Alternative Activism

PLM, also known as Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, has been a pillar of Academic Excellence in the Philippines for the last 45 years. It is considered as the first City-funded university in the island who accommodates students and give outstanding academic remarks at a low possible cost.

PLM had undergone drastic changes as time goes by, from the way of teaching, emerging of different colleges, erection of new buildings, infrastracture enhancement, to widening its network. but only one has not changed, it is the advocacy of giving Quality education to the less fortunate students yet deserving students of Manila.


EXPOSE

but last June 7, 2010, as the official start of AY 2010-2011 at Pamantasan, some of the students was shocked when they noticed a mind-buggling-confusing and sponsored-tarpauline inside Kantina Sta.Ana that says...




(This photo was taken last June 7, 2010. Image courtesy: of Aige Manlavi, a concerned PLM student)

As an alumnus of our dear Pamantasan, this signage gave me not only an ounce of disappointment but it also awaken my inner outrage. I felt sorry for the students because such policy would drive them to buy food inside the canteen just to enjoy and experience such facilities that , in fact, was made for them. but I don't want to be named as an Expose-Oppose Lad, but as my Bukluran Family had taught me and inculcated in my mind that we should not only find fault in the government or administration but rather to find an alternative to such faults that we see. In short, I/We, should Expose, Oppose and Propose.. or what we call, ALTERNATIVE ACTIVISM.


OPPOSE

In my own perspective, Definitely, as what I've seen, I OPPOSE such policy. Why? simply because,
1.) The students should not be deprived to any kind of service or facilities inside the Pamantasan.

2.) Majority of the student population in PLM is Financially deprived, kaya nga sila nagbabaon para makamenos sa gastos at the very reason why they eat at the Canteen is Because IT IS A PLACE FOR EATING! buti sana kung hindi nagpapalit ng room and mga students everytime na magiiba ang subject nila eh hindi!

3.) The Kantina Sta. Ana was built (renovated) FOR the Students, Faculty and Employees.

4.) The students should not be the one to suffer if the canteen is "nalulugi". ("as stated by them that nalulugi daw sila kaya nila pinatupad ung policy") (I forgot the english translation of "nalulugi" haha! :D) That's why there is so-called "Marketing and Advertising Strategies.

5.) Wouldn't be such policy will drive your customers (students etc.) away from the canteen that MAY result to further low income?


PROPOSE


So as a concerned alumnus of Pamantasan, what should I propose as an alternative to the policy that MAY benefit not only the canteen administration but also the entire studentry?

1.) Why not device a plan or a strategy that will attract more students to come and eat at the canteen?

2.) Why not add more seats so that it could accommodate more students?

3) Why not REPAIR those broken chairs and tables?

4) Why not serve a a budget meal without neglecting its nutritive content?

5.) Why not serve different meal each day? (para hindi sila magsawa :D)

Actually, It is not hard for the canteen admin. to attract students to eat at kantina Sta. Ana, because the mere AIR-CONDITIONING UNIT is a big plus for the students, faculty and employess.


On the other hand, I also wanted to know the side of the Canteen Administration, because it would be unfair if I voiced out all my emotions without listening to them. but, As I have observed from the tarp and from the objections of many students. SUCH POLICY SHOULD BE REMOVED! because, we have to keep in mind that THE WELFARE OF THE STUDENTS IS THE SUPREME LAW!



P--A--D--A--Y--O--N--!!