This March, the world celebrates the vital role women play in their families, communities, and countries. Rooted in the centuries-old struggle to participate in society on an equal-footing with men, the International Women’s Month is the story of ordinary women making history. International Women’s Month highlights the access to equal rights and participation in the political and economic process for women.

To date, relevant changes have been accorded to women in society but it would be naïve to assume that significant barriers to achieving women equality have been removed especially when they continue exist.

The issue of women equality transcends to the higher issue of gender gap and discrimination. Even as the Philippines ranked 8th among 135 countries with the least gender gap according to a survey by the Geneva-based World Economic Forum, the fight for gender equality in our society continues. Discrimination against the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trandsgender (LGBT) community in the country continues to be the prevailing norm, highlighted by the rise of hate crimes. Exploitation and violence against women remain rampant in the workplace and in the household, and access to reproductive health services and information continues to be restricted leading to the death of, on the average, eleven Filipino mothers every day.

As we commemorate Women’s Month, may we recognize the issue of gender inequality as an additional divider in our society. Being the bastion of freedom in our country, endlessly revolutionizing the course of history, we call upon all Iskos and Iskas to stand by the women and LGBTs of our country as they continuously fight against discrimination and violence, and put forward the cause for a national reproductive health policy in our country. Let us continue writing our new history that we have started when we elected our first transgender USC Chairperson.

This little step signifies a giant leap in fighting for equal voices in our institutions. In representing the whisper of the silenced and oppressed groups and shouting for their causes, in empowering them to be the change that we want to see, we continue to write a new story – one that is worthy of adding to the long list of ordinary stories that we commemorate every year for they have become extraordinary; stories of rainbows and hope, of empowerment and equality, of social justice and social progress.

Iskolar para sa Bayan, kasama ka sa patuloy na panawagan para sa pantay na karapatan para sa lahat ngayong Buwan ng Kababaihan.

They say that every generation has their own defining moment.

Our parents had theirs in EDSA 26 years ago.

Thanks to them, we deem our freedoms as a given. However imperfect our democracy may be, we remain a free people with our rights intact due to their sacrifice. As our parents faced down tanks and dismantled a dictatorship, they have given us a precious inheritance of freedom.

26 years after, it is now our turn for a defining moment.

We are challenged to prove that their sacrifices were not in vain. As we relive the spirit of EDSA, we are tasked to use our freedom in order to let the marginalized experience theirs. Our idealism must confront the urgent challenges of our time. We must secure peace for our university, rooting out the scourge of fraternity-related violence that has taken many lives. We must secure equality regardless of gender or background, showing that anybody with a heart for service can lead. We must secure progressive change in our leadership, rejecting as opportunism an independence not rooted in principle.

Our parents had us in mind when they fought for democracy.

Let’s show them how worthy we are for their sacrifice.

25 February 2012

UP students actively shape our country’s history. To do this, we are brought together by the University Student Council. The USC is in the best position to unite our diversely talented student body and direct it towards the good of our nation. As the challenges we face change over time, so too does the USC evolve to represent the best our people has to offer.

To meet today’s new challenges, the USC must evolve once more.

In the pursuit of relevant, quality, and accessible education, the USC must transcend partisanship to attain progressive change. While diverse and multi-perspective, the UP student body is brought together by a common desire to learn and serve. We need a USC that creates spaces for dialogue and collaboration. ALYANSA calls for a USC defined by diversity and united for progress, not crippled by blind loyalties and dogma but led with accountable leadership and principled politics.

To confront the threat against campus safety and security, we need a USC that will be firm in its resolve to fight all forms of violence - from petty crimes to fraternity-related incidents. We need a leadership that will go beyond condemnation and template solutions, and be open to consultation and innovative proposals. ALYANSA calls for a USC defined not by “brotherhood” but by community.

Faced with a diverse community in terms of background and belief, the USC must address the needs of each of these groups through relevant campaigns, activities, and services. Only direct consultation and engagement with our diverse student body can empower the USC to serve and represent us. ALYANSA calls for a USC defined not by petty division but by respect for diversity.

Ultimately, the USC must be an example of the good governance that our nation relentlessly pursues. To do this, we scholars must go beyond our shortcomings and tap into our infinite potential as a nation. This task is daunting, but as UP students, we owe it to the people that sacrifice for our education to take on this challenge.

The USC can be so much more because we are the USC.

TARA, SIMULAN ANG PAGBABAGO! ISKOLAR PARA SA BAYAN, TAYO ANG USC.