Artists and advocates call for colleagues' release in mural painting and concert

Artists, advocates hold painting and concert to call for colleagues’ release

MANILA – There’s be a different Valentine’s Day at the UP Diliman Katipunan Wall from 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. as artists, cultural workers and musicians from the Sama-samang Artista para sa Kilusang Agraryo hold a live mural painting with a concert calling for the release of Amanda Echanis, Alvin Fortaliza, Cheryl Catalogo and other artist-activists under detention on what they described as “fabricated and trumped-up charges.”

Amanda, according to the statement, is a playwright and daughter of slain peasant leader and peace advocate Randall Echanis, and was captured in Cagayan where she worked as peasant organizer. Alvin, is a created director of the Bohol-based theater troupe Bansiwag and was arrested in the midst of campaigning for Anakpawis Partylist while Cheryl is a member of Teatro Obrero in Negros and was arrested in Bacolod in the middle of rehearsals for a play.

Artist collectives Alay Sining, Concerned Artists of the Philippines, Kamandag, Panday Sining, SIKAD, SINAGBAYAN, Tambisan sa Sining and UGATlahi, the mural painting will begin at 9:00 A.M..

Expected to perform are members of the Barangay Pesante Combo, Lambanog, F.A.W., Siklaban San Roque, SINAGBAYAN, Sinaphunk, Tao Aves and General Strike.

The events form part of the National Arms Month which is celebrated every February. (Melo M. Acuña)