With the quarantine restrictions, protesters will veer away from the traditional burning of effigy as the centerpiece of this year’s State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) protests on Monday.
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) Secretary General Renato Reyes Jr. said they will use a effigy that will be burned on video instead during their rally for President Duterte’s fifth SONA.
“The e-ffigy will be shown during the UP Diliman program as part of the different performances,” Reyes said.
The militant group will be sharing the video online for other protest actions here and abroad.
Bayan partnered with Sama-samang Artista para sa Kilusang Agraryo (SAKA) which unveiled the design of the protest art on the eve of Duterte’s SONA.
The groups constructed a diorama of SONA rally, complete with mini placards and streamers.
In the video, Duterte will appear as the "Veerus of Malacanang.” Using stop motion animation, it will mimick the actual SONA rally and the burning of the effigy.
“The visual themes of the protest remain even if these have taken a different form during the pandemic. The e-ffigy video highlights the people's unity against tyranny,“ SAKA said.
”As in the past, the virtual e-ffigy will suffer the same fate as any physical e-ffigy. It will be consumed by the fiery rage of the people,” it added.
Protesters will gather at the UP Diliman campus in Quezon City at 10 a.m. to stage their "#SONAgkaisa rally" while observing strict safety protocols such as mask-wearing and physical distancing.
A Mass for Justice and Peace will be held at 12 noon at Quiapo Church in Manila. This will be livestreamed on One Faith One Nation Voice Facebook page.
An online concert, dubbed “Tinig ng Bayan,” will be held at 3 p.m. which will be followed by a noise barrage at the ABS-CBN compound in Quezon City.