merry xmas and happy new year from bayan!

TAO PO?! ART!

Samples of Art Works throughout the night


Anakbayan by Cling Corotan

STP1 by Cris Hilo

Biktima by Gary Labao

Baril, Baraha, Biktima by Jonna Baldres

Luis Francia from NYU reading one of his pieces

Hindi Ako Nag-iisa by Cling Corotan

Mga Biktima by AB Collective

12/16 TAO PO?!

TAO PO?/!
An Art Exhibit presenting the Human Rights Conditions in the Philippines and Abroad
by the Artists' Collective of Anakbayan NY/NJ and Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment (FiRE)

When: 16 December 2007
Where: Alwan for the Arts, # 16 Beaver Street, 4th Floor (between Broad and New Streets, 1 block east of Whitehall & Bowling Green)


"TAO" is the Tagalog term for "human," and "PO" is a word used to show respect. When used conjunctively "TAO PO" is an expression used in the Philippines (by the Tagalogs) when one calls out to see if anybody's home. It usually comes with a knock on the door.

On December 16, in celebration of the International Human Rights Day featuring members of the artists' collective of Anakbayan New York/New Jersey and Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment (FiRE), "TAO PO" takes on double meaning, thus the punctuation marks "?/!"

"TAO PO?" (with the question mark) calls out and knocks on other people's doors to heed the calls of Human Rights victims in seeking for justice.

"TAO PO!" (with the exclamation point) on the other hand, simply and straightforwardly asserts the HUMANITY of those who have been subject to oppression and exploitation. This proclaims that they are HUMANS and that they deserve the RESPECT due to them as human beings with rights and a life to uphold.

Taking off from the reality of human rights conditions back in the Philippines, wherein 900+ activists and progressives had been killed and 200+ missing, including children, youth and women, since the de-facto Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo took office in 2001, and at the same time, from the human rights conditions of Filipinos abroad who have been the leading export of the country in form of cheap labor for the past few years/decades, "TAO PO?/!" calls out to all entities of society: "WE'RE NOT ANIMALS! WE ARE HUMANS!"

"Let the Stones Cry Out," a community forum on peace and justice in the Philippines by the NY Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (NYCHRP) will also be held at 7-930pm on the same day and venue.

For more information, please contact Christina Hilo (818-281-3134) or Hanalei Ramos (201-790-0995).

Nov 30 HAPPY ANNIV!

Press Statement
30 November 2007

Reference: Christina Hilo, Anakbayan New York/New Jersey, anakbayan_ny@yahoo.com

FILIPINO-AMERICANS COMMEMORATE BONIFACIO DAY IN VIGILANCE

NEW YORK -- This November 30, Anakbayan New York/New Jersey celebrates its third anniversary, coinciding with the 9th of its mother chapter in the Philippines and with other chapters in the United States.

As migrant and Filipino American youths, we are not separate from the problems that the Filipino youths in the Philippines are experiencing today. Poverty, high cost of education, lack of jobs -- these are only some of the reasons why most of us left. We have been forced to move overseas to seek for a better future. Some of us came with our families and there were also those who had been separated.

While some of our kababayans (fellow Filipinos) might think that we have already found the good life that we sought for, stories of oppression still do not end when one steps on a plane bound for a foreign land. Predicaments on immigration status, racism, cultural identity crisis are only some of those that beleaguer the Filipino youths here abroad.

And while most of us are experiencing these miles away from the mother land, the news of rampant corruption in Philippine government, the extrajudicial killings and abductions of people from the ranks of the youth still reach us and are meant not to be passed up. One only has to look to see that the diaspora of the Filipinos to the US and other countries can be rooted from the government's lack of sincerity in carrying out its duties: That instead of addressing the basic needs and demands of its people, the administration of the de-facto Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has been stealing from the taxes and remittances that we and our families pay; that instead of giving us proper education and jobs right at the homeland, the Arroyo administration itself pushes its people to take up studies abroad and provide cheap labor to the first world countries; and that instead of protecting its people and the youth, the Arroyo administration protects the interests of the US imperialist and plays puppet to the powers that be.

In light of the recent happenings in the Philippines, with the latest mutiny of the military and the national police led by now-Senator Antonio Trillanes from the Opposition ticket and Brigadier General Danilo Lim, coupled with the imposition of the curfew by the Arroyo regime and the arrests of media crew, it is now more visible than ever: Martial Law is once again in full swing and the freedom of the Filipino people is once again at stake in the hands of a dictator.

With all these and with great perspicuity, we call on the youth to be more vigilant than ever. We join all Anakbayan chapters, as we celebrate our anniversary, in denouncing the wrongdoings of the Arroyo administration. ANAKBAYAN New York/New Jersey expresses solidarity in fighting for justice for all victims of oppression, especially for that of the youth of the country.

In the name of Andres Bonifacio's revolutionary spirit, of whose birth we celebrate foremost on this day, we -- the youth of the Filipino nation in New York/New Jersey -- remain firm in our call for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to hear the voice of the people for her to step down.

For freedom and national democracy, Anakbayan New York/New Jersey continues the fight. Right here, in the belly of the beast. No more, no less.

Filipino-American Youth Unwelcome Arroyo in New York

News Release
September 27, 2007

Filipino-American Youth Unwelcome Arroyo in New York
Progressive Filipino Youth exposes GMA’s corrupt and fascist administration.

Reference: Yancy Mark Gandionco, Community organizer –ANAKBAYAN NY/NJ Phone: 646 306 6942 Email: Anakbayan_ny @yahoo.com

Manhattan, New York- “GMA, you can’t hide! We charge you with genocide!” was one of the many chants that resonated in midtown Manhattan on September 26, as Anakbayan New York, a Filipino youth collective, together with other members organizations of BAYAN-USA and other solidarity organizations staged an “unwelcoming” rally outside the Waldorf Astoria Hotel where President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is staying in New York for the 62nd general assembly in the United Nations.

“We are here today to show our de facto president that she is not welcome in New York and wherever else, for her complete disregard for human rights in the Philippines, for corruption and for cheating in the previous presidential elections. She needs to listen to loud cry of the youth and resign now!” Christina Hilo, a youth organizer for Anakbayan NY/NJ said.

Wearing statue of liberty headgears with “NYC says OUST GMA” posted on it and mini torches, protesters marched on Park Avenue between 49th and 50th streets heavily escorted by the New York Police Department. Some members of the group were even threatened with arrest as part of the NYPD’s effort to intimidate and disperse the peaceful protest action.

