Preface - My Pen is Still Burning

Preface

MY PEN IS STILL BURNING

I have compiled these articles a few years ago. This is a collection of my columns, selected essays and poems in English and Tagalog, which I wrote during my stay in The Featinean, the official publication of the students of FEATI University, as a staffwriter for two years, from January 1993 to May 1995, and as a features and literary editor for two years, from June 1995 until I decided to relinquish my post on March 1997. But I still contributed articles in The Featinean literary folio of Summer 1997 and Summer 1998.

My stay in The Featinean is a fruitful one and will never be forget. I started my career as a published writer when The Featinean editors have given me a chance to be part of this great publication. I have passed the writing exam given by The Featinean in January 1993, when some of its writers resigned or fired from the publication.

This book “Fire in the Pen” is a rare gem of valuable writings, and I’m proud of this. This is a record of my writings printed in the pages of The Featinean. This may be incomplete because I only started collecting my printed pieces only in 1996, and some The Featinean magazines and newspapers during our time were gone. Only those copies which I have kept at my cabinet in the publication office remains with me, which became part of this collection.

As I retyped these articles I have written more than ten years ago, I sense that I should improve my writings, most especially my grammar in English, and the structuring of paragraphs. I edited here only grammars and typographical errors printed in the original, and deleted some unnecessary data. But I preserved to its original form some of the thoughts I wrote then, but I didn’t agree now, so I can assess myself in the future and the development of what I believe in. And what’s printed then is now history.

Anyway, I did not included in this book the news and other researches I have written and was published in The Featinean because I thought this is not necessary and should be left in the pages of The Featinean. I only published in this collection my selected essays, columns and poems, which I believe can stand the test of time.

To our publication advisers, to my co-editors and co-writers, wherever you are, thanks for everything. You will always be in my heart and writings. I hope someday we’ll meet again and maybe to reminisce our memories of yesteryears. Let us keep our pen burning, for a nation with social progress based on social justice.

I maybe gone from The Featinean, but I’m proud I started there. I continue to write articles, essays and poems, in English and Tagalog, in other publications. I still continue what I have started in The Featinean, which is writing from the heart for the present and future of our beloved nation, the working class, and for social justice. I believe that the future belongs to those who are brave enough to pass the path of social justice, where there will be no inequality, no injustices, no harassment, no intimidation, no corruption, but peace and justice reigns in this nation and in the whole world.

In this, I heartfully dedicated this collection to my parents (who both graduated in FEATI University), my family, my relatives, to our future writers, to our fellowmen, and yes, to you.

My pen still burns and will continue burning! Mabuhay ang ating The Featinean!!!

GREGORIO V. BITUIN JR.

Features and Literary Editor, The Featinean, 1995-1997

Staffwriter, The Featinean, 1993-1995

FEATI University

Sta. Cruz, Manila

LTTE - Price of Upholding Truth

PRICE OF UPHOLDING TRUTH
Published at the Letter to the Editor section
Philippine Daily Inquirer
June 10, 1997, Tuesday, page 10

THE DEATH of People's Tonight newsman Danny Hernandez was a big blow not only to freedom of the press but also to social justice. Is this the price of exposing and upholding the truth?

According to the Philippine Movement for Press Freedom (PMPF), he was the 49th journalist to be killed in the line of duty since the Edsa Revolution. The death of so many journalists, as well as the physical injuries, assault, intimidation and other types of harassment suffered by others in the profession, should not discourage us. We write not for our own sake, but for the sake of truth and honest reporting. We hope that the people understand this.

In behalf of The Featinean, the official publication of the students of FEATI University, we express our condolences to the family of our fallen comrade in the profession. Danny Hernandez helped save the youth from illegal drugs as he fought a lonely crusade against drug syndicates.

Ka Danny, we are proud of you. Your campaign against illegal drugs, corruption in government, and other evil deeds will not be in vain. You awaken in us our duty to the people, to humanity and to the world. We have learned that our duty should not be confined to the campus and our personal interests, but should be for the betterment of the world. Progress is nothing without social justice.

Your fight against social injustices will not vanish but will remain as inspiration to us in our struggle for truth and justice. we did not know you personally, but we know you through your writings. We vow to continue your fight.

This is our commitment, not only to you but for all our comrades in profession who died in the line of duty.

We hope that the murder of Hernandez as well as Press Freedom editor Ferdinand Reyes, ABS-CBN's Bert Berbon and other journalists will be given enough attention by the government. We urge the government to create a body that will investigate killings of journalists.

We call on the Filipino youth, Sangguniang Kabataan members, campus journalists and student leaders to unite against all evils that may destroy our community. We ask parents and teachers to always guide their children so that they will not become victims of drug pushers and other types of injustices.

We encourage our fellow campus journalists to always be ready to fight for truth and social justice. The truth sometimes hurt but as the saying goes, "The truth shall set us free."

- GREG BITUIN JR., The Featinean, Feati University, Sta. Cruz, Manila

LINKS: The Next World War

THE NEXT WORLD WAR
by Gregorio V. Bituin Jr. from his column LINKS
The Featinean publication, March 1997, pages 42-43

I am not against social progress. Any progress the government and the people to whom they serve is a very ideal one. No one can deny that fact. Oh, is it really a fact? But I am against social progress with social justice. Any progress that the government and the basic masses need should be based on social justice. I know that no one can deny that fact.

Why do we need social progress with social justice? All of us want to live in a better society, where there is peace. Peace doesn't mean fear, chaos, inferiority and other negative connotations. Peace means equality, social order, internationalism and better life for all. We need social progress to live a good life. We need social justice because we want equality for all.

The declaration of the Catholic Church of becoming the "Church of the Poor" during the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP II) held last 1991 is really a great leap forward in serving the poorest of the poor in our society. Its relative importance to the workers, rural and urban poor communities is a great help in understanding the plight of those who are in need. Most of the bishops and priests who attended PCP II were very much vocal about the issue of social justice. For most of them, social progress should be based on social justice.

According to the PCP II document, pages 100-101 of the subtitle The Social Doctrine of the Church, "If development causes the widening of the morally scandalous gap between the rich and the poor of our society, development is simply inauthentic and misdirected. This is why we cannot help but mention the negligence and even exploitation, made to the poorest of the poor..." It further added, "Each person has to be respected as equal member of the human family, can participate actively towards the common good in solidarity with others. A situation such as the concentration of the economic wealth and political power in the hands of the few is an affront to human dignity and solidarity. It runs counter to the truth that all human beings and not just few are 'the source, the center' and the purpose of all socio-economic life. Human dignity and solidarity are fundamental values from which our development as a people must proceed." According to Pope John Paul II in his Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, "One must denounce the
mechanisms of unlimited free trade which are maneuvered by the more developed countries to their own interests, but which suffocate the economies of the less developed countries."

One of the most urgent calls of our time is to fight all evils that will destroy us. One such thing is the so-called development that some of our "powerful" leaders want us to accept. They said we need development to raise the standard of living of the people. I agree. Perhaps, that's why they are thinking of globalizing the economy. But social progress must be based on social justice. Under globalization, development means the freedom of the international capital to exploit the labor and resources of poor countries like the Philippines. Globalization means borderless economy.

Let's emphasize it more clearly. Philippine development plans for some decades ago were based on plans laid down by foreign creditors represented by multilateral institutions. For them, development can only be possible if the poor countries will be integrated into a global economy. They did not emphasize that this development will be at the expense of the poor. It will also degrade our natural resources. This is perhaps because these industrialized countries think that they are colonial powers, that's why they want to exploit the weak. They become rich by exploiting their colonies or former colonies by extracting cheap raw materials from them, then selling it as expensive products. After the Second World War, these colonizers have run out of territories that they can plunder. Wealth continued to flow from their ex-colonies under the present concept of development based on free trade. Through import liberalization, the products of industrialized countries can easily penetrate weaker economies at the expense of
these poor countries that usually cannot compete with the industrialized ones. Global corporations from Europe and Japan can set up corporations and factories anywhere in the world because of cheap labor and law taxes.

In other words, globalization means recolonization by industrialized countries with weaker economies. One example of these is the APEC which many world leaders think will save the world from ruin. On the contrary, APEC will only destroy most of us because it is concerned only with solving the crisis of the world capital. In the sense, the crisis of capitalism has just come to the fore. That's why they invent APEC. They did not have concrete plans in solving the plight of the poor, most especially workers which became slave of the capital. The question is: Who is directly affected by this borderless economy? The workers themselves!

Globalization is a renewed capitalist expansion. This transpires as rigid international competition. We know how fierce and cruel capitalism is when it is in delirium of expansion and competition. The darkest evidence of this is the two World Wars. We cannot compare these wars to other wars in history because it killed lives of millions of people. If World Wars I and II were wars between imperialist countries, the present globalization is a war of the world of capital against the world of labor. Globalization greatly affects the working class. It is attempting to destroy the trade union movement in the world. Take the case of German company Telefunken Electronics (Temic) which laid off about 1,600 Filipino workers. From September 1995, the DOLE issued at least five orders to let the workers go back to work. The Temic management refused. Yes, the DOLE cannot implement its own orders!

Globalization, in essence, is a world war between the world of the capitalist and the world of labor. It is a competition to cheapen and lower the value of labor force by extensive and extreme extracting of profit from the working class. This is why casualization, subcontracting, downsizing and other forms of workers' oppression exist. All of these have one objective in mind: Press labor power to its cheapest value. To dominate the competition, the capitalist must lessen his cost of production. Rival capitalists feud on who can crate the same product with lesser expenses. The capitalists have no interest in the solution of the workers' fate. They have no interest because they want it to remain unsolved.

They say that technology gives the forefront between capitalists. They say globalization is a competition of technology, but it covers up its real motive - the competition on how to cheapen the value of labor. Capitalism develops technology not for public service, but for competition that is profit-hungry. Capitalism develops technology to make the labor force more productive in a cheaper price. So cheap that almost caused their lives.

It is also ironic to note that the government spends P1.5M for toilet alone for use in APEC, grand villas for visiting heads of states, APEC lane, to mention just a few. The government has done it rush, just for the sake of 17 heads of states who visited our country in just a few hours, while they cannot do it for millions of poor Filipinos. Also take note of this brutal fact: The combined assets and property of three hundred fifty eight (358) billionaires in the world is equal to the combined yearly income of countries representing 45% of the world's population!

They say that we are in a democratic country, but democracy for whom? They said we are heading for development, but development for whom? They said we should compete our products with others, but do we have the capability to compete without making much suffering for the workers, as well as not degrading our natural resources? In the spirit of world competition, many will suffer. That's reality. That's APEC. What we need is world cooperation, not competition. What we need is development based on social justice.

