Jan Angelo Batongbakal

EXCLUSIVE: Aya Fernandez shares why speaking up matters: ‘Ang katahimikan, doon magwawagi ang mga nang-aabuso'

Article (news)

Alyana De Guzman

Push Team

<p><em>YSpeak 2.0 </em>host and entrepreneur Aya Fernandez believes that speaking up on social issues is not a responsibility reserved for celebrities alone, but something that matters for everyone. </p><p>Speaking with <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>PUSH ABS-CBN</strong></a><strong> </strong>during the sidelines of the <em>YSpeak 2.0</em> media conference, Aya reflected on the growing number of personalities openly joining rallies and sharing their positions on pressing concerns. Asked why speaking up remains important, especially for celebrities with influence and large platforms, Aya emphasized that the value of raising one’s voice goes beyond fame or public visibility. </p><p>“I think mapa-showbiz or non-showbiz person, it’s so important that we put up our voice out there, may you have a following or not,” she began. </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2026/5/2/-yspeak-2-0-hosts-share-their-advocacies-ahead-of-the-youth-oriented-show-s-return-1106" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: ‘YSpeak 2.0’ hosts share their advocacies ahead of the youth-oriented show’s return</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>For Aya, opinions and advocacy become meaningful when grounded in lived experiences rather than motivated by the desire to attack or destroy others. Speaking up with the help of stories and realities that deserve to be acknowledged, she said, allows people to recognize that many struggles are not isolated experiences. </p><p>“Malay mo galing pala siya sa laylayan, meron pala siyang magulang na nakaranas ng ganitong paghihirap. Ngayon kung hindi siya nakapagspeak-up or nagpost about it, hindi malalaman ng tao ‘yun,” she explained.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DUS6sNdj-Hj/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=845&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A502426.89999997616%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="894" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Aya also underscored the role of dialogue in creating understanding and progress, pointing to ‘discourse’ or healthy discussions, as a necessary first step toward meaningful change.  </p><p>“Naniniwala pa rin ako na when we speak up, doon nagsisimula ‘yung discourse. ‘Discourse’ [ay] ‘yung back and forth ng ideas na healthy. Kaya para sa akin, mahalaga ‘yun dahil doon din ‘yung nagsisimula ng mga pagbabago,” Aya stated. </p><p>“Lahat ng mga malalaking events sa kasaysayan natin, nagsimula lang siya sa mga simpleng ganon na merong nagsalita, tapos parang domino effect na siya hanggang sa lahat sumunod na,” she continued.  </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2026/5/19/joy-barcoma-on-why-speaking-up-is-a-privilege-not-everyone-has-a-safety-net-1933" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ:Joy Barcoma on why speaking up is a privilege: &#x27;Not everyone has a safety net&#x27;<br/></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>While acknowledging that expressing one’s thoughts can feel difficult, particularly when done alone, Aya maintained that collective participation carries strength. Even amid differing opinions, she said normalizing open expressions can help ignite change and challenge silence. </p><p>“Siguro last point, kapag mag-isa ka, mabigat talaga ‘pag nagsalita na ikaw lang. Pero ‘pag sama-sama tayo na [merong] sinabi – pareho man o hindi – pero kung nakita mo na normal na magsalita, somehow ‘yun na ‘yung spark ng change,” she said.</p><p>“Kasi ang katahimikan, doon magwawagi ang mga nang-aabuso, kapag nanahimik ang madla,” she emphasized.  </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DO3dFq1j5Rs/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=845&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A531728.6999999881%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="851" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Aya’s stance were also visible during the second episode of <em>YSpeak 2.0</em>, where she led the affirmative side “Team Y” alongside students from Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU). They debated against fellow host River Joseph’s “Team Y Not” on the proposition: “Filipinos have to speak out publicly on social and political issues.” </p><p>During the debate, Aya delivered a passionate call for empowerment and solidarity. </p><p>“Our call, be the voice of the voiceless. Amplify the voices of those who are worth to be heard, [and] use your privilege to educate yourself and further speak for those who can’t speak up for themselves. Kung hindi tayo magsasalita, walang pagbabagong mangyayari. Kung mananahimik tayong lahat, hihirap ang mga mahihirap, yayaman lang ang mga mayayaman, magiging [mas] makapangyarihan lang ang mga makapangyarihan. Gusto na natin ng pagbabago. Now is the time to speak up, Pilipinas!” she said. </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F1304764654967546%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=380&amp;t=0" width="380" height="476" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>In her closing remarks, Aya maintained that “there is no greater empowerment than being able to empower other people.” She maintained that action often starts with sharing lived experiences and expressing genuine ideas about societal concerns, while still acknowledging that activism could take different forms beyond verbal expression. </p><p>Beyond conversations on social issues, Aya has long championed environmental causes. She is the founder and CEO of Eco-Uling by Project Lily Inc., a Philippine-based social enterprise producing eco-friendly charcoal briquettes from coconut waste, while also working with rural communities to help support their livelihood.</p>

<p>YSpeak 2.0 host Aya Fernandez opened up about why speaking up on national and social issues matters, whether one is a celebrity or not. In an interview with PUSH ABS-CBN, the young host stressed that lived experiences and healthy discourse are powerful starting points for change. </p>

YSpeak 2.0 host Aya Fernandez opened up about why speaking up on national and social issues matters, whether one is a celebrity or not. In an interview with PUSH ABS-CBN, the young host stressed that lived experiences and healthy discourse are powerful starting points for change.