“The youth has long been fed up with the US- Arroyo administration. She has consistently shown no real concern for the Filipino youth, where we are still plagued with commercialized education, constant tuition fee increases, growing unemployment, and an increase in violation of the human rights wherein youth and student are relentlessly harassed, even killed for exercising such rights.” Hilo added.

Other organizations present were Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment (FIRE), New York Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (NYCHRP), and the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON) joined by representatives from the International Action Center (IAC), Center Against Anti-Asian Violence (CAAAV) and Malcolm X Grassroots Movement all of whom gave statements of solidarity and unity with the struggle of the Filipino people.

Also present were nurses from the Sentosa 27 ++, healthcare professionals from the Philippines trafficked to New York under the collusion of the US and Philippine governments.

With raised fists, the action ended with the heartfelt and agitated singing of “Bayan Ko” (My Country) in front of the Waldorf Astoria and New York Policemen.

Anakbayan is a comprehensive national Filipino youth organization in the Philippines with five chapters in the US. The Youth collective is also a member of BAYAN-USA, an alliance of national democratic organizations in the US.

Filipino Artists Come Together to Fundraise for a Community Organizer

KIWI

BLUE SCHOLARS

Filipino Artists Come Together to Fundraise for a Community Organizer

Jackson Heights, Queens – Filipino hip-hop, punk and spoken word artists converged at Terraza Café last Sunday, August 5, 2007 to fundraise for Berna Ellorin, a community organizer diagnosed with brain cancer, and to support Anakbayan New York-New Jersey and Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment (FiRE), grassroot organizations based in New York and New Jersey.


Manny Palatulan, Koba, Deep Foundation, Kimmie David, Melanie Dulfo, Hanalei Ramos, Romeo Roy, KADENA, Mike Swift, Kiwi formerly from Native Guns and Blue Scholars were the performers for the event.


"Cancer in my head can be compared to cancer in the Philippines because the way cancer works is that bad cancer cells attack and destroy the good cells in the body. The biggest cancer right now in our homeland is the Philippine Government under the Macapagal-Arroyo administration wherein it kills good citizens of the country." Berna Ellorin explained before she thanked everyone for coming.


"She has served as an inspiration to us in the community for her dedication in serving her fellow Filipinos, in uniting and making them aware of the different issues affecting their lives, and for her strength in fighting the cancer, not only the one plaguing her body but also the one that is destroying the Filipino society. This is what the event is about -- unity, dedication and strength." Christina Hilo of Anakbayan NY/NJ stated.

Berna Ellorin is a community organizer of 10 years who works for Filipinos and fights for their issues. She has also been instrumental for the immigration campaign in the New York City. She is currently the secretary general of BAYAN-USA, an alliance of progressive Filipino groups in the U.S. representing organizations of students, scholars, women, workers, and youth. Ms. Ellorin is also an advocate for human rights in the Philippines, wherein as much as 863 extrajudicial killings and 196 disappearances and/or abductions have occurred since President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took office in 2001.


With over a hundred guests, the 3-hour event, which started at around 9 in the evening, raised over 900 dollars in hopes of supporting Berna Ellorin's medical expenses as she undergoes radiation and chemotherapy. She was diagnosed with brain cancer last June 25, 2007. She has undergone a major surgery and is currently being treated through radiation and chemotherapy.


On a lighter note, one interesting thing about the event was the venue itself with the hanging stage. Terraza Café has been infamous for its stage, made of planks of wood joined together and supported by more than two-dozen steel wires, more or less 15 feet from the ground suspended in mid-air.



"It was scary at first, but with the crowd's energy and hearing them cheer for you, you would forget that you were playing on a stage hanging in the air suspended on metal strings. I would actually love to play there again." Alan Alda, of KADENA said.

The event was organized by Anakbayan NY/NJ, a comprehensive Filipino youth organization hailing back from the Philippines aiming to build unity among Filipino youth with its chapter in the New York-New Jersey area, and Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment (FiRE), a mass-based women's organization serving New York City and its surrounding areas dedicated to respond to global and local Filipina and Filipina American issues.

UPDATE ON AUG. 5 EVENT- $5 for event!!!

PLEASE FORWARD TO YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY, COWORKERS!!!!!

UPDATE for PARTY LIKE ARAK STAR!
$5 - $10 sliding scale ALL AGES
AND BLUE SCHOLARS WILL BE PERFORMING

Anak Bayan NY/NJ and FIRE (filipinas for rights and empowerment) Present:

Big Things Poppin'
Party Like ARAK star!
AUGUST 5, 2007 SUNDAY
Terraza Cafe in Jackson Heights
STARTS AT 8PM
$5 - $10 sliding scale ALL AGES

Who's Performing:
Haven't heard of 'em- click and listen or read 'bout 'em...
Blue Scholars (Saba and Geo)
Kiwi from Native Guns
Kadena
Koba
Hanalei Ramos
Deep Foundation
Mike Swift
Manny P.
Romeo
... and many others!

Where:
Terraza Cafe
40-19 Gleane St.
Jackson Heights, NY 11373

Directions: Take the #7 train to 82nd Street and walk towards 83rd St. and Roosevelt Ave.

Funds will be going towards local organizing within the filipino community and the medical bills of one our organizers.

For any questions email cris at cshilo@gmail.com

ANAKBAYAN-NY/NJ---Anakbayan (in english: "youth of the nation") is a comprehensive Filipino youth organization that aims to build unity among all sectors of Filipino youth-- immigrant, US-born/raised, student, working, LGBT, women, artists, etc-- for the promotion of cultural awareness and the advancement of rights, welfare, and social justice.

FILIPINAS FOR RIGHTS AND EMPOWERMENT (FIRE)-- Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment (FiRE) is a mass-based women's organization serving New York City and its surrounding areas. We connect the Filipino diaspora to the women's struggle in the Philippines. By bringing woman-born and woman-identified people together, we challenge pervading stereotypes and create self-defined Filipina identities.

SONA YOUTH SECTOR STATMENT FROM BAYAN USA

Press Statement

22 July 2007

Reference: Melanie Medalle, Anakbayan Honolulu/Bayan-USA

GMA regime threatens quality of education and safety of campus communities, continuing the disenfranchisement of youth and students

Exposurists from New York, Honolulu, and San Francisco have traveled across the Pacific to understand the issues and conditions of the Filipino people. Our sentiments regarding government policies are shared by the entire youth and student sector under our umbrella organization, BAYAN-USA.

