A day before Pres. Noynoy Aquino’s 3rd State of the Nation Address (SONA), Karapatan and SELDA today launched via http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnCjfcdJ-vY&feature=youtu.be a call out video for flash mob as part of the campaign to release all political prisoners. Following yesterday’s launch of the “Awit ng mga Detenidong Pulitikal,” by the Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP), members of Anakbayan in Sampaloc and San Juan danced to the song that describes the plight of political prisoners and calls for their immediate release.
Karapatan spokesperson, Cristina Palabay said that the “video enjoins not only dancers but also all those who believe in the justness of the call to release all political prisoners to take part in the campaign, specifically in creating their own dance version, or MTVs on political prisoners, or by simply sharing and showing the video and the song.”
The groups encourage dancers from communities and schools, especially the youth, to use the song and dance steps for a nationally coordinated flash mob, details of which will soon be announced.
Political prisoners in 10 prison facility all-over the country are on their 7th day of hunger strike and fast, in time for the SONA, to call on Aquino to heed the call for their immediate release, saying that they are only in jail because of fabricated criminal charges. There are 385 political detainees to date, 107 of them were arrested and detained under the Aquino government.
Palabay added that protest performance art forms such as flash dances are being conducted by activists and cause-oriented artists in different parts of the world as tools to dramatize their social justice advocacies. “The life and struggles of the 385 political prisoners in the Philippines are a rich source of inspiration for creative expressions of protest and dissent,” she stated.
The songs’ music and lyrics was created by Clementine and was performed by The Camerawalls for the CAP. The dance was choreographed by Al Abraham, a son of a former political detainee and Mark Robles, a classmate at the University of the Philippines. ###
On the occasion of the President’s 3rd State of the Nation Address (SONA), we urge Pres. Aquino to free all political prisoners. We also call on artists and fellow Filipinos to heed the call for freedom.
In solidarity with Ericson Acosta and other political prisoners who are currently on hunger strike/fast, the Concerned Artist of the Philippines (CAP), in cooperation with Camerawalls, launches today the song “Awit ng mga Detenidong Pulitikal.”
The song depicts plight of political prisoners, who they are and what they are fighting for. As in the case of Ericson Acosta, artist, poet, thespian, musician and writer who was arrested on February 13, 2011, while doing research on human rights research. As an artist, Ericson chose to work with the poor and oppressed. At that time of his arrest, he was also in the process of finishing his series of poems entitled, Pitong sundang. To date, the poem is unfinished as he remains unreleased from jail.
Ericson is only among the 385 Political Prisoners in the country today, 107 of whom were arrested and detained under the Aquino administration. These illegal detentions increase by number to date.
“Ang sining ni Ericson Acosta ay matatag na nakatuntong sa lipunan natin at ang liwanag na dulot nito ay dapat lamang suportahan ng pamahalaan na naglalayon unawain ang mga problema ng sambayanan,” states Bienvenido Lumbera, National Artist for literature and CAP Chairperson.
Nanding Josef, Artistic Director of Tanghalang Pilipino and CAP Board Member, said that, “there are two things Noynoy Aquino can do to gain the Filipino people’s trust and to prove this government is different from all the past administration: One is to immediately put behind bars all the rights violators, the shameless, greedy, corrupt, self-serving leaders who committed crimes against the poor; and two, to free all political prisoners like Ericsson Acosta, whose only crime is to side with the poor, to fight for their rights, to protect them from the abuses of criminals who pass off as public servants.
CAP deplores the fact that big time thieves and rights violators get away with their crimes, but allows self-sacrificing people’s heroes to rot in jail. “Pres. Aquino and his men and women can choose to be remembered in Philippine history as the just and fearless leaders who put the true criminals in jail, and set the real heroes free. We, the people will wait and see,” added Josef. ###
Reference:
Walkie Miraña
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CAP launches “Awit ng mga Detenidong Pulitikal”, calls for freedom of all political prisoners
On the occasion of the President’s 3rd State of the Nation Address (SONA), we urge Pres. Aquino to free all political prisoners. We also call on artists and fellow Filipinos to heed the call for freedom.
In solidarity with Ericson Acosta and other political prisoners who are currently on hunger strike/fast, the Concerned Artist of the Philippines (CAP), in cooperation with Camerawalls, launches today the song “Awit ng mga Detenidong Pulitikal.”
The song depicts plight of political prisoners, who they are and what they are fighting for. The CAP particularly calls for the release of Ericson Acosta, artist, poet, thespian, musician and writer who was arrested on February 13, 2011, while doing research on human rights research. As an artist, Ericson chose to work with the poor and oppressed. At that time of his arrest, he was also in the process of finishing his series of poems entitled, Pitong sundang. To date, the poem is unfinished as he remains unreleased from jail.
Ericson is only among the 385 Political Prisoners in the country today, 107 of whom were arrested and detained under the Aquino administration. These illegal detentions increase by number to date.
The song “Awit ng mga detenidong pulitikal” is performed by The Camerawalls for the Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP). Words and music are by Clementine. ###
Words and Music by Clementine
Performed by The Camerawalls for Concerned Artist of the Philippines
Executive Producer: Concerned Artist of the Philippines
Produced by: Clementine & Robert Javier
Recorded and Engineered by Robert Javier and Chrisanthony Vinzons
Mixed and Mastered by Jonathan Ong
Recorded, Mixed and Mastered at Sonic State Audio, Mandaluyong City
The Camerawalls are:
Clementine - vocals, acoustic guitars, banduria
George Carillo - electric guitars
Law Santiago - bass
Bach Rudica - drums