Oh! How I wish I could still continue serving the studentry as a campus journalist. My stay in the Featinean as a staffwriter, then an editor, is fruitful enough. It contributed much to sharpen my writing skills. In sudden deliberation of my conscience, I decided that I have to say goodbye. I believe that my continued stay in the Featinean will become fruitless. My farewell is not a loss, but a gain. For me, for you, for all of us. My gradual rise as a Featinean editor has to meet its sudden end like a meteor. I'm tired. I have to go somewhere. To the place where I can valuably contribute my talent, skills and my whole life. I know I will pass a narrow line between life and death. Offering my life for social progress with social justice is a great and a valuable decision. A social injustice, the globalization, ruined our race, made our morals rotten, and causes the widening split among our people. I believe that the worldwide capitalist system is the root cause of all our misery. Its' time to face the greater challenge outside the four walls of the academe. From now on, our struggle is our life. Someday, we will be victorious. It's time to say goodbye. A sour way to exit, but a very sweet farewell. See you some other place, some other time.

LINKS: Brutal Facts

BRUTAL FACTS
by Gregorio V. Bituin Jr. from his column LINKS
The Featinean publication
July-October 1996, pages 28-29

In his article, "Journalism versus Literature," multi-awarded writer Nick Joaquin wrote, "We do not want mere fancies. We want facts as brutal as possible." And that's what most journalists are made of. They want to inform. To make interpretative news stories. To search for and uphold the truth. Being an investigative journalist is a tough job, as there have been many issues or subjects we have to research, investigate and expose. That's our sole responsibility to our readers, even if it will cost our life. Here are some of the expose:

A Tale of Fallacy? The Ramos government pronounced in his July 22 State of the Nation Address (SONA): 7.69% growth in the second quarter of 1996, creation of 1.2 million new jobs annually and reduced poverty incidence from 39.9% in 1991 to 35.7% in 1994. Let's see these brutal facts: almost 16,000 families will be displaced in relation to the APEC meeting in November; almost 3.5 million individuals live in slum areas in Metro Manila alone; the cost of living in MM is P359 a day; a gasoline increased 50 centavos per liter. In 1994, there were 36,000 prostitutes. In 1996, the Philippines has about 5 million working children between 5 to 17 years old, including 1.5 million street children, thousands of whom were engaged in sex trade. Based on Metro Manila Housing Plan for 1995-1998, there are 482,275 families in priority areas targeted for demolitions.

Sometimes, sword is mightier than pen. In their newspaper, Press Freedom Advocates, the Philippine Movement for Press Freedom (PMPF) reported the number of journalists killed: 79. These were distributed as follows: Marcos regime - 32; Aquino administration - 34; Ramos time - 13. In 1985 alone, 16 journalists were killed, half of the total listed during Marcos time. Take note of this brutal fact: they were killed and did not die of natural causes. Exposing the truth against bad elements of society rally has a price.

Our First President. The Katipunan's transformation into a democratic national government signaled "the birth of the nation", and the start of the revolution. According to UP history professor, Milagros Guerrero, scientist Emmanuel Encarnacion and writer Ramon Villegas, with the support of Kamalaysayan (Campaign for the Sense of History), Andres Bonifacio was our first president, from August 24, 1896 to May 10, 1897. On August 24, 1896, Bonifacio convened the KKK at Tandang Sora's barn in Banlat, then part of Kalookan. They arrived at a decision to establish a national government which they called "Republika ng Katagalugan". Katagalugan means all the people in this island whether Ilokano, Visayan, Bicolano, etc. were also considered Tagalogs. There was no concept of regionalism. In the late 1980s, three letters and one appointment letter dated from March 8 to April 24, 1897 were found to prove that Bonifacio was the first president of the national government. Historians said that the government headed by Bonifacio was democratic in nature and national in scope, contrary to some post war historians' contention that Bonifacio attempted to establish a government separate from Aguinaldo only after the Tejeros Convention. Aguinaldo lived until 1964, sixty seven (67) years after he ordered the brutal killing of Bonifacio in 1897.

Victory Unclaimed. Many people in Pasig celebrate "Nagsabado", the first victory of Bonifacio-led Katipunan which was never written in the pages of history. Pasig historian Carlos Tech wrote on his account dated October 8, 1956 that he had interviewed Gen. Valentin Cruz, one of the Katipunan generals who was present with Bonifacio in Hagdang Bato in Mandaluyong on August 29, 1896, Saturday. That day, Gen. Cruz led his men, about two thousand Pasigueños, in an attack at the guardia civil headquarters of the biggest garrison outside Manila. They managed to overrun the Spanish defenses and had confiscated three Remingtons and seventeen "de piston" rifles. Their triumph was cherished by Pasigueños as first victory of the Katipunan. It was celebrated in Pasig as the victory of the "Battle of Nagsabado" as it happened on a Saturday. Let's give them what they deserve, a page in our history.

Fake Marxists. Written in the Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, "Workers of the world, unite! You have nothing to lose but your chain!" Russia's Josef Stalin and China's Mao Tse Tung were not Marxists, but bloodsucker dictators. They didn't care for the workers, but only themselves. They were responsible for the death of millions of workers and peasants in many parts of the globe. For the Maoist cult, revolution comes from the barrel of the gun. For Marxists, revolutionary change comes from the power of the workers. No wonder, they reject Stalin and Mao. These are based in reality.

Labor Power? In 1993, DOLE inspected 38,220 commercial establishments out of more than 300,000 to be inspected. Out of 38,220, almost 20,250 or 52.8% violated the prescribed labor standards under the Labor Code. For 1996 alone, there were 2,744 companies that didn't give 13th month pay to their workers; 1,791 didn't give holiday pay; 1,591 didn't integrate the cost of labor allowance (COLA); and 2,138 companies didn't pay the SSS. This year, labor force stood at 29.92 million.

Massacre Without Corpse. This year, we were welcomed by series of demolitions, such as the Freedom Island in Parañaque, Damayan Lagi in Quezon City and the Muslim Community in Quiapo. This is perhaps a part of the government campaign to get rid of the so-called eyesores in the metropolis in conjunction with the forthcoming APEC meeting in November. What transpired in the urban poor community in Del Pan Bridge was really a "massacre without corpse". Demolition teams destroyed their houses and burned all of their things. Including those which have sentimental values for them.

C is not for Cooperation. The C in APEC which stands for cooperation is not really cooperation in the real sense of the world. The C in APEC stands for... Do you want to guess? Yes, you're right! The C in APEC stands for "conspiracy of industrially advance countries". Therefore, there's no cooperation, but Competition. How can you say that there is cooperation when in fact you compete your product with those of the more advanced countries, economically and technologically wise? We have no capacity to compete with others without fast destroying our natural resources which seem degrading. Environmental degradation results from competition. Because capitalists crave for profits, they don't care for the environment. Remember what happened in Ormoc, Chernobyl and Marcopper? These are brutal facts! It is really true that the law of profit doesn't care for the laws of nature. APEC is a capitalist invention. Under capitalism, as the cost of living goes up, the cost of life goes down. It reduces life's purposes in the individual act of consumption.

Death Wish. Those who fear death don't care for life because they only care for themselves. What is the value of life if we reached the age of seventy or eighty and we have done nothing except to work and live for ourselves alone? It's better to die even before the age of thirty as long as you live your life to the fullest. Death is inevitable, and if our time is up, we must gladly go. Just do what you think is right and be happy of what you are doing. Then you live your life to the fullest not only for your own sake, but also for the sake of our fellow human beings and the environment we live in. You know, I don't care if I die tomorrow, because I know that if death will come to me, I can face it squarely and fairly. It's because I live my life to the fullest. I wish that if I would die, my corpse would not be buried inside the casket but honorably laid in the soil so that in the cycle of life, I can still contribute. My dead body can help make new life, make plants grow, so that others may continue to live. Anyway, how I love to feel death at the age of seventy! Lastly, take good care of your family always as well as your health. See you next issue. I'll be back.

LINKS: The Fourth Estate

THE FOURTH ESTATE
by Gregorio V. Bituin Jr. from his column LINKS
The Featinean publication, June 1996, pages 46-47

Of Love and Shadows. This movie starring Jennifer Connelly and Antonio Banderas remarkably shows that the pen is mightier than the sword. Based on a true story, it depicts the courage and vigilance of a journalist and a photographer who took the risk of exposing the truth behind the atrocities committed by the fascist regime against the people of Chile. Investigative journalism in action, it really touched the journalist instinct in me. This movie is truly inspiring.

In my almost three years in The Featinean, I now realize that journalism will become a part of my life. As the noblest profession I know, I enjoy every millimeter of it. Becoming a member of the fourth estate is not an easy job and may discourage the new ones as it needs a lot of balls, patience, sacrifices, courage, perseverance, ability, and split-second accuracy in reporting. Anyway, the term "fourth estate" was coined by English essayist Baron Thomas Macaulay in his essay "Constitutional History" in 1828 which refers to the members of the press. Accordingly, the other three were the kings, lords and commons in the 17th century.

By the way, aren't you afraid of history? Our actions may be recorded not only in the minds of those who know us but also be written in the pages of history. Someday, history will judge us! In other words, if we die, our good name and honor depend on what we do today. Honestly speaking, much of history is unknown, locked away in the dark. That's why our job as journalists is very, very crucial - to record the events of our time. Like solving chess or jigsaw puzzles, we can work in the shadows like some investigative journalists in search for truth. That's why journalists must possess the quality of an investigator, political analyst, accountant, psychologist, chessplayer, lawyer, actor, professor, historian, criminologist, sociologist, etc. As journalists, upholding the truth is not just our job. It is a responsibility which is parallel to our dignity. Yes, in our hands lies the history of today!

Being a journalist means daring to take risks. Why? Many people realize how powerful the press is and they fear it. Some resort to violence if their illegal activities or privacy have been criticized and published. Dangerous as it is, many journalists risked their own lives to expose the truth. Accuracy of the facts must be established in an expose', else those involved might retaliate and journalists can't defend themselves. Anyway, in this job, if you don't dare to take risks, you'll never get ahead. You don't just write what you like, but what the readers deserve to read because a newspaper or a magazine is not a diary. People want to know the truth and be informed on time.

Journalism really is a dangerous job as there were journalists who were killed or murdered while others became victims of physical assault in performing their duties. For the record, some of them are the following: Associated Press photojournalist Willy Vicoy, while riding with a military convoy, was killed in an NPA-conducted ambush in Cagayan province in 1986. Visayan Life Today journalist Josef A. Nava, known for his exposes on military's corruption and human rights abuses, was killed on Oct. 30, 1988 in Iloilo City. Reporter Jess Malabanan of Lider tabloid was tortured physically and psychologically. Elements of the PC Metrodiscom pierced his genitals with pliers sometime in 1990 in Olongapo. Former tabloid Balitang Bayan reporter Vilma Manzo, abducted by PAF intelligence agents on June 5, 1990, was sexually molested, tortured, starved and forced to sign certain self-incriminating documents within the main airbase of the Philippine Air Force. This year, Inquirer's Caloy Sanchez was mauled by responding policemen while performing his duty as photojournalist after a bank robbery. He was also shot in the chest allegedly by a WPD cop on Aug. 29, 1991 when he was still working with Dyaryo Filipino. Press Freedom editor 33-years old Ferdinand Reyes of Dipolog City was shot dead last Feb. 12. This daytime killing triggered journalists and media people to stage a protest-rally last April 30 pleading for justice. They denounce the murder of Reyes and 52 other journalists since 1988. This also made a newspaper state that "the Philippines is one of the most dangerous places for working journalist in the world". Correspondent Jose Tiongson of the Ilocano Observer was the latest of the victims. A lone gunman shot him dead last March 31. Other journalists have had their own death threats.

