We congratulate you and your parents as well for making it into a very short list of qualifiers.

Our university is the best in the country. It has developed its grounds to become a premiere venue for learning. However, tuition and other fee increases have become perennial as a repercussion of annual budget cuts. This means longer days for us and our families to put up with the high cost of education along with other expenses such as board and lodging and fare. To more than a thousand of our fellow qualifiers who don’t have the means, UP has ceased being the opportunity for premium learning.

Outside the university, the situation is just as dismal. The government refuses to render full support in developing our country’s science and technology. It fails to back up our scientists’ willingness to share their knowledge with the people. Science and technology graduates continue to suffer underemployment, amid the people’s urgent need for science and technology that is beneficial to all.

UP students are always challenged to work with honor and excellence. But we are not just students, we are Iskolars ng Bayan. We define honor as fulfilling our duties to the people. We define excellence in the context of advancing the students and the people’s interests at all times. We define honor and excellence not in terms of myopic individual gain, but from the point of view of the people who need Iskolar ng Bayan the most.

We should not isolate ourselves from the people we are supposed to serve. We should have a firm grasp on the concrete conditions of our university. More importantly, we should develop a profound comprehension of the links between these conditions and the state of our nation.We should refuse to remain in the ivory tower and instead keep our feet on the ground with direct and concrete actions to serve the people.

SCIENTISTS UNITE!

MAKE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY SERVE THE PEOPLE!

Be a science & technology advocate!
Join Agham Youth!
Contact us through the following numbers:
0926 840 3081 -- 0915 688 0162 -- 0926 227 6352
Email us at aghamyouth.updiliman@gmail.com
Visit http://aghamyouthonline.wordpress.com

Agham Youth 12th year anniversary celebration

I remember…

Tatlong taon na ba ang nakalipas Niel?
Isa ang aking klase sa Geol 11 ang ginawa naming “focus class”.

Isa itong pamamaraan ng Agham Youth para ipakilala ang org sa mga estudyante, mag-discuss ng mga napapanahong issue (tulad ng TOFI, Oil price hike, Mining..etc.), at magbigay ng mga educational discussions.

Sa ganitong paraan, bukod sa mga natututunan ng mga estudyante sa Geology, naimumulat sila sa mga isyu at tunay na kalagayan ng ating lipunan. Nagkakaroon din ng ‘koneksyon’ and mga miyembro ng AY na tumututok sa klase.
Di kalaunan, may mga magpapahayag ng gustong pagsali.

Sina Jay-el, Steph, Bryan at Jess ay mga produkto ng focus class na pinangunahan ni Niel. Syempre laht ng AY mems ay nainvolve din.

At mula noon, naging aktibong myembro ang mga chem kids na ito (si Jess kasi ay naging busy sa Physics at si Bryan ay nagshift?). Later on sumali sina Macring, Roms, French, Dang…at madami pang iba. Walang duda, madami kayong naging ambag sa AY para isulong ang S&T para sa bayan. Mula sa pagdidikit ng mga posters, sa pag-o-organize ng mga forum at ACLE, sa pagiging serbidora sa cultural nightt, ang panganagmpanya para sa ating mga kandidato, ang pagpapawis para sa volleyball at amazing race at syempre ang pagbubuwis ng dangal para lang hindi maging olats sa hexameet, at syempre ang pagyayaya ng iba pang kaibigan at kailala na sumama sa AY…at kung ano anu pa!!

Napakadami nating tagumpay sa mga nakalipas na taon at ito ay dahil sa inyo na walang sawang nagbigay ng panahon at pagmamahal sa AY. Subalit, madami pa rin tayong gagawin para maging ganap na mapakinabangan ng sambayanan ang agham at teknolohiya. Ang ating adbokasiya na sya namang pangunahing nagbibigkis sa atin.

Parang kelan lang .. ngayon ay gagradweyt na ang marami sa inyo. Para sa gagradweyt, wag kayong malungkot kasi
1. Mamimiss namin kayo,
2.Maitutuloy nyo pa rin ang page-SnT for P nyo dahil nandyan ang ating AGHAM (welkam to the tanders category)!,
3. We (AY) will stay connected with u (solicit sa pakain etc.)

Para sa mga maiiwan:
1. Kelangan na natin magparami ulit.
2. Mag-aral mabuti
3. Magpaka-aktib sa AY!

Para sa lahat.

Keep the fire burning!

