You Will Never be History

An Act Declaring May 22 of every year as Freedom of Expression Day in Commemoration of National Artist for Film Lino Brocka

HOUSE BILL No.  4713 

Introduced by Reps.  TEDDY A. CASIÑO and NERI JAVIER COLMENARES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Almost a decade ago, on film legend Lino Brocka’s 10th Death Anniversary, friends and admirers dubbed May 22 as an unofficial Freedom of Expression Day, in commemoration of Brocka’s unwavering crusade for freedom of artistic and intellectual expression.

Brocka, once a member of the Constitutional Commission that drafted the 1987 Philippines Constitution, has been credited for putting the phrase “freedom of expression” in the Bill of Rights.

After his father’s untimely death, Brocka (born on April 3, 1939) became a houseboy, a working student and an odd job worker before getting a shot at filmmaking. He got into the University of the Philippines through a scholarship and had wanted to become an actor for a drama club, but because of his “probinsyano” background, he was relegated as stage hand.

Determined to get into theater, he later joined the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) where he worked as errand boy and then as scriptwriter. He got his biggest break when he was asked to direct Mars Ravelo’s comics Wanted: Perfect Mother into a film. It became a big hit, paving the way for him to later start his own movie company.

Brocka is known for masterpieces showing graphic depictions of social injustice. His movies centered on characters living in poverty and a prejudiced society. These include award-winning films Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang, Maynila: Sa Kuko ng Liwanag, Insiang and Jaguar.

Directing at the time of Martial Law, Brocka’s Bayan Ko: Kapit sa Patalim was deemed subversive by the Marcos administration and was heavily censored with all rally scenes deleted. It underwent a legal battle but was later smuggled into France and was shown at the 1985 Cannes Film Festival and won several awards at the Gawad Urian. The Marcos regime ordered Brocka’s arrest but he was later released.

It was during that time that he founded the Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP) to encourage more artists to address societal issues and oppose government repression.

In 1986, he was selected as member of the Constitutional Commission. He fought to insert the freedom of expression clause and is credited for the Constitution’s Article III, Section 4 which reads, “No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.”

A couple of years later, he collaborated with Pete Lacaba and directed Orapronobis (Fight For Us) which criticized the violation of human rights and the support for vigilantes by the new administration. Like Bayan Ko, it was banned for commercial exhibition but received 22 citations from international and local award-giving bodies.

All throughout his career, Brocka was known as a non-compromising visionary that used controversial political and sexually loaded scenes in films that criticized the prevailing norms and pushed for the rights of workers, the LGBT community and Filipinos in general.

Brocka was a legendary director not just because of his technical brilliance but because of his unwavering principles and political consciousness which in turn pushed him to create films that made viewers aware and critical of the conditions around them. He deviated from the commercial format and chose stories not because they were bankable but because they were worth telling.

Brocka died on May 22, 1991 after a fatal car accident. He was given a posthumous distinction as National Artist for Film.

As a tribute to Brocka and the efforts of his close friends and admirers in not only commemorating the life of a truly gifted artist, but also the fight for freedom expression, this bill aims to formalize the declaration of May 22 as Freedom of Expression Day.

In establishing a freedom of expression day, this bill hopes to impart the importance of freedom of expression in pursuing democracy.

This bill further seeks to encourage more people to oppose censorship and repression, as well as the practice of compromising artistic and intellectual expression for commercial purposes.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval thereof is highly recommended.

Approved

  TEDDY A. CASIÑO                                   NERI JAVIER COLMENARES

  Bayan Muna Party-list                         Bayan Muna Party-list

——————-

Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.  4713 

Introduced by Reps.  TEDDY A. CASIÑO and NERI JAVIER COLMENARES

AN ACT DECLARING

May 22 of every year as Freedom of Expression Day in Commemoration of National Artist for Film Lino Brocka

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “Freedom of Expression Day Act” to commemorate National Artist Lino Brocka’s contribution to the Film industry and the Filipino People as a non-compromising visionary and champion of artistic and intellectual expression.

