THE BASHING OF RINA LORRAINE CABUG
14 April 2015
In the past two weeks it has come to my
attention that the Kapit-Bisig ng Mag-aaral sa Pamantasan ng Silangan,
otherwise known as Kapit-Bisig, has started to actively initiate the call to
amend the University of the East Student Council Constitution. This came after
I said yes to their request for assistance to introduce officers and members of
the organization to my personal network of contacts in the arts scene and
business circle. It was in line with their plans of conducting a series of
relevant seminars/trainings/workshops/fora which they intend to initiate within
their organization and, hopefully, inside the Manila campus for the studentry
to participate and benefit. During the past days, in my free time from working
as a visual artist, I would meet with some officers and members of the
organization and take them to meet personalities who have assured them of
support in their prospective projects.
During these interactions with
Kapit-Bisig officers and members in our meetings with my personal network of
friends, Rina Lorraine Cabug makes herself available to join us. Inside the
organization, Ms. Cabug is “just” a member who stood as the Party’s standard
bearer in the last UE Student Council elections, yet she would be properly
introduced as the incumbent President of the University of the East Student
Council.
Last 12 April 2015 I went to the house
of one of the Kapit-Bisig officers for a personal brainstorming and finalization
on how to go about with their participation on an upcoming seminar workshop to
be conducted by my friends from the Philippine Art Educators Association. It
was then that I was made to see and read messages that transpired three days
before inside the Kapit-Bisig Facebook chatroom. And I was shocked.
The incumbent President of the
University of the East Student Council, the standard bearer of the Kapit-Bisig
ng Mag-aaral sa Pamantasan ng Silangan for the student government elections of
2015 was in the center of ridicule. She was being bullied, maligned, and in the
current parlance, she was being bashed. By whom? Certain elected officers who
have not gone past the outcome of the last 23 February student government
elections. For what reason? Executive Order No. 1.
I was honored to be personally invited
by Ms. Cabug as her special guest when she was inducted into office last 11
March 2015. I recalled the time when I myself was placed into office at the
College of Arts and Sciences Student Council in the early 80s. There was this
rebirth of delight of being able to serve the studentry as there came the
resurgence of pride being part of Kapit-Bisig.
In Ms. Cabug’s inaugural address, she
clearly amplified “The Student Council
shall not be wanting in manpower. We have a studentry composed of intelligent
and abled men and women. In this regard, I hereby make my first executive order
as President of the University Student Council. The Student Council recognizes
the importance and functions of the Student Council staff both at the USC and
at all college councils. I hereby order for the recruitment of eligible Student
Council staff members. The functions, supervision and maintenance of which
shall be under the Office of the USC President.”
Applause was heard inside the SFC
Briefing Room. Such declaration was clearly heard by no less than the University
Chancellor, the members of the COMELEC and the faculty advisers of the
respective College Councils. More importantly, this was heard by all the
elected officers present who ran as independents and those who run under the banner
of the rival party Kaisa Ka. Nobody resented.
In the days before the second semester
classes have ended, Ms. Cabug and I met again to discuss her part in the formal
program at the Victory Ball to be hosted by the UE Kapit-Bisig Alumni
Association Inc. for the endeavors and triumphs of the Kapit-Bisig: Ang Bagong
Henerasyon. Ms. Cabug told me that she was able to successfully conduct the
first meeting of the University Student Council officers where she also talked
about her Executive Order No. 1. And as clear as it is, Ms. Cabug said that all
the University Student Council officers present were informed about Executive
Order No. 1.
I intend to write something separate to
discuss about the basis for the now much-talked Executive Order No. 1. Allow me
to focus on the current issue.
In the days after the second semester
classes have ended, Ms. Cabug has informed me that she already has laid out
plans and proposals for projects she intend to accomplish during her
incumbency. These she posted on the Student Council’s private group page. It
was met with “violent reactions.” Much worse, in the almost nightly
conversations over the telephone which extends to sometimes in the wee hours of
the morning, I have learned that Ms. Cabug has been receiving unkind reactions
and an unprofessional display of arrogance from some Student Council officers.
Level-headed, I advised her to persevere and remain patient. Her constant
remark – “I can still tolerate them. Kaya
ko pa. Para sa mga estudyante ng UE.” Diplomacy. That is the key. Ms. Cabug
since she ascended into the Presidency has always maintained that high level of
diplomacy and her dignity “intact”. Noteworthy to mention here is that before
making any decision, in the most crucial time of her creating an action plan,
Ms. Cabug would trek the Student Affairs Office to seek consultation. You do
not have to personally see Rina to know that she was trying her best to put up
this bold stance. She is really that brave. She never failed being proactive.
But I am very sure and in privy that she has been crying.
Ms. Cabug never really told much to me
about the “words” she had already received and the kind of “talk” given to her
until last 12 April 2015 when I took time and patience reading the exchange of
messages that transpired in the Kapit-Bisig Facebook chatroom.
