Regaining the Valor in UP Manila
by Jo Maline Mamangun, Kristian Timothy Bautista, & Chester Leangee Datoon
As the dawn of Araw ng Kagitingan breaks, commemorating the bravery and sacrifice of Filipino heroes, the University of the Philippines (UP) stands as a towering testament to courage and defiance. Within its hallowed halls, UP embodies the resolute spirit of “Humayo’t itanghal, giting at tapang…” from its hymn, UP Naming Mahal. Here, amidst scholarly pursuits, a narrative of activism and societal leadership unfolds, as students and alumni — inspired by the ethos of liberation — take bold strides to challenge norms and embrace the mantle of armed resistance, when deemed necessary. Mirroring the valor of our nation’s heroes, they carve a path of defiance against oppressions and injustices. Nevertheless, even the mightiest heroes encounter challenges, which are inevitable as the condition of their surroundings evolves over time, serving as a reminder that courage must flourish in the face of adversity.
A Glimpse of Valor
Barring from various political issues the nation collectively faces, Araw ng Kagitingan or Day of Valor ultimately serves as a poignant time capsule for Filipinos, offering a moment to reflect — an introspection towards the historical narratives of the country — stemming from the fall of Bataan in World War II to Japanese troops. While many thought pieces have cohesively directed the narrative of the Day of Valor towards our modern-day heroes — such as healthcare workers — others perceive the holiday as a solemn commemoration of the bravery and sacrifices of fallen heroes who confronted adversity with unwavering resolve.
For UP students who embody the principles of ‘Honor and Excellence,’ this holiday holds particular significance, as they are considered the vanguards of knowledge and enlightenment. The university boasts a rich legacy of producing stellar students who excel in diverse fields, ranging from medicine and academia to arts and public service. Beyond celebrating outstanding scholars of various fields, this occasion strikes a chord for individuals driven by their convictions, courageously engaging in activism and, ultimately, armed struggle to confront systemic injustices and advocate for societal change.
While students are no strangers to the frontline of activism and advocacy, whether it’s defending human rights, promoting environmental sustainability, or combating corruption, the valor and legacy of the country’s fallen heroes, honored on this Valor Day, resonates closely with us and transcends to contemporary societal challenges within the university, such as the lack of student representation, particularly in UP Manila (UPM).
The Current Face of Adversity
The deficiency in student representation within UPM reveals a fundamental disconnect that students commonly experience with the council. This disconnection persists even during the times when the number of candidates running for office averaged around two digits. It stems from the implications of the council being highly polarized when it had students in the office to eventually fading into uncontested elections with voter turnouts not reaching the majority of the student population.
Such issues may have been primary reasons for the switch in priorities or ideologies among the student population, exacerbated by the council’s lack of visibility and accountability, dissuading students from participating in voting or running for office — a phenomenon consistent with Rational Choice Theory, wherein individuals weigh the costs and benefits of their actions.
This theory potentially reflects the voting behaviors of students when electing representatives for the student body. They carefully consider the costs and benefits, their self-interest, and the consistency and optimization of the candidates they seek — which unfortunately do not resonate with the candidates who ran in the previous elections, as seen by the consistent dwindling number of students who voted.
In succession with the current challenges faced by the student council, several elected candidates have already expressed their burnout. This exhaustion could be anchored by the weight of countless requirements and assignments, compounded by the dual role they play as both students and leaders. As they navigate through a sea of academic and leadership demands, they are not exempt from facing the harsh reality that UP “reading breaks” often stray far from their intended purpose of giving students a temporary sabbatical.
The concerning trend of council members and student leaders expressing their burnout is evident in the increasing frequency of representatives submitting Leave of Absences (LOA) and resignations, citing personal reasons. Consequently, the university faces a critical time when there is no enough unit that would amplify the voices of the students in campus manners and decision making.
From Student Leaders to Martyrs
As students contemplate the consequences of limited student representation on campus, and as councils feel overwhelmed by their responsibilities, it is an opportune moment for them to recognize and draw inspiration from the valor and dedication of those who came before them. These exemplary alumni, through their acts of courage and sacrifice, became student leaders during their time and made significant contributions to society — whether by serving the government or the Filipino people. Their decisions and actions can also be analyzed through the lens of Rational Choice Theory.
Some former student leaders, driven by a profound sense of justice and a desire for lasting change, chose to embrace the armed struggle for the liberation of the Filipino people. For them, the perceived benefits of challenging systemic injustices through direct action outweighed the potential costs, including the risk of losing their lives. Their choice to join the movement, by being members of the New People’s Army, can be seen as a rational response to the perceived inadequacies of peaceful means of resistance in achieving their goals.
In examining these choices, it’s important to debunk state propaganda, which suggests that former UPM student leaders, now martyrs, like Jo Lapira, Sheena Trinidad, Jhuna Arante-Isita and many other unnamed heroes, were brainwashed by the movement and that their lives were wasted. Rational Choice Theory allows us to understand that these individuals made conscious decisions based on their assessment of the situation and their deeply held beliefs.
The sacrifices of these martyrs serve as powerful symbols of dedication and commitment. It is hoped that such examples will ignite a sense of inspiration among UPM students and their representatives, propelling them to pursue their own advocacy efforts with greater determination and resilience.
Passing the Torch
Moving forward, such acts of martyrdom and heroism should be safely passed on and instilled within the hearts and minds of UP students. Amidst the Marcos-Duterte administration, realizing the role of UP students as future pillars of Philippine society is much needed to ensure that the needs and priorities of Filipinos are met while pursuing global excellence. While it may sound like ‘utang na loob’ — a sense of indebtedness — we are expected to serve for the well-being of the Filipino masses and not those who are in power.
In line with this, a proactive and proper student representation is of utmost necessity. In the context of UP Manila, creating a solidified and complete university student council is a key step in creating an environment where students are inspired to take action concerning societal issues. Serving as the voices of the student body, the discussion of building genuine student representation can lead to better projects that effectively promote student participation.
Beyond these endeavors, conversations on societal issues must adapt to the modern media and communication landscape. At UP, where students are bombarded with academic responsibilities due to inefficiencies in its learning environment, there is a need to transform educational discussions and discourse on social problems into a digestible and tangible manner. Likewise, evolving knowledge or science into practice through simple dialogues, such as demonstrating how one’s course can contribute to addressing a national issue, creates a social sphere that molds students into courageous and active nation-builders. Similar to Social Identity Theory, which posits that individuals derive a sense of self from their group memberships, the UP student evolves themselves to elicit these attributes through building communities that foster activism and student participation.
“Iskolar ng bayan, ngayon ay lumalaban!” A line deeply ingrained in the minds of UP students as they step into the four walls of the institution. From its inception to the present day, UP has been a cradle of courageous individuals and relentless fighters against social injustice. While the pursuit of heroism may seem daunting, promoting a culture of inclusivity and social consciousness is already a great act, especially given our current political climate. The celebration of Araw ng Kagitingan serves not only as a memoir for heroes but also a reminder to every one of the importance of pursuing truth, honor, excellence, and valor despite adversity.
There is a reason why we are in UP — to step up and become leaders who, despite attacks both within and outside the university, have an unwavering dedication and courage to continue our duty, as part of our sacrifice, to serve the people.
