Adamson University suspends work, classes on Feb 25; prexy calls to proclaim resistance vs manipulation, injustice
Date Posted: February 19, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Adamson University will make a bold stand against one of today's most pressing issues as University President Fr. Daniel Franklin Pilario, CM, declared February 25, anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, a non-working holiday for the university—defying the government's decision to reclassify it as a "special working holiday".
"While this government proclaims February 25 as a working holiday, Adamson University proclaims it as a real "non-working" holiday," Fr. Pilario stated during the university's Araw ng Parangal ceremony, an institutional awards event honoring long-serving employees held this February 18 at the University Theatre.
“On that day, join political mobilizations, fora and discussion. Wherever you are, celebrate freedom, fight corruption, demand accountability, defend the victims, show compassion. This is our way of resistance.”
The university president underscored the significance of EDSA, reminding the community that the revolution was not about the Aquinos or the Marcoses, but freedom.
"For those of us in EDSA, “yellow” was not only about Cory or Ninoy; it was a symbol of freedom from dictatorship. I was there. We placed our lives on the line. So, if there is any attempt to change this narrative of our fight for freedom by gradually downgrading its significance, we have to resist," he said, urging the Adamson community to reject attempts at historical distortion.
Beyond the symbolic declaration of a holiday, Fr. Pilario called on the community to take concrete action in the fight against misinformation and corruption as he announced a public demonstration on February 24 from 5:00 to 6:00 PM along San Marcelino Street.
"Resist. Resist evil. Resist corruption. Resist lies. Resist violence. Resist injustice," he declared.
"When we are fed with fake news, resist. When the national budget is manipulated, resist and shout. This is not the will of God for us. As Christians and as Vincentians, resist."
To mark the event, the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs is expected to organize a ceremony to show the university’s defiance against historical revisionism and social injustices.
Fr. Pilario also challenged educators to integrate social realities into their lessons, advocating for an education that does not shy away from political and moral responsibility.
"Teach our young people. Tell our story. Debunk their lies. Deny historical revisionism," he urged. Pope Francis says: “Education cannot be neutral.” Otherwise, we have miserably failed in our work of education," he said.
He referenced Adamson University's founder, George Lucas Adamson, emphasizing that "Knowledge should contribute to human well-being. Science is made for man, not man for science."
Beyond resistance, Fr. Pilario stressed the importance of solidarity, kindness, and mutual support within the Adamson community. Invoking Vincentian values, he reminded attendees of St. Vincent de Paul’s words to missionaries arriving from their respective: “Everyone goes out to meet him smiling, and bringing him all that he may need. If it is necessary to bathe his legs so as to remove sensations of fatigue, then his legs are bathed. If it is necessary to bathe his legs so as to remove sensations of fatigue, then his legs are bathed.”
He then used it as inspiration to call for the Adamson community to uplift one another.
"To bathe another leg is the same as to bind each other’s wounds. As we take care of the wounded in the field, as we fight for justice in the streets, as we proclaim the Good News to the poor, let us also bathe each others’ legs, bind our wounds together."
