The Ateneo letter annotated
Below is the letter written by the Ateneo Sanggunian president. It was the subject of an article for the Business World, written by my colleague Filiomeno S. Sta. Ana III, posted in our blog yesterday.
I hope you don’t mind the annotations I made.
Ateneo de Manila Sanggunian President: Statement on the Manila Peninsula Siege
Office of the Sanggunian President
November 30, 2007
My Fellow Ateneans,
The November 29, 2007 Manila Peninsula siege is another thorn in the history of the Filipino people.
[A thorn in the side of Gloria Arroyo is more like it.]
There is a moral discrepancy in our country. There is a sense of hopelessness, despite the positive economic headlines. And yes, there is a clamor for change. The clamor for change is a quest that involves reflection and discernment, things which we have learned as students of the Jesuits, of the Ateneo.
[YOU are suffering from a moral discrepancy. You have placed material well-being above all else. Is that the value you are taught in the Ateneo these days? Economic news was good in the first half dozen years or so of martial law but that did not stop Ateneans like Raul Manglapus, Soc Rodrigo, and Edgar Jopson. Their struggle was not about economic management, it was about justice and freedom. They were fighting for ideals. Ideals don’t fill the stomach but they nurture the spirit. That is what they and we learned as students of the Jesuits, of the Ateneo.]
Democracy, as we say, is the best option left. And we chose that in 1986. The Manila Peninsula siege is a threat to democracy. It was a sequel to the failed Oakwood mutiny in 2003. Same plot, with added twists. It was certainly a continuation of a power grab.
Will Trillanes, Lim, Guingona (a fellow Atenean), Bishop Labayen, Fr. Reyes (also an Atenean), among others go to trial? They should. We do not want another set of push-ups, as they did in 1989. Or are we having another Honasan? Let us stop the cycle. Let us not be kowtowed by elements of destabilization.
Rule of law should prevail. This is another test to our democratic institutions.
[Yes, rule of law should prevail and that’s why those we entrusted to enforce it should not be the first to pervert it. And it is your right and your duty as a citizen to do something about it. How many Garci tapes have to be played, how many times does CBCP head Bishop Lagdameo have to tell you that bishops were given envelops by Malacanan in July 2006 when the CBCP was deliberating its stand on the second impeachment complaint, how many times do you have be told by Fr Ed Panlilio and Congresswoman Villarosa of Kampi that money was distributed in Malacanan on the eve of the filing of this year’s sham impeachment complaint, how many UN rapporteurs have to report that the military is responsible for many of the reported extrajudicial killings and disappearances and a “climate of impunity” exists, how many corruption scandals, starting from IMPSA to the Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard to the smuggling of race horses to jueteng pay-offs to ZTE do you need to hear about before you start thinking someone is mocking the rule of law? Pull your head out of your ass, young man.]
As students of the Ateneo de Manila, we stand witness to the many scenarios that will shape the future of our young lives. We are therefore challenged to help this damaged country, not through extraordinary ways. We do it with hope, the integral part of that quest for change. The 2010 national elections, which is just two and a half years away, is a rallying point for concrete engagement. Exercise your rights as a Filipino, which certainly does not include taking siege of a hotel in the Central Business District of the Philippines.
[Mrs. Arroyo has avoided, evaded, and obstructed legitimate congressional investigations of allegations of cheating, plunder, money laundering, and human rights violations by hiding and intimidating witnesses, making baseless claims of executive privilege, filing sham impeachment complaints, and doling out bribes, how many brain cells do you need to figure out something is wrong and something has to be done about it right away? Why wait until 2010? Why default? Marcos was terminally ill when Ninoy Aquino decided to come home, should he have waited for Marcos to die, it was only a few years away anyway, before coming home to “act on the needs of Filipinos”? "Carpe Diem" is what we were taught when we were students at the Ateneo, is "Sleep on it" what they teach you now?]
We call on the Ateneo de Manila alumni serving in the government (the President, senators, congressmen, cabinet members, local government executives) to act on the needs of the Filipinos, and to set agenda that will last beyond their terms. Inspire us, the current students of the Ateneo de Manila.
[If the example of Ateneans from Rizal to Jopson have not taught you anything or inspired you in any way, nothing anybody can do will inspire you except of course good economic news.]
Change is disguised in many ways. Let us not be swayed by the propaganda of ill-thought nationalism.
Ateneans, I challenge you to speak and let your thoughts be heard. One opportunity is during the Senate Inquiries on Friday (December 7) at the Henry Lee Irwin Theater. This is the moment to shine, be passionate, think of how you reacted to the Dress Code issue during the first semester. This is the Ateneo way, after all. If not, then what is?
[So Ateneans are now inspired by battles over dress codes? I guess so because it fits your philosophy of "it's better to look right than to be right."
Animo Ateneo!
[Means "Wake Up Asswipe!]
Karl Vendell M. Satinitigan
President
on December 11th, 2007 at 9:20 pm
I liked the annotations more than the letter itself. You drove the nails home my dear friend. Now really should meet one of these days. Keep in touch, buddy.
on December 11th, 2007 at 9:56 pm
MB,
You seem to be stuck in first gear all the time. why is that? The Sufis diagnosed it as “the need to be against”. I see it as the Protest Culture becoming a personality trait–all disguised as “the fight for justice and freedom.” I see now why you abide by the Leftists, not just tolerate them or defend their rights to insanity. They are more obsessive even than you about this need to oppose, to be against, to struggle in jihad, forever in protracted war. even if not in the NPA’s company, yet are you parallel to and slightly behind them?
Long Live Chairman Mao Tse Tung!
Mao Tushi Hwan Zwei!
on December 11th, 2007 at 11:01 pm
Karl Vendell M. Satinitigan
Ateneo de Manila Sanggunian President
Suggest you recommend the “Lux in Domino Award” to Ronnie Puno in recognition of his commitment and dedication to the protection of human rights in the Philippines. . The Award will highlight his political and intellectual legacy. The Award will recognize the Catholic ideals he has exhibited throughout his professional and personal life.
Animo Ateneo!
on December 11th, 2007 at 11:05 pm
Agree with Schumey, you hit the nail on the head Manuel, and me too, I prefer your annotations to the letter…
on December 12th, 2007 at 12:04 am
What has happened to you Deanie that all of a sudden you now seem to approve Gloria’s governance…
on December 12th, 2007 at 12:33 am
Deanie,
Sig heil mein komrade.
