and I knew that the lights of the city were too heavy for me

Forced on leave for unpaid tuition, UP freshman commits suicide

(UPDATED - 5:27 p.m.) MANILA, Philippines -- A freshman at the University of the Philippines Manila committed suicide Friday morning, allegedly after she was forced to take a leave of absence over her inability to pay her tuition.

On its Facebook account, the Manila Collegian, UP Manila’s student publication, said the 16-year-old Behavioral Science student killed herself. Initial information gathered by the Manila police showed that the student committed suicide by drinking silver nitrate Wednesday morning.

Mariz Zubiri, chairperson of the UP Manila student council, told Interaksyon.com on Friday that the student had been missing school for quite sometime and had filed for a leave of absence last Wednesday.

Aside from financial problems, authorities were also looking into other angles that might have caused the student to take her own life, according to Zubiri.

Zubiri said the student was unable to comply with the university's "no late payment" policy and was forced to take a leave from school.

The university implemented the "no late payment" policy last year requiring students to pay their tuition only up to two weeks after enrollment.

Salient point for, like, whenever it is that sustainability will matter more than your students: it costs just as much to educate 5843 students as it does to educate 5844. Congratulations, UP Manila. Fuck you so much.

Rest in peace, Kristel Tejada.