Inter-faith personalities: Protest is for the youth

By Paul Darwynn Garilao, DLSP Media Bureau Correspondent

Well-known personalities who attended the inter-faith rally held in Makati last 29 February opined that the massive protests do not only call to uphold the truth or to call President GMA to resign but to prepare a good future for the young citizens – a big part of which comprised the rally’s estimated 80,000 participants.

Henry Kahn, one of the organizers and an alumnus of De La Salle University - Manila (DLSU-M), said, “What we are doing [protest] today is really for the youth. They (youth) are the one who should take over the country and they should lead it. But let us lead it now correctly with values, with morality, with righteousness, with goodness.”

Darlene Custodio, a representative from General Santos, said: “the future that we are trying to fill is the future of our generation and the generation of our kids.” Custodio, who is an alumnae of DLSU – M, added,” it is important to make sure that we dictate our political destiny. We don’t actually let all these anomalies go.”

Guillermo Luz, executive director of Makati Business Club, advised the young people “to go for the truth, always ask for the facts, and act on them.” Luz furthered: “Our future is at stake and we must act on that. We are the future. We must move. If we are going to sit back and do nothing, nothing will happen in this country. Stick for the fact, look out the truth…”

Critical mass

Young people, who were considered part of the critical mass during the inter-faith gathering, came from different political and non-political organizations.

In the past weeks, young citizens who participate in rallies felt their rights are being infringed because of the series of harassments they faced. In Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), students caused to panic because of “bomb scare” last 29 February. When the gate of the university was locked for bomb inspection, the PUP students were able to move inside the campus to support Jun Lozada.

Even young people from La Salle schools felt the infringement. While on their way to Makati inter-faith rally, students and faculty were blocked while on their way to Ayala.

Other students and personnel from La Salle schools who stormed the rally came from DLSU-M, De La Salle - College of St. Benilde, De La Salle Santiago Zobel, De La Salle Araneta University, and De La Salle Lipa. Braganza, a member of Tapat Political Party, estimated that the number of participants from DLSU- Manila reached 300. Total delegates from La Salle schools reached around 500 participants (See related link here).

It will not end here…

Alvin Peters, chairperson of National Union Students of the Philippines (NUSP), said the Makati gathering is not the last demonstration, in which the youth will participate. He said that there are series of forums and protests prepared by the Youth Act NOW! in cooperation with other groups who share the same advocacy.

On 2 March, University of Sto. Thomas, the school of Lozada, will sponsor a Mass. There will also be a caravan for truth forum that will roll out in different universities.

“Kailangan suriin (ang mga isyu), mula doon ay kumilos. Hindi dapat magwalang bahala (Inspect issues, then act We should not take the events for granted),” Alvin ended.

Photo by Karla Peralta for DLSP Media Bureau