Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has received an outpouring of support from artists and other prominent personalities who participated in the online community jamming organized by the Free Leila Movement (FLM) in celebration of her 61st birthday last Aug. 27.
The participants in the event entitled “Leilaya! Tinig at Musika para sa Diwang Malaya,” which lasted for roughly four hours, allowed different personalities to express their solidarity with De Lima’s fight for justice and freedom through music, interpretative readings of her “Dispatches from Crame” and messages of solidarity.
Artists like Ebe Dencel who sang “Lakambini,” Noel Cabangon, Rene Boncocan, and Rom Dongeto (trio, “Kung ‘Di Ka Kikilos”), Quimberly Villamer (“Only Hope), Bituin Escalante (“Panahon ng Halimaw”), among many others, wowed the netizens with their great musical performances.
De Lima’s colleagues and political allies including Vice President Leni Robredo, Senators Risa Hontiveros and Francis Pangilinan, and Atty. Chel Diokno, for their part, let out a serious yet inspiring vibe by delivering their respective solidarity messages to express their firm support for the Bicolana Senator’s causes.
“Mula pa nung simula, pinamalas mo na ang tapang at prinsipyo ng isang tunay na lingkod-bayan. Sa harap ng masasakit na kasinungalingan, hindi ka nagpatinag. At sa mahigit tatlong taon sa loob ng piitan, patuloy mong pinaglaban ang karapatang-pantao at tinupad ang mandatong ibinigay sa iyo ng taumbayan,” Robredo said.
Hontiveros stressed that De Lima’s bravery, fortitude and unbreakable spirit have only become stronger as the years have gone by, adding that “this is not just Sen. Leila’s fight, but everyone’s battle for freedom, truth and justice.”
Pangilinan said De Lima’s courage has encouraged Filipinos to fight for what is right. “Nais kitang pasalamatan Senator Leila sa iyong sakripisyo, sa iyong paninindigan [na] nagsisilbing inspirasyon sa amin na patuloy na kumikilos at naninindigan para sa demokrasya at para sa kalayaan.”
Diokno maintained that the present administration has successfully imprisoned De Lima’s body “but they would never be able to capture your indomitable spirit,” adding that “in the darkness of this administration, you have truly served as a beacon of light.”
Meanwhile, former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno stood out as she delivered a prayer asking for God’s guidance and blessings for the Senator and the country.
“Panginoon, Labis ang kalupitan na dinanas at tuluyang dinadanas ni Leila de Lima. Nabibiyak ang aming puso sa tuluyang pangangantyaw sa kanyang pagkatao at hindi ko mawari kung bakit kaya ng kapwa Pilipino ang ganitong paghamak sa kanyang kapwa,” part of Sereno’s prayer stated.
Moreover, actors Angel Aquino, Michael De Mesa, Ria Atayde, Adrienne Vergara, and Mikoy Morales and activist Mae Paner gave audience sneak peek of De Lima’s life in detention along with personal reflections and views by their interpretative reading of some of her “Dispatches from Crame.”
Also present in the online jamming were religious leaders including Archbishop Soc Villegas, Bishop Broderick Pabillo, Bishop Ambo David, Bishop Dan Balais and sister Mary John Mananzan, among others.
Directed by Krix San Gabriel and hosted by Gio Tiongson and Meg Serranilla, the online community jamming was livestreamed through the Facebook pages of Free Leila Movement, the official Leila de Lima and Free Leila Committee and crossposted by 35 partner organizations. (30)