Post by anncoulter on Dec 20, 2011 17:44:58 GMT -5
Dozens of fraternity men held their annual naked run around the University of the Philippines in Manila on Friday (December 16), a campus tradition to promote social issues and academic freedom.
According to Reuters, members from the Alpha Phi Omega brotherhood wore nothing but masks hiding their faces as they ran along the halls while holding placards advocating this year's theme of protecting the environment.
Hundreds of onlookers, who were mostly women and students, packed the school building to get a glimpse of the fraternity men.
'It's definitely attracting a lot of people. Whatever their advocacy was, I think it will definitely be heard and exposed. Even though they have a weird way of expressing it, but at least the issue is given light,' said tourism student Mariel Abao.
The brotherhood partnered with local environmental groups in their advocacy to clean the 20 polluted rivers in Manila this year.
'Our fraternity has been known for its services because we are promoting relevant causes like protecting the environment,' said Alpha Phi Omega Alumni Edgar Casa.
Some onlookers, who watched the naked run for the first time, were surprised by the unorthodox way of expression and admired the frat men's dedication.
'Well it's a kind of courage and bravery for them, especially if it's for a good cause like to save the rivers, so I think it is great,' said Sandra Deloria, a freshman economics student.
The tradition started in the late 70s when members of the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity ran naked on the campus grounds to protest against former President Ferdinand Marcos' censorship of a film criticizing his administration.
The run is held every December around different universities in the Philippines to coincide with the fraternity's founding anniversary.
Video at www.skynews.com.au/offbeat/article.aspx?id=697567&vId=2926352&cId=Offbeat
According to Reuters, members from the Alpha Phi Omega brotherhood wore nothing but masks hiding their faces as they ran along the halls while holding placards advocating this year's theme of protecting the environment.
Hundreds of onlookers, who were mostly women and students, packed the school building to get a glimpse of the fraternity men.
'It's definitely attracting a lot of people. Whatever their advocacy was, I think it will definitely be heard and exposed. Even though they have a weird way of expressing it, but at least the issue is given light,' said tourism student Mariel Abao.
The brotherhood partnered with local environmental groups in their advocacy to clean the 20 polluted rivers in Manila this year.
'Our fraternity has been known for its services because we are promoting relevant causes like protecting the environment,' said Alpha Phi Omega Alumni Edgar Casa.
Some onlookers, who watched the naked run for the first time, were surprised by the unorthodox way of expression and admired the frat men's dedication.
'Well it's a kind of courage and bravery for them, especially if it's for a good cause like to save the rivers, so I think it is great,' said Sandra Deloria, a freshman economics student.
The tradition started in the late 70s when members of the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity ran naked on the campus grounds to protest against former President Ferdinand Marcos' censorship of a film criticizing his administration.
The run is held every December around different universities in the Philippines to coincide with the fraternity's founding anniversary.
Video at www.skynews.com.au/offbeat/article.aspx?id=697567&vId=2926352&cId=Offbeat
