Prepared by the Amado V. Hernandez Resource Center, March 2006
Kapag malubha na ang init, sumasabog din ang bulkan
Pag labis ang pagkadustay naninigid din ang langgam;
At ang bayan, kahit munti, kung inip na sa karimlan
Sa talim ng isang tabak hinahanap ang liwayway!
– Bonifacio, Amado Hernandez
We are writers belonging to various organizations, publications, academic institutions, and artist formations, or simply individuals, who manifest our commitment to the full realization of the freedom of expression.
The practice of writing in our country is a witness of history. Since literacy has only been enjoyed by the majority of the people in less than a hundred years, much of writing has focused on dealing with immediate demands. We often write when we fill out record forms, we write when we study, we study in school for a better future; we struggle for a better future in our daily living.
But the significance of writing is communicating with the widest audience possible concerning the most important issues of the day. There are many examples in our history: the 19th century ilustrado propaganda movement in Spain, the activists’ second propaganda movement in the 60s and 70s detailing society’s ills and offering concrete solutions, the mosquito press during the Marcos dictatorship, and the many exposes on graft, corruption, and conspiracy of the present.
Writing is inscribing reality. Writing is speaking truth to action.
Writers now are troubled by the suppression of the freedom of the press along with the freedom of assembly and speech. We maintain that our commitment to writing is our right as an individual that must never be violated by any entity. We believe that our right to write corresponds with the people’s right to know. With the people, we fight all forms of harassment, surveillance, confiscation of materials, arrests, detention, and killings done in the name of protecting whatever interests that run opposed to the writer’s freedom to express.
As writers, we strongly manifest the struggle for the people’s hard-earned freedom of _expression.
Individuals:
Alexander Martin Remollino, Bulatlat.com
Aida Santos, Akdang Bayan
Amabelle Plaza-Laminero, Davao City, Women Feature’s Service
Angelo B. Ancheta
Anna Unson – Price, Manila Bulletin
Arah Jell Badayos ABS CBN
Armando Malay Jr., Asian Center, UP Diliman
Arnold Padilla, IBON Foundation
Arvin T. Ello DLSU-Manila/ Art Association of the Philippines
Aubrey Aspi, Southern Tagalog Exposure
Aubrey Makilan
Audrey Beltran
Aurora Veronika, LAMIKMIK KOLUM abante-tonite
Ave Perez Jacob
Aya Jallorina
Babes Alejo
Benrey Densing
Bernard Gutierrez, BURN! Express, Indiemagazine/Vinyard
Beverly W. Siy
Bienvenido Lumbera, Concerned Artists of the Philippines
Bing Parcon, People’s Chorale
Bonifacio Ilagan, Concerned Artists of the Philippines
Boom Enriquez
Carla M. Pacis
Carlos Manansala
Clarissa V. Militante
Corazon Amaya-Canete, Kisapmata Multi-Media Productions
D. L. Mondelo, Bulatlat.Com, Pinoy Abrod Ngayon (Amsterdam)
Danilo A. Arao, Bulatlat.com
Danny Fabella, MusikangBayan
Dennis Espada
Dennis Marasigan
Dennis S. Aguinaldo
Desiree Caluza, Philippine Daily Inquirer/NUJP
Dino Manrique, Publisher, FilipinoWriter.com
E. San Juan, Jr., PHILIPPINES CULTURAL STUDIES CENTER, Connecticut, USA
Ederic Eder, patnugot ng Tinig.com
Ellen Tordesillas
Eloise Lee, Filipino Community Center, San Francisco
Ernanie Rafael, LIRA, Pinoy Poets
Fe P. Coons, Diaryo Pilipino, Carson, CA, U.SA.
