Matanglawin
Encyclopedia
Matanglawin, literally meaning "Hawk's Eye" and usually contracted as Mata, is the official student newspaper
of the Ateneo de Manila University
in the Filipino language. The student paper dedicates itself to discussing socio-political events in the Philippines, the plight and suffering of the working class, as well as pressing student rights issues. It is part of the Ateneo's Confederation of Publications (COP), including The GUIDON
and Heights., which is published bi-monthly (formerly quarterly).
From a circulation of a few mimeographed copies hidden in books at the Rizal Library
in the 1970s, Matanglawin is now published in glossy form and has a circulation of more than 2,000, serving the Loyola Schools community. Copies of the publication are also sent to student publications across the Philippines, serving as an inspiration and guide to journalists and creative writers using the Filipino language
as their medium.
novel El filibusterismo
took the word as his moniker when he descended into terrorism and banditry after having been maltreated and denied justice by the Spanish colonial government. There were also characters in the plays of patriot playwrights Aurelio Tolentino and Onofre Pagsanghan representing the Filipinos who became bootlickers and lapdogs of the colonial masters named as such, characterized by their rapacity and brutality against fellow Filipinos.
The publication, however, offers a different explanation as to how the name defines its work by breaking down the word into three other words: "mata" (eye) for the student journalist's meticulous attention to detail, data, wordings and critical observation; "tanglaw" (illumination) for the writer's duty to explain difficult topics to the common reader while at the same time offering new insights; and "lawin" (hawk) for the tradition of courage in championing the cause of justice and the rights of the poor, though deviating from any ideological advocacy.
The publication is known for the quality of its investigative journalism, its editorial columns, and its layout. The spoof issue, Tanganglawin, has been cited for mixing tabloid humor with scathing political commentary.
Current Ateneo president Fr. Bienvenido Nebres
, SJ was also instrumental in the founding of Matanglawin at the height of the Marcos regime. Noted alumni who have followed him to the priesthood include current Philippine Jesuit Provincial Fr. Jose Magadia, S.J., Fr. Albert Alejo, S.J. and current Jesuit Communications head Fr. Emmanuel "Nono" Alfonso, S.J.
Its alumni include the current editor-in-chief of FHM Philippines, Allan Madrilejos; the managing editor of Newsbreak Magazine, Chay Hofileña; and numerous recipients of Palanca Awards
, including Alvin Yapan, Edgar Calabia Samar, and Mikael de Lara Co.
Noted alumni who became academicians include Dr. Agustin Martin Rodriguez, current chairperson of the Ateneo de Manila University's Department of Philosophy , Dr. Benjamin Tolosa, former chairperson of the Department of Political Science , and up-and-coming history instructors Aaron Rom Moralina and Michael Pante.
Similarly, many Matanglawin alumni have been at the forefront of progressive groups. Recently, they have included College Editors Guild of the Philippines officers like former Editor-in-Chief for 2007–2009 Mark Benedict Lim as Vice-President for Luzon from 2008 to 2009.
Student newspaper
A student newspaper is a newspaper run by students of a university, high school, middle school, or other school. These papers traditionally cover local and, primarily, school or university news....
of the Ateneo de Manila University
Ateneo de Manila University
The Ateneo de Manila University is a private teaching and research university run by the Society of Jesus in the Philippines. It began in 1859 when the City of Manila handed control of the Escuela Municipal de Manila in Intramuros, Manila, to the Jesuits...
in the Filipino language. The student paper dedicates itself to discussing socio-political events in the Philippines, the plight and suffering of the working class, as well as pressing student rights issues. It is part of the Ateneo's Confederation of Publications (COP), including The GUIDON
The GUIDON
The GUIDON is the official student newspaper of the Ateneo de Manila University. It is a part of the Ateneo's Confederation of Publications , including Heights and Matanglawin...
and Heights., which is published bi-monthly (formerly quarterly).
From a circulation of a few mimeographed copies hidden in books at the Rizal Library
Rizal Library
The Rizal Library is the main university library of the Ateneo de Manila University. It mainly serves and supports the teaching and research in the Loyola Schools...
in the 1970s, Matanglawin is now published in glossy form and has a circulation of more than 2,000, serving the Loyola Schools community. Copies of the publication are also sent to student publications across the Philippines, serving as an inspiration and guide to journalists and creative writers using the Filipino language
Filipino language
This move has drawn much criticism from other regional groups.In 1987, a new constitution introduced many provisions for the language.Article XIV, Section 6, omits any mention of Tagalog as the basis for Filipino, and states that:...
as their medium.
