To further educate Far Eastern University (FEU) students of the social realities under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, FEU Central Student Organization (FEUCSO) and Youth Movement Against Tyranny (YMAT) hosted a forum on fascism at the University Conference Center on October 26.

The forum was the fourth activity under FEUCSO’s initiative called “Batingaw: Unmasking the Fascism of the Current State.” It is the second collaboration of FEUCSO and YMAT after launching “Senyal: Remembering the Declaration of Martial Law” last September 20 and 21 where theatrical and musical performances, protest poems, and films were presented.

“Ang batingaw ay ang kampanang ginagamit ng mga simbahan noon kapag mayroong mga pangitain ng violation on human rights. Mula sa Senyal noong nakaraan, kailangan na nating kalampagin ‘yung kampana. ‘Yun ‘yung batingaw (Batingaw is a bell used by churches before when there are signs of violation on human rights. From the Senyal, we need to ring the bell. That is batingaw,)” FEUCSO President and the main convenor of FEU YMAT Jose Gabriel Bayan explained.

Experiences during the Martial Law era, fascist attacks on the peasantry, and a story of survival from "Bagong Silang Caloocan Massacre" were discussed by Bonifacio Ilagan, Unyon ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA) Pilipinas Secretary-General John Lozande, and Ryan Villanueva, respectively.

Attorney Katherine Panguban and Congressman Sarah Jane Elago also attended the event to talk about human rights in order to encourage students to value their rights.

“Maraming mga Tamaraws ang nagiging passive and reactionaries sa mga problema. It’s a high time for us to do something. Kailangan na talaga nating tumindig sa ating pinaniniwalaan as part of this next generation (Many Tamaraws are becoming passive and reactionaries with the problems. It’s a high time for us to do something. We really need to stand up for our beliefs as part of this next generation,)” Bayan continued.

Among the other activities for Batingaw were art exhibits, an art workshop, and “Tao Po”, a play with monologues on extrajudicial killings.

These were executed in collaboration with Juana Change, Ugatlahi Artist’s Collective, Tudla Productions, Respond and Break the Silence Against the Killings (RESBAK), Sining Ang Bala ng Kabataan (SABAK), and Night Crawlers.

“Batingaw: Unmasking the Fascism of the Current State” continues with its last activity in its line-up - a cultural night and film showing - which will be held on October 27.

In addition, Bayan shared that another event about human rights is in the making called “Karapatan 2017” which will be held on the third week of November in collaboration with the FEU Political Science Society.

- Monique S. Pamintuan
See full album here: Forum on Facisim