Iggy Rodriguez

One of the 2009 CCP Thirteen Artists Awardee makes visual art that focuses on Philippine socio-political setting. He was an advertising major at the University of Santo Tomas College of Architecture and Fine Arts. He works collaboratively with UGATLahi, an organization of visual artists in the Philippines, on governmental effigies and installations. This politically inclined artist already had his first solo exhibit entitled Kimi Imik that showcased his drawings and paintings with social sentiments and struggles of the people. The artist I am referring to is Raul Ignacio “Iggy” Rodriguez.

Iggy’s ballpoint drawings reconstruct urban backgrounds that are mysterious in nature. Most of his untitled drawings show our society in swerving paths. Some contain a man made with fire or wind; or an urbanized setting with governmental flaws depicted by struggling Filipinos.  His drawings are surreal encompassed in daily Filipino activities. I try my best to illustrate what each artwork depicts and most of them go beyond imagination. One of his drawings shows an old man lifting a junk of problems. Drawn only with ink, it manifests Filipinos that are tired enough of everyday dilemmas. Objects seen in that artwork include a ladder, a television, a shield, and a gear. Another drawing shows a blindfolded drunkard signifying the corrupt men in our administration. It sits at the back of a large pig situated somewhere in a graveyard. It illustrates their greed in money and power despite the helpless plight of our fellowmen.

Iggy’s life has already been overshadowed by his illegal arrest along with six other activists last May 2009 due to their protest against the demolition of houses in Sucat, Parañaque. No surprise why his works portray his resentment toward the administration.

The artworks of Iggy remind and let us fully realize the afflictions our nation has been experiencing. Iggy said in one interview, “Let us not limit ourselves; nothing is given to us naturally, it all starts in asking questions but eventually, we have to answer the ultimate question, ‘For whom do we offer our work?” Certainly, in his view as a social realist, he meant that we should be more vigorous and attentive regarding the socially inflicted problems and that we should live for the people and not just with the people.

Mindset

It has been four years since the Blue Eagles continuously won the championship in UAAP Men's basketball tournament. Since then, I have not heard of UP Fighting Maroons making it belong to the top. Is it because we prioritized academics more than sports? Do UP students have more academic load compared to Tamaraws, Thomasians, or Ateneans?  Or do we lack the budget to build sports facilities for proper training? When we consider these reasons, I think that they are only minor factors. Although they can have an effect on the performance of UP, I believe there is even a greater hindrance than these.

In all of the seasons of the UAAP, UP was not always at the bottom. I remember hearing news that during the time of Benjie Paras, the Maroons dominated basketball. Although even at that time, I believe that the university's lacking of facilities and having academic load to students had no big difference compare to the present. One thing I believe that causes our losing streaks is that we have set our minds that UP will lose. Whenever there is a game, most of the UP students already expect a loss and I am one of them. It is true that I never hoped that UP will be able to comprise the top 4. Also, I would tell that it would be a miracle if UP wins against a formidable opponent like UST or Ateneo. I wonder what the players would think if they hear this statement. If I am one of the players, I would not be motivated to play and I would not also hope to win. The people already know that we have the intelligence. We just have to use and set our mind into hoping. After all, the one that we should not throw away is our hope. Even if the odds are low but as long as we have it, there would still be a chance to succeed.

Déjà vu

A play was performed in the rooftop of the Vinzons Hall, UP Diliman last September 30, 2011. I thought at first why when we were about to enter the room, there were some who wear military uniforms. They were shouting and scolding us in order to fix the line entering the venue, as if they had all the authority. They asked all those sitting on the floor to compress, however not in the proper manner. It looked like they were forcing the audience, although some of us laughed because we knew it was part of the play. It was then that I realized that the "Poldet" was something about martial law, and the authority were doing the same thing when martial law was declared decades ago.

There was a part of the play, when someone was narrating about déjà vu. Some events in the present, also happened in the time of Marcos. During his administration, there were many cases of people being abducted, tortured and even killed. Many media men had been killed for their dedication to reveal the truth. And there were numerous political detainees, which were denied by Marcos himself. The same things happened in the time of Arroyo, as well as Noynoy's.

In simple terms, nothing changed significantly from Marcos administration to the present. But I think there are a few like those unwanted incidents in the time of martial law that are secretly being executed in the present.

But probably we can find the origin of all of these back in the Spanish occupation. The Spanish government and friars held the Filipinos in their throat. It was like that one little move against them, then you will end up wounded or dead – the same in the time of martial law. Though I haven't heard about them speaking about the Spanish in the play, the Filipinos were probably more hurt with their fellow countrymen giving them pain and suffering than with the foreigners enslaving the country.

The play just showed how history repeated itself. When worse comes to worst, there will be an event that will trigger again a change. However, people will return to their usual lives before the event and just forget about what lessons they have learned. When people feel like there is something wrong, that is when they will try to make a change again but will return back like nothing happened after some time  The same things kept on happening ever since then. I think this has always been like this for the Filipinos; "Dito lang sa Pilipinas (Only in the Philippines)."

Retro Cut

Last 21-23 September 2011, the UP community with other state universities and colleges (SUCs) launched a strike to oppose the government's move to slash the budget on education and social services. To make it a successful disapproval, various groups and organizations supported the 3-day activity. There had been college walkouts, a fashion show, film showing, Alternatibong KLASe (AKLAS), dorm campout, a retro cultural night, and of course the march from Diliman to Mendiola called Isko Tsunami Walk.

Narra Youth singing "State University"

One of which I attended was the retro-themed cultural night entitled "Walastik, Dehins sa Cuts, Repapips!" It was held Thursday night at the AS steps. I was with my blockmates Euan, Andrea, and Vigel. A lot of organizations were present to perform with regards to the education crisis. Some of the performers we've watched were the UP Dance Company, UP Speca, the band Progeny, Narra Youth, and Anton and the Salvadors.

