MANILA, Philippines — On Valentines’ Day, the national women’s alliance Gabriela spearheaded the “Dance, Run, Protest: One Billion Rising (OBR) Philippines 2026” at the University of the Philippines Diliman, to speak out against gender-based violence, corruption, and authoritarianism.
Carrying the theme “Women Rise Against VAW, Corruption, and Fascism,” the event combined a mass dance, advocacy run, and creative campaigns to express frustration into collective action.
“Today, we transformed our grief and anger into action through dance, run, and protest. We rise because the violence inflicted on women reflects the harm caused by a plundering state and its authoritarian machinery,” said Gabriela Secretary-General Clarice Palce.
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One of the event’s key moments was the pledge activity “I Vow to Fight VAW: Your Touch Lessens My Pain,” where participants wiped away bruise marks on a large image of a woman and left their thumbprints as a symbolic promise to end abuse.
“This pledge is a symbol of our solidarity. Each thumbprint represents a promise to protect one another and to hold accountable abusers in homes, schools, workplaces, and event corrupt government officials,” Palce added.
Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Sarah Elago pointed out that corruption and violence against women are linked.
“The fight against corruption is also against violence against women because many services for abused women and children are wasted due to the theft of public funds,” Elago said in Filipino.
In a statement on Friday, the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Protective Services Bureau (PSB) revealed that nearly 7,000 cases of violence against women and children (VAWC) were recorded in just the first four months of 2025, pointing to deeply rooted societal norms as a contributing factor.
“It’s a systematic issue because it’s so ingrained in our culture. We have what is called cultural violence where our children, we use corporal punishment, at a tender age, we teach our children. We are conditioning our children that the use of violence in discipline is acceptable in our culture,” said Carol Nuyda, a social welfare officer of the DSWD’s PSB.
Growing activism
Gabriela encouraged Filipino women and the public to take part in upcoming protests, such as the 40th Edsa People Power anniversary on February 25 and the International Women’s Day mobilization on March 8, highlighting these actions as part of rising calls to stop violence, corruption, and repression.
OBR is recognized as the world’s largest global movement calling for an end to rape, sexual abuse, and violence against women.
Founded in 2012 by activist Eve Ensler and rooted in the V-Day campaign, it brings people together every February 14 to speak out through dance, art, and collective action.
The movement highlights the alarming statistic by World Health Organization that one in three women, or about one billion worldwide, experience physical or sexual violence at some point in their lives. /mr