Woman, how far have you gone?

More than 150 years ago, a protest against injustice toward women had a Declaration of Sentiments penned in America, saying, ‘the history of mankind is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations on the part of man toward a woman.’

Little progress was made since then, if at all. But the United Nations’ admission on its publication The World’s Women 1995 that men and women live in different worlds with different access to education and work opportunities and in health and leisure time, encouraged many States to pass laws to protect the rights of women.

Nonetheless, laws are not capable of changing hearts, from which injustice and prejudices are rooted. While the legislation, often aimed at stopping sexual exploitation of children and women, is founded on purest intentions, it is in itself, ineffectual.

Laws, mostly inadequate, do not prevent violence. What does is when cultural and social values—usually based on deep-seated tradition—change. For instance, in Middle East, tradition dictates that women should be used by men, rather than loved. They should work than being cared.

Unless men start to change their perception, a woman will continue to have no voice, with no rights, and with little amelioration to her situation. Must I say that the Philippines is among the countries that had an awakening?

Hardly. But it is getting there. In politics, we had our first female president by the name of Corazon Aquino. The second, which is incumbent, may not be an epitome of a good leader, but had somehow produced evidence that slowly, respect for women’s rights is established.

In sports and entertainment, women are given the opportunity to lead and excel in many countries. But this does not imply that women have succeeded in their fight for women’s right as there are still more work to accomplish not only in our country but in Africa, Asia and some parts in Europe as well.

Education must start at home. Men should learn the best way to treat women from their fathers. Unless an immediate and concerted action is initiated by all, hardly can peace deign on us.

Today, I am one with Gabriela in pursuit of advancing women's right. Today, I join the celebration of International Women's Day.

Why should there be a Student Publication?

It all began in writing out one’s thought that makes others be conscious of their environment. Whether the issue is socio-political or cultural, journalism provides voice to the neglected.

In a large scale, the community is educated by the information that a page of a certain publication contains. For example, others may find it mundane to memorialize national events such as the EDSA Revolutions, for after all, the country succeeded in ousting an executive leader, or failed.

However, by analyzing how the public gained an advantage from marches that seem to go on forever, we are reminded of the power of expression and its effect.Such knowledge can be obtained from reading the publications.

Or on a larger scale, wars in the east are of little effect on us because we are not a participant to that battle.Little do some people know that our country can be affected in all aspects by just one decision of our Government. But how do they know about it if not through the paper and ink that answer the H and 4 Ws?

Where does education start? How do we begin digesting information that would make us better persons? Should publications exist only outside the campuses? Are students equipped with the right tools to face the world after graduation by obtaining 1.0 average?

People from National Publications are seasoned writers who started from journalism works that their respective Alma Mater find it imperative to have. Student Publications are not only a training ground for the application of Communication Arts, mechanism and technical skills, they also serve as a tool to advocate awareness and expressions.

Deliverance of Important news event is not only its primary function; student publications exist to advance student’s rights and responsibilities and promote their general welfare.

Having a publication as a school’s arm for information does not just produce bunch of writers and reporters, student journalism also features creative works in the form of poetry, short stories and stage plays most of which gained fame and awards.

In some cases, reading school papers can be a very effective way of choosing the right leader to represent the student body, and become a person-for- and- for-others.

Killing a student paper or closing it down is a curtailment of student’s development as a whole.

River of Thoughts थेटेल ऑफ़ थे उन्तित्लेद

How do I begin? Myriads of words tickle my brains as I rummage my keyboards with hope to accomplish something worthwhile.

Like an interminable river, bits of story flood my heart preparing to stream. The clock says it’s almost half an hour away from 4 in the afternoon and yet, here I am looking at things in retrospect.

It has been like forever since I last find myself speaking my mind. When I took a test for student publication’s editorial board during my University years, I was elated to qualify. I thought it was the end of my ordeal; however, the panel interview that followed was just a prologue to my anguish.

No, question and answer moment does not frighten me. In contrast, I love it; starve for it every second the clock ticks. Attention-seeker that I am, opportunity such as that is welcome. But seeing the not- so- hideous face of a brainiac, poised as if a lion waiting for the opportune time to devour its prey cowers the tigress in me.

Years changed and this genius became a respected somebody in his field in Thailand while I find myself changing careers. Although the blunder I committed marked me for as long as I breathe, this does not however taint my enthusiasm for poetry, literary manuscripts and creative writing.

And while our technology reaches farther on, journalism did not miss its ride; rather, it evolves with time. From the printed publications that storm our houses, schools, offices and other establishments, virtual journalism aroused socio-political and cultural consciousness in a far wider and deeper scale.

Today it does not take to be a professional columnist or writer to have one’s creations read, appreciated, criticized about, debated upon and even earn a friend, foe or fame.

Lurking on the web are sites that readily furnish virtual venues where frustrated artists, creative writers and poets exchange and even share their creativity via blogging, video sharing and photojournalism. So prevalent is this innovation of technology that even professionals enjoy its indulgences and spoils.

Looking back, I realize that although I did not see my name elevated to the editorial board of our student paper, I am still happy; happy that the terror editor who silenced my loquacious side earned many prestigious local and national awards with his bold and provocative literary arts.

The room now becomes dim as the silhouettes start to crawl on the floor. My senses are fully awakened, refreshed and filled with hope that while my terror interrogator’s name precedes prestige, here I am, struggling, trying and engaging in intellectual masturbation, enjoying my privilege to correspondence.