Open Letter to Ms. Nessa Abad
from
http://updcmu.multiply.com/journal/item/24/Open_letter_to_Ms._Nessa_Abadalso from
http://upcollegeofmusic.multiply.com/journal/item/1/Open_letter_to_Ms._Nessa_AbadFebruary 21, 2009
Open letter to Ms. Nessa Abad:
Dear Ms. Abad,
We understand that you are running for the position of USC Councilor under STAND-UP. We at the UP College of Music, however, are concerned about the effects it would have on the student body should you win.
Last year, you wrote and openly published a poem inspired by A Heroic Life, the valedictory address given by our very own Gabriela Francisco, now an official faculty member employed by the university at the UP College of Music.
Kay Gabriela Francisco, Summa Cum Laude
The Valedictorian
by Nessa Abad
I
You atop the centenary podium
triumphant, hailed, basking in glory.
Image of academic perfection,
Envied and adored, the star.
You invoke the names of our heroes:
Rizal, Aguinaldo, Mabini.
Most of all, Mabini.
For you say he was a studious man
a role model for UP students.
Poor but bright; so bright
his name blazed through history books,
immortalized in the very pages
he would have loved to read.
(You wonder if yours, too,
shall be immortalized one day.)
You say our country today is plunged
in crisis, and students are forced
to rally in the streets for justice.
Or be branded as apathetic.
You urge a quieter resistance
of books and classrooms.
To do well in one's studies
is patriotism, my dear graduates.
Waste not the lowly taxpayer's money,
my lovely dears.
(Mabini would have rolled over in his grave
to hear you talk.)
Silly Summa.
Mabini was not merely a student,
he was a dissenter.
He wrote
against military atrocities,
against American colonization
Mabini had struggled for your freedom.
By the way, who are these browbeaten taxpayers
that you mention? Do you know them?
Have you come face-to-face
with misery, desperation, sweat and shit?
(The flutter of your beautiful hair betrays
perhaps three hours in the salon, sweet Summa?)
And yet your words have a truth
students are forced to walk out of classes
to stand up for their rights,
and for the rights of the taxpayers, too.
(This crippled society produced them,
yet they have learned more than you.)
You bow down to rabid applause,
the State smiles benignly on its star
epitome of intelligence, bearer of dreams.
Off you go to wine and dine in the night.
II
My heart beats wildly in its cage,
It is almost time.
Indignant, defiant,
I am ready to spit fire
The call has started;
I rush forth
raising clenched fists,
crying our challenge,
closing ranks
with the sons and daughters
of Mabini
and the Revolution.
We are well aware that in University of the Philippines we practice freedom of speech and constantly clash our intellects. And ideally this should be a good thing. Disagreeing and debating over issues, thoughts, and ideas not only keep us mentally stimulated but also lead, hopefully, to discovering solutions to the problems our current society faces. So we take no offense about your views regarding student activism.
What we resent is the fact that your poem was more than just an intellectual counter to the points Gabi made in her speech. It was a personal attack, even an insult, to someone you hardly knew, if at all. And as someone who promises to humbly serve the student body of the University of the Philippines, it concerns us that you were able to do such a thing to your then fellow student.
Your openly published poem also inspired many others to hurl insults not only at Gabi, but at her family and us music majors in general. We were accused of being passive elitists, among other things. And to paraphrase one anonymous poster, we apparently cultivate a craft that serves only ourselves and the current status quo of society and not the people’s interests (See
http://mallorntook.blogspot.com/2008/05/kay-gabriela-francisco-summa-cum-laude.html). Of course none of these generalizations are true.
You must also understand that stars, as you sweetly described Gabi to be, rarely shine for themselves alone, but for others as well. When an outstanding student is chosen to give the valedictory address in front of the entire UP community, she carries more than just her own name and glory. She also represents her home college, to which much credit is given on behalf of her achievements. And we at the UP College of Music took great pride in our star, and in a way considered her victory as our own. So when you publicly insulted her, you publicly insulted our institution and our community as well.
We are also well aware of the fact that this is nothing new. Valedictory addresses and the outstanding UP students who deliver them are bashed every year. However, I think it is only fair that you, as an aspiring leader, should be held to a higher standard. And that standard includes not only tolerating, but also appreciating the various ideas birthed from the brilliant minds of your fellow UP students. Our university is a boiling pot of different cultures, views, ideologies, values, and religious, social, and political beliefs. And it is the job of a good leader to respect and make use of this diversity instead of insulting and marginalizing those who think differently.
Still part of this higher standard is being responsible for the repercussions of your actions. You may or may not have been part of the anonymous people who openly attacked Gabi’s family and us music majors in general, but your poem inspired it. Leaders influence other people and the things they do, so this is something you should think about.
All that being said, we would like to demand a public apology from you, not only to Gabriela Francisco, but to her family and the entire community of the UP College of Music as well.
We want the assurance that the officers of next school year's University Student Council will do their best to ensure that diversity in all its forms will be respected. And that instead of inspiring the insult and marginalization of certain individuals, communities and colleges in the university, they will be the first to fight against it.
Sincerely,
The students of the UP College of Music:
Catherine Grace L. de Leon
Bianca Camille D. Lopez
Cholo C. Gino
Albert Napoleon J. Roldan
Catherine Cheng
Gabriel V. Molina
Ara Janelle Foronda
Mika Lastrilla
Mel Mayuga
Ernesto C. Gonzaga
Kim Feliz
Janine A. Liao
Laurice Caronan
Emmanuel P. de Leon Jr.
M.C. Santiago
Marga Abejo
Citas A. Yson
Julienne Bonacua
Michael Angelo Casal
Jinggoy Balane
Clark Louis Crisostomo
Tommy Karkibak
Shekaina Roldan
Johanna Van Gestel
Jennifer T. Santos
Geraldine Margaret Padilla
Mark Anthony Mamagat
Rena Angelo Francisco
Jeruel C. Orillaza
Ben Crus
Ben Caliwara
Emerson Kirit
Arjay Viray
Vell Litan
Diyie Lacuesta
Katrina Lagrisola
John Cas
Joel Viola
Nikka Lopez
Alyssa Dioquino
Sara Matsuura
Malvin Macaset
Angela Daphne P. Villanueva
Roxanne Modesto
Kevin Noel Daguio
Sheila Marie Ferrer
Karen Lena McKenzie
Nicole Sanchez
Jonathan Tapac
Phoebe Bitoon
Feliz Macahis
Criselda Peren
Jay Contreras
Jared Mugcal
Joven Palencia
John Calsenia
Edmer Peralta
Teresa Montes
M. Therese D. Pitogo
Ford C. Pundamiera
Jeanie Tolentino
Mark Gerna
Sam Fidel
Avelino Guapok
Mary Jeane Egloso
Tomas Umberto Virtucio Jr.
Roan May Opiso
Josiah Samaniego
Thristan Mendoza
Joanna Ruth B. Livioco
Bryan Gonzaga
Michael Dane
Supported by:
Kriska S. Tayag
UP CMu SC Chairperson, SY ’08-‘09
Celedonia V. Franco
UP CMu SC Vice Chair, SY ’08-‘09
Anna Patricia B. Rodriguez
UP CMu SC Secretary, SY ’08-‘09
Marie-Luise C. Calvero
UP CMu SC Councilor, SY ’08-‘09
Anna Achacoso
UP CMu College Representative to the USC, SY ’08-‘09
