I'm currently working on the design and layout of the new LFS website. In a few days, I already got hooked and almost went crazy figuring out codes and shit. I learned new things and slick tricks in the process, that's why I've decided to start blogging it, in order to have a reference the next time I try to make another site, and also to share things I've learned.
So forgive me if I'm going to get all geeky and technical the next few days.
This is the second time I'm building a whole site, the first one during the election campaign season, doing the Kabataan Partylist website which is down at the moment because of, uhm, let's just say "lapses in judgement" of the web administrators (they accidentally deleted the template index). :) Here's a web archive of the site.
Thanks to Ederic for hosting and helping us put up Kabataan and the new LFS website. He hosted the website I'm doing now for free and installed wordpress to our server, the platform I am using to build the site.
I first learned about html codes when we got lfs.kilusan.net in 2005. I got to discover some really basic html codes needed for posting. When we put up YoungRadicals, like many, I started learning some more complicated (well, it's not really that complicated) coding changing the header and blog layout. I never really took it seriously until I studied CSS upon making the Kabataan website in 2006.
Making the site and understanding codes made me feel the excitement I felt when I was learning Geometry in high school. Maybe this is the geek side of me speaking but tweaking css and html is kinda addictive. I stay up all night just learning the codes and making the site. It feels good figuring out codes and formulas and getting the effect you want on your website template. Sabi nga ng wordpress codex: code is poetry.
A couple of things we want do before we jump in and mess with codes:
1. Get a domain name/address (www.yoursite.com). There are a couple of sites offering free domain names. Domain.com, according to their home page, is offering names for less than $9 (aroung P450) per year. That's pretty decent considering that it's the equivalent amount to xerox around only a thousand bond paper size posters.
2. Get a friend like Ederic that will offer hosting for free. Otherwise you pay for that too.
3. Install Wordpress on your server. wordpress.org is different from wordpress.com. Wordpress.com is where you get free wordpress blogs. Wordpress.org is where you download the wordpress platform. Most hosting providers give you the option to install wordpress. It's really easy.
That's it. You should now see a default Wordpress blog home page when you point your browser to your address.
The next posts will deal mainly on how to customize a site's theme and layout based on how I did stuff on our site. While stuff will be explained in the context of having your own domain name and operating on Wordpress platform, a lot of things will also be applicable to everyone else. Continue reading this entry >>
This in the picture below taken from Bikoy's multiply page is Yan, one of our international friends who integrated with youth groups for several months. He is from Burma.
This picture was taken in a youth rally he participated in here in the Philippines. I wonder if he also took part in protests in Burma.
He seemed really happy during his stay here. You will always see him smiling and joking around. I never really understood his stories about Burma until I saw the news about the monks protesting. No wonder he was really happy and felt deep in solidarity when he was with the orgs here.
I promised to email him this photo, something I never got to do. I told him he looked good in the picture. I hope he gets to read the post and that the photo reaches him.
To Yan and Burma, we extend our warmest, deepest greetings of solidarity in struggle. Makibaka, wag matakot!
Here's a video of the Japanese reporter murdered by agents of the military junta in Burma:
OneWebDay is one day a year when we all - everyone around the physical globe - can celebrate the Web and what it means to us as individuals, organizations, and communities.
As with Earth Day - an inspiration and model for OneWebDay - it’s up to the celebrants to decide how to celebrate. We encourage all celebrations! Collaboration, connection, creativity, freedom.
By the end of the day, the Web should be just a little bit better than it was before, and we’ll be able to see our connection to it more clearly.
Today, Sept 22, is OneWebDay2007. Here are some ideas on what you can do to take part.
Meanwhile here are some random thoughts on "celebrating the internet" and my OneWebDay2007 to-do list.
The internet really changed the way I get information, different ideas and updates on politics. I get the updates faster, get different views as soon as developments happen, and get immediate feedback. Now, I couldn't imagine not having an internet connection for more than a week.
More people, especially activists, should be educated about how the internet can be a vital tool in their education, organizing and campaigning. Many LFS leaders and members still have not discovered the powers of web 2.0, rss feeds, blogging, etc.
