opportunism only worsens the crises that beset the common Filipino.

And given these times, we, the people who set forth this movement calling for a freer nation, will always give our solid response. We will deliver numbers and results, because we are the decisive forces. We will rock the gates of Malacañang, and shake the status quo, because we believe that we deserve our democratic rights, far more than the 20 richest Filipinos deserve their daily dose of Häagen-Dazs ice cream, far more than Obama's wife deserves her uber-stylish wardrobe, far more than the Imperialist powers deserve their automatic licenses to enslave and kill. 

To those who were not able to reach their maximum militancy during the Nationwide Strikes, the struggle did not end there. With the fingers of my right hand crossed and my left fist clenched upward, I hope that, when the next opportunity for you to join the fight for our rights presents itself, you will leave the confines of your classroom or the comforts of your bedroom. I hope that your voice will be heard along with the others' as we fill the streets with our chants, our speeches, and our songs. And for myself, I hope that I start the next days an early, incredibly angry bird.
UP STRIKES BACK Day One. Photo by UP SILIP

Photo by Aiess Alonso 



The Tsunami Walk Begins. Photo taken by UP Aperture on 23 September 2011
Plank for the People. Photo by UP Aperture

Photo by Aiess Alonso

Ang guro ng Bayan, Ngayon ay Lumalaban! Photo by UP Aperture
Photo by Aiess Alonso

A UP Professor and Nationalist fraternity members raise the people's morale by waving flags and laying out banners on every footbridge there was, while tens of thousands of students, faculty, and employees marched to Mendiola. Photo by Aiess Alonso
Student leaders take an oath in Mendiola as the conclusion of STRIKE's Tsunami Walk. Photo by UP SILIP

The March Home. Photo by UP SILIP

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

The Lola Within a Material(ist) Girl: Hacked and Bee-stung Today

I just saw Hackers (1995) this afternoon. Found the film quite atrocious, but sat through it because 1) I never "not finish" a film, no matter how bad, unless it's High School Musical; and 2) I must say, Angie was lookin' gooooooood back then. I mean she's still incredibly attractive now, but Kate Libby's was the best look I've seen her don. It's everything I want to do with my hair and clothes but can't, because if I get a pixie 'do, I might end up looking like a soccer mom (since I don't have naturally straight hair), while androgynous getups aren't exactly flattering on bumps and curves. Kate kicks ass for me anytime. Forget Lara Croft.


Sharing a scene with real-life ex-husband, Jonny Lee Miller, who played hacker genius, Dade murphy









Damn, those lips. I remember kissing her on a magazine cover when I was, what, eight? Gross? I don't think so. Kissed a girl and pretty much liked it. 





Thursday, September 15, 2011

Gearing Up as UP STRIKES BACK in 2011


After shooting "Mitsa," a short film by UP Sining at Lipunan (SILIP) that portrays the effects of the budget cuts in education and other social services 



After shooting "Mitsa," a short film by UP Sining at Lipunan (SILIP) that portrays the effects of the budget cuts in education and other social services



After shooting "Mitsa," a short film by UP Sining at Lipunan (SILIP) that portrays the effects of the budget cuts in education and other social services




Breaktime: Angry Birds






Students, faculty, workers, and the administration staff of the University of the Philippines - Diliman partake in a Unity March on 14 September 2011 to protest against the budget cuts in education and other social services. Predominantly in black. 

"UP, STRIKE BACK!" - UP Sunken Garden


Students wear band-aid inspired props.
A student show his love for current UP President Alfredo Pascual. Pascual has been a staunch supporter of the fight for greater education subsidy and is one of the most progressive pro-student UP president in history--especially after replacing the former president, Emerlinda Roman, whose regime approved the UP Charter and the 2006 Tuition and Other Fees Increase (TOFI) among other repressive school policies.




When there's no other way out, look to your left.


High school students also join in the fight. This is, after all, mostly for them: the future Iskolar ng Bayan.

Photos by the UP Sining at Lipunan (UP SILIP)

Monday, September 12, 2011

The Lola Within a Material(ist) Girl: Forever in Love with Layers

from Indie Queen Vintage
Staples: Red and white striped bangle, two wooden bangles from Mama, and a blue Peace sign bead bracelet from a friend

Photo by Charley dela Peña






Saturday, September 10, 2011

Pagdilat. Paghimok. Paglaya.