Appreciate your diagnosis. you’re right I have great difficulty adopting to the “Move ON” culture which you slipped into quiet easily.
One difference between you and me though is I don’t wear disguises. I don’t wear a brown shirt under an American flag jacket.. There is nothing cryptic about me, if you know what I mean.
Anyway, sig heil! Long live the national security doctrine,
I know natsec sounds a lot like nazi but hey why sweat the small stuff when we are on a mission to rid the world of islamocommies, right?
It’s sad that some people, paging Anna, mistake your new found love for Gloria as some kind of puppy love admiration type of thing, the sort of infatuation and respect the weak develop for bullies.
I know you’re not like that. I know the old saw, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend,” is why you jumped into bed with Gloria and her generals. Is that an old islamocommie saying or what?. Anyway, it’s the same tried and true philosophy that drove your president FDR into Stalin’s arms and presidents Ronald and George into Saddam’s. It’s cool dude. That’s just how we goose step through history.
Well, a stiff arm salute and warm sig heil to you again mein brother.
Herr Emanuel
on December 12th, 2007 at 1:19 am
Thanks Anna and Schumey. It’s feels good to see that I’m not the only one our friend Deanie can diagnose with a personality dysfunction.
on December 12th, 2007 at 1:59 am
Manila Bay Watch: Manuel Buencamino’s Jacques Danton lecture to Ateneo’s middle-of-the-roaders
on December 12th, 2007 at 4:09 am
You did a good job. Keep it up!
on December 12th, 2007 at 9:33 am
Deanie sounds like a Palace apologist later. Is he now on first gear as GMA defender?
on December 12th, 2007 at 9:35 am
The Ateneo Sanggunian statement is another stamp of approval of La Doña’s “misrule and pillage” to quote Senator Ping Lacson.
on December 12th, 2007 at 11:01 am
DJB,
Heil Gloria!
So, what’s wrong with protesting? MB has been very consistent all this time about what he believes is right or good, and what he believes is wrong or evil. And as an Atenean, he knows that he has the moral imperative to oppose evil in all its forms and guises. (I don’t know what they taught you in La Salle.) This is something that cannot be said of you who abhors dissent and wants everyone to become lemmings charging toward the Abyss of National Security.
on December 12th, 2007 at 3:28 pm
“The need to be against” is a serious, obsessive-compulsive condition and must be treated professionally, according to the Sufi priestess I know.
Combined with “Edsa Envy” which is a specific need to recreate a perceived heroic moment in our recent history, it can result in the need to see Marcos or Erap in every future leader and to act on such perception.
The need to be against and the need to be a hero together result in this “always being in first gear”.
Yet asked for an alternative to the present setup, one gets nothing but bluster and fluster and generalities.
Fact is, you have no alternative to her that would be measurably better enough to justify not waiting till 2010. And even then, there might not be!
Sig Heil Mein Furious Rebelius!
on December 12th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
Shaman of Malilipot! Lemmings? Abysses? Ateneans? (I didn’t know MB was an Atenean! Yucch!)
on December 12th, 2007 at 4:16 pm
oh. my. god. deanie is now repeating the “who is your alternative” mantra???
on December 12th, 2007 at 5:11 pm
Anna,
“The Need To Be Against” produces a blind spot (as in “blind rage”) — it is the belief that anyone not afflicted with the same need must be a Palace stooge or deserving of being insulted as one. It’s a lame argument borne of frustration over the turn of events. But I am amazed at the Sturm und Drang directed at GMA recently, but it seems this “need to be against” is also a creative source of ways to blame her even when it is her enemies shooting themselves in the foot. Lookit, I’m not at all impressed by Philip Alston. Why should you folks be intimidated by Juan Carlos?
on December 12th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
MLQ3,
Et tu, Brute?
on December 12th, 2007 at 9:09 pm
Herr DJB,
I’m loving it, watching you evolve into a Luli brigader. You can take off your green archer with the american flag patch jacket now and display your brown shirt proudly. It’s okay comrade, Really.
Sig heil mein comrade!
on December 12th, 2007 at 11:00 pm
Deanie,
Re “The Need To Be Against” produces a blind spot (as in “blind rage”)
I think your perception that there’s a ““The Need To Be Against” inherent in people who are anti-Gloria is just that a perception.
But I will applaud you if you really mean that ““The Need To Be Against” produces a blind spot (as in “blind rage”)” because you have been a singularly heavy proponent of the need to be against commies and Moslems that through your writings, one can easily dedeuce that it has produced in you a blind rage against them.
on December 13th, 2007 at 9:53 am
[...] Uniffors annotates a fellow Atenean’s (but generations apart) letter; Manila Bay Watch says the annotations can stand on their own as a counter-letter. I agree. Strung together, the annotations make for a cohesive whole: YOU are suffering from a moral discrepancy. You have placed material well-being above all else. Is that the value you are taught in the Ateneo these days? Economic news was good in the first half dozen years or so of martial law but that did not stop Ateneans like Raul Manglapus, Soc Rodrigo, and Edgar Jopson. Their struggle was not about economic management, it was about justice and freedom. They were fighting for ideals. Ideals don’t fill the stomach but they nurture the spirit. That is what they and we learned as students of the Jesuits, of the Ateneo. [...]
on December 13th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
I’m going to risk getting my neck chopped by the obviously rabid anti-GMA crowd here, but I believe the freedom to speak one’s mind extends to EVERYONE, and not just the ones fighting against Gloria, so I’ll post anyway:
Do you honestly believe that, having drawn and quartered the poor boy’s letter, you stand a good chance of changing his mind? Since when did Ateneans have to revert to such horribly vitriolic language just to correct each other?
I thought that civilized discourse based on merits of one’s case was the hallmark of our education at the Ateneo? Passion for one’s cause and arguments is one of the hallmarks of Atenean education, but must you use such language as calling the sitting Sanggu president an “asswipe” and the statement, “pull your head out of your ass”, just to make your point? Do you know him well enough to cast aspersions at his morality with your, “YOU are suffering from moral discrepancy” line?
