BAGUIA
News circulated a couple of days ago that yet another graduate of the University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu has been spotted by the military among the rebels operating in Negros Island.
A check with the university registrar, Prof. May Christina Bugash showed that the university does not have and never had a student by the name of Alyssa Sumulong, the supposed name of the girl in question according to military reports.
The chancellor, lawyer Liza Corro has issued a statement through UP Cebu public information officer Gregg Lloren to this effect.
In addition, the statement carried a disclaimer stating that in any case, the university does not exercise control over the convictions of students or alumni.
It is unfortunate that the military in this case has not verified the information they released to the public.
Neither they nor anyone else can blame people who now think there is an effort underway to tag the university as a security threat if not an enemy of the state.
To recall, it was not too long ago when my former student, Myles Albasin was rounded up together with five others in Negros and subsequently charged with illegal possession of firearms.
Whether or not they are guilty is now sub judice.
What is not is the fact that a paraffin test showed that
Myles tested negative for gunpowder burns, a fact that belies the military assertion that she figured in a 45-minute gunfight with them.
The association of an apparently fictitious Sumulong, supposedly of UP Cebu with tragic circumstances amid the armed left paints the university as a neglectful institution without regard for the welfare of its students if not a breeding ground for subversives.
Perhaps such association springs from the understandably highly uniform, corporate nature of the military establishment, where, if experience in my reserve corps training is any indicator, conscripts are encouraged to obey orders with haste and ask questions later.
The university does not work that way.
Students are encouraged to cultivate critical thinking and to love the things that elevate the mind.
Early training in communication hones their skills in identifying and refuting fallacies
Exposure to various research methods sharpen their understanding of the social world, such that many of our computer science or biology majors are as socially aware as their mass communication or political science peers.
Syllabi cover the requirements of courses but have no hold on the students’ intellectual activity, manner of thought, and life choices.
If our beloved soldiers wish to step up in their role as protectors of the people, as the people hope they do, they must not allow their protectiveness to discriminate against the university.
It is hip and sexy to associate the pambansang pamantasan (national university) with the founders of movements that have fragmented our land, be it Nur Misuari of the Moro struggle, Jose Maria Sison of the communist insurgency or Ferdinand Marcos of Kilusang Bagong Lipunan who co-opted the military in oppressing their countrymen.
But such association is oftentimes fallacious. It conveniently forgets that the university is far more often the cradle of prime movers of uplifting social life.
Many of them are still living and will participate in the celebration of the centennial of UP Cebu on May 3.
Think Eileen Mangubat in journalism, Lourdes Barcenas in the libertarian movement, Hilario Davide III in government, Madrileña dela Cerna in heritage, Sofia Aliño Logarta in women’s welfare, Charisse Fonacier in music and film, Jude Bacalso in multimedia, Euvic Ferrer in children’s rights, Casiano Anthony Cotiamco and others like him who have joined the clergy or religious life.
A rebellious framing of the university betrays the people.
Let us celebrate UP Cebu for its academic excellence and public service and read the life choices of its alumni in the context of the flame of public service kindled in them while they were in school.
Mabuhi ka, UP Cebu!
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