Hindi Na Muli: Ibasura ang Kasinungalingan ng Uniteam

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

"EVIL IS EVIL — NO MATTER THE DEGREE. STOP JUSTIFYING THE LESSER EVIL."

It is time we wake up from the long and damaging illusion that choosing the “lesser evil” is a practical or moral solution. The truth is simple: evil is still evil, whether it is subtle or blatant. Accepting any form of deception is a betrayal to our future, our children, and our country.

We must stop glorifying leaders who are skilled only in manipulation, illusion, and historical distortion. The Philippines deserves leaders with a genuine heart for service—not expert actors trained in fooling the masses.

Let us be clear: the so-called "UNITEAM" was a scam.

Presented as a symbol of unity, their alliance was built on convenience, not conviction—a desperate marriage of political survival. And time has unmasked their true motives.

Fake Unity? The alliance between Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte promised a united front for the Filipino people, yet internal conflicts, public disagreements, and backdoor power struggles soon surfaced (source: Rappler, October 2023).

Broken Promises? From inflation, confidential funds, and the weaponization of red-tagging, to the lack of accountability in the handling of calamities—what we’ve seen is a government that thrives in political theatrics, not service delivery (source: Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism).

Deceitful Governance? Even former allies have exposed the cracks in their coalition, with public officials now distancing themselves from what is being called a "fractured facade" of unity (source: Inquirer, August 2024).

We were deceived.

And now, they expect us to choose again from the same mold? No.

Never again should we fall for repackaged lies or recycled candidates from an alliance that failed to live up to its grand promises.

There are far more capable and sincere leaders beyond these tainted alliances.

Let us break the cycle. Let us raise the standard. Let us not settle for anything less than integrity.

Say NO to both Marcos-Duterte and their loyal surrogates.

Say YES to leaders who lead not with ego, but with empathy.

Pilipinas, panahon na para pumili ng tunay na mabuti.

Narito ang Tagalog version na may parehong lakas, emosyon, at batay sa mga totoong pangyayari:

"MASAMA PA RIN ANG MASAMA—WALA ANG KONSEPTONG 'MAS KAUNTING KASAMAAN'."

Panahon na upang iwaksi natin ang maling kaisipan na ang pagboto sa "lesser evil" ay isang praktikal o katanggap-tanggap na solusyon. Isang kasinungalingan ito na matagal na nating tinanggap bilang katotohanan. Masama pa rin ang masama, kahit gaano pa ito kaliit. Ang pagtanggap sa kasamaan, anuman ang anyo, ay pagtataksil sa kinabukasan ng bayan.

Tama na ang pagpili sa mga lider na magaling lang sa panlilinlang, sa pagpapanggap, at sa pagbabaluktot ng katotohanan. Ang Pilipinas ay karapat-dapat pamunuan ng mga tapat at tunay na naglilingkod—hindi ng mga tuso at mapag-imbabaw.

At malinaw ang katotohanan: ANG UNITEAM AY ISANG PANLOLOKO.

Ipinresenta sa atin na simbolo ng pagkakaisa, ngunit sa likod nito’y pansariling interes lamang ang dahilan. Ito ay isang alyansang binuo para lang manalo, hindi para maglingkod.

Peke ang pagkakaisa. Ang tambalang Marcos-Duterte ay ipinangakong magdadala ng kaunlaran at pagkakasundo, ngunit ang mga bangayan, lihim na away, at agawan sa kapangyarihan ay lumabas din kalaunan.

(Rappler, Oktubre 2023)

Bigo sa pangako. Mula sa patuloy na taas ng presyo ng bilihin, isyung sangkot ang mga confidential funds, red-tagging, hanggang sa mabagal na pagtugon sa kalamidad—pinatunayan nilang husay sa drama, pero palpak sa serbisyo.

(Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism)

Mapanlinlang na pamumuno. Pati ang ilang dating kaalyado nila ay nagsalita na laban sa kanila, isiniwalat ang bitak-bitak at siraan sa loob ng kanilang grupo.

(Inquirer, Agosto 2024)

Niloko tayo.

At ngayon, gusto nilang bumoto tayo ulit ng mga kandidatong galing sa parehong bulok na sistema?