Is THIS how we educate the youth of today,by browbeating them? Do we teach them now that, if they do not subscribe to a particular view on things, we shower their opinions with derision? Such stuff might be common outside the four walls of the Eyrie, but shouldn’t we who have the gall to call ourselves students of the Jesuits be above such a low level of “debating”?
I admit to having my own reservations about today’s generation of Ateneans, and tell even friends who currently study there how much I lament their lack of Action in the Public Sphere. I come from a Sanggunian that actually led its students in street protests during the term of Estrada, if such is your measurement for living up to the tradition of Rizal and Ninoy. Mine was the generation of Ateneans that joined other young Filipinos in starting what would become People Power II after seeing that little dance routine of TAO after what the Craven Eleven did. Even better, after we helped oust Erap, we tried our damnedest best to help the government that replaced his.
Yet, my negative comments about today’s Ateneans is tempered by the fact that (a) their context is different, even from my generation that is actually just 7-8 years removed from today’s Blue Eagles, and (b) theirs is the generation of Ateneans that happily and totally embraced Gawad Kalinga, to the point that one Atenean debutante, rather than hold the expensive, hotel-held debut common to young women born of rich families, brought her “party” to a GK Build.
Since when did someone had to be thoroughly and rabidly anti-Gloria to NOT be morally bankrupt, blind or, as some anti-Gloria forces accuse, paid hacks? Since when did you people have the monopoly on what is true, right and decent? Can’t people in this country NOT want to remove Gloria NOW and yet be decent people nonetheless? Since when did NOT calling for her removal from office NOW means someone needs more brain cells?
You people don’t even make the allowance that perhaps they DO know, too, and that they’re convinced that Gloria is a bad person, but in their opinion removing her won’t be the solution! Two People Powers and where are we? They see the intramurals between the powers-that-be of this country and what do they think?
You may have valid points, Mr. Buencamino, but the manner in which you made them leaves much to be desired. If this is the way the rabidly anti-Gloria crowd hopes to recruit the “fence sitters” and the “blind”, then I wonder how you people are surprised at why the Little Girl still sits in the Palace.
on December 13th, 2007 at 6:24 pm
To Master Rob Ramos,
The “freedom to speak” also allows people like Buencamino to get angry and speak the language that shocks you. Come on, pal: everyday at the Ateneo, someone utters cuss words. ” F___k you. Tanginamo. Tonto. Gago. Conio.” So why be shocked when someone uses the term asshole or asswipe. Those words don’t kill, unlike GMA’s bullets. Gosh, the Three Stooges’s violence or the bullying of Brutus in Popeye cartoons is worse than a polemical “Asswipe” swipe.
Use of bad language is acceptable. You just described Buencamino and others as “rabid.” That’s par for the course. But be prepared, too, to be called whatever.
Some of the greatest writers use profane, obscene, strong language to effectively deliver a message. Read Hunter Thompson. (But Hunter won’t appeal to those who recite Hail Mary and shout AMDG.)
Ed Jopson was the object of foul words when he was the Ateneo student council prez. He took all the mura in stride. In the end, he ended up happily with those people who called him names.
Be cool and be good, pal. When someone calls you asswipe, pray three Our Hail Marys and five Our Fathers. And forgive Buencamino not because he has sinned but because he knows what he is saying.
Also pray for DJB Rizalist, your ally in this war. Not because he is Hitler, Jr. Pray for him because he doesn’t believe in ADMG; he’s a fucking Green Archer. Worse, he is godless.
on December 13th, 2007 at 8:34 pm
traffic,
DJB has a god. It’s called “national security”.
on December 13th, 2007 at 8:37 pm
DJB,
I’m not intimidated by Juan Carlos. I’m revulsed by him.
on December 13th, 2007 at 10:49 pm
Dear Rob,
“You people don’t even make the allowance that perhaps they DO know, too, and that they’re convinced that Gloria is a bad person, but in their opinion removing her won’t be the solution!”
Well said but I’m for removing GMA immediately because I don’t agree that the best solution to dealing with shit that someone dumped in my living room is to open all my windows and wait for the wind dry it up and blow it away.
But that’s just me.
on December 14th, 2007 at 1:59 am
Mr Ramos,
Mr Satinigan is no longer a kid — people at age 18 are adults.
I have met British kids who have just turned18 and 19 and who are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, entrusted with the lives of their comrades of others, handling hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of equiplment to fight for an ideal.
If Satinigan and those Ateneo “kids” aren’t adult yet, somebody has got to tell them the real score straight, give them a dose of shock — only way to make them men.
If Satinigan cannot think now, formulate an ideal, dissect good from evil, own up to certain values, he’s bound to be a failure all his life. It’s now or nerver — and not later.
on December 14th, 2007 at 6:25 am
That Atenista is more innocent than my little kitten. He doesn’t know passion if it bit his balls off. He’s probably really from Singapore and just disguising himself as Filipino. How can anyone live in this country all his life and not ave passion for anything. Money, success - that’s what his parents taught him is more important than principle and morality and that’s what Ateneo is teaching him.
on December 14th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
Hi Rob’!
I may not equal the efforts of MB, but let me annonate your letter. My annotations are enclosed in parentheses.
I’m going to risk getting my neck chopped by the obviously rabid anti-GMA crowd here, but I believe the freedom to speak one’s mind extends to EVERYONE, and not just the ones fighting against Gloria, so I’ll post anyway:
(You’ve got absolutely nothing to worry about, we don’t chop necks. Ask Philip Alston where to find the butchers.)
Do you honestly believe that, having drawn and quartered the poor boy’s letter, you stand a good chance of changing his mind? Since when did Ateneans have to revert to such horribly vitriolic language just to correct each other?
(If Satinitigan listens to reason and recovers his moral compass, there might just be a chance that he would change his mind, the “vitriol” notwithstanding.)
I thought that civilized discourse based on merits of one’s case was the hallmark of our education at the Ateneo? Passion for one’s cause and arguments is one of the hallmarks of Atenean education, but must you use such language as calling the sitting Sanggu president an “asswipe” and the statement, “pull your head out of your ass”, just to make your point? Do you know him well enough to cast aspersions at his morality with your, “YOU are suffering from moral discrepancy” line?
(Passion is the height of emotions, and a passionate man can be expected to use strong words. Passion is not conveyed in gentle or effete words. I don’t need to know someone personally to measure his moral standards by his words. I don’t know GMA personally, but I know she’s morally bankrupt by both her words and deeds.)
