For the past few days, I haven't been so active in updating my LJ since I was so busy with preparations for the Lantern Parade that I haven't had time to do other things...
So far, this year's Lantern Parade was fun, even though a lot of not-so-good things happened before like the damned administration's cancellation of the Lantern Parade due to bullshit security reasons (in other words, rallies and activists who might join the parade because of the opposition to the Tuition Fee increase (ToFI), the oppression of the Philippine Collegian and lots of other things like Charter Change, and the like). I came to FA last Friday at around noon just to hear from people about the disheartening news. Upon seeing the expressions on people's faces in the college, it really feels like a painful slap on the face... I even watched the video of the meeting taken by Kat B. wherein the college secretary told us that the Lantern Parade will still push through even though it would only be conducted on the FA grounds. It was somehow still a good consolation since our hard work won't be wasted, though it won't be the same as last year. Another meeting was also held at the locker's area where we students are asked if we'd still push through with it, and fortunately, we still are. Though in that meeting, the floats are given a choice as to whether we're also going to join the parade outside FA with the protests around the academic oval. Our class decided not to join since we decided to just have the celebration of the lantern parade for the holidays as we try to avoid having it attached with politics (as I've mentioned earlier, the ToFI issue, Kule and Cha-cha; upon deciding this, it is not to say that we are OK with ToFI, rather, we are against it, it's just that we don't want the parade to be used as propaganda - I sure hope no one's offended on this one). At around 4, all the floats were ready, and most of them went out and still paraded at the academic oval. Our float, which was the Taka or paper mache horse didn't join the parade at the academic oval and instead stayed at the college together with the sections who made kites and tops. There were still a lot of people who came at the FA to watch us and it was still a fun event. The kites flew around our taka, much to the delight of the audiences, together with the spinning tops. At around half past five, the floats who paraded around UP went back to FA and the crowd soon multiplied to witness the presentation. Lots of wonderful floats and lanterns brought joy and delight to everyone, and that's what made me felt so good since that the ultimate purpose of the parade. The program ended at around 8, with our taka as the finale.
All in all, it's still a fun parade and celebration, though at times I can't help but compare it with last year. Last year was much more fun, but this year also was fun and had a special flavor to it. At least in this year, we can always be proud to say that no one can ever stop us , now that we've proven that. And about the bullshit security reasons, well, according to my friends at the other floats who paraded at the acad oval, nothing bad happened anyway which brings us to the conclusion that the cancellation is just a ploy from the admin.
After the parade, Kat, Michael and I went with Tita Pat (Vica's mother) to have our yearly videoke overnight. It was a real fun night, even though Kevin, whom I consider the life of the party, already went home to her province, Surigao del Sur by boat with her friends. While waiting for Vica, we first watched Michael V: The Bubble G Anthology video and laughed at the hilarious spoof music videos shown in Bubble Gang in GMA 7. We had "Hindi Ako Bakla" several times and tried to copy the steps as we were planning to make an imitation video s a present for Nikki. We also watched the pirated DVD of Happy Feet, which by the way, has an incomplete ending which kept us hanging since it's the first time we've watched the movie. Vica came at around 10 to join us and have our videoke session where we sang most of the songs we also sang last year. After that, Kat, Michael and I practiced 'Hindi Ako Bakla' wherein they were the back-up dancers and I'm Michael V. It was very exhausting but we had a great time. Vica, who slept earlier since she had work already at 6, woke up at times, laughing as she saw us dance, and even took a video of our rehearsal. At around three, we decided to rest and shoot later in the morning. I slept at the sofa as Kat and Michael went to do the costume Kat was making (Futurama's Bender). At around past 4, Vica woke up and I transferred from the sofa to the futon and continued sleeping. Kat and Michael were still awake that time but slept a few minutes later I transferred (or so I believe because I'm already asleep again). Vica left earlier and we woke up at around 8 and 9 and had breakfast after fixing our things and the bedsheets. We had our chit chats with Tito Vince (Vica's father) and Tita Pat, and took our baths afterwards. At around 11, we had lunch where we ate a delicious meal of Chicken Lumpia, Laing and Adobo together with juicy chit chats about Vica, and some issues that revolve with Nidgel (who wasn't with us this year due to things only![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
ashturil can explain. Anyway, at 2 pm, we finally had our shoot of the 'Hindi Ako Bakla' video, which we did quite fast. At around 3, we decided to leave already so Kat can pack and leave early to Imus. We weren't able to wait for Vica anymore, but I sure hope she understands. I'm just very thankful for the warmness they have given us during our stay. It sure makes us feel the desire of coming back again next year. Thanks Vica!!! :D
On other things, it breaks my heart to know that the administration has succeeded in the tuition fee hike. I got this article fromushuaia, who got it from www.inq7.net:
300% increase for incoming freshmen
By DJ Yap
Inquirer
Last updated 02:13am (Mla time) 12/16/2006
Published on Page A25 of the December 16, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
IT’S OFFICIAL.
