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edan students, professors/teachers, employees, parents and alumni, this third issue is for your Bedan identity and consciousness. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW… ACT NOW!

The Board of Trustees is supposedly the highest policy-making body of San Beda College. It is not clear to our community how the members are elected/appointed to their posts. Why do we have two (2) chairs of the board? Namely, Manny Pangilinan and Cardie Roque. In actuality and present times, the rector-president Mateo De Jesus, OSB makes the policies before consulting it with the board. Examples of these are the magna carta of students, uniform policy, and closure of academic programs. They simply impose before looking for legalities. And before we overlook the “election” of the rector-president last 2007, we are posed with a dilemma – does the abbot-chancellor reserve the authority to appoint the rector-president or the authority to fabricate the election of administrators/trustees?

Anscar Chupungco, OSB is a renowned liturgist. Sad to say, he is popular in other countries but not here in the Philippines. The reason why he is always under fire in the monastery is that the change he was proposing endangers the other monks. An example of this? A priest/monk had a relationship with male security guards from Alabang and in Taytay, therefore he was sacked by Chupungco. Another one? A priest/monk became too rampant in misuse of school funds for personal reasons therefore he was relieved of his post. Last example? A monk was petitioned for having an affair (explicit) with a female student even using the school’s money to give luxury to the said student therefore he, too, was relieved. These are quite few examples which triggered anger and envy toward Chupungco. His vision for San Beda was geared for the progression of its academic turf along with communal fostering of prayer, work, and pursuance of peace. Aren’t you wondering why the current rector-president is “destroying” all the remnants of Chupungco? Sad but true, he is insecure to the big achievements of Chupungco (and Chupungco aside from rector-emeritus Bernardo Perez, OSB is well-loved by the students, professors/teachers, employees, parents, and alumni). The plan: the Alabang campus will be handled by Clement Roque, OSB for six (6) months, after that, De Jesus will take-over. Bottomlines: did you see a rector-president waiting at basketball dug-outs/shower rooms? A rector-president slapping the butts of handsome employees and athletes as kudos? A rector-president investing on his image rather than that of the San Beda’s? Definitely not during the pasts.

Some of the current administrators from the College of Arts and Sciences (as well as from other departments) are former administrators who were relieved of their positions because of misconducts and indecency. Remember a male professor who was seen with a male student sitting on his laps while allegedly kissing? Remember female professor who was sued for estafa by a printing press for the college yearbook? While some are given the position because they are “close” with the current rector-president during his days as the principal of the High School Department in the mid-90s. Let us just hope and pray that administrators who will be appointed (after these dark ages of San Beda) will be based on their competencies for the progress of San Beda.

Last March 29, 2008, 23 employees from the canteen/cafeteria retail department were forced to resign. This was after the employees’ conference in the morning. When noon came, they were summoned at the mezzanine of Dom Felipe Café. They were joined by two (2) labor officers, the Human Resources Officer Ana Aberilla, Comptroller Nenita Luna, Admin lawyer Atty. Herminio Liwanag and Trustee Atty. Ulpiano Sarmiento. Imagine yourself as a tenured regular employee in a company and you love your job and spent many good years there, and then you’ll be asked to attend a meeting. The first thing that you’ll be hearing from your employer’s lawyer is that there will be a good news and bad news. Bad news – you’re terminated. Good news – you’ll receive a lump sum amount of money. This happened to our Bedan canteen employees. One of the employees’ (president of the San Beda College Union Tony Balantucas) blood pressure rose and was rushed to the clinic but before he was rushed he said, “Walang pipirma! (No one will sign)” When he was in the clinic, Liwanag told the others, “Kung ‘di n’yo tatanggapin, tatagal ba kayo sa kaso? Mananalo nga kayo pero ano ipapakain n’yo sa pamilya n’yo. (If you’ll not accept this, will you last the case? Maybe you’ll win but what will you feed your family.)” It is fitting to note that all these employees are solid union members, so they know what’s the case – illegal dismissal. But the words coming from Liwanag were all threats that caused fear among the employees that moved them to sign for the sake of their family. When Balantucas returned he was the only one waited to sign because the others had already signed and received their cheques. He was even told to sign immediately. This happened several days ago when the four (4) Philosophy professors were forced to retire, namely Dr. Yum Demeterio, Prof. Raffy Dolor, Dr. Max Felicilda, and Prof. Cadz Malbarosa. Point: Union Busting= a practice that is undertaken by an employer or their agents to prevent employees from joining a labor union, or to disempower, subvert, or destroy unions that already exist. Many of the employees that were forced to retire/terminated are board members and officers of the union. They could now declare a strike. Another point: Millions of pesos were released by San Beda for these forced retirements/terminations. Is this the reason why there will be an increase in the tuitions fees of the students? Last point: There will be another forced retirements/terminations of other employees. They HR department of San Beda are getting office staffs, employees, and service personnel from agencies. Why? Because they are easier to control, easier to sack and cheaper to compensate. Some of these people from agencies only finished high school. And every six (6) months, will be shuffled (their contracts are up to 6 months only just like that of Jolibee). So every now and then, different departments will be orienting or will adapt to new agency staffs.

