Think4YourSelf

A freelance writer, associated with the authoritarian communists has initiated a project with support and funding from the US.

Anarkismo: Is There a Truly Filipino Anarchist Theory and Movement?
Noel Barcelona - $500

This essay will explore the evolution of anarchist theory and practice in the Philippines, examining its past and with a view toward its future. It will critically study questions such as: When did anarchist theory in the Filipino context emerge? Is there a truly Filipino anarchist theory? How concrete is the practice of anarchist theory here in the Philippines, and how does anarchism shape Filipino mass and revolutionary movements? What are the contradictions between anarchism and other current “leftist” theories in the Philippines?

Noel is a journalist living in Quezon City, the Philippines.

Read More:
http://www.anarchist-studies.org/grantrecipients
http://www.tinig.com/sinulid/
http://nowell1980.multiply.com/photos/album/2/Just_a_few_photos_I_want_to_share
http://www.tinig.com/author/noelbarcelona/
http://www.justmyplainstupidthoughts.tk/

There was a similar statement posted on this blog:

http://irregularrhythmasylum.blogspot.com/2007/07/festa_11.html 

See the words:

"General Command of the Anarchist Festival Event" and "be it arson"

Who could this person be? 

Early this month, MIP was taking the task to facilitate and network with collectives all over the Philippines for the AFEST. Many groups was interested to organize and bring the festival into their own barangays. A microsupport in a form of expropriated funds from our contact abroad was offered to 3 participating collectives in Manila but we backed out in offering this resource since we detected some underlying leftist interest in our own grounds.. The money was not used- or claimed. The main principle of Afest was decentralization, one collective attempted to takeover another one’s venue and set the program for themselves. This posed as problematic situation to deal with- so we called off the AFEST celebration this 2007. Now a report has resurfaced as AFEST 2007- this is one, is the hijacked activity of those people seeking to utilize the movement for their own political ends.

From last years Afest, there is a re-emergence of leftist (professional revolutionaries) in the Philippines autonomous movement. It is no surprise that the political opportunist would jump on the anarchist bandwagon-which have internal dynamics on its own as decentralized, self sustaining and explicitly militant. For example us in Manila who have been active since the ACC, support those who are truly doing revolutionary work- we oppose those people who plan to organize those who are already active in thier own communities. We do not acknowledge the Sagada 11 as anarchist- but have our solidarity still, because they are involved in FoodNotBombs. We support local issues close to the community, rather than pre-packaged ones adapted from cd covers and slogans.

There are many players of this vicious circle- there is a collective consisted of former volunteers of Dirty Shoes Collective based in Cubao, there’s also the Anarchist Initiative in Direct Democracy which plans to tap in into our resource- one member of this group even provoked one member of our group and try to discredit us by spreading rumors to appeal to the scenesters. Where can you find a zinefair which have a political discussion for mobilizing in Arroyos State of the Nation- anarchist should know better than to participate on this spectacle. Last SONA one member of AID wanted to push the anarchist bloc to the Laban ng Masa (an opposition party)- not to mention that anti election gig caravan which seeks to use Food Not Bombs as catering for the bands!

This group is working on a publication that seeks contribution from every collective in the country- and package this tabloid with thier Direct Democracy, and will be asking for 50 dollars donations to further this cause. Originally there’s a book project on Philippines anarchism, it seems that one person managed to hijacked the idea into an 8 page tabloid for Manila imperialistic interest. Last i checked, they wanted to participate in the electoral process by proposing one member of an anarchist crew to be a candidate! If that’s anarchy-then it is the complete opposite of empowerment- since it is concentrated on agenda based assholes who want to see their name carved in stone. They are actively seeking to isolate us from the small clichés and circles which we have no plan on dwelling. We are part of a movement & not a scene. They want us to shut up and stop questioning their tactics- as anarchist we are very critical and that is embedded in our (counter) culture+ identity. We know who we are and where stand, we are transcendental and equally diverse. Leftism is a danger because it is imposing values from ideology.

2008 AFEST is truly a weeklong festival and the support, feedback coming from those we recognize as our affinity and allies in the struggle has been overwhelming. The proposal was orginally from the South and we are honored to facilitate in such gatherings in tradition to the GreenCon- the venue next year will be on a neutral ground- on an island away from the city and all kinds of pollution (both political & industrial)- and close to nature as possible. We in MIP are proud of our heritage and inspired by those who have come before us.. And those who sow the sees of dissent, social war and rebellion.

Fuck those people in the business of revolution, too many revolutionaries- without one, so we say once again- we want revolution without revolutionaries! Shove those existential poverty to the gutters of normalcy, the Revolution will not be Bolshevised!

