EDITOR’S NOTE: This is a joint statement of student publications and media organizations of the University of Santo Tomas. 

We, the student publications and media organizations of the University of Santo Tomas, strongly commit to hold the line along with other media organizations amidst the Duterte administration’s efforts to curtail the freedom of speech and expression. 

As we commemorate the tenth-year anniversary of the Maguindanao massacre, numerous human rights violations against journalists and media organizations still remain at large. 

The arrest of community journalist Anne Krueger was one of the latest attacks on press freedom — a trend the administration is deemed to repeat regardless of criticism from local and international media. Krueger was unlawfully arrested with 56 others through simultaneous raids on various offices in Bacolod City under the pretext of communist subversion.

Minutes before her arrest, Krueger hosted a live broadcast on Facebook showing the irregularities committed by authorities through planting evidence to justify the arrest of other progressives. She is also one of the founders of Paghimutad, an alternative media organization covering the ongoing bloodshed in Negros.

Through President Duterte’s Executive Order No. 70, a Whole-of-Nation approach was used by the administration to wrongfully tag progressive groups and human rights workers as members of the New People’s Army (NPA). 

Meanwhile, Negros-based broadcaster Dindo Generoso was the 14th journalist to be murdered under the Duterte administration and the 187th since 1986. He was shot by assailants last November 7 while driving on his way to host his radio program.

Earlier this year, the Duterte administration claimed the existence of an ouster plot that is allegedly supported by journalists, lawyers, and various critics. Organizations such as Rappler, Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, Metro Balita, and National Union of Lawyers in the Philippines, are one of those included in Duterte’s destabilization matrix.

In line with this, campus publications are unsafe from repression. Last November 16, an individual forcibly tried to enter the office of the Philippine Collegian, the University of the Philippine’s official student publication in order to conduct surveillance and inspections for an unknown reason. 

Aside from committing human rights violations against media practitioners, the Duterte administration is notorious for utilizing massive troll farms to combat the truth. A 2017 study of the University of Oxford included the Philippines in a list of countries with governments that utilizes social media manpower to bend public opinion. Data-mining firm, Cambridge Analytica and its parent company once claimed in an already archived article that it helped rebrand Duterte as a “strong, no-nonsense man of action” that would deliver the Philippines from crime. Last month, Facebook removed various Duterte-leaning pages for violating its terms and agreements on spam and authenticity.

WE, THE CAMPUS PUBLICATIONS AND MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS, MUST STAY TRUE TO OUR SERVICE FOR TRUTH AND OPPOSE FALSE PROPAGANDA.

American-based non-profit organization Committee to Protect Journalists declared the Maguindanao massacre as the “single deadliest event for journalists”. Ten years after its aftermath, justice is yet to be served. 

As Duterte approaches his fourth term in his presidency, bloodshed and violence against the media remain prevalent.

We, campus media organizations, amidst all the efforts to curtail our freedom, should always stand firm to stand by the truth and to hold the line.

Veritas in Caritate.

SIGNATORIES

RABIN P. BOTE
President
TomasinoWeb

JOHN AARON PANGILINAN
Executive Editor
TomasinoWeb

LOUISE JULIE W. PABICO 
Editor-in-Chief 
College of Science Journal 

BERNICE KYRENE P. GUTIERREZ
Editor-in-Chief
Accountancy Journal

PEACH ARIANNA P. MANOS
Associate Editor
The Flame

VES EVA REVLINE A. DILLA
Editor-in-Chief
La Stampa

JAMES EDVER O. MERCADO
President/Director
UST Tiger S.H.O.O.T

Patrick M. Demition
President/Artistic Director
Teatro Tomasino

Loraine B. Villarina
President
UST Literary Society

Clarence Pryce O. Almazan
President
Performing Arts Guild

Xyvel Vincent S. Niez
Editor-in-Chief
Commerce Journal

Jefson Romeo B. Felix
Editor-in-Chief
Purple Gazette

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It’s time to set sail and start your worldwide journey! AIESEC in the Philippines is back, and this time it’s national!

