Tua Ra!

I was curious about this phrase which was so often used by my students in the mass communication program. Its provenance in the world of sematics signifies that the phrase was used "to point" something, something outside the consciousness. It could be an object (of affection, a simulcra of desires, etc.). Well, the Latin objectum (pronounced as obyectum) means "something being thrown" in front of our consciousness.

Objectum per se may not be an equivalent of "tua ra", for the former is a noun while the latter is an action word. It speaks of a subject as if reaching out, "desiring" what is presented to its psyche. It does not speak of an object being known, but a subject trying to point, understand or even learn what is being presented.

"Tua ra" is a recognition of presence, something that presents itself. And in the process of this prescencing, the subject is "amazed", and called forth to exclaim "tua ra."

Recalling when those words were uttered by students, I noticed that the expresion was about:

(a) discovery of something anticipated, when they suddenly see two people doing something in a movie;
(b) amazement, when they are overwhelmed by what's being presented both visually and aurally;
(c) acceptance of the real, when they know that nothing can be further from the truth.

Yes, I see also faces of people uttering these words in my class. Tua ra!

Discover new words to see the meaning of our world - what have you discovered today?

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Summer Writers Workshop

University Summer Writers Workshop The Ateneo de Davao University Summer Writers Workshop is now accepting applications for fellowship in the 2008 ADDU Summer Writers Workshop to be held on May 19-23, 2008 in Davao City.

The applicant should submit any of the following: five (5) poems or two (2) short stories, or two (2) essays, or one (1) one-act play, or a combination of the above literary genres together with a brief bio-data and contact number of the applicant.

Entries in English, Tagalog, and Cebuano are accepted. They should be typed, double-spaced, and accompanied with an electronic file in diskette or compact disc (CD).

The entries should be sent to Mr. Don Pagusara, Humanities Division, Ateneo de Davao University, E. Jacinto Street, 8016 Davao City. They can also be send by email as attachment to ateneodavaowritersworkshop@gmail.com.

Any resident of Mindanao is qualified to apply. Deadline of submission of application is on April 30, 2008. Those who will be accepted as fellows will enjoy free registration. They will be notified by the first week of May 2008.

For more information, please contact the Humanities Division at (82) 221.2411 local 8314.

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Valedictory Speech of Cristyl Mae B. Senajon (ADDU Class 2008 Valedictorian)

VALEDICTORY SPEECH
Ateneo de Davao University Commencement Exercise 2008
March 15, 2008

Cristyl Mae B. Senajon, AB Mass Communication, magna cum laude
Class 2008 Valedictorian

“Although we are obliged to avoid all that is evil, still we must be especially on guard against that which our nature is most inclined, for it is precisely from that source that our ruin will come if we do not exercise vigilant care over ourselves” (St. Ignatius Loyola).

History tells us about the multifarious times upon when this native island we now proudly call the Republic of the Philippines has been subjected to ostensibly unceasing political, social, and economic arrests. It is as if though we cannot go beyond the tales of our past, yet another time in our nation’s flow of history, we have come to subsistence at this juncture in a period of tumultuous trade where an existing gap between the haves and the have-nots is growing with much disparity, where the value of integrity is almost becoming likely an intolerable norm in a political sense, and where our people are seemingly becoming socially dislocated. In the past few months, we have been hearing and watching reports of indicated substantial corruption in the government implicating some of our high-ranking bureaucrats including even in those web of issues the alleged participation of the chief executive herself. Whether or not true, based upon testimonies of certain bold men who have chosen to walk from their shadows, we have been taken aghast by the pressing reality of corruption lurking behind the boulders of our system. As in the case of the much talked-about NBN-ZTE mess, it has become for instance a public knowledge that 20 percent overprice for a government contract would qualify as acceptable or moderate greed. Hence, to put this in another terms, kickbacks of 20 percent were the “norm” in government transactions. This is a case of dysfunctional procurement system. As in the words of Senate’s star witness Rodolfo Noel Lozada Jr. in its inquiry into the controversial NBN-ZTE deal, government’s procurement system does not work because institutionally the process is supply-driven rather than need-driven. This means projects go to suppliers who are close to the powerful.” Unquote. This is what is meant exactly by St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus when he said that we be on constant guard against that which our nature is most inclined. We can be at any rate be inclined to do what is evil only if we allow it to be. It is safe to assume almost certainly that what some officials in our government dub as “moderate greed” which is greed nonetheless is an absolute repercussion of letting one’s human nature be inclined against what is truly good.