Frank Cimatu
Gabriela Krista Ll. Dalena, Southern Tagalog Exposure
Gari Lazaro
Gemino H. Abad, Phillippine Literary Arts Council
Genaro R. Gojo Cruz
Gerry Albert Corpuz, Bulatlat.com
Gil Anista , Southern Tagalog Exposure
Glenis Teresa C. Balangue
Greg T. Fabros, Titser ng Bayan Column
Harthwell C. Capistrano, The News Express
Herminio Beltran,CCP, Literature Department
Ilang-Ilang Quijano, Pinoy Weekly
Hilda Rosca Nartea, Silangan Shimbun
Imelda Aznar
Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Hong Kong News
Inshallah P. Montero, Creative Writing Major, PHSA
Iskho F. Lopez
James Gabrillo
Jaydee Revoltar
Jennifer del Rosario-Malonzo
Joan Dairo, GMANews.TV
Joaquin T. Taduran. JR
Joe Galvez
Joe Torres, National Union Of Journalists in the Philippines
Joel Saracho, Tbak
Joey salanio (KAPITBISIG GERMANY)
John Francis C. Losaria,UP CINEMA / UP Sining at Lipunan
John Marasigan
Joi Barrios, BAYAN Women’s Desk
Jonar Sabilano, Matanglawin (AdMU)
Jonna Baldres
Jorly B. Belisario PUP Journalism Circle
Jose Cosido, College Editors Guild of the Philippines
Jose F. Lacaba
Jose Jaime Espina , Article 3 Alliance, Negros Occidental
Jose Valencia , BALITA (Greece and Cyprus)
Jose Wendell Capili
Julie Geraldine Po, Concerned Artists of the Philippines
Jun Cruz Reyes, Institute of Creative Writing -UP Diliman
Juniel Tumampos, CEGP BUKIDNON
Kenneth Roland A. Guda, Pinoy Weekly
Laarni Ilagan
Lei Garcia, CONTAK Philippines
Lisa C. Ito Anakpawis Party List
Lorina M. Javier
Lucy Mae San Pablo Burns, Critical Filipino/a Studies Collective, Los Angeles
Mac Ramirez – MIGRANTE Youth
Malaya V. Verdan PUP Journalism Circle
Manuel L. Quezon III, Philippine Daily Inquirer
Maricel P. Montero
Marjorie Evasco, Creative Writing Foundation
Mark A.V. Funcion
Mark Angeles
Marlene C. Francia, MiaManila
Mary Joanne Bustinera
MC Gonzales
Melvin C. Gascon, Philippine Daily Inquirer
Merpu P. Roa, Filipino Express, New York, USA
Michael Ian Lomongo
Michaelangelo Sotero
Mina Garcia Concerned Artists of the Philippines
Minnie F. Lopez, SENTRA, KATHA
Mykel Andrada, Departmant of Filipino, UP Diliman
Ninotchka Rosca, GABRIELA International Network
Noel Sales Barcelona, Pinoy Weekly
Patrocinio V. Villafuerte, Full Professor Philippine Normal University
Paul M. Gutierrez, Journal Group
Ramon Nepomuceno Orbeta, TINTADOS/ Z publishing
Ramon Guillermo, CONTEND
Randy P. Valiente
Raul Funilas I
Raymund Villanueva
Recah Trinidad, Philippine Daily Inquirer
Reginald Jamir Brotonel, Hong Kong News
Renato Mabilin, Southern Tagalog Exposure
Resty Odon
Rev. Fr. Francisco R. Albano, Ilagan, Isabela
Rhea Claire Madarang Pinoypoets
Rica Palis ARTIST, Inc.
Richard B. Ernacio PUP Journalism Circle
Rodelen C.Paccial, dagyangpulong writers group, Iloilo City
Rody Vera, The Writers Bloc– Philippines
Roel Hoang Manipon,The Daily Tribune
Rolando Tolentino
Ronalyn Olea, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan
Rorie R. Fajardo
Roy Vives Anunciacion, INQUIRER LIBRE
Ruth Cervantes
Santiago Villafania, Ulupan-Pangasinan
Sig Barros-Sanchez
Tyrone Velez, Bulatlat.com, davaotoday.com
Vic Billones III
Vincent Jan Cruz Rubio
Vincent Michael Borneo, Bayan Muna
Vincent Silarde, Southern Tagalog Exposure
Virgilio A. Catoy, Southern Tagalog Exposure
Vlad Gonzales
Wilma Abad
Organizations:
Amado V. Hernandez Resource Center
Bulatlat Online Magazine
Concerned Artists of the Philippines
Cultural Studies Center
Kapisanan ng mga Mandudula sa Marikina
National Union Of Journalists in the Philippines
Pinoy Weekly
Sining BUgkos
Sining na Naglilingkod sa Bayan
Southern Tagalog Express
Tan-aw Multimedia Collective, Northern Media and Information Network, Inc.
Mabuhay kayo! mga magigiting na manunulat ng bansa. Lalong paigtingin ang katatagan. Nakikiisa ako sa inyong prinsipyo. Walang maaaring makapigil sa atin upang magpahayag ng ating damdamin!!!! Ang panulat ay mas matalas kesa tabak!!
Ellen,
I noticed that some of my favorite columnists and writers did not sign.
Congratulations to all of you for a brave stand.
The manifesto is still being circulated.
PIG is ‘HARAM'(Arabic word which means unlawful or forbidden)
by AMINA RASUL (Manila Times)
“”Some groups who have protested the people’s initiative call it “PIG,” for “People’s Initiative ni Gloria.” “Binababoy tayo,” they say. I guess PIG is haram to all of us in more ways than one.””
FYI
I believe that CHURCHES should also open and have people sign up for ANTI CHACHA…
Atleast dito yung pipirma dahil AYAW nila sa CHACHA hindi dahil may pera silang natanggap…
Eto pantapat sa PI Arrovo..
Bakit ngayon ang COMELEC gusto amg verify ng signature ng PI?
Why dont they do that don sa ER ng nakarrang eleksyon at makikita nilang iilang tao lang ang may pirma sa mga balota ni Arrovo…
Iyon ang dapat nilang kilatisin…
Pero teka sino ba sila para magkilatis ng pirma? Are theey qualified? Dapat pumasok naman mga magagaling na Kongresma ni Aorrovo at pagsabihan ang COMELEC kung may kakayahan ba silang kumilatis ng pirma….
