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Thoughts on graduation

See how the sunflowers bloom.

They’ve planted sunflower seeds along University Avenue already. Even in the College of Mass Communication, the sprouts are also growing. The University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) has always been know for those bright and yellow flowers that grow along the sides of its main road come March and April. Usually, the growth of these sunflowers means one thing- that graduation is near.

The flowers usually take about 45-60 days to bloom. Around this time, students who are expecting to graduate on April feel that sense of urgency. The bigger the flowers get, or the sooner the seeds sprout, there’s more pressure to meet the deadlines.

Last year around 4,000 students received their diplomas at the university’s 101 general commencement exercises. This year’s estimate will still be available after the finals week which will be from April 2-6.

A Journey

 It’s been almost four years since I stepped inside this university (not literally, of course).  I just wanted to be a “good” student. Having passed the premiere state, now national, university, I had some sense of pride and responsibility to prove that I was (or am) worth being a student of UP.

I knew I wanted to “make the most” of my college life. Back then I just wanted to join an organization- a big one that had already established itself in the university and outside. I wanted to go to “college parties” while at the same time maintaining my grades. Being in college meant having another degree of freedom, especially since I wouldn’t be staying at home with my parents.

College scared me at first because it was just so big.  I was meeting so many people from “different walks of the earth.” But if there’s one “set” of people I’m very thankful to have met, it’s the people who taught me and introduced to me the harsh realities of life.

Out on the streets

Not that I didn’t know anything when I stepped in UP. I grew up in an exclusive school but I wasn’t oblivious. Maybe back in high school I just didn’t care as much. Doing outreach work seemed enough.

And then on my second semester as a freshman student, I started joining discussions, thanks to the organization I was applying for. Those discussions weighed me down because of all the information I was receiving- struggles for land, issues about unions and demolitions.

I joined my first ever “mobilization” July of my second year in college. It was a “walk-out for education” and I just found myself lucky on that day because I didn’t have class so I was able to join. Back then they just seemed like adventures to me. I liked trying out new things and going to rallies was something “new.”

But more discussions followed and eventually I saw the importance of what I, or rather, we were and are doing.

We complain too much. We want too many things; demand too much. We’re too noisy. Those are some of what I often hear from people.

But do they listen to us?

What we’re screaming for and demanding didn’t just come from out of the blue. And we talk of nationalism, yet we satisfy ourselves by being “proud to be Filipino.”

Our anger, our “noise” did not just come from nowhere. This is the anger from decades of oppression. This is the anger of those who have been pushed by circumstances to express their sentiments in what others would call an “unconventional” manner. We can’t call ourselves good citizens of this country if we choose to remain oblivious to what’s happening around us. In the end we all want better lives. And in the end we should work together to achieve that.

As bright as the sunflower

Now I am at the framework of graduating this April. I honestly, I haven’t taught much of what I will be doing after.

But marching on stage and getting my diploma are just additional gifts from UP. If anything, I am grateful for how UP has opened my eyes to the (harsh) realities of this world. I’m grateful for the doors it opened for me to be able to integrate with the different sectors in society- farmers, workers, the urban poor, even political detainees.

The sunflower may signify a new hope for a new journey for graduates. Indeed, it signifies hope. It symbolizes a hope that among these graduates (including myself) are those who will continue to fight for a society that caters to the needs of all.

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Captured Underwater

Even before the United States warship damaged the Tubbataha Reef, it has been previously known to be a rich place of marine resources and life.

Many divers and other enthusiasts have come here not only to see its beauty, but to take photos of it and share them to the world.

  Under the sea

Underwater photography, in its simplest and most obvious definition, is the act of taking photos underwater.

Unlike “regular” photography, underwater photography requires the use of a camera that can either be submerged in water on its own, or one with a “waterproof casing” to protect it from damage.

Both “point and shoot” and digital single lens reflex (DSLR) cameras require waterproof housing. However DSLRs also need additional equipment, like lenses and flash. The photographer also has the option to simply use goggles and a snorkel, or if he would like to go deeper, full scuba equipment.

According to Jan Acosta, president and founder of the Network of Underwater Digital Imagers Inc. (NUDI), there are many things to consider when taking photos underwater. For example, one has to understand his diving skills because taking on a camera would be an extra skill one has to learn.

“You also have to consider the low light conditions because water absorbs light so the deeper you go the darker it gets,” he added.

He also said that as long as “one knows how to dive and is comfortable” with it, one can shoot. But if one would like to take more “artistic” photos, it would also help if he has knowledge of shooting techniques, especially if he is using a DSLR. Cameras also only have a certain limit to how deep they can go. According to Acosta, the usual limit is 40 metres. Going beyond that would be “putting the camera at risk.”

  NUDI

Three years ago, Acosta and four other friends started an organization  “to promote underwater photography and videography in support of conservation.”

Acosta, who had been a diving instructor and underwater photographer then, said he and his friends would have the same shots and would copy each other’s styles whenever they organized diving trips together.

