In honoring Bonifacio on his 161st birthday, the youth continued to carry out his revolutionary spirit by participating in mobilizations and educational discussions.
Along the street of Recto Avenue, various youth formations engaged in study circles to discuss the context of the mobilization and why the youth are encouraged to participate in it.
“The importance of educational discussions for the youth, especially during rallies, is for them to understand why we are here,” Bibs of Panday Sining – Novaliches said.
The dangers of a second Trump term and its impact on the Philippines
Such discussions include national situationers which are often the highights among study circles, particularly on the current local and international political climate.
In one study circle, the group discussed on the analysis of the dangers posed by Donald Trump under his second term as the 47th president of the United States (US).
According to them, the rise of US aggression will prevail under Trump: through escalating wars, intensified economic crisis, and worsening state fascism as he seeks to expand US imperialist interests across the globe. Bibs further noted that all these have direct impacts the socio-political situation in the Philippines.
“There will likely be a heightened military presence and intervention, especially in the South China Sea. The Philippines, particularly the marginalized sectors, would bear the brunt of these policies that continually sacrifices national sovereignty for military and economic interests,” one participant shared in the discussion
The group emphasized that the youth should understand these international dynamics.
“By understanding the interplay of global powers and the role of US in supporting oppressive regimes, including its support for the Marcos Jr. administration, is critical for the youth,” the group manifested.
They further challenged his fellow youth to affirm their participation in mobilizations, educational discussions, and solidarity actions to help build a strong collective resistance and assert national democracy.
Peace talks: on economics, politics, and culture
“The current political situation in our government is like a circus of clowns, whose primary role is to deceive the people like us. This reinforces the need to revive the spirit of Andres Bonifacio—patriotism and the defense of our sovereignty against foreign and local oppressors,” shared in one study circles.
The group reflected on the growing dissatisfaction with the political chaos and lack of effective governance under the Marcos-Duterte administration.
Economic concerns were also highlighted, with one questioning, “Is 610 pesos enough as daily wage?”
Participants note the rising cost of living, coupled with stagnant wages and high unemployment rates, that has left many Filipinos struggling to make ends meet.
“It is saddening that we rely heavily on foreign businesses to create jobs. It is important that we should promote local industries and sustainable economic growth. That is stipulated in CASER, actually,” one participant noted.
Under Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER), which is a key component of the peace talks, presents a comprehensive framework for addressing systemic issues in our economy, including land reform, national industrialization, and equitable distribution of wealth.
On November 23 last year, the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) marked a significant step toward resuming peace negotiations by signing the Oslo Joint Communique to affirm their commitment to a principled and peaceful resolution of the armed conflict.
The agreement has been welcomed by various organizations, including the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP), which applauded the joint statement as a positive step toward restarting peace talks.
Meanwhile, many advocates and church groups worried and raise concerns about recent developments that could derail progress, or worse, result in the abandonment of the process, noting on the continuing human rights violations and arrests to peace consultants.
“Such arrests have a chilling effect on the peace process and erodes the trust that is so necessary to move forward to fulfill the promise made with on what the Oslo statement promised,” said Council of Leaders for Peace Initiatives (CLPI) in a statement.
CLPI further called on the Parties to move forward on the exploratory talks and agree on the framework for the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations.
“It is most urgent for them to agree soonest on confidence and trust building measures, including temporary ceasefires, and protection protocols and mechanisms for all participants in the process. Releasing the NDFP consultants who are currently in detention, including the three recently arrested, is one such measure,” the group added.
In terms of culture, the discussion also highlighted the prevailing individualistic mindset particularly in the cultural sector.
“The most prominent culture we have is the belief that we should be individualistic and not come together to push for social change,” one participant noted.
Participants emphasized the need for collective action rather than individualism to demand genuine change.
Outside the four corners of the classroom
“Educational discussions symbolize that the youth must continue to study, not just in the four corners of our classroom, but we must also study society,” said Zhyrland Delostrico of Anakbayan – Pasay while reaffirming the importance of having educational discussions, whether inside institutions or in the streets and communities.
Delostrico stated that learning about society does not end with educational discussions but also involves integrating with communities and learning about their living conditions, which is important for the youth to understand as part of society.
Student-leaders from PUP Taguig also shared their sentiments on the importance of educational discussions.
“Educational discussions can be applied to our duties as student leaders. Second to this is having concern and knowledge about what is happening, and gaining awareness,” Althea Orgaya of PUP Taguig Central Student Council shared.
Adeline Corong of PUP Taguig Central Student Council shared her personal experiences, saying that despite not being open with her family about her involvement, educational discussions serve to boost her morale.
“It is important that we have knowledge, not just in a way that it is evident that we know. We should also care, give attention, time, and ourselves, because this is not only for us, but for our families and for the country,” Corong added.
Study circles are not just an avenue for youth activists and leaders to raise awareness but also to create connections to collectively engage in political discourse.
“I am awakened by activities like this, because I want to meet people who have knowledge, like those on topics I wouldn’t experience if I weren’t here,” RJ Canishan Pedong of PUP Taguig Central Student Council shared.
He also added that these discussions prepare the youth to face challenges in the future.
“We are being prepared for things we will face in the future, things we wouldn’t know if we didn’t attend discussions like this,” Canishan shared.
“In mobilizations, we should hold educational discussions as part of our program, and the participation of the youth is crucial as a show of force against the state, demonstrating that we don’t allow ourselves to be oppressed,” Delostrico added
Education knows no boundaries; thus, it is not confined only within walls of schools or academe. It also challenges everyone to take part in arousing, organizing, and mobilizing particularly the underrepresented and underserved marginalized sectors.
