Election season in UP Diliman has been traditionally dominated by three colors—blue, red, and yellow. As the polls return from a one-year hiatus, one color seemed to be left out: yellow. While it is still included in the graphics of election-related activities, the party it is identified with, the Nagkakaisang Iskolar para sa Pamatasan at Samabayanan (KAISA UP) is noticeably absent.
“It was not an easy decision, but we have to do it for the betterment of the organization,” KAISA UP chair Andrea Murillo told the Collegian. She clarified that the party is still here, but they would be sitting out this year’s University Student Council (USC) elections to focus on “rebuilding” efforts within the organization.
Earlier this semester, KAISA consulted with its member organizations about their plans for the upcoming election. The decision was crucial, especially given their momentum from past elections. To recall, KAISA’s Sean Thakur was the last elected USC chairperson in 2019 up until he resigned in August 2020 during the council’s holdover term. The party had also secured the same position twice before, in 2009 and in 2013.
That momentum died down when COVID-19 came into play and forced the university to shift to remote learning. KAISA conducted only one grand membership orientation during the pandemic. Member organizations of KAISA also fell from ten pre-pandemic to two at present, those being the Student Action for Responsive Leadership in Tourism from the Asian Institute of Tourism (START-AIT) and the Leaders for Excellence, Action, and Development-College of Home Economics (LEAD-CHE).
“Hindi naman siya (recruitment) nasa stagnation phase. Although hindi naman completely na walang na-recruit, but compared to before, iba talaga since lahat ay nahihirapan at nag-aadjust. But we’re still doing our part as members to keep the organization floating,” Murillo explained.
The compounding effects of the pandemic and the virtual setup are also to blame for KAISA’s unfortunate retreat in this year’s USC elections. Murillo cited concerns about members’ personal, mental, and emotional wellbeing amid the current situation. KAISA is taking advantage of this retreat to “improve the organizational system of the party,” making sure to account for the effects of the present circumstances on its members.
At present, the university-wide political party is closely working with START-AIT and LEAD-CHE in their candidates’ bid for local council positions. The same cannot be said, though, for their affiliate in the National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG). The Practice for Administrative Leadership and Service (PALS) also has candidates running for the local council, but Murillo said that KAISA is not involved in their campaign.
Despite the lack of elected representatives in the next USC term, KAISA vows that its presence will continue to be felt by the UP community. The party will continue with its Kalinga Community Pantry initiative for the benefit of jeepney drivers and street vendors. They will also be pursuing their campaign for free, accessible, and quality education amid the current remote learning setup.
KAISA is also not closing their doors to working with other political parties whose delegates will be serving in the next USC term. “As long as we share the same vision and campaigns, we don’t think there is something wrong with working with the other parties. After all, hindi ang kapwa estudyante ang kalaban,” Murillo said. “Kailangang mas makahimok tayo ng marami pang kabataan at miyembro sa lipunan upang lumakas ang ating kampanya.”
The party is hopeful it can participate in the election next year, a decision that would rest upon the result of its rebuilding efforts. As for this year’s USC polls, KAISA will be sitting on the sidelines to watch the red and blue candidates fight for seats in the council. ●