Is this the price of exposing and upholding the truth? Their death, physical injury, assault, harassment or intimidation should not discourage using performing our duties. As journalists, we must be ready to face all the consequences if we want to be honest in our job. Therefore, you people out there should understand us! Most especially if we write about your unscrupulous activities! That's how committed we are in this profession. Well, if you are committed in some wrongdoings, then that's not being committed, but kumitid! Kumitid ang utak!

In our job, we are guided by some popular sayings: "Batu-bato sa lansangan, tamaan na ang tamaan, basta't makatarungan!" and "Walang personalan! Trabaho lang!" We believe that "The truth shall set us free!" Our dear readers, this is our job: To expose and uphold the truth!

Aaaahhh... you're asking: At what price? One newspaper editorial, which discussed about vulgar journalism, stated, "Ask the publishers how many millions of pesos the highest leaders of the land have been paying them just to keep their mouth shut." I didn't say that we are working just for money. As I've said last issue, "If that's what you think I'm saying, I don't care! Because that’s your choice. "But I'll ask you. Can money buy happiness and sleep? Does the life of the oppressed and victims of injustices have a certain price? Can money buy peace of mind and conscience? Well, to tell you honestly, this is the price we understand: JUSTICE!!!

We just hope that we will not become judges and executioners to uphold the truth and seek social justice for the oppressed. We still believe that the law still exists and the cry for justice will always prevail. Anyway, for me, dangerous as it may seem, being a journalist is really exciting. That's why, like playing chess, we must calculate our moves precisely while analyzing its consequences. In any profession, if you know the risks, you can determine what price you'll get. As journalists, calculating the risks we may encounter is vitally important. It is best to know your job, the people around you, your enemies (if you have) as well as yourself and your capacity. Well, if you commit blunders, then you may die in just a wink of an eye!

Most journalists find great satisfaction and happiness when they give their readers the kind of articles they need (NOT what they want), as well as truth and analysis of different issues confronting us. At least in our own little way, we know we can help. Well, I just want to write and be an honest, but hardhitting, journalist who crusades for truth and justice. See you next issue. I'll be back.

LINKS: Dangerous Illusions

DANGEROUS ILLUSIONS
by Gregorio V. Bituin Jr. from his column LINKS
The Featinean publication, February 1996
page 22, continued on page 25

I was in Basilan and Zamboanga for two weeks two years ago in the company of some Franciscan and Muslim friends. We stayed mostly in Lamitan town in Basilan. The Abu Sayyaf was popular in those days when Franciscan missionary, Bro. Gus, OFM, was abducted. I learned that most members of the Abu Sayyaf are sons of MNLF commanders and combatants who died in the war in Mindanao during the Martial Law years. Some say that the Abu Sayyaf (which means "shining sword") was formed to avenge their parent's death.

Early this year, we are raged by grand illusions which some "powerful" leaders say will trigger our country into an economic boom. They are the EVAT, the anti-terrorism bill (this was shelved according to the latest news) and the demolition of shanties of our countrymen. These grand designs, they say, will make our country an industrialized nation by the turn of the century. These are dangerous illusions if these will be at the expense of the poor.

Anyway, let's go back in history. Do you remember who admitted with regret to the Filipino people a few days after the EDSA revolution that he engineered his own ambush that became one of the reasons for declaring Martial Law? He was the Minister of Defense during Martial Law as well as the godfather of an elite troop who killed fifty-three (53) civilians in 1987 and almost a hundred in 1989 during the coup d'etat. Today he defends that with the passage of Senate Bill 1353 or the anti-terrorism bill which he authored, peace and order will be restored and that will greatly attract foreign investors to our country. His bill is now junked, but Malacañang has a harsher version. In the new version, illegal possession of firearms will be sentenced to life imprisonment. How about the planting of evidence by the police? How will you defend yourself? They are so powerful and you're defenseless in their choiced situation. Doesn't this remind us of returning to Martial Law?

Terrorism was rampant during the Martial Law days. Most of its implementors were suffering from blind obedience. As most of them always say, "Obey first before you complain," and "That's an order!" Even if many victims will die of torture. Even if there is no justice just to obey their superiors! An obedience syndrome created by the fascist regime for the sake of "democracy". A democracy only for the elite. No wonder why most of them think and act like a walking doll! Yes, blind obedience is really very- very dangerous.

Even the EVAT terrorizes the poor. How come the 12% equitable tax in hotels became 10% while the 3% or 4% taxes on consumer goods also became 10%, as one congressman noted? Where is justice for the poor? How come that basic goods and services as well as medical, dental, hospital and veterinary services are now covered by EVAT? Poor families who eat thrice a day may probably eat only once. Their inefficient tax collection cannot be corrected through EVAT since doing so will be at the expense of the consumers. It seems that the EVAT is just a scapegoat of the BIR on the on-going tax evasion problems caused by some rich capitalists.

At the Smokey Mountain demolition, a child and one of the residents were killed when demolition men opened fire. Another was wounded in the hand. A team of policemen together with a demolition team forced the residents to evacuate and demolished their shanties. Is this not terrorism? Why should a demolition team always carry high-powered firearms in their operations, when in fact they will not go to war? And Smokey Mountain is not even a war zone!

The Muslim residents in Quiapo whose shanties were also demolished will be relocated somewhere in Taguig where there is only one comfort room for almost a hundred families. According to some reliable sources, there are many scheduled demolitions this year.

Are we in a democratic country? Or do we just perceive it as democratic without really knowing the meaning of democracy? Is our democratic system only for the powerful and the elite? Is justice only for the rich? I think an oppressive capitalist education fed us with wrong information. We are popularly known as the only Christian nation in Asia but mist of the implementors of Martial Law, as well as our leaders and demolition men are Christians. Even the Gomburza were not spared because of some foreign friars.

I didn't say that I'm against social progress. But if that's what you think I'm saying, I don't care! That's what you think. Ang that's your choice. But I want to defend my position. I'll ask you, do we need social progress at the expense of the lives of our poor countrymen? Do we need social progress just to say that we are an industrialized country like our neighbors? Do we need social progress for the sake of progress alone without justice for the oppressed? Do we need social progress for the sake of the capitalists who handle most of our industries? Do we need social progress for the sake of profits alone? Some leaders say that sometimes we should sacrifice some things to be industrialized. Sacrifice what? The life of the working people, the poor? They have sacrificed a lot! Then another mga pahirap sa bayan will be added to their sufferings. Enough is enough! The grand designs of some of our "powerful leaders" are dangerous illusions, indeed! It can attract foreign investors but not us. We must get rid of them before these illusions will turn into a nightmare!

Aaaahhh... democracy. If that's what we mean by democracy, then it's better to destroy it! We need to abolish this oppressive system if it will only destroy the future of generations to come! It seems we are not in a democratic society in its real sense, but are under an exploitative capitalist system which disguises itself in the name of democracy!

What we need is SOCIAL PROGRESS WITH SOCIAL JUSTICE. We need social progress to ease our sufferings and to have a better society to live in. We need social justice to be fair to all concerned, we, our enemies, to the environment we live in, etc. If these two will triumph, maybe, well, maybe, these evils of society will go to hell with their inventors.

But social progress with social justice will not just come to the fore. We must struggle for it! We must struggle for it because we know that the oppressors will deny us of justice. We must struggle for it because we know that future generations need it. WE MUST! Yes, we must, for this will be our greatest legacy to the generations to come.

Answer to chess puzzle (W: Kd3, Re2; B: Kd1; White moves and mate in three): (1) Rook moves at any square from e4 to e8. Black's only move is Kc1. (2) Rook must move to b-file to force the enemy King to go back at d1. (3) Rb1 mate.

To my comrades: We must study and work harder and sharper. To the graduates: Congratulations. I hope you have given your beloved parents the joy they deserve. To my fellow student writers: A proposed Campus Journalists Organization (CJO) is preparing for an NCR-wide Student Press Congress in preparation for a proposed National Student Press Congress next school year. Just call us anytime. According to Mark Twain: Courage doesn't mean absence of fear but resistance of fear, mastery of fear. Never let a problem become an excuse. So long for this issue. I'll be back.

LINKS: Blunders May Kill

BLUNDERS MAY KILL
by Gregorio V. Bituin Jr. from his column LINKS
The Featinean publication
September 1995, page 11, continued on page 31

I'm back again but this time, I'll tackle something about the sport I love to play most as I relate it to real life. It is the woodpusher's game. The game of sports legends GMs Capablanca, Alekhine, Mikhail Tal, Bobby Fisher, Gary Kasparov, Eugene Torre and eleven year old Filipino genius Mar Paragua. Anyway, I'll not discuss chess here as a sport but the error most woodpushers commit; a chess jargon call the "blunder".

Blunder is more than a word used in chess and it is not applied to chess alone. As most woodpushers know, chess is an abstract expression of the complexity and conflict of life in general. It is useful for studying complex and conflicting situations and help us in developing decision-making skills, abilities and patience. A chessplayer's strength lies in his clear rational thinking, right approach, logic, knowledge and the ability not to make a mistake. Psychologists have found that chessplayers possess higher spatial ability than others of comparable intelligence levels. They also possess greater physical endurance together with the capacity to endure pain and frustrations. In every move, analysis of the position is applied, as well as self-control, creativeness, determination, vision and the execution of the plan. But what is a "blunder"?

Blunder means committing mistakes resulting from miscalculations, oversight, violation of principle, or opening of your defenses that may lead you to disaster. If you commit blunder, sometimes it’s hard to win the game or gain a good position, unless your opponent will also commit one.

Take a look at this popular mate from Philidor defense: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bc4 Bg4 4. Nc3 h6 5. Nxe5! Bxd1 6. Bxf7+ Ke7 7. Nd5 mate. Black's fifth move is a blunder. He probably thought he could win the game by capturing the enemy's most powerful piece, the queen. But for white, he sacrificed his queen to win the game. He foresaw and calculated precisely his win in just three moves. A queen pseudo-sacrifice, indeed.