Is THIS how we educate the youth of today,by browbeating them? Do we teach them now that, if they do not subscribe to a particular view on things, we shower their opinions with derision? Such stuff might be common outside the four walls of the Eyrie, but shouldn’t we who have the gall to call ourselves students of the Jesuits be above such a low level of “debating”?
(We are no longer in the Ateneo Debating Society. We are no longer living in the ivory Aerie [I prefer this spelling, it begins with an "A"]. We have long learned how to fly and have swooped into the real world down below. We are now waging real-life battles. This is no longer NCAA or UAAP. The Ateneo Blu-Babble Battalion will no longer do. We need all the weapons we can lay our hands on to uphold the Ignatian ideals that we have imbibed, Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam. Sure, let’s pray the Hail Mary, but please pass the vitriol.)
I admit to having my own reservations about today’s generation of Ateneans, and tell even friends who currently study there how much I lament their lack of Action in the Public Sphere. I come from a Sanggunian that actually led its students in street protests during the term of Estrada, if such is your measurement for living up to the tradition of Rizal and Ninoy. Mine was the generation of Ateneans that joined other young Filipinos in starting what would become People Power II after seeing that little dance routine of TAO after what the Craven Eleven did. Even better, after we helped oust Erap, we tried our damnedest best to help the government that replaced his.
(You did very well in 2001. I admire you for it. But, I wonder why a chill blew out the flame in 2004.)
Yet, my negative comments about today’s Ateneans is tempered by the fact that (a) their context is different, even from my generation that is actually just 7-8 years removed from today’s Blue Eagles, and (b) theirs is the generation of Ateneans that happily and totally embraced Gawad Kalinga, to the point that one Atenean debutante, rather than hold the expensive, hotel-held debut common to young women born of rich families, brought her “party” to a GK Build.
(Gawad Kalinga is a fine cure for the symptoms of our society’s ills. Let’s go on with it, by all means. But the final challenge is not to perpetuate GK, but to fight for and build a society that will render GK irrelevant.)
Since when did someone had to be thoroughly and rabidly anti-Gloria to NOT be morally bankrupt, blind or, as some anti-Gloria forces accuse, paid hacks? Since when did you people have the monopoly on what is true, right and decent? Can’t people in this country NOT want to remove Gloria NOW and yet be decent people nonetheless? Since when did NOT calling for her removal from office NOW means someone needs more brain cells?
(Well, maybe not morally bankrupt. Perhaps, they’re really decent people who’ve simply lost the fortitude to confront evil when they see it. They might have found it too inconvenient and inexpedient to do so.)
You people don’t even make the allowance that perhaps they DO know, too, and that they’re convinced that Gloria is a bad person, but in their opinion removing her won’t be the solution! Two People Powers and where are we? They see the intramurals between the powers-that-be of this country and what do they think?
(MB has already superbly answered this. The stink is just too unbearable to wait till 2010.)
You may have valid points, Mr. Buencamino, but the manner in which you made them leaves much to be desired. If this is the way the rabidly anti-Gloria crowd hopes to recruit the “fence sitters” and the “blind”, then I wonder how you people are surprised at why the Little Girl still sits in the Palace.
(Since the stink is really abominable, MB may have been justified in using some industrial-strength “lysol”.)
Bring back the old flame, Rob’.
Since I went to two Ateneos, let me say to you:
Primum Regnum Dei! and
Lux In Domino!
on December 14th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
djb, carino brutal.
on December 14th, 2007 at 11:24 pm
“Change is disguised in many ways. Let us not be swayed by the propaganda of ill-thought nationalism.”
Someone should annotate this travesty of logic. The first sentecne especially.
on December 15th, 2007 at 12:07 am
Brian,
I think the irony is that the first sentence is the propoganda that the second sentence talks about.
on December 15th, 2007 at 12:11 am
“propaganda”, I mean.
on December 15th, 2007 at 12:23 am
Manuel,
Just read your note in my blog…
They can’t be serious!
A professor and alumni president got mad at you for embarassing the boy? Why should they be keen on protecting the boy’s sensibilities?
If they believe that protecting the boy from embarassments is how they think one makes a man out of a boy, I’m not surprised the “boy” is confused.
Why don’t you recommend the “boy” read, memorize and explain the poem “If” by Rudyard Kipling.
on December 15th, 2007 at 12:34 am
The boy’s professor and the alumni president are embarassing the boy further by getting mad at you for “embarassing” the boy — they should let him fight his battle and respond to your criticism, so he could try to can get back a bit of his lost dignity.
He must show cause why people should not think that his sense of values are warped (I accept not his entire fault).
Growing up, being educated in the political generation of Gloria’s corrupt government sure is a hindrance to many young people who are already confused…
I liken this generation of Filipinos who are growing up under Gloria to the generation of the French who were born and schooled under Mitterand’s dogma of “nivellement par le bas” (levelling down), completely botched that it’s proving difficult to modify their outlook in life.
I believe you did right, absolutely right to tell the boy that he was wrong about his views. If nobody tells him, who will?
on December 15th, 2007 at 1:05 pm
I can’t believe someone would go around bragging that they actively participated in ousting Erap in 2001 only to do nothing when it came to Gloria. That’s exactly what’s to be expected from those who possess an elitist mindset.
on December 17th, 2007 at 8:43 pm
Mr. Buencamino certainly does not understand the current predicament of the students in the Ateneo today. His time (assuming that he is an Atenean) is definitely different from today. From an Arts & Sciences School to the 4 Loyola Schools today…
As Karl mentioned in his letter:
1. there is a moral bankruptcy
2. there is a clamor for change
3. that there is a sense of hopelessness despite the positive economic headlines
4. that the Ateneans in government should inspire the current Ateneo students
5. that rule of law should prevail, even if it means castigating fellow Ateneans
Now, I believe those are the points which should have been highlighted by those who have read Karl’s statement. Do not comparmentalize his statement. Read it as a whole.
As also mentioned by Karl, change is a quest. And as what the Jesuits have taught us, we have to reflect and discern in order to do things.