As students from various colleges in America, we are appalled that the educational system here is being cut short and left out to dry. Students are forced to carry the burden of tuition increases by over 300% in many campuses, while unnecessary beautification projects are implemented to mask the deterioration of the failing learning systems within. Increasing commercialization of college campuses result in the displacement of small local vendors, mercilessly cleared to make way for corporate business interests. At the same time, students' civil right to voice criticisms against the government is now severely repressed by the implementation of the Human Security Act.

This hysteric legislation will have direct impact on the ability of the youth and all that dare to challenge repressive government policies. Its striking resemblance to the US Patriot Act is far from coincidental and illuminates the political partnership that guides continued US-Philippine relations.

As students in the US, we also face attacks on affordable education in favor of military spending and commercial profit. Filipino students in the U.S. and the Philippines are seeing our tuition skyrocket, while the quality of education deteriorates. The cost of U.S. President George W. Bush's so-called "war on terror" looks to reach $758 billion, not including its military aid to the Philippines which tripled to $30 million. U.S. tax dollars will be funneled into the continued harassment and oppression of the Filipino people.

The real state terrorism here is the sad state of facilities. We're astonished that the state has failed to maintain quality education but has the means to increase military spending.

The struggle we face as students in the Philippines and the U.S. is what unites us. In solidarity with the international delegates, we stand in strong support of the challenges that the youth, students and all communities are making against the oppressive GMA regime.

JUNK the Human Security Act!!!

DEFY State Terrorism!

Long live the youth movement!

Peace and justice to the people now!

Sulyap sa Kalayaan (A Glimpse of Freedom)

A Glimpse of Freedom

An Interactive Forum on Political Repression in the Philippines
with Professor Jose Maria Sison and Invited Speaker Philippine Congressman Crispin "Ka Bel' Beltran
(via skype video-conferencing)

Organized by the US Chapter of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN USA), Anakbayan NY/NJ, the International Action Center, and the International League of People's Struggle (ILPS)

When: July 29th, 2007 (Sunday) 6:30 p.m.
Where: International Action Center's Solidarity Center, 55 West 17th Street, bet. 6th and 7th Aves in Manhattan


With the recent ruling by the European Court de-listing exiled Philippine leader Jose Maria Sison from the EU foreign terrorist list and the Philippine Supreme Court's ruling against the sedition and rebellion charges against Philippine labor leader Ka Bel, the US-Arroyo regime, the number one proponent to the expansion of the US War on Terror to the Asia Pacific region is suffering major blows by way of a massive people's movement for human rights in the Philippines as abroad.

The international front is also striking blows with the recent reports by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the US Senate Hearings, and the verdict by the Permanent People's Tribunal that all indicate the Arroyo military's primary role in perpetuating the national pattern of extra-judicial killings that have now claimed nearly 900 lives of human rights defenders since 2001.

Now with the implementation of the Human Security Act of 2007, the Philippines will become the testing ground for the foreign versions of the US Patriot and Homeland Security Acts, opening the country to the rotten domestic policies of state-sanction terrorism and the arbitrary curtailment of civil liberties.

Join us for a discussion with two of the Philippines most prominent anti-imperialist leaders and recent victors over Arroyo-sanctioned political repression in the Philippines.

PARTY LIKE ARAK STAR

Anak Bayan NY/NJ and FIRE (filipinas for rights and empowerment) Present:

Big Things Poppin'
Party Like ARAK star!
AUGUST 5, 2007 SUNDAY
8PM-1AM
$10 ALL AGES

Who's Performing:
Kiwi from Native Guns
Geo from Blue Scholars
Kadena
Koba
Hanalei Ramos
Deep Foundation
Mike Swift
Manny P.
Romeo
... and many others!

Where:
Terraza Cafe
40-19 Gleane St.
Jackson Heights, NY 11373

Directions: Take the 7 train to 82nd Ave and walk to 83rd and Roosevelt

Funds will be going towards local organizing within the filipino community and the medical bills of one our organizers.

NY Filipinos Protest Arroyo's State of the Nation Address

New York-- Fifth Avenue's Philippine Consulate was the sight of a 50+ strong protest action last Sunday jointly organized by the US Chapter of Bagong Alysang Makabayan (BAYAN USA) and the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON), two nationwide coalitions of cause-oriented Filipino groups and individuals across the United States.

Member organizations from the two coalitions each delivered speeches of concern over the annual State of the Nation Address (or SONA) delivered by Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo this week in the halls of the Philippine Congress.

Both groups feel strongly that Arroyo be disqualified from delivering a reliable report of the state of the nation.

"If she omits the fact that she has commands one of the most deadly and terroristic state forces in the world, she has no clue about the true state of the Philippine nation. State terror is intensifying under the Arroyo rule," states Christina Hilo of the Anakbayan Filipino Youth Collective, and a member organization of BAYAN USA.

"This administration has a primary interest in saving its public image with the international community. But after all the bad press it has gotten this year with its human rights record, we doubt that such a tarnished image is even salvagable," stated Hanalei Ramos of the women's group Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment or FIRE New York.

Protest hightlights include solidarity speeches by representatives of the International Action Center, Pakistan-USA Freedom Forum, and the Free Hawaii Solidarity Committee. Other organizations present include Philippine Forum, NY Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines, Lakas Diwa Filipino Youth Alliance of New Jersey, Kabalikat Domestic Workers Support Network, Movement for a Free Philippines, and even memebers of the Sentosa 27, a group of Filipino nurses trafficked to the US by way of illegal recruitment by the Sentosa Healthcare Agency, a Long Island-based company.

"The plight of overseas Filipino workers, such as the Sentosa 27, is a more reliable gage of the State of the Nation, more so that any fabrication by the Arroyo government," stated Rico Foz of NAFCON.

"Arroyo seems to believe she can transform the Philippines into a first world country, but she is clearly not using her economics degree in this instance. She is using her lack of reason and logic, and puppetry to foreign multi-nationals, to come to this conclusion. As migrant Filipinos, we bear the economic brunt of keeping the Philippine economy afloat with our hard-earned remittances, especially from the US. There is no indication that this trend will ease up anytime soon," Foz added.

Protesters also lambasted the recently enacted Human Security Act of 2007, also known as the Anti-Terror Bill, as a means to open up the Philippines to the domestic policies of the US War on Terror by outlawing peaceful and legitimate dissent in the country.

