Groups such as Pamalakaya, Katribu BAYAN, Gabriela along with youth organizations League of Filipino Students and Kabataan Partylist, gathered at the Chinese Consulate in Makati, Metro Manila as early as 9 am to raise their calls. They later proceeded to the US Embassy in Manila to continue the protest.

Metro Manila

During the protest, the group Pamalakaya asserted the rights of the Filipino fisherfolk amidst Beijing’s continued presence in the West Philippine Sea. They also urged the government to stop reclamation and seabed quarrying in Manila Bay and other areas.

Despite Chinese assertiveness in the West PH Sea, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remains optimistic over the ties between the two countries. 

Earlier, the President attended a flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony at the Rizal Monument in Luneta Park, where he again called for unity. This marked his first Philippine Independence Day as President.

Katribu, an indigenous peoples (IP) group, also expressed its strong opposition to the construction of China-funded dam projects such as the Kaliwa Dam, which will cause environmental damage and possible displacement of communities. The Kaliwa Dam is a 12.2 billion project signed under the Duterte administration that has been collectively opposed by environmental groups and indigenous peoples organizations.

Kabataan Representative Raoul Manuel along with its other members also marched from the Chinese Consulate to the US Embassy despite police presence along the route. 

“Sa ika-125 na Araw ng Kalayaan, ang Pilipinas ay patuloy pa ring humaharap sa matinding hamon at banta mula sa mga bansang naghahangad na supilin ang ating kalayaan. Ang Tsina at Estados Unidos ay nagtutunggalian para isa ang manaig bilang kapangyarihan sa Pilipinas,” the party-list Kabataan said in a statement.

(On the 125th Independence Day, the Philippines still faces many challenges and threats from countries that want to curtail our freedom. China and US are competing in order to reign over us.)

Despite a 2016 landmark Hague Ruling which invalidated Beijing’s claim over most of the vast South China Sea via the nine-dash line principle, China has maintained vessels within the West Philippine Sea.

The US, on the other hand, has been granted access to four new local bases where the American military will be allowed to build facilities and preposition defense assets. This was announced when US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visited the Philippines on February 2. 

Militant youth group Anakbayan also expressed its opposition to the continued attacks on national sovereignty by the US and China.

Other church groups also urged the government to free former senator Leila de lima, reiterating that her continued detention showed that the country is not truly free. (READ: ‘Not truly free as a nation’: Rights advocates decry De Lima’s continued detention)

Davao

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) and Anakbayan Southern Mindanao also organized a protest at Freedom Park in Davao. They urged the current administration to implement and keep an effective independent foreign policy in relation to the rising tensions between the US and China over the West Philippine Sea. 

Bacolod City

Meanwhile in Bacolod City, sectoral groups also echoed the calls of the groups in Metro Manila and Davao. They also called for an immediate response of the government in certain issues including jeepney modernization, continuous oppression of local vendors and farmers, and privatization of Central Negros Electric Cooperative (CENECO)  vendor spaces. 

“For us in the marginalized sector of the city, there’s no true and genuine independence in terms of our evidently [poor] living conditions,” secretary-general of Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap Ante Berlita told Rappler. 

Bacolod City also organized a program featuring a military parade, flag raising ceremony, and a wreath laying at the monument of an unknown soldier. 

Members from various groups including the Girl Scouts of the Philippines, Boy Scouts of the Philippines, Drum and Bugle Corps of various participating schools, and PNP Bacolod also took part in the civic-military parade from Lizares and Araneta Streets to the public plaza. – with reports from Alexandria Grace Magno and Amiel Antonio/Rappler.com.

Alexandria Magno is a Rappler Volunteer from the University of Santo Tomas.

Amiel Antonio is a Rappler intern from Bulacan State University — Main Campus. He is an incoming fourth-year journalism student.

The project dubbed #VoicesFromTheRegions, led by Rappler’s civic engagement arm MovePH, was done with the support of Community Solutions Program. It was in partnership with Tib-ong Kabataan Inc, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Western Visayas, Daily Guardian, iWrite, and University of the Philippines Visayas – Miagao. The activity gathered more than 80 residents including students, teachers, and 4Ps beneficiaries.

During the community dialogue, participants shared how they benefited from social media as they used online platforms for business, news, and important weather updates, research and education purposes, and the like.

“Importante gid man ang sa social media kay dira mo mabal-an ang mga impormasyon kag…mga balita sa palibot naton…mga nagakaratabo kag kung…halimbawa bagyo… kung ano ang weather sa sunod nga adlaw (Social media is truly important because that’s where you can know information and news and weather updates),” 4Ps beneficiary Jennyrose Muyong shared.

Some of them were also pushed to use social media platforms at the height of the pandemic: “Pag COVID kasi na wala gid kami bala sales bilog na year pag umpisa, te nag-gamit kami online para nga maka-income kami (When COVID happened, we didn’t have sales at all the whole year so we used online platforms to generate income),” said Anilene Tijing, a Miagao hablon weaver who used Facebook as an e-commerce platform to market and sell her goods. 

Lack of access to quality information online

Despite the benefits though, some shared several challenges they faced, especially by vulnerable groups and those in faraway provinces. In some areas of Miagao, for example, there was no stable internet connection, hindering their access to social media. This meant locals there had limited access to information and opportunities offered by digital platforms.

But the problem did not end there. Even those who had stable access to the internet still struggled with availability of quality information. Some locals of Miagao said that others got their information from alternative sources on social media because these were more available and did not require data. As most used free data on Facebook and other platforms, people were exposed to viral content regardless of accuracy.

