The Art of Being an Isko
UP has a growing roster of noteworthy alumni who have made significant contributions in their respective fields. No other university in the country has produced as many government officials, national artists, renowned scientists, and prominent figures. It is mainly this clout, along with a distinct campus culture, that makes UP and its students frequent news items.
Over the course of a hundred years, various events and personalities have contributed to the history of the University of the Philippines. This history can be seen as an artist's palette which holds the multitude of colors that represent the university. Media uses these colors to create their interpretations of the UP student. However, from the wide array of hues available, only a few can be seen in mainstream media's creations, which are often gross, two-dimensional misinterpretations of the iskolar ng bayan. “Activist,” and “violent” are most common generalizations of UP students. Although the first two are not necessarily bad, careful observation will reveal sketches of negative connotations beneath the paint.
Iskos are portrayed as violent rallyists who flock to the streets and create havoc. In an Inqurer.net article published on September 26, 2006, UP is described as “a hotbed of student activists,” implying that the university constantly produces students whose actions are undesired by society. Such descriptions may be misinterpretations of UP's tradition of critical thinking.
The university exercised its political autonomy during the historical Diliman Commune and First Quarter Storm to fight the repression of the Marcos regime. More recent displays of activism include demonstrations against the alleged cheating during the 2004 elections, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's Presidential Proclamation 1017, and RA 9372 or the Human Security Act of 2007, all of which did not involve the use of arms. These are just some of the many instances where UP students have proved that political and civic participation are not confined merely to suffrage every three years.
Rallies are not the only venues for student activism. UP can be proud of the literary pieces, independent films, documentaries, and works of art used as political satires, calls to action, and mediums to express political dissatisfaction. Diliman's Philippine Collegian and Los Baños's Perspective of UP Los Banos were student publications which kept their critical stance and continued operations underground even during the media blackout of Martial Law.
One of the more recent misinterpretations by media of UP students was a response to the death of Cris Mendez where iskos were portrayed as violent fraternity members who kill in the name of brotherhood. The September 4 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer featured an editorial cartoon of the Oblation statue replaced by the grim reaper with skulls at its base. The caption accompanying the text read “The New Oblation: UP's Culture of Violence.”
The death of Mendez is a sensitive topic that requires attention to detail. Not only does the illustration imply that all UP students are killers, it also adds insult to injury. The cartoon was published only after Mendez's death, a time when his family, friends and fellow students were grieving for his loss. Because the perpetrators of the crime are still at large and no final resolution has been reached with regards to this issue, it remains a touchy subject.
All the misrepresentations cited create a representation of UP students by the media that is a far cry from a masterpiece.
With the beginning of a new centennial, iskos will surely experience countless events that will add new shades to UP's expanding palette. It is therefore media's responsibility to give audiences a well represented view of UP or any other multi-faceted subject it will tackle. For it takes the skills of a true artist to create a play of colors as rich as the subject itself, and the courage of an experienced master, to allow his creation to be interpreted by his patrons. i
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