Mr. Buencamino’s response is poorly written. It is sad because he is supposed to be the older one here. Yes, your generation may have a Jopson. We also have ours. And they happen to be normal students and/or young Ateneo alum who are not as “rabid” as you.
Now, what status quo are we talking about? Being a responsible citizen is beyond “status quo”, I believe.
Political scientists might argue with me regarding theories, but it does not mean that I have no say to what’s happening.
And lastly, please show some decency, Mr. Buencamino. Not just because that Karl is not as “rabid” as you are in your anti-GMA crusade does not mean that he is morally bankrupt. Straighten your thoughts, older person. Helping your country does not mean that you get out of synch with things.
Mon Cualoping
Ateneo de Manila AB 2004
PS: You may check the discussion on Karl’s statement at this link: http://www.animoateneo.com/app/webroot/forums/viewtopic.php?id=491
Please do register and say your thoughts there. Young Ateneans may or may not be inspired by you. Try it.
on December 17th, 2007 at 8:48 pm
I have spoken about Karl regarding your “emotional” response, Mr. Buencamino.
And mind you, he is more determined to do things because of people like you. He will continue to lead the Ateneo studentry in provide hope to this divided country, a country divided by all-knowing people (perhaps you are one of them, or perhaps I am also all-knowing).
Since we live in a democracy, then we just have to live with you who castigates someone (in this case, Karl) just to further your causes (which, I believe, are not necessarily carried out by other people).
Mon Cualoping
Ateneo de Manila AB 2004
on December 18th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
Dear Mr. Cualoping,
I answered your letter in other forum.I thought it came from Jun Dalandan, it turns out he was only forwarding it.
Anyway let me rehash my answer.
Your friend conveniently omitted the basis of the
Ateneo letter writer’s 5 points. I have no quarrel
with the points he raised. As a matter of fact, I see
and agree with those points as well. What I was
questioning was his rationale and his proposed course
of action.
By the way, Mr. Santinitigan said moral discrepancy not moral bankruptcy. I know moral bankruptcy when I see it but what the hell is moral discrepancy?
It’s unfortunate you did not understand my letter. It
was written so that even a five year old would
understand it.
Allow me then to restate my points using Santinitigan’s findings,
this time in a way that my message can be communicated
even through sign language.
See, here’s the similarity between the Ateneo boy and
me.
1. We both see a piece of shit in our living
room.(moral bankruptcy to me, discrepancy for him) (point to shit, cover nose.)
2. We don’t like it. (Clamor for change) (shake head
vigorously while pointing at shit)
3. Both of us see the shit won’t go away by itself
(sense of hopelessness) (Palms up shoulder shrug)
And this is where we differ
I say, scoop the shit and throw it in the trash right
away. (point to shit and point to trash can)
He says,
“why don’t we open the windows, (4. the Ateneans in
government should inspire the current Ateneo
students), (point to closed windows, motion to open them)
and wait for the wind to dry it up and blow it away
(5.rule of law should prevail, even if it means
castigating fellow Ateneans) (sit back down and
twiddle thumbs and give me disapproving looks)
Siguro naman maiintidihan na ninyo ito
Manuel Buencamino
on December 18th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
Mr. Buencamino,
We do understand what you want, what you wrote in response to the statement of the Sanggunian ng mga mag-aaral ng mga Paaralang Loyola ng Ateneo de Manila President Karl Satinitigan.
What bothers us most is that you have to resort to put down other people’s views just so you may prove your point. I think we’re pretty clear with that.
Karl may have a different approach with the way things are happening in this divided country, but it does not mean that Karl (or his Sanggunian) is not doing anything. As I have written on another page of your blog (http://www.uniffors.com/?p=1239), the Ateneo and the many institutions under it are doing so many things to further give a sense of hope to this country. The Ateneo may not have called for the outright resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, but it does not stop the Ateneo from pursuing its goals of molding students to become leaders who may rectify the misdeeds of those who have been ahead (and that may include you, Mr. Buencamino). Same goes with Karl’s Sanggunian. He may not be a legendary persona such as the late Mr. Jopson, but he continues to lead an already divided studentry (which is plagued by many issues: dress code, the academic pressures, and the confusing state of our nation).
I am pretty sure that Mr. Jopson also had his own share of critics. But we all know that at the end, he has been hailed by many, Ateneans and non-Ateneans. So, I rest my case.
We do not question your anti-Gloria stance, or your “rabid” call for her to be toppled. It is your right. We will not put you down.
But let me say, your response has been forwarded to various yahoogroups of the Ateneo community. And you have just turned off quite a number of the ertswhile anti-Gloria individuals. We know that it does not matter for you, but I reckon you should also know.
As you love saying it… the “shit” has hit the fan. And we are doing our own share for the development of this country.
We have been inspired by older Ateneans. We will also be inspiring future Ateneans to find that silver lining for the Philippines.
Mon Cualoping
Ateneo de Manila AB 2004
PS: Please do register at http://www.animoateneo.com/forums, we’d love to see you discuss with the younger Ateneans.
on December 18th, 2007 at 10:05 pm
Dear Mon,
You know what really gets me about your responses? You never address the points I raised. Instead you say, “What bothers us most is that you have to resort to put down other people’s views just so you may prove your point. I think we’re pretty clear with that.”
I addressed Santinitigan’s arguments. I annotated his letter. Why don’t you annotate mine so we know exactly what, other than my improperly dressed language, do you disagree with?
You criticize me for my rabid stance. I say I sound rabid because you are tepid.
Here is something that misstates what I wrote: “Karl may have a different approach with the way things are happening in this divided country, but it does not mean that Karl (or his Sanggunian) is not doing anything. ”
You obviously didn’t understand me. Santinitigan’s approach is different because his appreciation of events is different. Please reread my annotations to his letter.
Also I limited my criticism to his analysis and approach to the the current political situation. I didn’t say he was not doing anything. He is, as you say, busy with among other things battling over dress codes. So he is busy.
Please address the substabce of my annotations instead of the style of my criticism. That way our mini-debate does not look like a battle over the proper dress code for criticism.
Finally, I too help GK and you know what? GK would be completely unnecessary if we didn’t tolerate shit. You don’t help anybody by making the need for GK grow. You know you are doing something when your good works make charitable foundations unnecessary. And that begins with getting rid of leadership that deprives our people of equal opportunity.
