CUESTA, Dan Moises Dave R.

August 27, 2019

Eng 13 – THV1 803

Reflection Paper

In-Betweens: Role and Stand of Rally as form of Student Activism

I could never forget the day I bid a temporary farewell with my mom as I was about to

embark a new chapter of my life as a college student. While I was fixing my stuff, she kept on

giving advices and reminders; and one thing got into my pocket that made me think up until now.

"Mag-aral nang mabuti a. Iwasang sumali sa mga rally at mga protesta na yan! Baka

mamaya makita ka na lang namin sa TV at aktibista ka na!"

I smiled in response. I did not bother clarifying her view of "activism"; I knew what she

was trying to imply. Besides, we do share the same sentiments. Ever since, I have been a

supporter of activism but a critic of rallies and protests. Not that I hate the intention, I just

question the method. As a firm believer of diplomacy, I live up to that old cliche "idaan sa

maayos na usapan". In the short span of time that I have been staying in UP, which was majorly

influenced by the Day of Walkout, I began questioning what I know and what I believe in.

'Whats' and 'Whys' filled my head which led me to testing and questioning my principles, either

to preserve what is right or change what is wrong in order to conserve. What is the purpose of

rallying? What happens after conducting rallies and protests? Why is there a need to do such

things? Why do student activists prefer rallying on the streets than conducting diplomatic talks?
 On one hand, the extreme left is portrayed as tyranny, as seen by the apathy and ignorance

of people. Since the rulers take full responsibility of running the state while people choose not to

participate, whether by choice or force, they see it as an opportunity to have greater power; with

that power comes their ability as well to take in consideration their personal interests. On the

other hand, the extreme right is portrayed as democracy, as seen by too much interference of

people fighting from different backgrounds leading to conflicts of interest. This view of

democracy is also reflected from Aristotle's Politics where he expressed despise for democracy

as a perverted form of constitution and that it is the manifestation of having many rulers seeking

for the satisfaction of their self-interest. From this perspective, it can be concluded that both

ends, although coming from different sides, don't make such good and may just lead to war –

widespread oppression on the left side and bloody revolution on the right side.

If absolute zero and a hundred both did not work, perhaps there could be something in

between. It was during my class in Polsc 11 when I got to reflect the pivotal role of politics in

mediating. Politics, in its broadest sense, aims to prevent conflict by settling in between. Through

diplomatic and peaceful talks, the needs of both sides may be conciliated and both satisfied

without resulting to war. Diplomacy is therefore seen as the best and most practicable way of

government where both the state and individuals benefit.

However, in as much as we want to live a good life, one factor hinders in the Philippine

context: the government turning a blind eye on the say of the people. While the people

appropriately exercise their participation to politics, the government fails to listen and exercise

the practice of diplomacy. That being said, the level of people's participation increases as they
attempt to be heard more. This is where activism, in the form of rallies and protests, appears.

Activists, mostly students, do such things intentionally in order to catch the attention of the

government and let their voice be heard. One of the timely and relevant examples of this is what

happened during the Day of Walkout. Students walked out of their classes not because they just

do not want to attend but because they bind with a collective purpose of fighting for the

academic freedom and against the military presence inside the university. They walked on the

streets of Mendiola, tolerating the heat of the scorching sun, because they no longer see the

appropriateness of diplomacy in the present condition, and that, a more radical way should be

imposed.

August 23rd, six in the evening, I am sitting on Sunken Garden, with the view of green

trees and sound of chirping birds, reflecting on how my view has changed in a short span of time.

From this moment, I know I am not going to be the person I was before I entered.

UP, shatter me into pieces and build me again: as a better individual with a better view of

world and more passionate heart to serve without limits. I am more than prepared.