Three days before the elections and in time with Gat Andres Bonifacio’s death anniversary, youth from different organizations and artists gather to call to vote for rights, democracy, and sovereignty during the #WTFPH! Rak to the Future gig on May 10, 2019 in Quezon City.
“Today, our nation commemorates the death anniversary of Gat Andres Bonifacio — a day dubbed in our history as the betrayal of revolution,” says DAKILA Executive Director Micheline Rama. “As the elections draw near, DAKILA, #WeTheFuture youth movement, and artists gather today to pay homage to the Father of the Philippine Revolution and reclaim the narrative of this day by wielding a new kind of revolution through the power of youth vote.”
#WTFPH! Rak to the Future is part of a series of activities of #WeTheFuturePH, a national youth movement pushing for a human rights, democracy, and sovereignty agenda in the coming elections and beyond. For months, the movement has been organizing trainings, youth camps, fora, and various youth-based activities in key places in the country. This event is the final activity before the elections to remind the voting public, especially the youth, of their power to define the outcome of the polls.
“20 million or ⅓ of the voting population is comprised of us, the youth. This event is a reiteration of the power of the youth vote, in numbers and in influence, in defining the results of the coming midterm polls. It calls on to them to take their rightful role in nation-building by choosing leaders who embody their causes for rights, freedoms, democracy, and sovereignty,” Rama added.
With performances by Ang Bandang Shirley, Kapitan Kulam, The General Strike, Jah Dela Cruz, Leidulataja, BAON Collective, Alfonso Manalastas, Bullet Dumas, and Ja Quintana, DAKILA Organizing Director Rash Caritativo also explained that the event is “both a celebration and a protest — we celebrate our potent force in shaping the future of this nation, and we protest against the rights violations, injustices, and attacks against the foundation of our democracy through our votes.”
The event features presentations of #WeTheFuturePH youth agenda — a product of months-long consultations, online and onground surveys, and discussions with the youth from all over the country to identify the their vision for a Philippines they aspire and deserve. The 12-point agenda includes issues on Peace; Press Freedom and Freedom of Information; Political Killings; Democracy and Sovereignty; Labor Rights; Environment and Climate Justice; Road Safety and Mass Transport System; Inclusive Development and Poverty Alleviation; Public Health (e.g. War on Drugs, Mental Health, Universal Health Care, Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility); Women’s Rights; LGBTQIA+ Rights; and Students’ Education Rights and Welfare.
To conclude, Active Vista Executive Director Leni Velasco reminded the youth to commemorate this day by invoking their inner heroism and courage in wielding the future of our country:
“From the Spanish colonization to the recent history, we see how the Filipino youth have fought long and hard for democracy and sovereignty of our country. At present, we are confronted again with the continued undermining of the rule of law to serve the authoritarian ideals of those in power. We suffer from the exploitative deals with colonial superpowers that deprive us of our rights to our own territory.
Today, may we channel the inner Bonifacio in us be and at the frontline of the struggle against those who threaten our country’s freedom – be it tyrants or foreign aggressors. In the coming elections, let our votes be our weapon to wield for a nation where rights and freedoms are upheld, guaranteed and protected, and where democracy and sovereignty works to benefit the lives of the people.“