-Communiqué from the Official Clandestine A-Festa Coordinate Unit # 3 | July 2007

Email: afaktion@yahoo.com

written by Jose Pidal 

BOOK YOUR OWN INITIATIVES / RECLAIM AFEST- BRING THE REVOLUTION TO YOUR DOORSTEPS! Note: date’s subject to change or be readjusted, keep tuned to get updates. Post your updates here!

WHAT is SONA or State of the Nation Address? It is an annual spectacle of the Philippine Government, representating the head of the State on her best fashionable attire infront the television screen while blabbering about her reports of "Progress". Her blabs also includes a new set of promises for the miserably battered Filipino people.

As the head of the State spits a mouthful of saliva on a seemingly Pulpit platform inside the House of Congress, her cohorts clap their hands in unison as if they were cheering to a great Dictator. Meanwhile, as the head of the State (President) is enjoying herself with those complementary bullshits, hundreds of thousands of Police and Military was stationed outside the House of Congress to control the People from expressing dissent and for showing the real State of the Nation.

Among those who went out to the Streets and Protested against the State and its Authoritarian abuses were the various autonomous collectives in Metro Manila who recently participated with the AfestA event. Together they slammed the State for continously tolerating Human Rights abuses and Political Killings, Environmental Destruction and for selling-out all the local Resources through WTO, GATT and World Bank.

The following photographs were taken during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) this July 24, 2006.

Meanwhile, down south the Philippine archipelago, autonomous collectives from Davao and their close neighborhood provinces converged together and took part with the Nationwide action against the State of the Nation Address (SONA). You can view all the pictures by clicking here.

GROUPS: (Manila) Cainta Collective, Local Anarchist Network, Anarchist Initiative for Direct Democracy, Autonomous Manila, Project Aperture, Food Not Bombs Manila, Anarchist Study Circle, EarthFirst! Manila, DieMedia

(Davao) As Awhole Collective, Kinaiyahan, Davao Anarchist Resistance Movement, Kauban Movement, Food Not Bombs Davao, Kontaminado 

Note: If you joined the protest and have a picture to contribute, please inform us by leaving an info in our comment page. Thank You. 

Pictures says a thousand words, says a popular song. The following photos below attempts to tell you a story of love and resistance that may simply pass as a lucid dream amidst our raging thoughts. But this is no ordinary story nor a passive dream, rather it’s a dream that struggles for its realisation- a desire to liberate. In other words, the story doesn’t end right infront the frozen images of the following photographs. Not your typical history.

Note: The following photos were taken during the second part of the three day series of AfestA (July 21, 2006). This includes an image documentation of Lively discussion of various topics such as Radical Ecology, Anarchism 101 and Political Situationer, etc. The discussion was held at SOLAIR in U.P. Diliman.

HIS/HER STORY:

Creating an anarchist moment. University of the Philippines Diliman, July 21, 2006

Dear Insurgents,

The AfestA Working Team would like to inform again the latest update of our event (afesta). TO THE FRONT: Please be informed that we are moving the venue of our DISCUSSION portion to SOLAIR instead of using the Claro M. Recto Hall. This will be now on July 21, 2006 (Friday) 1-6 p.m.     

SOLAIR is the labor institute of University of the Philippines Diliman. Below is a link that will enable you to view the University MAP (para hindi maligaw, paki-tingnan na lang ang mapa at ipa-print. salamat!)

CLICK THIS: University of the Philippines MAP

—

U.P. VILLAGE (July 11)- It was a rainy evening outside the University, Collectives from different autonomous communities in Manila and AfestA Working Team held an offline pre-meeting/gathering; they discussed details regarding the upcoming autonomous event to be held at University of the Philippines in Diliman. As the details were discussed there has also been an informal talk comprising the general ideas for Direct Actions against G8 Summit and State of the Nation Address. 

Amidst the rather humid yet stormy night, a Wine from Confederacion Nacional del Trabajo (CNT) was served during the pre-meeting, it was given as a message of solidarity by Tokyo Anarchists for the emerging Filipino anarchist movement. 

Young people everywhere have been allowed to choose between love and a garbage disposal unit. Everywhere they have chosen the garbage disposal unit. — Guy Debord

Dear Insurgents,

The AfestA Venue Working Team would like to inform the FRONT that we have a few important UPDATES regarding our venue for the upcoming festival. The following updates are:

1. The venue for our filmscreening is now at the Audio Visual Room (AVR) of FACULTY CENTER (College of Arts and Letters) This will be on July 14, 2006 1:00pm till 4:00pm

2. The venue for our discussion will be held at Claro M. Recto Hall FACULTY CENTER (College of Arts and Letters) This will be on July 22, 2006 1:00pm till 4:00pm

PLEASE UPDATE YOUR INFOS! THANK YOU!