Your Voice For Cris Anthony Mendez
This is for Cris Anthony Mendez, we offer our voices. He who can no longer speak, we are here to continue for him. Let those who murdered Cris be brought to justice, may they always be weary of their crime, guilt-ridden for their misdeed, and aware of the justice that awaits them. This is for Cris Anthony Mendez’s future, for we will never know the great accomplishments and achievements yet to be made. We see his past, and mourn the loss of another individual whose life was cut way too short..
This post is an invitation, for anyone, and everyone, we ask for you voice in this sad and tragic murder. Give us your thoughts, direct them to anyone you please.
Let us address everyone in Sigma Rho. The Alumni, the public officials who are silent, and the officers who were involved. Let us also address the Senate, for within their membership, there are those who still remain silent. If they cannot condemn, then we shall condemn them. If they cannot lead, then we shall show them how to lead. The cowardice that pervades such institutions is painfully obvious, and yet these are leaders we look to in order to lead our nation. With such leaders, and individuals who call themselves brods, let us show them what true unity there can be, without violence.
Let our words pierce the blackened hearts of those who would obstruct and flee from justice.
The tears shed for Cris are not enough, for his memory should never be forgotten. Let the leaders of this Fraternity, show their leadership. Stop hiding, bring all who are involved to justice. If this is an organization that values brotherhood, then let them sacrifice for the sake of justice and truth. If they were willing to enact blow after blow of pain against someone whom they would call brother, then it is only right that they sacrifice their futures as well. At least they can wake up in the morning, something obviously Cris can no longer accomplish.
Anything else will not be enough, and it shall be a clear indictment of their character if they choose a course other than bringing everyone to the police. Let the People of The Philippines decide on the fate of those who let the life of Cris Anthony Mendez violently flow out of his body. The People of The Philippines Vs. Cowardly Thugs.
Kick all of the members out of UP, if they knew about the hazing, then they are accessory to an illegal activity, and that is reason enough to have them expelled. If possible, have the fraternity completely shut down. If UP wants to really be serious with this, then they must act decisively. Let the lawsuits from Sigma Rho come, because we know what cowards they truly are. Hiding behind lawyers, threatening lawsuits, while they do nothing for the bereaving family of Cris Mendez.
And the public officials who are quick to defend, and yet say nothing worthwhile about the victim and the family that was left behind in shambles, let them forever be known as those who put brotherhood above decency and justice.
As for the public officials who have kept silent, Shame on them, shame on them. Their silence shows the true nature of their soul, and as Filipinos we should disdain their inaction. They too are cowards, for those who say nothing in the midst of such an atrocity that led to the murder are cowards of the lowest form.
This is for Cris Anthony Mendez, whose voice we can no longer hear.
My friends. Readers. Speak.
tags: cris anthony mendez
well said, nick. damn well said.
I saw the coverage, and it is lacking. The people behind the hazing really are cowards. These are violent men, who chose to end the life of Cris. Sana ma karma sila. Para kay Cris, rest in peace bro, kami nalang ang bahala.
Stop Sigma Rho, they are an organization that seems to always attract these things. Rumbles, hazing, kahit ano, basta trip lang. Ano ba talaga dapat gawin para gumising ang lahat ng Administrasyon sa UP, dapat ba’y mamatay sampu para e-abolish yung mga frats na yan? Dapat buhay pa si Cris, at lawyer na siya. Kasi siya nalang mag prosecute ang mga walang kwenta ng mga tao na ito. Pero patay na nga si Cris, at tama ka Nick, we will give our voice para kay Cris
I have been collating news articles and blog posts about CA’s case. I am sorry to say that blog posts are waning. Some of them are even unfairly blaming someone who is already dead; it seems that there is a bit of Raul Gonzalez in each of us.
Kudos to the Jester-in-Exile for keeping the fire alive in search for justice.
I have already said this, and I will say it again: I CONDEMN ALL MEMBERS OF SIGMA RHO FOR THEIR SILENCE AND APATHY. I CONDEMN THOSE WHO CHOSE TO BE APATHETIC. AND HERE IS MY WISH TO ALL OF YOU: WHEN YOU DIE, NO ONE WILL SHED A TEAR. NO ONE.
selective
(sep0807)
you know what..
i can hardly recall the names of those who die out of your hands…
damn i’m good at this..
i am not even sure if they really die
i think my memory aint working anymore..
it is my fault…
i think your memory is not working too…
it is your fault…
history never repeats itself, it just never ends..
i wanna disprove this thought of mine
but then again you and me are successful once more
next year, and the coming of years
we will be successful again
can’t wait for another uhmm what is his name again..
seriously
the reason why i think hazing is tolerated because most of them who have been hazed, they survived! the survivors shared a common denominator as powerful as divinity.. what set them apart from common man.. they have cheated suffering or even death.
it was a badge, a feather, an honor, a pride or whatever.. pero wala pang nagsalita at sinabing “nag-survive ako” sa hazing..kasi basically he or she made it through.
maybe these people who survived feel sad and sorry about Cris and to the other victims too.. pero hanggang doon lang yon.. kasi some sacred spirit have descended on them upon passing hazing.. i am not so sure about my point here.. pero it is giving me the creeps…
these people have their license to apathy and it’s really sad the way they are using it right now..
it felt like abandonment and cowardice..
