By Agustin F. San Andres Jr.

With its invaluable contribution for the promotion of human rights through different forms of visual media, ‘Likhang Mulat’ of Far Eastern University Department of Communication (FEU DepComm) was recognized by Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) in the recently concluded 10th HR Pinduteros Choice Awards.

In an online interview conducted by FEU Advocate, Herwin Cabasal, professor of FEU DepComm and organizer of the virtual exhibit and film festival expressed his sincerest gratitude and appreciation after receiving the said recognition.

“Mahalaga ito sa amin dahil isa itong pag-validate sa mga adbokasiyang isinusulong ng Likhang Mulat. Ibig sabihin tayo ay nasa tamang landas (It is important to us because this is a validation to the advocacies that Likhang Mulat are raising. It means that we are on the right track),” he added.

Cabasal also shared that he and the people behind the said platform are grateful for the support that they are receiving from the green and gold community.

“Tayo ay nasa isang pamantasang nagbibigay ng kalayaan sa kanyang mga guro at mag-aaral na magsulong ng mga gawaing kultural na sumasalamin sa ating mga makabayang adhikain. Kaya naman marapat lamang na gamitin natin ito nang tama at naaayon sa ikabubuti ng ating bansa (We are in a University that values freedom for teachers and its students to launch different cultural activities that reflect our patriotic advocacies. It is right that we use it for the betterment of our country),” he stated. 

With this edition’s theme of promoting human rights and  the tagline “we film, we move”—Cabasal emphasized that the function of films is more than just entertainment for it may also be an instrument of conscious raising and a form of creative resistance that can organize the viewers.

He then furthered that by watching social advocacy films like what Likhang Mulat promotes, viewers will be able to self-reflect their stance with various social and political issues.

“Bukod dito, dahil din sa pelikula ay maaaring magkaroon ng mga diskurso at diskusyon tungkol sa mga paksang nakakaapekto sa atin na dapat bigyan ng pansin (Aside from this, film can have discourses and discussions about different social and political issues that we need to give attention),” Cabasal expressed.

In his acceptance speech last November 30, he vowed that this kind of ‘movement’ in partnership with PAHRA, In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity Movement (iDEFEND) and all the human rights defenders will continue. 

“Manatili tayong gising at mulat para sa bayan dahil tayo ay may alam at may pakielam (Let us remain woke for our country because we are aware and we care),” he ended. 

In line with the week-long celebration of human rights, Likhang Mulat marked its first anniversary this month by showing their participation through featuring FEU communication students’ human rights-themed short films which may be viewed from December 1 to December 10 in their official Facebook page.

(Photo courtesy of Herwin Cabasal)