Fly high, Blue Eagle
MB
on December 20th, 2007 at 12:17 pm
Dear Mon,
Please allow me to but in. I’m also an Atenean (Ateneo de Naga [High School] and Ateneo de Manila [College and Graduate Business School].
You decry Mr. Buencamino’s (MB) ad hominem against Karl, and yet, you indulge in it yourself against MB. What gives?
Karl waded into the national political sphere (I hope with his eyes wide open) where passions can run high and things can be very brutal, yes, even to one’s ego. This is not campus politics where people can innocuously debate about dress codes, or cafeteria food. A person who cannot afford to have his ego bruised has no business entering into a political discourse.
Seize the bull of the issues by its horns.
Where’s Karl, by the way? Are you fighting his battles for him? If Karl is the leader that you say he is, then he should be leading the charge, not you. I get the sense that you’re speaking for the Ateneo as a whole. Are you? The Ateneo community also includes the alumni. Are you speaking for the alumni as well?
Aside from being an Atenean, who are you? An Ateneo professor? A non-academic employee?
MB initiated this discourse in this forum. Let Karl come over. If he is a real courageous leader, he should bring his fight to wherever his “adversaries” are.
on December 20th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Sorry, “…to butt in”, I mean.
on December 20th, 2007 at 12:58 pm
Nope, he is definitely not speaking for the alumni as a whole.
As for who he is… well, ask him.
on December 20th, 2007 at 3:20 pm
anonymous,
I already did ask him who he is.
on December 21st, 2007 at 10:35 pm
Dear Mon,
For someone who has accused MB of poor writing, what do you make of this quote from you, “I have spoken about Karl regarding your ‘emotional’ response, Mr. Buencamino.”? Did you mean, “I have spoken WITH Karl regarding your ‘emotional’ response, Mr. Buencamino.”?
Here’s another one, “He will continue to lead the Ateneo studentry in provide hope…” Did you mean, “He will continue to lead the Ateneo studentry in PROVIDING hope…”?
I even doubt the legitimacy of the word “studentry”. It’s not in the English dictionary. At least, not in mine. Why not just say, “students”, or “student body”?
Come on, Ateneo AB Comm. graduate. So, you think you can write better, huh?
on December 24th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
Merry Christmas.
Get a life, you people.
on December 24th, 2007 at 5:04 pm
Mr. Buencamino,
A Merry Christmas!
You totally missed my point. I did not challenge you in any way regarding your views on our President.
What I challenged was about your way of attacking an opinion of a student leader. That is all. It will be an exercise in futility if we debate regarding President Arroyo… obviously, we have different take on things. And you will just argue that you are older, that you have been through things, that your generation is much better… see?
Again, I call on everyone not to be blinded by passion.
As to posts attacking me, bring it on. As to questions to who am I… my answer is I am a Filipino.
Thank you and a Merry Christmas!
Mon Cualoping
PS:
Shaman of Malilipot: get a life.
on December 25th, 2007 at 6:10 pm
Mon, I’ve got a great life, thank you. Merry Christmas!
on December 25th, 2007 at 10:02 pm
Dear Mon,
“You totally missed my point. I did not challenge you in any way regarding your views on our President.
What I challenged was about your way of attacking an opinion of a student leader. That is all.”
Ikaw nga ang bagong Atenista - More concerned about form tham substance. Pero ika nga mga matatanda - Beauty is skin deep but ugly is to the bone
PusillAnimo Ateninyo!
on December 25th, 2007 at 11:58 pm
Merry Christmas to Uniffors and your readers!
Thank you for the comments. Allow me to share mine (after asterisks):
The November 29, 2007 Manila Peninsula siege is another thorn in the history of the Filipino people.
[A thorn in the side of Gloria Arroyo is more like it.]
***It is a thorn in ALL OF OUR HISTORY. Thorns, irritants are meant to disturb us and warn us of more trouble. There is a reason why roses have them and why what happened a month ago is one of them. These are the very reasons most of you guys speak very fondly of, and reasons I never argue against in my statement. I, however, did mention “a clamor for change” but did not define further because I would rather have my fellow students reflect on the issue first and then decide (or to follow your trail of thought, choose a side: pro- or anti-).
There is a moral discrepancy in our country. There is a sense of hopelessness, despite the positive economic headlines. And yes, there is a clamor for change. The clamor for change is a quest that involves reflection and discernment, things which we have learned as students of the Jesuits, of the Ateneo.
[YOU are suffering from a moral discrepancy. You have placed material well-being above all else. Is that the value you are taught in the Ateneo these days? Economic news was good in the first half dozen years or so of martial law but that did not stop Ateneans like Raul Manglapus, Soc Rodrigo, and Edgar Jopson. Their struggle was not about economic management, it was about justice and freedom. They were fighting for ideals. Ideals don't fill the stomach but they nurture the spirit. That is what they and we learned as students of the Jesuits, of the Ateneo.]
*** How quick of you to judge me based on those sentences. Quite amusing, but I am more amused of the idea that I may have more time to correct MY moral discrepancies than my older friends.
***Back to the statement: How does “despite the positive economic headlines” mean “place material well-being above all else”? The fact is that there are such headlines! But certainly, they are not enough. Exactly why there is a clamor for change. THIS IS NOT ABOUT ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT. This is about our ideals and where they should lead us. Heck, even those “positive” headlines are disappointing.
Democracy, as we say, is the best option left. And we chose that in 1986. The Manila Peninsula siege is a threat to democracy. It was a sequel to the failed Oakwood mutiny in 2003. Same plot, with added twists. It was certainly a continuation of a power grab.
Will Trillanes, Lim, Guingona (a fellow Atenean), Bishop Labayen, Fr. Reyes (also an Atenean), among others go to trial? They should. We do not want another set of push-ups, as they did in 1989. Or are we having another Honasan? Let us stop the cycle. Let us not be kowtowed by elements of destabilization.
Rule of law should prevail. This is another test to our democratic institutions.
