Alyssa Alano: Slain UP student leader’s heart was ‘with the people’

MANILA, Philippines – It was inside Palma Hall at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman where Alyssa Alano deepened her knowledge of society and studied the struggles of Filipinos on the margins.

But on Thursday, April 23, the student leader was absent from an important gathering in front of that building. During the event, members of the UP community flocked to what they called the AS Steps, a known venue for political activism, with placards and portraits of Alano.

They called for justice for Alano, who was one of the 19 people killed in a clash between government forces and alleged communist rebels in Negros Occidental last Sunday, April 19. (READ: ‘Painful shared reality’: The killing of 19 suspected rebels in Negros Occidental) 

Alano, a 22-year-old political science student, was on a community visit in Toboso town to better understand the plight of farmers there.

“We are angered by the brutality of Alyssa’s tragic demise — a life full of promise, a future untimely and unjustly ended by unwarranted force and violence,” faculty members of the UP Department of Political Science said in a joint statement.

“There is now an empty space in the classrooms she attended, in the footpaths she traversed, and in the hearts of family, friends, and people she touched.”

The UP Diliman Committee on the Protection of Academic Freedom and Human Rights is demanding a “transparent and impartial” investigation into the killings.

Going outside the four corners of school

From the time she entered college in 2022, Alano had been engaged in campus politics and activism. 

She served as the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy student council’s representative to the UP Diliman Freshie Council in 2022, CSSP education, training, and popular struggles councilor in 2023, and chairperson of the League of Filipino Students’ UP Diliman chapter in 2024. 

At the time of her death, she was an education and research councilor of UP Diliman’s University Student Council (USC).

Her batchmate and friend Reighn Ochosa witnessed how Alano juggled all these with her studies. She and others knew where Alano’s heart lay: in dissecting social issues, living with affected communities, and sharing learnings to her peers.

“Sa mga konsepto, mga teorya (When it came to concepts and theories), she was very patient to teach you that because she also acknowledges that every person comes from different backgrounds, different upbringing,” Ochosa told Rappler. 

Sociology professor Gerry Lanuza said Alano did not miss any of his classes, determined to read various books and sources, and often asking questions.

“Hindi UP ang nagdala sa iyo roon. Hindi rin ako. Ang nagdala sa iyo ay ang iyong walang kondisyong pagmamahal, ang iyong katapangan, at ang iyong pakikitagpo sa hindi matanggap na kalagayan ng mga magsasaka sa Negros,” Lanuza said in a Facebook post. 

(It’s not UP or me who brought you there. You were there because of your unconditional love, bravery, and your coming face-to-face with the unacceptable conditions of farmers in Negros.)

“At habang nananatiling ganoon ang kalagayan ng bayan — habang may mga inaapi, habang may mga nagugutom, habang may mga inaagawan ng lupa — walang puwersa sa mundo, kahit ang kamatayan, ang makakapigil sa mga susunod sa inyo!” added the professor.

(While conditions of society remain unchanged — while there are people who are oppressed, hungry, and whose land is taken away — no force on this earth, even death, can stop those who will follow your path!)

Bubbly but sharp, sweet but firm

Many remembered Alano’s bubbly personality, her hugs, her humor, and her sharp mind.

Joaquin Buenaflor, UP Diliman USC chairperson, said Alano was a “beacon of hope” for the student council whenever they would face issues.

According to Buenaflor, Alano did not see being both a student and an activist as a contradiction.

“Siya ‘yong hindi tumitiklop sa mga hinaharap na issues (She was the type of person who did not back down from issues),” he said in an interview with Rappler, adding that Alano was a sweet person but firm with her principles.

Buenaflor recalled hearing that Alano planned to take a master’s degree in international affairs. Ochosa said she was trying to convince her friend to pursue law.

But both of them said Alano would passionately talk about the future in line with continuing community organizing.

“Despite not knowing, despite the uncertainty, she still perseveres, she persists,” Ochosa said.

Students, faculty, and activist groups in UP Diliman lit candles for the slain student leader. While feeling grief and rage, they vowed to remember Alano’s activism and continue the fight for peasants’ rights and various sectoral issues. 

“Defend Negros!” they chanted during their protest.
That’s what Alano would have continued doing. – Rappler.com