“Doon sila pumupunta sa misinformed tsaka disinformed sites dahil ‘yun ang readily available tsaka mura… So imagine mo kung anong klaseng social media sites na napupuntahan nyan. And that would explain, sa palagay ko, kung bakit sila naniniwala sa false news, kasi ‘yan ‘yung nakikita nila sa social media, ‘yan ‘yung level of quality na nakikita nila,” chairperson of Division of Professional Education at University of the Philippines Pepito Ferdinandez said. 

(They encounter misinformation and disinformation because that’s readily available on social media. Imagine the kind of sites they visit because its accessible and cheap. That would perhaps explain, I think, why they easily fall into false news because that’s what they see on social media, that’s the level of quality they see.)

With algorithms as new gatekeepers of information, some participants argued that this had made Filipinos more vulnerable to misinformation and disinformation. They shared how some trust sources because of their high engagement, even if the information may potentially be false or misleading.

“[They think..] engagement still matters for the reliability of the source or the [likes and] shares of the story… They also try to check the number of shares and comments,” UP Visayas instructor Aljohn Torreta said as he shared the points raised in his dialogue group. 

Exposure to scams, dangers of social media

Irresponsible social media use not only leads to susceptibility to disinformation. It could also lead to harm and susceptibility to digital fraud.

During the dialogue, some participants flagged the proliferation of scammers in the digital landscape. Among the most common false information being spread on social media involves cash grants that pretend to be from DSWD. Rappler, for instance, has fact-checked several false claims related to this. 

DSWD Western Visayas Regional Information Officer May Rago Castillo narrated how some 4Ps beneficiaries fell for misinformation and text scams during DSWD payouts that involved change in schedule or additional cash assistance. There were also scams that targeted senior citizens, coaxing the elderly to become members of a certain organization, asking them to pay certain fees.

“In the release of assistance to individuals in crisis situations, do not believe people who will tell you that you have to go to a certain politician to get a referral. You can get our assistance even without the referral,” Castillo said, debunking some false claims.

Some beneficiaries like Juanita Muyana shared how she personally experienced being scammed when a hacker used her personal Facebook account to solicit donations from her friends using virtual wallet Gcash. (READ: Phishing 101: How to spot and avoid phishing)

Given these challenges, people should learn how to use social media responsibly. For one, parents can guide their children. 

But according to Carl Dulla, a community leader at Tib-ong Kabataan, parents and families who have access to social media will most likely focus on their main priority. That priority is to provide income for their families. Thinking about how to focus and analyze what they see and read online is on the back burner.

“What happens is, when it comes to responsibilities on social media, parents should lead the talk to guide their family. When parents do not have access, it’s the children who have. But they are unable to use that for good or to their advantage,” Dulla said in Filipino.

What can be done

In cases of scams, Castillo advised the audience to coordinate and report to the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit (RACU) of the Police Regional Office (PRO-6) Western Visayas and file a blotter of scam incidents at the nearest police station. She also suggested deleting payment history in apps as it can be used by other people for other purposes. (EXPLAINER: What is digital fraud and how do you protect yourself from scams?)

On top of this, it is also important that individuals are taught how to critically scrutinize online information because this has real-life impact: “It’s not enough to orient people about how to use social media responsibly but also give them quality access [so they can learn and access verified sources],” Fernandez added. (FAQs: Fact-checking to stop disinformation online)

For Castillo, though, one way to go about this is to create infographics and notices debunking false information that would be easily available and relatable to communities both online and on-ground.

“So if we see fake news, we come up with infographics telling that this is fake news and that this is not supposed to be followed by our beneficiaries. We post notices and press releases on the matter so beneficiaries would be aware. We have field-workers who can actually clarify matters if there are issues,” Castillo pointed out in the panel discussion that proceeded after the dialogue. 

Local news media Daily Guardian editor in chief Francis Angelo reminded the participants of the importance of research: “[Kailangan natin ng] mas malalim pang pag-aaral at pag-examine sa mga nakikita natin sa Facebook […] Bago mag-click, mag-share, o mag-comment at engage, basahin o i-verify muna. (We need deeper research and examination of the content we see on Facebook. Before we click, share, or comment, read or verify first.).

Angelo also highlighted the importance of journalism in today’s media landscape and the need to strengthen community journalism: “Journalists go out of their way to bring factual information to inform and educate the masses… That’s the purpose of journalism – to clarify everything, explain the issue, and let the people decide, debate if needed.”

He also mentioned what differentiates journalists from content creators is the process of verification that stories have to go through before they are published.

“[Para sa mga] journalists, may mga pinagdadaanan ang ating mga balita (For journalists, stories go through various processes of verification),” Angelo said, pointing out the stark contrast with content creators whose posts primarily aim to engage and entertain audience along the way. 

For UP Visayas iWrite campus publication adviser Zoilo Andrada Jr., collaborating with various sectors can help promote responsible social media use.

“I created a student org called iWrite to expose the members of our organization. The word is collaboration, we are willing to work with the municipality, other schools, with the residents of the community, and the UP Visayas. It’s a big challenge for our journalism students to really realize this kind of endeavor,” Andrada added, emphasizing the role that locals and students can do to spread facts. 

Rappler’s community and civic engagement specialist and project lead of #VoicesFromTheRegions initiative Jene Anne Pangue echoed this. She cited how various sectors can complement the work of organizations in fighting disinformation and promoting digital citizenship.

