The gentle aroma of coffee wafting through the air serves as a backdrop to one of the Silliman University Faculty Association (SUFA)’s most enduring traditions: the Kapehan. What began as an informal gathering for coffee has evolved into a potent symbol of unity, solidarity, and a call to action for the university’s faculty and supporters.
The recent Kapehan organized by SUFA continues this legacy, calling for fair treatment and respect for faculty rights amid ongoing negotiations on their salary increase with the university administration.
“Kapehan” comes from the Visayan term for a gathering centered around coffee. As SUFA Treasurer Dina Remoto shared in an interview, “It started out as a gathering where we would drink coffee. That’s why it was originally a Kapehan jud. But of course, more than the coffee, it’s a space for connection.”
Historically, Kapehan has been more than a casual coffee break. It became a platform for dialogue and solidarity as early as 2008 to 2009, during earlier labor disputes. Over the years, it has retained its simple yet profound essence. As SUFA President Jonathan Te humorously remarked, “Did we change? Nope. It’s been the same. We’ve been lighting candles, praying, sharing updates, and offering reminders.”
The spirit of Kapehan is solidarity. As Remoto aptly applied, there are parallels to Kapehan and the Visayan “bilar” or “vigil.” That is, a community drawn together for conversation, for comfort, and for a little culinary treat here and there amidst times of need and tragedy.
Visayan “bilar” (and consequently, “kapehan”) culture finds that it is not the negative circumstances bringing people together which color the gathering. Rather, trials only serve to highlight the shared joy through community, as a testament to human perseverance amidst trying times—confirming that this sense of Filipino bayanihan rises not only in times of splendor, but most especially reveals itself in times of trouble and despair.
Beyond its tradition, the Kapehan spirit reflects Filipino cultural values—hospitality, camaraderie, and bayanihan. It mirrors the practice of serving coffee and bread during community gatherings, underscoring the importance of food and fellowship in fostering bonds.
At its core, the recent Kapehan is a peaceful gathering against what SUFA members describe as unsatisfactory terms in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations. The faculty emphasizes that their demands for fair wages and improved benefits, particularly retirement packages, stem not from greed but from necessity.
“I will be retiring soon,” Remoto shared, “and I want the retirement benefits to be improved. I underwent two heart operations and have so much maintenance. How can I sustain this with the current setup? Silliman can do better.”
The issues raised resonate deeply with the community. Financial concerns about unreturned laboratory and internet fees during the pandemic, coupled with perceived inconsistencies in budget allocations fuel the faculty’s frustration.
Remoto also expressed the importance of making their plight visible. As she explained, “We decided to have it here so that parents, students, and alumni will see us and maybe sympathize. If we have it inside, who would even know?”
The Kapehan approach underscores the faculty’s commitment to a peaceful call to action. Members gather to pray, share updates, and stand together in solidarity.
The Kapehan approach underscores the faculty’s commitment to peaceful protest. Faculty gather to pray, share updates, and stand together in solidarity. Technology has modernized the movement— megaphones have given way to speakers, and pictures are now shared widely on social media— but the essence remains unchanged.
The administration’s response, however, has not always been welcoming. Faculty members noted that while they welcome the increased visibility, there is a sense of tension, with security guards monitoring and taking photos of the gatherings.
Amid this backdrop of administrative tension, SUFA members see the support of students and the broader Sillimanian community as critical to their cause. As Te emphasized, “We don’t ask students to take action; we just want them to know the real story. If students are informed and understand what we are fighting for, that’s already a big support.”
Meanwhile, Remoto encouraged students to join their gatherings, stating that if the university president sees students joining the Kapehan, it may soften their hearts and make them reconsider their stance.
The faculty’s transparency is also an invitation for the community to ask questions and seek the truth. As Remoto pointed out, “Silliman has money. The financial surpluses are based on audited reports. Stakeholders—students and their parents—have the right to know.”
Through decades, Kapehan has endured as a conversation-starter. Raising community concerns of justice and fair-treatment not only of SU’s faculty and staff, but also for students and other stakeholders. Kapehan exists not for ‘the love of money’, but stands as a loving reminder of what we—Sillimanians—deserve from an alma mater whom we’ve poured our (and our parents) blood, sweat, and tears to. At the heart of Kapehan is a deep love for Silliman University. The faculty’s resolve stems not from antagonism but from a desire to protect the institution’s values and ensure a just environment for its educators and learners.
As one faculty member poignantly shared, “We want the services the university provides to students to be appropriate. Silliman has always been a beacon of education, and we want to preserve that for future generations.”
As the negotiations continue, the community watches, coffee in hand, united in the hope that fairness and dialogue will prevail. The Kapehan lives on, not just as a gathering, but as a testament to Silliman’s enduring spirit of community and solidarity.