Next issue: the controlled Student Council, the expensive San Beda College Prospectus (if you’ve seen The Bedan Today, it’s like that. More of Mateo De Jesus’ pictures), Next personnel who will be forced to retire/terminated, etc.

Jokes that are currently circulating through text messages:

Joke 1: Bedan: Fr. Anselm, bakit niyo tinanggal and Philo department?

Anselm: Pinagtawanan nila kasi ako nung sumagot ako sa isang logical na tanong.

Bedan: Ano po yung tanong? At ano po ba yung sinagot niyo?

Anselm: Paano raw papatayin yung isang ibon. Natural, sasagutin ko iyon ng may logic! Ang isinagot ko ay ihuhulog ko ang ibon sa malalim na bangin. Heler?!

Joke 2: Angel: Aba! Saan kayo pupunta?

Devil: Magmamartsa kaming lahat para magrally kay Fr. Mateo!

Angel: Bakit naman?

Devil: Di kasi kami sigurado sa baba, baka pati kami tanggalin at palitan ng agency pipol!

Angel: Teka, sasama kami! Baka kami rin isunod niya!

Joke 3: Bedan1: Oh bakit ka umiiyak?

Bedan2: Kinick-out ako ni Fr. Anselm. Hu! Hu!

Bedan1: Bakit naman?

Bedan2: Kasi sa klase namin sa kanya, sabi niya “Ok. Before we start the class, let’s hear a joke. Any one who has a joke?” Ayun, nagtaas ako ng kamay.

Bedan1: Ano ba yung joke mo?

Bedan2: Sabi ko, “Why do piglets smell bad?”

Bedan1: Anong sagot?

Bedan2: Because they hang out always with Pooh. Eh favorite nga pala niya si Winnie the Pooh. Ayun, goodbye San Beda na ako. Hu! Hu! Hu!

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Bedans, the clarion’s trumpet was blown calling us to be conscious before and now to act and fight for what is right. The current administration in San Beda is full of lust for power, money, and greed. It is of tyranny, dictatorship, and oppression. Now is time to fight the injustices they have brought for San Beda to take vengeance. Let us fight and be ever vigilant. Regain the glory that was of San Beda. All these are FOR SAN BEDA, OUR COUNTRY, AND GOD!

