Women’s group call for GMA’s ouster

San Fernando City, La Union (March 8 ) - Prayers, chants and candle lights for truth, accountability and change in the government highlighted the celebration of the International Working Women’s Day by the Gabriela Women’s Alliance together with other progressive organization in front of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines.

“This activity is simultaneous with other activities conducted today in celebration of Women’s day nationwide. We chose to celebrate this day in protest of the growing immorality of the present government. We as women are very disappointed of Mrs. Arroyo and her and family’s involvement in the ZTE controversy. She does not exemplify the kind of women we advocate Filipino women should be”, Linda Caluza, Spokesperson of Gabriela-Ilocos Region said in an interview.

Chants extolling women as militant and palaban together with such calling for PGMA’s ouster echoed throughout and in between speeches of the different orators of the affair. The passersby and motorists were also asked and challenged to join in the protest action. The various passing motorists answered positively by honking their vehicles and receiving the statements being distributed, others even applauded the efforts of the protesters.

Members of various youth organizations under the broad alliance Youth for Accountability and Truth Now (Youth Act Now!) also joined the activity in solidarity with the plight of women and the public clamor for truth and change in government. They said the latest ZTE-NBN controversy are just the latest in the long list of reasons why Arroyo should be removed from office.

“The Campus Press have been under constant attacked since the Mrs. Arroyo assumed power in Malacanang. The deterioration of the state of campus press freedom and freedom in general in the country could be attributed to the malevolence of this government to the press. Many student publications have been either closed or threatened closed under the rule of Mrs. Arroyo most recent of prominent of which is the case of Tandem, the official student publication of University of Northern Philippines “, Paola Espiritu, Ilocos Regional Coordinator of College Editors Guild of the Philippines shared.

The activity was concluded with a symbolic candle-lighting for truth and accountability in which the participants made their lighted candles spell the word ‘TRUTH” in the sidewalk in front of the UCCP church.

“The immoral and corrupt acts of this government is not a good example for the youth of today. The Filipino youth has taken a stand to light the way for truth and meaningful change. We challenge many others to stand and be counted. The protest action today in La Union is a testament that the people in the National Capital Region is not alone in the clamor truth, accountability and change in governance. The people in the provinces are united in the stand against immorality, corruption and fascism”, Louie Santos of Youth Act Now stressed.

Forum hosts Freedom lyrics and lines

Agoo, La Union (March 7) – To relive the spirit of patriotism, Forum, the official  student publication of the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University-South La Union Campus hosted an invitational music and poetry jam.

Vincent Josue, Editor-in-Chief of the Forum, gave lectures on patriotic poetry while Louie Santos of the Youth Act Now! shared inputs in poetry writing and patriotic music.

A series of workshops on poetry writing and poetry reading was conducted. In addition, patriotic and progressive songs were performed by the officers of the local chapter.

“Campus journalists should write not only about themselves but the society they live in”, shared Jason Necida, participant.

 The guild encourages other publications to conduct same activities or other creative and alternative forms of educating their members and other interested students.

Members of Lorma Highlights, DMMMSU Forum,  PCLU Scribes and officers of the local chapter attended the said activity.

PDI: Neri agrees to meet student groups on tuition issue

By Jerry E. Esplanada
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 21:44:00 03/10/2008

MANILA, Philippines — Nearly seven months after assuming the Commission on Higher Education top post, acting chairman Romulo Neri has finally expressed his willingness to meet with leaders of various student organizations on tuition and other tertiary education issues.

Neri has instructed CHEd Executive Director William Medrano to arrange the meeting.

In a text message to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Neri said he would inform CHEd Commissioners Nona Ricafort, Nenalyn Defensor, Luningning Misuarez-Umar and Saturnino Ocampo Jr. about the dialogue with the student leaders, including those belonging to leftwing groups.

Leaders of the League of Filipino Students (LFS), Anakbayan and Youth Act NOW (YAN)! welcomed what they called a “positive development.”

“That’s good news,” said LFS chair Vencer Crisostomo.

Anakbayan spokesperon Sarah Katrina Maramag said they asked for a meeting with Neri as early as August 2007 when he took over the post vacated by Carlito Puno, now head of the government-sequestered Coconut Chemicals Inc.

YAN! spokesperson Alvin Peters said Neri’s “change of heart” came rather late. “Tuition consultations ended on February 28,” he noted.

A top CHEd official has appealed to student leaders to “limit the dialogue’s talking points to tertiary education issues.”