For the first time, AIESEC in the Philippines will hold a National Global Village with a theme “Journey With A Why” wherein participants can experience a whole day of cross-cultural exchange, be given the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the world’s rich cultures, and embark on an adventure where opportunities to develop the world and improving one’s self awaits.

This August 31, AIESEC in the Philippines will bring the world much closer to the Filipino youth at Eastwood Mall Atrium wherein they can experience interacting with youth from other countries who are currently here in the Philippines for volunteer work for the projects of AIESEC Philippines and its local chapters from other universities.

Over 10 from other 120 countries in partnership with AIESEC are expected to participate in the event.

Organized by the largest youth-led organization AIESEC, the National Global Village encourages the next generation of Filipino game-changers to know their why as they take on their AIESEC journey, and build the foundations of a more Globally Competitive Philippines.

Experience what the world can offer you by visiting our cultural booths, having a taste of multi-cultural foods, sign up at our exchange booths, and have some fun because we’re going to have some cultural performances that will showcase the cultures of different countries.

Watch out for live performances from local bands such as The Clamshell Boxes, Paper Satellites, Sofa Sky, Crescent City, Mt. Lewis, and Submission PH!

In a world where misunderstanding takes place because of misinformation and ignorance of other people’s beliefs and values, AIESEC in the Philippines hopes to immerse the Filipino youth to the diversity of the world’s cultures to combat conflict and violence through understanding and embracing cultural differences.

The event is happening on the 31st of August 2019 at the Eastwood Mall Atrium from 11AM-9PM!

Let’s dream our why together, visit the National Global Village!

Facebook: AIESEC in the Philippines
Twitter: AIESECinPHL
RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/415851205666851/

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Teatro Tomasino, the official university-wide theater guild of the Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas, closes its 40th season with Kasaray Duma: Mga Supling ng Sigwa, a production slated on May 2-5, 2018 at the Albertus Magnus Auditorium of the UST Campus in España, Manila.

Guided by Banaag at Sikat, the theme for the theatrical year that encapsulates the organization’s brave pursuit of social awareness, truthful living, and enlightenment, Kasaray Duma: Mga Supling ng Sigwa is an apropos end to Teatro Tomasino’s ruby anniversary run.

A Tabsing Kolektib original penned by Palanca Award-winning writer, Eljay Castro Deldoc, Kasaray Duma: Mga Supling Ng Sigwa features the story of a proud island tribe threatened to be torn apart by greed, conflict, and a country that ignores their birthright, identity, and culture.

Using theater as its medium, Teatro Tomasino champions cultural and environmental preservation amongst its patrons through Kasaray Duma: Mga Supling ng Sigwa. With the production endorsed by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) as part of its National Literature Month activities, the organization aims to open and promote the discourse on the place of Filipino ethnicity in a so-called progressive society.

To further this cause, Teatro Tomasino will donate a percentage of the production’s proceeds to Save Our Schools (SOS) Network, which works to build more schools for the Lumad people in Mindanao.

Teatro Tomasino’s staging is helmed by its alumnus, Arch. Carlos A. Buendia, Jr., who was also a former Artistic Director of the organization. He has previously worked with Castro in Para Kay B, the 2015 stage adaptation of the Ricky Lee novel of the same name.

The showtimes for Kasaray Duma: Mga Supling Ng Sigwa are at 10 a.m, 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on May 2 to 4, 2018, and 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on May 5, 2018. Regular ticket price is PhP 200 but special discounts are offered for bulk purchases. For inquiries and reservations, please contact Sheila San Miguel (0947-268-7691) or Krystinn Ramos (0995-531-3542).

This stage production is partnered with Soundcheck, SkyJet Airlines, Trampoline Park and KFC Philippines. Visit Teatro Tomasino – UST on Facebook. Follow them on Twitter at @TeatroTomasino and Instagram at @teatrotomasino

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Media Contact:
JC Ribuyaco
Social Media Manager, Teatro Tomasino – Kasaray Duma
jcribuyaco@gmail.com | 0917-624-3604

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