For comments and additional informations, please e-mail: bedanwatcher@yahoo.com

Bedans, your much immense consciousness and participation in the current happenings are greatly needed once again. This second issue is not only for you, the employees, the professors/ teachers, but also for your parents. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW…

The closure of the Philosophy Department brings about “chaos” in the minds and hearts of the alumni, students, professors, and the parents. Philosophy comes from the Greek words philos and sophia meaning love of wisdom. In taking philosophy, a person will allow him/herself to discover and root out all errors and inconsistencies that surround him/her. It also paves way for the easy acquisition of knowledge and to think in concepts rather than in concretes (aside from the fact that it is from philosophy that mathematics, biology, physics, geometry, psychology, etc. came from it). But what is really the reason why the department was closed? Is this another trip just like the closure of the Graduate School of Philosophy? The dean of the College of Arts and Sciences reasoned out that the department is not earning money, less student enrollment and the Human Resource Development is not related to Philosophy. If these will be the reasons, why not separate the HR from philo? Why is the Economics department still alive even though their student enrollees are lesser than those who are taking up philosophy? So, San Beda College will be known only to cater courses which will bring more income to San Beda. So again, San Beda is a school who cares much more on its income rather than what the students must learn and have - as San Beda is an educational institution. In connection with the closure of the department, four philosophy professors were forced to retire. According to our faculty sources, they were offered millions as a retirement pay or else they will be terminated (without pay, just like what they did with some employees).  Well, there seems to be no good reason for the closure of the department and the “termination” of the professors but more on personal discretion. Bottom line, the problem of the philo department is the problem of the whole of San Beda.

It is quite funny to note that several years back, much hope emerged upon the election of the current abbot. But whatever happened to the monks to whom the abbot was committed to shepherd? But why since the current abbot was elected, there was less influx of vocations inside the monastery? There are even solemn professed monks who are leaving the monastery for good. Our question last issue was: WHAT IS THE ABBOT DOING ABOUT THESE? Based on the Holy Rule of St. Benedict, much is expected from the abbot. He is liable for the souls of his monks. In our context, the abbot is keeping his eyes, ears, and mouth closed on what his monks are doing. Is he afraid of the monks he is pasturing? Why did he manipulate the election of the rector-president before the academic year 2007-2008 began? Why did he stop San Beda from being a university last 2005? Why is he frequently not inside the monastery (there is a rule on this)? Why is he permitting his monks to go out of the monastery during wee hours of the night? Did the monks elect him because he is a lax pastor of the flock? Sad but true…

From his taking-over of the position as rector-president of San Beda, Mateo De Jesus, OSB was well-greeted with doubts and uncertainties by the San Beda Community (of course with great jubilation by his cronies who are now holding administrative positions). Historically speaking, he was voted out by the faculty and employees of the High School Department when he became its principal in the mid-90’s because of his power-tripping (example: “You’re fired because I don’t like you.”) and making some loyalists as his favorites (therefore earning positions). By using the authority given to him as a rector he was able to extend great power to re-establish the Bedan community unto his own will and perspectives. From the beginning of his term visible and clear changes happened wherein the whole community was affected. These changes did a great impact that suppressed each and every Bedan students and employees. During the solemn and extravagant investiture of the rector-president he emphasized the development of academic and spiritual growth of Bedan students. But then why is it that what we are experiencing today contradicts to the pledge he had given? Why is it that full attention and special treatments are only given to the athletes (esp. the Red Lions) while others receives unfair dealings and even experiencing tyranny from him? In relation to the academic growth of the students why is it that he himself initiates to pull-out these athletes during class hours to treat them outside. Aren’t he supposed to lead these athletes in their academics rather than indulging them into vices funded by himself? Where could be the money he is spending for them came from? Is this the reason why the tuition fee increased? Is his decision to close the Philosophy department still a step for the development of the academic growth of the school? When school organizations are requesting for a motorpool, they are turned downed most of the time (even though it’s an official activity) but when the athletes would want to go on an outing, it is immediately granted with him tagging along. Hmm… Maybe that’s why he was seen aboard a jet ski clinging to an athlete (hugging tightly as if he will fall). He is also usually seen at Malate and Baywalk socializing (take note: is there an official school business during late nights?). Further, he always acts as if commanding all the people around him. He always scolds and flushes his attitude toward students and employees as if they were servants. In other words, he came with a complete vengeance since he was “sacked” by the high school department years ago. Did you know that the reason why the student leaders al of a sudden became invisible? It is because they were threatened by the rector badly (with matching shouts). Also, he is the head of the Christian Formations (Pax Campus Ministry), all we know is that students in San Beda are to experience the Peace Retreat. Why did some athletes graduate not undergoing the retreat? Why are the monks in-charge keeping mum about these (even the student-facilitators [or the so-called auxiliaries])? Bedans, do something about the rector, oppression and tyranny. It is only now (in the history of San Beda) that students are saying foul words against the rector and some monks. It is only now that money is everything for the administration. It is only now that there are grave threats for the rector and the dean of the CAS…