Nagmamahal,

Diwata

_____

Si Diwata, o Miss Catherine Abon ay miyembro ng AGHAM Youth, nagtuturo ng Geol 11, Geol 40 at Natsci 2, at gagradweyt na sa kanyang MS Geology sa National Institute of Geological Sciences UP DIliman. Ang thesis niya ay modeling for flood hazard reduction sa Bicol. Oha, siyentistang naglilingkod sa sambayanan talaga!

We need pro-people, pro environment mining in the Philippines!

Sabihin na nating malamig: ang pagturing sa mga natutulog na ginto sa mapulang putik.

Umiidlip ng milyong taon sa suso ng bubot na bundok

bibilangin mo kung ilang tumpok ng barya ang kayang

ibili ng andap-andap na kinang ng maitim na bato.

Sasabihin kong tingnan mo ang bayan ko:

pinapanday ng kalabaw ang kapatagan, ng agila ang himpapawid

ng sangumay at waling-waling ang kagubatan.

Sasabihin mong inaantok: ang bayan kong sangkahig na manok

kaya sabi mo’y pukawin ang himbing at hukayin ang liblib.

Tingnan mo ang bayan mong gising ang mga metal.

Sasabihin kong mahapdi: sa mata ang mga kislap ng neon,

sa lalamunan ang serbesa at sa baga ang usok

Sasabihin kong mawawakwak sa dibdib: ang batang namumulot ang uling,

ang babaing naglalako ng talim, ang amang hindi kumakain,

Sabihin na nating magnanaknak: sa merkuryo ang sugat, sa cyanide ang isda,

sa asupre ang kangkong, sa lason ang gutom.

Heto ang Bayan ko:

Nabubuhay ako sa kanyang dugo

kung mamamatay ako’y susuhin ng lupa ang aking dugo

at magiging sandata ng ilog ang mga kalansay at bungo.

Nakita ko na ang ibang bayan:

Tinipon nila ang bakal na tatagpas sa kanilang mga ulo

Bawat minahang ibubukas at sinasara ay dinilig ng kanilang dugo.

Muli ipapaalala ko sa iyo:

Hindi lahat ng kumikinang ay ginto.# (IT, circa 2008)

STAND UP was there when the U.P. denounced tuition and other fee increases and fought for greater state subsidy. It was there during the SONA of this and previous administrations. It was there when the farmers fought for their lands or when the workers demanded for wage increase. It was there when the nation ousted a president.

STAND UP was there at the forefront carrying student issues and making concrete what we mean by Iskolars ng Bayan– being one with our people’s struggle.

The most recent triumph of the whole UP community was during the 2010 campaign against the budget cut. With our consolidated effort, state colleges and universities were granted an additional P110M budget for maintenance and other operating expenses; and P226M was added to UP’s original budget. On top of these gains, we have once again proven the inherent strength in collective action. This equips us with a lesson as we continue our fight for a quality education accessible to all deserving Filipinos.

But it was not an overnight success.

AGHAM YOUTH recognizes the efforts made by STAND UP in unifying the UP community to oppose P1.39B Budget Cut and to fight for greater state subsidy. Only STAND UP was there since the beginning of the campaign until the successful campus strike in November 2010. When others belittled the strength in the students’ collective action, STAND UP persisted in making the students take hold of the real situation. Fortified with comprehension on issues, the students bravely walked out of their classes, united in a common goal to fight for their rights.

In the past few days while everybody is busy with campaigning for the elections, STAND UP is continuing to lead the students to fight against the rising costs of commodities and fare hikes. It continues to fight against all government policies that worsen the conditions of the people. It does not just seasonally become activists but are consistent advocates of our welfare. It is always there carrying issues and problems that affect the students inside and outside the University.

As advocates of science and technology for the people, AGHAM YOUTH commends STAND UP for being the only party that promotes national industrialization and genuine agrarian reform. These will create venues for scientists to render service that will truly serve the majority of the Filipino people. This desire to serve is backed up by STAND UP’s programs that secure quality education not just in UP but in the country as well

STAND UP’s GPOA reveals the party’s unequalled sense of leadership developed through years of struggle with the people. The programs all work for one great goal of bettering the lives of all Filipinos. STAND UP has a clear vision for the university which is primarily created to become the country’s biggest pool of graduates determined to serve the people. It also has a clear vision for the Filipino people who work for our U.P. education.

Through its actions, STAND UP has proven its sincerity to serve by its unswerving resolve to be a part of the people’s struggle. Its dependability can be traced back to its foundation and will continue beyond countless elections.

