Bayan: Effigies aren’t obsolete

MANILA, Philippines – Leftist groups are gearing up for the President’s SONA.

Most of the messaging will be the same as in past years expressed in slogans, streamers and placards– including burning an effigy.

But what does the effigy stand for?

David Lozada reports.

Most artists want their work preserved. Cris De Leon wants his masterpiece burned.
He is making an effigy of President Benigno Aquino III for the protests on the State of the Nation Address.
Cris has been making effigies for the past three administrations. He says it’s different every year.
CRIS DE LEON
ARTIST
Kung yung dati, ipinapakita natin na nahahalata na yung pagiging inutil ni Noynoy at yung kabulukan ng termino niya, ngayon mas masahol pa. Hindi lang siya inutil kundi kusa pa niyang ibinababa ang kabuhayan ng mga mamayan. (Before, we would show that Noynoy is inutile and that his term is rotten. Now, it’s even worse. He’s not only inept, but he has brought down the livelihood of the people.)

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan secretary general Nato Reyes says effigies are a symbol of the people’s voice.
The left has been burning effigies for decades in countless protests.
But he insists it’s not an obsolete form of protesting.

NATO REYES
BAYAN SECRETARY GENERAL
Well, effective siya in a sense na pinag-uusapan palagi, inaabangan kung ano ba yung visual representation at nagkakaroon ng masiglang talakayan kaugnay ng simbolismo na pinaparating nitong mga effigy. (Well, it’s still effective in a sense that a lot of people talk about it. People wait for the visual representation of the protest. Lively discussions and debates also stem from the perceived symbolisms of the effigies.)

As in previous years, it will be a game of cat and mouse between the riot squad and protesters.
They not allowed to hold their rally in the place of their choice.

Different groups applied for permits to protest near the Batasan complex for the SONA but the Quezon city government denied their requests. The city officials say the rallyists endanger public safety.
Quezon City Public Order and Safety Chief Elmo San Diego says the police will strictly enforce order on the day of the President’s address.

ELMO SAN DIEGO
CHIEF, QC PUBLIC ORDER & SAFETY
They will have to deal with our security forces. They’ll be prevented from protesting along Commonwealth avenue. They have no permits.They have to deal with the security forces natin. They’ll be prevented from doing their thing there. Wala na silang permit eh.

As for Cris, he looks forward to hearing what the President has to say.
More than that, he looks forward to burning the effigy – a way to show his disappointment in the Aquino administration.
David Lozada, Rappler, Quezon City.

– Rappler.com