The dean of the College of Arts and Sciences is Anselm Manalastas, OSB. This dean became the talk of the community these days. His famous line: “I made history! I closed the Philo department, I ended the The Bedan, the philo profs are gone! Ha! Ha!” By these words, he claimed responsibility for the said issues. Add to this the uniform policy which he wants to impose since his vice-dean days. Yes, he is the dean but he is the number one violator. Why? He is usually absent in his classes, he is not wearing his ID, he wears sandals/ slippers without socks (I think there was an issue before in the monastery about his stinking feet), and he is usually absent in school activities. This monk was responsible according to our services personnel for the vanishing of office sala set or sofa or electric fan, coffee table, etc. So, is he putting it at his home? Even using the motorpool? This monk always wants to put his finger in every issue, happenings, and events. Maybe these were the reasons why his dissertation proposal was turned down. He said that he made history but what happened to his doctorate in history? His competency as the dean (leading a faculty with many competent doctorate degree holders) is to be questioned. And before we forget, what is the color of the uniform? Yellow! What is the color associated with the animated Winnie the Pooh (his favorite)? Yellow! Oh well…

Next issue: the Board of Trustees, Anscar Chupungco, OSB, CAS Professors and Admin, etc.

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Bedans, San Beda has been (and will always be) a home for you especially to the alumni, employees, and faculty. By being conscious of what is happening and the people governing us, we are given the will to balance things. Unity amidst dark times will give us great power because we have a great responsibility to San Beda. To the parents, these are the happenings in San Beda. You must be aware for you are entrusting your children to this institution. San Beda is our San Beda. The Bedan Watcher is composed of Benedictine monks, Bedan employees, Bedan alumni, Bedan students, and Bedan professors. We are still clamoring for the revaluing of all administrators, priests/monks, students, employees, faculty. These are for SAN BEDA, OUR COUNTRY, AND GOD!

Bedan students, Bedan teachers/professors, Bedan employees, you are known for your great awareness and active participations in the different socio-political issues haunting our totality as Filipinos. Let us now open your minds and hearts to the different issues haunting your identity as a BEDAN. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW…

Whatever happened to the issue on Magna Carta of the students?  The issue on uniform policy? Why are the prime voices of these issues gone? Is it because they were threatened or silenced by administrators? One sure thing, suppression and abuse of power will continue then. Will the new student council members continue the fight or will just say a sweet “YES” to the powers? We’ll see…

Did you know that the rector-president issued a memorandum regarding the increase of tuition and miscellaneous fees (affecting the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Nursing, College of Law, and Basic Education Department)? In that particular memorandum, he quoted the CHED (Commission on Higher Education) General Memorandum No. 19 Series of 1999, DECS (Department of Education, Culture and Sports) Order Nos. 21 & 21-A Series of 1993, DECS Order No. 20 Series of 1994, and DECS Order No. 12 Series of 1997. But if you will see CHED Memorandum no. 19 series of 1999, it is all about the closure of maritime program in a school. Do we have a maritime training program? If the one responsible for editing and making the memos of the rector-president really reviewing the files, this should have been reviewed properly because this is a serious matter for the stakeholders – the students.

About the “consultation board meeting” for the increase of tuition and miscellaneous fees of the next academic year, why is it that not all academic sectors are represented? Why is the student publications of the different departments not allowed in the said consultation meeting? If the administration quotes and “uses” the mandates of the CHED, they must be reminded of the role played by the student publications BECAUSE THE STUDENTS HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW. Since it’s a consultation meeting, financial reports must be presented properly and no personal matters/issues of administrator/s should be discussed.

