Courage Rises: Webinar Recap | by Sam David and Jairus Sarmiento
As we delve into the last few days of 2020, each of us recognizes that this year has encompassed unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances, yet significantly paved the way for times of growth, development and fulfillment. Nearing the end of our journey, we hope that every single one of us has thoroughly prepared for a safe landing to officially conclude these past 365 days of struggles, challenges and achievements. Despite bidding goodbye, Talang Dalisay really looks forward to a tomorrow of fresh beginnings and new opportunities of strengthening our own passions and advocacies as a community.
With this, the organization has been revisiting numerous changes and milestones led by various proponents around the globe, vastly including members of the youth. “Courage Rises: Webinar” primarily highlights these aforementioned aspects, specifically revolving around the environment’s wide-scale impact on our society today. Additionally, it sheds light on embracing our vital roles of active participation and involvement to fight for one’s causes. This webinar was successfully accomplished as part of Talang Dalisay’s year-end project, in collaboration with My State of Mind, and was held during December 22, 2020. During this event, we have welcomed different perspectives from local and internationally based advocates, who aspire to amplify voices and empower communities. These Filipino changemakers include Gabby Agustin, Wayne Jopanda, Mitzi Tan and Jon Bonifacio.
Talang Dalisay initially welcomed Gabby Agustin, who is a 20-year old storyteller and creative residing in Southern California. Apart from her, she is followed by Wayne Jopanda, one of the sole founders and directors of the Bulosan Center for Filipino studies in UC Davis. On the other hand, Mitzi Tan is a convenor and international spokesperson of Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines (YACAP), ardently fighting for climate justice and system change. Correspondingly, this also introduces one of YACAP’s education coordinators, namely Jon Bonifacio, a full-time climate and environmental activist. Given the appearances of such adept participants in society, the project resulted to a productive discourse concerning relevant socio-political issues that have arisen throughout the year as well.
1. Youth’s involvement in humanitarian aid
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, various necessary protocols have been implemented, which requires individuals to shift to this current lifestyle of the so-called ‘new normal’. Given such unfamiliar transitions and difficulties, Filipinos have also been facing ordeals brought about by natural calamities. The Philippines is viewed as highly prone to these disasters, although, no matter how often the aforesaid events have occurred, we can never become accustomed to their respective aftermaths. In spite of limitations caused by the ongoing crisis, this has unexpectedly triggered various members of the youth to actively participate and contribute in providing humanitarian relief to affected individuals. According to the advocates, involvement is acknowledged as crucially important in times like this, as we help the oppressed and the afflicted overcome obstacles as a united society.
In relation to this, Jon Bonifacio acknowledges the youth’s efforts in offering assistance to victims of these uncontrollable circumstances. Objectively stating, he initially perceived the administration’s incompetence in these urgent situations that need to be immediately addressed. Due to the lack of coordination within the local government, a number of concerned communities were not able to receive equal beneficial aid. Jon believes that the said lack of action has sparked young individuals to execute and operate in their stead. Alongside, despite viewing quarantine restrictions as a barrier, this has motivated these volunteers to proceed taking action. However, this was never our responsibility and burden to carry on. In turn, we must recognize the need to demand accountability and transparency from political leaders as well. Moreover, he hopes that society will sustain the continuity of service to one another in the following years to come.
Significantly, the aspect of state responsiveness plays a vital role in hopefully achieving adequate support in the midst of a crisis. Gabby Agustin notably identifies the lack of the indicated component or insufficient governmental assistance In line with Jon’s stance, the contribution of young volunteers greatly compensates for the evident incompetence portrayed by the administration. Regardless of the current situation, Gabby states that different platforms and mediums bridge gaps across communities, which maintains the essence of unity. Taking that into account, the youth has become more active in lending a hand to victims through the frequent use of social media. Furthermore, she highlights the importance of grasping that the mass cannot fully rely and depend on the system. Nevertheless, we must willingly take the first step and act on our own accord, in order to console as many oppressed individuals as possible. Bearing this, diverse communities should constantly work hand in hand together, to successfully make ends meet. Hence, we slowly realize the relevance and value of solidarity and unity within society. In her perspective, it is quite heartening knowing that every one of us has strengthened our connections and relationships in the process.
2. Revealing perspectives on ‘Filipino Resiliency’
Presently, the idea of 'Filipino Resiliency' as a strength has surfaced all throughout most forms of media in the Philippines. With 2020 being such a taxing and devastating year, talk about the Filipinos' capability of staying strong and pushing through is getting common, and though it is a trait that helps us rise, as a country, against the struggles we face, it leaves those heavily affected invalidated as they are expected to be 'strong' instead of helped and aided by those who are able to.
