Oblation Run returns in UP Diliman

MANILA, Philippines — After several years of postponement, naked runners once again took part in the traditional Oblation Run at the University of the Philippines (UP) in Diliman, Quezon City yesterday.

Members of the Alpha Phi Omega (APO) fraternity ran naked around the UP Palma Hall as part of the event, officially known as the Ritual Dance of the Brave.

Named after the iconic Oblation statue that has become one of the university’s symbols, the Oblation Run started in 1977 as a form of dissent against martial law.

A platform for APO to highlight pressing issues facing Filipinos, this year’s activity is the first under the administration of President Marcos Jr., namesake and only son of the late dictator.

This year’s theme, “Sama-sama Tayong Babaon Muli,” was a play on Marcos’ campaign slogan last year, “Sama-sama Tayong Babangon Muli.”

In a statement, the fraternity highlighted several issues facing the country, including the high cost of basic commodities, weak economy and being buried in trillions in debt.

“Instead of focusing on industrialization, promotion of domestic industries and real land reform, the Marcos Jr. regime chose to open up the country to foreigners,” the group said in Filipino, citing moves to amend the Public Service Act, the opening of more sites to the United States military under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement and the failure to address Chinese incursions in the West Philippine Sea.

APO also scored the Marcos administration and its allies for using social media to divert the attention of the public to pressing issues.

“They also do not deny that their main goal is to ‘clear’ their name – as if the infamous legacy of the Marcoses and martial law were just fiction and not of their own making,” said the group.

They also cited other issues, including proposals to revive the mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program, red-tagging and harassment of government critics and activists.

In its statement, the fraternity also underscored the need to accept the “bitter reality” that the two EDSA People Power uprisings – which led to the ouster of two presidents, including the elder Marcos – failed to deliver on their promises.

“While it is a result of the unity and collective action of the people, they have only changed the face of a decaying system that is slowly killing the Filipino people – a system that fills us with ‘hope,’ ” APO said.

Real change “comes from intensive and long-term struggles, from the process of true solidarity among the people outside of a few campaign rallies, a few meetings, a few dialogues,” the group added.

Most UP campuses started the second semester this week, which will be held mostly in-person for the first time since the pandemic.