CEBU CITY, Philippines – What started in the 1980s as a discreet protest where students of the University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu brought food, threw political signs into a bonfire, and enjoyed live bands became an annual event for students to speak up on current issues.
Ian Peter Guanzon, overall head director of UP Cebu’s “Cookout” for 2024, said the name of the event was coined when the 1982 UP Cebu University Student Council organized a gathering of students during the Marcos dictatorship.
“Ang sitwasyon ng Cebu noon ay napakalala, pero napakalakas rin ng student movement…. Tinawag siyang ‘Cookout’ dahil…nagdadala ang mga students ng lulutuin…pero hindi alam ng puwersa ng estado na mayroon palang politikal na mga pag-uusap,” Guanzon said.
(The situation in Cebu back then was grave, but the student movement was also strong. The event was dubbed “Cookout” because students would bring food to cook, but state forces didn’t know that there were already political discussions taking place.)
More than four decades later, “Cookout” organizers believe the event still fulfills a crucial purpose.
“‘Cookout’ serves as a call to action, urging all participants to confront societal challenges, from political repression to climate change, in solidarity,” said Guanzon.
In November, “Cookout” focused on the maritime row in the West Philippine Sea, with the theme “Lawod 2024: Banwag sa Kangitngit, Pagdawat sa Hagit” (Deep Sea: Light in the Darkness, Embracing the Challenge). This edition marked the event’s return after a five-year hiatus.
“The term lawod symbolizes the turbulent and challenging times we live in but also speaks to the vast opportunities when we collectively rise to the challenge,” Guanzon said.
“Banwag sa kangitngit represents commitment to shedding light on the darkest corners of our society, especially where oppression, inequality, and injustice thrive, while pagdawat sa hagit speaks to the strength and courage required to face these issues head-on.”
Other “Cookout” editions in the 2010s tackled issues such as state violence, the plight of indigenous peoples, social media usage, and increasing tuition, among others.
“Lawod 2024” saw over 2,000 attendees from November 9 to 10. Organizers’ goal this year was to include locals from various sectors, such as workers, farmers, and fisherfolk.
From September to November, there were teach-ins and discussions with farmers, fisherfolk, and urban poor communities. It was a way of raising student awareness prior to the main event, as well as encouraging learning beyond the classroom, said Guanzon.
Mike Navales, a freshman at UP Cebu and the champion of the spoken poetry segment or Panulaan of “Lawod 2024,” delivered a piece narrating the story of a son of a fisherman in the West Philippine Sea.
“Through the creative expressions and stories shared during the event, I gained insights into the struggles of marginalized groups who, despite being enveloped in darkness, continue to rise as beacons of hope,” Navales said.
Aside from Panulaan, “Cookout” segments included Bandahan, Kantahan, Sayawan, and Rampahan, featuring UP Cebu students and artists from Central Visayas. Cebuana drag queens wrapped up the performances with a show.
A portion of the proceeds of this year’s “Cookout” went to Karapatan-Central Visayas, a human rights group which assists political prisoners and their families. – Rappler.com
Cris Fernan Bayaga is a campus journalist from the University of the Philippines Cebu’s Lanog, the official student publication of the College of Communication, Art, and Design. He is also an Aries Rufo Journalism Fellow of Rappler for 2024.
