UP Students: Fake Scholars
UP students are not supposed to be called “Iskolar ng Bayan” (Scholar of the Nation). They are “paying scholars”. If you are paying more or less PHP 21, 000, would you really feel that you are indeed a “Iskolar ng Bayan”? Upon enrollment, UP students get in line to pay for their tuition holding wads of cash roughly four times thicker than those from New Era University would pay for. I am sure that we don’t need figures, charts, and statistics to prove the veracity of my claim.
Had it been somebody from PUP, PLM, PNU, TUP, or any state university/college who boasted himself as “Iskolar ng Bayan”, I am inclined to agree. Otherwise, if it’s from UP who claims such, I will maintain the same incredulous revulsion.
Braggart, think twice! Admit it or not, you don’t deserve to be called “Iskolar ng Bayan”… in the true sense of the word.
@Shari: Thanks!
Dear Den,
Perhaps, a well thought out post would have served you better. You see, the sum total of your thoughts on the matter have fallen short of the hype one would expect to get out of this.
I’m sure you expected some wrath from the hoi polloi of UP.
An education in UP is something nobody can put a price tag on, and this is the heart of the matter.
We are Iskolars ng Bayan – no quotation marks – simply because we are. To go against this would be like draining away the ocean… it would be impossible.
When you dared to mention UP you hurled yourself into a lair where you cannot win. You are up against an institution. A legacy even.
I don’t know you and your education but from my side of the fence I was taught not to judge people simply because you cannot measure, as in this case, the worth of a school with just one student.
I feel sad that you are actually “enjoying the publicity” you are getting out of this. I’ve met many people, in the Philippines and now abroad. And I’d like to share that, Filipinos and foreigners alike look up to me whenever I say I’m from the University of the Philippines. And it is my responsibility as an Iskolar ng Bayan to make sure that the legacy lives on.
I am not better than other people because I’m from UP. But it is because I’m from UP that I keep on getting better.
Peace.:)
Really, it’s not fair to call UP students “fake scholars”–it’s hurtful, you know. But when I read some of the comments, what most of the people said were really hurtful as well. Yes, it’s not fair of them to attack you and give harsh comments, but you kind of provoked them when you said that UP students don’t deserve to be called “Iskolar ng Bayan”. Some of the best people forget logic when they’re insulted.
Anyway, what I’m trying to say is: chill, everyone! Don’t get all worked up over one entry–don’t lash out at him just because you find the entry offensive. As much unfair as it was of him to say those things, it isn’t fair for you to call him “bitter” or “ignorant” or whatever the hell it is you called him. Don’t stoop that low.
[...] UP Students: Fake Scholars UP students are not supposed to be called “Iskolar ng Bayan” (Scholar of the Nation). They are [...] [...]
About 18 years ago, our tuition was about P1,080 a year. Perhaps UP students then were more “Iskolar ng Bayan”‘s than UP students today?
Then again, it’s possible that NEU students in the 1990s were paying only P250 a year, which makes them more deserving of the title “Iskolar ng Bayan”, right?
If no/low tuition fees will be the basis for the title “Iskolar ng Bayan”, then all right, go ahead and call UPians fake INB’s.
What about fake scholars?
I’m certain there are many UPians who studied (or who are studying) well, just as there are other UPians who don’t really deserve to be called scholars (because they have other more important non-academic priorities).
But to imply a rather sweeping generalization with your blog post title “UP Students: Fake Scholars” is quite unfair.
Yet come to think of it, whoever said that Life is fair? And it is, afterall, your blog. But I digress…
For me, every student (regardless of school) whose education is supported (whether partial or in full) by tax-paying Filipinos is an “Iskolar Ng Bayan.”
Now whether the student actually lives up to that label is an entirely different matter.
i can’t help it, but i’m seething with contempt for this… piss contest.
@den: i’ll say this just once, and you can take offense to it for all i care. i will defend your right to say what you want on your blog, but that comes with a warning for you to act with justice, harm no other, and give every person – no matter what school they came from – their due. i don’t care what school you came from, and i don’t care what you feel about UP, and i don’t give a crumb for who you are, but writing is not a license for slander.