SECTION 2. In order to commemorate Lino Brocka as a leading advocate of freedom of expression, to uphold art that sheds light on social realities and human conditions and to encourage artists and the general public to continuously struggle against repression and censorship, May 22 of every year is hereby declared as a special working holiday to be known as the “Freedom of Expression Day.”

SECTION 3. Schools, government agencies and offices and establishments in both the public and private sectors shall celebrate this observance with ceremonies and activities that demonstrate national commitment to freedom of expression, democracy, human rights and justice and that pay homage to Brocka and like-minded artists and individuals who fought against the tyranny of censorship and repression.

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Department of Education, Philippine Information Agency, premier state schools and universities and other art and film institutions and groups shall take the lead in establishing prominent activities and productions across the country in this regard.

SECTION 4. To ensure the meaningful observance of the holiday as herein declared, all heads of government and private facilities, offices and instrumentalities shall encourage and afford sufficient time and opportunities for their employees, personnel or students to engage and participate in any activity to mark the “Freedom of Expression Day.”

SECTION 5. The funds necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be included in the budgets of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and Department of Education under the General Appropriations Act of the year following the enactment of this Act.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

Free Maricon Montajes!

FREE MARICON MONTAJES AND ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS

The youth and its idealism have and continue to play important roles in moving for social change. Renato Constantino has described this sector of our society as not only mere products of the current social order, but it has also become the anti-thesis of such. And now, with the ever worsening economic, political and cultural crises, the youth, together with other sectors, continue to struggle for genuine change in the society.

Maricon Montajes, like many of the youth today, have not only become students inside the four walls of a classroom, but have also become students of this society. She is one of many who chose to offer her intellect and talents to uplift the situation of the poor. It is only in deeply understanding the plight of the poor we can truly champion their democratic rights and keep our hopes for a better future alive.

The reactionary government, instead of solving the current crises by uplifting the social status of its people, has used fascism to silence anyone who attempts to move for social change. It also uses schemes in order to maintain the current social order, where the elite class dominates both the economic and political scene in the country.

Maricon and other people similar to her, who have the purest of intentions to truly serve their fellow countrymen, have been constant targets of anti-insurgency programs. Maricon, along with Ronilo and Romiel, were illegally arrested while visiting a peasant community in Taysan, Batangas. They were taken into custody by military personnel and were transported to a military camp where they were detained for five days. But because of the strong assertion of their parents, they have been transferred to the Batangas Provincial Jail where they are currently detained.

They have been charged with Illegal Possession of Explosives, Violation of Fire Arm Ban/Violation of Omnibus Election Code Category P and Q, and Illegal Possession of Fire Arms and Ammunition. The battle in court continues in the succeeding months.

The state, with its paranoia of rebels, have mindlessly targeted innocent civilians and tagged them as enemies of the state, vulnerable to any forms of attack and human rights violations. It is in these crimes against the people that we can expose the true character of the government and of whose interests it willingly serves.

It is clear from the facts that the arrest and detention of Maricon and her companions are clear violations of their human rights. We believe that these violations should be condemned so as to uphold and protect every Filipino citizen’s rights.

We strongly urge the Aquino administration to fulfill its promise of releasing all political detainees if it is indeed sincere in serving the interest of the Filipino people and will truly strive for genuine social change.

 

We call on the collective strength of the youth, as well as the other members of this society, to call for the immediate release of Maricon Montajes and other political prisoners. It is in this way that we can assure that our rights as humans and citizens are protected and upheld.

 

Kilometer64 Poetry Collective para sa kagyat na pagpapalaya sa kapwa makatang si Ericson Acosta

Kilometer64 Poetry Collective para sa kagyat na pagpapalaya sa kapwa makatang si Ericson Acosta

Sa gitna nang papatindi’t lumalalang krisis ng lipunang malakolonyal at malapyudal, matagal nang nasagot ng mga makata sa Kilometer 64, ang tanong sa silbi’t pinagsisilbihan ng kanilang mga tula. Lalong hindi nito ipinagtataka, kung bakit natagpuan ang isa sa pinakamahusay na manggagawang pangkultura, mangaawit, komposer, manunulat, makata, sa kanyang henerasyon, sa pinakaliblib na baryo Bay-ang sa bayan ng San Jorge, sa Samar.