Goddam what did they do to you Cris?! For the love of God, wala silang awa? Hustisya! Justice! Bring everyone to justice! I spit on their kind of brotherhood. I’d rather be an orphan than be brothers to these animals!
@Davenport, it’s a cycle of violence, victims breeding more victims. It’s perpetual, because it is condoned. It is perpetual because the accountability is never spread to everyone, only one or maybe two. In the end, if UP is honest with itself, they will see that they too have erred and have a part in this death. The culture of UP has been hijacked by thugs, and the Administration can only be powerless for within the membership and alumni of these thug institutions lie the guardians who are in power.
Tama ka Nick, wala na nga siya dito sa world natin, sino ba ang lalaban para sa kanya? eh siguro, ma-coverup ang death na ito. Sabi mo sa isang post, hindi na tuloy ang plano ng NBI, pumunta nalang sila sa bahay ni Dr. Cruz. Ano pa kaya ang mangyayari? para kay Cris, salamat sa mga 20 years mo dito sa mundong na ito, marami ang nagmahal sa iyo, hindi lang yung mga taga Sigma Rho. Ang ganda sana ng buhay mo.
my prayers goes to the family and to Cris who’s life has been taken by soulless and mean people who for no reason or purpose commit such evil act, i condemed all fraternities that uses such gruelsome punishment, what about our institution that supposed to be helping our youth shaped their future, what about our government for whom i believe majority of them are members of some sort of fraternity … why dont they make a law about strict punishment for using such horrowfull method of initiation who ever perpetuates such acts and tolerates them should be put into justice ….
an appeal to those witnesses to come forward and shed a light about the events of such killing is an act of a responsible and matured person … remember such killings will not end until someone held resposible …. for those who did it to Cris you may think you are untouchable … for now, BUT YOUR CONSCIENCE WILL NOT GIVE YOU PEACE IT WILL ALWAYS HAUNT YOU … BECAUSE OF YOU, A SON AND BROTHER HAS PERISHED MEANINGLESS ….
Grabe meron nanaman ganito… Ewan ko talga kung anu ang nagtutulak sa mga tao para manakit at mag cause sila ng pain sa ibang tao i really dont know what they are feeling sa bawat hampas ng paddle at sipa.
Sana naman bigyan ng hustiya ang pangyaayring ito, marami ng ganitong pangyayari sana wag na lang ito malimutan ng panahon…
honesty is something na di matutunan sa school… i certainly agree with you nick..
—–
kung napanood nyo yung feature sa frat ni Jessica Soho kagabi… jessica showed a video of a woman being initiated. the video, captured with consent was taken just last saturday.
lucky she survived…her thinking was amazing..again creepy…
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My sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the families of Cris Mendez. I hope this case (though I most doubt it) will not just be added in the statistics of another frat-related violence.
To those who are involved in his death, be men enough to face up to your responsibilities and not hide behind the pants of your “padrinos”. I can only hope that you can sleep well at night thinking that your hands are smeared by the blood of an innocent man.
I really hope that justice will be served, but in the last few days, there’s been no news on Cris. I condemn and i hope the people behind this will pay for their crime. I agree that Sigma Rho should be banned from UP.
MGA WALANG HIYA!!! MGA WALANG HIYA!!! Brothers? T!%@ina!! As I saw a special on tv d other day naghihinayang talaga ako para kay cris. my heart goes out to him and his family and his friends. Ang bayan natin ay nawala nanaman ng isang young person full of potential. i dont know what else to say except to say this to the people involved….. MAGING LALAKI NA KAYO! MGA WALANG KONSENSIYA! GIVE YOURSELF UP NOW! MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON YOU!
It is so sad to see a promising young man, so alive, so full of life in this picture, now dead just because some of his peers had become sadistic.
When this young man was gasping for breath from the blows and the beating, those criminals should have stopped… did they believe they were being human beings by continuing to beat up the poor Cris?
In the name of what? of who? of whatever, did these people do this?Those who killed him have no right to take away his life. As a mother of children the age of Cris, I strongly condemn in the most unequivocal terms the killing of Cris. They should be punished.
This practice of hazing must stop - it brings no honour to the fraternity nor inculcate brotherhood. It’s all wrong.
September 9, 2007
Dear Sirs,
First of all, let may say how are you all, and I pray & hope that all is okay there.
After reading all your releases about Cris, I was very happy that there are kabayans who really care for the truth and welfare of our fellow Filipinos.
I appreciate very much your fighting spirit and uncowardly gesture no matter who gets hurt even in this case of Cris as we know all are all influential people.
Pls continue your good services with fairness and truth to all.
Now may I also bring your attention to the Press Release of APEC-AUSTRALIA ORGANIZING COMMITTEE wherein the made a press release about our BARONG TAGALOG branded as PEASANT SHIRT. i read this article at the web site of ABS-CBNNEWS,COM dated Sptember 9, 2007.
Pls kindly check his article and do what is necessary and inform your fellow members.