Maramag, however, said otherwise. “If the dialogue pushes through, he also has to come prepared to answer queries regarding the National Broadband Network-ZTE Corp. controversy. There is no better venue to do this than in front of students who are the new defenders of truth,” she said.

Crisostomo, meanwhile, expressed the hope Neri would not back out at the last minute.

The students recalled that upon learning that Neri was slipping out of the University of the Philippines-Mindanao building, groups of protesters, including members of LFS and Anakbayan, angrily chased Neri, who was tightly guarded by security escorts.

The militant Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), which has repeatedly called for Neri’s resignation, said his “involvement in the NBN-ZTE scandal has rendered him incapable of effectively discharging his duties as CHEd chair.”

“How can he speak with any credibility on education issues with his role in the NBN-ZTE controversy hounding him? How can he speak at all given the tight security the Office of the President provides him?” said ACT chair Antonio Tinio.

Like the LFS, ACT has “given up on Neri to do a Jun Lozada,” said Tinio, referring to the star witness who revealed corruption in the NBN negotiations.

ACT said Neri “turned into a cowardly bureaucrat and a beneficiary of a hopelessly corrupt regime.”

Neri has repeatedly rejected calls by various groups for his resignation.

“I have no reason to and I have no intention to resign. I have followed the rule of law in all my actions,” Neri earlier told the Philippine Daily Inquirer, parent company of INQUIRER.net.

Neri agrees to meet student groups on tuition issue

Reposted from Youth Act Now 

CEGP-La Union holds 7th AMMOYO

La Union (February 28) -With the theme, “A Free Campus Press for Truth and Accountability”,  College Editors Guild of the Philippines-La Union Chapter successfully conducted the Ammoyo 2008, the local chapter’s 7^th annual Student Press Convention cum Congress held at Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University- North La Union Campus at Sapilang, Bacnotan, La Union, the Green Valley Treasure hosting the event for the second consecutive year.

“With the current political crisis the country is undergoing, tertiary publications have to make a stand. And we stand for the truth to be revealed and hold Mrs. Gloria Arroyo regime  accountable for all of these”, said Rose Mae Bagni, the local chapter’s Chairperson in an interview.

 According to Bagni, the Guild is conducting such activities to reach out to other publications and to serve as a venue to give timely discussions on socio-political issues in the country in addition to the Guild’s unfailing service in educating the campus journalists in new trends of journalism.

  A series  of lectures and workshops on basic, intermediate and advance journalism and as well as on arts and literature were given by respected professional media practitioners and artists. Also, classroom discussions regarding socio-political topics were lectured by invited speakers from different people’s organizations.

 Tertiary publications who joined the event comprise The Virginians of the Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation from Pangasinan, The Forum of DMMMSU-SLUC,  Polytechnic College of La Union’s Scribes, Lorma Highlights, DMMMSU-NLUC’s Green Valley Treasures, Tandem of University of Northern Philippines, Northern College of Science and Technology’s The Weblink and Divine Word College of Laoag’s The Williamite.

2^nd Gawad Manuel Arguilla

One of the highlights of the event was the awarding of the 2^nd Gawad Manuel Arguilla. Launched last year, the Gawad serves as a tribute to the renowned Ilocano short story writer, Manuel Arguilla,  who died as a martyr during the Japanese occupation in the country. He is a native of Nagrebcan, Bauang, La Union and is the author of “How my brother Leon brought home a wife”  and “Rice”.

The  literary contest includes the Short Story Writing, Poetry Writing and Essay Writing both in English and Filipino category. Winners comprise of the following:  In the Maikling Kuwento Category Special Citation was given to ‘Simile’ by Jesther Rowen Bautista (Lorma Highlights) while the third place was given to entry entitled ‘Kalayaan sa Semestreng Walang Katahimikan’ by Arnel Manzano (Lorma Highlights). In the Sanaysay Category Special Citation was given to  the entry entitled  ‘Sulo ng Pag-asa ‘by Darwin Bulan (PCLU Scribes) and the  3^rd place was awarded to the entry entitled ‘Ang Panata ni Pastor’ by John Osias Jacaban (DMMMSU-SLUC Forum). In the Short Story Category, Special Citation was also given to  the entry ‘Crossroads’ by Rollie Caccam (DMMMSU SLUC Forum). In the Poetry Writing the compilation ‘A cry for help’,’ A plea’, ‘Vibrations’ by Lovely Ulpindo (Lorma Highlights) was awarded 2^nd place whereas the 1^st place was given to the compilation entry of the poems ‘Freedamn’, ‘The Big Bang Theory’, ‘Peace it together’ by Allan Claveria (VMUF-The Virginian); In the Tula Category 3^rd place was awarded to the entry ‘Sa Kalangitan’, ‘Hamon sa Manunulat’, ‘Hindi na’ by Arnel Manzano (Lorma Highlights), 2^nd place to ‘Hunyango’, Estudyante’, ‘Ang Aking Lapis’ by Jesther Rowen Bautista (lorma Highlights) and 1^st place to ‘Mendiola’, ‘Para kay Romy’, ‘Misteryong Gloria’ by Jason Necida (PCLU Scribes).

