FOR the first time, the annual Oblation Run was barred from being held inside the University of the Philippines Cebu (UPC) campus. It was instead held in the streets of Lahug, Cebu City.
A Facebook post from Anakbayan Central Visayas chairperson Niño Olayvar said UP Cebu Chancellor lawyer Liza Corro did not allow the annual run because of a "moratorium on student activities in the campus."
Olayvar said Corro's decision is conflicting since another activity, "Pasko sa UP," is about to be held before the Christmas holidays.
He said the administration may be scared that the runners will raise the issue on the steep rental and laboratory fees of the school.
More than 20 male runners with their faces covered in black masks ran along Gorordo Avenue, Lahug village, carrying banners with messages calling for upholding of human rights, ending commercialization of education and violence against women, and other issues confronting the nation.
UP Cebu student council president Syrum Quinto said the administration's move shows the veering away of the state university's ideals in teaching its students to be socially and politically active.
Quinto said the school has suddenly changed its policy in not allowing the "Oble run" inside the campus.
"It is already repressive and this change in policy shows there is already a shift on the essence of the UP education," he said.
UP, he said, has always provided a balance of academic freedom and social and political independence for its students.
In 1977, Alpha Phi Omega members run naked inside the UP Diliman campus in protest of the banning of the film "Hubad na Bayani," which depicted the martial era. The "Oble," or how the oblation statue is commonly called by UP students, symbolizes freedom and "offering of one's self to country."
The Oblation Run is an annual event of UP chapters of Alpha Phi Omega in the different campuses participated by male students running completely naked in public. It has been a tradition of the school and has been a venue to show their stance on socially relevant issues. (VLA/Sunnex)