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fika-stuff · 4 years

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RoTC rEpreSEnTs nAtIonaLiSM

As we roamed along the campus, a wall news article published by Outcrop, the official publication of University of the Philippines Baguio, was posted on bulletin boards and immediately caught our attention. It fit the idea of a (mis)representation we had to find. The article featured progressive organizations of the university refusing to accept the government’s implementation of the mandatory Reserved Officers of Training Corps program, more commonly known as ROTC. It is part of the country’s civic education and defense preparedness program for the youth and was said to instill patriotism and nationalism among the youth. The main goal of this is to provide military education and training for students to mobilize them for national defense preparedness. It includes preparation of college students for service in the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the event of an emergency, and their training to become reservists and potential commissioned officers of the AFP. And when talking about ROTC; it is almost impossible that the topic of nationalism wont come up. So lemme do the honors and define nationalism for y’all. Generally, being nationalistic means being loyal and devoted to one’s nation. It can be shown through having a sense of national consciousness or by placing primary emphasis on the promotion and preservation of one’s culture and interests as opposed to those of other nations.

The mandatory ROTC program, in a sense, does represent nationalism among the youth. I would acknowledge the fact that the program could be a strong foundation to help those who desire to defend the country with the proper knowledge and discipline, while also instilling patriotism. Not only that, but I understand that it would also train students to build teamwork and gain leadership skills that would benefit the nation’s objective of addressing the problems we face. On the other hand, however, making ROTC mandatory again does not magically instill nationalism in the Filipino youth. The program has led to countless violations of students’ rights-- in fact it has long been criticized for being an avenue in perpetuating abuse and violence against student cadets. The truth is, nationalism is not student cadets marching under the scorching heat of the sun every Sunday, wielding a rifle and mindlessly following shouted orders.It is the active participation of citizens in governance and nation building at all levels. It is improving the living conditions of the majority of our population. If we really want to instill nationalism to the youth, we should be teaching them our local language and tradition and culture, not by implementing the ROTC.

In my honest opinion, it’s funny how the government links ROTC to one’s love for the country. Their definition of nationalism is shallow if they believe that blindly following a superior’s order is being nationalistic. It is not like I am disregarding the good intentions of ROTC but I firmly believe that it does not have to be mandatory. The thought of it is simply absurd and faulty in most aspects. The Filipino youth should have their own choice on how to express their nationalism and love for the country.

#misrepresentation #representation #rotc #nationalism #panicked

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fika-stuff · 4 years

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THE ART OF SURVEILLANCE

The girl beside the photographer could be an acquaintance for all I know but she rather reminds me of the term panopticon, a model prison by Jeremy Bentham. It’s a circular tower with radially arranged cells with a guard in central position so he could monitor the prisoners. I would use panopticon, metaphorically, as acting accordingly due to the feeling that one is under surveillance. That someone is monitoring you as if you literally have to conform to norms and what the society expects from you. The panopticon stare of the girl in green has been giving my main subject the insecure look as if she has to give herself assurance while looking at others.

It kind of goes to show the patriarchal society that we live in. The myth that women dress and look good for the sake of men and that they are more likely to show that they’re finesse, and prim and proper around everyone. They even expect ladies to serve and smile more. With this picture, I feel like at affects other women as well when it’s not supposed to be like that. Women should be confident enough with themselves. Women dress and look however they like not to impress men but to feel good about themselves.

P.S. my friends and I use panopticons as an inside joke too. There are times when we catch people look at us in a not so innocent way and we simply try to be polite by smiling at them waiting for them to acknowledge you but nada. They just stare back and eventually avert their gaze. We call them panopticons. Word of advice, when you catch someone gazing at you, in a “panopticon;” judging way, smile at them. I don’t care whether you do it genuinely or sarcastically, but do smile at them then look away unaffected. I mean, seriously, you don’t have time for their insecurities. You should take to account to always value yourself and not have to look for assurance from others. The patriarch society affecting them is pure dung.

#mimesis #social construction #myth ideology #panopticons

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fika-stuff · 4 years

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Dead Poets Society: A Betrayal

“The powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse.” -- John Keating, the Dead Poets Society

The thing is, we often just listen to lines we want to hear and blab as if it’s the best thing ever. We tend to have the habit of hypin’ up and praising a work if it feeds our idealism at surface-level instead of looking deeply into it. Dead Poets Society is PEAK blinding. It brings together romantics, the disappointed comedic people who just watched because of Robin Williams, and the movie “know-it-alls” who just need to give it a rating.

As a romantic, watching the movie was a trap. The first time I watched it, it was more than good to me. At the time, I heard the things I wanted to hear and it showed the emotions I wanted to feel --it catered to me. It made me want to “contribute a verse” only to realize that the “play” was only in my head. Because in reality, studying literature is not easy, learning poetry isn’t just based on what we feel passionate, and going against your parents is not that simple. But the effectively deceiving script and delivery of cast watered these things down and I was satisfied with it. If not for the scholars who pointed out how anti-intellectual the movie actually is, I might have still been rejoicing on this entertainingly blinding film.

#dead poets society #function #mass communication #romantics #amore

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