13/07/2025
FEATURE | Above and Beneath: How Ate Fau Pursued Excellence in Her Own Way
The University of the Philippines has been a bastion of activism since its inception—notably emerging in the critical extremities of the country’s history. Honor and service then became ingrained in the midst of discourses inside its campuses, putting it at the forefront to nurture individuals who not only studies equations and theories but also the very communities they dwell with.
This is how Fau—or Ate Fau to many—stayed for two more years in the university in service to the student movement—as joked by her peers when she was not around.
Many students may have known her as a mass leader, often in the front, with a megaphone on her right hand, and her left fist clenched above. Or for some who have worked closely with her, she is just another student who equally shares the same frustration with her academic duties.
Raised in Cotabato, the Food Technology major grew radically when she entered UP Mindanao, after being exposed to the plight of the masses, which for her, is an experience that passes through the core, and teaches empathy that will anchor her eagerness to move forward as a student leader and an activist.
On her early years, as a member of Gabriela Youth UP Mindanao, their integration in Haran last 2020 became her radicalization, where students were sheltered following the forced closure of “bakwit” schools through Duterte’s imposing of Martial Law in Mindanao that resulted in an intensified spree of threats to teachers, students, organizers and the community itself.
Yet, Ate Fau willingly pushed through amidst the overwhelming material conditions—while recovering from a global pandemic, and a Duterte-presidency—she eventually became the University Student Council Chairperson of UP Mindanao on the Academic Year 2022-2023 wherein she rebirthed Hugyaw, hosted the system-wide General Assembly of Student Councils (GASC) in UP Mindanao, campaigned and lobbied policies for the relocation of the 11th RCDG, and even bravely blocking a jeep.
With years of working both with the student body and minority groups, Ate Fau countered that despite being categorized as “minority,” the numbers of communities and people, when collectively organized and mobilized, are powerful.
“Ang masa, handa talaga silang makinig sa mga diskusyon kasi alam din nila yung danas na mayroon sila,” she adds. From her experience, when minority groups are gathered on events and in mobilizations, they get to understand each other’s common struggles and it empowers them knowing that there are other sectors who are willing to collectively support them in asserting their demands, and they are not isolated in fighting for their causes.
"It will only feel overwhelming if you think you are alone," she admits. "But once you realize that there is a large range of the masses, from the student leaders, the workers and organizers, you can feel more empowered to move forward every day."
Moreover, as a Moro herself, she also acknowledges the deep-seated armed conflict that has plagued their community for years—a conflict that the Moro people did not ask for.
What motivates Ate Fau to continue is the hopeful thought that “the people's win is inevitable.” And as she often reminds, “the movement can be strengthened if students will learn to align their education with the interests of the oppressed masses. “
“Always dare to struggle and dare to win, dahil naniniwala talaga ako na ang lahat ng ito ay maging atin balang araw,” she affirms.
In a neoliberal system that continues to be caged in policies heavily dependent on imperial influences, where the Filipino youth are programmed to be part of the exploited workforce, this only proves that the fight for a liberating education system is far from over. And it no longer becomes a surprise, if the likes of Ate Fau choose the path less marched, because for her, for many activists and the masses who believed, it is right in the first place.
After successfully finishing her academic journey, she now commits as the Chairperson of Anakbayan Southern Mindanao Region—continuing her pursuit as an organizer and bravely pushing for pro-people campaigns.
As many would proudly live the line “Nowhere to go but UP,” for Ate Fau there is more to go elsewhere, deeper, outside the corners of her comfortable life—and while others may find it too idealistic, or too rebellious, they are certain that the true fight towards excellence, also belongs in the streets and communities.
Words by DEstomo
Art by Chris Samuel Salcedo
