Na Shock Ako (concert)

NA-SHOCK AKO! A Night of Migrant Songs and Struggles is a fundraiser for Migrante Ontario's work on the ongoing campaign for human rights in the Philippines, part of which, is the Canadian tour of progressive Philippine Congress representatives Crispin "Ka Bel" Beltran, Luz Ilagan and Satur Ocampo this month. They are touring Canada to speak to kababayans, and seek the support of the Canadian government for the human rights campaign.

Karapatan (Allaince for the Advance of People's Rights) reported there had been 68 extrajudicial killings in the past year, bringing the total murdered to 887 since President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo came to power in 2001. Aside from the extrajudicial killings, Karapatan reported 35 victims of political killings; 26 victims of enforced or involuntary disappearance; 8 victims of abduction; 29 victims of illegal arrest; 116 victims of illegal detention; 300 victims of threat, harassment and intimidation; 7,542 victims of forcible evacuation or displacement; 3,600 victims of "hamletting" for 2007. Altogether, there were 16,307 human rights violations in the past year.

These human rights abuses are a symptom of the grave political, economic, and social crisis besetting the country. According to the government's most recent Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES), approximately 68 million Filipinos, some 83% of Filipino households, are living with only P96 (roughly $2) or less a day. Almost 12 million Filipinos are either totally unemployed or short of work.

Making matters worse is the collapse of social services. In 2007, the government allocated P5 a day for education, culture and manpower development. For health, each Filipino received P0.45 a day. Meanwhile debt servicing ate up over 87% of revenues, four times what the government spent on social services.

No wonder 3,500 to 4,500 OFWs leave the Philippines daily. With no prospects, many are desperate to leave. The government for its part is actively encouraging this export of Filipinos with its labour export policy. Without the billions of dollars sent home very year, the Philippine economy would go into a tailspin. On the other hand, the government turns a blind eye to the the plight of OFW’s abroad. According to Migrante International, at least six to 10 dead OFWs are repatriated every day - most of these deaths are considered mysterious.

Come to NA-SHOCK AKO! A Night of Migrant Songs and Struggles on May 3 to support the campaign for human rights in the Philippines and pay tribute to overseas Filipino workers.

Tickets: $15 (Available at the door, or contact: alex.felipe@gmail.com)