Moreover beside this, the current national political crisis only compounds certain things that have already been enshrouding the country’s stale political system. But now, we might wonder and ask, in the midst of recurring political crisis, where do we try to locate ourselves even more as graduating students in terms of values and principles that within four or five years of study in the Ateneo have been formed according to Ignatian spirituality and leadership?

The Jesuit mission in education is that which that proclaims the service of faith through the promotion of justice. It is faith that does justice, so as to say.

Encapsulating the center-fold ideas of this phrase Father Pedro Arrupe, SJ once said, and I quote, “Our experience has shown us that our promotion of justice both flows from faith and brings us back to an even deeper faith. For the vision of justice which guides us is intimately linked with our faith. It is deeply rooted in the Scriptures, tradition and our Ignatian heritage. It transcends notions of justice derived from ideology, philosophy, or particular political movements, which can never be an adequate expression of justice of the Kingdom for which we are called to struggle at the side of our Companion and King.”

In the times when thinking about the welfare of the others seems to be the least of things most of us would opt to do because we busy ourselves with our own immediate and constant needs, there are a few individuals who have their lives selflessly dedicated to the upliftment and empowerment of those that our society cast to be downtroddens. We hope to share with them the same vision of a more just and more humane society for all the livings. Our Jesuit education has for us, the graduates an equal calling. We are called to be leaders concerned about the society and the world, we are called to join the ranks of those who desire to eliminate hunger and conflict in the world, to be more sensitive to the need for more equitable distribution of the world’s goods; no less are we called as graduates of this institution to seek to end sexual and social discrimination and finally but equally important, to share our faith with others. In short, we are called to live upon the goal of Jesuit education to form students who will become leaders-in-service.

In truth, we have every opportunity to render response to the call of our times based on the principle of the service of faith and the promotion of justice. The current national political crisis is in and of itself a challenge to every member of the community to actively participate in the search for the whole truth. While our country might not yet be ripe for another Edsa-type peaceful revolution as the economy is holding up unlike in 1986 and 2001 when the peso was sinking, prices escalating, business deteriorating and investments migrating (Artemio V. Panganiban, PDI March 2008), members of the academe as we are there is much that we can do in helping to address not only this recent political problem but also as well as to any foreboding threat to our national welfare. Because all that we are confronted with during this time is substantially a question of morality more than a question of politics accordingly, from our level we can act like true leaders-in-service.

In no time, we the graduates will be flooding the spigots of both the local and national workforce. Some of us here might be working as accountants, others businessmen, computer programmers, engineers, architects while others still will be joining the lines of some of our best media practitioners, medical doctors, nurses and teachers. Whatever field of specialization we shall have chosen for ourselves as we start out a new career in the future never hesitate but always act like true leaders-in-service. We can always begin from ourselves by way of living a life that earnestly promotes honesty and integrity in our intents and actions. We can become agents of transformation when others see by our example that we try to our very best to be honest and fair in terms of our dealings with others.

“The Ignatian ideals of magis, cura personalis, and contemplation-in-action fit very well with this vision of leadership and spirituality. On one hand, Magis helps transform our minds to look at the world as filled with hope and possibility for doing great things for God. (Karel San Juan, SJ). While we have been formed into becoming effective future leaders of our society the purpose of the development of our whole person, head and heart, intellect and feelings is however not centered on the development of the self alone. Rather, the purpose is to develop leaders who are committed to ideals and values to such an extent that they will work to change the society (Themes of Jesuit Higher Education). Concretely put, we aim at constantly improving ourselves, intellectually and affectively, going beyond the borders of limited horizons so in return, we come to serve others best. This is the essence of doing more. On the other, cura personalis helps renew our hearts to relate with others with deep personal care and attention. The spirit of the contemplative-in-action is the spirit of a sensitive soul discerning and finding God in all things. (Karel San Juan, SJ). Through our education, we have come to be molded into becoming men and women who are both aware and at the same time sensitive to the needs of the society upon which we inhabit. As we end our tenureship in college, may we carry along with us the mission of the society to promote justice in our society. May this ideal be always concretely operative in our lives.