STAND UP STRAIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE!

Exercise your right to vote on February 17, 2011

University and local college council elections.

AGHAM YOUTH (Student Advocates of Science and Technology for the People) is a proud member of Student Alliance for the Advancement of DemocraticRights in UP (STAND UP)

MATTER is striving to rise above mediocrity and do away with complacency. During the campaign, they have been trying to convince students that they are better than what the students require of a leader. This is the harder part of having no opponent in the college elections. The most difficult part is yet to come. Each moment in the following year, they have to prove themselves as leaders worthy of the students’ trust. After all, the real verdict will be delivered by the students at the end of the council’s term.

MATTER has taken up this challenge. It is determined to serve as a mediator between the student body and the administration to facilitate airing student concerns and needs. We hope that MATTER go beyond being mediators to becoming genuine student advocates that will put forward our rational demands. It can do this by looking and analyzing issues always from the students and the people’s point of view then uniting and leading the students in a collective response. They have resolved to serve the people as they realize that the constant involvement of the students and giving back to the people is crucial in upgrading the quality of our education.

MATTER’s aim to make science serve the people concrete by leading CS students in rendering service to communities is laudable. This will not just be a good start in serving the people, this will also mark the start of our learning from the people. Armed with the will to give back to the people behind our being Iskolars ng Bayan, we believe that as long as MATTER remains true to their goals and vision, the students, and AGHAM YOUTH in particular, will find them worthy of their support.

Your vote MATTERs. VOTE MATTER STRAIGHT!

Vote NOEL “NOEL” BERNARDO as our next CSSC Chairperson

Vote JOHN LAURENCE “JAY-EL” ESGUERRA as our next CSSC Councilor

A people’s chemist is like the valence electrons

his life is shared and bonded

with the masses in their struggle

for a new order founded on justice.

(Agham Youth, 2010)

How do we make Science and technology serve the people? Agham Youth has been in the forefront of the struggle of youth scientists to promote science and technology to meet the needs of the people. And to be able to understand the life of the masses we want to serve, we as future scientists must see our struggle as struggle with the masses.

JOHN LAURENCE “JAY-EL” ESGUERRA as Agham Youth Chairperson, led the No to 1.39B Budget Cut campaign in UP and the No to Coal Fired Power Plants campaign last year in the College of Science . He has been an active member of AGHAM Youth and has joined mobilizations and basic masses integration activities. He served as a speaker in various Science Popularization Projects. He has developed modules for the People’s Science School, campaigned against the BNPP revival, joined the locals of Romblon, and volunteered in the environmental investigation mission in the magnetite mining area in Cagayan.

JAY-EL’s experiences in serving and being one with the people will be a big help in having a council that will not isolate itself from the students and people that it is supposed to serve and represent. He will be important to have a council that will have a firm footing on the ground from the concrete experiences of the students in the University. Just as he studied the bonds between atoms and molecules, JAY-EL will always see the issues through the prism of the links between the conditions that a student faces in the University and the state of our nation. Just as he understands that some reactions will only proceed above a threshold, JAY-EL recognizes the power that is inherent in collective action and will work to strengthen and mobilize students to deal with their problems at hand.

JAY-EL is an example of a student leader who can truly make science and technology serve the people. JAY-EL ESGUERRA is our People’s Chemist.

SPECIFIC PLAN OF ACTION FOR AY2011-2012

>>> Lead the Nation, Serve the People

*Build upon the burgeoning consciousness of CS demonstrated in the student strikes by engaging in education and mobilization efforts on stress national campaigns such as systemic corruption and socio-economic crises.

*Institutionalize a college-sponsored lecture series discussing important basic issues and concerns that have impact on the students and the people.

*Coordinate with the CS administration to encourage and commit the college in “CS-sponsored” actions such as in Earth Day and organized international days of protest for education.

>>> Empower CS Institutions

*Build the capacity of the CS Publication Scientia by involving it in the trainings of Solidaridad, the system-wide alliance of student publications in UP.

*Initiate the progressive transformation of CSSC governance through joint efforts with student leader formations such as the League of College Councils and the KASAMA sa UP.

*Form and institutionalize the CS Academic Core in cooperation with learning institutions such as the DLRC that will serve as the coordinating body for academic services such as the different tutorials of various CS organizations and the designation of study areas in CS.

*Revitalize and convene the college assemblies monthly that will serve as the student’s venue to discuss local and national issues and concerns.