The cost of education at the state-run University of the Philippines will be triple the current rate starting next year.
Voting 7-0, the UP Board of Regents upheld the controversial proposal to adjust tuition and other fees at the state university, despite mounting opposition from student groups that voiced their protests yesterday at two of the UP’s yearly traditions: the Lantern Parade and the Oblation Run.
The board approved president Emerlinda Roman’s recommendation to impose a 300-percent increase in tuition, which had not been adjusted since 1989. The increase will apply to incoming freshmen next school year.
With the approval, the cost of an academic unit shall be raised from P300 to P1,000 on the Diliman, Manila and Los Baños campuses, and from P200 to P600 on the Baguio, Visayas and Mindanao campuses. Miscellaneous fees shall also be increased in varying degrees across the campuses.
The BOR, chaired by Commission on Higher Education chief Carlito Puno, also approved the revised Socialized Tuition Financial Assistance Program, which categorizes students according to their financial needs.
UP officials said the modified STFAP would ensure that students who could not afford the tuition would not have to pay, and would even receive stipends of up to P12,000 per semester.
Full rates
Under the new tuition scheme, only the “millionaires” among the students would bear the brunt of the full rates, while the less affluent would pay rates corresponding to their income brackets, the officials noted.
The decision enraged students who had gathered in a massive demonstration outside the College of Law building, where the meeting took place. Upon learning the news, dozens rushed to the lobby to confront the regents. But they later calmed down and peacefully left the Malcolm Hall after their leaders stepped in to pacify them.
University Student Council chair Juan Paolo Alfonso said more protests were being planned in response to the new development. Student Regent Raffy Jones Sanchez, on the other hand, described the decision of the board as an exercise in “shamelessness.”
“This administration is worse than the House of Representatives,” he said in an apparent reference to the failed bid of administration legislators to effect a Charter change through a constituent assembly.
Protest
Sanchez, along with faculty regent Roland Simbulan, did not attend the meeting in protest of the sudden change in venue. The original venue of the meeting was Quezon Hall, but the officials later moved it to Malcolm Hall to avoid a confrontation with students who had “barricaded” the entrances to the administration building.
At 3:30 p.m., UP vice president for legal affairs Marvic Leonen attempted to enter the hall, only to be blocked by students who had formed a chain around the entrance, amid hoots and loud chants.
Earlier in the day, officials announced the cancellation of the Christmas Lantern Parade, citing security concerns. But some students said the affair went on as scheduled, even if some participants dropped out of the parade.
Some 30 members of the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity streaked naked for their annual “Oblation Run.” Spokesperson Joselito Caparino said this year’s run was also in protest against the tuition increase, Charter change, and the withholding of funds of the Philippine Collegian, UP’s official student publication.
From inq7.net
****************************************
This sure is a good Christmas present from the UP admin. Great. Just great. >:(
Anyway, now that we're already on Christmas vacation, I can finally do the things I'm supposed to do, which are some plates we have to submit by next year and as for me, finish all the tasks I have to do in organizing my stuff, and at the same time, do transcriptions for my brother's thesis, which he knows very well how I don't want to do this but am forced to. Well, I sure hope I have a decent Christmas break and get ready for the new year.
