WHEN I LEARNED THEM ALL

RED DAY 
|Part III|

The question on top of my mind which rolled the ball during the interview was the one I heard from my professor when she was trying to challenge us in class. Why do the UP students of our generation seem apathetic, which I could have probably mistaken as a question, if not a statement.  She encouraged us to voice out our retorts to the ongoing concerns inside and outside UP through writing or in any way we can. She was telling us that as UP students, Iskolar ng Bayan, we are endowed to initiate change.

Not all professors think like her. Take the word of Roma Jean Araullo who wrote Raise your hand [Philippine Collegian].  Her professor was given highlight in her article when he said, “Wala namang budget cut sa UP.” That professor shares the same thinking with my professor in one of my subjects, not to mean any generalization. The truth is everywhere, yet they still deny it for lack of concern. Mine always reacts negatively upon hearing anything about the activists. We have the highest respect for our noble teachers, but at times, it’s upsetting that these UP educators don’t realize the percentage of poor students who are being affected by the issue of Budget Cut.

WHEN I MARCHED WITH THEM

RED DAY
 |Part II|

Wearing dark blue medium-sized shirt, a pair of jeans, cream canvas bag (not advisable) and TOMS for my feet (oh no, not this again), I dreaded my being not prepared. I felt sorry for myself all the more at the recall of what my professor advised us of.

If you plan to join a rally, better come prepared!

Wear working/comfortable clothes. Don’t attempt to wear something you don’t want to get worn-out—at all. Bring small plastic sack/Ziploc bag for your gadgets or just don’t bring one with you. Wear slippers/shoes you can run with and you can get over with, if lost. Other than that, prepare your body for the heat of the sun, the wet rage of the clouds [or the tanks], and the not-so-nice yank/smash/whack of you know who.