Estudyante Lamang

by Miguel Calayag


Pagka’t ako’y tao lamang. As Dr. Leo argued in class, it is such a poor conception and use of the tao, of the person. It is as if humanity is something to be ashamed of. I have problematized a permutation of this lamentation; this is a short piece on student activism.

I am a member of the Christian Union for Socialist and Democratic Advancement, also (perhaps infamously) known as CRUSADA. It is a political party within the Ateneo working to foster a campus culture conducive to political discourse. The Party is guided by Christian Social Democracy. We have forged partnerships with organizations such as the Ateneo Employees’ and Workers’ Union (AEWU), PALEA, and the marchers of Casiguran. We have held forums on the horrors of Martial Law and supported the commemoration of the victims of the brutal massacre in Maguindanao. And yet we are ridiculed. Some argue all our efforts are for naught.

One of the statements that made me ponder the most was this: Minsan mukhang nakakalimutan ng CRUSADA na estudyante lang tayo. Hindi ba estdyante lang naman tayo? Honestly, at first, there were lingering doubts. Was I forgetting that I was a student? Estudyante nga naman ako. Mag-aaral na lang ako kaysa mag rally o kaysa sa makinig sa kung anong speech ng kung anong labor union. I realized this question was asked to me before, what is Christian Social Democracy to a student?

I am not inclined to give a lecture. I only intend to share my thoughts on the matter. Perhaps, we are not just students. Hindi tayo estudyante lamang. We are sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, we are citizens of a democratic Republic, we are neighbours, and we are strangers. Even granting the category of the student, to limit ourselves to this category violates the very purpose of the student: to learn. And learning is more than reading books and listening to lectures. It is also about learning to ask the right questions. Instead of asking “Hindi ba estudyante lang naman tayo?” perhaps we should ask “Hindi ba, hindi lamang tayo estudyante?”

Student activism in the form of establishing a partnership with the Ateneo labor union, for instance, as others may argue, is just a statement. But perhaps sometimes that is all that is needed and is a good start for further engagement. To tell the Other that we are here beside them. We are here to talk with or listen to them. Perhaps sometimes, that is enough (at least at the moment); that the student is friends with the worker, the librarian, photocopier operator, or the security guard and talks to him/her once in a while. After all, these people constitute the University as much as its students and teachers. They should not be merely relegated at the background, they are equals.

For those students who resonate with this idea, never think that student activism is useless. It is not. Moreover, student activism is not about picking up a gun or simply going through rallies, shouting at the top of one’s lungs. It is about engaging social, economic, and political issues as a student, however, ostensibly limited it may be. More importantly, hindi tayo estudyante lamang. Because one day, students (as if children) will be men and women, and when will they be for Others, if they do not begin – as simple and sincere as they can – now?

The Beauty of the Other

by Rimina Patolot

15 January 2013
Discussed Text: Levinas, "Secrecy and Freedom," Ethics and Infinity


In our last lecture, Levinas tried to show, through Descartes’ philosophy, the Face of the Other. There are certain insights in Descartes’ third meditation, Totality and Infinity, which can also do justice to the Other that Levinas has presented. This topic was very hard to digest for me as Levinas tried to show a structure of the idea of the Infinite – which involved thinking beyond thinking. And in this idea of the Infinite, we are be able to experience the Other as Face.

As Levinas goes back to Descartes’ philosophy, we recall the point where Descartes doubts everything, and is then left with just ideas in his mind. He then classifies the ideas left in his mind and comes with the idea of himself, on other persons, animals, and God – the Infinite. But then, where did these ideas come from? Either they came from him, or these ideas were put into him. Descartes then says that the idea of God is an infinite substance, eternal, immutable, independent, omniscient, omnipotent – an idea which is also found in traditional philosophy or metaphysics. However, he is interested in the structure, not in proving the existence of God. He goes on to point out that there are certain ideas in us which cannot be contained within ourselves. Thus, this idea which overflows may have been put into us, and not from us. Because, as Dr. Garcia has said, “How can a finite substance be the origin of an infinite substance? How can I contain something which I cannot contain? If the cause is finite, the effect cannot be infinite. The effect cannot be greater than the cause.”

From what we have learned last semester, Descartes says that an idea is true if it is clear and distinct. And this idea of the Infinite is very clear and distinct. He realizes this reality goes beyond our understanding – exactly why it is difficult for us to comprehend. And as God goes beyond our comprehension, we think more than what we can think when we think of Him. We can think about Him, but we don’t really know Him. Because a God that can be comprehended, cannot be a God. Descartes then ends his third meditation, in admiration and gratitude of this all perfect God.