Hindi madali ang mga nakaraang araw. Minsan, gusto ko na lang matulog buong maghapon at managinip bilang pagtakas sa tunay na mundo. Ngunit kahit ang mga panaginip ko ay binibisita pa rin ng mga imahe ng isang panot na bumubula ang bibig, may suot na salamin, at mayabang magsalita, complete with an affected tone of speaking na para bang nagmo-monologue parati. Wala akong personal na galit sa kasalukuyang pangulo ng Pilipinas, pero paggising ko mula sa partikular na panaginip na iyon, mabilis ang tibok ng aking puso at nagngangalit ang damdamin ko buong araw. Kung hindi si Noynoy ang napapanaginipan ko, karamihan naman ay masasaklap at kahindik-hindik ang mga tema nito. Ang mga nagdaang linggo ay isang serye ng pasulpot-sulpot na mga bangungot na tila bang ang realidad ay pilit na pinanghihimasukan ang aking sinadyang pagkalimot.

Sinikap kong bigyang-lunas ang personal kong pagkabagabag. Tumungo ako sa Sitio San Roque nang sila ay maglunsad ng Barikadang Bayan laban sa demolisyong ipinatupad ng lokal na gubyerno ng Quezon City at National Demolishing, este, Housing Authority (NHA). Syempre, may basbas din ito ni Noynoy at ni Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo noong siya rin ang namuno sa kanyang pagkahaba-habang rehimen. Malaki raw kasi talaga ang utang na loob ng kahit na sinong presidente ng reaksyunaryong adminstrasyon sa mga Ayala, ang nangunguna sa pagsulong sa Quezon City Central Business District (QC-CBD) project, kung saan idi-displace ang maraming komunidad sa nasabing lungsod upang pagtayuan ng kung anu-anong business establishment gaya ng mga parke, condominium, mall, atbp. Kabilang na rito ang UP-Ayala Land na mistulang dinudusta ang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas sa mga naglalakihang gusali at parking space nito, samantalang ang mga gusali at pasilidad ng UP ay kulang-kulang at unti-unting lumulubha ang kundisyon; samantalang ang mga estudyante ng School of Library and Information Studies ay umaakyat pa sa ikatlong palapag ng Main Library dahil wala silang sariling building para sa kanilang mga klase.

Oras ng paghakbang ko sa kahabaan ng Agham Road, bumalik sa akin lahat ng pagsisikap ng UP Sining at Lipunan (SILIP) at iba pang progresibong mga samahan sa pago-organisa at pagsulong ng anti-demolisyong laban kasama ang mga maralita simula pa noong 2010. Iba talaga 'pag bumabalik sa komunidad. Kalunos-lunos ang pagkakaiba ng mga uri sa eskwelahan at sa pinakamahihirap na bahagi ng kalungsuran. Iba ang mga amoy, iba ang lagkit ng pawis sa init ng araw, iba ang lagkit ng balat matapos maulanan, at syempre, ibang-iba ang mga tanawin. Kung sa paaralan, paghawak mo pa lang ng mikropono--upang talakayin ang mga kanser sa lipunan at alternatibong mga panlunas dito--ay hindi ka na papansinin at minsan ay makakarinig ka pa ng "Opposition to the state is disrespect of others' views" (or something to that effect), sa komunidad, nakangiti na agad sila pagka-inabutan mo sila ng polyeto. Mas bukas ang mga tao roon sa pagbalikwas. Palibhasa, mas konkreto roon ang mga sinasabi nating "imperyalismo," "pyudalismo," at "burukrata-kapitalismo." Hindi man nila gagap pa ang mga konseptong ito, alam nilang ang kanilang almusal, tanghalian, at hapunan ay nakadepende sa mga katagang iyon, mayroon mang nakahaing pagkain o wala. Sabi nga ng utol ko, "malapit sa bituka e." Ang sarap bumalik sa batayang hanay ng masa. "Masarap" sa diwang nakabubuhay ito ng alab dahil nandoon na lahat ng kahirapan sa harap mo, ang lahat ng rason upang makibaka. Hindi kailangan ng propagandang ahitasyon. Ang simpleng paningin, pang-amoy, pandinig, panlasa, at pandama ay sapat na upang mamulat nang paulit-ulit. Paulit-ulit. Ngunit ang masaklap dito, kailan ba matatapos ang lahat ng paghihirap na ito sa harap ko? Kailangan pa bang umabot sa pagkakataong mayroon akong masaksihang naga-agaw- buhay dahil sa demolisyon, o pagtapyas sa badyet ng mga panlipunang serbisyo?

