The Intersection

𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗗𝗔𝗬
✍️ Yuri Rodriguez

‎On May 1, 1903, more than 100,000 Filipino workers gathered at Malacañang palace—led by Union Obrera Democratica de Filipinas (UODF)—where they chanted slogans against American imperialism and capitalism—to fight and protest for fair wages and dignity in labor. A special day that marked the birth of Labour Day here in the Philippines. Proof that there existed the courage of Filipino workers who retaliated and fought against exploitation.

‎Long before this historical march, Filipino workers struggled yet endured long working hours, meager pay, and unsafe conditions. Under the American imperialist rule, they endured hardships that no Filipino worker should have gone through. But this resulted in a moment of anger, a moment where they no longer wanted to bargain, but to take control.

‎Those same workers decided that they would no longer endure the struggles given to them by foreign people and started to retaliate. The Filipino workers decided that they will be demanding Philippine independence, improved working conditions, and an end to the exploitation of Filipino laborers by American—owned firms. So, a rally, a march, a fight, a confrontation was held and more than 100,000 Filipino workers joined in. Because even though they were struggling, there existed a voice that carved a movement that could no longer be silenced, but heard. Side by side, those workers fought for their rights.

‎Every May 1, there exists a reminder that rallies and protests are the ones who whisper that the fight is not over. Those workers are heroes. Banners are raised for them to honor the efforts and the results of their blood, sweat, and tears. So until today, their chants are still echoing amidst everything.

‎What they held on to resulted into the uplifting of millions until this very day. A moment where future generations continue to experience what they fought for. If more people participate and extend their solidarity, the spirit of Labour Day will continue to shine.

𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤||𝐀 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐣𝐮𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠.

𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐮𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐧-𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥, 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐎𝐈𝐂 𝐌𝐚'𝐚𝐦 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐚 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭!

#𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞

𝗛𝗘 𝗜𝗦 𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗘𝗡
✍️ Yuri Rodriguez
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‎As this day begins, Easter presents the revival of hope, of love, of him. From a silent tomb and from hymns sung, hope emerges. Easter Sunday reminds us that even from the tomb, hope can arise.
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‎The moment the first rays glow across the horizon, it carries more than just warmth or light, but a reminder that he is risen and a promise of renewal and hope. Throughout the country, this moment connects families in prayer, presents activities for children, and the country celebrates an event that connects faith and festivity. Let us remember that Easter Sunday is not only a commemoration of resurrection, but a reminder that hope will never die, that hope can emerge from the darkest nights, beginnings are what's next of an end, and that joy can be found in sorrows.
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‎Happy Easter Sunday