Blogging and the internet could be used as an effective means for political change if only understood clearly and utilized efficiently for such. Bloggers and friendsters should understand that the internet beyond creating their personal spaces and linking with friends.
Internet access limitations are real. Most regular students still do not have DSL connections in their homes and will not waste their baon to browse internet shops unless required (except of course for network gaming). This is why we have to push for greater access and fight government corruption (read: ZTE deal) which blocks access.
Things to do for OneWebDay:
teach National Artist Bien Lumbera how to use rss readers, sooner or later, convince him to blog after making his website more blog friendly and rss capable;
immediately put up lfs.ph, which will involve more LFS members, most of which are not internet active. include a video blog and a team blog that will provide relevant and up to date information and will encourage more people to use the web for resource;
actively campaign against the ZTE broadband deal, using the internet as a significant platform;
promote this blog actively online and start dropping more comments on other blogs;
A 30-minute collection of public service announcements and short films calling for the surfacing and release of abducted activist Jonas Burgos gets X rating from MTRCB, GMAnews.tv reports.
Part of the MTRCB letter reads: “Scenes in this film are presented unfairly, one-sided and undermines the faith and confidence of the government and duly constituted authorities for public exhibition."
JR (Jonas' brother) said the short film, which is intended as a public service ad, contained 15 scenes made by independent filmmakers who are supporting calls for the immediate release of Jonas and other missing activists.
Posted below are some of the public service announcements made by independent film makers and groups for the Free Jonas Burgos Movement. I'm not sure if these are the same videos contained in the collection, but if these great films are indeed the videos included, filmmakers and artists should be up in arms against this blatant, martial law kind of censorship.
A Primer on the ZTE Broadband Deal Controversy studentstrike.blogspot.com
"...illegal, grossly disadvantageous to the government and unjustly burdensome to the Filipino people because of the ridiculous overpricing of this project and the huge kickbacks anticipated by those who brokered this anomalous deal," - Joey De Venecia, Senate Hearing on the ZTE deal
What is the ZTE broadband deal?
The Zhong Xing Telecommunications Equipment Limited (ZTE) National Broadband Network Deal is a highly controversial, $329 million contract signed by the Philippine and Chinese governments, witnessed personally by President Arroyo, last April 2007 in China.
The NBN project was a proposal of the Dept of Transportations and Communications (DoTC), a plan which started way back in 2005, aiming to establish a internet broadband connection to local government units and government agencies nationwide.
Contract was lost
DoTC Sec. Leandro Mendoza signed the contract which was later reported "lost." The National Bureau of Investigation suspected that it was stolen. The DoTC then "reconstituted" the contract, which ZTE and Mendoza signed late May 2007.
Supreme Court TRO
The Supreme Court has already issued a Temporary Restraining Order on the implementation of the contract last Sept 11, acting on a petition by Iloilo Vice Governor Rolex Suplico saying that the contract violated existing laws requiring proper bidding and transparency.
Why is the deal controversial? What is the involvement of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo and the Arroyo family?
Jose "Joey" De Venecia III, son of House Speaker Jose De Venecia Jr., which is a known ally of the administration, divulged his knowledge of the huge overpricing and kickbacks involved in the deal in an affidavit, and afterwards, in a Senate inquiry. Joey De Venecia is the owner of Amsterdam Holdings Inc. (AHI), which lost the bid for the NBN project to ZTE.
Among other things, his testimony and other reports divulge the following:
Project hugely overpriced
The project was overpriced by about $130M (P6 B) in its first proposal and the current contract for implementation by about $89M (P4 B), which will be loaned by the RP gov't to China with interest.
"Powerful person" Abalos was the broker
COMELEC Chairman Benjamin Abalos brokered the deal as he was "golfing buddies" with some ZTE officials, something he did not deny. In return, he and "his cabal" was to get $130 M in kickback. Abalos also reportedly went to China several times, enjoying escapades paid for by the ZTE officials. He admitted having several trips to China.
Former NEDA Director Romulo Neri, was also bribed P200M by Abalos to endorse the contract, causing the former to reverse his earlier recommendations questioning the deal.
FGMA and gang terrorizes JDV3, tells him to "back off!"