Fr. Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, S.J. tells us insights of Ignatian transformation: to know as God knows, to choose as God chooses, and to love as God loves. This transformed knowing, choosing, and loving are the hallmarks of the person who has learned Ignatian discernment, who engages the call to justice in all dimensions, refusing to cave in to the limitations of ideology even as he or she cooperates fully with others of good will.

To my fellow graduates, I pose before us the challenge of our times: let us heed the call for participation in the transformation of our society as it fully appears to us. Let us do our share in promoting the basic Ignatian purpose and thrust to our respective communities. Let us model the process of transformation by ensuring that we observe and live upon the ideals of truth, justice, and equity. And to our parents, teachers, colleagues and friends, continue to be our beacons of hope as we embark on yet another point in our lives where we face a new set of challenges we all wait to triumph over.

Thank you very much.

(Source: www.addu.edu.ph) - Thanks to Cristyl for sharing a copy of her speech.

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Janina San Miguel, my take

The most entertaining part of Bb. Pilipinas 2008 was the question and answer portion. Based from the questions prepared for them by the judges, one contestant said she would like to emulate President Macapagal Arroyo (ows, kawawa naman), another one would like to do Mother Theresa (go gurl!) and the answer of Janina San Miguel, who eventually won Bb. Pilipinas World, was a classic that could go viral and surpass the interview boo boos of Miss Teen South Carolina Lauren Caitlin Upton.

Hilarious it may seem, many thought that she did not deserve the award. Some commented that the pageant should advance the tradition of "beauty and brains" in the country, and her winning was a disaster to the Philippines. A few opined that she would be a catastrophe when she would represent the country in the international pageant.

... and all of these because of her answer to the question: "Well, my family’s role for me is so important becoz there was the wa- they’re, they was the one who’s …. very… Haha .… Oh I’m so sorry, uhmm …. My pamily .… My pamily .… Oh my god …. Ok, I’m so sorry .… I .… I told you that I’m so confident .… Eto, uhhmm, Wait .… Hahahahaha, uhmmm, Sorry guys becoz this was really my first pageant ever becoz I’m only 17 years old and ahahaha I, I did not expect that I came from, I came from one of the tough 10. Hmmm, so .… but I said that my family es the most important persons in my life. Thank you."

She is a Mass Comm student in the University of the East, and the one who posed the question was Viviene Tan, the executive of Thames Business School and a daughter of PAL's Lucio Tan (hmm related to Ms. Criselda Tan, ADDU Mass Comm 2007). Dissecting her verbatim speech and seeing her actual video footage on You.Tube, I wonder if people realize that she knew the answer, but she was destitute in words. The poor girl was laughed at by the audience, as in ROFLOLMAO. Kawawa talaga.

My take: when she goes to the international pageant, I suggest she answers all questions in Filipino. She brings an interpreter. That's what those Brazilian, Ukrainian and Mexican contestants have been doing because of the the FACT that ENGLISH is not their mother twang. I guess Janina should do it also.

Second, question and answer in Bb. Pilipinas should be both be in English and Filipino. Everyone has a common sense and such question as posed by Bb. Tan can be answered even by a pre-schooler. Just ask it in Filipino, and Janina can answer you in 30 minutes extemporaneously. Kaya nga Binibining Pilipinas!

