We march as one

Fermina A. Agudo

-Hlstorv is in our favor

As the University of the Philippines will mark its 103 years of existence, to acknowledge its academic
achievements and grand roster of students and graduates is not enough. We must never lose sight
of the strenuous struggles of the student movement, to secure up's call to genuine democratic
. reforms. These struggles have resolutely changed the University as a mere ground for academic
discourse into a University that has pertinent role in nation building and giving back services to the
Filipino people. Incieed, it has remained firm with its banner call "Honor and Excellence."

No one shall ever forget the efforts of individuals such as Renato Constantino, Wenceslao Vinzons,
and Arturo Tolentino, who awaken and organized the UP students and the rest of the youth to study
Philippine history from the lens of the Filipino masses. But behind and along with these personalities
is the collective unity of different students, student organizations, and institutions of different
historic periods that taxed their life in order to gain our 'democratic rights and interest. The midst of
Marcos regime means years of student repression under the auspices of imperialist and feudal
oppression. During these dark days of martial law, student organizations, publications, councils, and
all other student formations were abolished in Universities and Colleges. It was the collective efforts
of the lskolors ng Boyan to engage the UP administration and the national government for the
restoration of democratic rights. They were able to re-instigate student formations inside the
University and finally, in 1968, the Board of Regents decided to have a student observer: It was only
in 1970 that the Student Regent was finally institutionalized in the board. Having a student
representative in the highest policy-making body of the University meant more transparent and
well-represented form of administration. Among the other fruits of their victory were provisions on
basic amenities to student organizations such as tambayans, electricity, typewriters, auditoriums,
theaters, democratic process of organizations' recognition, and the likes, in pursuit of greater
Involvement in the University and national affairs. The struggle lived on until the days of Diliman
commune, when the students expressed solidarity with the rest of the UP community amidst
harassment by the military. The years after the Marcos dictatorship were also witness how the
'student movement championed rights and campaigns-the decisive expulsion of American troops in
Subic, the scraping of general agreement of tariffs and trades, up to the uprising against Estrada over
corruption charges. The Arroyo regime were years of continuing the militant tradition of the
University, as the Isko/ars ng Boyan, once again collectively opposed the tuition and other fee
increases, implementation of a flawed socialized tuition and financial assistance program, and
massive hudget cuts. The recent success of strikes in different Universities nationwide is another
product of our relentless commitment to fight for our rights. Time and again, we have proven that
our collective action is really a force to reckon with,

In transition: Challenges to the new UP administration

The new UP administration faces many challenges; it has to march with the students in the
continued fight for greater state subsidy and its struggle for a nationalist, scientific, and mass-
oriented form of education. It has to bring back the public and democratic character of the
Unlvs.rsttv, It has to review the imposed and proposed tuition and laboratory increases. It has to be
transparent and consultative in its income-generating projects. It has to probe military presence in
all UP units. It has to strengthen research and academic projects of each campus, It has to stop
political repression inside the University. It has to give venue for student organizations and
institutions to flourish and develop. It has to be involved and take a stand on national issues. On our
end, we should remain vigilant and involved i" every endeavor that our administration will
undertake. The fate of the University does not rest on the individuals in power, it always rest within
us.