>>> Advance S&T for the People

*Mobilize CS to participate in environmental advocacies such as the issues of large-scale mining, climate change and energy by coordinating with people-oriented student and national formations such as the Youth for Earth Alliance and the Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment.

*Promote scientific research and development across all disciplines aimed to ensure food security and agricultural reform  to address our backward, agricultural economy.

*Integrate CS with efforts to protect the human rights of scientists, technologists and environmental advocates, particularly the Justice for Leonard Co campaign and the promotion of the Anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) Bill.

>>> Fight for Student Rights & Welfare

*Strengthen CSSC’s Student Rights & Welfare (STRAW) committee in consolidating and mobilizing the entire college of science in the campaign against budget cuts and lab and other fee increases.

*Consult and coordinate with SINDAK and other CS formations to mount a campaign for our democratic rights such as access to tambayans and the freedom to assemble.

*Enable greater access to references, books and journals by procuring more computer units and increasing the number of journal subscriptions by the CS Library.

Sa sama-samang pagkilos, tiyak ang tagumpay.
Atin ang lakas. Atin ang bukas.
Iskolar ng bayan, tuloy ang laban para sa tunay na pagbabago!

STAND UP STRAIGHT!

Cause-oriented alliances are integral formations in the University of the Philippines that imbibe the spirit of camaraderie and collective struggle. We independent student alliances, the UP Sanlahi Alliance, the Ugnayan ng Nagkakaisang Artista (UNA), and the UP Youth for Earth Alliance (Y4Earth), were formed in response to the need to unite the studentry in our respective principles and concerns.

It has come to our attention that we are mentioned in the general plan of action for the University Student Council elections of the political party ALYANSA: “We will reform and engage UP’s existing student alliances such as Interfaith Alliance, SANLAHI, Greek Council, Ugnayan ng Nagkakaisang Artista, Academic Core, and Y for E.” (09 Feb 2011)

While this is an indication that cause-oriented alliances are considered important institutions in UP, it is regrettable how our autonomy from the USC was overlooked by ALYANSA. To call for the reform of our alliances implies the need to correct – with this we ask ALYANSA: what exactly about our respective practices needs correcting?

We believe ALYANSA’s GPOA was not the proper venue to air this insinuated opinion. Why were we not approached and consulted in the first place to work on perceived problems, if any? We are certainly open to constructive criticism, but we believe it better if we receive it through sincere dialogue, and only from quarters that have actually been one with our respective advocacies in the first place.

We need a USC that unifies. Unity is possible not through an imposition of ideas, but by being the glue that holds together the  struggles every Iskolar ng Bayan faces into a collective effort. Cohesion with Iskos and Iskas of different causes is possible not through lip service, but by being genuinely one with their struggles.

We do not need press releases. We do not need a USC that uses our alliances for their own interest when they haven’t been one with our campaigns and concerns from the onset. We need a USC that will concretely and sincerely take action with us. We need a USC that aims to truly unite with our advocacies.

We demand ALYANSA to immediately remove our names from the GPOA. We demand ALYANSA to reform their track record of irresponsibly claiming what is not rightfully theirs. We demand ALYANSA to respect our independence, and desist from dictating how they think alliances should operate.

UP Youth for Earth Alliance. Agham Youth ▪ UP Anido ▪ UP Explore ▪ UP Geology Majors’ Society ▪ Junior Philippine Geographic Society ▪ Zoological Society Ugnayan ng Nagkakaisang Artista. Alaysining ▪ Artists’ Circle Fraternity ▪ Artists’ Circle Sorority ▪ College of Fine Arts Student Council ▪  Lingua Franca ▪ Sinagbayan ▪ Ugnayan ng Manunulat ▪ UP Art Studies Society ▪ UP Asterisk ▪ UP  Dance Sport Society ▪ UP Repertory Company ▪ UP Sining at Lipunan ▪ UP Writers’ Club UP Sanlahi Alliance. Aguman ▪ ANC ▪ Ibalon ▪ Jambangan ▪ Kaisa ▪ Kalilayan ▪ Kamangyan ▪ Lambak ▪ Namnama ▪ UP ONE ▪ SIdlangan ▪ Sandiwa ▪ Silag ▪ Tangway

AGHAM YOUTH – UP DILIMAN Statement

February 8, 2011

On February 17, 2011, we shall all participate in an exercise that can define the character of our new University and College Councils. Through our votes, we can elect candidates who can represent us and fight for our interests on current issues and policies which threaten our future as students and scientists.