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Latin Honors: Commencement Exercises 2008

Magna Cum Laude:

1. Jollie May S. Alegre, AB Med Bio
2. Pamela A. Bitang, AB Engl
3. Kristine Jan F. Donayre, BS Math
4. Rafonzel J. Fazon, AB MC
5. Joseph III M. Go, BSPA
6. Louie Mark D. Iligan, BSA
7. Noewen Kristine R. Lamoste, AB MC
8. Jennifer Jeanne S. Lim Bok, BSA
9. Raymund Christian S. Ong Abrantes, BSA
10. Joanna Grace M. Rivera, AB Med Bio
11. Rico Angelo H. Rivera, BSCS
12. Marvelous A. Sarael, AB Med Bio
13. Cristyl Mae B. Senajon, AB MC
14. Florence Therese A. Tan, BSBA Entrep
15. Venetia Ruth S. Uyking, BSBA Entrep

Cum Laude:

1. Mahany C. Abdullah, AB IS-AMST
2. Kaye Lina Rae D. Acob, BSA
3. Shanilee A. Alimes, BSA
4. Jeffrey S. Aliudin, BSN
5. Aril Jay E. Allera, BSA
6. Niña Marie C. Ancajas, BSN
7. Allen Benedict S. Andama, BSCS
8. Mary Ann C. Andicoy, BSEd Engl
9. Valerie A. Angelitud, BSN
10. Jessa M. Aringo, BSA
11. Glen Martin B. Arquiza, BSA
12. Eda Mae A. Badilla, BSA
13. Harvey P. Ballo, BSC MA
14. Eonel Ray S. Barut, BSN
15. Paolo Ray E. Bataller, AB Engl
16. Liela Mae B. Bohol, BSA
17. Fasl Goldanne B. Buenaflor, BSN
18. Katlene O. Cacho, AB MC
19. Jenny-Lyne Rachelle M. Cagadas, BSN
20. Vernice Ria G. Calderon, BSC MA
21. Crystal Angelie A. Cansancio, BSA
22. Amaylou L. Chua, BSA
23. Ian B. Corbilla, BSA
24. Mary Donna Grace J. Cuenca, AB PolSc
25. Norman Farrish A. Datukon¸BSA
26. Jeannie C. Dedicatoria, BSN
27. Cherry Marie E. Delfin, AB MC
28. Guia Marie C. Delicana, BSIE
29. Dionisio C. Diniay Jr., AB PolSc
30. Peter Paul S. Dormile, BSA
31. Bernadine Joyce S. Elizaga, BSEd Engl
32. Lora Angeline B. Embudo, BSN
33. Claire Y. Evangelista, BSA
34. Gabrielle Angela G. Fuentes, AB Psych
35. Philip S. Galagar, AB MC
36. Angelica Kay D. Go, BSN
37. Faith P. Go, AB Engl
38. Frances Claudine R. Granada, AB IS-ASST
39. Bryan Edgar K. Guevara, AB Med Bio
40. Auda Amor A. Gullos, AB Psych
41. Laureen Mae K. Hao, BSC MA
42. Louelyn N. Hermano, BS Bio
43. Erika Gail G. Hernandez, AB Med Bio
44. Daniel Unno H. Hiquiana, AB Med Bio
45. Cherry Anne M. Jabonero, BSChE
46. Lanie A. Jamboy, AB MC
47. Lovely Mae F. Kintanar, BSC MA
48. Hanna M. Leyes, AB MC
49. Sheana Marie B. Liza, BSA
50. Kimmy A. Lopez, BSA
51. Zenith Krismerlyn P. Lu, BSCS
52. Ivy Sheryl Q. Madelo, AB Med Bio
53. Jan Dino R. Magnaye, BSBA Mgt
54. Princess R. Martin, AB IS-ASST
55. Jared Manuel P. Martinez, AB MedBio
56. Rafael L. Mendoza, BSA
57. Edelyn T. Mondejar, BSBA Mktg
58. Michael Dorothy Frances G. Montojo, BSN
59. Trisha Marie F. Nalla, BEEd Presch
60. Beryl Charm P. Narciso, AB MedBio
61. Rose Sheena C. Navacilla, BSC MA
62. Paolamarie L. Nicolas, AB IS-AMST
63. Leonard B. Odjinar, BSBio
64. Joy Reihannah U. Paguital, BSA
65. Janeth G. Parreño, AB MC
66. Ryan B. Perocho, BSA
67. Maricar L. Pinat, BSA
68. Daryl John M. Pinili, AB Psych
69. Theresa Fe Q. Pitogo, AB MC
70. Ruann May C. Pogado, AB MC
71. Anna Rhieza S. Rallos, AB MC
72. Freah G. Ramos, BSA
73. Liemer Grace P. Rivera, BSC MA
74. Eda Karla O. Rodriguez, BS Arch
75. Joseph Anthony F. Rosello, BSC MA
76. Candice Dominique L. Sayson, AB MC
77. Eishen F. Serra, BSBA Mgt
78. Lani L. Shiong Shu, BSChem
79. Carmel Grace O. Simafranca, BSEd Math
80. Katherine Ann V. Soledad, BSBio
81. Patrick James B. Son, BSBA Mgt
82. Willa Mae L. Taboada, BSA
83. Vic Anthony A. Tabuada, BSA
84. Patricia Angela B. Tacder, AB IS-ASST
85. Bernadeth V. Uybubulante, BEEd Engl
86. Aileen Rose Uy, BSIE
87. Maria Ysabela I. Vergara, BSA
88. Julie Marie M. Villa, BEEd Engl
89. Josef Rene L. Villanueva, BSECE
90. Joanne Gracelle C. Yap, BSBA Mktg