Protesters presented two petitions to the Philippine Consulate representative, who opened the door to receive the Justice for Sentosa 27 petition, which carried nearly 2000 signatures in support of the trafficked nurses, and for a shutdown of the Sentosa Agency and another petition against the state of extra-judicial killings in the Philippines.

"The government's neglect of overseas Filipino workers is also a human rights violation in itself," Foz ended.

Protesters concluded the action by "spearing" the large effigy of Arroyo depicted as a blood-sucking Aswang, a mythical and demonic creature of Philippine folklore.

In 2001, the Bush administration declared the Philippines the Second Front on the War on Terror, resulting in the massive deployment of US troops to Mindanao and a signifant boost in US military aid to the country. The Philippines has since become the largest recipient of US foreign aid in the Asia-Pacific region.

International watchdogs such as Amnesty Internatational, Human Rights Watch, and even the US Senate hearing have narrowed in the on the claims that this money funds death squads and the Philippine military who have claimed the lives of over 850 BAYAN members and other broad Arroyo opposition forces in the country.

The New York action is also part of a nationally-coordinated day of protest action with other member organization of BAYAN USA in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle. As the only overseas chapter of the Philippine national alliance, the actions were coordinated heavily with BAYAN Philippines.
By BAYAN USA ny@bayanusa.org http://www.bayanusa.org www.bayan.ph

JULY 22 SUNDAY in front of the Philippine Consulate

Dear Friends,

President (?) Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will again deliver her State of the Nation Address (SONA). As usual, we expect nothing but self-directed praises and outright lies; the complete opposite of the sad state of reality where more than 80% live in poverty.

On our part as Filipinos and Filipino-Americans, we will present our basic rights and welfare concerns to the Philippine Consulate office in New York. This will illustrate the true state of our Philippine nation. Sectoral and organizational leaders are expected to deliver their respective concerns.

Participating are: Anakbayan NY & NJ, Philippine Forum, Kabalikat-PF, Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment (FiRE), New York Committee on Human Rights in the Philippines (NYCHRP), Movement for Free Philippines, SENTOSA 27++, BAYAN-USA, Lakas Diwa of New Jersey, Bagong Alyansa ng Kabaklaan at Lesbyana sa Amerika (BAKLA), Sandiwa, Indigenous Peoples of the Philippines, and NAFCON.

Invited friends to deliver their solidarity messages are: New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), International Action Center, May One Coalition, CAAAV, DRUM, DWU, PAKISTAN, NYCLAW, KAWAN, RCP, FREE Hawaii, and Malcolm X Group.

Details of this event are as follows:

WHAT: Genuine State of the Nation (SONA) Mass Action

WHEN: Sunday, July 22 at 2pm

WHERE: Philippine Consulate of New York

556 Fifth Avenue, NYC, NY 10036

WHO: Neglected Overseas Filipino and Filipino-American Workers with Allies and Friends

HOW: Peaceful Demonstration

Come bring your friends and relatives with you as we unite on this historic day of action.

Kindly pass this to at least five (5) of your colleagues.

Mabuhay,

Rico Foz

Executive Vice President

National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON)

8pm*June 8*Film Screening of Mula sa 3rd Ave. Hanggang sa Dulo

Mula sa 3rd Avenue Hanggang sa Dulo (From 3rd Avenue to Eternity)
* [ A short documentary depicting the realities of filipino youth in urban communities ] *

FILM SHOWING: Mula sa 3rd Avenue Hanggang sa Dulo (From 3rd Avenue to Eternity)
Date: Friday, June 8, 2007
Time: 8pm
Place: Philippine Forum - Bonifacio Hall (54-05 Seabury St., Elmhurst, NY11373)

Directions: Take the V, G, R train to Grand Avenue/Newtown station walk towards 54th avenue
and turn left on Seabury St. take the side entrance to First Presbyterian Church of Newtown

This event is sponsored by ANAKBAYAN NY/NJ, Filipino youth organization

Please learn more about us by visiting our
http://anakbayan-ny.blogspot.com/ or http://www.myspace.com/anakbayannynj
Email us: anakbayan_ny@yahoo.com
Or contact Michelle from Anakbayan: 917-213-7720

Fil-Am Youth Denounce Killings, Election Fraud at NYC Independence Day Celebration

News Release

Reference: Yancy Gandionco, Anakbayan NY/NJ, e-mail: anakbayan_ny@yahoo.com

Fil-Am Youth Denounce Killings, Election Fraud at NYC Independence Day Celebration

This past Sunday during the Philippine Independence Day Parade in New York City, Anakbayan New York and New Jersey members went into the streets with placards reading "STOP THE POLITICAL KILLINGS" and "NO TO ELECTION FRAUD AND VIOLENCE". Anakbayan NY/NJ, a Filipino youth collective, marched not to just celebrate Filipino culture and heritage, but to raise awareness of the ongoing atrocities occurring in our motherland.

During this past election period in the Philippines, Anakbayan NY/NJ has been in full support of Kabataan Partylist with the TEXT B.A.C.K. (Text Brigade Against Cheating and Killings) campaign this past May. Kabataan Partylist is the youth partylist that would fully represent the youth sector of the Philippines in Congress and fully raise the issues of the youth especially education. Due to the rampant vote padding and election fraud that occurred this past election, Kabataan party-list may not get a seat in Congress. Instead of representatives who will fully represent the masses of the Philippines, Gloria and her cronies have stolen votes from the people to keep herself in power.

Along with election fraud, Kabataan partylist has been affected by the ongoing political killings in the Philippines. After the election period, the first documented political killings were of two Kabataan poll watchers in Camarines Norte. Ronaldo Brezuela, 16, and Roberto 'Jun-jun' Bagasbas, Jr., 27, were abducted by uniformed men on May 15 and found dead with multiple gunshot wounds the following day. However, the military has dismissed their deaths as 'collateral damage' in an encounter between the NPA and AFP. It is discouraging to know that people as young as 16 who are working to create positive change in this corrupt society are being killed.

