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What Will Ateneans Do?
On Monday will be the State of the Nation Address by the President. But are Ateneans really concerned? Do they really care about what the President will say and do they even care about reacting on it?
It almost seems as though Ateneans are only concerned whether there will be classes or not. (“Free cut? Let’s watch a movie!”) While in another university, almost all the teachers are suspending classes to encourage the students to listen to the SONA and to participate in activities that aim to make stands and statements heard.
During the UAAP Basketball Finals last year, a television in the caf was used as a means for the students in the school to watch the Third Game between ADMU and UST. We wonder if it will again be used this time to bring to the students something more relevant…
Abrera’s Interpretation
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer, July 16, 2007
Perhaps legitimizing extra-judicial killings?
On Karl’s Comment
Sanggunian President Karl Satinitigan commented at Gadfly Blogspot:
“It may be more sober if we encourage dialogue first before actually coming out with official statements, which have not been very effective in the past few years.
My personal opinion is that we’re barking on the tree if we constantly condemn the HSA and not soberly or constructively discuss our security issues with this administration.
Just a thought.
-Karl of Sanggu”
We in the Society do believe that Sanggunian’s task goes beyond releasing a statement that captures the sentiments of the student populace. We believe that for something as complicated (think broadly) as the HSA, it’s truly difficult to take a stand (except on the gray areas). But we think it is foremost the Sanggunian’s role to get the students involved in such a national issue. As many before me have stated, Sanggunian should not only be representative but also participatory, just like any form of democracy. We do believe those in Sanggunian know this more than we do. We just hope we don’t get stuck on debating whether a statement issued by the Sanggunian is contradictory or not to the sentiments of the (uninformed/under-represented) student body.
Again, it is not just the Sanggunian’s task to do all these. We are imploring the student organizations who claim to be socially relevant and enlightened to make their voices heard and their actions seen so that the whole student body may be spurred from inaction.
Fast-Paced Philippines
Every day, new events occur – bad or good. Last Sunday, the HSA was implemented. Yesterday, Hermogenes Esperon (AFP Chief) released a proposal for ceasefire between the Army and the Communists, which the Communist leaders rejected just today. Next week, the President will be giving her SONA. And on August 1, there will be 2007 Census of Population.
My point is: Events happen fast.
What is Ateneo’s response to all of these events?
It’s time to be more vigilant. It’s time to do more things. It’s time to involve the entire student body and to respond to the changing times and the issues that come with it.
What Will Ateneo Do?
Sanggunian, Matanglawin, Guidon, Ateneo Debate Society, The Assembly, and everybody else..
