UP Manila suspends classes, mourns Kristel

MANILA, Philippines - Classes at the University of the Philippines-Manila were suspended yesterday to give way to the necrological service and vigil for Kristel Tejada, a college freshman who committed suicide after failing to pay her tuition.

This developed as students from other colleges and universities in Manila also expressed sympathy for Tejada by holding rallies to protest her death.

UP Manila spokesman Anthony Leachon said classes will be suspended up to 9 a.m. today to give the students and faculty a chance to pay their last respects to Tejada.

Tejada’s remains arrived at UP Manila at 9:30 a.m. yesterday and were brought to the Rizal Hall.

The public viewing started at 10 a.m. and was temporarily halted at noon for a mass.

Students put up a tarpaulin outside the campus where mourners were allowed to write their messages.

The first message read, “Forgive the university for it had failed you – kea.”

Tejada’s remains will be brought back to the Sanctuary Funeral Homes in Sta. Cruz, Manila today. She will be buried tomorrow at the Manila North Cemetery. Meanwhile, militant students who rallied at Malacañang yesterday said Tejada was a victim of a society that endorses commercialization of education and an administration that creates policies which curtail students’ rights.

“The rising cost of education, which is what primarily bars students from continuing their studies, is higher than ever under the Aquino administration. Instead of confronting the issue head on, President Aquino even had the gall to say that the Palace can do nothing about it,” a leaflet of the protesters said.