"As Filipinos here in the U.S., we need to work for a true democracy in the Philippines." responded Yancy Gandionco, Anakbayan NY/NJ youth organizer. "It's appalling to know that these killings are happening in the Philippines, especially to the youth. But these are desperate times for the U.S.-Arroyo regime to protect themselves and their power. Instead of these political killings, the government should be protecting and serving the people, especially the youth, since they are the hope of the nation." ###

Fil-Am Partylist Supporters Decry Killings of Two Filipino Youth Poll-watchers

News Release
May 18, 2007

Reference: Berna Ellorin, Secretary-General, BAYAN USA, email: secgen@bayanusa.org

Fil-Am Partylist Supporters Decry Killings of Two Filipino Youth Poll-watchers
Fil-Am Alliance Pledges Vigilance Against Election Fraud, Intensified Violence

No later than a few days after progressive partylists Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Gabriela, and Kabataan claim victory in the polls, concerned Fil-Am communities are indignant over news of two Filipino youth poll-watchers abducted and slain.

Two poll watchers of the Kabataan (Youth) party-list group were abducted and murdered in Capalonga, Camarines Norte, the group said Friday.

A Kabataan statement said Jun Bagasbas, 20 years old, and Ronilo Vallevare, both Kabataan organizers and poll watchers, were allegedly seized by soldiers on May 15 and were found dead the next day between Barangay (village) Mataque and Catabaguangan.

"The hard-one victories of the truly progressive partylists we here in the US supported tirelessly all the way should never come at the expense of the lives of our Filipino youth," states BAYAN USA Chair Chito Quijano, also a former national student leader with the League of Filipino Students.

"It is with grave sadness that we ask what kind of administration seeks to kill it own youth to stay in power? We are indignant. This only exposes why we must not only to fight for these parylists to win seats, but fight to protect from election violence, abductions, and killings as well," Quijano added.

The US Chapter of BAYAN (or BAYAN USA) launched and participated in several initiatives to promote the Kabataan Partylist and others, including launching a nationwide text brigade called TEXT BACK (TEXT Brigade Against Cheating and Killings) that eventually picked up in other global regions such as Europe and Australia.

In it's broader awareness campaign against election fraud and violence in the Philippines, the alliance joined the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns or NAFCON in a nationally-coordinated "Pagsambang Bayan" (People's Prayer Service) uniting Filipino immigrants and US-born/raised Filipinos in prayer on Mother's Day in defense of their common motherland. Services were held in New York, San Bernardino, and Chicago.

Qujano added that while the alliance remains happy with the seats won by the progressive partylists, it vows to step up its vigilance against intensified violence and expose the election fraud that was surely committed.

"We want our kababayan (compatriots) to know that although we are outside the country, our concern over the election season and the ramifications of election fraud and violence have not dwindled," Quijano ended. ####

Kabataan poll watchers abducted and slain by military in Camarines Norte

May 18, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Reference:

Sarah Katrina Maramag, Media Officer, 09193486790

Maritess Lopez, Bicol Coordinator, 09103199044

NEWS FLASH!

Kabataan poll watchers abducted and slain by military in Camarines Norte

Kabataan Party-list strongly condemns ­­the abduction and murder of two of its poll watchers in Capalonga, Camarines Norte.

Jun Bagasbas, 20 years old, of Ulipanan Jose Panganiban; and Ronilo Vallevare, 16 years old, of Brgy. Old Camp Capalonga, both Kabataan organizers and poll watchers, were abducted by suspected soldiers on May 15.

The two were on their way home after delivering food to Kabataan Party-list volunteers when they were abducted by uniformed men near the Brgy. Old Camp Capalong polling place.

They next day, May 16, they were found dead along the boundaries of Brgys. Mataqui and Catabaguangan, Capalonga, Camarines Norte.

On the same day, the military issued a statement that Bagasbas and Vallevare were civilian casualties of an encounter between the New People's Army and the AFP on May 15.

"This is a very sad period for all vigilant youth and citizens. First the heroic deaths of two teachers in Batangas and now the senseless killing of two youths who have vowed to protect the votes of the youth and people," said Raymond Palatino, national president and nominee.

"We condemn the brutal murders of Jun and Ronilo. This extra-judicial killing is undoubtedly election and political-related. We hold the government accountable for failing to address the climate of impunity that has permeated this election period at the onset. We will not rest until justice is served."

Kabataan Party-list called on the Comelec to immediately conduct an investigation on the killings.

Kabataan Party-list is set to hold an indignation rally in front of Comelec at 4pm today. ###

6/10 Jose Maria Sison Book Reading in NYC

Join Anakbayan NY/NJ and BAYAN USA as they organize a tribute to a Filipino youth leader and revolutionary Jose Maria Sison.


As the Philippines continues to hit the international radar as the Second Front to the so-called US War on Terror and with numerous international human rights watchdogs denouncing the intensified counter-insurgency tactics and human rights crisis under the US- Arroyo regime, the broadening anti-US interventionist movement in the Asia Pacific region also continues to build.

Philippine Society and Revolution (PSR), penned by a young Jose Maria Sison under the pseudonym Amado Guerrero, was first released in 1970 and received as subversive literature at a time of intense US-initiated conflict in the Asia Pacific region-- particularly the Vietnam War. The US government retained it biggest military stronghold in the Philippines with the largest overseas US bases stationed in the Philippine island of Luzon.

Despite being banned by the US-Marcos dictatorship at the time, PSR immediately earned its place as the premier historical account of the basic problems of the Filipino people at the hands of US imperialism, backward agrarian practices, and government corruption. PSR inspired generations of Filipino youth and students to take on the cause of genuine nationalism and push for an intensified national democratic movement in the Philippines that continues to frustrate US political and economic intervention in Philippine affairs to this day. The re-surged Philippine movement now stands as the longest-running anti-colonial revolution in the Asia-Pacific region.

Jose Maria Sison, founding Chairperson of the Kabataan Makabayan (Nationalist Youth) and one of the longest-held political prisoners under Martial Law, is currently the Chairperson of the International League of Peoples' Struggle (ILPS). . He is a victim of the US War on Terror having been listed as a terrorist by the US State Department shortly after the deployment of US troops to the Philippines after September 11th.

Sison has remained one of the sharpest and most vocal critics of US foreign policy, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. Jose Maria Sison: At Home in the World is a literary endeavor to bring to the world audience the true person being demonized by the US in a futile attempt to isolate one of the world's leading anti-imperialists.

Since 1987, Sison has resided in the Netherlands as a recognized political refugee. A 2004 court ruling by the European Union endangers the residency status of Sison in Europe. An international campaign to defend the rights of Jose Maria Sison is currently being carried around the world.

Fil-Am Youth Support the Sentosa 27 Nurses, Decry Education for Exportation

Anakbayan NY/NJ Statement of Solidarity with the Sentosa 27
No Filipino youth is educated to stay in the Philippines.

