UP's Oblation Run.

This photo series contains explicit content.

The Oblation Run is an annual tradition of the members of the Alpha Phi Omega (APO), one of the prominent University of the Philippines’(UP) fraternities.

Members of the fraternity run around the campus naked (a concept known as streaking) to protest their sentiments about a current political or economic situation.

The run started in 1977 to protest the banning of the movie, “Hubad na Bayani” which depicted human rights abuses in the martial law era.

Today, the Oblation Run is held on or about December 16th, in honor of the international founding of Alpha Phi Omega on December 16th, 1925.

When the Run started, the runners were chased by policemen and school authorities. Organizers had to devise ways to elude arresting officers. Routes were carefully planned; getaway vehicles were assigned, etc. Through the years, however, what was once a publicity stunt has evolved into an indelible part of the UP institution. So many students anticipate the Run that by the late eighties the corridors of the AS Building were so crowded with onlookers that the "runners" were forced to walk. By that time, school authorities had given up on banning the activity.

The students don’t consider themselves as exhibitionists, but say they run naked to symbolize the Oblation’s ultimate offering of one’s self in service of the humanity. On March 2009, the Oblation Run was criticized by Aquilino Pimentel, Jr., a Philippine senator, calling it a "blatant display of male genitals" and a "wanton disregard of the rules of decent society." He noted that the Oblation Run, being a public event, was being viewed by young children and "innocent audiences, young and old," comparing it with exhibitionist behaviors that are prohibited by the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines. He also said that it was discriminatory against women.Pimentel's position was supported by officials of the Catholic Church. For instance, Tagbilaran Bishop Leonardo Medroso identified it as "malicious" and "morally lacking." Like Pimentel, he cited that "innocent youths" are among the spectators of the run. He said that "it could be done in a more decent way without showing their nude bodies". The Oblation Run was defended by Senator Francis Pangilinan, a former UP Student Council president. He argued that the run is not obscene because the runners were merely exercising their freedom of expression.

During the December 2005 Oblation Run at UP Diliman, two unidentified naked women, reportedly Koreans, were seen tailing 30 members who are part of the event. This is the first ever instance that women took part in the occasion. The two, wearing masks to hide their identities, held banners promoting equal rights for women. After posing for photographers, they entered a car which then sped off. The act was condemned by APO.

The Oblation (Pahinungod) is a concrete statue by Filipino artist Guillermo E. Tolentino which serves as the iconic symbol of the University of the Philippines. It depicts a man facing upward with arms outstretched, symbolizing selfless offering of oneself to his country.

The 2011 oblation run was themed “A Run for Philippine Rivers.” This is one of the projects of the brotherhood in protecting the most popular river in the metro-Pasig River.

As in every Oblation Run, the naked participants also hands out red roses to female college students who witness the event.