Editorials

Editorial - Death of UP Manila Freshman Student, a lesson from a 'MONSTER POLICY'

First of all, condolences to the family and relatives of 'Kristel Tejada', the 16-year-old freshman student of University of the Philippines (UP) Manila who committed suicide due to a 'monster policy' implemented by the university.

I am saddened and totally disappointed of this incident involving an innocent and hopeful student of UP Manila who ended her life due to the burden of high tuition rates in the so-called 'state university'.

UP board of regents (UP BOR), let me remind you that I came from this university--though not exactly from the same campus, thus I am credible enough to scrutinize and criticize how we run the university. I will use, 'WE' to indicate that I am sharing a piece in this university.

By the way UP, I can make hateful remarks anytime I want because 'WE' know for a fact, 'WE' believe in freedom of speech and freedom of expression. Where, FREEDOM is defined as ABSOLUTE --no laws can set boudaries nor limitations. That's how we practice freedom in our university.

So let's get into the bottom line. What infuriates me regarding this incident are the following:

1. Forcing students to drop out if they cannot pay their tuition on time.
2. Heartless & unreasonable Socialized Tuition and Financial Assistance Program (STFAP) Assignment
3. STFAP re-bracketing takes years before it takes effect
4. Loans are available to rich kids
5. & many more issues

I've said many times in this blog, that I myself came from one of the poorest family in the Philippines. When I entered UP in the late 90's, I was completely shocked when I saw that UP students aren't really poor at all. About 60% of the students I met before were already part of the middle class if not upper class.

Loans for rich kids. I thought that it would be easy for me to avail the university loan in UP. Unfortunately, it was a NIGHTMARE! UP again, it was hell! Why would a student whose parents' income ranges from Php800K to more than a million per year got a higher loan check compared to me?

Oh! my bad! I am stupid! I am poor hence I cannot pay my loans if UP granted me a higher loan check, RIGHT UP? Answer me UP BOR!!! I can't pay my loans because I belong to a poor family right?

UP can back track all of my records -- Ah!! No! Let me tell it in your face UP BOR! I am still an undergraduate student because I am poor. But you know what UP? I am paying huge taxes each year. I am helping my country... I am helping UP students to have LOAN FUNDS available to them but guess what? You alienated a student in UP Manila! WHY? I've done my part but why can't you share a little to this poor student?

UP, I fell in-love with your Socialized Tuition and Financial Assistance Program (STFAP). It's true! I love the way you assign me at the lowest rank while the rich kids were enjoying being assigned to brackets 1-3. UP BOR, I was on bracket 4 but my hard-working father was only earning Php18,000.00 per year. I am not joking UP BOR! You can check my records on file!

And the automation for STFAP bracketing -- HEARTLESS plan ever done by UP!

Early 2000's, I also made an appeal for STFAP re-bracketing. And I was in tears after I did it because the result was made available the next semester. Oh my God! What a benevolent University of the Philippines!

A decade later--forcing students to drop out if they cannot pay their tuition on time. I know how UP BOR will defend themselves. First they will react on the word "FORCING" and then present some kind of high-level, logical, & philosophical reasoning, then crap and all shit!

If WE will no longer allow UP students to continue their studies because of late payments, then what's the purpose of being a state university?

This article seems too shameful to University of the Philippines but this is MORE SHAMEFUL TO ME!

Shameful because I am now sharing my taxes to UP but UP mishandled the allocated budget or might have favored someone to receive it.

I am proud that I was once a student of this ELITE & MOST PRESTIGIOUS University in the country but UP failed me when I was in college and still up to now, UP failed me again! WE FAILED AGAIN!

Next week, I will validate my taxes for 2012.

Right now, I am asking myself. Will part of my tax be properly distributed to the destitute students of UP?

How long will I bear these pains before UP will know how to use its HEART to its impoverished students?

UP STOP FAILING ME!

I want to see great Filipino Physicists when I get old! I want to see more Filipino scientists who will make great discoveries for our country!

UP made a warm welcome to poor students long time ago, please embrace poor students in the present!

Lastly, our motto 'Honor and Excellence', does it separate the poor from rich?

UP, LISTEN to the teardrops of the poor! FEEL the PAINS of the POOR--but BRIGHTEST--students in this land!