Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez made a statement the other day that UP has been a breeding ground for destabilizers and naked runners. Reading the article here made me reflect on how UP has educated me. Somehow, there is truth to this as UP students and graduates…even government officials from the state university are always at the forefront of rallies. My school is famous for having ‘tibak’ students. Having such strong personalities, intelligence, and the courage to fight for what we think is right, we are often misunderstood as deviants.

UP education has taught its students..me, especially to be pro-active…to fight for what is right, express ourselves, speak up, and simply do what we think is best for the country and good of the greater men. I firmly believe that UP has a lot to do with the way I am now. In my own “little” ways, I am somewhat like those who tend to go against the norm. Though when I was in UP, I was never an ‘aktibista’. I never joined any rallies because I did not want to take any risk. I mean..it’s UP. Even if I wanted to join I just couldn’t because I didn’t have the heart to sacrifice comfort and never would I want to be sent to jail if worse comes to worst. I was such a baby in school. Too timid and lazy to fight with those who fight for the common people. But my ideologies…my principles…and my ways…they still are very much like most UP students.—deviant most of the time, aggressive, highly idealistic, expressive, and restless.

Didn’t most of the officials running our contry nowadays graduate from UP? Those who have been successful, bad, and aggressive are all from UP. And those who are quiet and obviously do not know what they are saying are from, what some CMC professors would desribe as “others”. I do not need to enumerate them. The country still looks up to UP as the premier university. And the students, I still believe, are the best. The only problem is that we do not have enough resources that is why students from other private universities are now highly favored,estemmed,given better opportunities, and higher salaries.

I admit I am a destabilizer in my own little ways. I have the tendency to often stand up for what I think is right even if others think otherwise. I have a reputation to always snap at people when I know they are wrong. I am what I am. I express my opinions more often now than in school. So much for analyzing and rationalizing this, I always look for reasons and explanations to satisfy my soul.
I am always being scolded at by parents because I talk back. I write e-mails to those in authority. I ask for explanations from people. I ask about the point of paying for gravy when its for take out when they’re supposed to be giving it for free. I ask why a small package can’t be included in a larger item to be gift-wrapped for free at SM. I ask questions. I seek for reasons. Almost always, I look at the bad side of things. I am not afraid to disagree with the options presented. I do not accept a simple sorry without sound explanations. I always send an e-mail the most inefficient department at our company. I tell those people older than me when I don’t like what they have done(of course with respect). Perhaps the only things I have not done are to investigate, check with SEC or BBB, sue a company, and rally.

Such actions may be deemed inappropriate. I know. A lot of people has been reprimanding me. My family thinks that I am always looking for trouble. The heck, there is trouble everywhere. The problem with the Filipinos, the world even, is that they do not know when to speak up. They simply go with the current and become oblivious to the hurtings. I’ve always been a hater of injustice. In a big or small world, there is injustice that ought to be changed. The world would not be an interesting place to live in though if everything is fair and beautiful.

Destablizers. Naked runners. Justice Gonzalez sees UP as mere enemies.

I doff my hat to them because they initiate the running of naked people… That’s also one kind of culture that they develop there,” he said,

There is a indeed culture that is uniquely UP. I am most proud of that. He simply does not understand that the Oblation Run is an expression of freedom and not an opportunity for mere exhibitionists. Hear that–NOT.

“They should consider the fact that the state is the one paying for their schooling. Why fight the state? Why try to bring it down. I think some degree of gratitude should be there also,” he said.

I am forever grateful to my UP education. Grateful to the kind of person I am now. Gonzalez, however, should bear in mind that those people at the forefront are not always fighting the state. These people are not simply bring the state down because what they are doing is for a greater cause. That is, for corrupt to know that they are being watched and that they are not gonna get away with whatever mysteries they are doing.

In my own little ways I am expressive. I do not care what others might think of my actions that’s why I always get in trouble. I hop from one argument to another and I never get tired. I guess it is just desire to quench my thirst for answers. Seeking for explanations. Wanting to be heard….proudly Peyups.