Here are the photos of the said night:

Strike Shirts provided by the LFS

UP Dance Company

Progeny

Other organizations present in the solidarity were the Center for the Nationalist Studies (CNS), League of Filipino Students (LFS), and the UP Repertory Company. I and Andrea decided to go home early while Euan and Vigel, who are dormers, stayed.

Response to Jo Goodwin Parker's "What is Poverty?"

Jo Goodwin Parker, I know what poverty is. I slightly know how it feels like. But only in your essay did I realize how tough it really is to be poor. I admire your courage in telling your stories, your bold experiences in trying to overcome poverty.

I definitely agree that poverty is dirt. Though I do not live in a squatters' area, I can imagine how tiring it is to always face the littlest problems with seemingly no hope. For instance, you explained about housekeeping with no money. Giving up money to buy toiletries perhaps for the more needed commodity, i.e. food, just makes one 'poorer'. You know, here in the Philippines, there are families a lot poorer than you and your family. I see that you can afford to buy diapers. Here, those poorest Filipinos cannot. Some live near the creek. Others do not have a permanent abode. But I appreciate and understand your desperation in telling your situation.

Just one thing I disagreed in your essay is when you mentioned that poverty is looking into a black future. We never know what may or may not happen. Your children might be given some support from the government. Or they might be given help from a charity. Yes, I say to you that there are schools. Schools are a powerful place for transformation, for education itself is power. Do not give me an excuse that your children have no health. Knowing that you send them to school, I can conclude that you are capable of giving them enough medicines or right amount of diet. I think your only problem is that you live far from town, far from stores where you can buy commodities.

As the saying goes, "Vision without action is a dream." Jo, if you dream, like I suppose, to get away with poverty, act it out. Give up and suffer what must have to be given up and suffered. Just never lose hope. Your children are your most prized possessions; give them the most care possible. In time, you'll get away with it. I look at you with an angry heart. And inasmuch as I would like to extend my help to you, you said that there are others around me like you. I hope there will be someone good enough to help those with situations like yours. Thanks for sharing and for giving me inspiration.

Message Sending Failed

How does text messaging become a language barrier for Filipinos? Language barrier is the hindrance in communication. This makes us difficult to understand and communicate with each other. One of the things that a language barrier makes it hard for us is learning foreign languages. There were times back in the past centuries where we don’t even have direct translation of language to language, thus making it really a nuisance to be able to understand other dialects. However in our modern age, there are many barriers that have been resolved due to our advanced technology and transportation. With just one click, we can look for dictionaries and translation in the Internet. There are also schools that offer lessons for foreign languages. Nevertheless, this is an issue in communication that is almost resolved.

With the rise of many gadgets and technological devices like mobile phones and computers, text messaging has become part of our lives. Written text messages are sent using devices with a network. However not so long after text messaging became eminent, a lot of Filipinos used “shortcuts” when sending a text message. Phrases like “wer na u, d2 na me” and “san knb” appeared. Instead of using the entire word, Filipinos got used to text shortcuts probably because of the difficulties in the past units of mobile devices. It came to the point that even students would unconsciously use shortcuts in their academic works and theme papers.  Though it is not a problem for those who can understand these phrases, it is quite inconvenient for some to be able to communicate well using these. If others would want to learn English or Filipino here in the Philippines, they will either experience difficulties or learn the wrong thing. It is not only the foreigners who may experience language barriers in text messaging, but that also includes Filipinos who know both English and Filipino. Those who used shortcuts are not in the standard form of the languages. In some ways, they are unlearning the real language that can result to language barriers.

Since they are being used, most people can understand text shortcuts by this time. There was a time when people would ask experts in text shortcuts just to understand. But now, that barrier is almost collapsing. Though text messaging was made to make an easier way of communication, Filipinos still experience a language barrier with the appearance of text shortcuts.

I have been missing Sandbox.

Where part of your life has lived through precarious sands, in your heart lies that part of Arabic ethnicity you would certainly miss every so often.

I lived my high school years in the precious kingdom of Saudi Arabia, "sandbox" as it is commonly called. It was my father's decision to take my mother and me with him and live there together. At first, I couldn't think of myself not studying in my own country. But when I graduated, I've realized that it is one of the best parts of my teenage life.

Living in the Middle East, I would say, is a little bit boring. You know, the limitations and all kinds of restrictions given to you in this strict kingdom; it's so dull. In my first two years, I felt so sentimental. I usually think of my relatives, the foods, the traditions and festivals, the Philippines itself. Whatsoever, I just made myself enjoy the little riches I wouldn't take pleasure in my country.

So, which things did I enjoy in the sandbox? First, I would never forget the freezing weather that usually falls from early November to late February. Cheap electricity, cheap crude oil, and cheap water bills; e.g. 24/7 air conditioning, and all the things you can imagine with these as low-cost. I also enjoyed the times when we are still able to buy those valuable clothes and eat at those fine-dining restaurants. The late-night snacks, the beaches, my own room, my desk, all these little things are what I really miss right now.

A big part of my life should be adjusted to the real world. When I left the kingdom and eventually stepped at the grounds of Ninoy Aquino International Airport, I cannot think properly. It was 5 in the morning and what I was really thinking about is the scholarship exam in UP Diliman at exactly 7 AM at that same day. I know I may not be able to pass the exam primarily because of my disordered body clock. Thank God, after about two weeks, the results came in and I passed.

At that point, I was barely back to reality. But at this point, here I am, missing those moments of delight and timeless pleasures.