According to Mitzi, the proliferation of this kind of ideology and perspective is caused by the push of mainstream media as it glorifies the capability of the vulnerable to continue standing instead of the fact that they are, in fact, vulnerable. She says that, in order to counter this, we must demand accountability from the national government which is considered to be one of the most capable forces in helping out the affected Filipino communities. This accountability, of course, should be very relevant for the people, meaning that the actions that the government must take in order to fulfill their job of guiding and protecting the country should help attack the issues being experienced today. Finally, she stated that if accountability is not present, it should be demanded as the prime responsibility of our government is towards the people and the nation. Demanding accountability, however, is not only restricted to the homes. Despite the current safety precautions, we must find a way to have the courage to amplify our voices both online and offline so as to demand the change we so need.
Wayne, on the other hand, talked about how the various narratives of resilience come from those people of power who praise the people for their strength and endurance without aiding them using the power that they have. The situation with the Overseas Filipino Workers is a prime example as they are continuously being praised as amazing representatives of the Philippines despite their lack of protection of rights that they need in international countries. These narratives presented to us disregard the struggles of our 'resilient Filipino people', causing no action to be made on the part of those who are able. To address this, we must learn to call out and perceive the pain as well. Resiliency is not a bad characteristic, however, it is imperative for us to identify when the community needs help and care as well. Jon also agrees with this, saying that during the height of the pandemic, the frontliners were subject to this resiliency narrative. Despite their various sacrifices and efforts for the healing of our countrymen, they end up not receiving the compensations they deserve, with some hazard pay even being delayed and disregarded. This injustice towards frontliners continues to manifest, and Jon highlights that the people in power are able to get away from this through the resiliency narrative, leaving those affected helpless and suffering.
Finally, Gabby reports that Filipino workers seem so oppressed, with Filipino nurses comprising most of the healthcare-related deaths in the United States. Their rapid deaths have been easily overlooked and barely talked about, again, due to the lack of help provided as caused by the ideologies of resiliency and endurance during trying times. Resiliency narratives erase the pain and the trouble we Filipinos face as it puts up a mask that makes us think we are doing fine when in reality, we are struggling and suffering, continuously not receiving the aid we deserve from those in power. According to her, we must be more prepared and aware as many Filipinos are unprotected, especially during these devastating times.
3. Mental health’s impact on volunteerism
Volunteerism during the emergence of contemporary issues has become quite common in these recent years. During times like these where change is much needed and where rightful action is due, it is inspiring, and sometimes even heroic, to see the youth and the citizens of our world volunteering their time and efforts into making solutions to the current pressing problems of today. However, as demonstrated by the devastation brought about by the recent COVID-19 outbreak and other stresses that put a damper on the people's spirits, it becomes quite hard to fight and to act when one's mental health is undergoing problems as well. It is, in fact, difficult to stand up for change when it takes all of our strength to simply stand up. This is the reason why dedicating time and effort for your mental health is an incredibly important and essential part when partaking in activism and volunteer work for the greater good.
In order to take care of one's mental health, it is undoubtedly important to first identify where these stresses come from so that one can address these issues accordingly. For Jon, he realized that some mental health problems came from the act of hiding his activism from his parents and family, especially since activism in the Philippines isn't always positively viewed. Since many have close-minded and negative views regarding the act of fighting for change, many individuals become discouraged and even conflicted as to whether or not they should continue their volunteerism, causing complications with their general disposition. For Mitzi, she acknowledged that the constant strive for work and productivity has become quite a downfall as most now base their worth on how much work they've done, leading to blows on their self esteem when the dire circumstances of today affect their work ethics and productivities, something that is supposedly completely valid. The pandemic has made the home a place of work, and when we are in these homes, it feels like a mistake to not be working even when we are at a low point in our days. Related to this are the views of both Wayne and Gabby who emphasize that rest is important and that it is the foundation of our actions coming to life and that the lack of it is an obstacle to our goals. They say that rest is something that is necessary; that it is a revolutionary healing that, despite the notion that rest is a sin and that it hinders us from our goals, will help us become stronger in this fight that we choose to partake in.
In order to uplift others to continue this volunteerism while at the same time maintaining a stable and healthy mental state and wellbeing, the panel stated that we must maintain our spirit for activism alive despite the stresses we continuously undergo, while at the same time, we must also not forget that we are human. Our love for our advocacies and our strive for good change should be kept strong simply by having faith in it despite what others say, but our love for our advocacies shouldn't interfere with our love for ourselves. After all, without the fully functioning self, there will be no one left to fight for our people.
Take a rest from time to time, but afterward, we must continue on fighting. We can acknowledge our weaknesses and indulge in metal getaways and breaks without sacrificing our ideals and what we are truly fighting for. Rest, for the battle continues again tomorrow.