Latest news with #FEU
The Guardian
12-06-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Cuba's students call for resignations and strikes after brutal internet price hike
Having endured electricity blackouts, water shortages, transport failures and the spiralling cost of food, Cuba's students appear to have finally lost patience with their government over a ferocious price hike for the country's faltering internet. Local chapters of Cuba's Federation of University Students (FEU) have been calling for a slew of measures, including attendance strikes, explanations from ministers and even the resignation of their own organisation's president. Trouble began when Etecsa, Cuba's state-owned communications monopoly, recently increased prices for its mobile data without giving notice. While it offered 6GB a month at a subsidised rate of 360 pesos (about $1 at black market rates), prices would rise to 3,360 pesos ($9) for the next 3GB. There was immediate uproar across a country where monthly state wages start at 2,100 pesos ($5.70) and the internet has become the route by which much of the population hears news, buys necessities, runs small businesses and communicates with relatives abroad. The average Cuban uses 10GB a month, according to the government. The students, some of whom called their protest 'brave, revolutionary and respectful', said that while the internet was the trigger, real anger is aimed at Cuba's communist government's increasing reliance on US dollars. In recent months, state supermarkets have opened across Cuba that only accept hard currencies. Gasoline stations are switching away from the peso. There are rumours electricity is about to follow. Each of these measures comes with foreign packages that encourage Cubans to ask their relatives abroad to pay. 'The ultimate responsibility for the problem falls not on the managers and employees [of Etecsa] but on those who implemented a chaotic, if not non-existent, economic model,' read a statement from the Telecommunications and Electrical Engineering department at CUJAE, one of Havana's universities. Tania Velázquez, Etecsa's president, tried to explain on state television. 'We find ourselves in an extremely critical situation due to the lack of foreign currency and the significant reduction in revenue in recent years,' she said. But the student body of Havana University's mathematics and computer sciences faculty (Matcom), swiftly expressed a widely held skepticism that any new money raised would lead to improvements. It asked for a meeting with 'those primarily responsible for the measures taken, where the context under which they were taken is clarified in details and transparency'. Meanwhile, it called for its students to stay away from classes. The government blamed the six-decade old US embargo but, clearly concerned, responded. Miguel Diaz Canel, Cuba's president, called the students 'beloved', organised meetings with students, and suggested the error had been one of communication. A concession was offered: a second highly subsidised package for university students alone. This was met with scorn by the engineering students from CUJAE, who called it 'an attempt to silence the student vanguard'. The protests have left the government's usual critics in Miami wrong-footed as well, as they do not conform to the left/right debate that rages across the Florida Straits. Many student bodies made it clear they felt Etecsa's move does not conform to the principles of the Cuban revolution, quoting revolutionary heroes including Fidel Castro. It reflects a growing sense on the island that the government is moving away from its socialist principles, while not liberalising the economy enough to allow people to earn the money now needed to live. Founded in 1922, the FEU once fought against Cuba's pre-revolutionary dictatorships, but has been quiet since. Michael Bustamante, chair of Cuban and Cuban-American Studies at the University of Miami, said: 'I don't think there is any comparable pushback to a government measure on this scale since university autonomy ended as it existed prior to the revolution.' But the measures do come at a tough time for final year students, with only about two weeks of the semester to run, followed by important exams. On Monday, Matcom voted to return to their classes, despite the new rates 'not being validated by real and convincing data'. Transgressions in Cuba, political or otherwise, can lead to lifelong consequences for students, losing not only the ability to graduate, but also to find jobs. A mother of a psychology student expressed her fears: 'I support my daughter in whatever she decides,' she said. 'But I feel her ambivalence and anguish. Her heart wants to be involved, but common sense tells her that she has to graduate.' But another student, who asked to remain nameless, said a precedent has been set: 'This has awakened something historic,' she said. 'We have gained confidence and organisation for everything that troubles us in the future.' Eileen Sosin contributed reporting
GMA Network
23-05-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Veejay Pre transfers from FEU to UP