After signing their contracts with the Sentosa Recruitment Agency, the Sentosa 27 nurses expected brighter futures in the U.S. However, when they arrived and started working under the abusive and exploitative Sentosa agency, their hopes and dreams were shattered. Upon her arrival, Annabelle Capulong described the living conditions, "The staff house was dilapidated, the furnitures and appliances were garbage, and the living spaces were crowded." In addition to horrid living conditions, Archiel Buagas was subject to frustrating working conditions with almost 30-60 patients per shift and constant multi-tasking, doing the job of two to three people. Currently, the Sentosa 27 nurses are facing strong retaliation by their former recruiting agency, which is backed by US and Philippines political figures, in their efforts to stand up for their rights, in protest of the exploitative working and living conditions created by the Sentosa agency.

The Sentosa 27 nurses are a mere percentage of the thousands of nurses that leave the Philippines each year in search of greener pastures, but they are the strong minority that will stand up for their human rights and fight against the exploitation of themselves and other future nurses. Anakbayan NY/NJ, a Filipino youth organization in New York and New Jersey, stands in full support of the Sentosa 27 nurses. These Filipino women and men are the brave heroes that are challenging the current exploitation/exportation of Filipinos.

According to the World Health Organization, fifteen thousand Filipino nurses leave the Philippines in search of better futures all over the world, especially the United States. Filipino nurses are trained to go abroad. There are over 350 nurses training schools in the Philippines where the primary purpose is to export nurses overseas, under the Labor Export Policy that was created during the Marcos regime. Within their classes, the English language is enforced because if they want to succeed in the global market, they must speak English.

Even prior to nursing training schools, the Philippine educational system is being transformed into a global marketing scheme. Students are encouraged by their teachers to take part in the international competition, therefore no longer studying to help the country on a national level. Even curriculum of school has changed to boost the export of workers for this industrial labor market, where math, science, and english are the only important subjects, and other liberal arts i.e. history and social studies are set aside for only one day per week because they are no longer considered necessary. The World Trade Organization help dictates this educational structure and curriculum of the Philippines producing migrant workers, and universities are designed to export workers to concede to the demands of globalization. No Filipino youth is educated to stay in the Philippines.

In the case of the Sentosa 27, we also see the extremities of the "brain drain" turned into a "brain hemorrhage". Elmer Jacinto, one of the Sentosa 27 nurses, scored the highest on the medical board examinations, who was already a doctor in the Philippines but changed his course to be a nurse in the U.S. because he would get better pay. This is the reality that all overseas Filipino workers face. Archiel Buagas said, "I left for the sake of my family." The reason why Filipinos leave is to help support their family back home. On the wider spectrum, overseas workers make the government happy due to the billions of dollars in remittances that boosts the Philippine economy.

The time is now that there must be change in the education system to foster an education that does not dehumanize us to become commodified exports of the world market. As one of Filipino student says, "Hindi tayo dapat mag-aral para magtrabaho, kundi dapat tayo mag-aral upang maging tao." (We should not study to work, instead we should study so that we understand our own humanity.)

On June 3, the Philippine Independence Day Parade, Anakbayan NY/NJ will be marching with the Sentosa 27. We will be meeting at 10:30am at the steps of 41 St and 5th Ave. We invite all Filipino youth and supporters to come march with us in support of the Sentosa 27 nurses.

For more information, contact Anakbayan at anakbayan_ny@yahoo.com. ###

5/22 6pm@IAC That the Mountains May Chant the Truth

That The Mountains May Chant The Truth

a short documentary film with guest speakers from the Indigenous Peoples of the Cordilleras on the political killings in the Philippines

**********************************

You're invited to come and know more about the struggles of the Cordilleras in the Philippines, the heartland of an Indigenous Peoples fighting for justice and survival. As the volatile political situation in the Philippines have gained more international attention and pressure, the struggles and their stories will further shed light to the worsening conditions of Human Rights in the Philippines and of the oppressed Indigenous Peoples of the Cordilleras continuing struggle for the recognition and respect of their ancestral domain.

Film Showing: That The Mountains May Chant The Truth (31 Minutes)

Guest Speakers: Joan Carling (Chairperson, Cordillera Peoples Alliance)

Jen Awingan (CPA, Anakbayan)

Ronnie Awingan (Anakbayan)

It will be on the May 22, 2007 Tuesday

The event starts at 6:00 PM until10:00 PM

At the International Action Center (http://www.iacenter.org)
55 West 17th Street between 5th and 6th Ave, 5th Floor
Take F to 14th street and 6 avenue or N, Q, R, W to 14th Street/Union Sq.

Kiwi's Kabataan Partylist Video

This is for a more peaceful election in the Philippines!
Iboto Kabataan!

The video is karaoke style, so sing/rap along!



music by kiwi
video by ET (http://www.myspace.com/etmassmovement)

Lyrics:
For the workers
For the students
For the peasants
For the women
For the poor
For the hungry
For the youth
KABATAAN (partylist)

Human rights
Education
For our people
For our nation
For our future
For our life
KABATAAN (partylist)

Kiwi:
This is our mission / this is our struggle
This is history rewritten.... this is for the children
Switchin' up the drama of this system / now listen
The youth are in the building / bringing you a newer vision

It's time to mobilize / take to the streets and organize
Take control of our lives / see the world with open eyes
The youth see through the lies / and we want what is just
They're sayin we're the future, so the future's up to US!

It's our basic right to get a decent education
So we can have the tools to really build a better nation
Para sa ating bayan nyayon ay lumalaban
Isangmahal sa lahat ng mga KABATAAN!!!

Kabataan Partylist is texters, bloggers' choice

http://www.kabataanparty.com/press-releases/2007/kabataan-partylist-is-texters-choice/

Kabataan Partylist is texters, bloggers' choice



Kabataan Partylist has been receiving messages of support and endorsements from different youth personalities and groups in the homestretch of its electoral campaign.

Consumer and mobile rights advocacy group TXTPower officially endorsed Kabataan Partylist as it relaunched its website . Filipino-American youth organizations and cause-oriented groups have started sending messages through text and the internet as part of their TEXT B.A.C.K. Internet Blast in support of Kabataan Partylist.