Maybe you're asking, what does the game of chess have to do with my life? According to a legend, Ravana's consort, Mandodari, invented this royal game of war as an exciting alternative from bloody wars. Maybe we can say that life is like a chess game. Sometimes you win in one area of your life, sometimes you lose. Some accept the draw or stalemate just to escape losing and survive. Sometimes there are defaults. Those are the ones who are probably caught unprepared or escape the problem or maybe have other things to worry about. Each game is a process. Each player keeps on analyzing each logical move in order to win. Likewise, we keep on planning our work or career in order to be successful in our endeavors.

Sometimes we play the game seriously as if it is the last game of your life. Let's accept the fact that sometimes we lose but there's always a next game and maybe this time we'll win. Sometimes we encounter many problems that almost kill us or break our hearts.

Let's accept our failures. There's always a new life as there's always a new game.

There's a limitation when you compare life and chess. Chess is pure reason, while life has emotions combined with reason. Let's take a look at the world of politics. Many world leaders commit blunders on their way to power. Take Marcos, for instance. In his pursuit of power, wealth and glory, many people lost their lives. He had billions but he went down in history as the world's greatest thief. Read the Guinness Book of World Records for facts.

Take a look at the shortest game possible. It's called the "fool's mate": 1. f3 e5 2. g4 Qh4 mate. In this example, most of us play white and play aggressively but do not analyze the moves. This is why one loses immediately. Likewise, during the Marcos era, many didn't think that there are other forms of struggle other than armed struggle alone. That’s why maybe many lost their lives.

One of humanity's greatest blunders is Stalinism. When the Russian dictator Stalin distorted and destroyed the real essence and beauty of Marxism-Leninism, it was the start of socialism's greatest mistake. It is the greatest blunder, a thousand times greater than typhoon Rosing. The emergence of Stalinism brought the death of millions of workers and peasants in many parts of the globe, most especially those countries who inherited the Stalinist cult. Such an example is the Maoist cult in China and the Philippines.

Stalinism is second only to the world's greatest manmade disaster: capitalism. Capitalism is not a blunder per se as it evolved from scientific development of society. Under capitalism, as the cost of living goes up, the cost of life goes down. Remember EVAT, GATT and now the rice crisis. Let's take a look at the first example (Philidor defense). Black didn't think thrice why white captured the pawn in e5, which exposes the white's queen. Because of black's greed for power and profit (by capturing the white's queen), he loses the game easily.

You must first develop your opening moves so that you can reach the middlegame and the endgame. Honestly, many chess games end quickly in the opening phase without reaching the two other phases, the middle and the endgame. Likewise, many individuals make mistakes in their younger years which results in drug dependency and suicide.

So let's be careful in making our plans in life. We cannot bring back the time lost as well as the life that will be lost. Anyway, take some chess advices: (1) Be certain about all pawn moves. You can't take them back. (2) If you commit blunder, you'd better play perfectly thereafter. There's no more room for mistakes. (3) Don't start attacking if you can't follow through with muscle. Build first your game by rapid development. (4) Try to evaluate the consequences of your opponent's reasonable moves. They could force you to change your plans completely. And lastly, (5) It is prudent to think hard. Take an advice from Bruce Willis: "Think fast! Look alive! Die hard!"

Let us solve this simple problem: W: Kd3, Re2; B:Kd1. White to play and mate in three. It has five solutions. If you can't solve it, just drop by our office and we'll tell you. Promise.

DEDICATIONS

To my comrades: Every move is critical in every phase of the game. We must not waste a single tempo and must play a food gambit. Our enemies are practicing in high-tech computer chess, so be careful in playing against them. Beware of double-check, fork, pin, blunders, etc. Try to use perpetual check, if ever, or play for a draw if we're in a losing position. To my one and only: Pain hurts, yes, but that's nothing if you know you can sacrifice everything for the one you love. My heart may bleed, but I'll always respect you. I may commit blunders many times, but I continue to develop my talent and skills to win. I hope I'll not be checkmated. Always remember, you're the queen of my heart. To all of you out there: Even if you lose a game, always remember that there's always a next game. Don't be a pawn. Be the key player in your life. You may use Nimzo-Indian or Sicilian defense or maybe the Birds or Pirc attack, but be very careful in every move, or you'll commit blunders. Always remember this popular saying: "Every move maybe your last!" Hope you'll always remember the moral lesson from Philidor defense and the "fool's mate". It can help you in making decisions and be successful in all your endeavors. Enjoy playing your game. Always smile and be cool in all your undertakings. Take good care of your family always, most especially your health. If you have problems or stress, try to play chess and relax. See you next issue. I shall return.

LINKS: Revolution From The Heart

REVOLUTION FROM THE HEART
by Gregorio V. Bituin Jr. from his column LINKS
The Featinean publication, July-August 1995
pages 26, continued on page 23

As I've promised, I'm back again, my dear readers. Many are asking me why the name of my column is LINKS. To tell you honestly, I got that from the name of an international journal of socialist renewal. It is a discussion magazine that rejects the Stalinist and Maoist distortion of the socialist project and take into account environmental and ecological questions, feminism, anti-racism and internationalism.

I chose that name because I believe in socialist renewal. And I did not become a socialist for nothing. Formerly, my life was a reflection of the society where I live. I was molded by many different views and experiences: a distorted education, media, drugs, criminality, graft, corruption, guns, rackets and other bad influences. A need for radical change from within has brought me to analyze myself, the environment we live in, the educational institutions and the government. I know it’s hard to change in the beginning, but I have to. Deliberating myself and examining my conscience, I decide that I can no longer afford to waste my life for nothing! I don't want to live blind and deaf on what is happening in my surroundings. I must kill my old self to replace it with a good one.

I began to ask myself, "What should I do? what can I contribute? How can I help to build a better future?" Alone and confused, and with nothing to support my questions, I began to read many books about history, philosophy, social science, community organizing and many other ranges of topics. Until I read the exploits of Tan Malaca who influenced Crisanto Evangelista (1930) to form union of workers, then the history of the revolutionary movements from KKK, PKP, HUK, HMB, CPP, NPA, ABB and the like. I also read the story of Andres Bonifacio, Gregorio del Pilar, Ninoy Aquino, Alex Boncayao, Edgar Jopson, Lean Alejandro, and other real heroes of the people. The stories of AFP-PNP tandem, the KGB-CIA war, Gestapo, Mossad, Chinese Triad, Japanese Yakuza, Italian Mafia, Bamboo Gang, 14K and other groups were also added to my booklists. I had to choose. I have to search where I'm going to. At last, the time has come that I decided to help the toiling masses, most especially the working class. And I consider it one of the best decisions I ever made in my whole life!

I know I can't do it alone and I know I'm not alone. Many groups and individuals like me also dream of eradicating poverty, rampant crimes, war brought about by racial discrimination, militarism, and other activities that oppress our people and suppress their rights. I don't want to just dream about these anymore. I want these to become a reality. I must act.

Now, I joined a movement that, like me, is critical to what is happening to our society. I found a new ally! A big family where my ideal world and my own interest lie. Yes, the revolutionary socialist movement gave me a chance to renew myself and to become a better person. I must prove my worth! I know that there are full of sacrifices here, but sacrifices are nothing if you know that what you are fighting for is right and just.

I want to make myself clear. The enemy of socialism is not democracy, but capitalism. Yes, capitalism destroyed the real essence of democracy to make it serve them. A president once said, "Democracy is the government of the people, for the people and by the people." Democracy indeed is not for some people. So we may ask, what kind of democracy do we have? Is it the freedom to kill, to massacre people? Is it the freedom to bring suffering to many people?

True democracy lies in the hands of the toiling masses. For me, and I know many will agree, democracy is being free from exploitation, free from crime and oppression, free from poverty. Yes, free from society's sickness! And this can only be found in a socialist world.

Contrary to many people's belief, being a socialist, or an activist, is not bad. What brought havoc to the name of socialism is the Stalinist and Maoist model of socialism. Again, I want to clear something. What collapsed in Russia and Eastern Europe was not socialism in its real sense, but Stalinism. Russia's Josef Stalin was the real culprit why the workers paradise was ruined. He ordered the killing of millions of workers and peasants in his time.

Still, up to now, many pseudo-revolutionaries such as LFS, Bayan, KMU and other remnants of CEGP and NUSP blindly follow the footsteps of Stalin. They may say they are Maoists, but Maoism is just an Asiatic version of Stalinism. For them, armed struggle is the only way out of the problems of society. No wonder why most of them are paranoids! Their leader runs the revolution by remote control, living in airconditioned rooms in a foreign land, while their comrades here are dying in malaria!

Ooopps... Enough, this column might explode! How about discussing it with you personally? Just approach me and I'm glad to help you.

***

A link is always associated with a chain. I believe the strength of a chain depends on its weakest link. Likewise a nation's strength depends on the weakest and the poorest of its people. In world history, we can find that there were people who were considered weaklings, but somehow revolutionized our society. Thomas Alva Edison had only three months of schooling but became one of the world's greatest inventors. Milton, in spite of his blindness, gave us some of the world's best literature. Beethoven, who was deaf, composed some of the world's greatest music. On the other hand, Hitler's propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels has a crippled leg and permanent limp. But he became the Nazi regime's most feared individual. His powerful propaganda destroyed a nation.

***

In behalf of Kamalayan Regional Executive Committee and its entire membership, we salute all student-leaders, organizations, teachers, students, school security guards and many others who in one way or another have given their support and joined the SONA (State of the Nation Address) mobilization last July 24. We also salute SANLAKAS for all their efforts and dedication to deliver the True state of the People (70% GNP - Gutom Na Pilipino). To those who experienced how the police wasted our taxes by firing water cannons at us, we know that you understand what kind of society and leaders we have. Our campaign to have a better future must not end up there. It is just the beginning. Ang again, we call on you: Let us join hands and build our future, NOW!

***

To my friends and comrades: Thanks a lot for your utmost support when I'm down. Your advices and guidance helped me a lot to live a new life again when I'm in the midst of destruction. I hope I'm tough enough to conquer myself. To my Christian allies and Muslim friends: Although we have departed ways because of many differences, I still treasure our friendship. Ang I'll never forget it. To my one and only: Your life is my life and my life is your life. My love for you will never die, it may just fade away. But still, I will prove that I'm worthy to be the king of your heart. Please take good care of yourself always, because I care. No one can take my love for you, even death cannot conquer me! Love lots. To my co-students: Don't forget that your parents are working hard so that you can enroll here despite high tuition cost. Please study hard so that you can graduate on time. And to all of you: Please, take good care of your family, most especially your dear parents. Take good care of your health. Be cool always even if you face tough problems. Hotheadedness will only take you to hell! Remember: Tough times never last but tough people do. See you next issue. I'll be back.

LINKS: Save Our Future Now!

