writers' manifesto of unity on freedom of expression

(Prepared by the Amado V. Hernandez Resource Center, March 2006)

Kapag malubha na ang init, sumasabog din ang bulkanPag labis ang pagkadustay naninigid din ang langgam;At ang bayan, kahit munti, kung inip na sa karimlanSa talim ng isang tabak hinahanap ang liwayway!

-“Bonifacio” by Amado Hernandez

We are writers belonging to various organizations, publications, academic institutions, and artist formations, or simply individuals, who manifest our commitment to the full realization of the freedom of expression.

The practice of writing in our country is a witness of history. Since literacy has only been enjoyed by the majority of the people in less than a hundred years, much of writing has focused on dealing with immediate demands. We often write when we fill out record forms, we write when we study, we study in school for a better future; we struggle for a better future in our daily living.

But the significance of writing is communicating with the widest audience possible concerning the most important issues of the day. There are many examples in our history: the 19th century ilustrado propaganda movement in Spain, the activists' second propaganda movement in the 60s and 70s detailing society's ills and offering concrete solutions, the mosquito press during the Marcos dictatorship, and the many exposes on graft, corruption, and conspiracy of the present.

Writing is inscribing reality. Writing is speaking truth to action.

Writers now are troubled by the suppression of the freedom of the press along with the freedom of assembly and speech. We maintain that our commitment to writing is our right as an individual that must never be violated by any entity. We believe that our right to write corresponds with the people's right to know. With the people, we fight all forms of harassment, surveillance, confiscation of materials, arrests, detention, and killings done in the name of protecting whatever interests that run opposed to the writer's freedom to express.

As writers, we strongly manifest the struggle for the people's hard-earned freedom of expression.

Individuals

Abigail Taguba Bengwayan, Cordillera Peoples Alliance
Aida Santos, Akdang Bayan
Ainne Francisco Dela Cruz
Alexander Martin Remollino, Bulatlat Online Magazine
Alice G. Guillermo
Allan Lopez
Amabelle Plaza-Laminero, Davao City, Women Feature's Service
Amante del Mundo, UP Manila
Angelo B. Ancheta

