Artists Encourage Filipinos to Register to Vote and Combat Disinformation

Media icons, musical artists, and literary artists gathered to call for democracy and encourage Filipinos to register to vote during A Notes for Votes Online Concert: Call for Democracy live streamed on Facebook last September 17.

The event was opened by a spoken word performance from Ralph Fonte, a doctor and poet in Palawan. His performance “Protokol sa Tyraniya” (Protocol for Tyranny) was a moving call to address disinformation.

“Paano pa makapagpapangap na bingi pagkatapos managhoy sa gabi?” (How can we act deaf after we hear the laments at night), asked Fonte – emphasizing the need for action against the so-called “fake news.”

Main performer Johnoy Danao dedicated songs to the nation to echo the call for democracy, even at the time of a global pandemic. Danao reminded the youth to register to vote before the deadline, September 30, 2021. He also said that the youth can be the guardians of our nation. “Pwede tayong maging bantay ng bayan laban sa fake news. Sa atin nakasalalay ang kinabukasan ng bayan. And our future begins now, kaya simulan na natin itong buuin.”  (We can be the guardians of our country to combat fake news. The hope of the country rests on our shoulders. Our future begins now, so let’s start building it together.)

After his performance, hosts DJ Rammy and DJ Shai Tisay had a quick dialogue with Danao about the importance of youth vote, as well as their life during the pandemic.

Danao said he wished the pandemic was over because he missed performing live. Sometimes he would realize in the middle of his online performances that he was home alone – and that this was difficult.

DJ Rammy then shared that the pandemic was an eye opener to really elect the right leaders, “Voting would make a difference because it would give the right leaders a platform to lead.”

DJ Shai also shared that she registered to vote because she believed it was her civic duty. “I registered before I turned eighteen because I wanted to make sure I get to vote when I am already allowed to,” said DJ Shai.

The concert ended with a solidarity message from the organizers urging the youth to take a stand  and answer the call of democracy by signing the Support the Responsible Voters Pledge campaign through this link : change.org/p/filipino-voters-responsible-voters-pledge

A Notes for Votes Online Concert: Call for Democracy was organized by the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats, the Center for Liberalism & Democracy, and Mamayang Liberal and was partnered by thirteen youth and socio-civic organizations namely, iMPACT Leadership, Tatsulok – Alyansa ng mga Mag-aaral sa Sikolohiyang Pilipino, Phoenix: LPU – Batangas Student Publication, DLSL CSO, Association of College of Arts and Sciences Students – ACASS, LPU Batangas, LAVOXA Group of Publications, BSU Main CAS SC, Rev UP, Political Science Society – PUP, UP Halcyon, CMLI Junior Council – Alumni Association, and Kilos Ko Youth.