As De Venecia further asserted on the merits of his proposal, he gets "terrorized" in a "reconciliatory" meeting by Abalos, Mendoza, four other men and First Gentleman Mike Arroyo.
De Venecia said that FG Mike Arroyo, whom he initially called the "mystery man", approached him in this meeting, and with a finger that was about “two inches from his nose,” told him to “back off.” Arroyo wanted De Venecia to leave the deal and stop meddling.
FGMA fled the country a day before the Senate hearing, raising suspicion that he was avoiding the scandal.
While JDV3 consistently asserts that the President had no hand in the deal, the Senate hearing established that President Arroyo knew of the deal and its onerous character but did not stop it and instead pushed for its implementation.
The ZTE NBN deal is only the latest among the many corruption and malpractice scandals involving President Arroyo and her family.
Other controversies:
IMPSA (Industrias Metalurgicas Pescarmona Sociedad Anonima) Hydro-electric Power Plant $14 M kickback, divulged by Mark Jimenez
Jose Pidal Bank Account P321 M election money laundering
Hidden Wealth in San Francisco worth $7.1 M
Mikey Arroyo's imported horses worth millions
President Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard P536M overpricing
NAIA 3/PIATCo contract anomaly worth $100M in kickbacks
PAGCOR cash cow expose
Jancom Encironment Contract anomaly and overpricing
Agri Fund worth P728 M in Ginintuang Masaganang Ani used for election campaign funds
PHILHEALTH cards used for campaign
Manny Pacquiao Las Vegas Suite worth $20,000 per night used by Mike Arroyo
Jueteng operations via Bong Pineda
Venable Contract Norberto Gonzales
JocJoc Bolante fertilizer scam
Comelec Automated Counting Machine scandal
Rigging of elections 2004 and 2006 Maguindanao Hello Garci
Extrajudicial Killings
Links JDV3's Senate Testimony: http://www.pcij.org/blog/?p=1970 Inquirer special report: http://www.inquirer.net/specialreports/nbndeal/index.php A brief history of the project and the process of approval : http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/infotech/view_article.php?article_id=76276 ZTE cast of characters: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/61057/The-ZTE-cast-of-characters-Loser-husband-political-foes-and-deputiesContinue reading this entry >>
Parting shot: read Kapirasong Kritika on De Quiros' column on Joma's arrest.
Carol Araullo discusses how Prof. Sison's rights have been consistently violated by the Dutch government during his arrest and during his exile in the Netherlands. Read Prof. Sison's statement. Arkibongbayan posts photos and tv news clips here. Mabuhay si Prof. Sison at ang makabayang kilusan ng mamamayang Pilipino! Tuloy ang laban! Update (Videos): Here's a YouTube video post of Prof. Sisonbeing welcomed by friends and supporters immediately after his release. Meanwhile, in the news interviews, Prof. Sison hits psychological torture done upon him including solitary confinement and interrogation.
Bayan accepts decision, says significance of the verdict will be greatly diminished if same standards of justice will not be applied to Arroyo. Read Bayan's initial statement here.
Joint statement of the progressive partylist groups point out the same and that the verdict must serve as a warning to the Arroyo government. Whole text of the joint statements of Rep. Ocampo, Rep. Maza, Rep. Beltran, Rep. Casino, and Rep. Ilagan reposted here from email:
Joint Statement on Former President Estrada’s Conviction for Plunder
The Sandiganbayan verdict of guilty on two of four counts of plunder on former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada affirms our stand when we supported and endorsed the plunder complaint filed by Plunder Watch in 2001.
However, we respect Mr. Estrada’s right to file a motion for reconsideration and to appeal the verdict up to the Supreme Court.
The significance of the verdict is that it sets a precedence for the future prosecution of high government officials for similar or related cases with reasonable prospects of success.
The verdict serves as a fair warning to President Gloria M. Arroyo, who by using the awesome powers and influence of the presidency has succeeded in frustrating two impeachment proceedings against her that entailed numerous complaints of plunder, election fraud, corruption, gross human rights violations and other high crimes, that she cannot forever escape public accountability for such acts.