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Graduation Awards 2008

In a memorandum issued by the Officer-in-Charge of the University, Dr. Jessie B. Manuta, Ph.D., at the recommendation of the Graduation Honors and Awards Committee, the following graduating students will receive these awards at Commencement 2008:

Class Valedictorian: Ms. Cristyl Mae B. Senajon, AB Mass Comm (magna cum laude)

Class Salutatorian: Mr. Joseph M. Go III, BS Public Adm (magna cum laude)

Leadership Award: Ms. Cristyl Mae B. Senajon, AB Mass Comm (magna cum laude)

Faith and Justice Award: Ms. Cristyl Mae B. Senajon, AB Mass Comm (magna cum laude)

Division/ Program Awards:

Accountancy: Raymund Christian S. Ong Abrantes, BS Accountancy (magna cum laude)

Business Administration: Lloyd A. Genesiran, BSBA-HRM

Computer Science: Jeshurun Ray E. Flores, BS Computer Science

Engineering/ Architecture: Joyce A. Lamoste, BS Civil Engineering

Humanities: Noewen Kristine R. Lamoste, AB Mass Comm (magna cum laude)

Natural Science/ Mathematics: Kristine Jan F. Donayre, BS Math (magna cum laude)

Nursing: Fasl Goldanne B. Buenaflor, BS Nursing (cum laude)

Congratulations!

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Ngayong gabi maari kong isulat Ang pinakamalungkot na taludtod

Ngayong Gabi Maari Kong Isulat ang Pinakamalungkot na Taludtod
Pablo Nedura
(Salin ni Bong Eliab mula sa "Tonight I can write the saddest lines")

Ngayong gabi maari kong isulat
Ang pinakamalungkot na taludtod.

Isulat, halimbawa, "Winasak ang gabi
At nanginginig ang mga bughaw na tala sa kalayuan."

Sa gabing umiikot ang hangin sa himpapawid, kumakanta.

Ngayong gabi maari kong isulat
Ang pinakamalungkot na taludtod.
Inibig ko siya, at minsan inibig niya rin ako.

Habang gabi tulad ngayon niyakap ko siya
Paulit-ulit na hinagkan sa ilalim ng langit na walang hanggan.

Minahal niya ako minsan, at minahal ko rin siya.
Paanong `di maaring mahalin ang kanyang dakila't mapayapang mata.

Ngayong gabi maari kong isulat
Ang pinakamalungkot na taludtod.
Isip-isipin wala na siya sa akin.
Ramdam na nawala ko siya.

Dinggin ang kalawakan ng gabi,
Nang nawala siya mas lumawak.
Nahuhulog ang mga berso sa kalooban
Parang hamog sa parang.

Ano ang halaga ng aking pag-ibig
Na di kaya siyang panatilihin.
Winasak ang gabi
At wala siya sa aking piling.

Ito lahat. Mula sa kalayuan merong kumakanta.
Mula sa kalayuan.
Mabigat ang kalooban
Nawalan.