“You don’t have to reinvent the wheel, there are existing efforts that are being done to help combat disinformation and amplify facts. One big movement is through #FactsFirstPH. We saw how the work does not only involve the media, government or private institutions. It’s the entire nation. Each community member has the capacity to help. Each of us has a voice that we can amplify. Use it for the good and in a responsible way,” she added. – with reports from Myrrh Flores/Rappler.com 

Myrrh Flores is a Rappler volunteer from University of the Philippines Visayas. She is a freshman studying Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies, currently specializing in Journalism and Radio Broadcast.

This access can be a double-edged sword since this can make people vulnerable to manipulation, lies, and scams happening in the same online space. On the other hand, social media, when used responsibly, can also offer citizens the opportunity to amplify their voice for good.

So what can we do to cut through the social media noise? How can communities use their voices for social good? 

MovePH, the civic engagement arm of Rappler, will be heading to towns of Miag-ao, Iloilo, and Buenavista, Guimaras for community dialogues and workshops to promote responsible digital citizenship on June 2 and 3 respectively. 

The community initiative dubbed “Voices from the Regions” in Western Visayas is a pilot project that aims to strengthen community engagement through dialogues and highlight the importance of good digital citizenship in today’s online landscape. 

This project, supported by the Community Solutions Program, is done in partnership with the Pantawid Program Regional Program Management team of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Tib-ong Kabataan Inc, The Daily Guardian, and the #FactsFirstPH initiative.

The Iloilo leg of the project is co-hosted by the University of the Philippines Visayas Miag-ao Campus, iWrite, and Bantala. 

Participants will learn about responsible social media use and online civic engagement. The initiative will also touch on how to be more mindful of one’s information consumption habits, as well as, tackle the roles and responsibilities of digital citizens, especially in voicing out issues that matter to them and their communities.

The event is free but slots are limited. If you are a resident of Miag-ao in Iloilo and Buenavista and Jordan in Guimaras, register to join here or click the link below:

REGISTER HERE

Here are the details to the back-to-back on-ground activities: 

UP Visayas Miag-ao Campus on Friday, June 2 

At least 20 participants who are residents of Miag-ao, Iloilo will be selected from the pool of registrants to participate in the community dialogue at 10 am in the UP Visayas Miag-ao campus. 

The rest of the registered participants are welcome to join the workshop from 2 pm to 4 pm in the same venue. 

Buenavista, Guimaras on Saturday, June 3 

At least 20 participants who are residents of Buenavista and Jordan in Guimaras will be selected from the pool of registrants to participate in the community dialogue at 10 am at the Multi Purpose Hall, 3rd floor Municipal Building in New Poblacion, Buenavista, Guimaras.

The rest of the registered participants are welcome to join the workshop from 2 pm to 4 pm in the same venue.

After registering, kindly wait for the confirmation message from MovePH and its partners for the final details of the on-ground activities.

To know more about the important issues in various local areas, Rappler also has a Voices from the Regions podcast. – Rappler.com  

In an interview with Rappler, cartoonists Zach and StephB, described the murky situation of editorial cartooning in the Philippines.

For one, editorial cartoons were removed in at least two major print publications in 2022. First, The Philippine Daily Inquirer scrapped editorial cartoons in March. This was followed by The Philippine Star, which also ended the inclusion of editorial cartoons in its op-ed pages in August. 

“Cartoons used to be one of the most anticipated in major publications–Philippine Star, Inquirer. You will notice that the pages in the newspapers are getting thinner and thinner. Because of cost-cutting, because social media is also rising. So one of the first casualties was the cartoon, cartoonists were the first removed,” Zach said in a mix of Filipino and English.

He also pointed out how some publishers avoid controversial cartoons that would pose conflict to some political interests. 

This has pushed cartoonists like Zach and Steph to use the digital platform as a new avenue to promote their work. 

“Akala siguro nila– some newspapers, na hindi ganun ka importante yung cartoons, pero, I think social media proves otherwise, na alam mo na grabe yung engagements, grabe yung reception ng mga tao. (Some newspapers thought that cartoons were not important, but I think social media proves otherwise, because you know, the engagements and the receptions from people were really enormous),” Zach added.

But for Steph, social media as a wider platform also brings its own set of challenges to remain relevant online.“Since ang kakumpitensya mo ngayon is the whole world ‘di ba? Yung hindi lang dito sa Pilipinas…. kailangan medyo iimprove mo lagi ang sarili mo para manotice ang artwork mo. Mas malaki na ngayon ang playing field eh (Since you have a bigger competition worldwide, you need to also improve yourself as a cartoonist so your artwork will stand out from the rest. The playing field has become bigger),” Steph said. 

Regardless of the boost that social media can give to their work, Zach, meanwhile, expressed that editorial cartooning is a profession that must be balanced along with other jobs in order to meet the costs of living. 

“There are no full-time cartoonists in the Philippines. It is always necessary to have a side job. If you are an artist, you are not only a cartoonist, but also a graphic artist, you do the layout too. Because you need to make a living, the challenge is you cannot be a full-time cartoonist,” he said in a mix of Filipino and English.

“Social media has a huge potential. But of course, artists have to pay their bills so it is necessary to balance with other passions you love,” Zach added.

Call for support

Despite these challenges, cartoonists like Zach and Steph managed to keep the art alive. They mentioned the importance of belonging to an organization such as Pitik Bulag, an artist-collective co-founded by Cartoonist Zach, which aims to provide aspiring cartoonists a platform to showcase their works on sociopolitical issues.