In this regard, the verdict on Estrada will not in any way efface the crisis of legitimacy hounding the Arroyo presidency.#
Rep. Satur C. Ocampo, Bayan Muna Party-List Rep. Liza L. Maza, Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Crispin B. Beltran, Anakpawis Party-List Rep. Teodoro A. Casiño, Bayan Muna Party-List Rep. Luzviminda C. Ilagan, Gabriela Women’s Party
A little less than a hundred students showed up this morning for the LFS anniversary clean-up drive at Morayta and Recto this morning. We had around 50 broomsticks and dustpans, courtesy of the Manila City hall plus garbage bags and propaganda materials our members brought with them.
The clean-up drive was a suggestion from tonyo, one of our organization's avid fans (hehe), who thought that this would be a great way to reach out to non-activist members and students, and a good story to sell to the media.
Indeed, we had photographers and reporters covering the event, but I think they were waiting for a scuffle with the police, who, as always, blocked our path to Mendiola where we originally intended to hold our clean-up. Too bad the permit we applied for was still being processed by the city hall's traffic division, forcing us to just hold our activity several blocks away from the historic bridge.
It was a new experience for us, one that I think would be repeated next year and the years after. It would be nice to make it sort of a tradition to clean-up every anniversary celebration. We'll prepare earlier next year, apply our permit a month before, and also have something of a come-on to encourage more members to participate. Perhaps we can have lunch together or end the clean-up with a mural painting.
Happy anniversary to all members and alumni of the LFS!
----
On Friday, we will have an indoor celebration in UP Manila's Little Theater, 430pm onwards. Everyone is invited.
I intend to post photos as soon as they become available.
Ipagbunyi ang ika-30 taong anibersaryo ng LFS! Pahayag ng LFS-PKT sa ika-30 taong anibersaryo ng LFS September 11, 2007
Binabati natin ang lahat ng ating mga kasapi at lider mula sa iba’t ibang mga balangay sa buong bansa sa okasyong ito ng ating ika-30 taong anibersaryo. Nagdiriwang ang lahat ng ating mga kasapi, mga balangay sa buong bansa at maging sa ibang bansa, mga kaibigan, masang mag-aaral at buong sambayanan sa araw na ito sapagkat tatlong dekada ang nakalilipas, itinatag ang isang organisasyong masikhay na magpupukaw, mag-oorganisa at magpapakilos sa kabataang mag-aaral para sa pagkilos para sa kanilang interes at para sa paglilingkod at pakikibaka para sa mamamayang api.
Pinagpupugayan natin ang mga kasamang martir na nagbuwis ng buhay sa ngalan ng paglilingkod sa bayan at pagtahak ng landas ng paglaban.
Sa ika-30 taong anibersaryo, pinili natin ang temang: “Bringing forth the Best and the Brightest: 30 years of dedicated service and determined struggle.” Sa pinakapayak, inilalarawan nito ang ating tinanganang tungkulin sa loob ng 30 taon --- paglikha ng pinakamagiting at pinakamaningning na mga kabataang mag-aaral sa pamamagitan ng taimtim na paglilingkod at magiting at militanteng paglaban.
Simula nang itatag ang LFS noong 1977, pinanday na nito sa unos ng paglaban ang maraming mga kabataan at ginampanan ang makasaysayang papel ng kabataan sa pagbabagong panlipunan. Pinangunahan ng LFS ang panawagang mag-aral ng labas sa apat na sulok ng paaaralan, maglingkod sa sambayanan, at tanganan ng kabataan ang militanteng landas ng paglaban.
Maningning na kasaysayan
Naging susi ang papel ng LFS, pangunguna nito sa mga boykoteo at mga protesta sa kampus, sa muling pagpapalakas ng kilusang masa ng mamamayan sa panahong ng diktaduryang US-Marcos. Dumagundong sa buong bansa ang panawagan para itigal ang pagtaas ng matrikula at ibalik ang demokratikong karapatan sa loob ng kampus.
Mahalagang tungtungan ang mga aksyong masang pinangunahan ng LFS, bilang isang alyansa noong 1977, at bilang organisasyong masa pagdating ng 1982, sa pagdudulot ng malakihang kilusan ng mamamayan para sa pagpapatalsik kay Marcos simula ng paslangin si Ninoy hanggang sa pagsiklab ng People Power.
