When thousands gather to sign a petition, that must be considered with great attention. When thousands of your own students gather to demand better then that must mean you have done something greatly wrong. The discontent within the population is not something to be simply swept away.
As thousands of students gathered in Malcolm Square, it’s important to note that they are not just “Taga baba” students but also students born and raised in the Cordillera. One of the speakers in the midst of his message even unknowingly let his local dialect slip through and with his accent you could tell he was a native cordilleran.
Discontent towards the government is a feeling not solely within students hailing from outside of the Cordillera but even within the highland students. Highlander or lowlander, it is distasteful to even try and divide them. The students’ call is something students, regardless of origin agree on. That they deserve better and want better.
This tribal mindset of distancing ourselves from fellow Filipinos and only sticking to our local community is only beneficial to those who want us to remain divided and leave the students isolated. There is no benefit in keeping to ourselves and keeping our head deep in the dirt, unaware of what is going on.
When students speak out, you ought to hear them out first. At the very least, don’t put down those who are trying.**