The Bigkis ng mga Iskolar Para sa Bayan Tungo sa Makabuluhang Pagbabago (BIGKIS-UPM) is a student organization formed in 2007 by socially conscious UP Manila students bound together by their common passion for genuine leadership. We are founded on our belief in every person’s innate capacity for affecting positive change in this struggling world. BIGKIS-UPM was founded as a means to mold purposeful and idealistic students to be future leaders in the nation, the community, and the world.
We have grown from humble beginnings to become one of the most proactive socio-political organizations. The members of BIGKIS-UPM have been leaders throughout the year, each in their own capacity. Membership spans across all colleges and courses, and we are proudly one of the most diverse and inclusive organizations in UP Manila.
Our advocacy has been dynamic and proactive. We have proudly championed causes both local and national. BIGKIS-UPM was among the first to join the UP community in condemning all forms of fraternity violence. As part of the university’s Health Sciences Center, we have consistently been strong proponents of reform in the environment and public health. BIGKIS-UPM has also been active in national issues, joining the Sumilao farmers in their struggle for justice and advocating concrete reforms to debt servicing. As a member of the Student Council’s Alliance of the Philippines, we continue to call for the allocation of the 6% of the GDP for the improvement of the education sector.
BIGKIS-UPM seeks to keep the fire ablaze for change in UP Manila. It is the fire and passion that burns in each one of us, the ISKOLARS PARA SA BAYAN, will provide the guiding light for the nation. It is only when we join together that we can prevail against the darkness.
This is the challenge we pose: let us not be stuck in the call for change.