I didn't know him, haven't heard about him or his name.And when the news of his death spread, he was talked about like that in showbiz blind items, he was referred to as "yung namatay" and talk were showered with speculations.
And to me, he was another "statistic" -- another addition the number of deaths due to campus violence in UP Diliman.
During the Indignation Rally held at UP, bits and pieces of his life were shared through the speeches of those who knew him. He was a 4th year student, a councilor in the NCPAG student council, the bemedalled eldest son from Tiaong, Quezon. He was a good leader, an affectionate friend and brother, the pride and hope of his family.
I suddenly felt the grief and loss of his family and friends.
I felt bewildered of how such culture of violence thrive in an institution of higher learning. I could not understand how people who claim to embody honor and excellence adhere to such brutality. And cowardice.
Pretty soon, the shock and the indignation of the community will wear off.
The questions of "Why?", "when will this culture of violence end?", and "when will people ever learn?" will probably just turn to "i wonder what happpened to that case?"
In a world where "mum" is the operative word, pretty soon, he will become a wisp of a memory.
Just another name to go with the names of Dennis Venturina, Alex Icasiano, Niño Calinao. Names that come up when another campus fraternity-related death happens.
Just another "statistic".
I hope not.
I hope that he will be one straw that will break the camel's back.
Concrete steps have to be taken to eradicate such culture of violence in the campus. If not, it will be ironic that we hope for change in the system, that UP instills in us the idea that we, as Iskolar ng Bayan, all have to work for the "ideal", for progress and change for the nation, yet we tolerate violence to perpetuate.
If we don't start at the base camp, we become the breeding ground for violence and untruthfulness.
I hope the UP Community will create avenues to discuss what concrete steps we will have to take, and how we can start to work together to prevent another incident like this from happening.
And I hope that those who have now heard about him, will not forget him, and his name.
His name is Cris Anthony Mendez.
He died a violent death and in a shroud of secrecy.
Justice for Cris may come slow and uncertain. If nobody will come out to shed light on his case, justice may not come at all.
But if we remember him and how he died, if the memory of him will compel us to work for changes, then Cris' senseless death would at least acquire meaning.
Photos by Boots Tirol
And to me, he was another "statistic" -- another addition the number of deaths due to campus violence in UP Diliman.
During the Indignation Rally held at UP, bits and pieces of his life were shared through the speeches of those who knew him. He was a 4th year student, a councilor in the NCPAG student council, the bemedalled eldest son from Tiaong, Quezon. He was a good leader, an affectionate friend and brother, the pride and hope of his family.
I suddenly felt the grief and loss of his family and friends.I felt bewildered of how such culture of violence thrive in an institution of higher learning. I could not understand how people who claim to embody honor and excellence adhere to such brutality. And cowardice.
Pretty soon, the shock and the indignation of the community will wear off.
The questions of "Why?", "when will this culture of violence end?", and "when will people ever learn?" will probably just turn to "i wonder what happpened to that case?"
In a world where "mum" is the operative word, pretty soon, he will become a wisp of a memory.
Just another name to go with the names of Dennis Venturina, Alex Icasiano, Niño Calinao. Names that come up when another campus fraternity-related death happens.
Just another "statistic".
I hope not.
I hope that he will be one straw that will break the camel's back.Concrete steps have to be taken to eradicate such culture of violence in the campus. If not, it will be ironic that we hope for change in the system, that UP instills in us the idea that we, as Iskolar ng Bayan, all have to work for the "ideal", for progress and change for the nation, yet we tolerate violence to perpetuate.
If we don't start at the base camp, we become the breeding ground for violence and untruthfulness.
I hope the UP Community will create avenues to discuss what concrete steps we will have to take, and how we can start to work together to prevent another incident like this from happening.
And I hope that those who have now heard about him, will not forget him, and his name.His name is Cris Anthony Mendez.
He died a violent death and in a shroud of secrecy.
Justice for Cris may come slow and uncertain. If nobody will come out to shed light on his case, justice may not come at all.
But if we remember him and how he died, if the memory of him will compel us to work for changes, then Cris' senseless death would at least acquire meaning.
Photos by Boots Tirol
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