Further, the local chapter has elected and presented  its new set of officers. Rose Mae Bagni  from the Lorma Highlights was again elected Chairperson. Edna Fajardo of DMMMSU-GVT,  John Osias Jacaban of DMMMSU – Forum as 1^st and 2^nd district Vice-Chairpersons, respectively. Meanwhile, Arnel Manzano of Loma Highlights was appointed Secretary General and Jason Necida of PCLU –Scribes  as Deputy Secretary General.

 The approval of the General Program of Action (GPOA) and resolution building drafted by the  Provincial Executive Committee which highlighted the expansion, consolidation of tertiary publications in La Union and intensifying the campus press freedom campaign, particularly the campaign to defend Tandem, concluded the three-day live in seminar.

 Also, a resolution to join and participate in the campaign of the broad alliance, Youth for Accountability and Truth Now or Youth ACT Now! was approved by the body of participating publications.

National Convention First Wave Invitation

College Editors Guild of the Philippines

                 Office: Rm. 305 National Press Club bldg., Intramuros, Manila Telefax: (02) 5243927

                                                                        Email: cegpnational@ yahoo.com

09 March 2008

Editor in chief
Official Student Publication

Fellow campus journalist:

Greetings from the National Office!

 The College Editors Guild of the Philippines will hold its 68^th National Student Press Convention (NSPC) and 34^th National Student Press Congress on May 23-27 in Davao City.

The Guild is the oldest and largest intercollegiate alliance of student publications in the country. This year, CEGP celebrates its 76^th year of existence committed to the advancement of campus press freedom. 

 The NSPC will provide lectures and workshops on basic, intermediate and advanced journalism skills. Likewise, trainings in different literary genres will be given. And as part of the Guild’s dedication to educating student journalists regarding the plight of the country, various socio-political discussions will also be featured. 

Also, the following awards will be given to outstanding publications: 

8^th GAWAD ERJ  Named after CEGP President Emeritus Ernesto Enriquez Jr. This is the search for outstanding student publications in the country. The contest has two divisions: major (categories: tabloid, broadsheet, magazine,) and minor  (categories: website, alternative form, literary folio). In the major division, a publication may join only one category. In the minor division, a publication may join all the categories.

4^th GAWAD Beng In honor of the dedication of martyred CEGP Vice President for Mindanao Benjaline “Beng” Hernandez in protecting and promoting human rights, Gawad Beng is the award given to the publication with an exemplary program on human rights. Beng, who also worked as a human rights volunteer, was murdered by soldiers while conducting a fact-finding mission at Arakan Valley, Cotabato on April 5, 2002. In this award, a particular program on human rights accompanied by photos, narrative report or video is to be judged (you can use any of these materials). 

GAWAD Marcelo H.    Del Pilar  This is the highest citation given by the Guild to its outstanding alumni. 

In this regard, we invite your publication to attend the 68^th NSPC and 34^th National Student Press Congress. Registration fee is pegged at P2,500 per delegate, which is inclusive of food, lodging and convention kit for each participant. 

The CHED endorsement will follow as soon as it is available. The exact venue, convention program and the mechanics of the contests will be included in the final invitation to be released soon.

For inquiries, you may contact Vijae (09162034402) or Trina (09104803098) .

We look forward to your publication’s participation in this noble activity.

 For a free press,

Jose Cosido

National President 

Vijae Alquisola

National Deputy Secretary-General

Chairperson, Organizing Committee

COLLEGE EDITORS GUILD OF THE PHILIPPINES
Rm 305, National Press Club Bldg., Intramuros,
Manila, Philippines 
Tele Fax.: 524-3937
Email: cegpnational@ yahoo.com

"To Write Is Already To Choose"