Artists and youth groups here staged a series of cultural performances on Tuesday, calling for an end to what they described as the genocide and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Gaza.
The event featured workshops on theater, placard-making, poetry, and zine creation. It culminated in a small protest rally, where participants showcased the performances and artworks produced during the workshops.
The protest marked the second anniversary of the Israel-Hamas conflict’s escalation into intense airstrikes and ground assaults, which Palestinian health authorities say have claimed around 60,000 lives.
Earlier this year, the Philippines-Palestine Friendship Association (PPFA) condemned President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for continuing trade relations with Israel despite the reported atrocities. Anna Patricia Adiaz, a representative of the newly formed group Baguio for Palestine, explained that focusing on protest art was a conscious decision aimed at broadening the movement beyond traditional mass rallies.
‘Creative dimension’ ‘In Baguio, many artists actively engage in social issues, so it made sense to add a creative dimension to our advocacy,’ she told the Inquirer.
‘Artists are there, and we’re trying to make our campaign more creative and palatable to the public, so their participation is important,’ she added in Filipino.
The program featured cultural performances, including children singing an original song created during the workshop. An exhibit displaying information on the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict was also set up.
Kabataan Partylist Rep. Gabriel Siscar, one of the event’s organizers, noted the importance of inclusivity in pro-Palestinian campaigns, especially since Baguio for Palestine had only been established a few days prior.
‘We’re trying to build connections with more groups, including artist collectives and students,’ he said in Filipino.
Siscar noted that art provides a powerful tool to amplify calls against Israeli and US aggression.