鈥淒uterTrain,鈥� a train-inspired effigy depicting the controversial tax reform law is the centerpiece of this year鈥檚 Sona protest. Photo from Jhoanna Ballaran
For most people, protests mean angry activists marching down the streets; but for protesters in this year鈥檚 State of the Nation Address (Sona), it means art, color, and creative expression.
Colorful effigies, large placards, witty slogans and protest music filled Commonwealth Avenue on Monday to denounce the many socio-economic issues the country faces as President Rodrigo Duterte hold his third Sona.
Dubbed as 鈥淒uterTrain,鈥� a train-inspired effigy depicting the controversial tax reform law is the centerpiece of this year鈥檚 Sona protest.
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) and Ugat-Lahi Artist Collective created 鈥淒uterteTrain: Sagasa sa Mamamayan鈥� which represents the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Train) Law with a pile of bodies in the background, depicting how killings 鈥渉ave become a daily fixture鈥� under the Duterte administration.
The facade of the train was inspired by Thomas the Tank Engine cartoon character while the wheels were written with the Nazi鈥檚 swastika symbol and the peso sign.
The second coach of the effigy illustrates different socio-economic issues such as contractualization, Charter change, landlessness, and the so-called intervention of United States and China.
Weeping mother
听
Haunting performance about the thousands of people killed in Duterte鈥檚 anti-illegal drug campaign gripped protesters in Commonwealth Avenue.
Called as 鈥淚nang Bayan,鈥� the installation art of artist group Resbak featured a statue of a weeping mother covered in black veil while performers pull its carriage.
The act became haunting as performers read one by one the names of the victims of the anti-illegal drug campaign.
Photo from Jhoanna Ballaran
United
For the first time in recent memory, activists held this year鈥檚 Sona protest together despite political and ideological differences.
Bayan Secretary General Renato Reyes Jr. said that it was not true that Duterte had no achievement, noting that his greatest accomplishment was to unite the people against him.
Rally organizers said about 40,000 people joined this year鈥檚 rally, five times more than the police鈥檚 8,000 estimate. /je