The Logic of Student Leadership

This is Akbayan Youth UP Diliman's statement on the leadership crisis in the University Student Council. Akbayan Youth UP Diliman is a proud member-organization of UP ALYANSA.

To be an Iskolar para sa Bayan

We thank our student leaders for the sacrifice that they made for us. Nonetheless, for a student leader to disregard his or her academic responsibilities, to maintain even just the MINIMUM academic standing, is a disservice. It is a disservice, not just to the students that he or she serves, but also to the Filipino people, to whom we owe this education.

To our University Student Council, do the right thing.

Resolve the leadership crisis in the University Student Council.

Uphold honor and excellence in student leadership.

The UP Agenda

Para sa bagong halal na UP President na si Alfredo Pascual, nawa'y maging para sa mga mag-aaral at para sa Bayan ang mga gawain mo sa iyong termino. Iskolar para sa Bayan, kasama ka sa pagbantay ng bagong UP Admin.

A Higher Budget for Education

From our recent updates:

"While members of ALYANSA are at the UP community strike, a contingent led by Will del Rosario (ALYANSA Vice Chair for STRAW) and Arrow Pabiona (BUKLOD CSSP Director for STRAW) is at the Senate to lobby for a higher budget for education."

We unite with the rest of the UP community in pushing for a higher budget for education. This is an issue that transcends our affiliations, and we support different actions that would promote this cause.

Iskolar para sa Bayan, kasama ka sa iba't ibang uri ng pagkilos para sa mas mataas na budget para sa edukasyon!

(Watch out for our next updates regarding our lobbying efforts in the Senate.)

To Be An Iskolar

Uphold HONOR and EXCELLENCE in the University!

Online Student Evaluation of Teachers

From the Computerized Registration System (CRS) site:

All students enrolled this First Semester AY 2010-2011 are required to accomplish the Online Student Evaluation of Teachers through the SET Answering Module of the CRS. The module will be open until October 8, 2010 (Friday).

Please proceed to the UP CRS site for the online student evaluation: http://crs.upd.edu.ph. Thank you!

S.A.G.U.T. Ka ng SLAAC Primer

Click on the LINK to get your own copy!

The Student Legal Aid and Action Committee (SLAAC) of the University Student Council, led this year by USC Councilor Simoun Salinas from the College of Law, has recently come up with a primer of our basic rights. Taken from the 1987 Constitution, this primer is part of a series aiming to inform us of the laws we need to know. The Law Representative to the USC, Chingkay Martirez, is this primer's editor.

S.A.G.U.T. Ka ng SLAAC stands for Sasamahan, Aalalayan, Gagabayan, Uugnayin at Tutulungan Ka ng SLAAC.

UPHOLD STRAW!

UP ALYANSA, with BUKLOD CSSP and AKBAYAN Youth, have successfully concluded the "Uphold STRAW" forum at Palma Hall on September 3, 2010. Former Rep. Risa Hontiveros of Akbayan Partylist was the event's keynote speaker. This well-attended forum discussed the advocacy for a Student Rights and Welfare Bill to be passed in Congress.

In line with this advocacy, UP ALYANSA is part of the Student Rights and Welfare Coalition, a broad alliance which includes the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP) and the Movement for the Advancement of Student Power (MASP).

---

Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel is a Filipino activist, journalist, and politician who served as the party-list representative of the Akbayan Citizens' Action Party to the Philippines' House of Representatives. Having served as a journalist for ten years before venturing into politics, she is a recipient of the Kapisanan ng Mga Broadkaster ng Pilipinas' Golden Dove Award for Best Female Newscaster. She also earned a Nobel peace prize nomination for her work as chair the Government Panel's Reciprocal Working Committee on Socio-Economic Reforms in the Peace Talks with the National Democratic Front from 1998 to 1999.

2010 Search for UP President

Iskolar para sa Bayan, kasama ka sa pagpili ng UP President!

Know more about the background and vision of the men and women vying to become the next President of the University of the Philippines. Click on the links for the following candidates to know more about their curriculum vitae (CV) and vision for UP.


1. Prof. Consolacion Alaras
(CV | Vision Paper)

2. Dr. Patrick Azanza
(CV | Vision Paper)

3. Prof. Leonor Briones
(CV | Vision Paper)

4. Dr. Esperanza Cabral
(CV | Vision Paper)

5. Chancellor Sergio Cao
(CV | Vision Paper)

6. Prof. Benjamin Diokno
(CV | Vision Paper)

7. Vice-President Ma. Serena Diokno
(CV | Vision Paper)

8. Dean Raul Pangalangan
(CV | Vision Paper)

9. Regent Alfredo Pascual
(CV | Vision Paper)

10. Prof. Virginia Teodosio
(CV | Vision Paper)

11. Chancellor Rey Velasco
(CV | Vision Paper)

How about you? What do you want for the next UP President? Please leave us your comments. Please join our straw poll as well. Thank you!

[Note: This poll is UNOFFICIAL and for survey purposes only. Thank you.]