@the rest of you: as a product of UP, it makes me wanna holler. i will defend your right to call yourselves “iskolar ng bayan” (for whatever it’s worth) but i will not defend such conduct from people who call themselves “iskolar ng bayan.” this right comes with the warning that to be a scholar of the people is not an entitlement, but a constant affirmation. you live it, you breathe it, you eat it. it’s not a medal, an ID, or a form 5. it’s a ball and chain of duty and obligation. i don’t care for how UPian you are, and i don’t care what you feel about UP, and i don’t give a crumb for who you are, but writing is not a license for slander.
it’s a sickening day when something as simple as the canons of civility, courteousness and justice are waived in favor of a piss contest on the matter of school buildings.
for shame.
just for the sake of joining the mainstream,
dude, when you said “in the true sense of the word”, you meant what? Because for starter, if we get technical, “ISKOLAR NG BAYAN” is not a word, Mr. 1st grader, it’s a phrase.
Kidding aside, really, when was it officially stated that being a Scholar of the Nation means, and solely means, being a student whose bulk of tuition fee is paid by the government, and thus, is paying, at most, less than four times that of the New Era University tuition? (i hope this wasn’t necessary, but just in case, don’t take the “less than four times that of the New Era University tuition” phrase literally.. all it meant was cheap tuition).
Going back, so what if we still pay much? Reviewing the true definition or shall we say “true sense” of the word scholar, even the etymology, if you will, you’ll see nothing there that explicitly (much less implicitly) states that the true sense of the word scholar is someone who sufficiently receives stipends/ grants/ whatsoever.
Just as much as there are many definitions of scholar, but is still strictly not arbitrary, we can also attach many meanings for the phrase “ISKOLAR NG BAYAN” without making it arbitrary or ambiguous. and, my friend, just so you know, most of us UP students don’t call ourselves ISKOLAR NG BAYAN thinking we meant we are paid for by the government whose economy is already diwndling and dwindling to rock-bottom. If that is what someone means when he says ISKOLAR NG BAYAN (whether he may be a student from UP, PUP or any other state university), do you think he can be proud? “iskolar ako ng bayan, hinuhuthutan ko kasi ang bansa ko ng pera para makapag-aral ako eh.” It’s in a way true, but personally, and i think most of us UP students would agree, that when we say we’re ISKOLARs NG BAYAN, we mean we’re the SCHOLARS (meaning STUDENTS and not someone receiving a scholarship grant) of the NATION- scholars that represent the Philippines. Scholars from the National University. Scholars who feel the responsiblity of unconditionally giving back to the Philippines what we owe, regardless of the amount of what we really owe or received from her.
Whether or not we can live up to that name is debatable, but the bottomline of it all is that someone cannot be branded undeserving of a title, i.e. ISKOLAR NG BAYAN on unfounded grounds. What “unfounded grounds”? Read your blog again.
And since I’m here, forget everything I said except this:
Jesus saves. Jesus is God. You want a friendly and/or scholarly discussion about that, let’s have one.
another hit. thanks to me.
Surface issue:
1. For me, students from SUCs can be called ISKOLAR NG BAYAN since their tuition is subsidized.
MY issues:
2. Being in UP doesn’t give you the right to brag.
3. Stupid people make stupid entries.
4. Double-Stupid people leave senseless comments.
5. Arguing online is funny and beneficial.
6. Schools are schools. The students make most of the difference.
7. Being an ISKOLAR ng BAYAN is not just about eating a bigger slice in the pie…it is EARNED.
8. Increased tuition fees are inevitable. These past few years are just exaggerated.
9. Reading all of these — crap! (haha!)
true, shari. we might learn more about each other if we do not attack the person during argumentation.
but given the personal nature of the attack den has made with this very narrow-minded entry, i think, like you said, it just cannot be helped.
further to that, for some of the responses provided in this thread by UP students or pro-UP students (pro in the sense that they are against the premise offered by den here), you will see upon closer scrutiny that they indeed have merit. with or without the insults and ad hominem attacks.
and besides.. i think what was really the original aim here is to incite a colorful display of words from reactions to the subject of interest here. it’s really mind-boggling to me how such thinking could exist, especially from someone who’s a so-called MA student. even in the realm of fantastical argumentation (i know, imbento ko lang yung term), this is a tad ridiculous. i think den here is really doing an experiment of some sort for a paper or whatever. i don’t know.. it’s just too crass to be real.