SAVE OUR FUTURE, NOW!
by Gregorio V. Biuin Jr. , from his column LINKS
The Featinean publication,
June 1995, pages 17, continued on page 25


Whew! It's great! Another year again as a writer of this publication. This time, I'm serving you as your Features and Literary Editor. In this column, I will tackle certain issues that affect our lives. Hope you will not only enjoy reading my column, but also internalize what you think is right and just. If you have some comments and suggestions, approach me and I'll be glad to serve you. you're very much welcome.

Fraternal greetings to the entire FEATI community! Our university's 50th anniversary is fast approaching. We hope that we can celebrate this day with FEATI students present in the occasion. Unlike in the past wherein we are the only school, I think, that celebrates its anniversary without the entire studentry (because it’s a university holiday). By the way, how about forming FEATI University Chorale for the occasion. Hope that FEATI students respond to this call.

Welcome, freshmen and freshwomyn! You have chosen one of the finest and best universities in the land, most especially in terms of technical skills and engineering. Maybe our facilities are not conducive enough but the quality of teaching is highly commendable. Just take a look at our list of annual topnotchers in different fields. That's the evidence.

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Through this column, we want to express our utmost and sincere support and congratulations to the anti-trapo movement called SAVE (Students Advocates for Voters Empowerment)) for winning four out of seven congressional bets they have endorsed. They are Joker Arroyo (Makati, 1st Dist.), Rey Calalay (QC, 1st Dist.), Mike Defensor (QC, 3rd Dist.) and Sandy Ocampo (Manila, 6th Dist.).

Although two SAVE volunteers were abducted, six were physically assaulted by armed supporters of a trapo candidate and many anti-trapo organizers were harassed, still SAVE volunteers remain committed and dedicated to the end. They have fought hard and struggled courageously to save the youth from traditional politicians who use guns, goons and gold in order to win in the electoral arena. Truly, trapos' stuff is personal glory and self-interest. To win the war against the trapos, SAVE as voters, volunteers and vanguards proved that die-hard trapos are not invincible and can be defeated even in their own game.

TO YOU, SAVE ORGANIZERS AND VOLUNTEERS

Like a rising star, SAVE has appeared before our wondering eyes. Our long lost dream to have radical changes in Philippine politics became a reality.

You played a very important role in the last elections. You helped us guard our votes from the trapos and elect leaders that will truly serve the Filipino people. In this world of skepticism and desperation, you gave us hope! You expressed the need of our present generation that is to ensure that the world we live in and passed on to the next generation of youth is a world that peace, prosperity and social equality will reign. Your sincerity, hard work, commitment and tireless effort to save the youth and the Filipino nation from the trapos proved that oldtime political warlords who are masters of the ballot cannot win against genuine parliamentary leaders. With your noble task of guarding, saving and ensuring the future of the youth, we believe that SAVE can survive and will continue to exist and the strangehold of trapos will finally be demolished.

We salute you. We are proud of you. One day, the entire Filipino nation will thank you.

Surely the Filipino youth will not forget you. They will always remember your full commitment and effort to save their future. You deserve to be exalted in the great chapters of Philippine history.

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To our dear readers, don't forget to take care of your family, most especially your dearest mother. You can change your girlfriend (or your wife if you have) but not your mother. She's the only one you've got.

Take an advice from Baron Thomas Macaulay, an English essayist: Children, look in those eyes, listen to that dear voice, notice the feeling of even a single touch that is bestowed upon you by that gentle hand! Make much of it while she is still here. You are very fortunate if your mother is very much alive today.

To you, our beloved mother: We heartfully thank you for your wonderful help and guidance to us, most especially in times of trials. We know how you care for us. You are the moving force behind our success in life. We love you. From your loving sons and daughters, Lovelots.

Friends, please do care of your family most especially your little brothers and sisters. You are their model. Please guide them. SAVE their future.

Happy Fathers' Day come June 18.

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USAPANG TIBAK:

Stalinism is the primary obstacle towards the advancement of the socialist revolution. Russia's Josef Stalin ang China's Mao Tse Tung were dictators in their own sense. They have distorted and destroyed the real essence of Marxism-Leninism. As long as Stalinism and Maoism, the two great evils of socialism, will continue to exist, it will continually rotten the revolutionary movement. Thanks, socialist renewal debunks these two poisonous ideologies.

Our country is in a backward capitalist state, not a semi-feudal and semi-colonial society as alleged by some pseudo-intellectual groups, such as LFS. Semi-feudal and semi-colonial analysis of the Philippine society is but an alibi to justify the "protracted people's war", the Maoist line for the Philippine revolution of encircling the cities from the countryside. They believe that revolution can only be won from the barrel of the gun.

Always remember: Revolution is not war and war is not revolution. In the history of the Philippine revolution, Filipino Maoists forces have declared war even without a revolution, but when the revolution comes, they are being left behind.

To those activists who adhere to the Stalinist and Maoist model, please wake up!

Be critical! Learn from the lessons of the past!

Or else, you'll also become slaves of the fax machine from Netherlands!

0-0-0

Our reliable sources have talked with ordinary citizens regarding some groups who have boycotted the election. They told him that those boycotters have not contributed something good to the welfare of the basic masses in one way or another because of their hallucination that we can change and reform the society only through armed struggle. They became blind and deaf to reality because of their belief in the sharpest line or ideology. They're probably not aware that most sharp can cut your skin off or it may kill you. Paranoid?

0-0-0

There will be another oil price hike (OPH). A great burden again to ordinary citizens! This will greatly result to inflation, transportation rates increase and high cost of living. It will surely rotten our sold or stomach!

Thanks, Sanlakas is there to form a broad coalition bigger than the 1994 Kilusang Rollback (KRB). They have taken the initiative to form NOHWAY which means "No to Oil Price Hike in Whatever Way". SANLAKAS, a broad alliance of progressive organizations and concerned citizens, have formed NOHWAY to pressure the oil companies as well as the government in their step in increasing the oil price because the OPH will surely give undesirable headache to the basic masses.

Sanlakas is calling all cause-oriented groups and concerned citizens to join them in opposing the OPH.

How about you? Do you want to sacrifice and be burdened by economic problem because of the oil price hike? If not, act right now.

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To my one and only: I wish you all the best in life (including me?!). Stay as sweet as you are and take good care of yourself always. Lovelots.

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Lastly, a little advice: Anger and hatred can brought you a long way further than any other emotion. But beware! It may bring you to hell.

Till nest issue. I'll be back soon.

I promise.

Tula: Ang Peryodista at ang Sanggano

ANG PERYODISTA AT ANG SANGGANOni Gregorio V. Bituin Jr.
The Featinean folio, Summer 1997
Paunawa: Ang usapang ito’y ilang beses na nagpabagu-bago, mula sa pamagat na “Sigaw ng Katarungan” (1993), naging “Walang Piring ang Katarungan” (Hulyo-Oktubre 1996)

PERYODISTA:
Sa bawat pag-usad nitong hawak na pluma
Katotohana’t katarungan ang nasa aking diwa
Kahayupa’t pagsasamantala’y nangaglipana
Sa gamit kong pluma’y dapat ibulgar sila.

SANGGANO:
Ano bang magagawa niyang pluma mo
Sa malakas na kalibre nitong baril ko?
Kung pagpapakabayani, ‘yan ang nais mo
Ngayon pa lang, magsubukan na tayo!

PERYODISTA:
Hindi pulbura’t bala ang gamit kong sandata
Kundi papel, kamera, kompyuter at pluma
Pagdating sa panulat, haharapin kita
Kahit magtago ka pa sa ilalim ng kama.

SANGGANO:
Hoy, peryodista, ano bang akala mo
Sa pluma mo’y mababahag ang buntot ko?
Itong sumusulak kong poot, pakaiwasan mo
Baka isang tinggang bala ang isubo ko sa iyo!

PERYODISTA:
Mga talipandas na tulad mo’y dapat mabura
Dito sa mundong ang hari’y mga kapitalista
Hindi mo matatakot ang tulad kong peryodista
Tinatawanan ko lang ang isang tinggang bala.

SANGGANO:
Ang lakas naman ng dating mo, pare
Samantalang wala ka namang sinabi
Kung gusto mo’y manu-mano tayo dine
Para masukat mo, tapang ko’t laki!

PERYODISTA:
Lalabanan kita, sabayan kung sabayan
Sa iyo’y baril, sa aki’y pluma naman
Tingnan natin kung sinong huhusgahan
Ng mga tao sa ugali nating kainaman.

SANGGANO:
Huwag mo akong hamunin, torpeng barako
Isang bala ka lang, iya’y tandaan mo!
Huwag mong pag-initin itong aking ulo
Baka hawak na gatilyo’y makalabit ko!

PERYODISTA:
Ang tagal naman, bakit hindi mo subukan
Tulad ka rin ng amo mong kapitalistang gahaman
Pero gaya n’yong hangal ay dapat lang tuluyan
Dapat lang kayong kalusin, salot kayo sa lipunan!

ANG MAY-AKDA:
Kaya ang payo ko sa inyo, mga mambabasa
Paggawa ng krimen ay pakaiwasan sana
Dahil tinitiyak kong pag kayo’y nambiktima
Sa gamit kong pluma, KAYO’Y AKING ITUTUMBA!

Tula: Minsan, Sa Isang Pabrika

MINSAN, SA ISANG PABRIKA
ni Gregorio V. Bituin Jr.
The Featinean folio, Summer 1997

KAPITALISTA:
Hoy, manggagawa, bilisan mo diyan
Produktong ginagawa'y iyong paspasan
Huwag tatamad-tamad, baka maapektuhan
Ang aking tutubuin na kinakailangan.

MANGGAGAWA:
Kinukuba nga nga ako sa katatrabaho
Ay di pa nakasasapat itong aking sweldo
Nang dahil sa minimithi mong tubo
Sa pagtatrabaho'y papatayin mo ako.

KAPITALISTA:
Hoy, ibig mo bang sisantehin kita
Hindi ka pa regular dito sa pabrika
Baka mamatay kang dilat ang mga mata
Kapag umangal ka sa'king ipinagagawa.

MANGGAGAWA:
Salapi'y kailangan kaya nagtatrabaho
Kinabukasan ng pamilya ang nasa isip ko
Hindi ako narito para lang alipinin mo
At kasangkapanin para ka tumubo.

KAPITALISTA:
Alalahanin mong akin itong pabrika
Lahat ng nais ko'y dapat na magawa
Paano na kung ang tubo ko'y mawawala
E, di, hindi na ako makapangingibang-bansa.

MANGGAGAWA:
Alam namin sa iyo nga itong pabrika
Pero sa amin naman ang lakas-paggawa
Kaya't mag-ingat ka sa pananalita
Dahil nga sa amin kaya yumaman ka.

KAPITALISTA:
Plano kong tumnungo sa iba't ibang bansa
magliwaliw doon sa Europa't Amerika
parelaks-relaks lang at pakanta-kanta
Tiyak na ang mundo kong ito ay sasaya.