Sa ilalim ng rehimeng US-Aquino, nagpatuloy sa pagmumulat at pag-oorganisa ang LFS. Libo-libo ang pinangunahan nito sa pagkilos para sa pagbabasura ng baseng militar ng US sa Pilipinas, bagay na nagtatak sa LFS bilang organisasyong may matalas na anti-imperyalistang pagsusuri at linya.
Gayunpaman, sa huling bahagi ng dekada ’80, niligaw ng mga pagkakamali gaya ng insureksyunismo, repormismo, at putsismo ang organisasyon na nagdulot ng pagbagsak ng kalidad at kantidad ng mga kasapi nito. Sinalanta ng mga maling pagsusuri sa lipunan at pagtataksil sa batayang mga prinsipyo at pagsusuring pambansa demokratiko ang organisasyon.
Ngunit mawawakasan ang kasaysayang ito ng mga oportunista at mga repormista sa paglulunsad ng LFS ng malawakang panawagan para sa pagwawasto sa hanay nito at sa kilusang pambansa demokratiko noong maagang dekada ‘90. Determinadong muling palakasin ang organisasyon, nagbalik-aral ang mga kasapi ng LFS sa Lipunan at Rebolusyong Pilipino at mga batayang pagsusuri at prinsipyong pambansa demokratiko. Matalas na inilantad ang mga kamalian at kahungkagan ng linya ng mga oportunista at repormista, at binandila ang landas ng pambansa demokratikong pakikibaka na may sosyalistang perspektiba.
Muling lumakas at lumawak ang LFS at nanguna muli sa laksang bilang ng mga mag-aaral sa militanteng paglaban. Noong 1998, kasama ang Student Christian Mov’t of te Phils (SCMP) at ng iba pang mga organisasyon ng kabataan, itinatag ng LFS ang Anakbayan, isang organisasyong aabot sa mas masaklaw na hanay ng mga kabataan sa paaralan, komunidad, pagawaan at sakahan.
Ang muling pagpapalakas ng organisasyon at saklaw ng LFS ay magiging isang mahalagang salik sa pamumuno nito sa kabataan sa mga pagkilos laban sa rehimeng US-Estrada hanggang sa tuluyang pagbagsak nito noong 2001.
Hanggang sa kasalukuyan, patuloy na lumalakas at lumalawak ang LFS at patuloy na tumatatak sa paninindigan nito para sa mga batayang interes ng mag-aaral at mamamayan. Sa kabila ng matinding hagupit ng pasistang atake ng rehimeng US-Arroyo, nanatiling matatag ang organisasyon at matalas ang paninindigan nito.
Dapat lamang ipagdiwang ang mayamang kasaysayan ng LFS at pagpugayan ang organisasyong walang kasingtindi ang determinasyong baguhin ang lipunan at paglingkuran ang sambayanan.
Matalas na pagsusuri at makabayang oryentasyon
Nananatiling wasto ang pagsusuri at paninindigan ng LFS sa kasalukuyang kalagayang panlipunan. Mahusay na inilalantad ng LFS ang mala-kolonyal at mala-pyudal na katangian ng lipunang Pilipino, ipinauunawa sa mamamayan na hindi tunay na malaya ang bayan mula sa kuko ng dayuhang imperyalismo kung ang iilan at dayuhan ang patuloy na kokontrol sa yaman ng bansa.
Wastong tinutukoy ng LFS ang Imperyalismo, Burukrata Kapitalismo at Pyudalismo bilang pangunahing mga salot sa lipunan at siyang sanhi ng malawakang kahirapan at kagutuman ng mamamayan.
Ihinahayag ng LFS ang landas ng pambansa demokratikong pakikibaka na may sosyalistang perspektiba bilang tanging landas upang makamit ang tunay na kalayaan at demokrasya ng sambayanan. Iminumulat ng LFS ang mamamayan sa pangangailangang kagyat na agawin ang pampulitikang kapangyarihan mula sa iilang naghahari at dayuhan at itindig ang kapangyarihan ng mamamayan sa pagtatadhana ng kinabukasang malaya, demokratiko at masagana.