[Yes, rule of law should prevail and that's why those we entrusted to enforce it should not be the first to pervert it. And it is your right and your duty as a citizen to do something about it. How many Garci tapes have to be played, how many times does CBCP head Bishop Lagdameo have to tell you that bishops were given envelops by Malacanan in July 2006 when the CBCP was deliberating its stand on the second impeachment complaint, how many times do you have be told by Fr Ed Panlilio and Congresswoman Villarosa of Kampi that money was distributed in Malacanan on the eve of the filing of this year's sham impeachment complaint, how many UN rapporteurs have to report that the military is responsible for many of the reported extrajudicial killings and disappearances and a "climate of impunity" exists, how many corruption scandals, starting from IMPSA to the Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard to the smuggling of race horses to jueteng pay-offs to ZTE do you need to hear about before you start thinking someone is mocking the rule of law? Pull your head out of your ass, young man.]
***Thank you for reminding me about where my head should never be. Mr. Uniffors, when I said that those people should go to trial, did I mean that Arroyo should not? I DID NOT. She is one of the subjects of other Ateneo Sanggunian Statements (on the pardon of Estrada, on those cash gifts). But since those sentences that you annotated were about the major actors of the said siege, then I speak of them.
As students of the Ateneo de Manila, we stand witness to the many scenarios that will shape the future of our young lives. We are therefore challenged to help this damaged country, not through extraordinary ways. We do it with hope, the integral part of that quest for change. The 2010 national elections, which is just two and a half years away, is a rallying point for concrete engagement. Exercise your rights as a Filipino, which certainly does not include taking siege of a hotel in the Central Business District of the Philippines.
[Mrs. Arroyo has avoided, evaded, and obstructed legitimate congressional investigations of allegations of cheating, plunder, money laundering, and human rights violations by hiding and intimidating witnesses, making baseless claims of executive privilege, filing sham impeachment complaints, and doling out bribes, how many brain cells do you need to figure out something is wrong and something has to be done about it right away? Why wait until 2010? Why default? Marcos was terminally ill when Ninoy Aquino decided to come home, should he have waited for Marcos to die, it was only a few years away anyway, before coming home to "act on the needs of Filipinos"? "Carpe Diem" is what we were taught when we were students at the Ateneo, is "Sleep on it" what they teach you now?]
***The 2010 elections is but ONE of many possible rallying points and I certainly did not discount the rest (save, of course, for barging in a hotel or placing mines near a mall). We need not wait for 2010 for us to work for it. I mentioned that it is “just two and a half years away” precisely because we need to start working for it NOW. Never to sleep on it. Like many in PugadLawin, I believe one of the needs of Filipinos is POLITICAL EDUCATION. This is ONE of many possible rallying points for CONCRETE ENGAGEMENT.
We call on the Ateneo de Manila alumni serving in the government (the President, senators, congressmen, cabinet members, local government executives) to act on the needs of the Filipinos, and to set agenda that will last beyond their terms. Inspire us, the current students of the Ateneo de Manila.
[If the example of Ateneans from Rizal to Jopson have not taught you anything or inspired you in any way, nothing anybody can do will inspire you except of course good economic news.]
***They are inspiring examples. Sadly, the more popular ones now are not as inspiring as them (e.g. Estrada, Arroyo, Guingona). This is why I STILL wish those in the government right now are as inspiring as those Ateneans of long ago. And Rizal did teach me many things, including his thoughts on strengthening institutions via peaceful means.
Change is disguised in many ways. Let us not be swayed by the propaganda of ill-thought nationalism.
Ateneans, I challenge you to speak and let your thoughts be heard. One opportunity is during the Senate Inquiries on Friday (December 7) at the Henry Lee Irwin Theater. This is the moment to shine, be passionate, think of how you reacted to the Dress Code issue during the first semester. This is the Ateneo way, after all. If not, then what is?
[So Ateneans are now inspired by battles over dress codes? I guess so because it fits your philosophy of "it's better to look right than to be right." ]
*** I am merely reminding my fellow students of how many of them reacted passionately to that Dress Code issue (similar to the many times the idea of a blanket Dress Code was raised in previous years). I think they did so because it was an issue that literally affected their way of life. That also is one of many indications that Ateneans do respond and are not apathetic. This national issue should be looked at in the same manner because it literally affects our lives as well.
***Lastly, nothing beats BEING right.
Animo Ateneo!
[Means "Wake Up Asswipe]
***Merry Christmas and a better New Year!
on December 26th, 2007 at 12:10 am
Your site automatically deletes spaces between lines thus making the post above less easy to read. If you want me to send you a more eye-friendly copy via e-mail, just tell me.
We can even talk about other CONCRETE engagements!
Karl Vendell Satinitigan
Again, Good tidings!
on December 26th, 2007 at 1:43 am
Hi,
After reading your post, i couldn’t help but wonder… why do you need to put down a person and an entire institution just to show your disapproval to a particular statement?
There are, i believe, proper ways on how to engage someone else’s points. And i think that you, together with the rest of the people, who have given there comments here, have neglected this in your response(s) to the statement released by Mr. Satinitigan.
Yes, you can use words that other people might not use in ordinary conversations, letters, statements, etc. (whatever you’d like to call it). at the same time, you can refute his points - even to the extent of correcting him based on your own principles and beliefs. however, calling Mr. Satinitigan as Mr. Sanpinulot is totally uncalled for. I think that the Jesuit education has taught us well how to respond properly and i think that you, and those who put their comments here have forgotten everything about this.
On a different note, is political activism the only way for us, Ateneans, to be active in the public sphere? i think that many of us are being too traditional and rigid here because there are many other ways how a person, particularly a student, can be active and contribute in the so-called nation-building. (i.e., the notion of participatory governance, which is an integral component of a healthy democratic state)
Moreover, is there really a need to impose your set of beliefs and principles on a particular person. Isn’t this killing the very notion of diversity, which the Ateneo has upheld until now? I think that the subjects on humanities of the Ateneo teach their students to respect the individuality and uniqueness of people in our society, and that includes the very beliefs, culture, and principles of each one of us. Knowing how pluralistic our society is, respecting and learning how to integrate them together would really help our society reconcile the different (and most of the time conflicting) ideas on how to address issues in our society. And by the way people here seem to impose what should be done and said about our current situation, I think that most of us has forgotten about this important aspect also.
Lastly, why do you always compare your batch with our batch. First of all, I think that we have different contexts, which call for different sets of actions. Moreover, there will always be differences in the way people respond and see reality. Ideologies play a crucial role in determining which action to take, and we all know that ideologies change through time. Probably, you may not agree with the current ideologies that influence the way our generation acts. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean that our standards and participation are becoming worse.
