I AM
by I.S. Cabañero
Iskolar-aktibista.
I come to think of this thought more convinced than
just “iskolar ng bayan” in all.
I come to believe in this idea more faithfully than
anything else every time I am asked.
I am asked, “what’s a U.P. student like?”
I am a student of the university.
I am one of the many hundreds of the many thousands.
I go around the campus riding the Ikots, and go the opposite way around riding
the Tokis.
I mean “SC” to be the university’s shopping
center, and not the country’s Supreme Court.
I call the historical Palma Hall “A.S.” and the
skinny blue quiz notebook “blue book”.
Iskolar-aktibista.
I am a scholar of the nation, an iskolar ng bayan.
I pay a subsidized amount of fee for my tuition
and top-notch education.
I thank the people of my nation and the men
that run its noble office.
I am a scholar sent to school by the government.
I am a scholar indebted of service to my nation.
I am a scholar of my republic’s people.
Iskolar-aktibista.
I am an activist, an aktibista.
I stand as myself.
I advocate the thoughts, the interests, the ideas,
and the rights of my causes.
I, by my beliefs, stand firm.
I, by my principles, live strong.
I, by my virtues, act wisely.
I am an activist with refined civilization.
I am an activist of fought-for liberation.
I am a student of the University of the
Philippines.
I am an iskolar-aktibista.
I am due to my nation not only of committed service,
but also of passionate assistance.
I am owed by progress not only a shot at it,
but several, to secure my nation’s amelioration.
I am for the nation and for its people – I
typed this in conviction.
To think of my purpose for the future is me being
a student.
To dream my nation’s benediction is my contribution
for my university’s continued erection.
To realize that dream and to offer that selfless
purpose to my patron is a becoming of me.
The answer is “I am”.
I am.