According to them, such organizations serve as a strong foundation of support, encouragement, and motivation necessary for them to accomplish more as cartoonists. 

“I think because I’m part of an organization, I’m able to take part, and also join exhibits, collaborations and such- which on my own, If I’m not a part of a group, perhaps, I will not be able to do,” Steph, who is the only female member in the group, said in a mix of Filipino and English.

Both of them also added that their followers’ simple act of recognizing and sharing their works on social media can make a big difference to further amplify their advocacies and awaken people’s consciousness towards pressing issues.

“Sa pamamagitan ng paggawa ng cartoons meron kang abilidad… para isiwalat ano yung mensahe mo, ano yung gusto mo ipahiwatig tungkol sa mga issue na napapanahon. (Through creating cartoons, you have the ability…to reveal your messages, the things you wanted to share on issues that are relevant in our time),” Zach said.

This is especially important, according to Zach, because even if cartoons portray an issue at a certain time, its significance cannot be buried in the past. 

“Marami sa mga martial law or mga lumang cartoons na hanggang ngayon ay super relevant pa rin. (Most old cartoons, and those released from the Martial Law period are still relevant up to this day) And that’s a manifestation of a good cartoon. It’s a timeless concept,” Zach added.

Alongside its timeless value, Steph added that cartoons also create an instant connection among its audience beyond words. 

“I guess the editorial cartoon, for example, I will illustrate without words – if I do it well, someone from Iran or Japan will understand it, anyone who doesn’t speak English or Tagalog, they will understand. That’s how powerful it is,” Steph said in a mix of Filipino and English.

That is why for both of them, editorial cartooning still plays a very important role in journalism and upholding press freedom, especially in today’s online landscape. 

“I know the importance of facts. So before making a cartoon, like I said before, I make sure na I do my research….  Facts help a lot pag gagawa ka ng isang illustration or editorial cartoon,” Steph said, highlighting the importance of facts in creating editorial cartoons and its influence on people’s perception.

They also called for support from Filipinos so they can continue to do the work that they do. 

“In this age of disinformation, many people share false information. I want to make something different because art has the ability to instill awareness in people. It has the ability to mobilize, to arouse people’s political consciousness,” Zach said.– with reports from Angelica Coleto/Rappler.com

Angelica Coleto is a Rappler intern from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Sta. Mesa. She is currently a senior taking up a Bachelor of Arts degree in Literary and Cultural Studies. 

MANILA, Philippines – Pitik Bulag – a group of political cartoonists advocating for freedom of expression, truth, and democracy – is one of MovePH’s partner organizations joining Lighthouse. 

Established in 2019, Pitik Bulag aims to provide aspiring cartoonists with a platform to express their opinions and viewpoints on political and social issues. Aside from creating cartoons, the group also holds editorial cartooning contests to encourage young artists to speak their minds, especially on essential topics, and stage online training on how to craft effective political cartoons.

Pitik Bulag is also part of #FactsFirstPH, a first-of-its-kind initiative committed to promoting truth in the public space and demanding accountability from those who harm it with lies. As a member, it actively fights disinformation through its visual interpretation of fact checks.

“We share the same objective with MovePH: to connect with communities online. We hope to spread awareness about the dangers of misinformation, using our art to encourage readers to be more discerning with the information they get online,” said Kartunista Zach, member of Pitik Bulag.

Pitik Bulag will feature stories of change-makers from diverse fields and backgrounds to promote action-oriented initiatives among their readers on the Lighthouse platform. It also looks forward to writing commentaries on political and social issues. Through this, people can expect more diverse and engaging Pitik Bulag content.

“We hope that through this partnership, Pitik Bulag can strengthen its presence and credibility in social media. In this way, we can help more people be informed and interact with the page and eventually spark an intelligent and fruitful conversation among the public,” Kartunista Zach said.

Check out their Lighthouse page by visiting pitikbulag.rappler.com. – Rappler.com.

Lighthouse Communities of Action integrates Rappler’s third pillar – the communities we have worked with since Rappler was launched in 2012 – into the platform. It also features collaboration across several efforts through Movements. Know more about this initiative here.

Here are some of our partners’ pages on Lighthouse:

• ABKD Network
• Amateur Media Association of Philippine Scouts
• Ashoka Philippines
• Break the Fake Movement
• DAKILA
• Foundation for Media Alternatives 
• Legal Network for Truthful Elections
• Now You Know PH
• Kalikasan
• Baguio Chronicle

If your organization is interested to partner with us, send an email to move.ph@rappler.com.  

The revived molds were launched in an exhibit titled “Hope Lasts” in Estancia East Wing, Pasig City, on Wednesday, March 15, featuring 1,000 of these artworks, made by more than 700 artists nationwide. 

The pieces there can be purchased, the proceeds of which will go to Bayanihang Marikenyo at Marikenya’s community-based livelihood programs such as Bayanihang Karinderya, Bayanihang Tindahan, Solidarity Store, Bayanihang Sapatusan; art workshops; as well as the Community Kitchen Project’s disaster response initiatives which cover 14 regions in the country. 

Bayanihang Marikenyo at Marikenya is a wide network of volunteers who helped establish community kitchens in Marikina during the start of the pandemic. The initiative was extended through The Community Kitchen Project to expand the reach of community kitchens nationwide. 

Project Hulmahan is made up not just of Bayanihang Marikenyo at Marikenya, but also Ladies Who Launch, and the University of the Philippines Artists’ Circle Fraternity.

