TO THE GRADUATING ISKOLAR NG BAYAN:
IN SERVING THE PEOPLE, WE SHALL TRIUMPH!
UP Kilos Na
April 17, 2011
Today we begin from the beginning, as we reckon how we arrived at this moment of triumph. To be sure, the way was fraught with uncertainties and hardships shared by the graduates, parents, faculty, and all who make UP education possible. Today we look back with the promise of marching forward - we reaffirm the promise of the youth as a potent force of social transformation.
As we recognize our collective triumph, we must reflect on the contingencies that brought us here. Our people have been perennially pushed to survive extreme conditions of economic and moral destitution. The youth, who embody the promise of change, realize too soon that grand dreams and aspirations are dwarfed by very limited life chances. In fact you, our graduates, are part of the miniscule number of Filipino youth who manage to reach and complete their tertiary education!
Our nation's stifling realities were temporarily suspended during last year's elections and the rhetoric of change that came with it. The nation was hopeful. After all, our ability to survive perennial crisis is proof that we understand how sacrifice and heroism can lead to better conditions. Yet our people's sacrifices have only lead to sustain a system fuelled by human suffering. The mythologizing function of Hope and Change under the P-NOY administration swiftly revealed itself as predatory and exploitative, siphoning our strength to buffer one ruling clique's illusory promises.
Such is the plight of a people who have to endure the economic, political, and cultural impositions of a powerful yet crisis-ridden nation like imperialist America, whose interest in every region in the globe necessitates violations of national sovereignty and human rights. And P-Noy, who earlier called the people his masters, can only pledge allegiance to his real imperialist Master.
No amount of institutional esteem granted by any university, nor an honoris causa from UP can hide the truth that we are watching the march of a naked emperor.
As we march forward to transform society through our collective strength, we, at the same time, reject the travesty of illusory promises. Best wishes from a leader whose idea of change consists in budget cuts on higher education, among other slashes on social services, are hypocritical. Best wishes from a leader who has remained obstinate in his refusal to distribute land to the Hda. Luisita farmers and who has allowed private corporations such as oil companies to reap huge profits from a series of oil price hikes while depriving Filipino workers relief through wage increase are nothing but insults.
We maintain that true leaders understand that UP's code of honor and excellence is a means to a noble end of service to the people, the Filipino workers and farmers who are the real heroes of our nation. Beyond the classrooms of the University of the Philippines is a struggle where we have more to learn and more strength to gain.
Today, let this be our closing statement: In serving the people, we keep faith with the spirit of the Oblation! In serving the people, we shall keep the promise of being the "pag-asa ng bayan". And in serving the people, we shall triumph!
Congratulations Batch 2011!
Iskolar ng Bayan, Paglingkuran ang Sambayanan!
Tuloy and Laban para sa Tunay na Pagbabago!
0 comments:
Post a Comment