The fire that lives within: How every PUPian manages to study in burning classrooms

The fire that lives within usually refers to the burning passion of a person with dreams and goals. It is the drive that helps them brave all odds throughout their journey. But for the students of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), the fire that lives within means something different. For it is the heat that crawls through sunlit walls and crowded desks during lectures.

"Hindi sapat ang bentilasyon na mayroon tayo sa klasrum. Halos 50-70 ang nilalaman estudyante, bukod sa kulang pa sa upuan, dalawa lamang ang working na electric fan," Lorin Lei Rivera, a 19-year-old freshman from PUP - Rise for Education (R4E) said in an interview with The Communicator.

According to Rivera, even the facilities within PUP - College of Communication (COC) are insufficient, despite its separate location from the main campus. With the combined effects of the rising heat index and the lack of facilities within the COC or the university in general, students' comfort in achieving quality education is at risk. 

Studying inside these burning classrooms turns learning into a test of endurance, as students are left to struggle in extreme heat conditions that feel increasingly impossible to ignore.

"Dagdag burukrasya pa ang dami ng nilalakad na papel at ang dami ng proseso para lamang makapag-conduct ng mga gawain at aktibidad sa maayos na lugar," Rivera added. 

To avoid studying under harsh conditions, the university administration proclaimed the famous Executive Order No. 12 in 2025. According to the memorandum, if the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecasts that the heat index reaches 42 - 51 degrees Celcius, classes are automatically shifted to online synchronous modality without prior announcement. 

But for many PUPians, the suspension of face-to-face classes is merely a band-aid solution, as the problem of the rising heat index will continue to occur year after year. 

"Napakaraming katanungan na hindi pa 'rin nasasagot ng PUP administration dahil hanggang ngayon, napakaraming butas ng Executive Order na ito. Kunwari, pumasok ka ng umaga tapos hindi pa gaano ka-init, tapos bandang tanghali ay tumaas na, wala kang choice kundi umuwi. Nagsayang lang ng oras at pamasahe ang mga estudyante kung pwede naman na mas maaga mag - anunsyo." Rivera remarked. 

Following the declaration of the national energy emergency, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) announced last April 8 that Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) may now fully shift to online classes for the remainder of the academic year. Meanwhile, Rivera reaffirms that this is not the right solution in order to achieve quality education. 

"Isa na naman itong band-aid solution. Una sa lahat, hindi lahat ng estudyante ay may sapat na akses sa internet. Hindi rin guaranteed na makakapakinig tayo ng maayos dahil sa mga distraction. Kung gagawin na namang online, bakit laging estudyante na naman ang mag aadjust sa mga ganitong sitwasyon?" According to Rivera, the primary call of students is for the PUP administration to heed the lack of basic necessities the students need such as additional classrooms, proper ventilation, and equipment. 

Amid the sweltering heat and crowded spaces, the determination of every PUPian does not fade. It continues to grow stronger, shaping every Iskolar who persists despite the discomfort. For most of them, no heat can stop the fire that lives within, as they expect no backbone nor generational wealth that would help them carry their dreams forward to success. 

While the fire within classrooms continues to burn, the need for relief becomes impossible to ignore as students seek small ways to cool down during lectures. In this moment of need, the palamig vendors inside the PUP Lagoon became more than sellers—they became a source of comfort and relief amidst the relentless heat.

The famous Stall 14 inside PUP Lagoon is owned by a 57-year-old Tatay Ramon. He has been an official concessionaire of PUP since 1995 and has been serving inside the lagoon for so long that most students prefer to call him "Daddy". 

Daddy shared in an interview with The Communicator, their contract with PUP entails a whopping P37,400.00 rent per month, excluding the utility bills. Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, each stall is required to use paper cups and plates as part of their terms and conditions with the university. 

"Dito sa PUP, bukod sa mahal ang renta, hindi madali mag-taas ng presyo. Ngayon, napakahirap dahil tumataas ang mga bilihin," Daddy muttered.

According to Daddy, the decision to increase their prices was entirely on their own. But the fear of not having customers is greater than any other, so their prices remain the same despite the global crisis. 

"Kung kami ay tumaas ang presyo habang ang iba ay mababa, siyempre iiwasan na kami ng mga estudyante. Ang hinihiling po ng bawat concessionaire ay sana naman ay magkaroon ng konting bawas sa renta lalo ngayon na krisis." Daddy added. 

The palamig vendors inside PUP Lagoon, such as Stall 14 plays a crucial role in helping the students endure the daily struggles of heat. Their low prices in comparison to stores located outside the campus are what make it special, like the PUPians' very own miracle for all the struggles they've been through. 

"Unang-una po, mahal po namin kayong mga estudyante. Nagsisilbi kami para sa inyo talaga." Daddy remarked joyfully. 

Maybe each stall placed inside the PUP Lagoon is heaven's answer to the various calls of students for a small token of relief amid their daily struggles. But still, the harsh studying situations of every student haven't changed. The call for long-term solutions is still ignored by the PUP administration. Again and again, these lived experiences are the result of the lack of climate-resilient facilities and underfunded education.

Ultimately, the fire within PUPians burns in two ways: as passion that drives them forward and as heat that tests their limits. It becomes a symbol of perseverance, reminding them that even in the harshest conditions, their fire remains alive and just keeps on burning. Under the weight of heat and hardship, they are refined into individuals whose determination cannot be easily extinguished. 

The fire within does not flicker; it endures into something greater than the burn—purpose. 

Article: Shan Ordonio

Graphics: Ronalyn Hermosa