I admit that I was perplexed by how Descartes illustrated the idea of the Infinite at first. I cannot even fully grasp it until now, so I'm trying to be careful in conveying my ideas about what I have understood from the lecture. But then, I realized that that was the point. To think beyond your thinking. To know that you don’t know. To understand that you can’t understand. This process of us trying to figure it out is part of the experience, because this reality can neither stand on mere reasons nor understanding. And in the end, this kind of thinking will make us admire this reality, and even be grateful for it.

So why did Levinas try to show this particular structure in Descartes' philosophy? Instead of saying that the idea of the Infinite is found in God, he said that it is in the Other - the Human Other, as philosophy has human experience as its basis. Thinking about the Other escapes the grasp of the "I." And from this, I realized that we do experience the Face of the Other as Infinite in our everyday lives. When we communicate with each other, we discover things that are beyond what we think. That's why it feels great to get to know someone you just met, and listening to other people's interests and experiences - we realize that there's something so much more than just the things in your mind. And from this, we become more thankful for such experiences because we are able to go beyond our thinking through the experience of the Other.

In line with the experience of the Other as Face, I'd like to share this "Youtube movie" with you, because I have personally experienced the Other in a very beautiful way through this 90-minute video. I have already watched this before, but watching it after our lecture, I came to appreciate it in a whole new way. Assembled by Kevin McDonald, "Life in a Day" is a compilation of videos uploaded by different users from all over the world, showing what it was like in a single day of their lives on a normal day, July 24, 2010. I was very emotionally involved with some of the stories, and I had many realizations upon watching it. I opted not to give an overview of the video, nor what my realizations were, as I want you to experience it first-hand. I hope that you find the beauty of the Face of the Other through this video - the beauty of the Other that escapes our grasps. And that even in this brief experience of the Other, we experience the Infinite.

Need Beyond Need

by Jaime Dayrit

15 January 2013


Yesterday's class was pretty interesting, despite the fact that we were 'just' revisiting Descartes. This man is known as the 'whipping boy' of Western philosophy; and in spite of this, it was nice to see/hear some appreciation of his ideas, for a change. Levinas said that there was structure in Descartes' 3rd meditation; that is, his idea about the infinite. He said our minds are chock full of ideas; of people, of things, of places, and even of God. However, he further states that because we are finite beings, it is unfathomable for us to be capable to conjure up something that is infinite; for the logic stands that the cause cannot be any less than the effect it creates. Therefore, there must be another reality (not necessarily God) that is, in fact, infinite, and that reality or entity has created us and placed its imprint on us, thus our seeming ability to comprehend that which is beyond us. This idea was particularly refreshing for me; because seeing some sort of roots of not just Christianity, but of religion as a whole; the belief that there is a 'higher power',  stem from another view - that of logic, amused me greatly.

Levinas goes on to evoke that 'there are experiences not found in our heads', that 'not everything comes from ourselves.' This again brings to mind the morals of our past lessons; that indeed, the world or the universe does not revolve around us. Meaning to say, since there is indeed another reality separate from us, we should come to understand that we, as individuals, are not the sole actors/actresses in the vast play called life. Thus, it is further implied that what should really come to light is the importance of relationships. Moreover, relationships that are not based solely on need. Whether we know it or not, relationships already exist between people; we just have to look for it and build upon it. And if need isn't the driving force of these relationships, then what should? The answer lies in desire, or in other words, need that is beyond need. Desire is what drives us, like passion, to be with the people we want, not simply because we rely on them for our existence, but rather because we are for them, instead of just ourselves. Relationships should be us coming out of ourselves, and going for the other. Doc G gave me an analogy that I think is quite apt. Take your relationship with God, for instance. Some people only go to Him because they need or want Him to help them in some way; perhaps to pass a test, to get this, to have that, etc. But that is wrong. People should be going to Him because of their own desire, because they WANT to be with Him. It is this way that they have transcended themselves beyond their needs, and they have become for the other. Similarly, this is what every one of us should strive for in our own lives.

The Urgency of Time

by Erika Tababa


I asked a question in class that I’m still thinking about 2 days after it was answered. The fox reminds us to be patient so we can “tame” him. This advice is also applicable to almost all relationships we are part of- be it as a friend, a lover, a conniver in all your marauding and being up to no good, and even as Catholic. This patience is required to get to know the Other, to try to understand their story, to begin to care and treasure the time spent with them. It pains and disturbs me to no end that such special relationships is in danger of being lost in the hundreds and thousands of all other possibilities. That the person in the elevator wearing a Dr. Who pin on her bag could have been on of your closest friends if only you asked whether the 11th doctor was their favorite or if they also watch Sherlock. Asking which can immediately create a special bond- you obsess over the same things and you can honestly teat this stranger like you’ve known each other since you were 12.

But you don’t. You don’t ask because you were scared of looking like a freak to the three other people in the elevator if the person ignores you or looks at you funny. Or maybe you were so anxious at looking at the speed of your descent because you didn’t want to be late for class that you didn’t even notice the pin. You then walk out of that elevator, one friend poorer.

