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 LISTENED TO THEM

RED DAY
 |Part I|

I heard them getting the headcount of the rallyists who joined the demonstration—National Day against Oil Price Hike. And I heard that among the [estimated] 50 partakers, UP Diliman was humbly made flesh by 17 students. I immediately asked Tristan Tiongson, Acting Secretary General of Anakbayan-UPD, to reaffirm the figures. I’ve had mixed emotions upon hearing the confirmation in his voice, followed by his: Ang lapit na nga lang eh.