June 12, 2020, Quezon City. In celebration of the 122nd Independence Day of the Philippines, the Association of Major Religious
Superiors of the Philippines (AMRSP) enjoined religious communities to hold
their respective activities to mark the day with the theme “Para sa Paglayang
Minamahal”.
Photo: Statements of solidarity
Civic groups for their part organized
mass actions dubbed as “Grand Mañanita” in reference to the violation of
protocols that happened during a birthday bash for a high ranking police
official. It went unpunished in contrast to the poor jeepney drivers who were
arrested for calling on the government to allow them to work again.
In solidarity, the sisters and partners in mission of
1043 gathered for a prayer service and display of protest at the Good Shepherd
Convent in Quezon City. The celebration
was significant especially at the wake of a recently passed bill on
“Anti-terrorism” amidst the unjust killings that have been happening in the
past years and the clampdown on press freedom in the country, not to mention
the urgent concerns brought by the pandemic.
Photo: At the Good Shepherd Chapel
During the introduction, Sr Clara Loilo, a lawyer by
profession, gave a short talk focusing on the sections of the “Anti-Terror
Bill” that are perceived by human rights advocates as vague and vulnerable to abuse.
The statement of the sisters and mission partners of the Philippine-Japan
Province was read by Sr Diane Cabasagan while Sr Susan Montano shared excerpts
from the Statement of the AMRSP. The prayer service ended with the singing of
“Ang Bayan Ko.” Photo ops with our
home-made and creative protest materials were done after the service. A cute cake baked by Sr Minda Obminaga, with
a mini protest banner completed the “mañanita” experience.
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| Good Shepherd Sisters | "Mañanita" |
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| Sr Lea leads the intercessory prayers. | #JunkTerrorBill |
