In line with the celebration of Labor Day, Viva Voce COC (VVC) conducted an event titled "iBoses 2023: Workers, Wakers! Kayod Para Sa Pagbabago" to recognize Filipino workers and their contribution to society, on May 2 via Facebook livestream.
"Ngayong ika-121 na Araw ng mga Manggagawa, naging parte tayo ng mayamang kasaysayan nito ng pag-aalsa, pakikibaka, at paghayag ng mga suliranin ng ating mga magigiting na manggagawa. Pinatunayan ninyo na sa tagal nang panahon, naging aktibo pa rin ang mensahe natin ng pagkakapantay-pantay at pag-unlad," VVC President John Lester Teña said.
VVC interviewed workers and asked about their struggles with their job, and how they handle those circumstances in everyday work.
"Masaya ako sa trabaho ko pero siyempre may mga times tayo na na-e-encounter na akala mo 'yung mga pasahero hawak nila 'yung buhay mo kasi isa ka lang namang ground staff at binabayaran ka nila," said Jennifer Teña who works as a ground staff.
According to Maricar Tejano, a beauty consultant, always smiling and having a long patience are essential in handling customer queries properly, as well as guiding them to the things they need to know.
Meanwhile, Hannah Gin Tarrazona, a teacher, shared that she is struggling to have a lot of patience towards teaching her students. "...Because not all of the students are fast learners [and] there are students that need a lot of effort so that they learn from the lesson and also from their teacher," she stated.
By the end of the program, VVC prexy Teña left a message to the viewers—to continue to fight with the workers to uplift them to their current situation, and to further advocate their messages.
"Patuloy nating atupagin na tumayo kasama ang ating mga manggagawa at iba't ibang sektor sa lipunan na pilit isinusulong ang kabutihan at kapantayan sa ating bansa," stated Teña.
The event also spotlighted COCians as future workers with their advocacies and platforms.
VVC also organized a pre-event program of iBoses 2023: Workers, Wakers! titled "Humayo Tungo sa Pagbabago" on April 26 via Zoom with Marc Rechelle Buntag as speaker. The program highlighted the significance of Labor Day, and how it matters to laborers, as well as the role of the youth in fighting with the workers.
iBoses 2023: Workers, Wakers! was supposed to be conducted on Labor Day, May 1. However, the event got postponed due to technical difficulties.
The event was spearheaded by Reynan Louis Alegre as project head, and Harold Gutierrez Hernandez as project co-head.
Article: Alexandra Mae Uy and Rhoze Ann Abog
Graphics: Jacques Jacobsen Aquino
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