PHILIPPINES

Human Rights Memorialization Takes Center Stage at Project Alaala’s “Anna” Book Launch

On February 21, 2025, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) Philippines, in collaboration with Ms. Joyce Crisanto and St. Bridget School Idinayale, launched the Project Alaala publication titled “Anna” at St. Bridget School in Quezon City.

The event, attended by nearly 200 students, celebrated the release of Anna, a story about a young girl who lived through Martial Law. Ms. Joyce Crisanto, the project's adviser, gave the opening speech. She emphasized the importance of sharing stories and preserving memories to teach future generations the consequences of human rights violations. Anna is part of Ms. Crisanto's master’s studies at the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts and is a collaborative effort to tell the story of the 1972–1986 Martial Law. The book, created by children for children, is based on real-life accounts from the Human Rights Violations Victims Memorial Commission archives.

The contributors, composed of writers and graphic artists, were from St. Bridget School Idinayale, an organization for Humanities and Social Sciences students. After the welcome speech, a live storytelling session was held to help the audience understand the story.

The contributors were then invited to share their experiences while writing and illustrating the book. They spoke about the challenges of addressing such a serious issue for children, while maintaining the essence of the atrocities that occurred during Martial Law. They also discussed the difficulty in choosing which story to write from many different historical moments, as well as challenges in finding the right visual language to tell the story.

Dr. Almut Besold, the country director of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation on her speech, shared her thoughts about the significance of political education in the Philippines and worldwide. She highlighted the need for these discussions to address social issues.

Another speaker, Ms. Ester Bantayog, reminisced her personal experience as a participant in the EDSA People Power Revolution. She recalled witnessing an American helicopter where presumably former President Marcos used to go to Hawaii, fly over Mendiola Bridge while the crowd celebrated.

She also emphasized the importance of including human rights education in the curriculum and continuing to tell stories of bravery and resistance against tyranny. She also dedicated a part of her speech to Ninoy Aquino as a key figure who sparked the revolution.

The event concluded with a freedom forum where audience asked questions to guest speakers and contributors, followed by closing remarks from Ms. Trisha Lazarte, the moderator of St. Bridget School Idinayale, and the announcement of the next Project Alaala book contributors.