Bu-lat-lat (boo-lat-lat) verb: to search, probe, investigate, inquire; to unearth facts Volume III, Number 50 January 25 - 31, 2004 Quezon City, Philippines |
Youth Nominees Vow To Bring Street Militancy To
Congress This
early, the 2004 national elections have given rise to unconventional and
non-traditional political figures through the party-list system. Progressive
groups are in fact supporting six party list groups: Bayan Muna (People First)
which topped the 2001 party-list elections, and the newly formed Anakpawis
(Toiling Masses), Gabriela Women’s Party, Anak ng Bayan (Youth Party),
Migrante Sectoral Party and Suara Bangsa Moro (Voice of the Moro People) Party. For
this issue, Bulatlat.com gives space to the nominees of Anak ng Bayan
Youth Party. BY
ALEXANDER MARTIN REMOLLINO Apolinario
Alvarez A
student of the University of Santo Tomas, attending a demonstration for the
first time in 1997, commented that Apolinario Alvarez reminded him of Apolinario
Mabini. The comparison is apt in more ways than one. Twenty-seven
year old Apo, as he is widely known in the cause-oriented movement, limps
slightly as a result of polio, which Mabini also suffered from. (The difference
was that the ailment completely paralyzed Mabini’s lower body.) Like
Mabini, Alvarez was born to a poor family. His parents are peasants in Bicol who
earn a living by planting and selling dalandan, a local citrus fruit.
Because of this, he has been able to see first-hand the effects of trade
liberalization on the livelihood of farmers, who have lost to competition from
agricultural imports flooding the market. Alvarez
has been a leading voice against the economic subordination of the Philippines
to the United States. He was one of the convenors of the Philippines: Out of the
WTO Youth Coalition, a broad formation against the World Trade Organization
formed in mid-2003. The
WTO has been criticized by militant groups for imposing on its member countries
destructive economic policies that promote globalization. A
former student of Political Economics at the Polytechnic University of the
Philippines, Apo’s activism goes a long way. He is a former chairperson of the
League of Filipino Students and now chairs Anakbayan. He was also one of the
convenors of the broad Estrada Resign Youth Movement. In high school, he was
involved in the campaign against U.S. military bases. One
of the most charismatic youth leaders of today, Apo is admired for his ability
to combine fiery oratory with sound analysis. Eric
Jude Casilao Casilao,
25, shot to national prominence late last year, when he spoke at a rally
commemorating the anniversary of martial law. He spoke poignantly about the
human rights situation in Mindanao. But
before that he already had a solid reputation as a youth activist in Davao City.
He is known for his courageous leadership in the defense of students’ rights. His
voice booms when he speaks in rallies, but off-stage he is soft-spoken and
mild-mannered. Ronalyn
Olea The
most commonly-heard comment about her is that she does not have the stereotyped
image of activists, i.e. that of a grim and determined firebrand. True, but this
slightly-built woman is nevertheless a compelling presence on the stage,
especially when she speaks on campus press freedom. Twenty-five
year old Len, as fellow youth activists call her, took up Journalism at the
Lyceum of the Philippines, where Satur Ocampo and Antonio Zumel also studied.
She became editor-in-chief of its school paper—the first ever to attain the
position as a junior. As
a campus journalist, Len proved to be a worthy heir to the militant tradition of
the College Editors Guild of the Philippines, tackling in her writings campus
issues as well as national ones. As
a writer, her strength lies in being able to compel the reader without going
into high-falutine terminology. She
is also a poet. Last year she won first place in a poetry contest sponsored by
writers’ groups based in the University of the Philippines. Len
was also the secretary-general of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP)
during the Estrada administration, which was characterized by blatant violations
of press freedom among other things. That early, she was deeply involved in
campaigns for press freedom. As
CEGP president, she has also been a strong presence in national campaigns for
media freedom. She was one of the main voices in protest actions against media
killings under the Macapagal-Arroyo administration. She also took the lead in
involving the CEGP in the campaign of Media for Peace against U.S.-led war of
aggression. Bulatlat.com We want to know what you think of this article.
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