19/09/2026
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The University Performing Arts Organization (UPAO) stands with the students and organizations affected by the events surrounding Balik Kampus uEPIC 2026 on September 17, 2026. More importantly, UPAO stands with The Pillar and the University Student Council (USC) because we believe that every student has the right to speak, be heard, and raise concerns about matters that affect us as students.
We stand because we believe that a university should be a place where every voice has room to be heard, every question has room to be asked, and every student has the freedom to speak. The removal of The Pillar's banner bearing the message, "Junk House Bill 9414, House Bill 9861! Defend Press Freedom," raises serious concerns about how student expression and participation are being treated within the University. UPAO understand that the University Administration has the responsibility to keep order and follow its policies. But we also believe that this responsibility should come with fairness, transparency, respect, and understanding. Keeping order should not mean taking away students' chance to speak, ask questions, or raise concerns. Students should be given the space to express themselves and be heard, especially when the issues they raise affect them and the community they belong to.
As a performing organization, we were also directly affected by the events that unfolded during the program. We recognize the amount of time, effort, and preparation that goes into every performance. Every movement and every song reflects hours of practice, rehearsals, corrections, and the commitment of artists who continue to give their best despite exhaustion and challenges. Their efforts and contributions deserve to be recognized and respected because a performance is never just a performance.
But our experience as artist is not the sole reason we speak.
We speak not only because our performance was affected, but because what happened goes beyond the stage. Our stand comes from a broader belief that students and student organizations should have the space to participate, express concerns, and be heard. It also affected vendors who tirelessly worked overtime and made sacrifices to earn a living and provide for their families. Their livelihood, hard work, and sacrifices deserve to be recognized and respected.
To the UEP Administration, we hope our concerns are met with understanding. Students deserve to speak up, be heard, and be treated with respect and dignity. We hope these concerns can be addressed by listening to the students and understanding where they are coming from.
The stage may have been halted, but the voices of students will continue to echo beyond it.
We Perform. We Express. We Stand.
We are UPAO.