This morning, Kabataan Partylist President and First Nominee Raymond Palatino met with fellow bloggers to finalize the "Kabataan Cyber-Fever" which aims to link up Filipino bloggers in support of Kabataan Partylist.
Present were Shari Cruz (misteryosa.com), who bagged the Best Personal Blog Award in this year's Philippine Blog Awards; Victor Villanueva ( bikoy.net), who is also a finalist in the same category; Jay Rocas from the De La Salle University in Dasmarinas ( Four-eyed Journal), and; Vencer Crisostomo ( Student Strike) and Sarah Katrina Maramag ( Adarna's Attic) of the Young Radicals blog.

Prominent blogger and analyst Manuel L. Quezon III (MLQ3) earlier endorsed Kabataan Partylist in his blog (www.quezon.ph )

Kabataan's Palatino maintains his own blog (mongser's nest) and is Global Voices Online's Filipino correspondent

Here are some of the support statements for Kabataan:

On Hello Garci 3rd anniv, TXTPower relaunches site,
endorses Kabataan, warns vs fraud

http://www.txtpower.org/news/kabataan-partylist-is-texters-choice

Consumer advocacy and mobile activist organization TXTPower today openly endorsed Kabataan Partylist even as it warned against a repeat of the Hello Garci scandal in Monday's elections.

Today is the third anniversary of the May 10, 2004 elections which were marred by the Hello Garci scandal which exploded following the discovery of an audiotaped cellphone conversation between President Arroyo and Commission on Elections Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano.

To mark the occasion, TXTPower today relaunched its website as a portal and team blog. Reposted on the site were the original Hello Garci ringtone and a YouTube video based on it.

The Hello Garci ringtone became the most popular political ringtone in 2005.

In a statement, the group said that "Kabataan Partylist fully supports TXTPower's advocacy of consumer and political rights. Kabataan Partylist is 100-percent behind TXTPower in batting for lower prices and better services, in battling abusive big companies, in demanding an end to government neglect of consumer welfare. Kabataan Partylist vows to be the champion and voice of Pinoy texters and telecommunication consumers inside Congress."

TXTPower vowed to form text and email brigades in the homestretch of Kabataan Partylist's campaign.

"We hope President Arroyo would no longer call any Comelec official to ensure the victory of her favored candidates. No to a Hello Garci part two," said the group.

The relaunched team blog have the following initial members: physicists Kim Gargar and Dr. Gani Tapang, environmentalist Trixie Concepcion, IT expert Ric Bahague, writer Tonyo Cruz, journalist
Ederic Eder, student leaders Vencer Crisostomo, Jhayvie Dorado and Ana Gabriela Celestial. ###

TEXT B.A.C.K. Internet Blast

PLEASE FORWARD THE FOLLOWING:

Please take a minute to send the following message to your relatives
and friends in the Philippines. Send them via text message, e-mail,
Yahoo messenger, gmail chat or any other form. Post them to various
listserves, websites, discussion groups. Send them as testimonies on
friendster or messages on myspace. Any which way, just spread them as
far and wide as possible:

_______________________________
"KUNG MAHAL MO ANG BAYAN
PANDARAYA LABANAN.
POL KILINGS TUTULAN!
SA TRAPO WAG PALOKO
PROGRESIBO IBOTO.
VOTE KABATAAN PARTY!
FROM TEXT BACK-USA"
______________________________

(Translation: If you love our motherland, fight against cheating.
Oppose political killings!
Don't be fooled by traditional politicians, vote for progressives)

TEXT BACK (Brigade Against Cheating & Killings) - USA

"Our votes may not count, but our voices will be heard:
No to cheating! Stop Political Killings!
Vote for Progressive Party Lists!"
Reference:
Sarah Katrina Maramag, 09193486790

JUSTICE FOR SENTOSA 27

News Release
May 8, 2007

Reference: Archiel Buagas, Justice for Sentosa 27 Campaign, email: justice4sentosanurses @ yahoo.com; Rico Foz, National Alliance for Filipino Concerns, email: nafconusa @ yahoo.com

Fil-Am Groups Laud "Sentosa 27" Healthworkers for Fighting Injustice
International Campaign, Online Petition Launches on National Nurses Week

New York - At the end of an intensely emotional town hall meeting at the Philippine Forum headquarters last Sunday evening, individuals and groups officially kicked off National Nurses week in the United States with vows to clear the 27 former Sentosa-employed health workers, including one of their lawyers, Atty. Felix Vinluan, from all criminal and civil charges filed against them by the former, officially registered as Sentosa Care LLC and its various health care facilities in New York.

The National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON), a national alliance of Filipino organizations in the US with international networks, is spearheading the "Justice for the Sentosa 27" campaign along with said healthworkers that also aims to collect unpaid overtime and back wages due the Sentosa refused to release, have the State of New York investigate the agency's overseas hiring and work operations, and have US Senator Charles Schumer, a Democrat of New York and Philippine senatorial candidate Michael Defensor to explain their roles in the lifting of the suspension of the Sentosa license in Philippines two weeks after it was ordered by the Philippine Overseas and Employment Agency (POEA).

An online petition outlining these demands can be found at www.petitiononline.com/j4s27/.

"We arrived in New York in November, in the cold season. We were brought to the staff house where we were stay for two months for free and save money we need when we move to an apartment. When we got there, Dr. Jacinto (the famous top notcher doctor-turned-top notcher nurse) and I shared the room with other Filipino nurses. We took turns sleeping on the bed and on the floor. It wasn't comfortable, but I didn't complain. I told myself, if Dr. Jacinto who topped the board exams is not complaining, I shouldn't be complaining," said James Millena, also a nurse-turned-doctor who revealed that he was assigned to handle 100 patients by himself throughout his shift.

NAFCON hailed the "Sentosa 27", as the health workers are now called, for "standing up to Goliath" in the defense of their rights as immigrant workers and as Filipinos. Stories of how Filipino workers, particularly health professionals, suffer in the hands of their employers in the United States circulate from time to time.

"For the first time, health professionals bravely came out to fight for what is right. To defend not only their dignity but that of the Filipino people in the US," community lawyer Merit Salud said in his statement of support to the Sentosa 27.

The World Health Organization has cited the Philippines as the "largest source of registered nurses working overseas". They also cite that there are about 15,000 nurses who leave the Philippines annually to be farmed in 30 different countries. The United States remains to top destination for Filipino nurses, who train aggressively under the Philippine government's Labor Export Policy (LEP).

"We are launching this campaign with our international friends to expose failures in the US government's domestic policies on immigration and labor and the Philippine government's domestic policies in outmigration and protecting the basic rights and welfare of overseas Filipino workers," stated Berna Ellorin, Special Commissioner on Philippine Affairs for NAFCON and secretary-general of BAYAN USA.

