Basketball halftime breaks are usually a time for the players to take a breather and cheerleaders to perform a dance routine, but yesterday, the Ateneo de Manila Blue Babble Batallion pep squad took a different route.
During the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) game between the Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles and the University of the Philippines’ Fighting Maroons, members of the Blue Babble Batallion stood by the sidelines and traded in their blue jackets for black shirts.
One member walked to center court and ripped a sign that had “PHP 1,000” written on it. This refers to the PHP1,000 (US$20) budget for the country’s human rights commission’s budget approved by Congress on Tuesday, a move to cripple the body whose existence is guaranteed under the Constitution.
The other pep squad members then lifted signs that said “Stop the killings; uphold human rights,” and proceeded to walk to center court.
Spectators from both sides of the Araneta Coliseum cheered during the protest.
Ateneo, one of the top universities in the Philippines, won the game by a 92-71 score but they were obviously trending on social media for more than the victory.
Some netizens praised them for standing up for human rights.
TBH Ateneo's most defining shot came at half-time. Kudos, @AteneoBabble! #OneBigFight #taaskamao #UPFight #UAAPSeason80 #StopTheKillings pic.twitter.com/7ZDqAubMz8
— Philippine Collegian (@phkule) September 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/_tapsilog/status/907907856967516160
Good job Blue Babble Battalion!
More and more groups are now expressing their stand.#gisingpinashttps://t.co/y6MShEVUkL— Kram (@kramikaze) September 14, 2017
https://twitter.com/RyanJDQuan/status/908156167968321536
Evil triumphs when good people do nothing.
Kudos to Ateneo's Blue Bubble Battalion. One Big Fight. I hope the… https://t.co/2DKnnDdMW2— Byron Villegas (@bikepackingPH) September 14, 2017
While others criticized them for being too political.
Publicly displaying its politics, Ateneo appears to veer away from pure academic activities and pursuits. Why?
— Carlos Farrales (@cartlenf) September 13, 2017
Really ateneo? I'm not pro or against the admin but please don't mix sports with politics as sports is one way to unite us all not divide us https://t.co/qCgQHzslSH
— Vis (@mynameisjervis) September 14, 2017
Ateneo ur not the voice of ths country, we t majority who support th war on drugs. No such thng as EJK. Do not use ur halftime to politics.
— Pilipinas Kong Mahal (@YusufSantos79) September 13, 2017
Masyado kayo papansin Ateneo. Don't mix politics with sports mga gago
— Christian Clemente (@Christianclem24) September 13, 2017
Top administrators in the Catholic university have long been vocal about their stand on President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.
In July, the university’s president, Fr. Jett Villarin, spoke out against the violence in the narcotics crackdown. He said in a statement that the institution recognizes the government’s efforts to get rid of drugs but reminded that every life is important.
“Because of the fundamental Gospel value and sanctity of each person’s life, the death of anyone regardless of virtue cannot but diminish us, and any society or culture that encourages and multiplies death cheapens life for everyone,” Villarin said.
Last season, the Blue Babble Batallion also protested against the secret burial of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos in the country’s Heroes’ Cemetery.
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