A call for unity

Passing by Katipunan on my way to Valley Golf and Forest Hills Golf and Country Club for my golf games and back to my Quezon City abode have always been suspense-filled. How is the traffic situation going to be today? Will the trip take 45 minutes or do I have to waste more than two hours again, most of which is spent traversing those few kilometers from Ateneo to UP Town Center?

Last Friday afternoon, amidst the sweltering heat (the vehicle registered the temperature outside at 30 degrees C) and the huge volume of swerving vehicles traversing this wretched road, the UP Diliman’s Freedom Wall along Katipunan Avenue was indeed a sight for sore eyes.

And I could not help but stare at several murals made by different artists, mostly depicting expressions of concerns and sentiments about what’s happening in our society. One specifically caught my attention, not only because it was huge but also because the message was indeed relevant amidst the noise created by grandstanding politicians and other personalities.

The mural carries the phrase “Kami Naman 120M Filipinos” and an indigenous man wearing a headscarf made of tubao, a traditional handwoven ethnic cloth.

When I asked around, I learned that “Kami Naman” is actually a non-government movement of concerned citizens calling for true unity while the mural was created by CQC Visual Arts which is a group of artists.

It turns out that there are other “Kami Naman” murals in Grace Park Caloocan, Lapu-Lapu Avenue in Navotas City, and in Valenzuela. Common among the murals are paintings of faces of ordinary Filipinos, young and old, whose voices are unheard of amidst the loud noise from the rich and powerful and the ruling class.

While their meaning may seem ambiguous at first glance, it resonates deeply amidst the backdrop of the ongoing skirmish between prominent figures in Philippine politics.

The new and past administrations have espoused messages of solidarity and national unity, yet their actions are painting a different picture. Accusations fly between them, with each blaming the other for various societal woes, including drug-inflicted attacks. There are event threats of separation of Mindanao from the rest of the country which is a divisive move that goes against the very essence of Philippine unity.

Amidst this political turbulence, the “Kami Naman” mural seems to serve as a poignant reminder of the Filipino people’s longing for a united and thriving nation. It’s a plea for genuine leadership—one that prioritizes the welfare of its citizens over personal agendas and political vendettas.

And if this hunch is confirmed, the “Kami Naman” mural represents more than just a piece of street art—it’s the collective voice of Filipinos yearning for a government that is truly pro-people. It calls for leaders who are committed to serving the nation’s interests above all else—a government that listens to the concerns of its people and acts in their best interests.

It is imperative for leaders to heed this call for unity and prioritize the well-being of the nation. Filipinos are desperate for reforms. They will cling to politicians who promise to create a different life for them. Unfortunately, these remain as empty promises.

Fighting child abuse

A groundbreaking collaboration aimed at combatting the online sexual exploitation of children (OSAEC) in the Philippines has emerged as DDB Group Philippines and the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) have joined forces to raise awareness and encourage action against this abuse across digital platforms.

Recognizing that it takes a village to protect a child, DDB and PCW have embarked on a mission to harness the power of social media as a vital component of this protective “village.” With social media serving as a pervasive influence in today’s society, the partnership aims to leverage platforms  to create awareness on how citizens can protect children from online predators and create a safer digital environment for all.

DDB Group Philippines chairperson and CEO Gil Chua said that they believe in the power of creativity to move people and in the importance of collective action to safeguard the welfare of the children. And as a long-time partner of PCW, he emphasized that they are committed to utilizing DDB’s expertise to amplify awareness, encourage reporting, and ultimately, protect the most vulnerable members of society.

Central to this collaboration is the creation of impactful films designed to educate the public on rampant exploitation of children online under the public noses, and the importance of reporting suspicious activity. These films, produced in partnership with PCW, serve as a rallying cry for individuals, companies, and organizations across all sectors to join the fight against OSAEC.

For her part, PCW OIC Khay Ann Magundayao-Borlado noted that their seven years of partnership with DDB have seen strides in communications and advancement of policies into laws from safe spaces law to empowering the public to protect children from online abuse. She added that they are proud to partner with DDB in this crucial endeavor to harness the reach and influence of social media, amplify their message, and mobilize communities to take action.

Through this collaborative effort, DDB and PCW aim to inspire a culture of vigilance and responsibility, where every member of society plays an active role in safeguarding children online and offline. By uniting across sectors, industries, and communities, the Philippines can truly become a safer place for all its children.

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