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MANILA, Philippines鈥擨n an era when disinformation poses a serious threat to democracy, conversations about truth, freedom, and creative expression are more crucial than ever to highlight the role of storytelling in shaping society.
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This was the focus of MAKI+Fiesta 2024, which aims to be a platform for diverse voices鈥攕tudents, professionals, journalists, and creatives鈥攖o come together to fight for truth in a world flooded with misinformation.
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MAKI+Fiesta 2024 is a two-day media festival for 鈥渇ree expression, democracy, and the creative economy鈥� organized by the Quezon City local government led by Mayor Joy Belmonte, UP President Angelo Jimenez, and several media organizations.
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The event features various discussions and workshops on truth-based storytelling, reliable journalism, and compelling and effective content creation, spearheaded by journalists, media personalities, and policymakers, both local and international.
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Among them are fact-checking methods by Probe and Vera Files, climate disinformation by Quezon City Public Information Office (PIO), and a workshop on how to be storytellers and content creators for good by drag queens Mathilda Airlines and Your Tita Baby.
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Technology experts also tackled issues and trends related to artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, data, and emerging technologies in the creative industries during the two-day event.
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In the event鈥檚 opening plenary, Jimenez stressed the role of arts, culture, and free expression in strengthening democracy and shaping national identity, highlighting the university鈥檚 support for creative collaboration and excellence.
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鈥淔reedom of expression, a vital ingredient to a thriving democracy, is the lifeblood of a free society. It allows us to speak our well-considered, well-studied truths, challenge the status quo, and imagine new possibilities as a nation, vibrant and diverse. These are rights that empower each of us to contribute to the ongoing dialogue of nation-building,鈥� Jimenez said.
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UP Executive Vice President Jose Fernando Alcantara supported 闯颈尘别苍别锄鈥� statement by challenging fellows to be 鈥渃hampions of freedom, democracy, and creative expression in our own communities.鈥�
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鈥淐ollaborations that have begun must continue and grow, and the dreams we鈥檝e shared must be realized,鈥� the UP official said in a statement.
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Around 800 students, journalists, artists, and other 鈥榮torytellers of the nation鈥� joined Quezon City鈥檚 first media festival held at Ignacio B. Gimenez CAL Theatre in the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman on August 23 to 24, 2024.
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鈥淭his city has always been known to be the city of freedom, of democracy, and of truth. Hindi kami papayag na hindi [nila] pahihintulutan ang mga kabataan at ang mga may gustong ipahayag sa pamahalaan na magsalita. This is a value I really cherish because I believe Quezon City is the bastion of freedom and democracy,鈥� Belmonte said.