The People Power: CALD Delegates Visit Bantayog ng mga Bayani and Museo ng Pag-asa

“You can choose to see this as an end, or you can see this as a beginning.” 

This stirring invitation from former Vice President Leni Robredo, famously captured in the documentary And So It Begins, served as the guiding philosophy for the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) member parties on the afternoon of 28 March 2026. The film—which chronicles the 2022 grassroots struggle against disinformation and historical revisionism—inspired the delegation as  it headed toward a journey that spanned from the darkest chapters of Philippine history to the vibrant and volunteer-led “Pink” movement of the present.

The half-day tour began at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani (Monument of Heroes) in Quezon City, Philippines, which serves as a sprawling memorial dedicated to those who resisted the Martial Law regime. To ground the delegates in the site’s significance, they were shown introductory videos detailing the martyrs of the Martial Law era—journalists, students, public servants, teachers, and activists who all refused to be silenced by the dictatorship. They were then divided into four smaller groups, each led by a dedicated volunteer tour guide who provided deep context to the names etched in stone. The somber walk through history culminated at the Wall of Remembrance, where the delegation gathered for a question-and-answer session and photo opportunities. In a gesture of gratitude for the guides’ efforts in preserving these vital stories, the delegation handed out tokens of appreciation before travelling to the Museo ng Pag-asa (Museum of Hope), where they were warmly welcomed by Raffy Magno, Executive Director of Angat Buhay, and the Museo’s team.

The visit opened with token giving, featuring gifts from the CALD’s member party, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), which highlighted the regional bond between democratic movements. During the discussion that followed, a delegate asked a question that struck at the heart of the documentary and the museum’s themes: “Why was the color of the campaign pink?” Magno revealed that while the campaign was originally slated to use blue, the color pink emerged organically from the volunteers and the public themselves. The movement took on a life of its own when volunteers began showing up in pink of their own volition. Highlighting the depth of this color, current Naga City mayor Leni Robredo famously asked supporters to live a life that represents pink, stating that “Ipakita na ang pink, hindi lang basta kulay; uri siya ng pamumuhay. Hindi lang siya damit o ribbon; kulay siya ng pagkatao na bukas, nakikinig, nagmamahal. (It’s not just a color; it’s a way of life. It’s not just a piece of clothing or ribbon; it is a color of being open, of listening, of loving.)” After the discussion, the delegates explored the museum’s exhibits, which display tapestries, artworks, and different crafts all gifted by volunteers. They also visited the museum’s souvenir shop, purchasing mementos of the Philippine’s modern democratic spirit.

As the day drew to a close, the delegation gathered for a farewell dinner at Ilustrado Restaurant located within the historic walls of Intramuros. The night turned into a vibrant celebration of regional solidarity where delegates vibed with the live band, taking turns at the microphone to sing heartfelt songs in their own native languages. Over shared meals and music, they reflected on the profound legacy of people power they had witnessed from the blood-stained Bantayog to the volunteer-filled halls of the Museo. The delegates departed Manila reminded that while democracy is often tested by ends, it is the courage to begin again with radical love and tireless creativity that ensures the flame of freedom never truly goes out.

Categorised in: News Article

This post was written by CALD