Youth networks highlight student power, youth engagement through art fair
Kabataan Partylist – Cavite, along with Panday Sining – Cavite and Coalition of Concerned Lasallians (CCL), spearheaded an artist fair entitled “TAYO ANG KINABUKASAN: Artist Fair para sa Demokrasya, Edukasyon, at Karapatang Pantao” last November 19 at Imus, Cavite, in celebration of International Students’ Day 2023. This event doubled as a showcase of the artistic talents of the Filipino youth and a channel to spread a valuable message regarding student power, youth engagement, and contemporary issues that plague the globe currently.
The event comprised of educational discussions, a zine workshop, cultural performances, and art booths, with the theme “Kabataang Kabitenyo, Isulong ang Mapagpalayang Edukasyon at Ipaglaban ang Demokratikong Karapatan ng Mamamayan!” and was participated by Filipino youth from various cities of Cavite.
“Bilang isang makabayang kabataan, ang mga ganitong programa o event ay idinaraos upang magpukaw, magmulat, at magpakilos ng kapwa kabataan at mga estudyante. Ito ay paraan upang mas magpatalas at magbunga ng mga kabataang kritikal mag-isip at mapagmahal sa kanyang bayan sa puntong kinakailangan niyang lumabas sa kaniyang eskwelahan at komportableng buhay upang makisalamuha at makipamuhay sa iba’t ibang batayang sektor ng lipunan. Naniniwala kami sa mga makamasang organisasyon na ang estudyante ay hindi lamang mag-aaral sa burgis na paaralan, kundi ito ang mga estudyante na magsusuri ng kasalukuyang kalagayan ng lipunan at kikilos upang pandayin ang lipunang mas mabuti at tunay na malaya,” Alexandrea Rey, the provincial coordinator of Anakbayan – Kalayaan, stated.
Rey also shared her sentiments on the current issues that plague the educational system, in which she noted the capitalist nature of the current system that allows wealthy individuals to take advantage of the fundamental rights of the youth, “Kaya nga sinasabi na ang edukasyon dito ay komersalisyado at pyudal at lalo lamang itong lumalala simula nang pinaupo si Sara Duterte bilang DepEd Secretary, na nagbigay lalo ng oportunidad sa National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) na pasukin ang mga pamantasan upang manipulahin at maghimasok ng black propaganda upang pintahan ang mga kabataang aktibista at advocates na mali ang ipaglaban ang kanilang batayang karapatan na magpahayag ng kanilang saloobin sa bulok na sistema ng edukasyong kanilang pilit na nilulunok.”
She noted that this gathering is not only an event, but also a means in which the youth can attain the proper knowledge in order to oppose the said corrupt system, all in the hopes that youth attain their fundamental rights to education. She emphasized that the youth are not only children of biological parents, but are also children of the nation and thus, they must expend their efforts in gathering, disseminating, and advocating for the rights of the young people in the hopes of serving the nation.
When asked about the participation of related organizations, Rey emphasized that it is not to be considered as a collaboration, rather, a unification between youth organizations located in Cavite, sparked by the current issues and the need for collective movement in the society.
The fair introduced the demands of the progressive youth groups for a better education system, in which they opted and advocated for a scientific, nationalistic, and mass-oriented model to solve the current issues regarding education.
When asked what this model would look like if it were to be accomplished, Noah Manlulu, the provincial coordinator of the Kabataan Partylist – Cavite, explained, “If we achieve this system, it should be nationalist–it serves the needs of the country. Scientific, meaning theories discussed in class are appropriate with the external conditions of the country… Mass-oriented, meaning it should be accessible even to the poorest of the poor.” He also emphasized, “At dapat hindi militarisado ang mga pamantasan–hindi komersyalisado, at higit sa lahat, libre at hindi sisilbihan ng ilan.”
Diana Villanueva, the provincial coordinator of Panday Sining – Cavite, shared the same views on the matter, highlighting the positive impacts that this model can bring if brought to fruition, “Aabante ang mga ideya ng mga intelektwal na mga kabataan, magkakaroon ng pagkakakilanlan sa ating kultura, at lahat ng bata ay may kakayahang mag-aral.”
In terms of contemporary issues, the event also tackled the current conflict between Palestine and Israel through a situationer and analysis of the accumulated struggle.
The groups also advocated for the youth to stand with Palestine as Villanueva shared that this is a direct advocacy in the realm of internationalism that requires the full support of the youth, in which Filipinos must also be concerned with due to the indirect implications that the Philippines experiences brought by American influence.
Rey also stressed that there is a weight in the phrases that banner the demand for Palestinian liberation and emphasized that it should not be said without conviction as the current situation reflects partially on the current state of the Philippines, especially the prevalence of poverty and military oppression on the natives in rural areas of the country. She stated that the phrase is not simply an advocacy, but an act of support from the Filipinos to the Palestinian people and their continued fight for their rights.
Through this, she hopes that Filipinos take active involvement in immersing themselves with the community to fully empathize and understand the struggles that plague the nation. As a closer, she encourages the privileged to be actively involved and to be ready in sacrificing the luxuries that they enjoy, all in the hopes that unity can be achieved in the fight for rights.
The youth sector in the event was adamant in highlighting the role that the young people today hold when it comes to the pressing issues that the nation and the global state are facing.
