In the Philippine context, the Filipinos of this generation today, especially the youth, are recognized for their capacity for independent thinking, wherein it entails them being informed of issues and using their knowledge to fight for their rights. Having said that, there are several problems which are yet to be addressed and have gone worse within our community. It includes poverty, lack of education, unemployment, environmental degradation, corrupt politicians, and drug abuse, to name a few. This is evident in how a lot of people’s lives have been affected in both the individual and societal levels, thus why they’re being called to attention by these young people. As such, this relays the social realism that’s apparent in the country today as well as in the art: the power and movement of the youth to make the change in the modern world. With the Philippine elections drawing near, as it’s set to take place on May 9, 2022, the primary matter of concern has been which candidates are fit to run for the high positions in the government. The political matter drew even more attention when the son of the late dictator, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., announced his candidacy for president. This looming danger that indicates the possibility of him becoming president will lead to history repeating itself, has aggravated the Filipino people, particularly the young generation and, the victims who survived and remembered the time of martial law. Amidst the feeling of helplessness, frustration, and desperation of these people, came forth a spark of hope in the form of Vice President Leni Robredo, who also expressed her intent in running for presidency. This news awakened the spirit of volunteerism among her supporters, as many of them actively worked together on the ground by forming organic groups (e.g., Artists for Leni, Doctors for Leni), organizing campaigns in their places (e.g., Iloilo, Pasig), participating in the rallies themselves, and even going to the point of doing house-to-house campaigns. Their passionate engagement and voluntary service to the Pink campaign served as an inspiration to others, for eventually, endorsements also came from well-known celebrities, respected intellectuals, and established companies around the nation. As shown in the video compilation of some of the Leni-Kiko campaigns I’ve been able to attend in Iloilo, art can be witnessed in the large crowds of different groups of people (e.g., LGBTQIA+ community) that have gathered for these various events, all of which share the same support and are fueled by the same cause: pink represents the hope for the betterment of the country. Furthermore, art is also seen in their freedom of expression and creativity to create the witty placards and popular taglines we’ve encountered. It shows a social realism art of the young generation valuing democracy and harmony amidst diversity. The news about these initiatives spread quickly for the advent of technology in this age and amongst the youth was also contributory to extending their reach and making their numbers grow online through social media. These avid users of the internet would use their digital platforms to spread word and make trends about Leni Robredo, as well as her running mate for vice president, Kiko Pangilinan, and the Tropang Angat for her senatorial slate. It shows that the digital media age in itself is also a social reality very much alive in this time, especially among the young people who’ve grown accustomed to its usage. It can be observed in art in the form of the video compilation I made, where a number of people were holding their phones out to document and record in the moment; even the orientation and dimension of this medium being 9:16, one that’s usually used for stories in Instagram. In spite of this being set amidst modernity, the raw footage has been filtered with a film-like effect, so as to indicate these are events that occurred in the past; it’ll be remembered in history as a strong depiction of kabayanihan and kapatiran of the youth. Overall, art represents the whole occurrence of the Pink campaign, which is divulging the social realities of the youth’s integration of a progressive mindset and the use of digital media in the contemporary world, to influencing huge masses of people, where together, volunteerism showed their courage to fight for their rights, compassion to be of service to others, and yearning for a better tomorrow.