Hindi kasi kahiwalay sa budget cuts on social services ang isyu ng kahirapan ng Pilipinas. Nakakaasar nga ang salitang "isyu" kasi parang lumiliit ang mga kahulugan ng mabibigat na termino gaya ng "kahirapan." Sabi, mas priyoridad ng kasalukuyang administrasyon (at kahit ng mga nakaraan pa) ang bayad-utang. Naalala ko noon si Moochie, isa ring myembro ng SILIP na nagtatrabaho na ngayon para sa IBON Foundation. Kinompyut daw niya ang projected na total ng mga utang ng Pilipinas sa World Bank. Kahit tatlong daang taon pa raw ang lumipas, hinding-hindi natin ito mahahabol kahit na magpatupad pa tayo ng patung-patong na neyoliberal na mga polisiya (gaya ng pagtaas ng pasahe sa MRT at LRT, pagkaltas sa badyet ng mataas na paaralan, atbp.). Hindi pa rito kabilang ang mga utang at pangungurakot ng pondo ng gobyernong lingid sa kaalaman ng publiko. Sabi rin, mas priyoridad ng kasalukuyang administrasyon (at kahit ng mga nakaraan pa) ang miltar, kung kaya't may bago (na hindi naman kabaguhan) tayong warship at bibili raw ng choppers para sa Armed Forces of the Philippines. Umabot ba naman ng halos isang trilyon ang pondong ibinigay rito. Oo, alam kong nasa gitna ng isang halos 'di-pansing giyerang sibil ang Pilipinas, pero sukdulan naman ang katakawan nilang patayin ang insurhensya. Mabuti naman kung masasamang tao talaga ang kanilang pinagpapapatay na parang mga ipis, dinudukot at itinatagong sapilitan, at ipinapatapon sa mga selda samantalang nakukuha pa ng mga Ampatuan at Leviste na makalabas ng kulungan. Ang mga katulad nina Angie Ipong, Karen Empeño, Sherlyn Cadapan, Ericson Acosta, at isa ring SILIP member na si Maricon Montajes ay ang pinakamababait, masisipag, at makabayang taong nakilala ko. Hindi ko man nakilala nang personal ang iba sa kanila, damdam ko ang kanilang mga naiwang bakas sa kanilang mga kaibigan at mahal sa buhay. "Hindi krimen ang magsilbi sa bayan," wika nga ni Nanay Angie.  

Bakit nga ba napakadali mandahas ng estado? Parang wala silang takot sa masang Pilipino. Lahat na lang binabanatan nila: magsasaka, manggagawa, maralitang-lungsod, estudyante, mga babae, lalo na ang Nanay ko. Isa siyang dedikadong empleyado ng gubyerno, ngunit nagawa siyang alisan ng sweldo dahil lang sa mga sabi-sabi. Nagagalit ako kapag naiisip ko ang mga nang-api sa Nanay ko, sa mga nanggagahasa ng mga Pilipinong dalaga sa Clark, sa mga nagpapatupad ng mga polisiyang nagpigil sa sangkapat ng UPCAT passers na hindi makapasok sa tinaguriang premier state university para sa mga matatalinong dukha, sa mga nagpapapatay ng mga lider ng unyon ng malalaking pagawaan, sa isang angkang halos ipakain sa atin ang kulay na dilaw at ugat ng halu-halong samyo ng asukal at dumanak na dugo sa Hacienda Luisita.

Galit ako. Galit na galit. Ngunit ibang klaseng galit. Hindi 'yung tipong kusang mawawala pagka-sinuntok mo ang pader, o may sinigawang makulit na kapatid, o may minurang natapakang tae. Hindi rin ito madaling napapawi ng isang tetrapak ng Choc-O, o isang episode ng Banana Split Clown in a Million kung saan sunud-sunod na nanalo ang UP Repertory. Ito 'yung galit na gawa ng ating uri, ng ating pagpapahalaga sa kaibahan ng tama o mali, ng ating kakayahang humubog ng kasaysayan. Minsan, nakakaiyak ang liyab sa loob, pero walang kinalaman ang emosyon dito. Dahil sa harap ko, mas marami ang nagugutom na mga aktibistang kaya pa ring tumawa, mas maraming nanay ang halos magputa na lang, mapakain lang ang kanilang mga anak, ang mga Pilipinong namamatay sa bulok na sistema ng isang estadong walang puso--sandali man o paunti-paunti, sa baril man o sa kaltas sa badyet ng mga serbisyong dapat ay bumubuhay sa kanila.

