Anakbayan Canada launched in Toronto

Anakbayan Canada launched in Toronto

Part of the 150-strong youth delegates from Canada, Philippines, U.S. and Europe. (PHOTOS: HG)

By Pet G. Cleto

The historic launch of the Canada-wide youth organization of Anakbayan took off successfully on the November 18-20 week-end of 2016 in Toronto, Ontario, with some 150 participants in attendance. It is the second overseas country-wide Anakbayan organization, the first being Anakbayan U.S.A.

Youth and their advocates flocked to the University of Toronto’s New College from the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta and the cities of Montreal, Ottawa, Peterborough and Toronto for the conference proper on November 19. There were also international guests from Anakbayan USA, Anakbayan Europe and Anakbayan Philippines.

On November 18, a key conference guest, Anakbayan-Philippines Secretary General Einstein Recedes, made a stirring greeting at the conference’s opening program, while Pinay cultural worker from Europe Marikit Saturay regaled the audience with songs from the Philippine protest movement. Dubbed “Sulong Kabataan!” the confab opened with a well-attended cultural night and art-exhibit at A Space Gallery in Toronto downtown’s 401 Richmond West art centre.

Anakbayan Montreal’s Renzo Grospe, elected Co-chair of AB Canada at the November 20 elections, said of the newly-established organization : “Anakbayan Canada will help a lot in the organizing of Filipino youth in Canada to contribute to the struggle for national democracy in the Philippines. What I have learned from this conference is that the struggles of Filipinos in the Philippines and of Filipinos in Canada are linked. Through Bayan Canada, we can coordinate with other national democratic organizations to fulfill our task of educating, organizing and mobilizing the youth in Canada around the issues of higher tuition fees, of precariousness of work, drop out rates in schools, and systematic discrimination.”

Lyla Luciano from Migrante Youth Alberta commented: “We need to educate, organize and mobilize everyone and know that the struggle is real! Sulong, kabataan!”

Sarah Salise of Anakbayan Toronto and AB Canada Secretary General remarked that “Anakbayan Canada’s founding is very significant because it shows that Filipino youth are ready to serve our communities here in Canada and the Philippines to fight for genuine change and lasting peace for our people.”

Upon being elected Co-Chair, Rhea Gamana said: “Patuloy ang pagsulong ng kabataang Pilipino dito sa Canada upang itaguyod ang Pambansa demokratikong rebolusyon. Mabuhay ang sambayanang lumalaban! Mabuhay ang Anakbayan Canada! (The movement of Filipino youth in Canada continues to advance the national democratic revolution. Long live the nation that dares to fight on! Long live Anakbayan Canada!)

ANAKBAYAN members from all over Canada, plus
participants from U.S., Philippines and Europe.

Special guest Einstein Recedes, Secretary General of Anakbayan Philippines congratulated the officers, saying: “Makasaysayan ang araw na ito, dahil ngayong araw ipinagtibay natin ang pagkakaisa ng kabataan para sa pagsusulong ng interes ng kabataan at kababayan natin sa Canada at ng sambayanang Pilipino. Saan mang sulok ng mundo ay may kabataang makabayan– may Anakbayan –na handang mag-alay ng buhay at talento para sa tunay na kalayaan at demokrasya. Mabuhay ang Anakbayan Canada! Isulong ang Pambansa Demokratikong Rebolusyon! Mabuhay ang sambayanang Pilipino!”(This day is historic, because the youth have affirmed their unity in advancing the interests and welfare of Filipino youth and Filipinos in Canada and of the whole Filipino nation. Everywhere in the world today you may find nationalistic Filipino youth – you may find Anakbayan – willing to offer their lives for freedom and democracy. Long Live Anakbayan-Canada! Advance the national democratic revolution! Long live the Filipino people!)

The youngest activist, Sinag Edades

The officers elected to a term of three years are: Co-Chair: Rhea Gamana;  Co- Chair: Renzo Grospe;

Secretary General : Sarah Salise; Finance Officer:Zharmaine Ante. There will also be a National Council under this Executive Committee , composed of representatives from the five regions of Canada.

Important donors to the event were acknowledged and thanked at the closing ceremonies. Among them are: Prof. Robert Diaz of the Women and Gender Studies Institute, University of Toronto; Prof. Rachel Gorman of Global Health and Critical Disability Studies, School of Health Policy and Management, York University; CASJ (Community Alliance for Social Justice); Centre for Women and Transpeople, University of Toronto; Gabriela Ontario;  KAIROS Toronto;Migrante Ontario; PATAC (Philippine Advancement Through Arts and Culture),  OPIRG Toronto; Toronto Labour Council;UNITE HERE, Local 75; United Food and Commercial Workers; United Steel Workers

Anakbayan 2016 solidarity night

Anakbayan from Europe

A youth sings an Aboriginal song.

Inspired by the success of the youth conference, the seniors from Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Alberta who attended called themselves “Anakbayan of 40 years ago” as they posed for a souvenir.