Hindi marahil, kundi may katiyakang, sa bahagi ni Ericson Acosta’y maliwanag din sa kanya ang sagot sa tanong na inilatag na noon pa man ng isang bantog na makata ng protesta na si Gelacio Guillermo: “Ano ang silbi? Sino ang pagsisilbihan? Paano?”. Lalo at hindi na lamang siya nagkasya sa paglikha ng mga komposisyon, berso, dula, pagtatanghal sa loob ng sonang komportable siya. Iniluwal at nakatira sa Cubao, Quezon City, at nakapagaral sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, ubod sa talento’t kasiningan, inialay ni Ericson hindi lamang ang mga obrang kanyang iniluluwal kundi ang kanyang mismong sarili at nagtungo sa kanayunan, upang makipamuhay sa higit na aba.

Sa kanya mismong pahayag kamakailan, sabi niya:

   “Maitatanong pa ba kung ano ginagawa ng isang makata at manunulat sa isang kasuluk-sulukang baryo na gaya ng Bay-ang? Marahil, ang dapat na nating itanong sa ngayon ay kung bakit mailap, at ni hindi yata nakakadalaw sa mga lugar na tulad nito ang pinakahihintay na bisita na ang pangalan ay Hustisya.”

Walang duda sa kung ano ang ginagawa ni Ericson Acosta sa sulok na iyon ng Pilipinas. Pinili ni Ericson na itala sa kasaysayan gamit ang kanyang kabataan, kakanyahan at kahusayan ang mga tunay na pangyayaring pilit na kinukumutan ng kasinungalingan. Naroon si Ericson upang itangan ng mahigpit, ang katapatan niya sa tungkuling sinumpaan:

    “Writing is inscribing reality. Writing is speaking truth to action.”

    Writer’s Manifesto of Unity on the Freedom of Expression, Amado Hernandez Resource Center.

Ang laganap na militarisasyon sa kalakhang lalawigan ng Leyte, lalo sa bayan ng San Jorge, at ang pinsala nito sa kabuhayan, katarungan at dignidad ng mga mamamayan roon, ang matapat na sinusulat at sinasaliksik ni Ericson ng mga panahong iyon. Tungkulin ng kanyang mga akda ang maging lapat sa inaapakang lupa. At ang walang takot na pagtatala ng mga tapat na datos at kalagayan panlipunan ang kanyang pinagkakaabalahan.

Inialay ni Ericson ang kanyang buong buhay sa paglilingkod sa sambayanan. Ngunit, sa kabila ng ganitong layunin. Walang warrant na inaresto, iligal na dinetine, tinortyur, pinagkaitan ng mga batayang karapatan, at inakusahan ng gawa-gawang kaso, si Ericson Acosta.

Kaya sa hanay ng makata ng Kilometer 64 Poetry Collective, mahigpit naming kinokondena ang paglabag na ito, at iginigiit na marapat nang palayain sa lalong mabilis na panahon nang walang kondisyon ang aming kapatid sa pluma, kamakata, na si Ericson Acosta.

Nananawagan kami sa Gobyernong Aquino, na bigyang bisa ang kanyang kalayaan sa pinakamabilis na panahon sa pamamagitan ng pagbitaw sa kanilang inimbentong asunto dito.

Makakaasa, si Ericson Acosta, ang kanyang mga kaibigan at kapamilya, na aktibong magsususog ang Kilometer 64 ng kampanya sa agarang pagpapalaya kay Ericson, at magiging mapagbantay sa isusulong ng kaso nito.

Ang laban ni Ericson, ay ang matagal na ding itinataguyod na laban ng mga makata ng protesta, sa hanay namin.