Songs, skits, photo exhibits, editorial cartoons, performance poetry filled the room as progressive artists showcased their talents and works of art. But it was not an ordinary cultural event, it was a protest activity that showed the creativity of the youth in their struggle for justice.

BY BULATLAT
Culture
Vol. VIII, No. 23, July 19-23, 2008

Student journalists from different publications in the National Capital Region expressed their rage over the “crimes against the people” of Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Unlike the usual rallies, the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), a national alliance of tertiary student publications, held various creative activities as forms of protests.

On July 11, the CEGP held a cultural night dubbed as “Front Rage” at the 70s Bistro in Quezon City.

CEGP National President Vijae Alquisola explained, “Front Rage is taken from the phrase Front Page. We intend to show the people’s rage over corruption, media repression, and worsening economic crisis.”

The Jerks’ Chikoy Pura performed the songs “Rage” and “The Storm.” The latter tackles extrajudicial killings under the Arroyo regime.

Alquisola recited Romulo Sandoval’s poem “Pagkat Tayo’y Nagmamahal.”

Poet and musician Jess Santiago sang his version of “Doon Po Sa Amin.”

Alquisola said the CEGP’s National Congress last May adopted a resolution calling for the immediate resignation of Mrs. Arroyo. “Our member publications and provincial and regional chapters have also launched activities as a contribution to the national campaign for the removal of Mrs. Arroyo.

An exhibit of photographs and editorial cartoons was mounted inside the bar. Issues range from education subsidy, tuition hikes, anti-terrorism law to oil price hikes, agrarian reform, killings, poverty and ouster of Mrs. Arroyo.

Alquisola said that as campus writers, they are also affected by the economic crisis.

In an interview, Roni Ba-ang, culture writer of the Philippine Collegian, student publication of University of the Philippines in Diliman, said, “Ito ang panahon na hindi na lamang pwedeng umupo sa tabi at hintayin ang nakatatanda na kumilos. Ito ang panahon na ang kabataan ay dapat asahan ng bayan.” (These are the times when we could not just sit back and wait for the older ones to act. These are times when the people could rely on the youth.)

She said that the Filipino youth are deprived of education. “Every youth should have access to education.”

Meanwhile, Antonino Perdigon Jr., associate editor of EARIST Technozette, publication of the Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology (EARIST), criticized the widespread corruption.

Perdigon said, “Wala nang kredibilidad si Arroyo. Pinapaikot niya ang mga Pilipino at nilalabag ang karapatang pantao.” (Arroyo has lost credibility. She deceives the Filipino people and violates human rights.)

Perdigon also scored the Arroyo government’s subservience to US imperialism.

Role of the campus press

Ba-ang said that student writers have the responsibility of encouraging the youth to act against a rotten regime.

For Perdigon, student journalists should expose “the real character of Mrs. Arroyo.”

Alquisola said that campus writers would again join the July 18 walkout against tuition hikes and economic crisis. (Bulatlat.com)

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