“We wanted to expand the group…look at each other’s photos and learn different styles,” he said.

Thus, what started out as a group of five diving and underwater photography enthusiasts has become one of the (if not the) “biggest underwater photography clubs in the Philippines.”

Membership to NUDI is on a point-system basis. Applicants accumulate points by attending different activities and participating in certain events organized by the group. He must earn 150 points to become a member.

“Right now, NUDI has over 300 applicants and around 65 active members,” Acosta said.

The different activities include NUDI nights- monthly meetings which include “talks by experienced underwater photographers and thematic photo challenges” among those present. NUDI also organizes regular “shoot-outs” which are on-location photo contests.

But aside from its “fun” activities, the organization has also seen its bigger role in helping boost the country’s tourism and protecting its natural resources.

  Environmental advocacy

NUDI has helped other non-government organizations (NGOs) in educating fisherfolk to stop illegal fishing practices, like dynamite fishing. 

“Fishermen see the water from above so they don’t realize how destructive [dynamite fishing] is,” he said.

“So we took photos of what happens after a dynamite blast then we also show them what a healthy reef looks like,” he added.

The group has also helped in boosting the diving and tourism levels in the country. NUDI has organized “dive guide trainings” to help them in handling photographers underwater, helping spot subjects and becoming “more professional.”

Acosta said the Philippines is a “popular spot” for underwater photography but that “nobody talks about it.”

NUDI members have been actively participating in social media by joining different underwater photography groups and posting photos of different places in the Philippines. They are also encouraged to join photo contests to allow others to see the beauty of the Philippine seas.

They have also helped the town of Moalboal in Cebu to regain its tourism industry after the town “died” due to “overfishing and illegal practices.”

According to Acosta, in 2010, they organized a dive trip to Cebu after hearing reports of a sighting of a school of sardines in Pescador Island.

“This school of sardines was so rare that we actually go to Australia to see it,” he said.

When they got there, they were blessed with not only a school of sardines sighting, but a whale shark feeding on them as well. They posted their photos and videos on YouTube, which then circulated on various social networking sites, especially Facebook.

Moalboal once again became a popular diving spot and tourists still flock the place hoping to catch a sighting of the sardine run.

  Pieces of advice

Jan Acosta has been a diving instructor for over 10 years. He decided to get into underwater photography to be able to show his family and friends what he was “so passionate about.” However it was only three years ago when he switched to a DSLR camera and last year when he started selling his photos.

“With diving I get to travel a lot and explore different places,” he said.

According to him,  what is needed from underwater photographers is a lot of patience and fortitude.

“You really need to make sure that all the rings are free of dirt, sand, hair, or anything that could cause water to go inside the casing,” he said.

And where should you go if you want to try your hand at underwater photography or simply to marvel at what our country has to offer?

“It really depends on what you want to see,” he said.

Anilao is known as the “macro capital of the Philippines” in terms of taking underwater photos. Other sites include Dumaguete and Cebu.

“Small stuff is what the Philippines is known for,” he added..

Meanwhile, big animals are mostly found in the Tubbataha and in other countries like Indonesia and Micronesia.

As regards the incident involving the Tubbataha Reef, Acosta found it “devastating and unfortunate.”

“The Tubbataha is one of the best diving spots in the world. The government should do its best to protect the reef,” he said.

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Photos from Jan Acosta.

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‘Coco levy funds, ibalik sa amin’- farmers

Following their violent encounter with the Quezon city police in the morning, hundreds of farmers from various provinces held a solidarity/cultural night in front of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) January 31 as part of their campaign to demand the government for distribution of the “coco levy funds.”

According to Willy Marbella, deputy secretary general of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), they are protesting the use of about P11 billion of the funds for the five year “Poverty Reduction road map of the Coconut Industry.”

“The money will [supposedly] be used for monitoring and institutional building...but we believe it will only be used for the elections,” he said.

“My father has already died,” added the 55-year old. “And until now, we have not been able to use the coco levy [funds] despite having proof that the money is rightfully ours.”

The farmers have also asked NAPC chief Joel Rocamora to clearly explain where he will be using the money and also hear out their proposals as to where it ought to be used.

“It should be used, first of all, for social benefits like pension and... educational assistance to the farmers’ children. A portion should also be set aside for medical assistance... and livelihood,” Marbella said.

The cultural night featured various presentations from groups like the Southern Tagalog Cultural Network and Sining Na Naglilingkod sa Bayan. KMP and the claimants’ movement Coco-Levy Funds Ibalik sa Amin (CLAIM) spearheaded the event. Other farmers’ groups from Quezon, Batangas, Central Luzon, Cagayan and Bulacan also attended to show their support.

According to Marbella, the most common problems experienced by coconut planters are lack of their own lands, low selling price of copra and the monopoly of foreign owned coconut industries.

“This night is important first because it consolidated the claimants of the coco levy fund. It also raised their level of awareness as to its status now,” said Marbella.

The 500 in attendance during the night is expected to increase another 500 when they march to Mendiola tomorrow.