Anna Unson Price, Manila Bulletin
Aquiles Z. Zonio, PDI/Sunstar-Gensan
Arah Jell Badayos, ABS CBN
Ariel Borlongan
Armando Malay Jr., UP Diliman
Arnold Padilla, IBON Foundation
Arvin T. Ello, DLSU-Manila/ Art Association of the Philippines
Aubrey Aspi, Southern Tagalog Exposure
Aubrey Makilan, Bulatlat
Audrey Beltran
Aurora Veronika, LAMIKMIK KOLUM Abante-Tonite
Aurora Yumul
Ave Perez Jacob, PUP
Aya Jallorina
Ayn Frances dela Cruz
Babes Alejo
Benrey Densing
Bernard Gutierrez, BURN! Express, Indiemagazine/Vinyard
Bernice Roldan
Bernie Ramos, Buhay Manggagawa Radio Program
Beverly W. Siy
Bienvenido Lumbera, CAP
Bishop Bert Calang Iglesia Filipina Independiente
Bonifacio Ilagan, CAP
Boom Enriquez
Bor Ocampo
Carl Parungo
Carla M. Pacis
Carlos Manansala
Carolina S. Malay
Chari Lucero
Charlie S. Veric
Charlson Ong
Clarissa V. Militante
Corazon Amaya-Canete, Kisapmata Multi-Media Productions
D. L. Mondelo, Bulatlat Online Magazine, Pinoy Abrod Ngayon (Amsterdam)
Danilo A. Arao, Bulatlat Online Magazine
David Dizon, www.abs-cbnNEWS.com
Delia D. Aguilar
Dennis Espada
Dennis Marasigan
Dennis S. Aguinaldo
Desiree Caluza, Philippine Daily Inquirer/NUJP
Dino Manrique, Publisher, Filipino Writer.com
Edberto Villegas, UP Manila Department of Arts and Communication
Ederic Eder, Tinig.com
Ellen Tordesillas
Eloise Lee, Filipino Community Center, San Francisco, CA. U.S.A.
Emong de Borja
Epifano San Juan, Jr., Philippine Cultural Studies Center, USA
Ernanie Rafael, LIRA, Pinoy Poets
Ernesto S. Yee, Dumaguete Literary Arts
Fe P. Koons, Diaryo Pilipino, Carson, CA, U.SA.
Frank Cimatu
Gari Lazaro
Gelacio Guillermo
Gemino H. Abad, Phillippine Literary Arts Council
Genaro R. Gojo Cruz
Gerry Albert Corpuz, Bulatlat Online Magazine
Gerry Baldo, The Daily Tribune
Gerry S. Rubio, Virac, Catanduanes
Glenis Teresa C. Balangue
Greg T. Fabros, Titser ng Bayan Column
Harthwell C. Capistrano, The News Express
Henri Rose Cimatu
Herminio Beltran,CCP, Literature Department
Hilda Rosca Nartea, Silangan Shimbun
Ilang-Ilang Quijano, Pinoy Weekly
Imelda Aznar
Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Hong Kong News
Inday Espina-Varona, NUJP; Phil. Graphic
Inshallah P. Montero, PHSA
Iskho F. Lopez
Jaime Manuel Flores, UP Manila Dept of Arts & Communication
James Gabrillo
Jan Philippe V. Carpio, Linao Films
Jaydee Revolta
Jeffrey Arellano Cabusao
Jennifer del Rosario-Malonzo, IBON Foundation
Jimmy Doming
Jimuel C. Naval
Joan Dairo, GMANews.TV
Joaquin T. Taduran. JR
Joe Galvez
Joe Torres, NUJP
Joel M. Toledo
Joel Saracho, Tbak
Joey Salanio (KAPITBISIG GERMANY)
John Francis C. Losaria, UP CINEMA / UP Sining at Lipunan
John Marasigan
Joi Barrios, BAYAN Women's Desk
Jonar Sabilano, Matanglawin (AdMU)
Jonna Baldres
Jorly B. Belisario PUP Journalism Circle
Jose Cosido, CEGP
Jose Dalisay Jr.
Jose Dennis C. Teodosio
Jose F. Lacaba
Jose Jaime Espina , Article 3 Alliance, Negros Occidental
Jose Maria Sison, International Network for Philippine Studies, Utrecht, TheNetherlands
Jose Ogatis, UP Manila Dept of Arts & Communication
Jose Valencia , BALITA (Greece and Cyprus)
Jose Wendell Capili
JPaul Manzanilla, UP Manila Dept of Arts & Communication
Julie L. Po
Jun Cruz Reyes, Institute of Creative Writing - UP Diliman
Juniel Tumampos, CEGP BUKIDNON
Kapi Capistrano
Karl Fredrick M. Castro, UP Sining at Lipunan, Tinig ng Plaridel UP
Karl G.Ombion, PanayNews; Bulatlat News online
Kenneth Roland A. Guda, Pinoy Weekly
Laarni Ilagan
Lei Garcia, CONTAK Philippines
Lilia Quindoza Santiago
Lisa C. Ito, Anakpawis Party List
