THE BEDAN WATCHER (APRIL)
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!
