Storytelling as policy

June 21, 2024

MANILA – I am a storyteller,” explains University of the Philippines president Angelo Jimenez as he explains his vision to members of the media for how the UP Archipelagic and Oceanic Virtual University can expand the discourse on the issues surrounding the West Philippine Sea to something that goes beyond geopolitics. This was in the context of the media launch of his administration’s flagship programs last Tuesday, of which I was able to participate as part of a media panel. He reiterated the importance of regaining control of the university’s narrative as he sought for “inclusive admissions” partly as a way to combat perceptions of increasing elitism, as 44 percent of the UP College Admission Test qualifiers come from private schools and around 70 percent come from urban centers. Last May, his administration also modified the university’s motto to add “service” to “honor and excellence,” a further expansion of the narrative of what the university stands for.

It is an interesting way of rationalizing a program, that its mere existence can add to or change prevailing narratives. That the questions the panel had for him mostly centered on how his administration can actualize such grand visions, the UP president insisted that the vision itself is worthy on its own through its power to weave a narrative.

What stories can we tell through policies and programs? And are these stories enough?

Filipinos love a good story. We root for the underdogs. We post long diatribes online against villains in reel and real life. We swoon over love teams. We feel for victims and cheer when they get their justice. A compelling story can propel Filipinos into action. And for this reason, stories can be powerful.

This is exactly