CAS SSS hosts public lecture "Kapayapaan sa Gitna ng Sigwa: Katarungan, Hamon, at Pagbangon" for Social Sciences Week 2025
College of Arts and Sciences Social Science Society opened its Social Sciences Week 2025 celebration with a public lecture on culture and politics on March 21, drawing students, faculty, and members of the public to an open dialogue on justice, labor rights, and national issues.
Carrying the theme “Kapayapaan sa Gitna ng Sigwa: Katarungan, Hamon, at Pagbangon,” the event gathered students, faculty, and civic-minded individuals at the University Gymnasium. The forum featured senatorial candidates and advocates Heidi Mendoza, Luke Espiritu, and Leody De Guzman, as well as civic leaders Atty. Neri Colmenares, Samira Gutoc, and Atty. Sonny G. Matula.
Atty. Colmenares, a human rights lawyer, discussed the dangers of historical revisionism and urged students to protect truth in public memory.
"Ang kasaysayan ay hindi dapat pinapalitan. Responsibilidad ng kabataan ang ipaglaban ang katotohanan," he said.
Gutoc tackled the importance of justice and representation for minority groups, drawing from her experiences as a peace advocate.
"Ang kapayapaan ay hindi posible kung hindi kinikilala ang karapatan ng bawat sektor sa lipunan," she said.
Matula, a labor lawyer and union leader, emphasized that education must empower young people to question and act against injustice.
“Ang papel ng kabataan ay hindi lamang tumutok sa akademya kundi makialam sa nangyayari sa lipunan,” he said.
Mendoza, Espiritu, and De Guzman also spoke on government accountability, political dynasties, and worker’s rights.
“Sana samahan niyo kami na lumaban at tumayo sa politikang serbisyo at hindi panlilinlang,” Mendoza said.
“Ang pinaka-satisfying na mukha ng katarungan ay kapag ang makapangyarihan ay managot sa batas,” Espiritu added.
“Kung walang manggagawa, wala ang lahat,” said De Guzman.
The public lecture served as a platform to promote civic engagement and political literacy among students and aligned with the University’s goal to develop informed, principled, and socially responsible leaders.
