UP students, politicians slammed in Santiago’s graduation speech

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines –Senator Miriam Defensor -Santiago on Tuesday called the students of the state-run University of the Philippines “full of themselves” and described politicians seeking elective posts in May as “idiots.”

Speaking at the commencement exercises of the Our Lady of Fatima University held at the PICC in Pasay City, Santiago praised its students and blasted students of UP.

“Mahal na mahal ko kayong lahat dahil nanggaling kayo sa mahirap.  Marami kayong dinaanan, yung iba sa inyo working student pa. Pero daig n’yo ang mga taga-UP. Ang mga taga-UP, mayayabang. Kala mo kung sinong mag-arte,” she said.

(I love you so much because you rose from poverty. You went through many difficulties, some of you even became working students. But you fare better than those from UP. Those from UP are so arrogant. They are self-centered.)

“Talo sila ng Our Lady of Fatima University. Subsidized ang tuition nila (UP), hindi sila namomorblema ng  pera nila. At iba sa kanila, galing pa sa mayaman na pamilya–very powerful people, families filled with prestige, social power…” she said.

(Students from UP are no match for students of Our Lady of Fatima University. Their (UP students) tuition and other school fees are subsidized, they have no problem with money. Some of them hail from affluent families…)

Candidates running in the May elections did not escape Santiago’s sharp tongue while delivering her inspirational speech to graduating students of the university.

While stressing the value of being sincere with other people, Santiago cannot resist deriding candidates.

“Hindi kamukha ng mga kandidato ngayon, ngiti nang ngiti parang mga idiots,” she said, drawing laughter from the audience.

(Unlike today’s candidates who are flashing fake smiles and looking like idiots.)

Santiago also took a jab at candidates when she cracked her vaunted pickup lines.

“Bakit naka-schedule sa tag-init ang kampanya para sa election? Dahil dito napapatunayan kung anong klaseng pulitiko ang nangangampanya.”

(Why is it that the campaign period is scheduled during summer? Because this is the time the true nature of politicians is exposed.)

“Kung matunaw sila sa init, ibig sabihin plastic sila. Kung masunog sila sa araw, ibig sabihin mapapel sila. At kung mahilig silang magbilad sa araw, malamang buwaya sila,” Santiago said.

(If they melt under the sun it means they’re plastic. If they char under the sun, it means they’re attention grabbers. And if they like being exposed to the sun, it means they’re crocodiles [Filipino term for corrupt, greedy and money-making politicians]).

The following were her pick-up lines she unleashed at the graduation rites:

“Kung ayaw mo yung nanliligaw sa’yo, sabihin mo sa kanya: ‘Huh, para kang summer wala kang class.’

(If you don’t like your suitor, tell this: ‘Huh, you’re like summer, you got no class.)

“Kung ayaw mo, sabihin mo, alam mo ba kung bakit pumasa ang Anti-Cyber Crime Law? Dahil sa profile picture mo.”

(If you don’t like him, tell him, ‘you know why the Anti-Cyber Crime Law passed? It’s because of your profile picture.)

“Aanhin pa natin ang April Fool’s Day? Araw-araw ka namang niloloko.”

(What’s the use of April Fool’s Day when you are being fooled every day?)

“Kapag sinabi sa’yo ng boyfriend mo na nanlalamig na s’ya sa iyo, buhusan mo ng gasolina at silaban mo.”

(If your boyfriend is getting cold towards you, drench him with gasoline and set him on fire.)