By Elyse Go, InterAksyon.com ·
Friday, November 16, 2012 · 5:48 pm
“#SARAPMAGINGESTUDYANTE lalo
pag napasa ang STRAW Bill” is probably what these college
students would want to shout out as 1,000 participants are expected to
march along Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City on November 17 (Saturday) in
observance of International Students’ Day.
The parade is inspired
by the annual event commemorated in Europe that began with political origins
but later on evolved with the intention of celebrating the diversity of
cultures thriving in its universities.
Mickey Eva VIII,
president of the Student’s Rights and Welfare group, an alliance of 60
organizations and 40 universities nationwide, said in a media conference that
for the first time, the Philippines will be celebrating International Students
Day with the rest of the world through its lineup of activities.
In the same media
conference, Eva said that the mission of the national commemoration is to show
the important voice of the youth in shaping the country’s future. Thus, the
coalition, she adds, is also pushing for the legislations of the Students’
Rights and Welfare (STRAW) Bill or House Bill No. 2190.
Former Congresswoman
Risa Hontiveros, champion of the Bill, describes the significance of the event:
“It is the worldwide event that honors the push for the rights and capabilities
of the students, as in the Philippines, through the call for passage of the
Students Rights and Welfare (STRAW) Bill.”
The parade starts
outside Ateneo’s Blue Eagle gym at 3 pm and to sent off by Ateneo’s Sanggunian
President Gio Alejo. It will end at the steps of UP Diliman’s Palma Hall at 5
pm, where a concert will take off.
Part of the concert
program are messages by Akbyan Party List Rep. Walden Bello, author of the
Bill; Asec. Gio Tingson, Commissioner at Large of NYC; Hon. Cecilia Quisumbing,
Commission on Human Rights; Mr. Harvey Keh of Kaya Natin; Noel Cabangon, Vice
President of Dakila; and Ms. Christine Violago, World Youth Alliance Regional
Director; and Mr. Lance Katigbak, Executive board member of Philippine Model
Congress.
In partnership with the
STRAW coalition are other organizations: the Student Council Alliance of the
Philippines, National Youth Parliament, Akbayan Youth, Young Progressives
Southeast Asia, and Dakila.
Hontiveros and Eva will
lead a pledge of commitment and signing of manifesto in support of of the Bill,
to be witnessed by other invited political leaders and government officials.
The concert program of
activities shall be hosted by UP Alyansa ng mga Mag-aaral para sa Panlipunang
Katwiran at Kaunalaran.
Click for the original InterAksyon.com article HERE.
