Kasama Ka ng UP ALYANSA di lang sa salita, ngunit sa gawa.

It's been a good six years ago when campus elections had as its defining issue the draft New UP Charter, meant to replace the decades-old University Charter of 1908. Students were initially seen to be divided; political parties against the draft UP Charter wanted it scrapped. They alleged that it was anti-student. They campaigned that UP students had already rejected it outright. Having been elected as the UP Diliman USC Chairperson of that time, and guided by UP ALYANSA's pillar of Progressive, Multi-Perspective Activism, we literally brought the USC around the campus.

We did not have the benefit of internet bandwidth back then: there was no Facebook, Multiply, or Youtube. The General Assembly had to do the rounds and engage students as to how they felt about issues. After having compiled all the meeting notes, position papers, and statements, the USC had more than enough material to constructively deliberate and forward its position not just as pieces of paper to be circulated on campus, but as documents submitted to the halls of Congress. The proverbial student's voice had a multiplier in the UP ALYANSA-led USC, and our team made sure that every hearing or proceeding in the Senate or the House of Representatives had a UPD USC member attending and actively participating.

That was how it was with UP ALYANSA at the helm. The Captain of the Ship was the student body; the USC dutifully sailed the boat of policy towards the destination that students wanted. And we were vindicated: fastforward to the present and it is the very Charter that we students of yesteryears supported that has now led to the legal recognition of student councils and student publications, the inclusion of a Staff Regent, and even the groundwork for the CRSRS Referendum held recently.

From its name itself - UNIVERSITY Student Council, the USC must be seen not as an opportunity for any particular local college to shine. Its view is University-wide; its affairs are not colored by local college interests. We exchanged views directly with the Chancellor of UP Diliman, and at times had to advocate for student's rights before no less than the UP President. I found out that a Chairperson had to have a broad perspective. He should be someone who has been there at that level, someone who has the interests of ALL UP Diliman students in mind.

I may no longer be spending as much time on campus as I used to. Thanks to the internet however, all the posters, pins, documents, and GPOAs have found their way onto my computer screen. With the experience of running a USC in mind (one that I inherited with lots of debts but left with surplus cash upon turnover), I have determined that ALYANSA has not wavered in its commitment to strengthen student institutions by way of a sound platform of government.

Led by its candidate for Chair Mario Cerilles and his partner in management Vice Chair Bevs Lumbera, the entire team of ALYANSA Councilors and College Reps has great potential. I support their candidacy.

I hope and pray that students will see through all the flashbang, stun-effects of the campaign and realize that it is ALYANSA's slate that knows exactly what to do and how to do it as regards the complex institution that is the UP Diliman USC.

Atty. Kris Ablan
Chairperson, UP Diliman USC 2004-2005
Provincial Board Member, Province of Ilocos Norte

Chairperson, University Student Council (2004-2005)