I am afraid your definition of the word “scholar” is incorrect. A scholar is someone whose education is financed by the government, if I am not mistaken. Just because UP students pay higher tuition fees now, does not mean that they are no longer scholars. A big portion of the tuition fees are still shouldered by the government.
Also, I know one thing: an “Iskolar ng Bayan” is not defined by the price of the tuition fees that one pays. It entails much more than that. Just because the UP students pay higher tuition fees now, does not mean that they are no longer deserving of that title. However, just because one is a UP student, that still does not mean that he is deserving of that title. From what I know, the term “Iskolar ng Bayan” originated because the people are paying for the UP students’ education, but now it has evolved into something deeper than that. Not just anyone is deserving of such a title, and many UP students aren’t.
(..Did you do all this just to get attention, though? If you did, then I must say, that’s a not a good idea at all. That sort of behavior can make a lot of people angry at you.)
–
hakhak
sige lng, fuel the flame
hakhak
STUPID POST PLA AH? eh bat tau ngkokoment
hakhak
elyens poreber
XXXxx
Thanks Rimewire! This comment explains everything:
“STUPID POST PLA AH? eh bat tau ngkokoment”
oh wow, your blog got hits and over 100 comments. congratulations.
i’m sorry, pero bulok talaga style mo dude. i won’t tackle the issue, because i think the people up there have said enough. pero seriously, were you really this desperate to get hits? EPIC FAIL.
I can’t answer every single comment here. I don’t have the luxury of time to answer all your comments. Moreover, it’s like an arena where I have everyone of you as my opponent. But my recent post might shed some light: Controversial(?) Rambling: A Sequel.
Yes, we all feel the economics and how the title “iskolar ng bayan†seems to be belittled by tuition hikes, among other issues, that have commercialized education.
But, we take pride in the sense and idea that we are iskolars ng bayan, simply because of our joy in the service to the nation. We immerse ourselves in the dreams of the nation, and even if we pay more than what we should, we should not deprive ourselves of the love of the service to the Filipinos and the Philippines. The title fits those who put the needs of the nation before their own. It fits the people who have desired to make a change in this damned country. Just because one pays 20,000+++ doesn’t lessen the ideal of the UP spirit. We are undervaluing what Iskolar ng Bayan stands for when we account it with material wealth. Being Iskolar ng Bayan is PRICELESS.
This, in fact, is the essense of being Iskolar ng Bayan. I am a “Iskolar ng Bayanâ€, and desire to be “Iskolar para sa Bayan.â€
“Did I say that New Era University is a “great†school? There is no such thing as “great†school. A school is a school.” — realistically speaking dude, there is. We filipinos kasi, we don’t want to degraded, kaya we say “ah parepareha lang yan.” but it is not.yun lang. kasi naexplain na ng aking co-ISKOLARS ng BAYAN ang lahat. And, I hope may nakaintindi.:)
Wow Den — sikat ka na! All because of one humble post! Relax lang mga peeps. Kaya nga may blog eh, parang online diary ba, opinion lang naman to ni Den eh. Love ya dude! Mwah!
20 thousand pesos or not, UP students are genuine scholars–not only because of the subsidies coming from the government (yes, UP receives the largest subsidy among all state universities) but because it is our mandate to enrich ourselves with wisdom and knowledge and give back something to the nation in return.
P.S. Only freshmen and sophomore students pay 1000 per unit. You should’ve researched further.
@Gian Paulo: I’ll keep that in mind, Sir. I really have to do further research. I’m actually thinking of another UP-themed kind of post. After all, it works.
i didn’t know stupidity can be so entertaining. keep it up den!
To be honest, I took offense at how you called us (UP students/alumni) “BRAGGARTS”. If you put yourself in the other end of the spectrum, you would be pissed. After reading your post, my eyebrows were raised considerably, and I was wondering who in the world is this nobody talking shit about my school?
So I calmed myself down before adding another comment to your already very popular blog post.
