Oblation Run pushes through outside of UP Cebu campus despite setback

Thirteen members of Alpha Phi Omega (APO) fraternity marched along Gorordo Avenue, right outside of UP Cebu, to protest against extrajudicial killings, the lowering of age for criminal liability, rental and laboratory fees, violence against women and children, and the culture of impunity. (CDN PHOTO/MOREXETTE ERRAM)

For the first time in the history of the University of the Philippines Cebu (UP Cebu), this year’s Oblation Run was staged along Gorordo Avenue after UP Cebu Chancellor Liza Corro disapproved the holding of the annual event within campus premises on Thursday afternoon.

Corro cited the ongoing moratorium as one of the main reasons for not endorsing a December 15 Oblation Run in UP Cebu.

Under the moratorium policy, UP Cebu mandates that no extra-curricular activities, both for academic and non-academic purposes, will be held inside school premises as a contingency plan for the students and faculty to prepare for their finals.

The Oblation Run highlighted issues on extrajudicial killings, the lowering of age for criminal liability, rental and laboratory fees, violence against women and children, and the culture of impunity. (CDN PHOTO/MOREXETTE ERRAM)

The moratorium period of UP Cebu for their first semester of this academic year started last November 12.

Corro added that the UP Cebu chapter of Alpha Phi Omega (APO), which holds the annual event, failed to renew their recognition as among the student-based organizations of the university for the academic year 2016-2017.

She also said that the names of the runners APO has listed in their letter sent to her were names of non-UP Cebu students.

“So it was decided by the UP Cebu Student Council to adopt APO and the Oblation Run. That’s OK. But it’s still moratorium,” added Corro.

The Oblation Run was held, for the first time, outside of UP Cebu premises after Chancellor Liza Corro disapproved holding the annual event within campus premises citing the ongoing moratorium among others. (CDN PHOTO/MOREXETTE ERRAM)

However, APO Metro Cebu, with the support of several UP Cebu-based organizations, tagged Corro’s decision as “oppressive”.

“To bar us from airing out societal concerns in a tradition every UP unit has adapted throughout the years, it’s oppressive not only for our part but also for the students since Oblation Run is an initiative by UP Students. APO is here just to show support for our brothers and sisters in UP Cebu,” said Alexar Pada, spokesperson for APO Metro Cebu and an alumni of UP Cebu.

Despite the initial setback, thirteen members of the fraternity marched along Gorordo Avenue, right outside of UP Cebu, to protest against extrajudicial killings, the lowering of age for criminal liability, rental and laboratory fees, violence against women and children, and the culture of impunity.