Zena Bernardo – the head of Project Hulmahan, and mother of Patricia Non, known for initiating the community pantry movement in 2021 – was inspired to continue the advocacy of community pantries by repurposing hulmahan or shoe molds as the main medium for this fundraising cause. 

For Bernardo, each artwork is “a piece of the story of how people rise against all the challenges brought by the pandemic.” Some of the 700 participating artists come from vulnerable communities affected by food insecurity and typhoon disasters, among others.

“I’m very happy to say that the participation is nationwide. We have Paeng survivors, we have Odette survivors, we have Sendong survivors. There are community kitchen volunteers. We also have Sumilao community kitchen,” Bernardo said in a mix of Filipino and English.

“So whether you are an artist, or a businessman, or a mall owner, a mother, or an OFW (overseas Filipino worker), you have a place,” she added. 

Manda Guiam, one of the participating artists, shared that Project Hulmahan gave her a sense of direction in life as she felt lost in her previous careers. 

In her artwork titled “Hope springs eternal,” she mentioned how resilience allows Filipinos to become stronger.

“I volunteered in Project Hulmahan because I know it offers people hope-that people won’t be left behind in times of need, and that we’ll go through tough times together. Though our resources are short, we’ll give everything that we have and fight for the causes we believe in,” Guiam said in a mix of Filipino and English. 

How it started

As a citizen of Marikina, Bernardo was inspired to use shoe molds when she witnessed how locals of Isla De Lata, one of the underserved communities during the pandemic, used discarded shoe molds from closed-down factories to make firewood. 

To help the displaced factory workers in her hometown, she thought of rescuing shoe molds to turn them into one-of-a-kind works of art.

“Nag search ako sa Pinterest ng shoe lasts art, shoe mold art…pero nasa Latin-America ‘yung mga painted. Sabi ko, marami kaming shoe lasts sa Marikina, what if I will find these factories na nagsara na may mga nakatambak pa and we can buy them, at least pangdagdag sa puhunan, ‘di ba?” Bernardo said.

(I looked for inspiration in shoe last art and shoe mold art on Pinterest, but mostly found that the painted ones were from Latin America. I thought of finding factories in Marikina that closed down to also help ease their losses during the pandemic.) 

The project was drafted in a concept paper, and was well received by Bernardo’s friends. However, money was the biggest challenge Bernardo encountered to execute the launch. She had to borrow money just so they could afford supplies. Luckily, her friends lent her some and she used it as capital to purchase the first 500 pairs of shoe moulds. 

The initial plan was to only cater to 50 to 100 artists to work on the project. However, through callouts released by their family and friends, the initiative sparked over 700 artists nationwide to join, which made them purchase a thousand more molds.

“How can you say no to an artist who says ang ganda ng concept, gustong-gusto nila sumama, they really like it na makatulong? Tapos sasabihin pa nila sa ‘yo, ‘Ma’am no’ng nabasa namin concept paper mo, naiyak kami.’ And mutual aid nga ‘to tapos sasabihin mong hindi pwede tumulong? So naghanap pa kami ng mas maraming hulmahan,” Bernardo said. 

(How can you say no to an artist who believes in your cause and has the courage to help? They were even touched by the concept paper. And of course, it’s mutual aid. It’s only necessary to accept help as much as you can. We later looked for additional shoe lasts.) 

Through the help of communities, Bernardo’s team managed to buy 2,000 shoe molds to cater all participating volunteers and artists of different backgrounds and communities.

The next step

Shoe molds will go a long way, as Bernardo envisions bright plans for their community kitchen. Not only will the proceeds of Project Hulmahan go to Bayanihang Marikenyo at Marikenya’s community-based livelihood programs and the Community Kitchen Project’s disaster response initiatives, but it will also be used to make yet another “ambishoes” project happen.

“Gusto namin magkaroon ng Bayanihang Karinderia (We want to have a Bayanihang Karinderia),” Bernardo shared. 

Bernardo wants to incorporate a “pay what you can and pay it forward” system. She cited that while an ordinary karinderia business has to have location, food, and manpower, she believes that a community can also operate its own Bayanihang Karinderia powered by volunteerism. 

“Ang ganda ng mutual aid kasi it does not impose exclusivity. Parang lahat pwede tayo magtulong-tulong. There can never be enough players in the mutual aid movement,” Bernardo said. 

(Mutual aid is beautiful because it does not impose exclusivity. It’s like everyone can help one.) 

Project Hulmahan will hold a month-long exhibit at the Estancia East Wing starting on Wednesday, March 15. A grand auction will also take place at the Manila Marriott Hotel in April 2023. – with reports from Glenn Jr. Ferrariz and Joan Alindogan/Rappler.com

Glenn Jr. Ferrariz is a Rappler volunteer from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. He’s in his fourth year of taking up Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

Joan Alindogan is a Rappler Intern from TRACE College Inc. Los Baños Laguna. She is currently in her senior year taking up AB Communication Arts.

For a newsroom to work free of vested interests is a powerful thing. It means we can continue reporting on important, hard-hitting issues without fear of offending anyone who might have direct power over our purse. We are able to produce award-winning stories on the drug war, online disinformation, and hold the government accountable because we are only beholden to you, our readers, and public interest. 

But as much as we want to cherish this milestone, the fast-moving times mean we need to do more. We know that the only way to make journalism sustainable in the face of the compounded challenges of our time – Big Tech gobbling up digital revenue, a declining trust in media, and dangerous disinformation – is to make community support through membership a major driver of revenue, and fast. 

This is where our readers, members, and the public come in. 

