ADMU, DLSU, UP heads set aside rivalries, join Marcos-burial protest

In a rare coordinated effort, the presidents of Ateneo De Manila University, De La Salle University, and the chancellor of the University of the Philippines-Diliman joined Wednesday's protest against the hero's burial of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

UP Chancellor Michael Tan recognized that the rare moment in which the heads of the three universities, especially Ateneo President Fr. Jett Villarin and La Salle President Bro. Jose Mari Jimenez, set aside their rivalries in the UAAP and joined together for a common cause.

Ateneo dethroned the Far Eastern University in this year's men's basketball tournament of the UAAP and advanced to the finals along with La Salle.

"Bihira kami nagkikita ng tatlong eskwelahan ng Ateneo, La Salle, at UP. Nagpapasalamat akong dumating kayo kasi alam kong may game ngayon ang FEU versus Ateneo," Tan said.

"We put aside UAAP and basketball kasi mas mahalaga ang ating pinaglalaban ngayong hapon. Nakakatuwa na halos magkakatabi lang ang flags ng Ateneo, La Salle at UP," he added.

‘Change has come’

Villarin saluted the youth who attended the rally at the EDSA People Power Monument for standing up and protesting against the Marcos burial.

"Sumasaludo ako sa ating kabataan. Marami pong tahimik ngayon pero kayo mga hindi matahimik. Maraming nagtutulog tulugan, pero hindi kayo tulog. Maraming nagmamaang-managan, pero hindi kayo. Kaya saludo kami sa inyo," Villarin said.

Jimenez, for his part, said change had come in the rally, contrary to the "change is coming" claim of the Duterte administration.

Jimenez also took a swipe at President Rodrigo Duterte, pointing out that no leader can implement change all by himself.

"Sinasabihan tayo change is coming, ang totoong change at pagbabago hindi nangyayari sa isang tao. Wag natin payagan na iisang tao lang ang magsasabi kung ano ang mabuti sa atin. Ang totoong pagbabago nanggagaling sa ating lahat," he said

Tan echoed the statements of his UAAP rivals, adding that the millennials were writing history because "change has come" at EDSA Shrine.

"Kayong mga millennials, the millennials will write the history, including the history that will include this afternoon's event. Change is not coming. Change is here this afternoon," the UP chancellor said. — DVM, GMA News