More and more people from all walks of life are drawn to the
fiesta like atmosphere that pervades the campus during Feb Fair. And, possibly
lost in the din and the noise is the profoundness of the occasion, or at least
its beginnings during a dark era in our history - the declaration of Martial
Law in 1972. Feb Fair was the medium by which students expressed dissent
against the dictatorial and oppressive regime during Martial Law. What looked
to authorities as a fun student activity highlighted by lectures, concerts, and
camp outs were actually a protest fair, a form of public assembly that the
regime had banned. And as we all know, this became part of an awareness raising
that all came to a head with the overthrow of the Marcos regime more than a
decade later. In the recent past, protests have also highlighted the Feb Fair.
In 2009, students successfully fought for the use of the UPLB Freedom Park as
the Feb Fair venue and extension of the Feb Fair curfew from 10 pm to 1am,
among others.
The 2013 Feb Fair was also kicked off with a protest rally.
Feb Fair organizers rallied students to join a foot parade from the Carabao Park
to the UPLB Freedom Park as they carried banners on which “#YouthTrend unifying
our stand for change” was printed. The end of the protest rally/foot signaled
the beginning of the festivities, food, and fun.
The festive mood transforms the quiet, intimate UPLB
community into a convergence hub. And where people are, business follows. Food stalls,
business booths, car shows, and a few amusement park rides/activities have
seemingly become the Feb Fair’s main attractions. The long strip of food stalls
offering meals, snacks, street foods, and another one selling various merchandise,
ready-to-wear clothes, and many other items make more money than what they probably
can in a month of regular operation. Even organization sponsored booths have
evolved from just a simple student hang out place into sponsored photo booths, or
ones that sell merchandise such as UP shirts and varsity jackets, or offer
services such as tattooing, palm reading, etc.
In a survey on UPLB’s Official facebook page (facebook.com/UPLB.fb),
subscribers said that what they liked best about the recently concluded Feb
Fair were reuniting with “brods” and “sisses,” the amusement park rides, food,
and the bands that performed. The Feb Fair has truly evolved from when it was
first held in the 1970s. Born out of protest, it has now become a tourist
attraction and as some people have pointed out, even a profit-making venture. Past
generations of UPLB students would probably wax nostalgic over the noble cause that
gave rise to the Feb Fair and sustained its celebration all those years. But
regardless of the generation, Feb Fair is and always will be a symbol of
revolution, be it in the form of assembly back in the 70s or the revolution in
music and culture it has helped sustain nowadays. Feb Fair is, and always will
be, a part of UP. (With information taken from: 100 symbols embedded in UPLB’s
cultural firmament, 2008. http://www.scribd.com/doc/12586765/uplbperspective-0809-8th-is
