Take a stand. Tell your story.

BAYBAY CITY, Philippines – “Speak up, tell your story.”

Development Communication students of the Visayas State University produced an advocacy video in time for Rappler’s Move Chat Series on Friday, January 25, which encourages viewers to take a stand. Produced in just days, the video which runs for a little over a minute also touches on issues relating to elections, the separation of Church and state, and even the cybercrime law.

Mr. Ulderico Alviola of the VSU Information Office said the students made the video “to advocate change at the local level where vote buying is a common practice every election.” He added, “the cybercrime law is another key issue important to them as they deem this new law could potentially silence them from speaking the truth and discourage them from effectively guarding the elections.” 

The video was made by Dulce Ilagan, Precious Ogdoc, James Vargas, Pete Villalino, Rhea Ogalesco, Rey Michael Rosalada, Kristina Ginn Estoy, Era Christine Wales, Jane Pitao, and Kim Kenneth Roca.

Posted on YouTube and Rappler, the video hopes to move the youth not just in Leyte but elsewhere, to become involved in current issues that will have an impact on their lives.

Over a thousand students attended Rappler’s Move Chat Series held at the Visayas State University’s (VSU) convention center in this city on Friday, January 25.

Titled, “Social Media for Social Change,” with the theme, “Tukmang paggamit sa social media alang sa matinud-anong piniliay” (Harnessing social media for honest elections), the event was Rappler’s 11th of its chat series which began in late 2011.
 

The students’ video is a great example of how social media can be used for social change.

It will hopefully inspire other student and youth groups to embrace new media in their advocacy campaigns. – Rappler.com