KAISA - Nagkakaisang Iskolar Para sa Pamantasan at Sambayanan

KAISA - Nagkakaisang Iskolar para sa Pamantasan at Sambayanan (United Scholars for the University and the Nation), better known as KAISA UP, is a university-wide and student-based political party in the University of the Philippines, Diliman (UPD). Formed on 5 May 2005, it is the newest university-wide party in UPD and is the current minority party in the University Student Council (USC).

History

KAISA UP was formed in the summer of 2005 by students from activist organizations Sanlakas Youth (SY) and the Samahang Demokratiko ng Kabataan; fraternities Alpha Phi Beta and Upsilon Sigma Phi; and a number of college-based student organizations and parties.

During that time, a political crisis was looming in the Philippines as a result of the Hello Garci Scandal, among other controversies under the Arroyo administration. Kaisa, as a member of the oppositionist coalition Laban ng Masa (Fight of the Masses), joined the call for the ouster of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the establishment of a “transitional revolutionary government”.

Inside UP Diliman, KAISA UP, along with several student organizations nationwide, campaigned against the 300 percent tuition increase in UP in 2007 and reaffirmed the call for greater state subsidy for the Philippines' national university. The tuition increase, however, was approved by the UP Board of Regents.

Furthermore, KAISA UP slammed the Philippine military in the disappearance of missing UP students Karen Empeno and Sherlyn Cadapan. The party also campaigned against the Draft Student Code of Conduct, which, in their view, is a hindrance to the students' right to an organization.

Currently, KAISA UP is active in the “Six Will Fix” campaign of youth and student alliance Youth Against Debt, which calls for the allocation of six percent of the country's gross national product on education. KAISA UP, has recently joined the joined the Students for Environmental and Economic Democracy, a youth-based environmental alliance campaigning for climate justice.

Principles

KAISA UP, thoroughout its existence, has aligned itself with progressive organizations and coalitions, some of which are part of the Philippine left movement. KAISA UP members brand themselves as Iskolar-Aktibista (scholar activists) and its orientation is centered in these following principles:

• Political Awareness and Political Involvement

We strive to actively engage society in a dynamic discourse, to educate the students on the issues and concerns that matter most to them, to encourage them to take action. Our struggle is to go beyond asking what must be done, to actually doing what can be done.

• Academic Excellence with Social Relevance

Academic excellence, to be of service to the students and to society, must be socially relevant. We aim to use our education for the greater good of our fellow students, the University, the nation and society as a whole.

• Inclusive Activism

We seek to balance free discourse on one hand, and decisive action on another, such that principles and positions are open to deliberation and reflection, and the practice of decisive action will not be constrained. We are activists because we espouse a proactive stance on relevant issues and concerns, but we are also inclusive because we seek not to include only our fellow proponents, but to appeal to the society at large, to rally others to our call.

• Responsive Leadership toward Student Empowerment

It is imperative that student leaders prioritize the empowerment of their constituents, by promoting and safeguarding their rights, welfare, and interests. Attention toward issues of broader import should not be prejudiced against local concerns. We aim to help create an atmosphere conducive to learning, progress and political maturity.

• Social Progress with Social Justice

As students of the University of the Philippines, we bear a social responsibility to our country and fellow members in society. Any collective thrust in order to be meaningful should be grounded in the continuing struggle for a free and just society, and it should speak on behalf of the weak, marginalized and oppressed.

University Student Council Campaign

For six years, KAISA UP has been the minority party in the USC. However, its most successful University Student Council campaign was in 2009, when Sanlakas Youth member and 2006 USC councilor Titus Tan won as USC chair via landslide. Along with Tan, ten other KAISA UP candidates won with three councilors and seven college representatives. The party shared the most seats in the USC with the Students Alliance for the Advancement of Nationalism and Democracy in UP.

Member Organizations

• Association of Southeast Asian Studies (ASEAS)
• KAISA Mass Organization (KAISA MO)
• Leaders for Excellence, Action, and Development-College of Home Economics (LEAD-CHE)
• MagKaisa College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (MKCSSP)
• Phi Delta Alpha Sorority (PDA)
• Practice of Administrative Leadership and Service-National College of Public Administration and Governance (PALS-NCPAG)
• Sanlakas Youth (SY-UPD)
• Student Action Towards Responsive Leadership in Tourism-Asian Institute of Tourism (START-AIT)
• UP Paralegal Society (UP ParalegalS)

Leadership

The incumbent chair of KAISA UP is Ramon Jericho Santos, a student from the College of Home Economics and former President of Leaders for Excellence, Action, and Development-College of Home Economics (LEAD-CHE).

Former Chairpersons

• Titus C.K. Tan (2010-2011)
• Laura May Antoinette Clemente (2009-2010)
• Stephanie L. Tan (2008-2009)
• Abdel Jamal R. Disangcopan (2007-2008)
• Jason Edward San Juan (2006-2007)
• Emil Benjamin B. Tapnio (2005-2006)

External Links

• Official Website of KAISA UP. (Accessed on 2 June 2011)
• KAISA UP on Facebook. (Accessed on 2 June 2011)
• KAISA UP on Twitter. (Accessed on 10 August 2011)
• 3 parties divide USC in election of firsts. Tinig ng Plaridel. (Accessed on 2 June 2011)

Contact

• Email: mail@kaisaup.com