Cause-oriented artists to join, perform at Ayala rally

INQUIRER PHOTO/RAFFY LERMA

MANILA, Philippines – Participants of the Million People March in Ayala on Friday should expect a handful of artists to speak and perform in support of the campaign to scrap the pork barrel system.

Artista Kontra Korapsyon (AKKSYON) said Chickoy Pura of The Jerks, Bobby Balingit of the Wuds, Karl Ramirez and Plagpul, Fliptop artists BLKD and Lanseta with the band Guns and Goons, Mae Paner, Cookie Chua, Bayang Barrios, and Lolita Carbon (the last three as solo artists and collectively as Tres Marias) will share the stage with civil society leaders on Friday.

Meanwhile, the #ScrapPork Network said “The Voice Philippines” contender Darryl Shy, Filipino-American singer Jeff James, and veteran stage actress Monique Wilson are also included in the line-up.

The program, which starts at 3:30 p.m., will feature speeches from National Artist for Literatue Bien Lumbera and Cabring Cabrera, vocalist of alternative rock band Datu’s Tribe, among others.

AKKSYON member Karl Ramirez said the group, formed at the height of the pork barrel controversy, aims to “contribute in educating the public about the anti-pork barrel system through art.”

He said artist circles, theater groups, bands and musicians would also visit schools to discuss the pork barrel system and how the public could help push for its abolition.

AKKSYON was convened by artists from different fields: Nanding Josef of Tanghalang Pilipino and CAP, Bien Lumbera of CAP, Joel Lamangan of CAP, Cris De Leon of Ugatlahi, Jay Del Rosario of KARATULA, and Mae Paner. Local alliances of AKKSYON were also formed in Davao and in Bicol region.

Most of the artists set to perform were also present last September 13 for the “Rock and Rage Against Pork!” concert at Luneta Park.

The Million People March in Ayala is the latest of a series of pork barrel rallies against discretionary funds such as the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) and the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) which are alleged sources of corruption in government.