LP youth wing commemorates Aug, 21

Remembrances of a bombing that outraged a nation on the brink of Martial Rule, the assassination of a hero and the “debut” of an organization are all being remembered on August 21 by the Kabataang Liberal ng Pilipinas (KALIPI), the youth wing of the Liberal Party.

“Aug. 21 is always a very special day for young Filipino liberals because of the triple significance of this day for us,” Jan-Argy Tolentino, Secretary General of KALIPI, said. “Three very important historical events happened, in a coincidence of fate, all on the same day for us.”

In 1971, a miting de avance of the Liberal Party turned into a bloodbath after two grenades were thrown onto the stage of the Party’s rally at Plaza Miranda. Many of the LP leaders onstage at the time, especially former Sen. Pres. Jovito Salonga, suffered major injuries. The resulting terrorist act outraged the Filipino people so much that in the succeeding elections, the LP won almost all of the contended Senatorial seats.

In 1983, Ninoy Aquino, then Secretary-General of the LP, was flying home from the United States after years in exile in order to reorganize the Liberal Party and unite the opposition. But upon alighting from his plane, Ninoy was assassinated. His funeral was attended by millions, and it was from this point that the beginning of the end for Martial Law could be traced.
In 1989, Dinggoy Roxas – younger brother of Sen. Mar Roxas – Jinggoy Estrada, Mikee Macapagal-Arroyo, Solfie Confiado and Eli Quinto established the Kabataang Liberal ng Pilipinas (KALIPI), the youth wing of the LP. From about three dozen members, KALIPI has grown to be the one of the biggest political youth organizations in the country, with School and Community Chapters from Batanes to Sulu. KALIPI was also the first Asian organization to be a full member of the International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY) and help found the Young Liberals and Democrats of Asia (YLDA).

“Now, more than ever, is the need for young people to remember such important events in history,” Miles Roces, national President of KALIPI. “Few young people remember what it cost for them to enjoy the freedoms they are experiencing today. And that’s just sad because, unless we learn the lessons of the past, we’re condemned to repeat the same mistakes in the future.”

Roces also congratulated KALIPI members everywhere as the organization celebrates its 18th founding anniversary. “As national president, I greet all young liberals of the Philippines a very happy 18th birthday. We’ve been through so much and achieved so much these last 18 years, a testament to what organized action by young people can do”, Roces said

Originally posted at KALIPI