NCR Youth Summit (September 1, 2010)

UP ALYANSA is currently with the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP), Movement for the Advancement of Student Power (MASP), AKBAYAN Youth, Students' Rights and Welfare Coalition, at SK Reform Coalition! for the NCR Youth Summit. This event aims to catalyze action towards a progressive legislative agenda for the youth. This is ongoing at the Ateneo de Manila University campus and the Senate halls.

Iskolar para sa Bayan, kasama ka sa pagbabago!

Iiwasan Ko Mismo (Help Prevent Dengue)

IIWASAN KO MISMO ANG DENGUE
Educational Video Project: Dengue Control in the Philippines

A collaborative project of:

• De La Salle University Manila (DLSU)
• Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM)
• Infectious Diseases Office, National Communicable Disease Control Program, Department of Health (DOH)

With funding support from:

• The International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
• Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR)

Cast

• UP Sirkulo ng mga Kabataang Artista (UP SIKAT)

National Heroes Day (August 30, 2010)

"Mapalad ang bayang linitawan ng mga bayani sapagka't ang bayang iya'y walang kamatayan." (Andres Bonifacio)

ALYANSA joins the entire Filipino nation in celebrating the sacrifice of our country's countless heroes. Kasama ka, kasama tayong lahat, sa pag-alala at pasasalamat sa sakripisyo ng ating mga bayani. Kasama rin tayong lahat sa pagpapatuloy ng kanilang kabayanihan, sa ating sariling paraan.

Uphold Student's Rights and Welfare!

Iskolar para sa Bayan, alamin ang ating mga karapatan! Know more about

the proposed Magna Carta of Students through Rep. Walden Bello and
Former Rep. Risa Hontiveros.

This is brought to you by UP ALYANSA, BUKLOD CSSP, and AKBAYAN Youth.

Sawa na kami sa Frat-Related Violence!

At around 1:00 am, exactly three years ago, the lifeless body of NCPAG student leader Cris Mendez was brought to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center due to alleged hazing by a UP fraternity. Up to this point in time, NO ONE has been held accountable for his death.

To this, we cry: JUSTICE! Iskolar para sa Bayan, patuloy na tutulan ang karahasan. Hindi ito sukatan ng kadakilaan, karangalan, o kapatiran!

UP Student-Led Anti-Fraternity Violence Watch (SAWA) video shown during freshmen orientation programs at the start of Academic Year 2008-2009.

UP Alyansa ng mga Mag-aaral para sa Panlipunang Katwiran at Kaunlaran (ALYANSA) is an active organization in SAWA.

National Day of Mourning (August 25, 2010)

KASAMA ang ALYANSA sa pagdadalamhati ng buong Pilipinas sa madugong hostage-taking noong Lunes.

KASAMA rin ang ALYANSA sa panawagan sa hustisya para sa lahat ng biktima.

KASAMA rin ang ALYANSA sa panawagan upang hindi na muling maulit ang madugong pangyayaring ito.

KASAMA KA sa patuloy na Laban!

August 21, 2010:

We remember a great man who died for this country. We remember his ideals, and his dreams for the country.

We remember Ninoy Aquino.

Makalimutan na ang pangalan, huwag lang ang ipinaglaban. Kasama ka sa patuloy na laban para sa pagbabago.

Why I support ALYANSA

I've been active in campus politics for the past eight years. I've involved myself as part of the campaign machinery, as a member of the executive board of my political party, and a member of the council. It's been one big roller coaster ride. When I started out, I was idealistic, all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. I felt that through my party, and later through the student council I could actually change the world, even just a teeny tiny bit. But I soon found out that such is not the case. It was a rude awakening, actually. There was no one to hold my hand or walk me through it all as I realized that being involved in politics (campus or otherwise) is an almost certain path to disillusionment and burn-out. Not to mention the buckets of tears I cried over the years, big (literally and figuratively) baby that I am. At least that was the way it was for me. In my masochistic heart of hearts, I enjoyed the different responsibilities and the opportunity to get to know and work with other people, but at the end of the day, I realized that I didn't like the constant feeling of self-doubt that in my case inevitably comes with being in a public position. You constantly second-guess yourself and your motives and become sensitive to what others say and think even if in the past such was not the case. It was because of all this that I decided not to run again, both in undergrad and subsequently in law school.

It also did not help that over the years, my personal sometimes great, and sometimes not-so great, experiences were effectively multiplied and compounded as I was privy to the many misgivings and heartaches people I knew who were likewise involved in campus politics had. Through my not-so-baby brother who spent one year in the USC and two in the School of Economics Council, I vicariously experienced day in and day out how sometimes good intentions coupled with good ideas are sometimes not enough. Through many friends, I vicariously felt the pain of personal attacks and mudslinging. While I did not like what others were experiencing and felt for them, such also gave me a taste of reality, of the imperfections and flaws in the system, in any system for that matter.