Ginawa nila yan dati sa kaso ni PIDAL…
“Pen is mightier than the sword” – Mabuhay kayong lahat! Ngayon ang tamang panahon na ipamulat ninyo sa mga kabataan na sa pamamagitan ng inyong pagsulat at pagtalakay sa mga kaganapan sa ating lipunan. Silang mga kabataan na sa darating na panahon ay sila naman ang mamumuno sa ating bansa. Sa inyong mga kamay nakasalalay ang magandang kinabukasan ng bagong kabataan na huhubugin ninyo upang hindi magsinungaling, magnakaw at mandaya!
Papayag ba kayo na ang mga uri ng taong nasa poder ngayon ang magde-decision ng ating kinabukasan?
Binigyan kayo ng Panginoong Diyos ng kayamanan na magsulat kaya gamitin ninyo iyan sa ikauunlad ng ating bansang sinilangan at pagpuksa ng mga kampon ng kadiliman.
Saludo ako sa inyong lahat!
saludo po ako sa mga pumirma, pangarap ko pong maging tulad nila. sana lang po yung mga periodistang nagp..ta kay gloria, yung mga anak nilang p..ta, mga ama’t inang p..ta, o mga apo ng nagp..tang periodista o manunulat ay hindi pinayagan pumirma. baka may nakalusot eh.
Ellen, gustong-gusto ko sanang sumama sa mga pumupuri sa manifestong ito. Kaya lang ay wala namang bagong sinabi, walang kahindik-hindik na pinanindigan. Ang lahat ng binitiwan ay hindi bago, nasabi na itong lahat. At sinagot na ito ni Gloria nang matigas at matapang na paninindigan. Mas matalas at matalim ang kaniyang mga pananalita, dinaig pa ang mga manunulat.
At sa mayabang na asta ni Gloria ay waring sinabi niya sa lahat kasama na ang manunulat sa manifesto: “EH, ANO NGAYON! KAKASA BA KAYO!”
Patawad Ellen, pero wala akong nabasa sa manifesto na sinasabi ng mga manunulat sa manifesto na “OO, KAKASA KAMI!”
Since many writers have yet to sign the manifesto as it is still being circulated to the journalists, we are praying to see the names of our favorite columnists….otherwise, we will boycott them if they will not affix their signatures on it!!!
BF, it’s basically a reiteration of one’s committment to freedom of expression.Yes, nothing new.
It’s just one of the statements on press freedom issued since Arroyo’s crackdown on media. I know this came out a little late. But better late than never.
Come to think of it, better late than never
becomes oxymoron, in our case ellen.
We seem to be a country of DEAD SOCIETY. like for example: Dead Poets Society, Dead Lawyers Society (IBP, PHILCONSA)pero buhay lang yung
FLAG, Dead Accountants Society (from COA, BIR),
Dead Journalist Society (yung napatay na ang siya lang buhay), Dead Doctors Society
(look at our health system), Dead Dentist
Society (ang daming bungi sa Tondo at sa mga probinsiya), Dead Engineers Society (lintik ang kurakot sa Public Works),Dead Patriotic Soldiers Society (hindi kayang pumatay ng traidor sa bayan), Dead Bishops Conference (buhay lang sa donasyon at sakaling magka red cap), Dead NPA rebels (hindi rin kayang pumatay ng mga gumagahasa sa bayan, kaya lang nilang patayin yung pipitsugin pulis at sundalo), etc. etc.
KUNG BUHAY ANG MGA YAN, DI SANA GANITO ANG BANSA NATIN NGAYON. TIGNAN NINYO ANG MGA GINAGAWA NG NG MGA SOCIETY AT PROFESSIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS SA IBANG BANSA. KABALIKAT SILA
NG SINISINGIL AT BUMUBUHAY SA KANILANG MGA KLIYENTE SA PAGSULONG NG BANSA.
I mean name the profession, many are dead for their country, alive only for themselves and their families.
DON’T ASK FOR THE SOLUTION. IT FOLLOWS YUNG
MGA PATAY AY ILIBING NA, SOBRA NG SANGSANG
NG AMOY, NAKAKAMATAY NA.
Hep, hep, STOP, HINDI NILALAHAT YAN, YUNG KALAWANG SA BAKAL NAGSISIMULA SA ISANG POR SIYENTO LANG, HANGGANG MAHAWA ANG SAMPUNG POR SIENTO PA. MATIBAY PA RIN ANG BAKAL, KASKASIN
LANG NG STEEL BRUSH, TAPUSIN NG PINONG STEEL WOOL AT HUGASAN, SULONG PA RIN ANG BANSA NATIN.
Ellen, (second time na ito) meron pa rin sumusulat sa blog mo na apostles of the status quo. Palitan lang si Gloria Okay na. Apostles sila dahil ang galing ng dating nila, hindi sila sanay magmura.
Uphold freedom!