So many other scenarios. So many other things that can close a vein of a beautiful possibility that could have grown and taken you to greater heights of being and living.

I want to curse it- this possibility of an impossibility. This pathos of being mortal. That there is such a limited time to explore the possibilities of all great relationships. Why can we push a button to filter all the possible “worthwhile” relationships and label them as such, making them not merely possibilities but eventualities.

Alas. This is as absurd as Adam Sandler’s life remote on Click. It’s an unfortunate reality we have to live in. Or is it?

Let us consider an alternative to our reality. Try rejecting what we have right now. Imagine a setting where we have an endless “supply” of time, where you can “sample” every possibility. Fleet through everyone and then decide whether they can be special or not. Suppose that were so, we can spend an eternity trying every flower in the world and never end up producing any good honey. You will not be able to cherish any of the memories you made because you’re confident, that fo sho, you can do it again, relive it again. One way or the other, down the infinite road ahead of you. And you live with that, with all the friends and non-friends in the world. What would that mean?

Nothing but bad honey. Or maybe like the thousand and so friends you have on Facebook.

We need the urgency of time. That everyday is a mystery, not a boring predictable eventuality. Every memory you make, cherished. Because you’ll never be 18 again, it’ll never be the same again. Living with the idea that “you only live once”, you try to make the most out of it. Even sometimes fee “tampo” because the Other didn’t show up because of other responsibilities, of other things that take up their time. It’s because we have a limited stretch in this world that we must choose to be responsible for the friendship you currently have with an acquaintance. Nevermind the girl with the pin. Don’t lament over it. It’s all theoretical, all the consequence of our mortality, of our ephemeral concrete existence. Instead, try to reconnect with an old friend. Maybe introduce them to Sherlock if you’re so grumped out about losing the friend in the elevator. Make your friends mean more than a million acquaintances.  That’s what makes them special. Tell them how much you want to spend more time with them, tell them there’s so much more you can share together, so much more differences you can fascinate about.

Let them be THE Other. Not just another. (AW YEH WORDPLAY FO SHIZZLE).

Patience is a Virtue

by Emman Paredes

8 January 2013


In class we talked about the patience of reading versus the impatience of concept. Understanding the lecture, the central idea was that we must all get rid of our mentality of thinking that we know everything. In this life we must decenter ourselves, take a moment to look around, and absorb what life has to offer. Many a times we have this stubborn mindset that tells us we have everything we already need just from ourselves, that we know everything, that we can handle everything on our own.

A perfect metaphor would be reading because we certainly need to take time to read to be able to appreciate what we are reading. Also, when we read, there is a certain level of acceptance wherein we realize there is something we can get from this book that we did not have before reading it. There is a certain openness to what the book has to offer. We take a step back and allow something new from the outside, to enter within us.

Letting Go

by Avery Wong


My mind wasn't awake and ready to comment on this morning's excerpt of The Little Prince. Although what I said was true-- that it strikes a chord inside of me, I had the urge to write an entry for today's blog. What strikes me is the fact that The Little Prince was written in such a simple way, but at the same time carries with it some heavy stuff. It's in that naivety of the conversation between Little Prince and the fox that the text spoke to me.

"Just that," said the fox. "To me, you are still nothing more than a little boy who is just like a hundred thousand other little boys. And I have no need of you. And you, on your part, have no need of me. To you, I am nothing more than a fox like a hundred thousand other foxes. But if you tame me, then we shall need each other. To me, you will be unique in all the world. To you, I shall be unique in all the world . . ."

Just as we establish ties or form relationships, that person that we made a relationship with becomes someone different. Someone important to us. You discover more about the other person each day just as the The Little Prince slowly gets closer to the fox to tame him. But like some relationships,they come to an end.

So the little prince tamed the fox. And when the hour of his departure drew near--
"Ah," said the fox, "I shall cry."
"It is your own fault," said the little prince. "I never wished you any sort of harm; but you wanted me to tame you . . ."
"Yes, that is so," said the fox.
"But now you are going to cry!" said the little prince.
"Yes, that is so," said the fox.
"Then it has done you no good at all!"
"It has done me good," said the fox, "because of the color of the wheat fields." And then he added:
"Go and look again at the roses. You will understand now that yours is unique in all the world. Then come back to say goodbye to me, and I will make you a present of a secret." 

Letting go is the hardest part. When you have to leave a friend or when someone leaves you or even when you break up. It's a thing we have to face. The fox cries, not out of plain sadness because of it being attached to a person, but maybe of both a sadness (that something good has to end) and at the same time a kind of gratefulness that the Little Prince added more color/meaning to his life.

