The Ritual Dance of the Brave

December 16 marks the founding anniversary in the Philippines of Alpha Phi Omega International Collegiate Service Fraternity and Sorority or simply known as APO.
Each APO chapter in UP campuses holds an annual oblation run in celebration of the national anniversary. This is one of the most awaited events in UP.
The very first oblation run was done in 1977. Rolly Abad, an APO member ran naked in the A.S. lobby of UP Diliman as a form of promotion for play the fraternity was sponsoring called "Hubad na Bayani," (Naked Heroes), Abad was killed in a rumble few months later. The run was held yearly with noble themes every year to commemorate his death.
Contrary to some people’s belief, only the members of the APO are allowed to run since it's a privilege. Neophytes are the ones helping other members controlling the crowd.

UP Diliman 2007
photosource: AP/Associated Press

Here are other pictures taken from the past years’ Oblation Run in different UP campuses (please click photo to enlarge):

UP Los Baños
photosource: Photobucket

UP Baguio

Reactions Galore:
photosources: nash potato, bikoy

Check out Bikoy's to see more UP Diliman's version of Oblation run for 2007. UP Baguio will be having its own run on December 21 after the torch parade.

P.S.
Recently, APO has signed up partnership with Gawad Kalinga dubbed as Kalinga ng APO.
“The APO now makes its neophytes build houses in a Gawad Kalinga village in a remote province as part of 40 hours of community work.” By Belinda Olivares-Cunanan/Inquirer
To learn more about APO, please visit:
http://www.apo.org/ or http://www.apo.org.ph/?page=index