MARCOS
MANILA-based artists led by Jim Paredes and Noel Cabangon will join local artists on stage at the Plaza Independencia in Cebu City today for the “Cebu Against Marcos – the Concert.”
Noel Tabasa, Anti-Bongbong Marcos Coalition (ABC) spokesman, said in a statement that the concert will be a “gathering of Cebuanos who are continuing Cebu’s legacy as the bastion for democracy even before the Ninoy Aquino assassination.”
Paredes, who is an Apo Hiking Society mainstay, and Cabangon are both EDSA revolution veterans. They will lead five Manila artists including Bayang Barrios, Cookie Chua and Karl Ramirez of Reverb Nation. They will join Cebu-based groups Adres, BandAid, Bisdak Pride, Dance with Me Kris, and Maharlika.
The event is free and open to the public.
Organizers pointed out that all performers will also play “for free” because they support the coalition’s advocacy. A press conference with the artists will be held around lunchtime today at the Golden Cowrie in Lahug, Cebu City.
Tabasa said the concert will start at 4 p.m. and end at around 10 p.m. He said that supporters of presidential bets may wear shirts in their candidate’s colors.
“More than the various groups belonging to the Anti-Bongbong Marcos Coalition, we expect Cebuanos of various political colors and from different walks of life to join us this Sunday,” said Tabasa.
Former political detainee, torture survivor, and Selda leader Og Ding Cong will lead fellow victims of human rights in joining the event.
Tabasa also emphasized that Cebu’s opposition leaders during the martial law years stood out, prompting other anti-Marcos leaders all over the country to join protest actions in the province.
“We had “Talyux” Bacalso and then opposition lawyer Jun Davide of Pusyon Bisaya in 1978. Fr. Rudy Romano got drenched and then arrested at Fuente Osmeña in 1979. We had the series of freedom marches with Inday Nita Cortes-Daluz, Mayor del Rosario, and Dodong Holganza in 1980,” he added.
He said the coalition believes that activities like the concert will “strike a sensitive chord among Cebuanos.”
Last February, the ABC launched its “No to Bongbong” campaign in Cebu City to block Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s aspirations for the country’s second highest office.