CEBU CITY – On a rainy Friday, the 6th of June, martyred transwoman Dee Supelanas of the Kabalankan 7 was honored by student leaders, progressive groups, and communities in Cebu at the Performing Arts Hall of UP Cebu.
Dee Supelanas served as a former chairperson of the student council and a fourth year Communication student in UP Cebu prior to joining the National People’s Army as “Ka Dahlia.”

The tribute also honored the slain members of the Kabankalan 7: Jhonrey Mejares, Glendel Tinio Mejares, a certain Pitong, Charity Amacan, Reniel Locsin Cellon, and Mary Jane Maguilat. 

Hannah Taboada, member of the Kabataan Partylist Cebu, recalled how dedicated Supelanas was as an activist. 

“Ate Dee stood up for our right to accessible and quality education and demanded meaningful spaces for the youth to lead and be heard. She was never content with token representation. She believed that the youth are not too young to resist, not too naive to understand injustice, and never too powerless to transform our current realities,” said Taboada.

Bebe Allere, member of Gabriela- Cebu and chairperson of Cebu Urban Poor Women’s League, recalled how Supelanas was one of the first student leaders to support the vendors’ campaign against the privatization of Carbon Market.

“A lot of the vendors are not knowledgeable enough about agreements and hearings. Students like Dee helped us make sense of the hearings, agreements, and campaigns,” said Allere.

Liza Faye Pingco of Karapatan Central Visayas, who met Supelanas as then volunteer of Save Our Schools Network Cebu, read letters written by Lumad students who knew Supelanas.

“She’s one of the people who gives us strength when we experience weak moments, especially for me. I consider her my best friend,” one Lumad student wrote in Cebuano.

The tribute also honored Roshelle Mae Porcadilla, one of the teachers of Lumad Bakwit schools. She died of Lupus last May 22, 2025. 

Text and photos MAVERICK AVILA