To celebrate our 50th month, a Rappler+ member volunteered to match the highest donation that will be made in the next two weeks. Together, we decided to launch a donation challenge campaign to help scale our membership and ensure Rappler stays the way it is – fearless, independent, and uncompromising – for the months and years to come. 

Will you celebrate our 50th month by taking on this challenge and donating to Rappler? 

How does this donation-matching challenge work?

In the next two weeks, we will be tracking all the donations made to Rappler. This means those interested can donate any amount and could go as high as they want. By the end of March, the anonymous Rappler+ member will match the highest single, one-off donation, with their donation capped at $500. 

And to grow our community, donations above P3,500 ($64)* will be converted to membership.  Donors have two options to convert it: 

• Sponsor membership for Movers and partners that MovePH has been working with
• Convert as gift membership to people you know 

The last 50 months have been a testament to the power of Rappler+ to sustain fearless, independent journalism. This year, we have the opportunity to scale up and redefine what else we can achieve together for independent journalism. 

Will you take on this challenge and donate to Rappler? – Rappler.com 

*$1 = P55

However, not all people may be familiar with media and information literacy (MIL). In formal education, media and information literacy has so far been included in the senior high school curriculum. But as more and more people continue to spend time on social media, there is a need to boost MIL in the Philippines.

From January to February 2023, The #FactsFirstPH initiative, through Rappler’s civic engagement arm MovePH, led a five-week media and information literacy series that aimed to bring together teachers, students, and leaders in their respective sectors to learn and talk about how to be critical and discerning online.

The series tackled the digital media landscape and the importance of fact-checking, gave tips on practicing social media responsibility and digital hygiene, and shared how transparent and factual information can help in exacting accountability.

More than 2,700 participants nationwide joined the series. Participants suggested several ways to help boost media and information literacy in the Philippines, emphasizing how these could help improve government accountability and support a system of facts in the Philippines.

They also reiterated that the government and the private sector should be involved in the process of disseminating factual information down to the barangay level and holding disinformation peddlers accountable in local communities. 

@ricca.22 #FactsFirstPH ♬ In The Forest (Acoustic Indie No Copyright) – Instrumental – Lesfm & Olexy

Why it’s important

Filipinos are social media savvy. We now rank fourth in terms of time spent on social media, according to Digital 2023, the annual report on worldwide social media and digital trends by Meltwater and We Are Social. Since anyone can be a publisher online, the internet can be utilized as an outlet of hate and anger, causing wide information disorder and loss of trust in news. 

Given this, others pointed out that it’s now everybody’s responsibility to be careful with the information they post and share online.

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A post shared by Hazel Rose Infante (@hazelroseinfante)

My takeaway is that, our emotions are one of the main targets of social media because information disseminates rapidly when it involves strong emotion, click baits and tea🍵 for example. It targets people’s attention, and our vulnerable moments. @MovePH#FactsFirstPH pic.twitter.com/RlXyUjagFq

— jrald | ia (@jraldgrajo_) January 20, 2023

Some also shared that there’s a need to put in place policies and regulatory laws to curb false information on social media platforms and hold to account those sharing false information.

Our emotions play a big role in terms of our judgment toward the information we see online. Without the knowledge to verify these narratives, it creates the potential to manipulate and change public perception toward urgent issues. Several researches have unpacked the impact of disinformation on democracy.

platforms, hindi na natin malaman kung ito nga ba ay mapapagkatiwalaan o hindi. Dahil dito, nagiging prone tayo na maging biktima ng machineries of lies ng mga korap at sinungaling na mga lider. Isang dahilan kung bakit hindi natin masisisi ang karamihan sa mga —#FactsFirstPH

— kyle (@tteokbokkyle) January 20, 2023

As emotions play a role in what we post and consume online, the information we publish may now be subject to unwanted data collection, identity theft, cyberbullying, spam, and other online risks.

Accountability

Given the risks posed by disinformation peddlers, participants urged their communities to learn how to fact-check, protect their security, and utilize social media for social good by helping amplify movements advocating for truth. 

araw-araw tayong makibaka upang labanan ang kasinungalingang ipinupukol sa atin. Bilang kasama sa bilang ng kabataan, dapat nating isulong ang laban kontra sa disinformation dahil tayo ang lubos na maaapektuhan nito sa hinaharap.#FactsFirstPH

— kyle (@tteokbokkyle) January 20, 2023

After all, “Social Media space is PUBLIC SPACE” (Ms. Gemma Mendoza, Rappler).

Protektahan natin ang ating mga sarili sa digital space. Ugaliin natin ang pagsasagawa ng ‘digital hygiene’ upang magdagdag ng seguridad sa ating mga impormasyon. #FactsFirstPH@MovePH pic.twitter.com/YTPOzdVTWi

— Riyaaaa (@ardyeyoarel) February 10, 2023

4. Stand up for yourself and others. If you feel unsafe online, you should feel comfortable to remove yourself from situation and report it to someone you trust. When you see cruel or dangerous activity online, offer support to those involved and report the incident.

— Trishan Diokno (@treesha_anne) February 4, 2023

+; no one we can share the burden with. Well, that is not true. With this vast number of people, although narrow, some are willing to stand by you — you just have to find the proper multitude. With them, your voice can be heard and be purveyed and echoed in every corner of the

— ✨ (@alfrancis_twt) February 18, 2023

“Our way of holding people accountable should come with a thought of redemption, not an ultimatum,” Krizia Sto. Domingo of Ateneo de Naga University emphasized. 

