By Shayne Elizabeth Flores and Julliane Nicole Labinghisa 

Emphasizing the essence of student participation and representation, Far Eastern University (FEU) students took part in the ‘Baha Sa Luneta: Aksyon na Laban sa Korapsyon’ protest condemning government corruption and anomalies at Luneta Park yesterday, September 21. 

In an interview with FEU Advocate, FEU Central Student Organization (FEUCSO) President Raezon Gonzales emphasized the significance of Tamaraws’ presence in mass demonstrations, given FEU students’ progressive history.

“Ang FEU, kilala rin talaga siya sa pagkakaroon ng iba’t ibang biktima noong Martial Law… Sa pagkakaroon ng iba’t ibang NDMOs [National Democratic Mass Organizations]... At siyempre, kilala rin ang FEU dahil ‘yung ating student council na FEUCSO, talagang kasabayan natin ang iba’t ibang student council sa iba’t ibang unibersidad sa pagtawag o pagkakaroon ng iba’t ibang calls sa ating mga advocacies (FEU is known for having victims during Martial Law and for its range of NDMOs. And of course, FEU is also known because our student council, FEUCSO, comes together with other university student councils to amplify various advocacy calls),” he said.

Moreover, third-year BA International Studies student Alexa Andresan emphasized the need for social consciousness and student involvement when it comes to national and social issues.

“‘Yung protest kasi kaya kailangan or importante ‘yung pagdalo ng mga tao dahil (Individuals joining the protests are important and needed because) it makes the protest stronger… it gives more pressure to the movement itself,” Andresan shared in a separate interview. 

Additionally, she stated that joining movements like the protest yesterday helps individuals be more socially aware through the use of placards, flyers, and educational discussions that are often organized by progressive groups. 

Meanwhile, as the FEUCSO president, Gonzales emphasized student-leaders’ role in standing up against national issues and inciting change beyond the campus for the sake of their constituents, breaking the misconception that student councils are passive.

“Ang pagiging parte ng student council, beyond the University ‘yung sakop namin. That is why lagi kaming may calls, may mga statements, initiatives, at dapat din nakikita ng bawat estudyante… na ‘yung mga mismong lider na binoboto nila kayang tumindig sa labas ng mga paaralan (Being part of the student council includes scope beyond University. That is why we always have calls, statements, and initiatives. Also, each student must see that the leaders that they have voted for can stand up beyond schools),” he noted.

Similarly, Anakbayan - FEU Chairperson Alecx Ymson revealed that with the help of FEUCSO, a lot of students showed up at the rally. 

“Mas sobrang daming pumunta rito dahil din sa tulong ng FEUCSO… Naglabas din ang mga student councils ng sari-sarili nilang mga pahayag tungkol sa kilusang protesta ngayon. At maliban sa kilusang protesta, sa issues na tumutulak sa atin na kumilos. (A lot of people were able to come also because of the help of FEUCSO. They and other student councils released statements about the protest today. And other than the movements, it also contained issues that push us to mobilize),” he shared. 

Ymson revealed that during the protest yesterday, they were able to facilitate four study circles with around 10 to 40 FEU students engaging in each group discussion. 

In addition, Andresan also highlighted the importance of University involvement and representation in amplifying the calls and movements started by the masses.

“'Yung Unibersidad, ‘yun ‘yung may pinakamalaking impluwensiya sa mga estudyante kasi doon lahat ng mga (The University has the biggest influence on the students because it has all the) aspiring professionals... Kasi 'yung mga (because the) movement itself, they start small, but the moment that you have institutions that are supporting the movement, or supporting 'yung mga protestang ito, mas napapalaki ang reach ng movement (protests like this, the reach of the movement becomes wider),” she said.  

Andresan also mentioned that it is important to facilitate discussions within the community, highlighting the General Education courses offered in FEU, such as Culture, Society, Ideas and Innovation, and Science, Technology, and Society, which include lessons about society. 

Moreover, protest attendee and Institute of Education Student Council (IE SC) President Lester Jay Cube shared that one of his calls is to fight for the quality education Filipinos have been deprived of due to disproportionate budget allocation and corruption in the government. 

“Bilang isang future na guro, nasasaktan po tayo na maisip na ang daming mga kabataan na hindi binibigyan ng oportunidad na makapag-aral nang dahil sa… paggamit [ng gobyerno] sa mismong pera na meron tayo ay hindi nila ina-allocate nang tama (As a future teacher, it pains me to think that there are many young people who are not given the opportunity to study because of the unjustly allocation of our money),” he stated in a separate interview.

On the other hand, Cube claimed that the FEU Administration’s stance on the recent anomalies was rather lukewarm as reflected in the University’s published statement denouncing corruption and the abuse of public office last September 15.

According to the IE SC President, the University’s statement lacks the preemption to proactively condemn corruption, urging for a more decisive stance from them.

“Hindi ganoong palaban na kung saan ipinapakita na labanan natin, sugpuin natin ang mga nangyayari… Sana ay maging sobrang bukas talaga si FEU at hindi parang magiging neutral lang tayo. Sana mas maging desidido tayo na tayo ay parte din sa mga mamamayang Pilipino na kung saan ay dapat lumalaban talaga tayo (It’s not that assertive in encouraging people to fight against the anomalies. I hope FEU will become more open and not merely neutral. I hope they become more determined in claiming that we are part of the Filipino masses with the need to fight),” he stressed.

Cube also urged Tamaraws to not be afraid of partaking in mass demonstrations, asserting mobilizations' power to drive progressive policies and systemic change.

Meanwhile, the FEUCSO President revealed that they are in talks with the Administration to allow mobilizations within the campus, highlighting the need to empower students.

“Ako ay nakikipag-usap din sa ating Administrasyon na para payagan din talagang magkaroon ng mobilisasyon o rally sa ating University kasi pinapayagan kasi siya sa ibang unibersidad... Pero dapat sa FEU din kasi pare-pareho lang din naman tayong mga estudyante at… may mga pinaglalaban din sa loob ng ating paaralan (I am coordinating with our administration to allow mobilizations and rallies in our University because it is permitted in other universities. So FEU should as well because we are all students that are fighting for something inside our institution),” he said.

Ymson shared similar sentiments, highlighting the importance of student engagement and openness when it comes to facilitating social discussions and involvement in movements.

“Neutrality, at the end of the day, it's also siding with the enemy. Choosing to shut your mouth with regards to the issues that are happening—choosing to close your eyes, close your mind, to what is happening outside your window, outside your doorstep, it's enabling. It's enabling everything. It's enabling persistent corruption in our country,” Ymson emphasized.

Per Gonzales, Article 1 Section 21 of the Student Code of Conduct in the student handbook prohibits organizing demonstrations and distributing campaign paraphernalia inside the University, which they are aiming to change this term.

Alongside Tamaraws, various students from the University of Santo Tomas, University of the East, Adamson University, De La Salle University, Philippine Normal University, Technological University of the Philippines, University of the Philippines - Manila, Philippine Christian University, National University, Arellano University, Eulogio "Amang" Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology, National Teachers College, and Polytechnic University of the Philippines were also present at the event.

The Baha Sa Luneta: Aksyon na Laban sa Korapsyon protest was held on the same day as the 53rd anniversary of Martial Law.

According to Bayan, around 80,000 individuals were present just after the first hour of the protest, including multi-sectoral groups, student coalitions, youth organizations, and celebrities demanding accountability.