Cedrix Leppago, Cristina Arcega, Nicholai Sandoval, and Renzo Reyes, News Department
The tradition of opening the semester along with various advocacies continues as the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) welcomes the students after their semestral break by holding the two-day Tanglaw Fest at the PUP Oval on Thursday and Friday, April 4-5.
Supporting the theme “Mga Kabataang Makabayan, Tara sa Biyaheng Tungo sa Mapagpalayang Lipunan,” the most-awaited event featured booths from different campus organizations, live performances, the first-ever drag competition, and various campaigns.
An avenue for campaigns
PUP Sentral na Konseho ng Mag-aaral (SKM) Vice President Abbygail Alforque stated that the event is not only to showcase the true capabilities of the PUPians but also to echo different advocacies and raise awareness about current political and societal issues.
As Tanglaw Fest kicked off its first day of events, organizing committees and solidarity speakers discussed relevant pressing issues during the morning segment of the program. Mx. Deniel Tolentino, Tanglaw Fest 2024 overall head, emphasized the importance of Iskolar ng Bayan’s collective fight in upholding education, livelihood, and the individual rights of the masses.
“Ang Tanglaw Fest ay hindi lamang isang pagdiriwang sa pagbubukas ng bagong semestre, kundi isang pagpapahayag ng ating determinasyon na ipaglaban ang ating mga karapatan,” Tolentino affirmed.
Various organizations also held a flash protest to assert the calls of the entire PUP community to a first-day fight, such as the denunciation of the impending threats in the face of Charter Change, Jeepney Phaseout, and the NPU Bill, among many others.
Special performances from PUPians were the highlights during the afternoon segment of the program; a flash mob with Sapphire, the College of Communication (COC) Cheering Squad, the For Adults Only (FAO) Dance Crew, Ace Prime Dancers, Movers and Motions, Tanglaw Fest organizers, and a sneak peek at the drag queens of “Let’s Get Drag: Serving the Community With Heels.”
A platform for advocacy and expression
Besides the solidarity speeches and performances, the drag competition was among the highly anticipated activities during the second day of Tanglaw Fest, where student drag queens were not only showcasing their runway glam and talents in captivating lip-sync battles but also demonstrating their ability to raise awareness and amplify social battles.
PUP’s First Drag Superstar, Eliza, stressed the significance of the societal campaigns championed by each drag queen. She underlined the opportunity to raise awareness on various causes to a broader audience and provide more in-depth explanations to those seeking understanding.
“Being able to know what’s happening [in] our current situation, lalong-lalo na sa Pilipinas, it’s very important. Kasi hindi ibig sabihin na iisa, dalawang tao, [o] tatlong tao lamang ang may alam ng current na issue ng bawat isa or like ‘yong mga kinakaharap natin, ibig sabihin walang patutunguhan ‘yon. Kasi ‘yong tatlong tao na ‘yon, may possibility na maipasiwalat pa nila ito sa ibang tao, ma-explain pa nito nang mas malalim sa ibang tao, so kakalat at kakalat ‘yon,” she explained.
Another queen from PUP San Juan, Asha Sole, also underscored the impact of advocating for specific campaigns and contributing to widespread awareness, particularly as Tanglaw ng Bayan.
“Syempre, bukod sa pagiging Iskolar ng Bayan, isa sa karga natin is ‘yong pagiging aktibo sa mga ganitong bagay. Especially sa advocacy ko, which is women empowerment. My goal is to bring back ‘yong equal rights na we used to have before and I hope mag-succeed ako sa plano kong ‘yon. And I know mags-succeed ako because I have everyone, lahat ng PUPians, to support my campaign,” Asha Sole said.
PUPians’ calls for better learning environment amid intense heat
Aside from the national issues echoed, the students also took the opportunity to express their concerns about the class setup for this second semester, emphasizing their pleas for a more conducive learning environment.
Sharmaine Estrella, a third-year Economics student, pointed out that because PUP’s university calendar is lagging compared to other universities, students are being compelled to attend classes during summer which poses a significant inconvenience, particularly for those who commute to school.
“Sana sa next school year medyo mapaaga yung pasok para bumalik sa dating sched. Kasi katulad ngayon late tayo sa PUP and napag-iiwanan tayo kung ico-compare sa ibang university. Tapos naaabutan din natin yung summer phase kung tinatawag. So, sobrang init and sobrang hassle para sa mga students, especially most of the students naman [ay] nag co-commute din,” she explained.
Meanwhile, second-year Psychology student, Chris Gabriel Ucol emphasized the importance of the budget increase that PUP has been advocating for. He highlighted that this increase would greatly contribute to creating a more conducive learning environment for PUPians, particularly in addressing issues, such as the discomfort caused by the lack of ventilation in several classrooms.
“Actually, ang nilo-look forward natin doon ay sana magkaroon tayo ng mas mataas na budget para mas maging conducive ang learning natin, especially mga classrooms natin dahil nasa ating mga PUPians ang init talaga. So gano’n talaga ‘yong nilalaban natin, budget increase talaga para mas maging malamig at mas maging conducive na ‘yong learning natin,” he emphasized.
Beating the heat
While students found the soaring temperature uncomfortable during the Tanglaw Fest, they still found their reasons to attend the event despite the rising heat index.
Iskolars ng Bayan attended not only to receive freebies from different booths or bond with their blockmates and friends but also to unwind and take a break from their academics while supporting the different campaigns endorsed in the event.
Apart from that, Ucol also stressed that the heat was worth resisting because of how Tanglaw Fest became a venue for the advocacies and campaigns of students.
“Bukod sa im-meet ko ‘yong friends ko mamaya, syempre, ang Tanglaw Fest ay venue siya ng mga campaigns and advocacies natin, especially sa mga societal issues na sumasagka sa ating mga estudyante,” he said.
Freshman Genevieve Rivera, from the Bachelor of Science in Office Administration program, also suggested that organizers include free water for the next Tanglaw Fest to beat the heat during the festivity.
Since 2023, Tanglaw Fest has been an avenue to advance the PUP community’s calls and celebrate the return of PUPians for the second semester in the Sintang Paaralan.
PUP Campus Journalists 