Kaya't kung kahilingan mo'y pagbibigyan ko
Tyak na mababawasan itong aking tubo
Paano na kaya kung magkakaganito
Masisirang tiyak ang maganda kong plano.

MANGGAGAWA:

Aaah... kailangan na naming lumaya
Lumaya mula sa pagsasamantala
Pagsasamantalang itong dulot ng kapitalista
kapitalistang ito't dapat nang mawala.

Aaah... dapat na kaming makibaka
para itayo ang lipunang sosyalista
Dito'y lalaya ang uring manggagawa
Mula sa tanikala ng pagsasamantala.

ANG MAY-AKDA:

Kaya kung ganito ang nangyayari sa mga pabrika
Sadyang nakapanlulumo ang kahirapa't pagsasamantala
Kaya ang panawagan ko sa buong uring manggagawa
Makiisa't atin nang itayo ang lipunang sosyalista.

Tula: Ilalaban Kita ng Patayan

ILALABAN KITA NG PATAYAN
ni Gregorio V. Bituin Jr.
The Featinean publication, June 1995

Alam mo, irog, mula nang makilala ka
Itong aking puso'y lumundag sa tuwa
Naaalala nga kita sa tuwi-tuwina
Maghapo't magdamag tuwing nag-iisa
Napakaamo sadya ng iyong mukha
Di ka makatkat dito sa aking diwa
Pag-ibig nga ba ang aking nadarama
O paghanga lang sa iyo, aking sinta
Bakit daw sa iba, ang lakas ng loob ko
Pero natotorpe ako pagdating sa iyo
Para patunayan ang pag-ibig kong ito
Kahit ano'y itataya kahit man buhay ko
Buhay ma'y handang ialay, aking liyag
Dahil pag-ibig nga itong nadarama
Hinagpis ko't lungkot ay nawala
Pinawi ng ngiti mong matamis, aking sinta
Sana'y makasama kita hanggang kamatayan
Saanmang labana'y di kita pababayaan
Durugin man nila ang buto ko't katawan
Hanggang dulo, mahal,
Ilalaban kita ng patayan!
PANGAKO SA 'YO

Tula: Langit o Impyerno?

LANGIT O IMPYERNO?
ni Gregorio V. Bituin Jr.
The Featinean folio, Summer 1997
Paunawa: Ang usapang ito’y ikalawang beses na pagbabago, mula sa pamagat na “Sambahin ang Ngalan Mo” (Hulyo-Agosto 1994)

ANGHEL:
Tao tila yata mabigat ang iyong problema
Anyo ng iyong mukha'y di maipinta
para malutas iyan, huwag daanin sa masama
Kundi manalangis sa diyos na Lumikha.

SATANAS:
Pumapel ka na naman, Anghel dela Gwardya
Alam mo namang marami siyang nagawang sala
Sa impyerno'y napakahaba na ng listahan niya
Huwag mo siyang abalahin sa kanyang kandidatura.

ANGHEL:
Halimaw na may mahabang buntot at sungay!
Huwag kang makialam sa mabuti kong pakay
Hindi pa siya handang mapunta sa hukay
May panahon pa siyang magbagong-buhay.

SATANAS:
Sa aklat ng amo mo'y konti lang ang nakalista
Na mga nagawa niyang kabutihan dito sa lupa
Sa kaharian naming maapoy ay napakarami na
Ng kanyang nakatalang mga pagkakasala.

ANGHEL:
Ngunit kung ang tao'y nabubuhay pa
At magsisisi ng buong puso't kaluluwa
Tiyak na diringgin siya ng Poong Lumikha
Patatawarin sa kanyang mga nagawang sala.

SATANAS:
Ay, naku naman, kailan pa sila magsisisi?
Karamihan sa kanila ay malamig nang bangkay
Ang mga kasalanan nila'y napakarami
Kaluluwa nila'y sa amin mapapasakamay.

ANGHEL:
Tao, gumawa ng kabutiha't pagsisihan mo na
Lahat ng nagawa mong pagkakasala
Di ka na makapagsisisi pag ika'y patay na
Humingi na ng kapatawaran sa Poong Bathala.

SATANAS:
Hoy, tao, huwag mo siyang pakinggan
Mas masaya doon sa aming kaharian
patuloy ka pang gumawa ng mga kasalanan
Upang kaluluwa mo'y aming mapaglaruan.

ANGHEL:
Tao, huwag magtulug-tuluga't gumising na
Sa katotohanang taglay mong buhay ay iisa
Magbago ka't magpakabuti, ikaw na pinagpala
Buhay mo'y iwasto, huwag nang sayangin pa.

ANG MAY-AKDA:
Kasuwapangan sa tubo, libog at kayabangan
Ay mga matitinding dahilan ng mga kasalanan
Kaya't kaibigan, ang gawin mo'y pawang kabutihan
Para sa pangkalahatan, 'di sa kaginhawaan ng iilan.

Tula: 1 Corinto 13

1 CORINTO 13
ni Gregorio V. Bituin Jr.
The Featinean publication, Pebrero 1994

Makapagsalita man ako sa iba't ibang wika
Maunawaan ko man silang mga paham at dalubhasa
Kung wala akong pag-ibig sa aking kapwa
Wala ring kabuluhan ang aking ginagawa.

Ang Salita ng Diyos, maipahayag ko man
Lahat ng hiwaga'y aking maunawaan
Bundok ma'y mailipat doon sa kabila
Kung walang pag-ibig, wala akong magagawa.

Ipamigay ko man ang lahat kong ari-arian
Sunugin man itong aking katawan
Ano ang saysay kung pag-ibig ay wala
Dito sa aking pusong dapat naipunla?

Ang pag-ibig ay kagandahang loob at pagtitiyaga
Hindi naiinggit, nagmamapuri't nagpapariwara
Hindi mapagtanim ng galit sa kapwa
Hindi makasarili at mabuti ang gawa.

Magpahanggang wakas ay mananatili
Ang dapat na taglayin nitong ating budhi
Pananampalataya, pag-asa at pag-ibig
Mahalagang sangkap ng buhay dito sa daigdig.

Tula: Ano ang Pasko Para sa Iyo?

ANO ANG PASKO PARA SA IYO?
ni Gregorio V. Bituin Jr.
The Featinean publication, Disyembre 1993

Ano ba talaga ang diwa ng Pasko para sa iyo?
Sabi nila'y paggunita sa pagsilang ni Kristo
Ngunit magmasid ka nga pag araw ng Pasko
Karamiha'y nasa isip ang matatanggap na regalo.

Isinilang si Hesus, na sinasabing Tagapagligtas
Upang tubusin daw tayo sa mga gawaing taliwas
Ngunit anong ginagawa ng mga talipandas
Patuloy pa rin sila sa mga gawaing marahas.

Hindi ba't pagmamahalan ang diwa ng Pasko?
Ngunit bakit tuwing Pasko lamang naaalala ito?
Pag pangkaraniwang araw ay mapang-api tayo
Kunwa'y mapagmahal... ngunit mapagbalatkayo!

Nagtigil-putukan, mga rebelde sa kabundukan
Pati na mga sundalo't opisyal ng pamahalaan
Upang ipagdiwang daw ang Paskong daraan
Hindi upang pag-usapan ang kapayapaan ng bayan.

Ngunit bakit pa nila ipinagdiriwang ang Pasko
Kung di naman nila sinusunod ang utos ni Kristo
Na mahalin ang Diyos ng buong diwa, kaluluwa't puso
Mahalin din, bawat isa, pati mga kaaway mo.

Kung pagmamahalan ang tunay na diwa nito
Hiling ko sana'y bawat araw ay maging Pasko
Dahil sa panahong ito lamang nagugunita ng mga tao
Ang pagmamahalan at pagbibigayan sa ibabaw ng mundo.

Ang Nuclear Arms Race

ANG NUCLEAR ARMS RACE:
Paligsahan ng mga Kapitalistang Bansa
ni Gregorio V. Bituin Jr.

"Nagkaroon ng malawakang pagbabago sa ating pag-iisip at pagkatao ang pagkakahati ng pinakamaliit na bagay sa buong mundo, ang atomo, sa maraming bahagi, at ito'y nagdulot sa atin ng walang kapantay na kapahamakan." - Albert Einstein

Kamakailan lamang, sa pagsisimula ng panunungkulan ng bagong pangulo ng France, si Jacques Chirac, nitong Hunyo 1995, inanunsyo niya ang iskedyul ng kanilang nukleyar testing bago nila pirmahan ang Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty sa 1996. Mula Setyembre 1995 hanggang Mayo 1996 nakatakda ang testing na ito na sa kasalukuya'y ginagawa sa Mururoa at Fangataufa atolls sa French Polynesia. Ikinagulat ng maraming bansa sa mundo ang desisyong ito ng France, lalo na sa mga kasapi ng Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NNPT). Dahil dito, kinundena ng maraming bansa partikular na ang Australia, New Zealand at Pilipinas ang desisyong ito dahil na rin sa usapin ng pagkasira ng ekolohiya at epekto ng radiation nito sa katawan ng tao at sa kapaligiran.

SAAN BA NAGSIMULA ANG NUKLEYAR NA ITO?

Nadiskubre ng syentistang si Albert Einstein ang teorya ng relatibidad, at inakda niya ang pormulang e=mc2 (energy equals mass times the square of the speed of light), kung saan nagdulot ito ng malaking pagbabago ng physics sa buong mundo. Isa na rito ang pagkakahati ng atomo, na siyang dahilan naman upang makagawa ng nukleyar.

Nagsimula ang paligsahan sa paggawa ng bombang nukleyar bago pa man sumiklab ang Ikalawang Daigdigang Digmaan. Dalawang matatalinong magkaklase sa physics ang nagsimula ng pagsasaliksik sa paggawa ng bombang atomik: sina Enrico Fermi (1901-1904), ng Italy at Werner Karl Heisenberg (1901-1976) ng Germany. Si Fermi, isang Italyanong nanirahan na sa Amerika noong 1939, ay nanalo ng Nobel Prize sa Physics noong 1938 dahil sa kanyang induced radioactivity, samantalang si Heisenberg ay nanalo naman ng Nobel Prize sa Physics noong 1932 dahil sa kanyang quantum mechanics.

Silang dalawa nang bumalik sa kani-kanilang bansa ay naglingkod sa pamamagitan ng kanilang kaalaman sa nuclear physics. Si Fermi ay nasa panig ng Allied Powers at si Heisenberg naman ay nasa panig ng Nazi Germany. Sa simula ng 1939, kasama ang Nazi, inaayos na ni Heisenberg ang pagyari ng nuclear reactor, ngunit nagkaroon sila ng di pagkakaunawaan ni Hitler tungkol sa paggawa at paggagamitan nito kaya naging mabagal ang pag-unlad ng kanyang pananaliksik.

