LOOK: Kiko Pangilinan visits UP, recounts how he worked with campus vendors as a student leader

Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan recalled his time as a student leader when he visited his alma mater, the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman in Quezon City last Saturday, Sept. 7.

Pangilinan was in the university for a meeting, which he did not detail the purpose of, as per his Instagram post yesterday, Sept. 10.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2Ny_xCD3uI/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Since he was early for the said meeting, he took the time to visit a fishball kiosk within the campus, which was owned by one Manang Vicky.

Pangilinan mentioned that Manang Vicky is a member of UP Manininda, an organization for vendors within the campus. The senator helped form the group back in 1987 during his time as student council chair and as the first student regent of the university who could vote on decisions.

A student regent is the only student member of the highest governing body in the UP System, the Board of Regents. The student regent represents undergraduate and graduate students from all UP campuses.

Pangilinan explained that the organization for vendors was established because it used to be illegal for vendors such as Manang Vicky to sell in the university. He also revealed that they would either be tracked down or caught by the police for operating on campus grounds.

“Gerilya style ang pagbenta nila hanggang sa tinulungan natin silang maging organizado, magkaroon ng mga uniporme, ma-accredit ng UP Admin,” he said.  “At higit sa lahat ay maging ligal ang hanapbuhay.”

(They used to sell guerrilla style until we helped them become organized, have their own uniforms, get accredited by the UP admin and on top of everything, make their jobs legal.)

The senator said he was happy to see that even after 32 years, people are still benefiting from how students helped the marginalized vendors in organizing. 

“Salamat Manang Vicky sa masarap at mainit na fishballs!” he said. “Mabuhay ang UP Manininda!”

(Thank you Manang Vicky for the delicious and hot fishballs! Long live the UP Manininda!) NVG

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