I love UP and what it stands for. I was saddened at the tuition fee increase but I knew it was inevitable. As other people already mentioned, UP is no longer fully subsidized by the State. Yes, the recent tuition fee increase was major and it made it difficult for the students who are capable but less fortunate to pursue their education in UP. The university has a scholarship program for those who can’t afford to pay the full tuition but I heard this was limited.
As for the masteral programs, I don’t know what program you applied to but I think not all the graduate study programs in UP were affected by the tuition free increase. I should know because I’m a grad student myself.
As for the title, “Iskolar ng Bayan”, it’s something that no one can really take away from any UP graduate. The I-Witness documentary failed to mention that we are still partly subsidized by the government (yes, I also watched the episode). It also failed to mention one of the reasons why a lot less “poor” students get into UP. Most of the students who pass the UPCAT come from private schools which, elitism aside, offer a better kind of education to its students. Let’s face it, the state of our public schools are fast declining considering the lack of good teachers and financial resources.
I suggest you stop being “incredulously revolted” whenever you chance upon someone from UP. Some of us are still here, willing to give back some sort of service to the country which was partly responsible for our education.
Next time, try to blog responsibly and be careful with the generalizations. A little research never hurt especially when you’re writing your thoughts in public.
Oh, and I think the proper translation for “Iskolar ng Bayan” is “Scholar of the State” not “Scholar of the Nation”.
@psychogoddess: Kindly go over my disclaimer.
To Den: Freedom of expression does not equal irresponsible blogging. If you prefer “expressing your thoughts” like a flamebait then I suggest you keep a private blog or a diary instead.
@psychogoddess: Like what I’ve said, I never forced anyone to follow the same line of thought that I have. If you hate me, blame yourselves! You always have options. If you don’t like my post then stop reading it! Turn off your PC and go to sleep. For God’s sake it’s almost 2am! And you’re still reprimanding me about my shit!
dude, whatever. to paraphrase Prof. Luis Teodoro, opinions are worthless if you can’t back them up with facts as basis for coming up with such views.
that’s responsible expression for you.
and please stop using freedom of expression as a defense. not only are you contradicting yourself (i.e. you flaming psychogoddess as opposed to you not wanting to be reprimanded by psychogoddess), you’re insulting those who fought for it to their deaths.
I was shocked to learn that UP students now have to pay P21,000 despite government subsidies. For bringing that to light, thank you. Your wordplay on the term “scholar” is understandable: a five-digit tuition fee defeats the purpose and spirit of a “scholarship” and/or subsidized education, especially in a third-world country.
But I fail to see how, from this issue, you derived that UP students are “braggarts,” and how you concluded that they should bear the brunt of your incredulity over the P21,000 tuition fee. First, the students are already the ones being victimized by the increase. Second, UP students have never been known to brag about how low their tuition fees are, or how low their family incomes are. Third, when UP students do act holier-than-thou, it’s more in the spirit of social-mindedness rather than their status as “scholars” i.e. as was pointed out to you, the phrase “iskolar ng bayan” refers more to the “para sa bayan” part rather than the “iskolar” label.
In the end, it was distasteful and shallow of you to use this issue only as an excuse to strike (ineffectively) at UP students and alumni, and worse, only to (ineffectively) plug New Era University in comparison. Both purposes were sorely misplaced, highly illogical and reeking too strongly of resentment.
I hope you understand that a bulk of your detractors are not attacking you, as a person, but rather, your opinions, which appear to be misled.
Better luck executing a socially-observative pun next time. Tip: don’t trash talk and don’t plug in the process.
What are the marks of an educated man? Read the comments above, it might change your views…
Ako ay nagtapos sa UP at naniniwala ako na hindi dapat ipagmayabang kung ano mang eskwelahan ang pinagtapusan mo. Kung saan ka man galing, nasa saiyo na kung magiging matagumpay ka nga.
