18/09/2026
Few days before the event, I already felt uneasy from all my overthinking. I kept thinking “what if wara gud pumalit kay damo man kami nag babaligya?” and “what if dire ko manla mabawi ak gasto?”. This wasn’t my first rodeo, but somehow I was still nervous. The day before the event, our preparation started at 3PM and we cooked until 1AM. I only got one hour of sleep until I had to wake up again to be able to cook the remaining items.
In the morning, everything was going smoothly — the sun was shining, no aberya yet. My problem started when it started raining in the afternoon. Nag ditoy an estudyante sa acad because of the rain — nanguli, nanirong — and there was no need for refreshments since mapinit naman and waray pa activities. Wara paak pakakabawi saak kapital. I thought to myself, “it’s fine, hanggang gab’e pa man kami didi, makakabawi paak.” Mao nala ak pinan-hahawakan.
By 5 o’clock in the afternoon we were approached by a university personnel and a few policemen, instructing us to pack our booth and vacate the premises because a memorandum has been released for the cancellation of the event and that they will be conducting a clearing after and it would be best if nakaguwa na kuno kami. I was shocked by the blatant show of authority — not just by the policemen escorting the personnel, the police mobile na gin sulod sa acad, or the banner that was took down but also by the University President for an obvious show of retaliation against the students for what transpired. Shame on you.
Wara ka namanla mapakapag isip sa sobra mo nga ka-butthurt sa pag-show sa students sakanra opinyon? You are only serving yourself and there is no regard for the students or the people who put time and effort for this event to be memorable for everyone.
I cried myself to sleep last night. I kept telling myself na it’s okay kay at least waray ak ka-zero, I still practiced gratitude because I am thankful sa tanan nga nag supporta and nag bulig saak. I am overwhelmed by the support I received from my fellow classmates, school mates, families, and friends. But it did not take away the fact nga wara ak pakabawi saak gasto. And yes, losses can happen — under normal circumstances, that’s part of it. I could’ve accepted it if we’d stayed until night and still had no sales; then I’d have no one to blame. But this wasn’t that. Something was forced on us — and I hold the administration responsible for all our wasted time and effort.
I stand with the students, student leaders and all the university organizations, who are fighting for our rights to expression and freedom. WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOICE OUR OPINIONS, DU***SS. YOU CANNOT TAKE THAT AWAY FROM US.
