UP Student Council marks Nationalist Youth Week

THE University of the Philippines Cebu Student Council held a Cultural Night to culminate the observance of Nationalist Youth Week (NYW) from Jan. 28 to 31.

The NYW aimed to recall and honor the sacrifices of the former youth in attaining freedom from their oppressors.

The event,  held at the Natural Sciences and Mathematics Division (NSMD) lobby of UP Cebu, was attended by students and professionals from different organizations, such as the College Editors’ Guild of the Philippines, the Kabataan party-list national chapter and Panagdait chapter, League of Filipino Students (LFS) – UP Cebu Chapter and the Nagkahiusang Kusog sa mga Estudyante (NKE).

The Cultural Night has been celebrated since the end of the First Quarter Storm, an event that sparked the beginning of mass movements.

“It is an avenue to create solidarity among the students and the youth through cultural presentations like singing and dancing,” said Kristian Jacob Lora, former NKE vice chairperson.

Leaders of the different organizations gave their solidarity messages, while members recited poems, sung progressive songs and performed an interpretative dance of old folk song.

“The reason why we hold this cultural event is because we want to change our nation’s current system so that we may be able to promote a culture that is truly ours. We want to fight for a more scientific culture that can serve the masses,” said Enjie Sandoval, a member of the Kabataan party-list national chapter.

The Cultural Night also serves as a reminder for us to embrace our traditions and our nationality.

“Through this event, the students are able to express their nationalism and love for our country. It also sends out a message not only to the students but also to the youth in general to continue and lead the fight for a genuine social change in the Philippines,” said Dyan Gumanao, the second year representative for the SC of UP Cebu. /UP MassCom student Janicah Abrinica