Time & Money: a qualitative research on the recruitment strategies of UP Manila political organizations.

Abstract

The University of the Philippines gives much importance in developing critical thinking. One of the ways where this can be applied is through student activism. In UP Manila, there are two main political organizations which rally issues and attempts to lead the students to change. Previous studies on student activism were directed towards the motivations of student activists, however, this study focuses on the Political organizations strategies to motivate students to join their organization.

This study aims to describe the strategies political organizations have in inviting students to support their organization. A structured interview was set up with 20 respondents: 10 respondents came from BIGKIS-UPM and another 10 from ASAP-Katipunan. The questions were divided into three categories: first, the identity of the organization; second, the recruitment strategies of the organization; and lastly, the resource mobilization aspect of the organization. A thematic approach was used to present and analyze the data. They were further categorized into sub-themes.

Results show that both political organizations, ASAP-Katipunan and BIGKIS-UPM, have similar strategies in recruiting students, but they differ in their execution. The identity and political ideologies of the political organizations play an integral part in recruiting members such that ASAPKatipunan promotes a principled organization, while BIGKIS-UPM espouses progressive multiperspective activism.

While it is true that they use their image as an edge for recruitment, both parties use resource mobilization and political opportunities to their advantage. The timely execution of activities, production of statement and campaign are part of their strategy to recruit more students. The political organizations have two main resources: human resource and financial resource. The ample balance between the two is important in their scheme. This study concludes that ASAP-Katipunan and BIGKIS-UPM have similarities and differences in their recruitment strategies, but both organizations ultimately have the same goal: to create positive change in society.