UST: Flooded not with water, but with people

The human barricade intended to prevent the Pope from being mobbed was unable to prevent disarray from prevailing during the papal visit in the University of Santo Tomas (UST) last January 18.

People were assigned and some volunteered to comprise the human barricade to serve as the shield of the officials and the motorcade of the Pope.

“Wala silang kwenta,” were the words of a UST student who went to see the Pope that day. “No one should have been able to go beyond the barricade . . . They should have been prepared to handle the situation.”

“The people in-charge of guarding the gates did almost nothing,” said Sophia Lene, another UST student. “The people in-charge of guarding the gates did almost nothing . . . They were not able to control the incoming people.”

Many were disappointed with the inability of these people who were tasked to keep order to do their job. “May volunteer na sumisingit kasi late sila,” a source observed.

There are mixed opinions on who to rebuke on the issue. Lene remarked, “Hindi naman sa pagiging biased, pero feeling ko naman wala sa mga nag-volunteer ang mali, kung hindi doon mismo sa mga tao na pumasok sa UST.”

The designation of which gates to be opened were not followed. Many people gathered outside the Lacson gate by six o’clock in the morning. This caused the authorities to open the gate even though it was not in the plan. The people charged inside that a stampede almost ensued. “Dapat gates closed na ng 6am pero 5:55 na kami nakapasok,” said an anonymous source.

Not everything was in total chaos. In Plaza de Benavides inside the university, the situation was better. “Medyo maayos naman ang pag-control. Nothing went wrong,” said Lene. Behind the UST Main Building, it was another story. “Naging magulo. Nagpumilit ang mga outsiders na lumagpas sa linya. May tulakan talaga na nangyari.”

The university also published a few pointers about items that attendees are not allowed to bring. Some of these are selfie sticks, anything that can be used as a weapon, big bags, pets, and umbrellas. Even this was not heeded by the public. “Merong may dalang monopod . . . May nagdala ng payong pero dapat iyong bigay lang ng UST [ang pwede] pero may dala pa rin,” recounted a source.

Others feel ashamed about this behavior of the masses. “Pope iyong pupunta pero walang order. Hindi ba nakakahiya? Sana magkaroon na ng order kasi hindi dapat tayo makuntento ng walang order,” said the unnamed informant.

In the end, this momentous event is a much appreciated one. “All in all, worth it iyong hintay at pagod,” said the unsourced.

“Nung unang beses ko talaga siya nakita sa may Malacanang, after niyang dumaan, na-teary eyed ako. Tapos iyong kamay ko, sobrang nanginginig,” narrated Lene.

“Lahat ng tao, pagkadaan ni Pope, lahat nakangiti. Parang ang saya-saya kahit sobrang saglit mo lang makita. Iyong aura ng mga tao, iba,” said a confidential source.

In Lene’s peroration, “No words could define the feeling.”

Photo: credits to the owner.

On another kind of writing

News writing is not for everyone. People's eyes might light up with recognition--and most of the time, awe--when they hear the names of famous news journalists from the top media industries, but some writers prefer to use their skills at their own pace and in their own field of interest.

Nikka Sarthou-Lainez, a freelance travel and lifestyle journalist, gave some tips on writing in general, as well as some of the challenges she faces as an independent writer.

"It was the flexible lifestyle that attracted me to become a freelance journalist. This way, I could choose where I want to see my byline and write for various publications. Also, being my own boss is not a bad situation either," she explained.

Although she gets to travel the world, taste the best dishes, and fulfill her passion for writing, freelancing is not as glamorous.

The major challenge that she faces in her chosen field is having  a sustainable career. As a
freelancer, one does not have a regular job like an employee who gets a salary every month, as well as benefits like insurance. Therefore, freelancers have to work twice as hard because they do everything themselves. They have to do the manual stuff that often fall to the role of the editors and other media employees, like payment collections and follow-ups. Thus, it takes time
away for writing. But good thing that nowadays, there are more opportunities for freelance work, unlike back then when writing is restricted by traditions.

The most pressing challenge in freelance travel writing is the financial ones. Publishers do not always fund the travel expenses of the writers, but since it is their passion and they would have no story to write, the journalists have to fund it themselves.

In being a lifestyle journalist, it can be quite difficult to find the right avenue for stories, but Sarthou-Lainez says that it is not that difficult now because of the digital age that made it easier with more options available.

Despite the disheartening difficulties that freelancing--and writing, in general--pose, "when you do something that you like, you find it enriching."

Aside from being a freelance journalist, Sarthou-Lainez is also the co-founder of Writer's Block
Philippines, a writing workshop that she manages with Ana P. Santos, also an independent
journalist and a foreign correspondent who specializes in reproductive health rights and women
and gender issues.

With more than 14 years of experiences in journalism after graduating in the University of the
Philippines in Los Baños, Laguna in 2000, Sarthou-Lainez shares her wisdom on writing in
general, as well as her experiences, writing habits and techniques.