Sa may-akda, alam ko na may galing ka at talento lalo na sa pagsusulat. Hindi mo kailangangang patunayan ang galing mo sa pamamagitan ng paghamak sa isang institusyon. Marahil ay hindi ka matutuwa kung ang New Era ang gawan ng isang akda na dumudungis dito.
oh boy… you should think first before you write anything… know first the things behind things… do you get me?
first, UP is being subsidised by the gov’t… So part of our parents, even your parents’ taxes is alloted for our education… that’s why we are called such… The same thing goes for other SUC’s…
now you might ask, if our education is being subsidised by the gov’t, how come that our tuition is that high? Simple, the Board of Regents agreed that our tuition will be like that. And that gov’t has no jurisdiction on that… But still, UP education takes a fraction of the people’s taxes…
and hey, being an iskolar ng bayan doesn’t really mean being free to access high quality education, it is how you give your selfless service for the sake of the country… it’s studying hard to fulfill your dreams and your duties to our motherland… it’s being inquisitve and active in the issues facing our country today… and having the desire to help our country in any that you can…
there are many proofs are we are iskos and iskas… try studying to our university and you’ll know the answers…
oh man. im guessing you took the UPCAT and did not pass.. you’re sourgraping man.
I would like to say that i really like your site a lot now.. back to business hehe. I cant say that fully agree with what you typed up… care to explain more?
Read my disclaimer and my post, Controversial(?) Rambling: A Sequel. Those could hopefully explain everything.
Yes. I strongly agree that UP students are not really “Iskolar ng Bayan”. Nagpapanggap lang sila! They are just a bunch of conceited, egoistic braggarts! Good job Den!
To Xor: Everyone from New Era University are bigoted. You just hate us because you can’t get into our school!
How does it feel to be generalized? This is basically the kind of attack we got from Den which made the emotional responses almost justifiable-that’s not good blogging.
This “attack” is unwarranted. Students and alumni of UP did not want the tuition fee increase–most of us fought hard against it. And if you read (and understood) the more insightful comments made here, Den’s argument was based on a fallacy. He argues that UP students do not deserve to be called Iskos because they now pay a higher tuition but fails to point out that despite the tuition fee increase, the university is still subsidized by the government. He should have blamed the Board of Regents who pushed the increase in the first place and not the students.
So no, Den didn’t do a good job.
@Den: I still stand by my opinion that you need to stop hiding under the blanket of Freedom of Expression. I replied to your “reply” to my comment on my blog because I really didn’t want to be baited into an argument about freedom of expression here.
Astig author ng blog na e2! Haha! Dami mo na kaaway!
Seriously, Den you have a good point. Those braggarts are not really “Scholars of the Nation”. After all, we are the genuine “Scholars of the Nation”. PUP students are the authentic “Iskolar ng Bayanâ€!
Matalino!
Palaban!
Makabayan!
Iskolar ng Bayan!
Polytechnic University of the Philippines!
Walang talagang utak ang mga taga-ibang schools! Di kasi kayo kagaya namin na taga-UP, kaya insecure kayo! Pati ba naman “Matalino, Palaban, Makabayan” gagayahin pa??? Mga bobo na nga wala pang originality!
you, from a NEVER-HEARD-SCHOOL, is soooooooooooo
PATHETIC!
i must say this: you know nothing about QUALITY EDUCATION because you are not from UP! Only UP students would know what QUALITY EDUCATION is!!!
there is such a great school…too bad your NEVER-HEARD-SCHOOL is not..that’s why you don’t have a concept of it
the othr day, you called UP students “fake scholars” and today you don’t like ths country. u must be exiled n ths country. this country does not need idiots like you.
@ProudPUPian: yah right…matalino…your post reeks of that, I’m so impressed, I’m gonna give you a round of applause
oh wait, you can grasp sarcasm right?
bakit? porke bang naiintindihan niyo na ang mga salitang conceited, egoistic at braggart eh matalino na kayo at deserving na kayo sa “Iskolar ng Bayan” bago kayo magsalita ng masama isipin niyo naman muna ang dinadaanan naming mga isko’t iska. diverse din culture namin. tignan niyo naman muna noh! heller? wag kayong mayabang!
Super Low-IQ talaga ang mga di nakatuntong sa UP. Just like this blogger. Insecure kayo kase mg bobo kayo. At dapat ang mga bobo di nagblo-blog. Insecure ka kase wala ka sa best university ng Pilipinas (University of the Philippines Diliman). Isaksak mo yan sa kukote mo! Bitter! Pataasan na lang tayo ng IQ! Remember, UP Diliman ako; New Era ka lang! School ba yun? Isa lang kase yung skul sa Pilipinas: UP and the others (which I am not sure kung skul ngang matatawag)!
