PHOTOS: UP frat runs nude to call for youth vote turnout

When James Philip Pellosis, the Alpha Phi Omega (APO) fraternity's grand chancellor, took part in the Oblation Run in 2010, he described an ebbing nervousness about exposing his jiggling manhood to thousands of giggling onlookers.

 

"Since mga 4th time ko nang tumakbo nooon, medyo excited na 'di na masyadong kinakabahan," the graduating Library Science student told GMA News Online. "May konting kaba lalo na `pag palabas na. Pero pag nasa gitna ka na ng run parang wala na lang.”

 

This year, around 30 to 40 APO members ran nude through the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman campus, calling for high voter participation this coming Eleksyon 2013. They put special emphasis on calling the youth to vote. 

 

"We are pushing for a free and clean elections this coming 2013," said Pellosis. "Important ang every vote."

 

As early as 10:30 A.M., a huge crowd had gathered at UP's Palma Hall for the annual noon spectacle. A tradition that has attracted outsiders and media since it started in the late 1970s. Also at the hall's steps were the UP Pep Squad drummers who thrummed up audience excitement, some of whom had waited hours to witness a few seconds of the run.

 

Contrary to popular belief, Oblation Run participants are not new recruits to the fraternity.

 

"Ang unang misconception na lagi naming naririnig is pinapatakbo namin [ang] neophytes. `Di totoo yun," said Pellosis.  "Yung privilege ng pagtakbo sa Oblation Run ay para lang sa mga members ng APO."

 

Here are some scenes from the UP Oblation Run 2012.-- KDM/HS, GMA News