Pinangungunahan ng LFS ang pagtangan sa oryentasyon ng kilusang kabataan na pukawin, organisahin at pakilusan ang kabataan para sa kanilang interes at mahigpit na isanib ito sa pambansa demokratikong paglaban. Mag-aral, maglingkod, mangahas na makibaka: ito ang ibinanderang islogan ng LFS na umalingawngaw sa buong bayan.
Kalagayan sa ilalm ng rehimeng US-Arroyo
Sa kasalukyan, higit na papatindi ang atake ng imperyalismo at ng rehimeng Arroyo sa mga batayang karapatan at kabuhayan ng mamamayan kasabay ng kampanya ng pasistang panunupil at pamamaslang.
Walang kasingtindi ang pagsalanta ng mga neoliberal na pakana ng imperyalista sa karapatan ng kabataan sa edukasyon na nagbubunsod ng higit na pagtindi ng kolonyal, komersyalisado at represibong katangian nito. Sunod-sunod ngayon ang pagtaas ng matrikula sa mga state at college university gaya ng UP at Earist, habang patuloy namang nagbabanta ang administrasyon ng PUP na itaas din ang matrikula.
Higit na itinutulak ang pagliit ng badyet at pag-abandona ng responsibilidad ng gubyerno sa edukasyon at mga pakana para kumalap ang mga paaralan ng sariling pondo. Sa kabila pa nito, higit namang sinusuhayan ang walang ampat na pagtataas ng matrikula ng mga pribadong paaralan ---kumbinasyong tiyak na dudulo sa mas maraming bilang ng kabataang hindi makakapag-aral ang mga pakanang ito.
Kasabay ng kumersyalisasyon, higit naman ang bulag na pagsunod ng gubyerno sa mga pakana ng dayuhang monopolyo kapitalismo upang higit na gamitin ang edukasyon para sa pagsasamantala. Patunay nyan ang proyektong NCAE o National Career Assessment Exam na walang ibang layon kundi higit na lumikha ng murang lakas paggawa para sa dayuhan.
Sa kabila nito, sumsisigabo ang kilusang protesta ng mga mag-aaral. Kamakailan lamang, sinagot ng isang malakihang walk-out sa klase ng mahigit 7,000 mag-aaral sa PUP ang panukalang pagtataas ng matrikula mula P12-P75. Patuloy din ang pagkakampanya sa UP Diliman, Earist at iba pang mga paaralan laban sa pagtaas ng mga bayarin.
Kaya naman pilit pinupuntirya ng estado ang kilusang kabataan-estudyante ng mga pakanang panunupil, harasment at pamamaslang. Nangangamba ang rehimeng US-Arroyo na higit na sumigabo ang kilusang kabataan na makapagtutulak ng higit na paglalantad at paglaban sa rehimen.
Nitong nakaraang pasukan, nagbanta ang militar na papasok sa mga paaralan. Nais din ng gubyerno na ibalik ang ROTC upang maging instrumento nito sa higit na panunupil. Todo-todo ang pakanang harasment, pagtarget sa mga lider, at iba’t ibang porma ng panunupil.
Higit na pinatitindi ng US at rehimen ang utak-giyera at teroristang mga pakana nito upang panatilihin ang sarili sa kapangyarihan. Nag-aastang Marcos ito sa ilusyong makokonsolida ang pamumuno ang mananatili pang pangulo hanggang 2010 at lagpas pa.
Ipinagpapatuloy sa balangkas ng Oplan Bantay Laya 2 ang duwag na digma ni Arroyo simula pa noong 2001. Bahagi ng mga atake sa progresibong kilusan ang pagpapakana ng hindi makatarungang panghuhuli kay Prop Jose Ma. Sison at pag-atake sa NDFP peace panel. Signal ito ng tuluyan nang pagbasura ng rehimen sa usapang pangkapayapaan at pagpapatindi lalo ng mga duwag na pakanang panunupil sa mga lider.
Higit na nadaragdagan ang kaso ng mga pagpaslang at pagdakip na pinapakana ng militar. Hanggang sa kasalukuyan, hindi pa rin inililitaw ng mga militar ang dalawang kasapi ng LFS, sina Karen Empeno at Sherlyn Cadapan.
