Crispin Beltran Memorial Lectures: Filipino youth pay tribute to their heroes

Crispin Beltran Memorial Lectures: Filipino youth pay tribute to their heroes

Migrante Ontario Youth and the Filipino Students’ Association of Toronto (FSAT) are proud to present “The Birth of the Philippine Working Class and the Katipunan,” a lecture on Philippine history to be held on Saturday, July 5, 2008, 1-4pm at the Charbonnel Lounge, St. Michael’s College at the University of Toronto, 81 St. Mary Street (south of Charles St. West, west of Bay St.).

July 7 marks the founding anniversary of the Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (Highest and Most Revered Association of the Children of the People). Founded in 1892, the Katipunan quickly became a nation-wide organization which would lead the Philippine Revolution of 1896 to end almost 400 years of Spanish colonial rule.

The lecture, “The Birth of the Philippine Working Class and the Katipunan,” will focus on the period of Spanish colonialism and how economic policies at the time resulted in the emergence of the Philippine working class. The lecture will also look at the Katipunan as an organization initiated by workers and its role in the struggle for national liberation.

The featured resource person at the lecture, Ricky Esguerra, is former instructor of Political Science a the University of the Philippines.

He is currently on the executive committee of the Community Alliance for Social Justice, and member of the Philippine Solidarity Network.

This lecture is the first of the Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran Memorial Lectures prepared by Migrante Ontario Youth in commemoration of the long-time labour leader turned congress representative, who passed away in May 2008 shortly after a visit to Canada.

The lecture is free and open to the public. For more information, contact: Migrante Ontario Youth. Mithi Esguerra, E-mail: migranteON.youth@gmail.com, 647-239-6553; The Filipino Students’ Association of Toronto (FSAT), Lei-Ley Hull, Education & Community Affairs Executive, E-mail: fsat.educational@gmail.com, 416-801-4869.

(PRESS RELEASE)