So far, this year's Lantern Parade was fun, even though a lot of not-so-good things happened before like the damned administration's cancellation of the Lantern Parade due to bullshit security reasons (in other words, rallies and activists who might join the parade because of the opposition to the Tuition Fee increase (ToFI), the oppression of the Philippine Collegian and lots of other things like Charter Change, and the like). I came to FA last Friday at around noon just to hear from people about the disheartening news. Upon seeing the expressions on people's faces in the college, it really feels like a painful slap on the face... I even watched the video of the meeting taken by Kat B. wherein the college secretary told us that the Lantern Parade will still push through even though it would only be conducted on the FA grounds. It was somehow still a good consolation since our hard work won't be wasted, though it won't be the same as last year. Another meeting was also held at the locker's area where we students are asked if we'd still push through with it, and fortunately, we still are. Though in that meeting, the floats are given a choice as to whether we're also going to join the parade outside FA with the protests around the academic oval. Our class decided not to join since we decided to just have the celebration of the lantern parade for the holidays as we try to avoid having it attached with politics (as I've mentioned earlier, the ToFI issue, Kule and Cha-cha; upon deciding this, it is not to say that we are OK with ToFI, rather, we are against it, it's just that we don't want the parade to be used as propaganda - I sure hope no one's offended on this one). At around 4, all the floats were ready, and most of them went out and still paraded at the academic oval. Our float, which was the Taka or paper mache horse didn't join the parade at the academic oval and instead stayed at the college together with the sections who made kites and tops. There were still a lot of people who came at the FA to watch us and it was still a fun event. The kites flew around our taka, much to the delight of the audiences, together with the spinning tops. At around half past five, the floats who paraded around UP went back to FA and the crowd soon multiplied to witness the presentation. Lots of wonderful floats and lanterns brought joy and delight to everyone, and that's what made me felt so good since that the ultimate purpose of the parade. The program ended at around 8, with our taka as the finale.
All in all, it's still a fun parade and celebration, though at times I can't help but compare it with last year. Last year was much more fun, but this year also was fun and had a special flavor to it. At least in this year, we can always be proud to say that no one can ever stop us , now that we've proven that. And about the bullshit security reasons, well, according to my friends at the other floats who paraded at the acad oval, nothing bad happened anyway which brings us to the conclusion that the cancellation is just a ploy from the admin.
After the parade, Kat, Michael and I went with Tita Pat (Vica's mother) to have our yearly videoke overnight. It was a real fun night, even though Kevin, whom I consider the life of the party, already went home to her province, Surigao del Sur by boat with her friends. While waiting for Vica, we first watched Michael V: The Bubble G Anthology video and laughed at the hilarious spoof music videos shown in Bubble Gang in GMA 7. We had "Hindi Ako Bakla" several times and tried to copy the steps as we were planning to make an imitation video s a present for Nikki. We also watched the pirated DVD of Happy Feet, which by the way, has an incomplete ending which kept us hanging since it's the first time we've watched the movie. Vica came at around 10 to join us and have our videoke session where we sang most of the songs we also sang last year. After that, Kat, Michael and I practiced 'Hindi Ako Bakla' wherein they were the back-up dancers and I'm Michael V. It was very exhausting but we had a great time. Vica, who slept earlier since she had work already at 6, woke up at times, laughing as she saw us dance, and even took a video of our rehearsal. At around three, we decided to rest and shoot later in the morning. I slept at the sofa as Kat and Michael went to do the costume Kat was making (Futurama's Bender). At around past 4, Vica woke up and I transferred from the sofa to the futon and continued sleeping. Kat and Michael were still awake that time but slept a few minutes later I transferred (or so I believe because I'm already asleep again). Vica left earlier and we woke up at around 8 and 9 and had breakfast after fixing our things and the bedsheets. We had our chit chats with Tito Vince (Vica's father) and Tita Pat, and took our baths afterwards. At around 11, we had lunch where we ate a delicious meal of Chicken Lumpia, Laing and Adobo together with juicy chit chats about Vica, and some issues that revolve with Nidgel (who wasn't with us this year due to things only
ashturil can explain. Anyway, at 2 pm, we finally had our shoot of the 'Hindi Ako Bakla' video, which we did quite fast. At around 3, we decided to leave already so Kat can pack and leave early to Imus. We weren't able to wait for Vica anymore, but I sure hope she understands. I'm just very thankful for the warmness they have given us during our stay. It sure makes us feel the desire of coming back again next year. Thanks Vica!!! :DOn other things, it breaks my heart to know that the administration has succeeded in the tuition fee hike. I got this article from
ushuaia, who got it from www.inq7.net:300% increase for incoming freshmen
By DJ Yap
Inquirer
Last updated 02:13am (Mla time) 12/16/2006
Published on Page A25 of the December 16, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
IT’S OFFICIAL.
