Matanglawin (newspaper)

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.,^[1] 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.

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's 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.^[2]

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.^[3]

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"):^[4]

• Sulatin at Saliksikan (Content 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 (Formations): 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 (Promotions): 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 (Layout): 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

Noted alumni who have followed 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 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,^[5] Dr. Benjamin Tolosa, former chairperson of the Department of Political Science,^[6] and up-and-coming history instructors Aaron Rom Moralina and Michael Pante.^[7]

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.

References

External links

• Matanglawin official website
• Matanglawin official Facebook page
• Matanglawin official Twitter page
• Matanglawin official Issuu page

Student newspapers in the Philippines
Adamson University – The Adamson Chronicle Ateneo de Manila University – The GUIDON, Matanglawin Central Philippine University – The Central Echo Colegio de San Juan de Letran Calamba – The Page, The Squire, Ang Kabalyero, The Knight De La Salle University – The LaSallian De La Salle University – Dasmariñas – Heraldo Filipino Divine Word College of Calapan – The DWCC Gazette Eulogio "Amang" Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology – EARIST Technozette Lyceum of the Philippines University-Laguna – Voyage Polytechnic University of the Philippines Taguig – The Chronicler Saint Louis University – White and Blue Silliman University – The Weekly Sillimanian Tarlac State University – The Work Trinity University of Asia – Trinity Observer University of Asia and the Pacific - The Bosun, UNIVERSITAS University of St. La Salle – The Spectrum, The Lead Magazine University of San Agustin – USA Publications University of San Carlos – The Carolinian University of Santo Tomas – The Varsitarian University of the City of Manila – Ang Pamantasan University of the Philippines Diliman – The Philippine Collegian, Sinag (publication) West Visayas State University – Forum-Dimensions Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan – The Crusader Publication