We recently had a 1.39 billion peso budget cut, the largest in history of the University. We students reacted by participating in the campus-wide mass actions opposing the cuts. During these events, the College of Science studentry mobilized one of the largest student delegations within UP Diliman.

The protests were a success but the repercussions of these cuts are still with us. There is the threat of laboratory and tuition fee increases. The decrease in the College’s maintenance and operating expenses  would translate to lesser student services and even more charges for students to shoulder. Austerity measures are also being implemented.  On nights when we have to leave school late, we find ourselves walking along dark and unsecured streets as the number of guards was cut down.

These problems have been taking their toll on the quality of education in the University. The government continues to abandon its responsibility to provide quality education as if education has nothing to do with the country’s development.

While the government continues to reduce the budget allocation for education year after year, the university administration continues to yield to  government’s policies. It regularly raises tuition and other fees and allows private companies to exploit our assets for their gain. The Ayala Technohub is a prime example of this, with call centers and commercial spaces masquerading as a “science and technology park.”

Outside the University, we and our families also have to put up with other expenses, such as fare hikes and rising water and electricity prices. In addition, there is the assault against the students’ right to organize with the impending passage of the Code of Student Conduct. The continuing erosion of students’ rights is a threat to us all.

Facing all these, we are all challenged to stand up and go beyond the four walls of our laboratories in pursuit of honor and excellence—but we should go beyond their traditional and limited meaning.

As Iskolars ng Bayan, we define honor as fulfilling our duties to the people. We define excellence in the context of advancing the students and the people’s interests at all times.

We therefore seek a Student Council that will not isolate itself from the people it is supposed to serve and represent. A Council that has a firm grasp on the concrete conditions of the students in the University.  More importantly, we seek a Council that has a profound comprehension of the links between these conditions and the state of our nation. We seek a Student Council that recognizes the power that is inherent in collective action and mobilizes students to formulate and become part of the solution.

We seek leaders who define honor and excellence not in terms of myopic individual gain, but from the point of view of the people who need Iskolar ng Bayan the most. We seek leaders who refuse to remain in an ivory tower, and who will instead keep their feet on the ground with direct and concrete actions to help the people. We seek leaders who recognize that we, as future scientists, want science to serve the people and promote progress for the common good.

REDEFINE HONOR AND EXCELLENCE.

MAKE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SERVE THE PEOPLE!

——————————–

aghamyouth.updiliman(at)gmail(dot)com

09153701659 / 09158836376

Rafael “LEAF” Perea is Agham Youth’s College of Science Rep to the USC!

2nd Year BS Mathematics
College of Science

Graduated from Philippine Science High School with Honors

Math Trainer, Math Trainer’s Guild for Chosen Elementary schools who will compete abroad
Gold Medalist, Individual Category, 2nd India Elementary Mathematics International Contest (2004)
Silver Medalist, Group Category, 2nd India Elementary Mathematics International Contest (2004)
Gold Medalist and Individual Category, 3rd Philippine Elementary Mathematics International Contest (2005)
Third Placer, China Middle School Olympiad (2006)
Gold Medalist, International Invitational Contest in Singapore (2007)
Math Trainer, Mathematical Olympiad Summer Training Program
Academic Affairs Committee Vice Chairperson, UP Mathematics Club (2010-2011)
Member, UP Mathematics Club
Member, Department of Science and Technology Scholars’ Association
Performer, College of Science Chorale
Math Trainer, Mathematics Trainers’ Guild

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Paulo Martin “PAULO” Santos is Agham Youth’s Engineering Representative to the USC!

4th Year BS Materials Engineering
College of Engineering

Engineering Marketing Congress first runner up 2009
Parangal sa Magaaral 2008
Cum Laude Standing
University Scholar 1st and 2nd Sem AY 2007-2008
College Scholar 1st and 2nd Sem AY 2008-2009

Student Assistant of the UP Department Mining, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Summer AY 2009-2010
Personal Assistant of Ms. Astrid Ayla Liberato 2nd Sem AY 2009-2010
Recipent, Participation in the Engineering Marketing Congress (UP Department Mining, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering) 2009
Director for Operations of UP Industrial Engineering Club Academics Committee 1st Sem AY 2010-2011
Project Manager of JoyRide of UP Industrial Engineering Club Academics Committee 2nd Sem AY 2009-2010
Member, UP Psychological Association
Member, UP Industrial Engineering Club
Member, Stand UP

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