Origin of the name
The word or name Matanglawin contained negative connotations based from Philippine literary canon. The character of Cabesang Tales from Jose Rizal'sJosé Rizal
José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda , was a Filipino polymath, patriot and the most prominent advocate for reform in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. He is regarded as the foremost Filipino patriot and is listed as one of the national heroes of the Philippines by...
novel El filibusterismo
El filibusterismo
El filibusterismo , also known by its English alternate title The Reign of Greed, is the second novel written by Philippine national hero José Rizal. It is the sequel to Noli Me Tangere and like the first book, was written in Spanish. It was first published in 1891 in Ghent, Belgium...
took the word as his moniker when he descended into terrorism and banditry after having been maltreated and denied justice by the Spanish colonial government. There were also characters in the plays of patriot playwrights Aurelio Tolentino and Onofre Pagsanghan representing the Filipinos who became bootlickers and lapdogs of the colonial masters named as such, characterized by their rapacity and brutality against fellow Filipinos.
The publication, however, offers a different explanation as to how the name defines its work by breaking down the word into three other words: "mata" (eye) for the student journalist's meticulous attention to detail, data, wordings and critical observation; "tanglaw" (illumination) for the writer's duty to explain difficult topics to the common reader while at the same time offering new insights; and "lawin" (hawk) for the tradition of courage in championing the cause of justice and the rights of the poor, though deviating from any ideological advocacy.
Branches of Service (Bagwisan)
The publication does not limit itself to being simply a dead piece of paper; Matanglawin also presents itself as an organization of students who advocate social involvement and substantial reforms within its avenues of service to the University and the country. In view of this, the organization is divided into six branches or "bagwisan" (literally, "wing") :- Sulatin at Saliksikan (Writing and Research): The lifeblood of the publication, it molds its members to be critical and observant of the myriad issues confronting students inside and outside campus. They also propagate a so-called new brand of journalism, one which is not "objective" as they believe it is already obsolete in such period in time.
- Pandayan (Formation): The vanguard of the publication's organizational characteristics, it is given the responsibility of preparing the members and journalists in fulfilling their objectives through educational discussions, team building seminars and outside activities.
- Pananalastas (Advertising): This branch is tasked with giving the publication an agreeable and steadfast image consonant with its more than thirty years of service to the Ateneo community, as well as inviting new members and ensuring a stable readership.
- Web: Through the publication's official website, this branch aims to make Matanglawin accessible not only to students inside the Ateneo but also to the outside world where many of the issues discussed actually occur. They also serve as an avenue for the technically-inclined members of the organization to practice their skills in web designing as well as the arts.
- Lapatan (Lay-outing): Following the principle of "organization in chaos", this branch strives to make the publication palatable to the reader's viewing through skillful composition of text and images .
- Sining (Art): Through works of art or taken photographs, this branch gives life to the publication's otherwise pure and stale text, providing the readers an accurate glimpse of the issues they are reading about.
Awards and Recognition Received
Matanglawin has garnered a multitude of awards during its 35 years of existence. It has been nominated for the Catholic Mass Media Awards. Since 2002, it has also won the Best Magazine Award at the annual Gawad Ernesto Rodriguez Jr, sponsored by the College Editors Guild of the Philippines. Its website and spoof issues have also been recognized by the said organization.The publication is known for the quality of its investigative journalism, its editorial columns, and its layout. The spoof issue, Tanganglawin, has been cited for mixing tabloid humor with scathing political commentary.
Alumni
Matanglawin serves not just as a student paper, but also as an excellent training ground for advocacy work. Many of its alumni have gone on to practice journalism; others have crossed over into the arts and academe.Current Ateneo president Fr. Bienvenido Nebres
Bienvenido Nebres
Father Bienvenido F. Nebres, S.J. is a Filipino scientist, mathematician, and Jesuit who was the longest-serving university President of the Ateneo de Manila University. He succeeded Fr. Joaquin G. Bernas, S.J. in 1993, and served as University President until 1 June 2011...
, SJ was also instrumental in the founding of Matanglawin at the height of the Marcos regime. Noted alumni who have followed him to the priesthood include current Philippine Jesuit Provincial Fr. Jose Magadia, S.J., Fr. Albert Alejo, S.J. and current Jesuit Communications head Fr. Emmanuel "Nono" Alfonso, S.J.
Its alumni include the current editor-in-chief of FHM Philippines, Allan Madrilejos; the managing editor of Newsbreak Magazine, Chay Hofileña; and numerous recipients of Palanca Awards
Palanca Awards
The Palanca Awards or Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature is the Philippines' most prestigious and most enduring literary awards and is dubbed as the "Pulitzer Prize" of the Philippines...
, including Alvin Yapan, Edgar Calabia Samar, and Mikael de Lara Co.
Noted alumni who became academicians include Dr. Agustin Martin Rodriguez, current chairperson of the Ateneo de Manila University's Department of Philosophy , Dr. Benjamin Tolosa, former chairperson of the Department of Political Science , and up-and-coming history instructors Aaron Rom Moralina and Michael Pante.
Similarly, many Matanglawin alumni have been at the forefront of progressive groups. Recently, they have included College Editors Guild of the Philippines officers like former Editor-in-Chief for 2007–2009 Mark Benedict Lim as Vice-President for Luzon from 2008 to 2009.