Art as protest

An art collective based in Naga City called Artists Against Fascism (Artifa) had set up a three-

day booth on Thursday to Saturday, May 19 to 22, at Paseo del Rio Pub where buyers can

browse and purchase artworks.

Artifa was launched on May 12 by local artists after one of the Bicol youth leaders, Sasah Sta.

Rosa, was arrested by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in a series of raids in the region on

May 2, a day after various progressive organizations protested for Labor Day.

The collective partnered with over 15 volunteer artists to feature and sell their artworks, digital

portraits, printed photographs, stickers, tote bags, T-shirts, zines, blank journals, sculptures, and

other decorative items. All proceeds from the art fair were forwarded to Free Sasah Sta. Rosa

Network to help fund her legal assistance, bail, and other financial needs.

Gene Jaucian, one of the volunteer artists, said, “For me, hindi kasi pwedeng hindi makialam

[sa political situation] kaya hindi pwedeng hindi kumilos. So, sa least na pwede naming gawin,

nag-collaborate kami ngayon kasi hindi namin kayang gawin ito na solo-solo lang (For me, not

meddling [in the political situation] is not acceptable, that is why not mobilizing is not right. So, in

the least that we can do, we collaborated because we cannot have done this by ourselves

individually).”