Sa kasalukuyan, sinasalanta ng giyera ang Mindanao sa pagnunguna ng mga sundalong Amerikano upang higit na maitulak ang kanilang pampulitika, pang-ekonomiya, at pang-militar na adyenda sa Pilipinas at sa Asya.
Sa kabila ng mga ilusyon at kasinungalngan ng paglago ng ekonomiya, higit na krisis ang kinakaharap ng mamamayan. Hindi kailanman masosolusyunan ang tumitinding krisis hanggat malakolonyal at malapyudal ang sistemang panlipunan. Sa katunayan, nagbabadya ang higit na krisis ng Imperyalismong US sanhi ng mga artipisyal na ispekulasyon at overpricing ng lupa na tiyak na sasalanta din sa mga kolonya nito sa kasama ang Pilipinas.
Laksang kabataan, sa pangunguna ng LFS, sa buong bansa ang handang kumilos para sa pagwawakas ng bulok na sistemang panlipunan at para sa pagbigo sa higit na mga atake ng Imperyalismo at ng mga tuta nito sa interes ng mamamayan. Panata nating patindihin ang paninindigan at higit na itaas ang antas ng milanteng paglaban ng kabataan.
Mga tungkulin
Kailangan nating higit na palakasin at palawakin ang ating organisasyon. Dapat tuloy-tuloy na magsagawa ng pampulitikang edukasyon sa hanay ng mga kasapi at masa na magpapaliwanag sa pinakamarami sa katotohanan ng bulok na sistemang panlipunan at pangangailangan ng demokratikong paglaban.
Dapat nating tuloy-tuloy na pamunuan ang mga kampanyang masa ng mga mag-aaral sa buong bansa at matalas itong ikawing sa sektoral at pampulitikang mga usapin. Dapat din nating matalas na ilantad at labanan ang teroristang pakana ng US at ni Arroyo sa ating bayan.
Patuloy nating ibandera ang matalasa na anti-imperyalistang paninindigan at magsagawa ng maramihang mga pag-aaral hinggil sa pangunahing salot na ito ng daigdig. Dapat nating matalas na labanan ang teroritang digma na pinapakana ng imperyalismo sa daigdig.
Kailangang higit na mas marami ang ipaloob sa ating organisasyon. Mahusay na pagtambalin ang agresibong pagpapalawak at pagkokonsolida ng mga balangay. Mapapakilos lamang natin sa epektibong paraan ang laksang libong mag-aaral kung malaking bahagi nito ay organisado at nakapaloob sa ating mga balangay.
Sa paparating na ika-16 na Kongreso ng ating organisasyon sa Oktubre at pagkatapos, inaaasahang higit na mga maniningning na tagumpay pa at patuloy na paninidigan at pakikibaka ang ipapamalas ng LFS. Patuloy na papandayin ang best and brightest sa pamamagitan ng militanteng paglaban at pakikibaka para sa tunay na kalayaan.
Muli, pagbubunyi at pagpupugay sa 30 taon ng paglilingkod at pakikibaka ng LFS. Pinakamataas na pagpupugay kina Cris Hugo, Rie Mon Guran, Farley Alcantara, at iba pang mga kabataang martir na higit nating inspirasyon sa patuloy na pag-aaral, paglilingkod at pangangahas na makibaka.
Ipagbunyi ang ika-30 anibersaryo ng League of Filipino Students! Mabuhay ang pambansa demokratikong pakikibaka! Mabuhay ang kabataan at sambayanang lumalaban! Mag-aral, maglingkod, mangahas na makibaka! ### Continue reading this entry >>
"Everything is political and it has a lot to do with sex," - MLQ3
"Hindi totoong raket ang blogging. Enterpreneurship ito...something you build," - Abe Olandres
"Link-up. We should use blogging in order to represent the interests of our generation," -Bikoy Villanueva
These are some memorable quotes from the discussions during first Bloggers' Kapihan last Saturday at PSHS.
