PLEASE READ: Hello, I know it’s been a while, and I had promised long ago to upload a new chapter of WOF. Unfortunately, I apologize in advance, as I do not have the heart to write at the moment due to what transpired in my country on September 21. But rest assured I will not abandon it or be on hiatus.
I had been busy juggling uni stuff, org work, and now the trauma from last Sunday’s rally in Mendiola. As someone who has been heavily vocal about politics, I am once again calling for everyone’s attention in desperation to stand in solidarity with my fellow Filipinos right now.
WHAT HAPPENED IN MENDIOLA?
Last September 21, the Philippines' biggest mass rally in recent years happened in three locations to mark the 53rd anniversary of Martial Law, and to fight the ongoing battle against corruption --- Luneta, EDSA, and Mendiola.
And in all those three locations, I WAS THERE.
It was a peaceful rally at first, until it wasn't.
Men and young boys wearing black masks started throwing rocks, plastic bottles, and etc. towards the police stationed in the Mendiola Peace Arch.
I was in front, near the barricade of the police, trying to capture the moment as that was my job as a campus photojournalist. Everyone was shouting, and when I thought the chaos would die down, something exploded.
I was frozen on the spot, still shaken from what transpired.
THE COPS USED WATER CANNONS AT US, RELEASED TEAR GAS, HARASSED PROTESTERS, LOCALS, JOURNALISTS, AND BYSTANDERS. TO THE POINT THEY INJURED PEOPLE AND KILLED ONE.
There was blood everywhere.
This experience truly shook me to the core.
JOURNALISM IS NOT A CRIME.
If anyone wants to read a detailed version of my experience and see my photographs from the Mendiola rally, you can access it on my Tumblr page: @museofreverie
Here is the link: https://www.tumblr.com/museofreverie/795837457553833984/journalism-is-not-a-crime-we-say-no?source=share
Thank you, and rest assured that I will be back soon.