Protesters Brave Rains Early Monday for SONA Rally
Members of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Southern Tagalog stood firm despite the heavy rains early Monday morning as they staged a protest along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City. This demonstration took place ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA).
The protesters gathered before 7 a.m., pushing through with their program for an hour despite intermittent downpours and overcast skies. Their presence highlighted the genuine struggles faced by Filipinos, a message they wanted to emphasize before the president’s speech.
Bayan Southern Tagalog’s Five-Day SONA Caravan
According to local leaders, the group embarked on a five-day SONA caravan to spotlight the true conditions of ordinary Filipinos. Bayan Southern Tagalog Spokesperson Lucky Oraller explained, “This is to feature the real situations of the Filipinos before these become concealed by our president and lie on the genuine conditions of our citizens. This caravan that we launched in Philcoa [Philippine Coconut Authority] is showing the real plight of the Filipinos from our region.”
Calls for Livable Wage and Genuine Land Reform
The protesters strongly demanded a livable wage and genuine land reform, pressing for changes that directly affect the welfare of Filipino workers and farmers. They also voiced their opposition to the ongoing alliance between the Philippines and the United States, criticizing the impact of such partnerships on national sovereignty.
Moreover, the group condemned the recent Supreme Court ruling that declared the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte unconstitutional. This decision sparked outrage among the protesters, who viewed it as a setback for accountability.
Symbolic Effigies Ignite Protest Message
In a striking display, the demonstrators burned two effigies named “Sara-nanggal” and “ZomBBM.” Oraller explained the symbolism behind these figures: “Sara-nanggal” represents Duterte as a mythical creature capable of detaching its upper body from its lower half, with a large amount of money revealed from the lower part, symbolizing alleged corruption.
Meanwhile, “ZomBBM” is a play on the words “zombie” and “BBM” (Bongbong Marcos). It portrays the president as a puppet controlled by the United States and implies that he is not fully capable of leading independently.
Despite the harsh weather, the protesters remained resilient in delivering their message. Their early morning rally embodied their determination to highlight the real issues Filipinos face, refusing to let these be overshadowed during the SONA.
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