Yes, an exchange of ideas is great and healthy. however, there are proper ways how to do it - which many of us here have forgotten.
Luceat Lux
Lux In Domino
on December 26th, 2007 at 7:45 am
the discussions here is a reflection of the state of the nation…
on December 26th, 2007 at 8:39 am
Dear Mei Hu,
Thank you for your comment but I reserve the right to react to controversial political statements in my own manner.
Now to your comment about ideologies. I believe you mistake ideology for principle. Ideologies may change with time but principles do not. We can live happily without any ideology but we can never live a civilized life without principles.
When I attack the current regime it is not out of ideology. I do not subscribe to ideologies. I attack this regime because it has violated the basic principles of fair play, honesty, truthfullness, respect for human rights etc.
Please reread your penultimate paragraph and substitute “principles” for “ideology” and you will see how hollow your argument is.
on December 26th, 2007 at 1:50 pm
“”"”"”"”"”"”
manuelbuencamino said,
on December 25th, 2007 at 10:02 pm
Dear Mon,
“You totally missed my point. I did not challenge you in any way regarding your views on our President.
What I challenged was about your way of attacking an opinion of a student leader. That is all.”
Ikaw nga ang bagong Atenista - More concerned about form tham substance. Pero ika nga mga matatanda - Beauty is skin deep but ugly is to the bone
PusillAnimo Ateninyo!
“”"”"
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Mr. Buencamino,
Prove what you said. You are way better than that.
Ano nga ba ang bagong Atenista? Are you more of an Atenean than me? OR am I more of an Atenean than you? No one knows. This (my argument with you) is not about who is better, Mr. Buencamino. This is about decency, if you do understand the word.
You are an old man. Inspire the younger ones. Show the stuff why you are such a freak right now.
I dare you to be above your emotions, Mr. Buencamino.
You have totally missed the point. And you call yourself an Atenean?
Think. Reflect. Discern.
Mon Cualoping
on December 26th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
Mon,
Puro porma ang iniisip mo. You think using decent language to mask indecent statements lending legitimacy to an indecent regime is okay.
MB
on December 27th, 2007 at 12:47 am
Mr. Buencamino,
I don’t think that you understood my point there. I was actually referring to ideologies and not principles. Because as far as i know (and based on what i learned from my theory and philo classes), ideologies do shape the way we act - to the extent of dictating the very actions that we take in order to change the so-called structures, which we consider as oppressive and wrong. In fact, ideologies do shape the very principles we uphold because they tell us what is politically/economically/socially right or wrong. Probably, you have a different definition of what an ideology is that’s why you weren’t able to understand my point about how ideologies shape our current actions.
Sir, my point is simple. I’m not a supporter of GMA nor do i celebrate the things happening around me. Rather, what i just couldn’t accept was the way you treated Mr. Satinitigan and the current Ateneo education. Yes, you can reply to it in your own manner, however, it’s just unacceptable based on the way Ateneo has taught me to respect and learn from the plurality of ideas, principles, and cultures that our society has. (By the way, don’t you think that you’re already defeating your so-called principles when you opted to use name-calling and ‘harsh’ comments to Mr. Satinitigan’s statement and the current Ateneo education?)
And based on everything that has been written here, i think that i have just realized one of the reasons why our country is still stuck in a rut nowadays. It is because people are just so self-imposing on what they think and want to happen, instead of working together and reconciling their differences. I think that this is pretty much evident in the older generations in our country, who have been responsible for the current state of the Philippines.
Luceat Lux
Lux In Domino
on December 27th, 2007 at 3:45 pm
Dear Mei Hu,
I was differentiating between those who are driven by ideology and those who are driven by principles. It is a crucial difference. Mao. Stalin, Pol Pot justified their brutality in the name of ideology. They placed ideology above humanitarian principles.
Let me rephrase what I told Mr. Culaopong regarding name calling and harsh language -
“Using decent language to mask a position that is basically indecent, i.e. default in the face of rampant corruption and injustice, is harsh language to me.”
To say that people are “so self imposing on what they think” is to mischaracterize the efforts of anyone who struggles fiercely for his beliefs. A democracy is always an arena for opposing beliefs and ideas. To reconcile just for the sake of reconciling debases the whole idea of democracy and free and open societies.
Would you reconcile yourself to something you believe morally wrong just for expediency? Will you keep quite or will you fight against it in the best way you can?
Luceat Lux
Lux In Domino
AMDG
on December 27th, 2007 at 5:21 pm
Mei Hui,
Just leave Manuel Buencamino alone. He’s an old man who’s trying to impose things on us.
Let him be.
Adios, Mr. Buencamino.
on January 1st, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Mon, why do you always want to fight other people’s battles? Why don’t you leave Mei Hui alone? I’m sure he/she can think for himself/herself (even better than you can) without you butting in on his/her behalf. You did it for Karl Satinitigan and you are doing it again for Mei Hui.
Just speak for yourself, okay? Happy New Year!
on January 4th, 2008 at 7:46 am
Mr. Buencamino,
Leave them be. They’re just a bunch of spoiled brats who need a little more “seasoning” about what’s really going on outside the walls of Ateneo…
on January 5th, 2008 at 12:02 am
hi sir, i would like to ask my some own sets of questions but i cant seem to find your email address. can i ask for your email address? thank you very much.
on January 6th, 2008 at 12:20 am
mami noodles,
pero meron oang faculty adviser ang mga yan
on January 6th, 2008 at 12:22 am
question,
my email is manuelbuencamino@yahoo.com
on January 8th, 2008 at 7:23 am
Mr. Buencamino,
I know, but they still need a real kick in the ass to shake the blinders off their eyes…
on February 26th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
I am disgusted at how you dirty old men are picking on a poor boy’s letter; much more using such derogatory (albeit cliche and unimaginative) terms as “asswipe”. If you want to curse, be more original. And if you want to learn, come over to Katipunan. We’ll teach you geriatric men a thing or two about real cussing.
By the way, yours was a beautiful response, Mr. Rob Ramos. I could not agree with you more.
on February 26th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Bunch of pencil dicks.
on May 2nd, 2008 at 7:02 am
Of course they are. They’re Jesuit trained after all.
Sig Heil!