Liza Magtoto
Lolito R. Go Jr.
Lorina M. Javier
Lourd de Veyra
Lucy Mae San Pablo Burns, Critical Filipino/Studies Collective, LA
Mac Ramirez - MIGRANTE Youth
Mae Ann Yazon, Buhay Manggagawa Radio Program
Malaya V. Verdan, PUP Journalism Circle
Manuel C. Zacarias, NCR Secondary School Paper Advisers' Assn.
Manuel L. Quezon III, Philippine Daily Inquirer
Mao Hermitanio, KMU Public Info Dept.
Marby Villaceran
Maricel P. Montero
Maricristh Magaling, KMU Public Information Office
Mario Bautista
Mario Miclat
Marjorie Evasco, Creative Writing Foundation
Mark A.V. Funcion
Mark Angeles
Marlene C. Francia, MiaManila
Marrz Saludez Balaoro
Mary Joanne Bustinera
MC Gonzales
Mela Castillo - Antonio Zumel Center for Press Freedom
Melvin C. Gascon, Philippine Daily Inquirer
Melvin Mapa, Art Dir., ACE SAATCHI & SAATCHI
Merce Planta
Merpu P. Roa, Filipino Express, New York, USA
Michael Ian LomongoMichaelangelo Sotero
Migs Villanueva
Mila D. Aguilar
Minnie F. Lopez, SENTRA, KATHA
Mykel Andrada, Departmant of Filipino, UP Diliman
Ninotchka Rosca, GABRIELA International Network
Noel Sales Barcelona, Pinoy Weekly
Ofelia A. Cantor
Paolo Manalo
Patrocinio V. Villafuerte, PNU
Paul M. Gutierrez, Journal Group
Presto Suyat, KMU Public Info Dept.
Ramon Guillermo, CONTEND
Ramon Nepomuceno Orbeta, TINTADOS/ Z publishing
Randy P. Valiente
Raul Funilas, LIRA
Raymund Villanueva
Recah Trinidad, Philippine Daily Inquirer
Reginald Jamir Brotonel, Hong Kong News
Renato Mabilin, Southern Tagalog Exposure
Rene Villanueva
Rep. Satur Ocampo, Bayan Muna Partylist
Resty Odon
Rev. Fr. Francisco R. Albano, Ilagan, Isabela
Rhea Claire Madarang, Pinoypoets
Rica Palis ARTIST, Inc.
Richard B. Ernacio PUP Journalism Circle
Richard R. Gappi
Robert De Castro, Bayan Muna Partylist
Rodelen C.Paccial, dagyangpulong writers group, Iloilo City
Rodne R. Galicha, Romblon
Rody Vera, The Writers Bloc-- Philippines
Roel Hoang Manipon,The Daily Tribune
Rolando Tolentino, UP Diliman
Romeo Ayson Zetazate
Romulo Baquiran
Ronald A. Atilano
Ronalyn Olea, BAYAN
Ronnie M. Halos, Pilipino Star NGAYON
Rorie R. Fajardo
Rowena Paraan, NUJP/Philippine Graphic magazine
Roy Vives Anunciacion, INQUIRER LIBRE
Ruth Cervantes, Karapatan
Santiago Villafania, Ulupan-Pangasinan
Sig Barros-Sanchez
Soc Jose, CAP
Soliman Agulto Santos, Pinoy Weekly,
Sonny E. Fernandez, Exec. Prod., Sentro, ABC 5
Susan S. Lara, Creative Writing Foundation, Inc.
Tess Galapon, Sining Lila Gabriela
Tyrone Velez, Bulatlat Online Magazine, davaotoday.com
Vic Billones III
Villamor Visaya Jr., PDI,The Valley Times, Isabela
Vim Nadera
Vincent Jan Cruz Rubio
Vincent Michael Borneo, Bayan Muna
Virgilio Rivas
Virginia M. Villanueva
Vlad Gonzales
Wilma Abad
Zosimo Quibilan

Organizations

Amado V. Hernandez Resource Center, Inc. (AVHRC)
Aniban ng mga Manunulat at Artista para sa Demokrasya (AMADO)
Antonio Zumel Center for Press Freedom, Committee DEFEND
Buhay Manggagawa Radio Program
Bulatlat Online Magazine
Campus Press Photographers of the Philippines (CPPP), INC.
College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP)
Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP)
Cultural Studies Center
Kapisanan ng mga Mandudula sa Marikina
Kilometer 64
Musikang Bayan
National Union Of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP)
Ngayon na Bayan!
Peoples Chorale
Pinoy Weekly
Sining Bugkos
Sining na Naglilingkod sa Bayan (Sinagbayan)
Southern Tagalog Exposure (STEx)
Tan-aw Multimedia Collective, Northern Media and Information Network, Inc.