Bottomline. She was violated. She was
clearly being bullied. Harsh words were thrown unto her. She was maligned. She
was mistreated. She was constantly being placed at an awkward spot. Her
position was not being honored. Her authority was being questioned. By whom? CERTAIN
(as in SOME) Student Council Officers from the Kaisa Ka Party who now occupies
some positions at the University Student Council, the College of Education
Student Council and the College of Arts and Sciences Student Council.
The one that gave me the most-revolting
reaction was the message sent to her by one Rochelle Brotonel, President of the
College of Education Student Council and a would-be teacher. You can read and feel
the sarcasm in her tone when she said “be
extra careful sa mga ipopost please. Uhm, to be honest, may mga nakikita kong
mali sa grammar mo. Wait, sinasabi ko to hindi para ipahiya ka ha. Kung gusto
kita ipahiya, cnorrect ko na grammar mo dun sa group. As much as possible,
magfilipino nalang di naman bawal yun.” Was Ms. Brotonel being the kind,
caring, affectionate “friend” to Ms. Cabug? Yes, if you take into consideration
only the aforementioned message. No, if you know Ms. Brotonel and once you have
read the entire conversation.
In his welcome address during the 31
March 2015 Kapit-Bisig Victory Ball held at the Ambassador Hall of the Manila
Grand Opera Hotel, Mr. Niel Ronalph Abesamis, President of the Kapit-Bisig ng
Mag-aaral sa Pamantasan ng Silangan and now a graduate of A. B. Political
Science mentioned of “a new breed of student leadership, a breed that is not
forged by struggle but tranquility, not by militancy but diplomacy and not by
aggression but compassion. But this I ask to the incumbent and incoming
officers and members of the Kapit-Bisig ng Mag-aaral sa Pamantasan ng Silangan
where Rina Lorraine Cabug is a member who stood as standard bearer of the Party
in the last election contest, have won for the studentry and who is now the
recognized President of the University of the East Student Council. In these
torments that Ms. Cabug have experienced and endured, when do tranquility,
diplomacy and compassion take a different stance? Yes, the members are angry. But
not aggression. Not violence. Not a hostile assault. It is when are you going
to make a stand? When and where do you draw the line?
Summation. To malign is synonymous to
slander. As it is to insult, to defame, or to disparage. Libel. To bully is
synonymous with to terrorize. As it is to persecute, to torment, or to oppress.
Cyber-bullying is still bullying. Rina Lorraine Cabug, President of the
University of the East Student Council has experienced, endured, and continues
to experience and endure being maligned and bullied by CERTAIN (as in SOME)
Student Council Officers from the Kaisa Ka Party who now occupies some
positions at the University Student Council, the College of Education Student
Council and the College of Arts and Sciences Student Council. Such acts of
misconduct and disorderly behavior are unbecoming of people who have been
elected into office because of the students’ trust who perceive them as
role-models. Such acts of misconduct and disorderly behavior are punishable by,
at the most, suspension for one month as provided for under Article IX Section 2c
and Section 4b of the defective 2001 Revised Constitution of the University of
the East Studentry which badly needs to be urgently amended. (That is why
Kapit-Bisig ng Mag-aaral sa Pamantasan ng Silangan has started to actively
initiate the call to amend the University of the East Student Council
Constitution.)
As soon as the day after the winners of
the University of the East Student Council elections were announced,
Kapit-Bisig has already made a proactive call for a One University One Student
Council Campaign. In her inaugural address Ms. Cabug, in all sincerity, said, “As elected student leaders, it is time to
take on our responsibilities head on. It is time to prove our worth. The bickering
brought about the just concluded student council elections must end. It is time
to heal. It is time for a united action. It is time for one united studentry
and Student Council. Tara na. Kilos na. Magkaisa tayo. Magkapit-bisig tayo.”
Kapit-Bisig has unrelentlessly tried to reach out and even included plans for
project tie-ups, particularly in the College of Education where Ms. Rochelle
Brotonel reigns as the College Council President, brought about by the network
of contacts I have specifically for Teaching and Arts Education in the K12. Yet
the bullying and the maligning prevailed and escalate.
This is where Kapit-Bisig ng Mag-aaral
sa Pamantasan ng Silangan, otherwise known as Kapit-Bisig, should make a stand.
You do not malign and bully the elected
President of the University of the East Student Council who has went through so
much in the past three years serving for the studentry and who now intends to
serve the studentry more as the highest official of the University of the East
Student Council. You have violated her as a person. You have violated her
rights.
Now you tell me. Shall CERTAIN (as in
SOME) Student Council Officers from the Kaisa Ka Party who now occupies some
positions at the University Student Council, the College of Education Student
Council and the College of Arts and Sciences Student Council gain “sympathy” and
“prominence” from this? The students of the University of the East are not
dumb. Go talk to a horse.
BUT THIS, I BELIEVE, IS WHERE WE DRAW
THE LINE.
