Filipino-Canadian Youth Alliance Press Release

Filipino - Canadian youth group salute student who heckled Arroyo in Cavite graduation, call youth in Canada to join critical movement to oust Arroyo

April 26, 2006

Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada / the Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance (UKPC / FCYA), a progressive Filipino youth group in Canada, salute the student who heckled Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in a graduation ceremony in Indang, Cavite on April 21,
2006.

Maria Theresa Pangilinan, a graduate Mass Communication student of the Cavite State University, shouted "Patalsikin si Gloria (Oust Gloria)" while holding up a red banner with the words "No to Cha-cha (No to Charter Change)” during the afternoon commencement exercise. Afterwards, a member of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) and two security guards of the university immediately went to where Pangilinan was sitting and confiscated the banner.

A few minutes later, a group of protesters from the left-leaning Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) and the Solidarity of Cavite Workers (SCW) also raised red streamers calling on Arroyo to step down but were escorted out of the school grounds by policemen and PSG members. However, they continued chanting "Pahirap sa masa, patalsikin si Gloria (A burden to the masses, oust Gloria)” and more chants criticizing the Arroyo regime.

“We are inspired by this daring protest action of the progressive students in the Cavite State University against the Arroyo regime. Arroyo proclaims that the youth is the future of the nation, but her government ignores their needs as she continues to suppress the Filipino people’s call for genuine change in the Philippines,” Albert Lopez of UKPC/FCYA stated.

UKPC / FCYA also fight for better quality of education and student rights here in Canada, and fearlesslessly voice out the many issues affecting the Filipino youth locally and abroad. For more than 10 years, UKPC / FCYA still continue to educate, organize, and mobilize the Filipino youth towards the empowerment of the Filipino community here in Canada and the Philippines.

As part of UKPC / FCYA’s campaign to raise awareness of the current situation of Filipino youth in the Philippines and Canada, UKPC / FCYA will have an event called Pinoy Poetiks on Friday, April 28, 2006 at 7pm at Soma Café (2528 Main Street, Vancouver, BC) bringing not only a night of music and talents, but also education regarding the issues Filipino
youth are facing.

For more information, please contact:
Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada / the Filipino Canadian Youth
Alliance
c/oKalayaan Centre
451 Powell Street
Vancouver, BC V6A 1G7
Telephone: 604.215.1103
Email: ukpc_fcya@kalayaancentre.net
Website: www.kalayaancentre.net, www.ugnayan.net