It is a very big shame on us Filipinos that this Austrialians calling our “Barong Tagalog” the national costume for men a “PEASANT SHIRT”.
I hope that in due time, that this Australins will know what we Filipinos are.
More Power to you all.
Mabuhay ang mga Filipinos.
Thank you very much,
Teddy M. Leuteiro
Riyadh, KSA
I’ve already posted my thoughts about this:
Put a stop to the barbaric practice of hazing
Apathy: The Most Cold-hearted Murderer of Them All
I hope your cries for justice and calls for action reach those who have the power to make changes. Let’s all speak up against hazing. It is illegal and it should stop.
I also wrote in my weblog in memory of Cris Mendez. I hope you can find time to read it and share it with your friends. I posted it here: http://lestercavestany.com/?p=11
It really sucks that it gets to happen to UP. I’m really embarrassed and humiliated.
UP Manila will hold a candle-lighting vigil in front of the Oblation tomorrow afternoon in protest against deaths secondary to hazing.
@Prudence, Apathy seems to be the key word in this day in age. Combating it should be the primary focus of many Filipinos. It’s the nation that has the involvement of its citizens that can truly prosper.
@Manila Bay Watch, as the many commentaries have said, this act of hazing is definitely barbaric. It’s illegal, as I have also said, and thus all who knew about the hazing, which is probably every member, should be prosecuted. For this to stop, the UP Administration has to take a tough stand. Those in power must not sway the investigation, as I fear they already have done. And Sigma Rho should no longer be labeled a UP organization.
@Lester, excellent work on your end. Continue your writing!
@Benj, hope you blog about it. If anyone can send me some pics, this would be great. nick [at] tingog [dot] com
Nick, we are of one mind, as usual.I sent this comment to Lester earlier:
About the death of 20-year old UP student, Cris Anthony Mendez, I say this loud and clear: Fraternities manifest man’s tendency to socialize and are beneficent except when the initiation process is unrestrained as in hazing. Those with wired sadistic tendencies in frats are the cause of hazing injuries and deaths and the designated leaders must be held accountable for savage behavior of any of its members in any frat-related activity. Schools must sanction any student that engages in uncivil behavior.
i remember my classmate ako muntik na rin sya mamatay dahil sa hazing na yan. i pray justice to all well serve..
when will we ever learn? hazing, like sexual harassment, is all about POWER. why fraternities still attract neos is beyond me. except for socials and highly publicized dole-outs to the poorer sections of society, what have fraternities and sororities really done? may cris’ soul rest in peace while we here on earth still suffer at the thought of many more murderers on the loose.
Hindi tama tong mga to…dapat tanggalin n ang mga ganitong aktibidad sa mga unibersidad ng Pilipinas. Hindi kapatiran ang tawag dito mga huwad na ang nais ay manakit ng kapwa hindi tumulong. Kung matino ang kanilang hangarin d na nila kelangan manakit para maging kapatiran. PUT@$##@#@#$ INA !@#@#@NILA!! mga animal sa lipunan..
I just hope that Cris’ case will be solved. I pray na hindi sana mabalewala ang lahat ng mga ginagawang hakbang ng mga nagmamahal kay Cris…for his peace and justice!
gosh…those eople who are behind of these are creeps! i mean they are wasting their time, (actually) and they also kill people! bad! i hate those people who have fraternities i mean, we don’t need that?! for what?! for status?! for popularity?! for protection?! all of that shit! gosh! we don’t need that… mas malakas p back up nten.. si GOD… and besides we don’t have the right to hurt other people because we don’t feed and hindi kayo yung nagpakahirap na magpalaki sa kanila… For Kuya Cris Mendez.. you may not know me pero… rest in peace na po… and sana matauhan na un mga tao na gumawa sayo.. sana naawa man lang sila sa kapatid mo and to your family… nakakaasar lahat ng my fraternity! taga UP p man din kayo! respetado school nio and yet ganun! STOP NA SIGMA RHO! sana un mga ALUMNI matauhan at stop n un pgsuporta sa kanila,,, nakakahiya! YOUR A SHAME IN YOUR OWN FRATERNITY! PINAHIYA NIYO YUNG MGA ALUMNUS NIYO! wla kayong kwenta… tigil na lahat ng fraternity! sana lang di kayo karmahin at mangyari yan sa magiging anak nio! to Kuya cris! we will fight for you… in prayers… god will always be guiding your family!
gone were the days when fraternities groups are where we find free thinkers and intellectuals. ngayon, barbarismo na ang dala-dala nito. while it is not good to ban fraternities at school (it’s like banning the student’s right to organize), fraternities themselves should clean up their ranks. despite sa pagiging illegal na ng hazing, patuloy pa rin? i think we need to give more teeth to the anti-hazing law.
losers!!! eh ang daming frat yan na parang GANG na. bakit napaka-init ng media pagdating sa sigma rho? it just mean that sigma rho as a fraternity is effective. Di nyo pa alam what really happened so wag kayo mag reak.
yan ba ang natutunan nyo sa skol and religion nyo? napaka judgmental nyo!
I agree that Sigma Rho should be banned from UP.