Jaehwa Bernardo

Artists partner with the Philippine Coast Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines to create a mural raising awareness about issues in the West Philippine Sea on April 9, 2026, in observance of Araw ng Kagitingan. Job Manahan, ABS-CBN News

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On Day of Valor, artists ask Filipinos not to forget West PH Sea issues

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1775721150072MURAL PAINTING.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Artists partner with the Philippine Coast Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines to create a mural raising awareness about issues in the West Philippine Sea on April 9, 2026, in observance of Araw ng Kagitingan. Job Manahan, ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA – Artists and advocates on Thursday urged Filipinos not to let West Philippine Sea issues die down despite the challenges that the country is facing on rising fuel costs, noting that it is an equally-important matter.During the celebration of the WPS Mural Festival 2026 at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo High School in Quezon City, film director Baby Ruth Villarama told ABS-CBN News the mural painting event on Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) highlights the courage of Filipinos in defending its territory.“Parang lumalaki ang movement at napapalawig ang mensahe ng West Philippine Sea initiative,” said Villarama, the festival’s lead convenor.“Ngayong Araw ng Kagitingan, napapanahon talagang tumindig ang bawat Pilipino, na yakapin kung ano man ang mayroon tayo at ipaglaban bago ito tuluyang mawala. Kumbaga kaya nga nagkaroon ng Araw ng Kagitingan dahil may mga nauna tayong mga bayani na tumindig din para ma-enjoy natin ang kalayaan na mayroon tayo ngayon,” she added.Muralist and festival director AG Saño, for his part, said the WPS Mural Festival – which was launched in February – sought to be a safe space for artistic expression and advocacy on the West Philippine Sea.Out of the 148 people who registered to join the festival, around 80 have been actively participating, according to Saño. The grand prize for the best mural painting will be P1 million, while consolation prizes will be at P30,000, he added.“Karamihan ng mga usapin, mga balita sa West Philippine Sea ay sa level ng politics, policy, and level ng Hukbong Sandatahan pero &#x27;yung mga komunidad, ordinary citizens, hindi masyado nakakalahok. Kaya naisip namin... i-tap natin ang artists,” Saño said.“Literal from Aparri hanggang Jolo may mga artists tayo na ongoing na. Around 80 ang mga gumagawa na ngayon... Ang kagandahan ng public art lalo na ng street murals is kahit wala ang artist, nandun ang mensahe na posibleng makita araw-araw sa mga kalsada ang mga mural na ito,” he added.<div> </div><div>‘KAGITINGAN’ AMID RISING OIL PRICES</div>Among those who attended the event were activist Mae Paner, commonly known for her character Juana Change, and youth leader Andre Garcia, the national president of Kabataan sa Kartilya ng Katipunan.Paner said while the military action of US and Israel and Iran seemed “so far” from the country, its impact could be felt in the Philippines due to the rising prices of petroleum products and other basic commodities.“Ito ay isang panahon kung saan ang mga tao na gumagamit ng bomba, ng mga missile para pumatay, dito sa West Philippine Sea Mural Painting contest, ang gagamitin lang natin ay brush,” said Paner.&quot;Ipakita natin sa buong mundo na tayong lahat ay lumalaban para sa soberanya. Hindi puwedeng angkinin ng China ang hindi kanila. How do we do it? Creatively... Ang tapang at pagkakaisa ay manggagaling sa atin, magtulong-tulong tayo,” she added.Paner said Filipinos continue to show courage despite many challenges, which can be demonstrated most especially during the Day of Valor.“Napakarami sa atin ang tumitindig kahit dapang-dapa na sa hirap. Yun ang pagiging magiting. Ano, gi-give up ako kasi mahal ang gasolina? Hindi ako papasok? Hindi, lalaban ako. Ang pagtanggap mo sa kung anong binigay sayo na hamon ng mundo ay kagitingan,” she added.

Artists and advocates on Thursday urged Filipinos not to let West Philippine Sea issues die down despite the challenges that the country is facing on rising fuel costs, noting that it is an equally-important matter.

Artists and advocates on Thursday urged Filipinos not to let West Philippine Sea issues die down despite the challenges that the country is facing on rising fuel costs, noting that it is an equally-important matter.