Teachers, professors, and non-teaching personnel will be given an increase in their salary (so as they say and reason for the increase of the tuition and miscellaneous fees). Up to how much is it then? Are we that sure that when their salaries will be increased, the quality of education will prosper? Why is the SBC Union so quiet on these things? Are you afraid of the “great power” being shown “forcibly” by the Human Resource Department (just like what some administrators did with the student council presidents)? It is true (in a way) that you’ll be benefiting from the increase but stand for the TRUTH! You know how you are by-passed and not taken care by the administration. You are not given importance; you are mere employees for them. Aren’t you wondering why the HR department is getting new employees from agencies and why only a selected teachers/professors/employees receive special benefits and/or higher salaries aside from what a regular teachers/professors/employees should be receiving?

If the current administration of San Beda is for the academic and spiritual development of its students (as what was promised during the solemn (and extravagant) investiture of the rector-president, why is it that there was no development in the academic and spiritual sphere? To answer this, let us point to the athletic domain of San Beda. Why is it that athletes, particularly the basketball players, are given special treatments? These athletes (nothing against their athletic prowess of making San Beda known) are abusing their popularity to pass academic subjects? Special treatments are always given them because they know they are rubbing elbows with Benedictine monks/priests as well as with the administrators. Taking for example (a current one) some Red Lions, they are not coming to class in their subject “BENE”, which, as we all know is on Benedictine Spirituality, Leadership, and Community Building. Since some lax teachers are given “orders” not to fail them, they are given the chance to spend an “immersion” inside the monastery. After that, they pass the subject! Last question on this, how about the other students who exerted much effort on this subject but still failed?

In connection with athletes, why are they receiving not only special favors from alumni? Such as rubber shoes, new branded polos and shirts, cellphones, and even cars! Hmm… According to some athletes, they are receiving some indecent proposals from these alumni. If these alumni are giving these things unconditionally, there must be no strings attached. They are corrupting the minds of young students.

Have you seen the new monastic cloister? It is situated in a place beside the college quadrangle known as the Roman Garden. What is their plan of putting up another cloister wherein there is a minimal influx of vocations in the Benedictine Abbey here in Manila? And why would a monastic cloister have a jacuzzi (a bath with jets of warm water that massage the body), and a sauna room (a small room designed to be heated to very high temperatures, with well-controlled humidity. Saunas are used both for recreational and therapeutic purposes, with most people utilizing them as a relaxation tool that provides additional health benefits) (are these for the athletes or for therapeutic reasons of the monks?)? Benedictines are known and applauded for their simplicity and vows on poverty. But with all these, do you think St. Benedict will be happy with the religious order he founded?

Aren’t you wondering where the other Benedictine monks are? Are they on-leave or are they gone for good? Why are some of them seen gimmicking (using the new cars of the monastery) with exclusive students in bars, coffee shops, well-known malls, and outings of athletes? And sometimes, why would you hear negative comments/ remarks/ gossips about some Benedictine monks/priests made by some Benedictine monks/priests themselves? They call one another as their “brother”, but why do they do these? Is it about the “money’ involved? Is it about envy on the positions? Or is it about the factions inside the monastery? These are reflected in the current situations in our school. Bottom-line question: WHAT IS THE ABBOT (superior of a monastery to whom the souls of the monks are entrusted upon) DOING ABOUT THESE?

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Before we go to our national level of consciousness calling for truth, justice, equality, and peace, let us first be conscious in our community level. We, the Bedan Watcher, aim to deliberately expose the negatives in our Bedan/ Benedictine Community which we call “family” because we are called from within our hearts and minds not to be at a standstill and see and hear the woes of the students, teachers, employees, administrators, and monks without doing our unwritten obligation to uphold truth, justice, equality, and peace with the help of our holy father, St. Benedict. We are not intending to destroy anyone but we want (personal, inner) change of every individual FOR SAN BEDA, OUR COUNTRY, AND GOD