By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
QUEZON CITY — The Atin Ito coalition on Monday (Aug. 11) launched the “Teritoryo: West Philippine Sea Online Rap Challenge” in collaboration with acclaimed Filipino rap collective Morobeats.
The launching is in conjunction with the Buwan ng Wika.
In a press conference, Atin Ito said that the music challenge seeks to amplify public awareness of the plight of Filipino fisherfolk and frontliners who stand at the frontlines of Chinese aggression, while inspiring education, civic action, and unity in defending the country’s sovereignty, sovereign rights, and territorial integrity.
Using Morobeats hit track “Teritoryo”, the month-long challenge invites musically inclined Filipinos, both in the Philippines and abroad, to compose and perform original rap verses in Filipino and/or English, set to the song’s instrumental version.
Atin Ito Co-Convenor and Akbayan Party President Rafaela “Paeng” David said that the campaign is a creative way to keep the West Philippine Sea in the national conversation.
“The defense of our seas is not only fought on the waves, but also in our words, art, and music. Through this challenge we turn rhythm into resistance and lyrics into a call for unity,” David said.
For his part, Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement President Edicio Dela Torre, who is also an Atin Ito Co-Convenor, emphasized that the Rap Challenge is a modern way of continuing the tradition of people’s advocacy.
” In the same way that the corridos and protest songs of our past gave voice to the people’s struggles, this campaign gives today’s generation a beat to march to in the fight for our sovereignty,” Dela Torre said.
Renowned folk singer Noel Cabangon, who is a consistent supporter of Atin Ito, highlighted the power of music to inspire civic action.
“Music moves hearts and minds. By blending the artistry of Morobeats with the patriotic call to defend the West Philippine Sea, we are showing that art can be both beautiful and behave,” Cabangon said. ###
