DRIVEN BY A sense of “nationalism,” Allesandra “Lessa” Sarangaya, a Bedan student leader, participated in the Christmas convoy to the West Philippine Sea last December 10, 2023 led by the Atin Ito Coalition.
In an historic effort, the civilian-led resupply mission composed of volunteers from all over the country set sail on its convoy towards the West Philippine Sea. Embarking on the MV Kapitan Felix Oca, the mother vessel of the convoy, as it departed from El Nido Palawan, the group made its way to the hotly-disputed Ayungin Shoal.
The Atin Ito Coalition is an umbrella group that consists of organizations such as Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM), Akbayan, Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka (Pakisama), Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahan sa Kanayunan (PKSK), Center for Agrarian Reform, Empowerment and Transformation (CARET), Akbayan Youth, and the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP).
The coalition’s agenda in this mission is to “fight for the rights” of the country on the disputed territory and to bring joy to the fishermen and frontliners for the holiday season.
Sarangaya was among the people on board the vessel. Apart from being a student leader from the University, she is also the Vice Chairperson of the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP), and the Co-Convenor of the Atin Ito campaign. She also most recently served as Chairperson of the Ang MITHI party.
Speaking to The Bedan about what inspired her to join the convoy, she talked mainly about her “love of the country and the fight for sovereignty. “Ito’y isang laban hindi lang para sa ating mangingisda at frontliners, kundi para sa ating lahat. So kaming mga kabataan, tayong mga kabataan na nakikiisa sa labang ito, alam natin na ito’y sobrang importante dahil… alam natin na ang kinabukasan ay nakasalalay sa mga kamay natin,” she addressed.
“Dahil ang papapabaya sa ating teritoryo ay isang pagpapabaya sa ating mga sarili at sa susunod na henerasyon,” she continued, as she emphasized the importance of having such a movement to defend the country’s sovereign rights.
Despite the strong initiative to pursue the mission, it was interrupted by Chinese vessels that were anticipating the route of the convoy before its arrival on the disputed island. Only one boat got the ability to arrive at Lawak Island, the ML Chowee. On the other hand, MV Kapitan Felix Oca changed its route and returned to El Nido, Palawan.
After her voyage, Sarangaya encouraged her fellow Bedans to continue advocating for the marginalized sector, saying that the issue on the West Philippine Sea is not only a concern of the fishermen and front liners, but all Filipinos are involved.
“Sana hindi natin kalimutan ‘yung mga taong nagnanais lamang mamuhay ng mapayapa, pero sila yung napag-iiwanan, sila ‘yung hindi napapakinggan. So bilang tayo na nag-aaral sa isang prestihiyosong paaralang kagaya ng San Beda, sana gamitin natin ito as an opportunity to speak for the rights of those who are unheard, those na walang lakas ng loob na ipaglaban ang kanilang mga sarili, na sana hindi natin hayaan na may maiiwan sa atin,” she concluded. She also asked for help from the school to promote the call of having solidarity to share the message that the West Philippine Sea is ours.
(with Marc Joseph Felix)