UP Oblation Run 2025 takes a stand for fair voting, hopeful elections

The Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity Inc., or APO, held the annual Oblation Run at the University of the Philippines Diliman on Friday, February 14.

Like in 2024, the Oblation Run was held on the week of the founding anniversary of Eta, or the APO chapter in UP Diliman and the originator of the protest run.

The protest, a fully-voluntary event took place at the university’s Palma Hall, where 10 nude and masked current fraternity members and alumni raised placards, gave out roses, and posed like the Oblation statue.

This year's theme is “Boto Mo, Hindi Benta Mo!”

The runners wore black and white masks with the word, “Vote,” in capital letters. Some of the placards had the statements, “UP not for sale,” “Dinastiya wakasin,” “Vote not for sale,” “Impeach Sara now,” “Layas Imee Marcos,” and “Bago hindi gago.”

In a press conference, APO members said this theme was chosen in light of the upcoming midterm elections in May. The theme particularly emphasizes vote-buying across the Philippines, continuous political dynasties, lack of voter’s rights education in schools, and prevalent fake news.

“Panawagan talaga ng Alpha Phi Omega, panawagan sa kapwa Pilipino at kapwa Iskolar ng Bayan, ay bumoto nang tama. Tapusin na natin ang makalumang sistema,” Atty. Fritz Sapon, APO member Batch 2002 and alumni spokesperson said during the press conference.

“Hanggang ngayon kasi alam naman natin nagkakabentahan pa rin [ng boto] pero at the end of the day, dapat natin isipin kung sino ba ang mas karapatdapat at kung ano ang mas tama para sa kinabukasan natin.”

Sapon also called on Filipinos to vote wisely, as the elections will impact future generations.

He added the run is always about a bigger statement, and is never just for show.

With the Oblation in mind, or a symbol of sacrificing oneself for the sake of humanity and the common good, Sapon said, “Ang pinaglalaban natin dito yearly ay ‘yung mga issues. It’s not about the run, it’s about the issues.”

He added, “Dapat we have to transcend beyond doon sa nakikita natin na physical. Siguro nakaka-attract kasi siya sa attention—that’s why we do it every year—pero ang mas tignan dapat ng ating mga kababayan ay ‘yung mga principles at issues na dinadala lalo na ngayon.”

According to APO, the Oblation Run has been an annual tradition at the university since its inception at the Diliman campus in September 1977 during the Martial Law era.

At the time, APO sponsored the screening of "Hubad na Bayani," directed by Behn Cervantes and written by Robert Arevalo. It was allegedly shot down by Marcos’ media sensor due to its portrayal of peasant revolt and mass revolution.

In a show of defiance against the alleged censorship, two APO members ran naked in front of UP’s Palma Hall as numerous students watched and cheered.

Since then, the UP Oblation Run has been a venue to call attention to various social, political, and environmental issues.

— LA, GMA Integrated News