Despite the imperfections and flaws, I remained with my party, ALYANSA. Sure I didn't always agree with certain decisions made by my party, quite vocally making it known to the world. I felt that my loyalty to my party was hinged on the principles espoused and not to the personalities involved. I think that is why despite my many misgivings over the past eight years, I have had no problem staying on. I've realized over time that it is practically impossible to attain perfection or even complete satisfaction with the way things are. It's simply a matter of making the most of what we have, and remaining true to ourselves and what we stand for. Yes, it may sound like I've settled, that I've compromised, but I beg to differ. There's nothing shameful in 'settling' for as long as there is consistency with principles and no one is harmed in the process. What is important at the end of the day is integrity. Whether you stood by unwaveringly for what you believed in and lived and led in such a matter as would be consistent with those principles especially in the face of trying circumstances even if there are more convenient paths to take. That for me is the non-negotiable.

That is why it's easy for me to say that despite the many heartaches and heartbreaks campus politics has given me a taste of over the years, I have no problems remaining with ALYANSA even as a mere supporter. Despite knowing the hardships of campus politics from the campaign, to the time one is actually holding the office, there is the internal drive and spirit to once again present themselves as a real choice to the UP students. That was something I could not bring myself to do and that remains something I continue to admire in others for that takes courage, strength of spirit and commitment to something bigger than the fleeting highly-charged emotions, criticisms, and the like that inevitably come with any kind of campaign. Politics can sometimes be dirty and frustrating, but there is that willingness to go beyond the bad – and sometimes ugly – in pursuit of the quixotic impossible dream.

In the same way I vote for candidates in the coming national elections based on platforms, principles, and integrity, I vote for ALYANSA because I know what they stand for. I know where they are located in the political spectrum. I know that with them, what I see is what I get and that they're not pretending to be something else simply to get votes. In the imperfect system we have to contend with, I choose to vote for leaders whose principles and ideals are consistent with mine and who have the audacity to aspire for better things for all of us. That appeals to the idealist in me. Maybe these ideals will never come into fruition, but I harbor no doubts they will at least try their very best and will take on the burden of standing for and speaking up for what they believe is right even if it's not popular or even if it's difficult, as true leaders would and should.

Arianne Reyes
Juris Doctor, UP College of Law (2010)

Vice-President, UP Law Student Government (2008-2009)

BA Political Science, magna cum laude (2006)

Chairperson, CSSP Student Council (2005-2006)

#1 Councilor/Secretary-General, CSSP Student Council (2004-2005)

Answering the Challenge

We in ALYANSA have always believed that the University Student Council (USC) is a showcase of our principles and shared values. Our leadership reflects our character. Our credibility, as student leaders, emanates from our decision to remain true to these principles, values, and character that we hold dear.

Our call, “Kasama Ka”, is a reflection of the formation’s character for the past decade. It is not merely a show for self-congratulation. Being “kasama” implies the our work as ALYANSA--our constant efforts to bridge our differences, our passionate work for progressive change, and our purposeful service to the University and country. Summed by our challenge to become Iskolars para sa Bayan, we have enjoined students for a decade to go beyond themselves and become a force for social justice and social progress.

It is in this light that we answer the challenge of our friends from the other side of the fence.

When red banners unfurl with the fiery rhetoric of militant action, isn’t that borne out of a desire for social transformation? While we often clash and disagree on issues, ALYANSA has always been united with its counterparts in desiring for social transformation. We have shown throughout our history that we can unite for a common purpose even as we disagree. We have ousted a corrupt President in 2001, we have defended the Manininda’s tenure in UP in 2005, and we are now protecting the Office of the Student Regent by condemning its vacancy as a disservice to students.

When yellow is being touted as the color of unity, and students put it at the helm of the USC, isn’t that a result of a promise for change? Even if ALYANSA belongs to the opposite side of the fence, we have been consistent with serving the students. Even as promises are broken, and the prospect for change turns sour, ALYANSA never abandoned the USC.

For a decade, we held our blue standard high and lived out our words “Kasama Ka.” It is the reason why ALYANSA continues to be the best alternative for change. We spoke out against fraternity-related violence all throughout our ten years. We are the formation that advocated revisions for the UP Charter, which passed in 2008, way back in 2003. We are the formation that led the USC with integrity in 2004, 2007, and 2008. We are the formation that successfully pushed for the reform of the STFAP in 2009, consistent with the core concept of social justice.

This is leadership that we have always demonstrated for a decade--ready to involve, never to leave behind. This is leadership that we serve to uphold--ready to unite, never to divide. This is the leadership that carries our principle--ready to listen, never to impose.

We may be different, but we share a common humanity. This is the humanity we serve to uplift in ALYANSA. This is the essence of “kasama ka”, and this is the brand of leadership we offer to our UP.

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)

Kasama natin ang ALYANSA ♥

Kasama ka sa pagbabago --
our time for change is now.
We are called to transcend our differences,
through unity that reflects our shared values.

Kasama ka sa paglilingkod --
our service defines our purpose.
We are called to a cause much larger than ourselves,
to become persons for others, igniting transformation.

Kasama ka, Iskolar para sa Bayan --
our future is within our grasp.
We are called to a common endeavor,
charting a future shaped by our collective aspiration.

Kasama ka sa isang ALYANSA --
our individual voices are called to speak as one.
Let us create a new partnership for change,
realizing our heritage, taking charge of our common future.