Taking the struggle of Filipinos overseas to a new and higher level

Filipino activists form BAYAN chapter in Hong Kong and Macau

“Ang tao, ang bayan, ngayon ay lumalaban! The people united, will never be defeated!”

With militance and commitment to advance further the national democratic struggle of the Filipino people, Filipinos in Hong Kong and Macau established the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan

(BAYAN or the New Patriotic Alliance) – Hong Kong and Macau chapter on June 15 at the Duke of Windsor Auditorium with the theme “Itayo ang BAYAN HK at Macau! Palahukin ang pinakamalawak na hanay ng mga Pilipino sa Hong Kong at Macau at tumipon ng malawak na suporta para sa pambansa demokratikong pakikibaka ng sambayanan!” (Establish BAYAN HK and Macau! Enjoin the broadest rank of Filipinos in Hong Kong and Macau and garner the widest support for the national dmeocratic struggle of the people).

More than 400 migrants joined the founding assembly of BAYAN-HK and Macau that included members of the founding organizations – GABRIELA-HK, Likha Filipino Migrants Cultural Organization, MIGRANTE-Macau, Pinatud a Saleng ti Umili (PSU, an organization of migrants from the Cordillera region), Promotion of Church People’s Response – HK, and the United Filipinos in Hong Kong (UNIFIL-MIGRANTE-HK) – and partner organizations, federations, alliances and unions.

The assembly opened with a stirring video prepared by the organizers. Said video depicted the historical and present-day bases for upholding the national and democratic aspirations of the Filipino people. It also showed why Filipinos overseas should actively take part in the struggle and build the movement and support for the movement overseas.

Norman Uy Carnay, former BAYAN Country Information Officer in Hong Kong, further elaborated on these bases including the victories that the progressive movement of Filipinos in Hong Kong and Macau has achieved in the struggle for the rights and wellbeing of overseas Filipinos. Additionally, he remarked that the establishment of BAYAN – Hong Kong and Macau chapter was especially significant as it happened just a few days after the Philippine government commemorated the Philippine Independence Day. In the context of the continuing imperialist control in the country, Carnay said, any celebration of independence shall be hollow and incomplete.

Afterwards, leaders of the founding member organizations of BAYAN – HK and Macau chapter presented the eight-point program of BAYAN through short speeches, visual presentations and cultural numbers. The BAYAN program addresses the economic, political, social and cultural problems of the semi-colonial and semi-feudal society. It is inspired by the historical development of the Philippine society and the demands of the Filipino people especially the basic masses of workers and peasants and the democratic classes and sectors.

(Left) Norman Uy Carnay formally opened the founding assembly; (Right) BAYAN Sec-Gen Renato Reyes, Jr. gave an informative and rousing keynote address

BAYAN’s 8-Point

Program

As the Filipino people face the worsening crisis of the semi-colonial and semi-feudal society, the need for an alternative social order that the BAYAN program seeks to create, becomes even more imperative.

Progressive songs from the past four decades of the national democratic struggle were rendered by the BAYAN-HK and Macau choir including classics such as Martsa ng Bayan (People’s March), Awit ng Tagumpay (Song of Victory) and Papuri sa Sosyalismo (Praise to Socialism). Contemporary dances were also presented by LIKHA and the member organizations of GABRIELA-HK. Meanwhile, a song about corruption created by GABRIELA Philippines to the tune of Price Tag, was also met with much appreciation by the participants. The rendition of Base Militar (Military Bases) by Liza Caisip of PCPR-HK and Dong Herrera of LIKHA was also met with applause as it tackled the very relevant issue of foreign military powers in the Philippines.

Renato Reyes, Jr., secretary general of BAYAN, gave the keynote speech for the event. In his presentation, he discussed major issues confronting the Filipino people currently such as the erosion of the economy and livelihood including unemployment, high-prices of commodities, and the illusion of growth; the surrender of Philippine sovereignty to US’ interest through the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement or EDCA; the pork barrel issue and how Aquino himself is complicit to this, and; the continuing human rights violations and their impacts to the peace process.

Reyes said that in the context of the developing issues in the Philippines that impact the lives of the majority of the people, the only meaningful response is to fight, and that the establishment of the BAYAN – HK and Macau chapter was a significant move in the work to arouse, organize and mobilize Filipino compatriots overseas for the national democratic aspirations of the people.

In conclusion, he urged the BAYAN-HK and Macau members to intensify the struggle to expose and isolate the fascist, subservient to

Cultural presentations of BAYAN-HKM member organizations. (From Top) LIKHA’s contemporary dance with the song “Manggagawa Pangkultura” (Cultural Workers); member organizations of GABRIELA-HK danced the Babaylan; Liza of PCPR-HK and Dong of LIKHA sang the song “Base Militar” (Military Bases); members of GABRIELA-HK and PCPR-HK performed the song about corruption to the tune of Price Tag, and; migrants from the Cordillera region who are members of the PSU performed a traditional war dance that depicted the struggles of national minorities in the Philippines.

Members of the BAYAN-HK and Macau Choir rendered progressive songs that highlighted the Filipino people’s struggle for national democracy.

foreign interests and anti-people US-Aquino regime; intensify and further broaden the campaign and the mass actions against the EDCA, the pork barrel system and the repressive and exploitative neoliberal policies in the economy including the move to change the Constitution, and; further expand BAYAN-HKM through strengthening and expanding the member organizations that could only be achieved, as proven by history, through people’s struggles.

Solidarity messages were sent by BAYAN USA, BAYAN Canada, and the information desks in Japan, Europe and Australia.

Founding members of BAYAN - Hong Kong and Macau then approved the Constitution and By-Laws and the General Program of Action (GPOA) for the next three years. These documents were initially discussed and refined in the pre-general assembly held in June 1 and attended by official delegates of all founding organizations.

The GPOA contained plans of BAYAN – Hong Kong and Macau to advance campaigns on the rights and wellbeing of Filipinos in Hong Kong and of the Filipino people, education on national democracy especially its programs for a more progressive and just society, and anti-imperialist solidarity that will also serve the advancement of the national democratic struggle of the Filipino people.

The assembly ended with the election of the BAYAN-HKM executive committee. Elected officers were Eman Villanueva, chairperson; Norman Uy Carnay, vice chairperson; Rowena dela Cruz, secretary general; Josie Pingkihan, deputy secretary general, and; Betty Maguinsay, finance and logistics officer.

Indeed, the activism of Filipinos in Hong Kong has reached new heights with the formation of BAYAN – Hong Kong and Macau chapter. With this, the education, campaign and organizing for the national democratic aspirations shall further advance to establish a truly free, democratic, just, progressive and peaceful Philippine society.

Ang tao, ang bayan, tuloy-tuloy ang laban!

BAYAN Sec-Gen Renato Reyes, Jr. swore in the newly-elected Executive Committee of BAYAN-HKM who will serve the alliance for the next three years.