Hindi. Hindi na muli.

Marami pang mas karapat-dapat na kandidato—‘yung hindi galing sa pekeng pagkakaisa, hindi sakim sa kapangyarihan, at hindi master ng propaganda.

Ibagsak ang mga kandidato mula sa dating Uniteam.

Itaas ang pamantayan sa pagpili.

Pumili tayo ng tunay na mabuti—hindi ng ‘di gaanong masama.

PILIPINAS, ORAS NA PARA SA TUNAY NA PAGBABAGO.

UMALOHOKAN: Isang Sigaw ng Katotohanan at Pag-asa para sa Kinabukasan

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Sa panahong nangingibabaw ang disimpormasyon at madaling lumaganap ang kasinungalingan sa social media, isang makapangyarihang tinig ang muling bumangon. Ang UMALOHOKAN: Para sa Kaalaman, Kalikasan at Kinabukasan ay hindi lamang isang workshop—ito ay naging isang kilusan. Isang laban para sa katotohanan. Isang panawagan para sa mas malinis na kapaligiran. Isang pagkilos para sa mas maliwanag na kinabukasan.

Mula sa simpleng layunin ng pagbibigay-gabay sa mga influencer, blogger, vlogger, at content creator tungo sa mas etikal na pamamahayag at digital storytelling, lumawak ang adhikain ng UMALOHOKAN Workshop—at ngayo'y isa na itong pambansang panawagan para sa responsableng paglalathala, makakalikasang pagkilos, at mulat na mamamayan.

“Ito ay higit pa sa workshop. Isa itong paggising,” mariing sinabi ni Ross Flores Del Rosario, tagapagtatag ng Wazzup Pilipinas at pinuno ng UMALOHOKAN initiative. “Panahon na upang tigilan ang tahimik na panonood at pagsunod. Panahon na upang tayo’y magsalita, kumilos, at lumaban.”

Kaagapay ng Samahan ng mga Iskolar ng Simbayanan (SIS) at Simbayanan Ni Maria Community Foundation Inc. (SMCFI), matagumpay na isinagawa ang workshop sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaisa ng mga iskolar, social media personalities, at mga lider sa larangan ng adbokasiya. Ang dedikasyon nina Rose Marcelino, Xian Guia, at Ma’am Encarnacion Pioquid mula sa SIS at SMCFI ay tunay na nagpapatunay sa kapangyarihan ng kabataang Pilipino.

Kasama sa mga pangunahing tagasuporta ang Bayanihan Para sa Kalikasan Movement Inc., GPP Kalikasan Muna – Green Party of the Philippines, at JBC Workers Union sa pangunguna nina Engr. Eric Raymundo, Mariella Amagan, at Josephine Cabatuando. Sa tulong ng makukulay at mapagmalikhain na disenyo mula sa mga iskolar ng SIS, at visual graphics nina Niel Jose ng Green Initiatives at Nineverses Printing Services ni Beng Girang, naging buhay na buhay ang diwa ng workshop.

Mga kilalang tagapagsalita at organisasyon ang nagbigay-inspirasyon sa mga kalahok, kabilang ang:

Vera Files, PPCRV, LENTE Philippines, EcoWaste Coalition, Partners for Affordable & Reliable Energy, BAN Toxics, Alkarock by Gift of Nature, CreatiVoices, at TV5.

Kabilang din sa mga mahuhusay na personalidad na nagbigay ng kanilang karunungan at mensahe ay sina Ma’am Ellen Tordesillas, Chino Penserga, Atty. Jay Roset, Nic Satur Jr., Antonio Dizon, Eman Balani, Pocholo De Leon Gonzales, John Reczon Calay, at mga content creator na sina Gio Almoite, Nestor Lim, Eduard Laya, Jenny Medenilla, at marami pang iba.

Hindi rin matatawaran ang suporta ng mainstream media, tulad ng INQUIRER.net, INQ Plus Pilipinas, DWIZ 882, at dating Press Undersecretary ng Malacañang Robert Torres Rivera at co-host na si Nerlisa Elyza Francisco Rivera.