At habang naglalakad kami ni Charley (isa ring myembro ng SILIP) sa harap ng Palma Hall upang hintayin ang bandang Franco na mag-perform, laking-gulat na lang namin nang aming matuklasang ang concert na sine-set up pala ay para sa kampanya sa pagboto ng Undergorund River ng Puerto Princesa, Palawan bilang susunod na world wonder. Malaki ang produksyon at sari-saring mukha ng mga lokal na artista sa showbiz ang nagsasalita sa malaking LCD screen ukol sa Puerto Princesa. Sa gitna ng kabi-kabilang represyon sa mga estudyante, guro, at kawani ng UP Diliman, nagawa ng ilang mga grupo sa UP na maglunsad ng isang pagdiriwang na halos ipalimot sa Iskolar ng Bayan na siya ay api. Hayun, sa Palma Hall, paulit-paulit na ipinalabas ang video ni Noynoy na naka-maong na pantalon at T-shirt na ine-endorso ang sikat na kweba at ilog ng Palawan. May ilan pang fratmen ang naghiyawan sa tuwa sa panunuod sa kanya. Muntik na akong lumuha. Napakalaking sapak ang aking naramdaman. Malaki pa talaga ang kailangang makamit, masinop na trabaho pa ang kailangang gawin. Hindi lang sa Nationwide Strike magtatapos ang lahat ng tunggalian. Malayo-layo pa ang lakarin. Ang importante, patayin man nila tayo, bombahan ng tubig, alisan ng pondo, o hapagan ng isang mapanlinlang na palabas na mas lalo pang nagpapalalim ng sugat na dulot ng Kapitalismo at Imperyalismo, naroroon pa rin ang ating puhunan: ang ating poot at walang katapusang giliw sa pag-aaral, pag-oorganisa, at pagmomobilisa. Ang pagkamulat at pagmulat ay siklikal at papalaki at papalalim.

Hinding-hindi tayo dapat sumuko dahil walang ibang daan kundi ang pasalungat. Kahit pa tayo'y tumakas, ang lahat ng ibang daan ay tungo rin lang sa serye ng pasulpot-sulpot na mga bangungot. At ang paraan upang tunay na magising ay ang huwag makalimot at mas paghusayan ang pagpapaalala sa lahat ng mamamayang Pilipino: Hindi tayo malaya.

Pahabol: Kung nais ninyong mas maunawaan at pag-aralan pa ang dinaranas ni Juan, huwag mahiyang lumapit sa UP SILIP at iba pang mga kolektib ng mga artista, pangmasang organisasyon, at pambansa-demokratikong grupo. Mabait naman kami/sila. Libre ang mga fora, pelikula, kapihan ('pag may badyet), tawanan, at kwentuhan. Bonus pa roon ang basic mass integrations na inilulunsad sa iba't-ibang komunidad. Mas bet 'to kesa mga donation sa foundations na hindi mo naman alam kung talagang may kabuluhan ang pera n'yo. Huwag matakot magtanong, mangahas, at makibaka. Ang lahat ng pinaka-signipikanteng mga pangyayari sa kasaysayan ay bunga ng sama-samang pagkilos. Madali kaming makita sa mga lobby ng inyong mga kolehiyo, sa kalsada, sa klasrum. Basta, nagkalat lang diyan. Kitakits!
IJM Workers' Union: The ABS-CBN Workers' 6-month Picket that No TV Network Dared to Air
IJM Workers' Union: The ABS-CBN Workers' 6-month Picket that No TV Network Dared to Air

PLACARD: Signs of the Times An art exhibit by Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP) Definitely a breath of fresh air at the Vargas Museum "Of Rights and Voices" by Ivan Reverente. Digital media on canvas.

Students, teachers, and school employees met with fascist means by House of Representatives police and security: Edward Pastor, ANAKBAYAN National Education Officer, here flashing a placard while braving the attack.
THE FIGHT IS, DEFINITELY, NOT YET OVER. Photo from Associated Press

31 Agosto 2011 Barikadang Bayan sa San Roque: "Pader"
Papitik-pitik sa Brgy. Central. Kuha ni Thomas Benjamin Banaria Roca.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011