Rappler CEO Maria Ressa pointed out during the series that it’s difficult to change what people think, but we can still try to correct false information and do so with empathy, respect, and kindness, especially when dealing with friends and family.

While social media users are expected to be digitally responsible citizens, the government must also ensure the safety of their citizens by securing their data rather than relying on them to handle the issue on their own. 

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How can you be more responsible on social media? Here are some tips

Data privacy is still a joke in the Philippines. The government has to lead the way by making sure that all its agencies take care of our data. Even those that get reported in the news remain unresolved. We also need better media coverage of such stories. @MovePh #FactsFirstPh

— Raz de la Torre (@razdelatorre) February 10, 2023

Jamie Custodio from the University of the Philippines Diliman Extension Program in Pampanga expressed in her post that amid intimidation and repression, Filipinos must educate themselves about existing policies and mandates on accountability, especially those listed in the Constitution. Former chief justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno even emphasized that truth-telling is both a right and responsibility of every Filipino and telling the truth is high on the list of any government’s accountability.

Agencies like the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, National Historical Commission of the Philippines, and National Commission for Culture and the Arts have the duty to promote truth, as spelled out in the charter, said Sereno.

I realized that the problem of rampant misinformation and disinformation in the country currently lies within the system and the people taking advantage of this. That is why I believe that — pic.twitter.com/Z26sSDbO4t

— micaela (@MicaelaLimbo) January 29, 2023

Want to do your part in promoting media and information literacy and fighting against disinformation? Follow the #FactsFirstPH movement for updates or join the #FactsFirstPH video contest to help make facts go viral. – with reports from Joan Alindogan/Rappler.com

Joan Alindogan is a Rappler intern from TRACE College Inc. in Los Baños, Laguna. She is currently in her junior year taking up AB Communication Arts.

Former Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno stressed this in the last leg of the Media and Information Literacy forum initiated by Rappler and its citizens’ engagement arm MovePH on February 17. 

The former chief justice stressed that the Preamble of the 1987 Constitution laid down the basis for truth-telling as both right and duty.

The Constitution is a reminder that governments established by the people have the obligation to bring “the blessings of independence and democracy under the rule of law and a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace,” said Sereno.

“Public office is not material possession but a public trust,” she reminded Filipinos. “The Constitution says public officers must always be accountable. It is automatic and there is no need for public demand because it is part of their oath of office.”

Citing how disinformation spreads so fast, Sereno suggested that some government agencies can regulate social media platforms.

She pointed to the Department of Communications Technology, National Telecommunications Commission, National Privacy Commission, Securities and Exchange Commission, and Department of Science and Technology as among these regulatory agencies.

Disinformation in schools

The former chief justice also lamented the problem of historical distortion in the country’s educational system.

She cited the Tallano gold myth that was used to justify the wealth of the Marcoses, who have been convicted by the courts of amassing ill-gotten wealth.

In upholding the Sandiganbayan’s decision to declare P25 billion worth of Marcos property and as ill-gotten wealth, the Supreme Court in 2003 noted: “The assets acquired by the Marcoses and kept in these deposits are manifestly disproportionate to their salaries as government officials.”

In February 2023, the Sandiganbayan, the country’s anti-graft court, barred the Marcos family from retaking their assets that were already declared part of their ill-gotten wealth. 

Agencies like the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, National Historical Commission of the Philippines, and National Commission for Culture and the Arts have the duty to promote truth, as spelled out in the charter, said Sereno.

“They must promote accuracy and truth, not propaganda. There is no education if it is not founded on truth,” she stressed.

Never forget

Sereno said Republic Act No. 10368 (Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013) created the Human Rights Violations Victims’ Memorial Commission to memorialize the stories of the Martial Law rule under the first Marcos administration.

“It is their duty to pursue with schools the memorialization of the stories of the victims of Marcos’ martial law. If they don’t do it with DepEd and CHED, they can be summoned to Congress and be held accountable,” she added.

She also pointed out that the public can also demand from Congress to fund efforts to promote free press and freedom of expression which are the foundations of truth-telling.

“If the preamble requires a regime of truth, it should always be there. Congress can do a lot to protect free press like increasing the legal bar to avoid lawfare or weaponization of the law against the press. Free press always sides with the people and it is important to transparency,” Sereno said.

Demand truth

The former chief justice said students should start asking how these agencies promote truth-telling to curb disinformation.

“Action need not only be on the streets. It can be through letter writing, editorials through student publications, and social media posts,” Sereno said.

“It can be very respectful and cite the law that they have been violating. And how can you be sued if you cite the specific law and a specific incident? What’s important is the volume of noise and surge. The question is how do we start?” she added.

Sereno said a government should just embody the best of its people but also be truthful.

“In Southeast Asian culture, we love and respect persons in authority. But if we don’t exact accountability, we cannot protect ourselves. Dapat panagutan; ginawa mo panagutan mo,” Sereno said. 

“If we are not aware and knowledgeable, we have the drug war, the government using violence to solve crime; poverty and hunger, political corruption leading to insurgency and extremism,” she pointed out.

“We will also have injustice and weak democratic institutions, geopolitical problems with China, sexual harassment at home, overseas Filipino workers coming home dead or maltreated, and environmental exploitation,” she added.

Question government

The negative effects of a reactive government were also visible at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in nutrition and mental health problems.  

“It is our responsibility to make sure that these problems do not worsen. Government must be afraid of betraying public trust,” the former chief justice said.

Sereno also raised controversial new programs under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s government, like the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF).

