Rowegie Abanto

Article (news)

Protest vs VAWC

Eon Sanchez

ABS-CBN News

<div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display:flex;max-width:560px;width:100%;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-0&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=2022486186984677454&amp;lang=en&amp;maxWidth=560px&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com%2F%23%2Fworkspace%2Fpersonal%3Fitem%3Durn%3Anewsml%3Aod2-workbench-api.abs-cbn.com%3A2026-02-14T05%3A16%3A09.725347%3Ae05eb3c1-269a-4c24-ab2d-3af05883ad27%26action%3Dedit&amp;sessionId=0f56c10c85fdc9dd822ab490ae0b216acc5c3299&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&amp;width=550px" style="position:static;visibility:visible;width:528px;height:297px;display:block;flex-grow:1" data-tweet-id="2022486186984677454"></iframe></div><div><br/></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8"></script><p>MANILA — Hundreds of women and advocates gathered before sunrise at the University of the Philippines Diliman on Saturday, February 14, for a mass dance protest and advocacy run calling for an end to violence against women (VAW), corruption, and what organizers described as rising &quot;fascist attacks.&quot;</p><p>The program began around 6:30 a.m. in front of Quezon Hall, where participants performed the signature &quot;One Billion Rising&quot; choreography before circling the UP Oval track in a solidarity run. </p><p>Various women’s sector groups and allied organizations joined the mobilization led by Gabriela Alliance of Filipino Women.</p><p>Dubbed “Dance, Run, Protest: One Billion Rising (OBR) Philippines 2026,” the Valentine’s Day action carried the banner “Women Rise Against VAW, Corruption, and Fascism.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/11/20/nearly-a-third-of-women-face-partner-or-sexual-violence-who-0923">Nearly a third of women face partner or sexual violence: WHO</a></div><p>In a press statement, Gabriela said the event highlighted three “urgent and interconnected” issues affecting Filipino women: The reported rise in cases of violence against women and children (VAWC), alleged plunder of public funds that worsens poverty and weakens social services, and attacks against women human rights defenders and communities.</p><p>“The One Billion Rising ay isa siyang global campaign. It’s a dance protest to end all form of violence against women in the world,” said Clarice Palce, secretary-general of Gabriela.</p><p>“This year, nili-link namin &#x27;yung corruption sa continuing violence against women and young girls kasi napakalaking pondo &#x27;yung winawaldas na pwede sanang nilaan para sa serbisyo sa mga kababaihang biktima ng pang-aabuso at karahasan,” she added.</p><p>Among the program’s highlights was a pledge activity titled “I Vow to Fight VAW: Your Touch Lessens My Pain.” </p><p>Participants symbolically wiped off painted bruise marks from a large image of a woman to represent collective healing from abuse. </p><p>They then used the ink to leave thumbprints as a sign of commitment to end violence against women and girls.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;CORRUPTION LINKED TO VIOLENCE VS WOMEN&#x27;</strong></div><p>Gabriela Women&#x27;s Party Rep. Sarah Elago underscored the link between corruption and gender-based violence.</p><p>“Ang laban sa korapsyon ay laban din sa violence against women dahil maraming mga serbisyo para sa mga naaabuso na mga kababaihan at mga bata ang nawawaldas dahil doon sa pagnanakaw sa kaban ng bayan,” Elago said.</p><p>“Hindi hiwalay yung laban ng mga kababaihan sa violence against women sa loob o labas ng tahanan o sa lipunan man,” she added.</p><p>Meanwhile, Kakay Tolentino, a Dumagat from Aurora province and spokesperson of the BAI Indigenous Women’s Network, called for unity and accountability.</p><p>“Ang lahat ng mamamayang kababaihan dito sa ating bansa ay [dapat] magkaisa para isulong yung pagpapanagot,” Tolentino said.</p><p>“Kailangang maikulong, lalo na si Marcos at saka si Sara Duterte,” she added.</p><p>Gabriela urged Filipino women and the public to join upcoming protest actions, including the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Uprising on February 25 and the International Working Women’s Day mobilization on March 8, as part of what it described as escalating calls to end violence, corruption, and repression.</p>

<p>Hundreds of women and advocates gathered before sunrise at the University of the Philippines Diliman on Saturday, February 14, for a mass dance protest and advocacy run calling for an end to violence against women, corruption, and what organizers described as rising "fascist attacks."</p>

Hundreds of women and advocates gathered before sunrise at the University of the Philippines Diliman on Saturday, February 14, for a mass dance protest and advocacy run calling for an end to violence against women, corruption, and what organizers described as rising "fascist attacks."

Women stage Valentine's Day dance protest vs violence

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Women stage Valentine's Day dance protest vs violence

Eon Sanchez,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 14, 2026 02:11 PM PHT

|

Updated February 14, 2026 04:08 PM PHT

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Gabriela

UP Diliman

VAWC

Valentine's Day

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