The cost of education at the state-run University of the Philippines will be triple the current rate starting next year.
Voting 7-0, the UP Board of Regents upheld the controversial proposal to adjust tuition and other fees at the state university, despite mounting opposition from student groups that voiced their protests yesterday at two of the UP’s yearly traditions: the Lantern Parade and the Oblation Run.
The board approved president Emerlinda Roman’s recommendation to impose a 300-percent increase in tuition, which had not been adjusted since 1989. The increase will apply to incoming freshmen next school year.
With the approval, the cost of an academic unit shall be raised from P300 to P1,000 on the Diliman, Manila and Los Baños campuses, and from P200 to P600 on the Baguio, Visayas and Mindanao campuses. Miscellaneous fees shall also be increased in varying degrees across the campuses.
The BOR, chaired by Commission on Higher Education chief Carlito Puno, also approved the revised Socialized Tuition Financial Assistance Program, which categorizes students according to their financial needs.
UP officials said the modified STFAP would ensure that students who could not afford the tuition would not have to pay, and would even receive stipends of up to P12,000 per semester.
Full rates
Under the new tuition scheme, only the “millionaires” among the students would bear the brunt of the full rates, while the less affluent would pay rates corresponding to their income brackets, the officials noted.
The decision enraged students who had gathered in a massive demonstration outside the College of Law building, where the meeting took place. Upon learning the news, dozens rushed to the lobby to confront the regents. But they later calmed down and peacefully left the Malcolm Hall after their leaders stepped in to pacify them.
University Student Council chair Juan Paolo Alfonso said more protests were being planned in response to the new development. Student Regent Raffy Jones Sanchez, on the other hand, described the decision of the board as an exercise in “shamelessness.”
“This administration is worse than the House of Representatives,” he said in an apparent reference to the failed bid of administration legislators to effect a Charter change through a constituent assembly.
Protest
Sanchez, along with faculty regent Roland Simbulan, did not attend the meeting in protest of the sudden change in venue. The original venue of the meeting was Quezon Hall, but the officials later moved it to Malcolm Hall to avoid a confrontation with students who had “barricaded” the entrances to the administration building.
At 3:30 p.m., UP vice president for legal affairs Marvic Leonen attempted to enter the hall, only to be blocked by students who had formed a chain around the entrance, amid hoots and loud chants.
Earlier in the day, officials announced the cancellation of the Christmas Lantern Parade, citing security concerns. But some students said the affair went on as scheduled, even if some participants dropped out of the parade.
Some 30 members of the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity streaked naked for their annual “Oblation Run.” Spokesperson Joselito Caparino said this year’s run was also in protest against the tuition increase, Charter change, and the withholding of funds of the Philippine Collegian, UP’s official student publication.
From inq7.net
****************************************
This sure is a good Christmas present from the UP admin. Great. Just great. >:(
Anyway, now that we're already on Christmas vacation, I can finally do the things I'm supposed to do, which are some plates we have to submit by next year and as for me, finish all the tasks I have to do in organizing my stuff, and at the same time, do transcriptions for my brother's thesis, which he knows very well how I don't want to do this but am forced to. Well, I sure hope I have a decent Christmas break and get ready for the new year.
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