The news about Kristel’s suicide reached my ears through one of my Indonesian Brothers here in the seminary. He was reading news from his own home country when he stumbled upon the unfortunate story of Kristel’s death.
I myself am a graduate of the University of the Philippines, Diliman. Reading and watching news about Kristel’s tragedy left nothing but a real pain in my heart. Such loss could’ve been prevented. It angered me to think that she was forced to file a leave of absence because she wasn’t able to pay the tuition fee on the deadline. That policy is unjust at its deepest roots. Each student of this prestigious university is entitled to his or her own right of education. Forcing someone to STOP studying unless they pay is something that the UP admin should be ashamed of.
There are many ways to call upon students who have not yet paid their tuition fees in full and forcing a leave is not one of them. Kristel’s experience of not being called on the roll while in class is more than just embarrassing. It’s shameful and degrading, especially to a person who loves his/her studies. According to her parents, going to school is Kristel’s coping mechanism. School was the place where she could forget the problems of home. Education kept her going. In the end, education kept her from living.
I could just imagine Kristel in despair after seeing her whole semester gone because she wasn’t able to pay the fees. I could see her lamenting for all the efforts she had put in submitting essays, sitting exams and studying so hard. All efforts were wasted for a semester that, for the admin, “did not exist”.
I am not blaming the University’s admin for Kristel’s death. It is fair to say that in suicide cases, the psychological imbalance of the victim could be due to more than one factor. Nevertheless, the psychological trauma after the academic exile may have played a big part in her decision to end her life.
UP Manila has recently lifted the No Late Payment Policy. It may seem too late, for Kristel’s life is no more. Yet if this move is essential to save any other UP students there who are in the same dilemma as Kristel was at, then Praise God for it. Nonetheless, it is a shame that a precious life needed to be shed for such a ludicrous policy to be lifted.
For all brethren in other Christian denominations who condemn suicide victims to damnation, I urge you to change your view. The Catholic Church does not condemn anyone, not even suicide victims. She teaches that suicide is wrong, but she responds to suicide victims with mercy and not with condemnation. We believe in the everlasting mercy of God that even people who commit suicide are embraced by God, should they be in the right disposition of heart. If we as humans are very merciful to people who have serious psychological imbalances (I’m not implying ‘crazy’ people, but those in dire situations that keeps them from maintaining a sound mind), what more of our Eternal Loving Father? People who commit suicide are to be prayed for, have mass celebrated for them, and be buried with dignity.
I pray for Kristel Tejada, and I lift her up to the God of everlasting mercy. I pray also for all Filipino students who are experiencing financial difficulties. I pray for everyone who are losing hope because of one problem or another. May God send helpers to them to raise them up from the heap and bring them back to light. May all who struggle in the darkness find comfort in the loving embrace of God.
May Kristel Tejada rest in peace.
I myself am a graduate of the University of the Philippines, Diliman. Reading and watching news about Kristel’s tragedy left nothing but a real pain in my heart. Such loss could’ve been prevented. It angered me to think that she was forced to file a leave of absence because she wasn’t able to pay the tuition fee on the deadline. That policy is unjust at its deepest roots. Each student of this prestigious university is entitled to his or her own right of education. Forcing someone to STOP studying unless they pay is something that the UP admin should be ashamed of.
There are many ways to call upon students who have not yet paid their tuition fees in full and forcing a leave is not one of them. Kristel’s experience of not being called on the roll while in class is more than just embarrassing. It’s shameful and degrading, especially to a person who loves his/her studies. According to her parents, going to school is Kristel’s coping mechanism. School was the place where she could forget the problems of home. Education kept her going. In the end, education kept her from living.
I could just imagine Kristel in despair after seeing her whole semester gone because she wasn’t able to pay the fees. I could see her lamenting for all the efforts she had put in submitting essays, sitting exams and studying so hard. All efforts were wasted for a semester that, for the admin, “did not exist”.
I am not blaming the University’s admin for Kristel’s death. It is fair to say that in suicide cases, the psychological imbalance of the victim could be due to more than one factor. Nevertheless, the psychological trauma after the academic exile may have played a big part in her decision to end her life.
UP Manila has recently lifted the No Late Payment Policy. It may seem too late, for Kristel’s life is no more. Yet if this move is essential to save any other UP students there who are in the same dilemma as Kristel was at, then Praise God for it. Nonetheless, it is a shame that a precious life needed to be shed for such a ludicrous policy to be lifted.
For all brethren in other Christian denominations who condemn suicide victims to damnation, I urge you to change your view. The Catholic Church does not condemn anyone, not even suicide victims. She teaches that suicide is wrong, but she responds to suicide victims with mercy and not with condemnation. We believe in the everlasting mercy of God that even people who commit suicide are embraced by God, should they be in the right disposition of heart. If we as humans are very merciful to people who have serious psychological imbalances (I’m not implying ‘crazy’ people, but those in dire situations that keeps them from maintaining a sound mind), what more of our Eternal Loving Father? People who commit suicide are to be prayed for, have mass celebrated for them, and be buried with dignity.
I pray for Kristel Tejada, and I lift her up to the God of everlasting mercy. I pray also for all Filipino students who are experiencing financial difficulties. I pray for everyone who are losing hope because of one problem or another. May God send helpers to them to raise them up from the heap and bring them back to light. May all who struggle in the darkness find comfort in the loving embrace of God.
May Kristel Tejada rest in peace.