Equipoise
By Larra Mariz C. Domingo

Regardless of position one should think, “Does following means you’re weak, or will disobeying make you strong”?

It was a usual short story-telling event that once someone had an immediate encounter with the gate keepers, it will be automatically re-told and even re-enacted in the whole class. To some it is a daily source of anecdotes, while others simply see them as their “gate enemies”, equipped with their sticks and tell you to list your name because of violation.

To add, I’ m also one of the fans of these ultimate stories and as part of the massive popularity, I think FEU is the only university whose guards have their own fan page in Facebook which has 8,321 fans and still counting. Moreover, it is uniquely known that several issues were brought up when it comes to entry hassles experienced with the guards, whether they were the ones we used to know or the current troops roaming around the vicinity.

But now, I’m no longer a fan commenting, this time I’m the source, the story-teller.

Before, I don’t buy stories of students driven away by guards from vacant rooms seriously. I had that thought that maybe, they were just misinterpreted and that they were just asked to keep the room in order. However, when I and a group of friends decided to work on our thesis in a vacant room of the Arts building, I was surprised when a guard asked us to leave.

It raised a commotion between us and the guards, ending to a certain point of even bargaining for our I.D. and spare time to use the room. I will admit that I think we have the right to stay for we are not in the usual “bum mode” rather we are doing our thesis—a grave key for graduation.

Soon after, the guards explained that it was an order and he was just following rules. Radio calls were done and an OSACS representative came and explained that we need to have a permit to use the room. We did not try to argue or raise another commotion, but that incident somehow made a certain impression to me, that this is indeed too much.

Along the way, I start to reflect. I take the usual stories as anecdotes, yet when the issue of martial law came in and my experience adding to it, I had such a turning point in analyzing things.

First, the guards are indeed doing their job, yet at some point too much visibility creates the impression of lack of one’s freedom. On the other hand, less visibility might be taken as a least factor for the guards as they were not complying with their jobs.

As a student, we aim to finish the requirements, oriented to make use of the privilege such as using the University facilities. As a security guard, their task is to maintain peace and order, and establish security not just for the community but also the University facilities. Both wants their role fulfilled, but at some point roles and right cross lines creating friction and even commotion.

This goes to show that complying with one’s duty does not always mean having all the checks and never receiving a cross. We all have our own business and priorities yet fulfilling it allows us to go through a process where yes and no are always a debate.

It will never be a question of who you are, but it will be about what you are expected to do. People won’t care for your name and position but they will watch each decision and action you choose. Now, are you are violator or a follower?