@ Iskolar Ako ng Bayan: You have blown me away! There are rotten tomatoes in every school. And you’re one of those. I pity you for your haughty I’m-studying-in-the-best-uiversity kind of mentality.
@ Iskolar ako ng bayan
-omg. i wanna see you say that infront of the whole nation with The Oblation behind you. wow. have mercy on UP. please answer intelligently, wisely. you just fail to live up more to that “iskolar ng bayan” PRIVILEGE and HONOR.
hey let him be, he only 15 more years to go anyway.
@braggart: Then I’ll try to make it to be 15 more fabulous years!
I think that tag “iskolar ng bayan” should be applied for those students who are holding a sholarship grant. Those are students who indeed used their scholastic ability to pursue excellent education. Here in MSU-IIT, non-scholar students are paying less than PHP 5,000 tuition per sem (except to those nursing students who are paying above PHP 10,000). So i guess MSU students should be the one to be called as “iskolar ng bayan” not from those in UP if we are talking in financial aspect.Furthermore, MSU is one of the best school in the Phil.
Guys, here’s a piece of advise: Your degree counts,your branded school counts but for me what matters most are the companies you worked for, the positions and jobs you’ve handled, and the experience you’ve acquired. The name of the school is just a fancy icing on a piece of cake. The ones that I’ve mentioned is the cake itself, the true valuation of your capabilities.
Why is it that it sounds like we, UP students, are the ones doing something wrong? We are supposedly the scholars of the nation from the establishment of the university but it is not our fault that the government gives much less funding than what the university needs. That is the reason why there was an increase in our fees. Now tell me, should the question be why do we call ourselves “mga iskolar ng bayan” or why is the government not fulfilling its responsibilities to its scholars? We are the ones who are being cheated but now you’re making it sound like we are at fault. You will never understand the sentiments and issues of UP students since you’re not from UP. This is a cheap and ignorant blow. And please don’t turn this (me calling your entry ignorant) as another excuse to rant that I am saying that we are smarter than everyone else.
I also have a piece of advice for you:
STOP rambling about things YOU DON’T FULLY UNDERSTAND!
you are the one looking stupid and bitter.
And based from your last reply, what is really your point in calling out our school? Why are targeting us specifically? It’s like you’re just wanting to open arguments. I think you’re just bitter about not being from a “branded” school (i’m thinking Ateneo, La Salle, and the like are included here). And as you said the “brand” of the school counts when getting a job but please use your commonsense, we are not implying that it’s the only thing that counts. It also depends on the person if he got something from the school he came from. To you, i’m really sorry that your in a lose-lose situation. Not “branded” school + bad mentality = hopeless. And that is you.
One last thing, you can succeed while others are doing the same. If you can prove that your education can get you to places, good for you. But you don’t need to make others feel less educated and deserving of success. Focus on your own life and stop poking to others’ issues. But if you like to spend your life answering to hate messages, go on and continue your ways and enjoy your miserable life.
@Proud PUPian
read the post above you. and please, trying to copy our cheer?! That is so pathetic. You’re really living up to your school’s name, Parang UP! and that’s all you’re going to be, a second-class imitation of the original.
i think that you would not understand why UP students are called “Iskolar ng Bayan” unless you study on UP yourself.
What is the author’s motive for writing and posting this entry? Siya na mismo ang nagsabi, he is enjoying the publicity. Yeah right, he should enjoy this because his name will now be remembered as one bitter and pathetic blog writer who courts hits and fame(?) by calling UPians as “braggarts and fake scholars”.
I salute all UPians and non-UPians for defending what rightfully belongs to them not only because they deserved it but more importantly, they’ve earned it. Being a UPian slash Iskolar ng Bayan (or Atenean slash Blue Eagle for that matter) is something every student from these universities should be very proud of. After all, these schools are not hailed as the top two universities of the Philippines for nothing.
So, sa mga naiinggit lang diyan, leave the UPians (and Ateneans) alone. Create your own glory, not at other people’s expense.