Marcos and his economic managers have claimed the Maharlika fund is patterned after sovereign wealth funds of more developed economies.

Sereno, however, said asking for clarity about the MIF’s operations  is a way to protect the country’s future.

“For government projects like MIF, what if we commit mistakes and the economy or BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas sinks? It will be a bleak economic future for us,” she noted. -Rappler.com

Francis Allan Angelo is an Iloilo-based grantee of the Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship.

Known as the People Power Revolution, the revolt stemmed from the immense human rights abuses and massive plunder of the Marcoses.

This year’s anniversary differs from previous commemorations given the return of the Marcoses to the Malacañang Palace.

As Filipinos mark the 37th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, various groups and institutions organized several activities and protests to remember the historic uprising and shed some light on issues that continue to whitewash atrocities during Martial Law. (READ: Martial Law 101: Things you should know)

Here’s a list of upcoming protests and activities in commemoration of the 37th People Power Revolution: 

ONLINE

●Bicol University of Education Social Studies Club

The Bicol University of Education Social Studies Club will conduct a webinar to rekindle the EDSA spirit in today’s generation and remember the historical event that happened 37 years ago. The webinar will be held via Zoom on Saturday, February 25 from 1 pm to 4:30 pm. 

To register, visit tinyurl.com/EDSAriwaEDSAdiwa

● The Spires of San Beda University

The Spires of San Beda University is hosting an art-making contest limited only to the San Beda Community to honor and celebrate the sacrifices of the Filipinos during the EDSA revolution. The contest aims to express the students’ overall lessons, thoughts, and feelings they have toward the said historical event. Top entries will win prizes.

Submission of entries is open from February 21 to February 25 at noon only. Winners will be announced on February 25 at 6 pm. 

The link for submission can be found here: https://forms.gle/U6FYTCJqD4TJvBvt7 

● League of Filipino Students

The League of Filipino Students is organizing a Twitter Space on February 25 at 8 pm to discuss Philippine independence and national sovereignty. It aims to cover how Filipinos consider freedom and sovereignty gained from the EDSA People Power Revolution. The discussion will be streamed on Twitter Spaces and the League of Filipino Students’ Facebook page.

Interested participants may sign up via this link: tinyurl.com/JoinLFSPh

ON-GROUND 

● Protest at People Power Monument

Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses and Martial Law (CARMMA) is among those leading a protest to denounce the “worsening Philippine situation” under Marcos Jr. It will held on Saturday, February 25 at 9 am at the People Power Monument. 

Anakbayan will also be leading a protest action at the same time at the EDSA Shrine.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Medical Students Association is calling on medical, allied health, and health professionals to participate in the upcoming mobilization and offer fundamental first-aid services on February 25, 9 am at the People Power Monument.

On EDSA 37, PMSA invites all medical, allied health students, and health workers to join the upcoming mobilization and provide basic first aid services.

We’ll also be offering PAUNANG LUNAS, an online first aid training for demonstrations.

Register now: https://t.co/fG9HLTuof8 pic.twitter.com/ufa7BvIEqw

— Philippine Medical Students’ Association (@PMSANational) February 18, 2023

Volunteers are advised to bring the following materials:

• Elastic bandage
• Micropore
• 4×4 sterile gauze
• Betadine/Betadine swab
• Triangular bandage
• Sterile gloves
• Bandage scissors
• Alcohol/ alcohol swab
• Cotton balls/tip

Interested participants may register via the link provided above.

● Tindig Pilipinas

In celebration of the 1st anniversary of the Kakampink movement and the 37th year anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, Tindig Pilipinas is leading a house-to-house campaign. Those interested to join are encouraged to visit different communities and distribute educational materials about EDSA People Power Revolution, and paint “EDSA-inspired” and “Angat Pangarap” murals.

Those in Metro Manila can join the short program and mass that will be held by Tindig Pilipinas on February 25, 9 am, at the EDSA Shrine.

● Active Vista PH

To honor and revisit the essence of the People Power Revolution, Active Vista PH will screen 11,103, a documentary on martial law, for free at Sine Pop, Cinema ’76 Film Society, and the Bantayog ng mga Bayani from February 24 to 25.

The 11,103 screening at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani will be followed by a special forum with Martial Law survivors Ed de la Torre, activist and former priest; Dr. Aurora Parong, chairperson of Amnesty International Philippines; and Prof.  Xiao Chua, Filipino public historian.

On EDSA @ 37, listen to the stories of Martial Law survivors.

11,103 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 at Sine Pop, Cinema ’76 Film Society, and the Bantayog ng mga Bayani from 𝗙𝗲𝗯 𝟮𝟰 to 𝟮𝟱, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯.

REGISTER: https://t.co/QODv30ptbe#TayoAngEDSA37 pic.twitter.com/zxuzMC64Hi

— Active Vista (@ActiveVistaPH) February 16, 2023

Do you know of any other initiatives or events held in honor of the 37th anniversary of EDSA People Power? You may send details to move.ph@rappler.com. – with reports from Kevin Ortiz, Joan Alindogan, Angelica Coleto/Rappler.com

Kevin Ortiz is a Rappler volunteer from the Cavite State University – Imus Campus. He is currently a sophomore taking up Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

Joan Alindogan is a Rappler Intern from TRACE College Inc. Los Baños Laguna. She is currently in her junior year taking up AB Communication Arts.

Angelica Coleto is a Rappler intern from Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Sta. Mesa campus. She is currently a sophomore taking up Bachelor of Arts Major in Literary and Cultural Studies.