International carriers of the "Justice for the Sentosa 27" campaign include the Philippine-based Alliance of Health Workers, Migrante International, Health Alliance for Democracy, and BAYAN Philippines. US-based carriers include labor groups as well as Filipino-American groups spanning over 23 cities under NAFCON.

Philippine Forum conferred the "Gawad Bulosan (Bulosan Award)" to the Sentosa 27 "for their bravery and courage" to fight for their rights as immigrant workers. The award is given annually in honor of Filipino immigrant worker Carlos Bulosan who became a celebrated writer/activist in the United States in the 1930s and 40s.

Sen. Schumer wrote the Philippines Government after the Order for Preventive Suspension was given to the Sentosa Recruitment Agency, the Philippine branch of Sentosa Care Group. Acting on the US senator's letter, the aspiring Philippine senator Defensor called POEA administrator Rosalinda Baldoz. The "Sentosa 27" acquired copies/records of said correspondences.

"We came to America, like most Filipinos, in search of the better life," Maricelle Dealo said to stress that what they found out as soon as they arrived in New York to work for the Sentosa facilities was exactly the opposite.

The next public campaign meeting for the Sentosa 27 is this Sunday, May 13th, 5pm at the Philippine Forum office at 54-05 Seabury Street, in Elmhurst. (Take V/G/R to Grand Ave/Newtown).

For more information on the Justice for the Sentosa 27 campaign, email: justice4sentosanurses@yahoo.com or call 718-565-8862. ###

attached document: "Breaking the Silence" by Maritess Ramos of the Sentosa 27, pictures from May 6th Townhall meeting with Sentosa 27

US FILIPINOS PARTICIPATE IN PHILIPPINE ELECTION THROUGH TEXT MESSAGING

"Our votes may not count, but our voices will be heard:
No to cheating! Stop Political Killings!
Vote for Progressive Party Lists!"
-TEXT B.A.C.K. USA

--------------------------
New York, May 7, 2007


US FILIPINOS PARTICIPATE IN PHILIPPINE ELECTION THROUGH TEXT MESSAGING

Hundreds of Filipino-Americans started a massive campaign of sending cell phone text messages containing the message:

"KUNG MAHAL MO ANG BAYAN
PANDARAYA LABANAN.
POL KILINGS TUTULAN!
SA TRAPO WAG PALOKO
PROGRESIBO IBOTO.
VOTE KABATAAN PARTY!
PLS FWD TO 10 PPL.
FROM TEXT BACK-USA"

(If you love our motherland, fight against cheating. Oppose political killings!Don't be fooled by traditional politicians, vote for progressives)

to thousands of Filipinos in the U.S. the Philippines and elsewhere in the world encouraging them to forward the said text message to relatives and friends in the Philippines.

TEXT B.A.C.K. stands for TEXT Brigade Against Cheatings and Killings is an initiative of BAYAN USA member organizations and launched on May 7, 2007. Precisely at 10:30 AM Manila Time, hundreds upon hundreds of text messages was sent from various cities of the U.S. starting in New York City, Jersey City, San Francisco, Los angeles, Seattle and Hawaii to the candidates and members of KABATAAN PARTY LIST headquarters in
Quezon City as well as to various provincial and regional chapters from Ilocos Norte, Baguio City, Central Luzon, Bulacan, the National Capitol Region, Southern tagalog, Central Visayas, Cebu City, Mindanao Region, Davao City and many more. The text message was also sent to various members of the media.

The text message is meant to encourage Filipinos to be vigilant and watchful against cheating and electoral fraud. The message also contain a plea to oppose the rampant political killings.

"A vast number of Filipinos abroad can not vote, but the circumstances should not prevent us from directly participating and making our voices heard in the coming elections. The fact that Filipinos, particularly in the US is responsible for keeping the Philippine economy afloat, we deserve the right to be heard in the elections. Since we cannot vote, we want to encourage our kababayans to vote for whom we believe deserve our votes. We are using the technology of text messaging and the internet to spread our message." a statement by Gary Labao, spokesperson for TEXT B.A.C.K. USA. and a member of BAYAN USA in New York.

"Araw araw pinapangako namin na tuloy tuloy kaming magse-send ng text sa lahat ng mga kamag-anak, kaibigan at kakilala namin sa Pilipinas. Dito sa U.S. lahat ng mga kapit bahay, mga katrabaho at lahat ng iba pang Pilipinong kakilala namin ay ite text namin para makasiguradong umabot sa libu-libo hanggang milyon ang ma-abot ng mensahe namin, pati sa 'Friendster' at 'Myspace' saka sa mga 'blogs' ikakalat namin ito."
(Everyday we promise to keep sending to all our relatives and friends in the Philippines. Here in the US, we will also text our neighbors and co-workers to ensure that thousands up to millions of people reach our message including 'Friendster', 'Myspace' and blogs.) the statement said by Bobz Manuel, a member of Anakbayan in New Jersey, a prticipant for TEXT BACK USA.

"Pati sa kapatid kong nasa US Navy, hihimukin namin sila na mag text din, dahil napakarami ng kabataang Pilipino ang nasa US Navy ngayon nagustuhin man nilang bumoto ay hindi pwede, pero kahit paano, sa text man lang ay makalahok din sila." (Even to my brother who is in the US Navy, we will encourage them to send the texts because there are so many Filipino youths right now enlisted in the US Navy who can't vote
even if they wanted to, at least through texts, they can participate.) Manuel added.

TEXT BACK has also already caught international support with news of other major cities in various countries all over the world taking up the campaign. In Particular, Australia has also launched TEXT BACK Australia sending similar text messages to the Philippines. More countries with large Filipino communities are soon expected to follow.

In the following days until election day, TEXT BACK USA and KABATAAN PARTY vowed to continue sending the text message to reach millions of Filipinos in the Philippines and all over the world. TEXT BACK USA initiators include New York Committee for Human Rights (NYCHRP) in the Philippines, Anakbayan U.S. Chapters, League of Filipino Students (LFS) SFSU & members of BAYAN USA. In the Philippines it is being carried and promoted by KABATAAN PARTY.

For more information about the TEXT BACK campaign contact Gary Labao, BAYAN USA, e-mail NYCHRP @ yahoo.com, tel. 646-479-1595 in the U.S. in the Philippines: Sarah Maramag, KABATAAN PARTY, e-mail: adarna@gmail.com, 0919-348-6790