Kahanga-hanga rin ang mensahe ni dating Senador at kasalukuyang Pangulo ng The Manila Hotel, Atty. Joey Lina, na dumalo at naghatid ng makapangyarihang pananalita na tumimo sa puso ng bawat isa.

Kasama sa tagumpay ng programa ang mahusay na pagho-host nina Vanessa Rose Torres mula Pampanga at Filjon Curaming ng SIS, at ang teknikal na suporta mula kay Vladimir Del Rosario na siyang nag-live stream ng limang oras na programa upang maabot ang mas malawak na audience online.

Lubos na pasasalamat sa aming mga sponsors:

Bambuhay, Dimalupig & Gabrielle Food Products Trading, ZAVRRUSOVinegar, Bea's Homemade Peanut Butter, Pili Finos, at ang mga baked goodies mula sa Simbayanan Ni Maria Community Foundation Inc. at Samahan ng mga Iskolar ng Simbayanan (SIS).

Taus-pusong pasasalamat din sa bawat tagapagsalita, moderator, panelist, at kalahok na buong pusong ibinahagi ang kanilang kaalaman at paniniwala. Kayo ang tunay na UMALOHOKAN—ang tinig ng pag-asa, ang sigaw ng pagbabago.

“Hindi ibibigay sa atin ang hinaharap—kailangan natin itong likhain. Magkasama. Ngayon.” – Ross Flores Del Rosario

Makiisa. Magsalita. Maging tinig ng katotohanan.

Maging isang UMALOHOKAN.

Chaos in Caps and Gowns: Tension Erupts at Antique Graduation as Principal Orders Students to Remove Their Togas

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Laua-An, Antique — What was meant to be a day of triumph, tears of joy, and dreams fulfilled turned into a scene of confusion, dismay, and heartbreak. A graduation ceremony at a local school in the quiet municipality of Laua-An, Antique was marred by controversy when the school principal reportedly ordered students to remove their graduation togas moments before they were to march onto the stage.

Witnesses described a highly charged atmosphere as tension spread like wildfire among students, parents, and faculty members. The last-minute decision—delivered just as the graduation march was about to begin—left many students emotionally distressed, their long-awaited moment of recognition tainted by public humiliation.

A Shocking Command

According to several sources from the event, students were already lined up, proud in their formal wear and traditional academic gowns, ready to be recognized for their hard work. But before the ceremonial march could even begin, the principal abruptly instructed them to take off their togas. The reason? Still unclear. Some speculate a last-minute dispute over uniformity, unauthorized gowns, or a miscommunication regarding school policy.

Parents could only watch in disbelief as students—some already in tears—complied with the controversial directive. Murmurs of dissent echoed throughout the venue. The festive mood, once brimming with pride and anticipation, gave way to a cloud of confusion and outrage.

A Rite of Passage Undone

For many of these students, this graduation symbolized not just the end of their academic journey, but a celebration of sacrifices, sleepless nights, and years of perseverance. To have the symbolic toga—the very garment that represents achievement and academic honor—taken from them felt like a betrayal.

“This was supposed to be our moment,” one student said, visibly shaken. “We waited years for this day. And in one instant, it was ruined.”

Calls for Accountability

Following the incident, parents and community members took to social media to express their anger, demanding answers from the school administration. Hashtags like #LetThemMarch and #TogaControversy trended locally, as photos and videos from the ceremony went viral.

Local education officials have yet to release a formal statement, but there are growing calls for an investigation into the principal’s actions. Many are questioning whether the decision violated the rights of the students or disrupted their psychological well-being.

A Ceremony That Left Scars

What should have been a proud, picture-perfect moment in the lives of young graduates has instead become a cautionary tale about power, respect, and the importance of communication in institutions meant to nurture young minds.

As the students of Laua-An try to process the emotional aftermath of their disrupted celebration, one thing remains clear: a graduation is more than just a ceremony. It is a symbol of a milestone reached—and no one should be robbed of that, especially not at the final step of the journey.

The people of Antique now wait—with a heavy heart and a sharp eye—for the school to explain and, hopefully, make amends for a decision that turned a celebration of dreams into a nightmare.