Aking paningin naghahanap sa kanya
Tila tumutungo sa kanya.
Aking puso naghahagilap sa kanya
At wala siya sa piling ko.

(abangan .....)

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Alert! Stolen Laptops

Apple MacBook (white)
serial no. W875 24CG Z62
part no. MB0 61Z A/B
model A1181

ASUS EEEPC (white)
serial no. 7A0 AAQ 025 997
model no. ASU 701

HP COMPAQ NC6220 (black)
serial no. CNU6 091H JQ
par no. EA7 66U C#UUF

Please inform the Davao Mac Users Group (davmug@gmail.com) if you happen to be offered the following the laptops with those serial numbers. Please report immediately the name of the seller to the nearest police outpost or dial 166, 241-1411 (Buhangin), or 226-4835 (San Pedro), 300-1244 (Sta Ana), 297-1598 (Talomo). The computers are owned by Mark Maglana and were stolen last March 1, 2008 in their home.

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Prof Baltimore Talk in Davao Cancelled

In an email received this week, Prof. Baltimore postponed his trip to the Davao City, Philippines after he made this comment recently (see news below). So with Prof. Ramos-Horta still in Australian hospital and Prof. Baltimore cancelling his talk in the University, we hope to have another Nobel Laureate coming late this year.

I will keep you posted.

----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


HIV vaccine research hits impasse

By Helen Briggs Science reporter, BBC News, Boston

HIV has evolved to protect itself from the human immune system

Scientists are no further forward in developing a vaccine against HIV after more than 20 years of research, a Nobel Prize-winning biologist has said.

Professor David Baltimore, president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), said there was little hope among scientists.

But he said that they were continuing efforts to develop a vaccine.

"Our lack of success may be understandable but it is not acceptable," he said.

"Some years ago I came to the conclusion that our community had to seriously undertake new approaches or we might find ourselves with a worldwide epidemic and no effective response," Prof Baltimore told the annual meeting of the AAAS in Boston.

"That is just where we are today."

I believe that HIV has found ways to totally fool the immune system - so we have to do one better than nature Professor David Baltimore Is HIV beating the scientists?

HIV had evolved a way to protect itself from the human immune system, he said.

"This is a huge challenge because to control HIV immunologically the scientific community has to beat out nature, do something that nature, with its advantage of four billion years of evolution, has not been able to do," Prof Baltimore said.

"I believe that HIV has found ways to totally fool the immune system.

"So we have to do one better than nature."

'One shot'

Attempts to control the virus through antibodies or by boosting the body's immune system have ended in failure.

This has left the vaccine community depressed because they can see no hopeful way of success, Prof Baltimore said.

Guide: The biology of Aids

Among the novel techniques that scientists are turning to are gene and stem cell therapy, although these are still in their infancy.

"In the human you really only have one shot which is to try to change genes in stem cells," said Prof Baltimore, one of the leading experts on the HIV virus.

"So we're trying to do that, to design vectors that can carry genes that will be of therapeutic advantage."

Prof Baltimore won the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1975 for the co-discovery of reverse transcriptase, an enzyme that was later found to be used by HIV to replicate in human cells.

He now leads the Baltimore laboratory at Caltech, with support from the Gates Foundation, to look for ways to genetically boost the immune system against infectious agents, particularly HIV.

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Tell the Truth! Now!

More photo at Prayer Rally at ADDU

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Ateneo de Davao University Community Statement

Ateneo de Davao University Community Statement
22 February 2008, Davao City

The Scandal of Corruption

Our country today is in a very deep political and moral crisis. We see its impact on the face of Jun Lozada, the reluctant star witness. He fears for his life and for his family’s safety, as he struggles to speak out what he knows about the NBN-ZTE deal. This $329-million controversial deal apparently has a built-in $130-million kickback. This is very disturbing! Whoever has the key to the solution to this problem, speak! We want to know the truth!

Whistleblower Lozada, of course, is not a saint. He himself confesses his previous wrongdoi8ng. But his bold witnessing overcomes the tricks some authorities employ to avoid saying what they know and to prevent those who know from speaking out. The greatest casualty here is the truth. So tell us the truth, now!

