Bituin Escalante, Lav Diaz, Agot Isidro, more artists unite to get Filipinos to vote in 2019

Artists and celebrities are joining forces in a movement to get Filipinos to vote in the May 2019 elections.

Through black-and-white videos shared on the Facebook page Art Forces of the Philippines, local personalities are expressing their views on political and social issues.

Bituin Escalante, Agot Isidro and Lav Diaz. Image: Instagram/@bituinea, @agotisidro, Facebook/@sineoliviapilipinas

Those who have contributed videos since its social media launch on Nov. 30 include actress Agot Isidro, “Mano Po” director Joel Lamangan, “Norte” director Lav Diaz, musician Jim Paredes, artist Mich Dulce, actress Bituin Escalante and theater veteran Audie Gemora.

Some did not mince their words in what they thought of the state of the nation while others said they would vote for the opposition in the coming elections.

Isidro spoke up on equal opportunity for all members in society, especially for access to education and healthcare.

Kaya sa Mayo 2019, boboto ako. #ArtForcesPH pic.twitter.com/QnhzcQZ0cn

— Agot Isidro (@agot_isidro) November 30, 2018

Bencab had a simple observation as to why he was going to vote: “We live in a sad republic.”

Lamangan stated that the current administration did not value human life and had no respect for the constitution or for sovereignty.

https://www.facebook.com/ArtForcesPH/videos/2320303771625545/

Diaz told Filipinos that they have a responsibility to fight against the dark circumstances surrounding the country.

https://www.facebook.com/sineoliviapilipinas/videos/794393697564929/

Paredes called out the current administration and China for its actions against the Philippines’ sovereignty.

https://twitter.com/Jimparedes/status/1068345391429500928

Dulce said she was “tired” of misogyny and a lack of respect for human rights in the government.

We can help change the narrative by voting for the right candidates. What are the changes you want in our government and our country? Let’s demand for it. #ArtForcesPH pic.twitter.com/oWjCvoCNL7

— Mich Dulce (@michdulce) November 30, 2018

Bituin Escalante said she joined the movement for her daughters. She said she believes in equal rights for women, the Lumad and the poor.

Previously, Escalante admitted that she voted for President Rodrigo Duterte but appeared to later withdraw her support for him.

https://www.facebook.com/bito.aguilos/videos/10216540778225864/

Gemora packed a punch with his message in less than two minutes: “They have put in power a madman… the police and the military who are supposed to protect the citizens, they have turned into extrajudicial killers… this is all in the name of an anti-drug war. Yet we see that the big-time drug lords, they are all free.”

“They are also destroying the economy. The peso is down and yet they are taxing us to death… They say they are anti-corruption and yet all the big-time plunderers are back in power,” he said. “In fact, there is a dynasty of plunderers waiting in line for the next elections so that they can get back in position and rape this country dry.”

Ang tapang ni Mr. Audie Gemora! 👏💪#ArtForcesPH #BobotoAkoSaMayo2019 pic.twitter.com/Eug3ZWPJ48

— Mammi ni Jann (@spempemm) December 1, 2018

Others who have joined the fray include musician Saab Magalona, spoken word poet and actor Juan Miguel Severo, veteran actor Jaime Fabregas and filmmaker Quark Henares. JB

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