During the past months, I have been thinking of an analogy that could best explain the internet and the blogosphere. A description that, on one hand, would help people overcome the simplistic and self-centered "personal diary" or "angas repository" thinking, on the other, would not tolerate the extreme "alternate reality" and "blogging-will-change-everything" beliefs.
What captured that thought was a simple image of a place where people could get regular updates and views from other people about their common interests, share their thoughts and stories, engage in fiery political and theoretical discussions, perhaps even plan courses of action and activities. A place of chismis and kwentuhan, where the intrigeros, madaldal and the ma-epal people are sikat: coffee shops or kapihan. The blogosphere is basically a supersized, borderless kapihan. An international coffee-table discussion group where people discuss fashion trends, politics, showbiz, gadgets, business, their personal lives, etc. Some are such good story-tellers that they get sponsors. During times of social crisis, this kapihan could also be the center for discussions and calls for action.
The irony is that now, we wanted to turn the virtual into life and organize a real kapihan. Which is tempting me into thinking that this meeting is, ultimately, all about the free, real (not virtual) coffee and donuts. Hehe.
Bloggers' Kapihan last Saturday in Pisay had a bunch of young people as audience. The crew and the speakers talked to mostly 14-16 year olds who are starting out as young bloggers.
The speakers were some of the best bloggers in town, and they really knew what they were talking about. But they didn't really get all geeky, technical, grand and theoretical in their presentations. The discussions were simple and personal, the gathering could have easily been mistaken for a storytelling session. The discussions ran like they were blogs.
Bikoy took-off by discussing how he started blogging as a personal journal whom he thought nobody would get to read. He ended by encouraging the young people to "link-up," to blog not just for themselves but to appreciate blogging as a means for expression of collective interests.
Yuga showed the students that blogging was serious business, literally and/or otherwise. He discussed how people can earn big time using blogs. But what's more important was showing how this was possible: by using blogging as a means for effective communication and influence. Earning through blogs isn't a raket, it's really about talking to people and getting them the information they need. This thought opens up blogging not only as a tool for making money, but as a tool for education and providing relevant information.
While MLQ3 stressed that everything is really about politics, his discussion had more to do with sex. Engaging with the minds of the 14 year olds discussing how Internet is made for porn, and how you could either be a voyeur or an exhibitionist, he sets the stage to inspire young people to get into blogging, take it all out there, recognize the power of engaging in discussions, and not leave the opportunity of messing with people's lives in the hands of a few powerful and popular people.
After the discussions, a student asked the speakers: "if I wanted to start a blog critical of something, say the government, what advice can you give me? are there limits to what I can write?"
I was glad that there were people now asking these important questions. I hope to see a new generation of bloggers who would want to blog not only out of desire to be popular or not just to have personal virtual spaces, but to realize the power of the blogosphere to change people, thinking, and society.
Good speakers, a bunch of great stories, young and idealistic audience; plus the free coffee, iced tea and donuts --- the BloggersKapihan was a success. The discussions went way Beyond the Basics, because it has introduced the youngsters to what blogging really means aside from changing your blog header and creating your profile. It welcomed them to the kapihan which is the blogosphere.
Link to Jhay's round-up of entries on the BK. Link to BK's round-up. I'm posting photos and maybe even videos of the event in a day or two. Continue reading this entry >>
Watch this amazing short film about how the minds behind the government use Shock Doctrine to get people to accept unjust policies. I haven't read the book but the short film is surely going to get you a good "shock treatment." Link
If your a Photoshop-er, a designer, visual artist or a bum using Photoshop for your stuff, the easiest way to do Web 2.0 designs is to use these layer styles free for download from dezinerfolio.com.
This Saturday, young Filipino bloggers will kick-off the Bloggers Kapihan series, a meeting of young bloggers discussing issues and matters that affect the blogosphere and the youth.
"Blogging Beyond the Basics" will be the topic on Saturday, Sept 8, 2pm-5pm at the Advanced Sciences and Technology Building AVR of Philippine Science High School, Quezon City. Manuel Quezon III of The Daily Dose, Abraham Olandres of Yugatech and Victor Villanueva of Bikoy.net will be the event's main speakers.
This is StudentStrike. A place of critical ideas and radical activities.
