The Actidamean Folio aka Encyclopedia Intergalactica

Note: This is only applicable to students currently enrolled at Notre Dame University, Cotabato City, Philippines, Earth.

TRANSMISSION...

So, you wish to submit something for the Actidamean Folio?
We are currently looking for ORIGINAL artwork, stories, and poetry. If you want to submit a drawing traced from a magazine, or a story copied from the Internet, please proceed to the recycling bin.

The main theme is Science Fiction,but this only applies to the stories and artwork. You can write about ANYTHING when it comes to poetry.

You must be thinking right now "But writing and drawing science fiction stuff is hard!" That's where you are wrong.
It's actually quite easy.
Wanna write a story about forbidden love? Make the main characters a human and an alien.
Wanna draw your pet dog/cat? Turn it into a robot!
Wanna draw your classmates? Make them wear robotic space suits.
Wanna write a story about NDU? Make the setting futuristic.
IT'S THAT SIMPLE!*

*unless, of course, you don't know how to write a story or draw, then, a little practice is needed.

If you need some inspiration and ideas, here are some links and recommended stuff:

The Star Wars film series
Star Trek
Ultraman
Code GEASS
War of the Worlds
Planet of the Apes
Kokey (yes, it's science fiction)
RF MMORPG
Superman Comics(it's about aliens)
X-Men(it's about genetic mutation)
Books by Ray Bradbury,Larry Niven and Issac Asimov (they can be found at the recreational reading and english literature sections of the library)
The Wikipedia page on Science Fiction

http://speculativevision.com/gallery/
END TRANSMISSION

I almost forgot...

We are also accepting short comics. The number of pages is yet to be discussed, so keep posted for updates.

To submit your articles,or any other questions, just look for Mr. Case. You know who he is.

P.S.

If you can't find Mr. Case, or you don't know who he is, or too shy to approach, don't worry. He won't bite.

Or, just leave a comment at the comments page.

Martial Law in the Philippines

After the recent Maguindanao Massacre, the Philippine Government declared Martial Law on the area, seizing the political power of the Ampatuans, and replacing it with Military Governance.

This is not the first time Martial Law was declared in the Philippines, although this time, it is confined to one province. The question is: Is it really necessary?

History

President Jose P. Laurel of the wartime Second Republic (puppet-government under Japan) placed the Philippines under martial law in 1944 through Proclamation No. 29, dated September 21. Martial law came into effect on September 22, 1944 at 9am. Proclamation No. 30 was issued the next day, declaring the existence of a state of war between the Philippines and the United States and the United Kingdom. This took effect on September 23, 1944 at 10:00 am.

The country was under martial law again from 1972 to 1981 under the authoritarian rule of Ferdinand Marcos. Proclamation No. 1081 (Proclaiming a State of Martial Law in the Philippines) was signed on September 21, 1972 and came into force on September 22 - exactly 28 years after similar proclamations by President Jose P. Laurel. Martial law was declared to suppress increasing civil strife and the threat of communist takeover following a series of bombings and a government-staged assassination attempt on then Defence Minister Juan Ponce Enrile in Manila. The declaration of martial law was initially well-received by some sectors, but it eventually proved unpopular as excesses and human rights abuses by the military emerged, such as the use of torture as a method of extracting information. The well-known People Power Revolution of 1986 took place because of the many violated rights and abuse of authority of Marcos. The People Power Revolution eventually ousted Marcos, and he fled to Hawaii where he died in exile in 1989.

There were rumours that incumbent President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was planning to impose martial law to put an end to military coup plots, general civilian dissatisfaction, and criticism of the legitimacy of her presidency due to dubious election results. Instead, a "State of National Emergency" was imposed to crush a coup plot and to tackle protesters which lasted from February 24, 2006 until March 3 of the same year.

On December 4, 2009, through Proclamation No. 1959, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has officially placed Maguindanao province under a state of martial law. The declaration, also suspended the writ of habeas corpus in the province. The announcement was made days after hundreds of government troops were sent to the province, which would later raid armories of the powerful Ampatuan clan. The Ampatuan family was implicated in a gruesome massacre that saw the murder of 57 persons, including women members of the rival Mangudadatu clan, human rights lawyers, and 31 media workers, in the worst incident of political violence in the nation's history. It has also been condemned world-wide as the worst loss of life of media professionals in one day in the history of journalism.

Background

"President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has officially placed Maguindanao province under a state of martial law, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Saturday.

"We are confident that this one is covered by the Constitution," said Ermita at a press briefing at the Palace.

The announcement was made days after hundreds of government troops were sent to the province, which would later raid armories of the powerful Ampatuan clan.

The Ampatuan family was implicated in a gruesome massacre two weeks ago that saw the murder of 57 persons, including women members of the rival Mangudadatu clan, human rights lawyers, and 31 media workers, in the worst incident of political violence in the nation's history. It has also been condemned world-wide as the worst loss of life of media professionals in one day in the history of journalism.

Reports received late Friday night said that the President had already issued an order imposing military rule in the province. However, when contacted by GMANews.TV, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, denied the rumors. Presidential Adviser for Mindanao Affairs Jesus Dureza also said that he had no information.

Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao commander, Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, will function as military governor after the arrest of Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr., the same report said.

However, the report failed to identify its sources. Ermita's announcement Saturday confirmed the first declaration of martial law in the Philippines since 1972 when then-president Ferdinand Marcos imposed martial law over the entire country." - GMANews.TV

Opinion

I believe the proclamation is necessary. Not only is the Ampatuan's abuse of power too much to bear for the region, but also for the country. Enough is enough! They have private armies, armaments and ammunition fit for at least 3 battalions, and guns, goons and gold enough for the whole family. It serves them right. Sure, they're the best of friends with the president, but you can't hide the fact that the president is a no good bitch, willing to do ANYTHING to stay in power, even if it involves befriending one of the most powerful clans in Mindanao.
They're turning the democratic government of the country into a monarchy, passing on their positions to their sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, wives, cousins, even distant relatives. The Martial Law declared might scare them from attempting anything else drastic, but what stopped them from doing the massacre? NOTHING. The Martial Law can only control the current situation, and that's good enough for me.

Recommendation

I say the Martial Law be extended, until a different form of leadership, a deserving leadership, replaces the abusive bastards that run the whole of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
They should also make sure that the military themselves don't abuse their power. We'd had this before during the Marcos Regime, we might have it again during the Arroyo Regime.
They have been abusing their power long enough, they have been in power long enough, they have been with power long enough. The government, for the love of democracy, better do something about it. Seize their sources of power: guns, goons, gold, and political position. Replace them. In fact, remove the autonomy of ARMM. This has caused too much chaos to the Philippine Political scene. especially during elections.
Enough is Enough.

References

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/gma/20091204/tph-arroyo-declares-martial-law-in-magui-d6cd5cf.html
http://www.lawphil.net/executive/proc/proc_1081_1972.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martial_law
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aEWDw076uNcQ&pos=9