Nuong Disyembre 1942, matagumpay na naisagawa ni Fermi sa Unibersidad ng Chicago ang pagkontrol sa lakas-nukleyar. At noong Hulyo 16, 1945, sa pangangasiwa ni Fermi, naganap ang kauna-unahang nuclear test sa Trinity Site sa Alamogordo, New Mexico.

Pagkaraan ng ilang araw, nuong Agosto 6, 1945, inihulog sa Hiroshima mula sa eroplanong B29 Enola Gay ang bomba atomika na may pangalang Little Boy (4400 kg., 3m x 0.7m) kung saan 140,000 katao ang namatay. Ang sumunod naman ay ang Fat Man (4500 kg., 3.5m x 1.5m) na sumabog sa Nagazaki nuong Agosto 9, 1945 na kumitil sa 74,000 katao.

Kasalukuyang nagaganap ang nuclear testing ng France sa Mururoa at Fangataufa atolls. Ang dalawang atolls (ang atoll ay pabilog na coral reef system na may lagoon sa loob) na ito'y bahagi ng Toamotu archipelago na nasa French Polynesia. Ito'y may layong 24,000 km mula sa France samantalang 9,000 km lamang ang layo nito sa Pilipinas. Sa pagitan ng 1966 hanggang 1991, 175 nuclear tests na ang naisagawa ng France sa mga atoll na ito bilang bahagi ng kanilang nuclear weapons testing. Sa 175 tests, 44 sa himpapawid (39 sa Mururoa at 5 sa Fangataufa) at 131 sa underground tests (123 sa Mururoa at 8 sa Fangataufa). Nagsagawa rin sila ng 17 tests sa Algeria nuong 1960-66 (4 sa himpapawid at 13 sa underground). Hindi ito opisyal na inilabas sa press ng France, ngunit ayon sa seismic studies ng Sweden at New Zealand, ito'y umaabot na sa 2,500 kilotons ng TNT.

Ayon sa French Defense Ministry, ang pagpapasabog sa Mururoa atoll ay katumbas o maliit ng kaunti sa 20 kilotons ng TNT, di hamak na mas matindi ang radiation ng nuke test sa Mururoa kaysa sa Hiroshima! May plano rin ang France na gumastos ng 130 billion Francs (22B US dollar) sa kanilang nuclear forces sa pagitan ng 1995 hanggang 2000. Kasalukuyan nilang dinidebelop ang kanilang M45 missile na may anim na bagong 100 kiloton TN75 warheads na may kapasidad na 6000 kms ang kayang abutin. Ang kanilang bagong missile, ang designated M5, ay may mas malayong kapasidad. Ito'y nakapagbubuhat ng anim hanggang 12 nuclear warheads.

Ayon sa France, ang walong nuke tests na ito ay kailangan nila para malaman nila ang kalidad ng kanilang nilulumot na nuclear arsenal, mapatunayan ang husay ng bagong warheads na ilalagay nila sa isang bagong submarine launched missile at naghahanda sa panahong mapatunayan nila na ang computer simulated na tipo ng pagpapasabog ay mas epektibo bilang armas-pandigma. Ang determinasyon ng France na ipagpatuloy ang nuke testing, ayon sa mga anti-nuke na grupo tulad ng Greenpeace, ay sa dahilang nais ng France na iabot ang mensahe na makapangyarihan pa rin ang kanilang bansa, may kakayahang ayusin ang sariling interes at maipakita ang kanilang katatagan laban sa presyur ng international communities.

Karamihan ng mga kumukondena sa French nuke test ay mga bansang may limitado o walang armas-nukleyar gaya ng Australia, New Zealand at Pilipinas. Di kinundena ng mga bansang may armas-nukleyar ang aksyong ito ng France, at nanatiling tahimik ang Amerika at Britanya habang pinupukol ng puna ang France. Samantalang kinundena naman ng Amerika ang North Korea at Iraq sa pagsasabing may armas-nukleyar na silang dinidebelop ay may biological at chemical weapons na rin, pero di nila makondena ang France. Dahil ba di mapasunod ng Amerika ang North Korea at Iraq, at ang France ay madaling pakisamahan?

Natural lang ba sa isang bansang kapitalista, gaya ng France na kasapi ng Group of Seven (G7), mga bansang may hawak ng mga malalaking kumpanya at kalakal sa buong mundo, ang pagsasagawa ng terorismo gaya ng nuke testing? Ang France ang pangunahing tagabenta ng plutonium sa buong mundo at agresibong promotor ng teknolohiyang nukleyar. Sila rin ang nagsuplay ng dalawang malaking research reactors at 72 kilos ng matataas na kalidad ng enriched uranium sa Iraq na nagpasimula ng Gulf War. Mukha yatang isang malaking advertisement ng France ang mga nuke tests para maibenta nila ang kanilang plutonium at oo, isang malaking business ang gera. Natatandaan pa ba ninyo ang Gulf War na pinangunahan ng Amerika laban sa Iraq? Hindi ba malaki ang kanilang tinubo dahil maraming bansa ang bumili ng kanilang armas-pandigma na may most advanced technology gaya ng Stealth Fighter planes na hindi nadi-detect ng radar at Patriot missiles na pinantatapat sa Russian-made Scud missiles?

'Yan ang kapitalismo. Di bale nang mamatay ang kapwa mo basta't malaki ang iyong tutubuin. Patuloy na umuunlad ang mga kapitalistang bansang ito habang nararanasan ng mayorya ng mamamayan ang matinding kahirapan at kagutuman sa buong mundo. Naglalaan sila ng malaking kapital sa produksyon ng armas-nukleyar para di sila masapawan ng ibang bansang may gayunding armas. Ito'y maaari din nilang gamiting panakot sa iba't ibang klaseng negosasyon at gawing pananggalang sa kanilang sariling interes.

Kung sa pagkain at pangunahing pangangailangan na lang nila ilalaan ang perang ginastos sa paggawa ng mga armas na ito, disin sana'y di naghihirap ang maraming bansa gaya ng Bosnia at Somalia.

Depensa raw, depensa ng ano? Ng kanilang kapital, hindi ng kanilang mamamayan. Kung ang bilyun-bilyong salapi na ginagastos nila sa paggawa ng armas-nukleyar ay gastusin nila para mapaunlad ang pinanggagalingan ng pagkain gaya ng mga bukid, dagat at pabrika, wala sanang magugutom. Kaya ang isyung ito ay di lang usaping ekolohiya o pagkasira ng kapaligiran, kundi ng kapitalistang pagdadamot upang magkamal ng malaking tubo. Tunay nga ang sinabi ni Albert Einstein, na ang pagkakahati ng pinakamaliit na bagay sa buong mundo, ang atomo, sa maraming bahagi ay nagdulot sa atin ng kapahamakan.

- The Featinean publication, Setyembre 1995

Bakit May Pasko Pa?

BAKIT MAY PASKO PA?
ni Gregorio V. Bituin Jr.

"Ang pasko ay sumapit. Tayo ay mangagsiawit ng magagandang himig dahil sa ang Diyos ay pag-ibig."

Ah, malapit na nga ang kapaskuhan. Paano ba ito? Ano ba ang diwa ng Pasko? Ang sabi nila, ang kapaskuhan daw ay kaarawan ni Kristo, ang sinasabing tagapagligtas. Pag kapaskuhan daw dapat ay magmahalan at magbigayan. Ahhh... pulos kaplastikan. Oo, kaibigan. Pulos kaplastikan. Alam mo ba kung bakit?

Bakit nga ba tuwing kapaskuhan lamang ipinakikita ang pagmamahalan at ang pagbibigayan? Bakit hindi sa buong taon? Bakit kailangang mamili ng araw para lamang maipakita na kaya ka nagdiriwang ng kapaskuhan ay para lamang makitang nagmamahal at nagbibigay ka rin pala? Kung ito ang diwa ng kapaskuhan, bakit kailangan nating ipagdiwang ito?

Sa totoo lang, kaibigan, hindi mapatotohanan ng mga iskolar na Disyembre 25 nga ipinanganak si Hesus. Basahin mo ang Bibliya nuong panahong ipinanganak si Hesus. Kung tunay na Disyembre 25 nga siya ipinanganak, dapat ang deskripsyon ng paligid ay nagyeyelo dahil panahon ito ng yelo sa Bethlehem kung saan ipinanganak si Hesus sa sabsaban. Sabagay, tao lang ang gumawa ng kalendaryo na kasalukuyan nating ginagamit sa ngayon.

Tingnan mo rin ang balita sa dyaryo at telebisyon, at pakinggan ang balita sa radyo. Nagkaroon ng tigil-putukan sa pagitan ng mga rebelde at pamahalaan upang ipagdiwang ang kapaskuhan. Pero pagkatapos ng kapaskuhan, banatan na naman! Sabagay, kahit paano, ang kapaskuhan ay nagsisilbing pagkakataon para makauwi matapos ang mahaba-habang pakikihamok.

Tingnan mo ang iyong paligid, kaibigan. nagiging komersyalisado ang kapaskuhan. Hindi na ang diwa nito kundi ang bagay na maireregalo ang nagiging basehan upang maipakita ang kanilang pakikiisa sa araw na ito.

Malapit na ang pasko. Minsan ay naoobliga kang bumili ng iyong regalo para sa iyong inaanak at mga mahal sa buhay. Paano kung sapat-sapat lang ang pera mo? At maaaring kulang pa sa pagkain mo? Ang tradisyunal na pagbibigayan sa Pasko ay isang uri ng manipestasyon na naghahanap tayo upang punan ang anumang pagkukulang natin. Dahil sa ganitong paraan lamang natin maipapakita na tayo kahit minsan lang ay nakakaalalang magmahal at magmalasakit sa ating mga kaibigan at mga mahal sa buhay. Bagamat sa buong taon ay hindi man lang natin sila naaalala.

Siyanga pala, kaibigan, hindi naman sa ayaw ko ng Pasko. Ang hindi ko lang nagugustuhan ay ang sistemang umiiral sa ating lipunan na ginagawang panakip-butas ang Pasko para sa tunay na reyalidad ng buhay.

Ahhh. Pasko, kung ang tunay na diwa mo ay pagmamahalan, pagtutulungan at walang pagsasamantala, sana araw-araw ay laging Pasko para walang mang-aapi, walang magsasamantala sa lipunan. Sana'y pantay-pantay ang ating mga karapatan. Ahhh... kaibigan, ang salitang "sana" ay walang kapupuntahan. Tayo nang kumilos at ipaglaban ang ating karapatan. Itayo natin ang lipunang walang mang-aapi at walang magsasamantala, ang lipunang tunay na kumikiling sa tunay na diwa ng kapaskuhan.

- The Featinean publication, Nobyembre-Disyembre 1994

Pagsusumamo ng Dakilang Kaibigan

PAGSUSUMAMO NG DAKILANG KAIBIGAN

ni Gregorio V. Bituin Jr.