I think being able to accept the fact that a certain person won't be physically in your life anymore and yet recognize the fact that they have changed you and being grateful for it, takes great effort (especially if it's something like a break up). Even though  it was time for the Little Prince to leave, the relationship the fox shared with the Little Prince enabled The Little Prince to recognize the uniqueness of his rose. And maybe for us, we can learn to let go and thank. And possibly, realize the importance of things we've missed.

It's All About Giving

by Mikee de Ocampo


It was only this year that I came to terms with the fact that I had to stop expecting presents to open for Christmas. The last time I actually found something for me underneath our tree was when I was 10. You're probably wondering what happened to my parents and the act of giving your children gifts on the holidays. My parents gave me something, in an envelope which was handed to me before Christmas Eve. I won't deny how happy I was; I won't deny I was already planning what to do with what I just received. However, there's just something about tearing apart red, green or gold gift-wrapping paper that gives you this warm, giddy feeling. I was talking about it with my cousin and we were both counting how many gifts we opened. She had four and I had three. We had a thread on her wall about it which had several huhuhus and sad emoticons.

Every Christmas, my relatives organize a family reunion. This year, we all decided that everyone would come to Manila and we'd throw a party. I always found our reunions funny. There seemed like almost a hundred of us and I didn't know half the people in the party, but we'd greet each other like we've known each other forever. Some people in there were relatives I hadn't seen for years--my aunts had wrinkles, my grandmother's sisters had white hair, my cousins had children with them already, those kids I saw back then weren't kids anymore, and stuff like that. You could say it was pretty crazy and I felt weird. At eighteen years old, I felt old; I felt like I had seen so much, like I've witnessed a huge development. Probably close to the same feeling I'm going to have when I tell my kids "Hey, you know what I was in college when they passed the RH bill."

I know some people who have no grandparents anymore. I've met people who spend their holidays in hospitals because of a sick family member. A couple of people I know have only one parent and some don't even have parents anymore. I know a few who have lost their siblings.

The "meh" part of growing up is realizing you don't exactly need presents on Christmas anymore. You're old enough. They could give you a thousand bucks and you're good to go. Your uncle isn't going to send you a box with a doll or a toy robot inside. Your mom's friends aren't obliged to give you gifts any more; you're a big boy or a big girl now. It gets tough when everyone finds out you've got a job. No more falling in line for a couple of paper bills, this time it's your turn to shell out for the kids waiting for their aguinaldo. Yeah, I hear you. That’s all pretty shallow.

The good part of it is you're old enough to realize and understand the fact that it isn't about presents anymore. It's not about how much you received or where you went or what you ate. You find out it's all about who you're spending it with, who's involved in your personal Christmas experience. At the end of the day, you're just thankful these people are still around, still alive, still remembering you. How sad it is, to be looking at past photos from Christmas years ago and realizing the crowd gets smaller and smaller. Aren't you thankful your favorite grandmother is still alive? Still cooking your favorite dish, still asking you if you've got a girlfriend or a boyfriend? Who cares if Tita Ganito didn't give you anything? Think about the people I mentioned above earlier. Can you imagine yourself in their place? These kinds of people find happiness despite a loss, but hell, they would probably exchange a gazillion’s worth of pamasko to have their loved ones back but they keep going and well, life goes on.

The people we spend Christmas with are usually the people we love, people we care about. These people are part of our lives, are part of us, and are part of who we are. They make us who we are. Whatever we get from them, we remember and we share. I like to read because my late grandfather taught me how to appreciate it when I was a child. I now like watching tons of Asian films because Father Nic made such an impression on me. All the pick-up lines I teach my parents are from my funny friends. My dad used to tell me that I shouldn’t leave a drink on a table when I’m at party because someone might put something in it and rape me or something like that. Crazy, but it’s something I share with my friends all the time.

Say Tito Ganyan developed cancer. You feel something, right? That’s because he is a part of you and you are a part of him. You loved the man and it’s a family thing. You are of course independent from him, even if he loses his life, you are still there, but you are never the same. You have experienced a kind of loss. Whatever conversation you had with him, no matter how short; whatever habits you noticed he had, no matter how trivial; whatever skill he probably taught you, even if it was a simple, cheesy magic trick—you remember it. You talk about it with others; you share it to and with them. In that way he is sort of a part of you. He lives through you. I read this line once, it said that people die twice, when they stop breathing and when people say their name for the last time. Doctor Garcia has said that people don’t die, they just pass on. I guess they don’t die, because we remember them. For us, they still live, in a sense that we remember them and we still give importance to them no matter what.

Christmas is all about giving, yes, but not presents. Giving. It's giving significance to what you have right now. Holding it tight, savoring it, because you know it might not last. You live in the present, so take it in while you're there now. It’s not like you can go back in time and re-do stuff, right.