For if all this is true, then it will confirm the grand scale corruption that the Philippine bishops have relentlessly been preaching against. According to the Editorial of the official publication of the Philippine Bishops, “Graft and corruption in the government are so endemic and extensive that socio-political integrity in governance has seemingly become a moral impossibility to achieve during the remaining three-year tenure of the present national leadership” (CBCP Monitor June 25-July 8, 2007, p. A4). This is a heavy statement.

We would be hypocritical, however, if we blame only the government. At the moment, no social institution in Philippine society seems immune to corruption. So, like Lozada, the media must also say “Mea culpa” for some distorted reporting. Like Lozada, the Church must also admit its lack of transparency in its institutions, and should also say “Mea culpa”. Like Lozada, the private sector must stop bribery and not yield to extortion, and say, “Mea culpa”. This collective admission of guilt is part of our communal cleansing. And this Lenten Season should be a good time to confess the sad truth of our participation in corruption.

The Blessing of Integrity

Thank God, there is another truth to be told. The probinsyanong Intsik is not alone. There are many more whistleblowers, who, in less sensational ways, live up to the demands of living a life of integrity. We witness the heroic citizenship of ordinary employees who continue, despite low salaries, to pour their energies into their public service. We know of judges who retire with peace of mind because they have held fast to their principles. All this is also true!

We bless the dynamic leaders who literally walk the streets in delivering basic services to their people. We affirm the achievements of conscientious individuals in the corporate world and the religious groups who combine professional competence with social conscience. All this must also be hailed for they are true!

We celebrate, with both sacred rage and serene faith, the death of our contemporary martyrs who have sacrificed life, job, and family for the sake of justice. They lived in the joy and consolation of the truth!

Communal Action for Truth

Now, in response to the call of Philippine bishops and various vigilant groups, the Ateneo de Davao University students, faculty, administration, staff, and other concerned citizens here in Davao City join together in “communal action,” to pray hard and work even harder for enlightenment, cleansing, and the courage to live by the “truth that sets us free” (John 8:32). We commit ourselves to continuous struggle—within our own selves, our families and institutions—to abhor lies and to uphold truth.

At the same time, we challenge those who hold positions of public trust—please check and recheck your values. We call on their relatives to interrogate the acts of their fathers or mothers or sons or daughters in positions of power. Do not be the cause of their downfall.

We call on the students and alumni—you are the best contribution of schools to society. Remember the values that your school stands for. Do not bring shame to your Alma Mater.

We call on the religious communities and members of civil society. Support the authentic whistleblowers. Give them shelter. Help them discern. Take care of their families. More importantly, do not leave individual whistleblowers to carry the burden of shaking the conscience of society. Let us transform our groups into prophetic communities and communal whistleblowers.

We call everyone to tell your stories of pain and anger, your dreams and energies. In homes and classrooms, talk about Filipinos who tell the truth. Tell children not to cheat their way to success. Teach them hard and honest work. Tell them to respect the real value of words—and numbers. Remind them of the dignity of our people.

We believe that the present crisis is not in our genes. Even our seemingly immovable social structure and incorrigible culture of corruption cannot be our eternal destiny. If we dare to change, things will change. So let us change!

What we now see as an apparent dead-end may yet turn out to be the threshold of a new creation. In the “darkness that covered the abyss” in the beginning of creation, God’s “mighty wind swept over the waters. God said, ‘Let there be light. And there was light’” (Genesis 1:2-3). In the seemingly desperate situation our country is in today, let the mighty wind of God’s spirit move us. Let there be movement! And there shall be change! But first, give us no less than the truth, and the faith to face it—now!

Contact information:

Social Involvement Coordinating Office
Ateneo de Davao University
E. Jacinto St., 8016 Davao City
Tel. No. (82) 221.2411 local 8329
Fax (82) 226.4116

Fr. Albert E. Alejo S.J.
Ehem! Coordinator
Jesuit Residence
Ateneo de Davao University
E. Jacinto St., 8016 Davao City
Tel. No. (82) 221.2411 local 8716
Fax (82) 226.4116

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