Kaibigan, alam kong kilala mo ako. Sa mga pahayagan, nababasa mo ako. Sa radyo at telebisyon, laging sinasambit ang aking pangalan. Sa mga inuman, sa mga sosyalan, maging sa pamahalaan at sa mga nasa kabundukan. Mula Luzon hanggang Mindanao. Mula Jolo hanggang Aparri. Mula silangan hanggang kanluran. Sa apat na sulok ng daigdig, kilalang-kilala ako. Dahil nagdudulot ako ng kaligayahan sa mga taong kumakaibigan sa akin, sa mga taong sumasamba sa akin. Pinasasaya ko ang araw ng mga taong wala nang ginawa kundi tumunganga buong maghapon.

Sa mga sosyal, sa mga may katungkulan sa lipunan, sa iba't ibang uri ng mga tao, ako ay itinuturing na isang dakilang kaibigan. Sa hirap at ginhawa, lagi nila akong kasama. Sa mga problema't kasiyahan, ako ang kaagapay nila. Oo, sa tingin nila'y isa akong dakilang kaibigan, isang dakilang kasama. Ngunit ang hindi nila alam, isa akong traydor. Sa bawat paglapat ko sa kanilang mga labi, sila ay nagiginhawaan habang unti-unti ko silang pinapatay. Unti-unti kong nilalason ang kanilang katawan.

Alam mo bang marami nang tao ang pinatay ko? Oo, isa akong kriminal, pinatay ko ang mga taong kumaibigan sa akin. Pinatay ko silang dahan-dahan. Pinapanghina ko ang kanilang mga baga. Namatay silang walang kalaban-laban. Namatay sila ng dahil sa akin. Oo, nang dahil sa akin.

Ikaw, gusto mo bang makipagkaibigan sa akin? Gusto mo bang makipagkaibigan sa isang tulad ko? Mag-isip-isip ka muna bago mo ako kaibiganin. Baka pagsisihan mo lang ang lahat pagdating sa huli. Alalahanin mo, laging nasa huli ang pagsisisi. At kung kaibigan mo na ako, unti-unti kitang kokontrolin, hanggang hindi mo na ako maialis sa katawan mo.

Alam ko, marami ka pang pangarap. Huwag mo itong sirain. Huwag mong sirain ang kinabukasan mo. Nagsusumamo ako sa iyo. Ayaw ko nang dahil sa akin, maraming mapahamak. Sawang-sawa na ako. Ayoko nang pumatay. Ayaw ko nang maging kriminal. Ako'y nagmamakaawa sa iyo. Hangga't maaga pa, iwasan mo ako.

Iyan lang ang tangi kong magagawa, ang makiusap na layuan mo ako. Hindi ko kayang pigilin ang mga taong lumikha sa akin, ang mga taong nagpapayaman dahil sa akin, ang mga kapitalistang patuloy na gumagawa ng mga katulad ko. Gumagawa ng mga kagaya kong SIGARILYO.

- Agosto-Setyembre 1993

Hit Hard

HIT HARD
by Gregorio V. Bituin Jr.
The Featinean folio, Summer 1997

I am a journalist
who writes with brutal facts
who dreams of a just and peaceful world.
A crusader for justice
who is ready to risk life for truth
who wishes to die defending
the rights of the oppressed.
Journalism is not just a job
but a fulfilling career I love.
As a journalist
I believe that social progress
must accompany social justice.
I write because this is my way
of showing my concern to others.
I write to serve not for profit
but for truth and justice.
And I'll swear to do this
against all odds
because
I am a journalist.

Literary Attempts

LITERARY ATTEMPTS
by Gregorio V. Bituin Jr.
The Featinean publication, July 1993

VIOLENCE

Violence is often initiated by those who oppress,
Who fail to recognize the rights of others
Not because they are not loved
But because they don't know how to love
Except themselves

WE ARE ONE

We are one nation
One flag in one region
we must not fight each other
Instead love one another
For the sake of our future
And for our nation as a whole

PEACE OF MIND

Peace of mind is something
When you feel relaxed and free
From fear and worry.
Fortune and fame, wealth, power, glory
Nothing they are without peace of mind.

On Refusing our Refuse

ON REFUSING OUR REFUSE
ni Gregorio V. Bituin Jr.

When you go to the shopping malls, schools and universities, offices, companies, factories and other related areas of work, there you can see them doing their usual work: sweeping the floors, cleaning the toilets, wiping window glass and the like. They have been doing these everyday in their lives. They are there to help make our working place and our environment a batter place to work in. Yes, they are the janitors. Most of us look down on them because of the nature of their work. Some may think that they became janitors because that was the only thing that they could do, because being a janitor did not require any college degree. Others may think that they are illiterate. That's why they scorn them. They feel that janitors are comparatively inferior to them. No wonder most of them are victims of casualization, subcontracting and other types of workers' oppression. I did not say that janitorial job is a low type of work. I just want to emphasize a point.

I observed a janitor in one of the shopping malls. He bragged while he was mopping the floor. If you will observe his behavior and the expression on his face, there seems a feeling of inferiority in him. As an officer of an environmental group, I want to give emphasis on the situational analysis and background caused by this job. Besides cleaning the incontrollable dust that invades work places, I think that janitors become visible at malls because people do not know how to clean-up their mess. People throw their waste anywhere. They do not even wipe their shoe prints upon entering the premises. In other words, people are undisciplined and uncaring to their environment. That's why the management has to hire janitors who will clean up these people's mess.

Most Filipinos know enough about garbage. The problem is that Filipinos do not know how to apply what he has learned. Most of us know that if we throw our garbage somewhere else, it will only make our surroundings dirty and somewhat irritating to the eyes. Even in comfort rooms, people do not flush the toilet properly. During our elementary days, we were taught by our teachers about waste disposal and how to clean up our mess. Does throwing our waste somewhere else a sign of immaturity? Just asking.

Tell me, who among you are in the right mind to choose a janitorial job as a career? Most people become janitors only because of necessity. It means they have no other choice. In our society in which unemployment is one of the basic problems, it is not surprising that people will accept janitorial jobs just to cope with certain economic difficulties they are experiencing nowadays.

What are the certain factors that affect our daily lives that contribute to the visibility of the janitors? Is it possible to have a society where janitorial jobs do not exist, yet we live in a clean and good society? For some, this is just an issue. For us as environmentalists, this is a critical and complicated issue that should be discussed and addressed thoroughly.

First, we need janitors because most of us do not throw our waste properly even if garbage cans are just around the corner. We can flush the toilet easily but lazy enough to do it. In other words, people like us don't care for the environment and don't have the discipline to clean up our surroundings.

Second, most janitorial jobs are in private or public offices based in the cities. People in the rural poor areas are fascinated by the advancement of modern technology which they can only see mostly in the cities. They think that they can ease their poverty by coming to the cities, but most of them suffer the consequences of unemployment. No wonder, most of them apply in jobs that are not related to their interest like janitorial work in order to survive.

Third, the idea of private property still prevails in our culture. People often think that they can throw their garbage anywhere because it was not their property. Take for example a person who throws his garbage outside his house. He thinks that is not his property. Someone should clean up his mess. If the idea of private property does not exist in his mind, he will probably throw his garbage directly where it should belong because he should cooperate with all.

Most of us probably say that it is better to have janitors in our workplace or in public places because they have been a great help in making the place look clean and comfortable to live in. On the contrary, having a janitor visible to the eyes of the people only produces a psychological impact in the behavior of the people towards his surroundings. Most of them will just throw their waste anywhere because they think that there is always a janitor who can clean it up.

What should we do if there are no janitors in our workplace? What will be its effect on us?

I stayed in Japan as a student scholar for six fruitful months. An on-the-job training in an electronics company there made me observe how Japanese works while comparing it to the situation here in our country. For six months, I traveled places, factories and shopping malls. I observed one thing: the Japanese did not employ janitors just to clean up their mess. They are the ones who clean up their mess after a full day's work. They allot fifteen minutes before their off time in cleaning their work places. As a trainee in machine operation, I work in a very messy place because I deal with oily things, metal scraps, metal press machines, and assembling different moulds for different products. Even in a Japanese-Filipino electronics company where I work for exactly three fruitful years, there is no single janitors assigned just to clean up our mess. Fifteen minutes before our off tome, we clean our surroundings so that the next shift can work in a good atmosphere.

I know we cannot compare the Japanese situation with that in our country because of so many factors. If we can only discipline ourselves, these factors are not a deterrent to make a better site to work in. What are these factors?

First, the Japanese people are very much organized, orderly and disciplined. Probably because, historically and culturally, they were brought up in a shogunate manner, and deep within them is the art of bushido, their code of discipline and the way to preserve their honor and good life. Their nationalism is very much intact in their hand and mind.

Second, Filipinos are divided because of regionalism. Nationalism, as I observe, is just an idea and is not intact deep within us. That's why the force of crab mentality in our culture is very strong. I am not downgrading our race. I just want to emphasize a point.

Third, we have a different climate that contributes much to the behavior of the people in our surroundings.

I do not say that we should emulate the Japanese. My point is this: If we want to live and work in clean surroundings like theirs, we should work for it. How can we do it?

First is discipline. We must be systematic and orderly in our approach. We must learn how to throw our garbage directly in a waste can or fix it to some other places in our room which can be easily cleaned. If there is no waste can around, just hold it until you can find one. In the real essence, your garbage can only become dirty once you throw it away. Anyway, solid waste management is not a hard science to learn. Common sense is enough to understand this.

Second, we should be cooperative with the community, as long as it is for the benefit of all. We should destroy the crab mentality that exists in many of us. Crab mentality only exists in the minds of inferior individuals, or those who are suffering from deep inferiority complex, mental depression, stress, and hatred for someone successful. They are losers in every struggle because of their selfishness. One way to destroy the idea of crab mentality which we can trace from the concept of private property is the spirit of cooperation. In a larger context, it simply means internationalism. International cooperation (not competition) will help us build a better world.

Third, we should work hard for it. Working hard for it does not mean that you have to exert all your strength in doing those things, but by being not lazy to throw our garbage directly in a waste can, flushing the toilet after use, orderly arranging our work, and the like.

Fourth, we should encourage people to separate biodegradable from non-biodegradable waste. The government should be strict in enforcing a law which states that garbage collectors should pick up only those wastes which are labeled separately. This will greatly help us in minimizing the taxes we pay the government regarding waste disposal.

Essentially, we need janitors but we have to help them minimize their work by throwing our waste directly in the waste can and not somewhere else. We cannot control dust and other tiny particles in penetrating our offices, campuses or work places. If we are passionate enough on janitors and can understand their behavior and the nature of their work, we can help them reduce their work load by disciplining ourselves when it comes to our own waste. In this way, we can contribute much in making our surroundings clean and beautiful. That simply means cooperation.

- The Featinean folio, Summer 1997, pages 41-45