Veejay Pre with UP assistant coach Tom Chua and head coach Goldwin Monteverde. (Photo: UP OASD) UAAP Season 87 men's basketball Rookie of the Year Veejay Pre is taking his talents to Diliman. The University of the Philippines announced Pre's transfer from Far Eastern University on Friday. "We know naman yung kayang gawin ni Veejay. Magiging malaking tulong siya sa atin with his all-around game," said Fighting Maroons head coach Goldwin Monteverde. Pre announced his departure from the Tamaraws last Tuesday in what he described as his 'hardest decision ever.' UP also maintained that it was never in the picture as rumors and reports of Pre's transfer surfaced weeks ago. "What's fortunate about all this is that hindi naman tayo nandun when reports and rumors began. We respected FEU, and kinausap lang natin si Veejay nung nakapag-decide at nakapagpaalam na siya sa FEU," said UP Office of Athletics and Sports Development Director Bo Perasol. Pre posted averages of 13.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in his first year in college. The reigning top rookie will need to sit out Season 88 before being eligible to play for two years. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
21-05-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
'Hardest decision ever': Veejay Pre bids farewell to FEU
UAAP Season 87 men's basketball Rookie of the Year and Far Eastern University standout Veejay Pre has parted ways with the Tamaraws. In his social media post early Wednesday, Pre said leaving FEU "has been the hardest decision ever" as he considered his family's input as well on his growth as an athlete. "I believe that leaving and saying 'goodbye' is never easy and accepting things is the most painful part," Pre wrote in the caption of his post. "As an athlete, growth and improvement matters deeply. But there comes a time in our lives when challenges arise, pushing us to make difficult decisions. My family and I have come to a decision, and I've chosen to heed their wisdom and concerns. This made me realize how much they only want the best for me and I can't deny that taking this big step forward has been the hardest decision ever." Pre, however, did not disclose where he is going next. Confirmation of Pre's departure from FEU came weeks after rumors and reports surfaced about his possible transfer. FEU finished sixth in the elimination round of Season 87, but in high school, he led the Baby Tamaraws to a third-place finish. He last played for FEU in the UAAP 3x3 tournament. Pre then thanked those who were part of his FEU journey. "I owe FEU so much, and I will always treasure the good deeds, memories, lessons, heartbreaks, and laughter we've shared. I will be forever grateful as a 'TAMARAW' and to have experienced the colorful life that FEU and its community bring," he wrote. "Forever blessed and thankful that once in my life, I was once called a 'TAMARAW.' "Once a Tamaraw, Always a 'Tamaraw,' Meanwhile, Ateneo de Manila University's Kris Porter also parted ways with the Blue Eagles in a decision he announced on Tuesday. 'This was a really tough decision,' said Porter. 'I spent my elementary years at Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu before moving to Ateneo de Manila for high school and college. Ateneo has always been home to me, but I had to make this choice — even if I don't have concrete plans yet on where I'll go next. I believe it's a necessary step for my personal growth.' Porter said he has not yet committed to another school. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
17-05-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
NU clinches rare fifth straight crown in UAAP men's volleyball
The UAAP men's volleyball crown remains in Jhocson Street. National University won its fifth straight title after sweeping Far Eastern University, 25-16, 28-26, 25-23, in Game 3 of the UAAP Season 87 men's volleyball finals on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena. In the third set, the Tamaraws had a chance to extend the match as they led 17-14, with Dryx Saavedra leading the offense for the Morayta crew. Leo Ordiales and Greg Ancheta eventually tied the set at 17 before Saavedra and Luis Miguel put FEU in front. Buds Buddin's attack, followed by an FEU error, evened the set at 19 before Miguel put the Tamaraws in front as they continued their bid to extend the match. Eventually, the likes of Buddin and Peng Taguibolos stepped up for NU as errors marred FEU's late attempt, helping the Bulldogs to their cause. Ordiales had 13 points from 10 attacks and three blocks, while Taguibolos and Buddin chipped in 10 and nine points, respectively. Leo Aringo, who was named Most Valuable Player of the Finals series, had nine points to go with 10 excellent receptions and four digs. He also had 8.7 points, 11.3 receptions and 4.3 digs in the finals series. The win spoiled Saavedra's 24 point eruption for the Tamaraws. While FEU led in attacks with 43 against 39, errors did not help their attempt as they had 78 against NU's 65. FEU took Game 1 before NU won the next two in the best-of-three series. This is NU's seventh overall title in men's volleyball, with their championship streak dating back to UAAP Season 80 in 2018. Aside from the men's title, NU also reigned in the women's and girls division this season. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
