History of the Humanist Movement in the Philippines

Philippine beginnings (1970-1979)

In March 1973, four Chilean movement members arrived in the Philippines. On September of the previous year, Martial Law had been declared and the Philippines was experiencing the violence and suppression of the Ferdinand Marcos dictatorship. The press was controlled, the leftist and opposition groups had been neutralized or gone underground, curfews were enforced and fear permeated the political and university scenario. The Chilean humanists initially made contact with the students of the University of the Philippines Diliman.

In 1974, “soloist” books “Transcendental Meditation” and “Silo and the Liberation” (Vol. II) were printed locally.

In 1975 the Chileans left and in the next years were followed by Argentinian members. who continued the tasks of organizing and transmitting the studies underlying the Humanist Movement. The Humanist Movement in the following years briefly went through internal stages at different moments and was then referred to as the School. The Synthesis Institute and Center of Inner Religion were launched in order to carry forward its studies but these were later discontinued.

By 1979, there was a core group of Filipinos who took on the challenge of organizing the movement in the Philippines. In December 1980, "Silo" or Mario Rodriguez Cobos visited the Philippines for a working seminar with Filipino members held at the AIT in the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.

Humanize the Earth: The Community (early 1980s)

The 1980s marked the stage of public demonstrations. A worldwide campaign “Humanize the Earth” was launched in a massive public act on November 1, 1981 at Chowpatty Beach, Mumbai, India by its newly formed socio-cultural organization The Community for the Equilibrium and Development of the Human Being. This was followed by large public acts done in the major cities of North and South America, Europe and India. Speakers from various countries, among them members from India and the Philippines, represented these public acts.

In 1982, the Community translated its materials into Pilipino and published its books “Ang Mga Gawain ng Komunidad” and “Ang Tanawing Panloob”.

The Community for the Equilibrium and Development of the Human Being was registered under the Securities and Exchange Commission on July, 1981, with nine incorporators. Meetings and activities started in Orion/Guerrero Sts. in Makati, P. Tuazon at Quezon City, Petrona Apartment in Manila, Carolina’s at Quezon Blvd., rented rooms, homes and ad hoc meeting places in schools and universities.

At this time Filipino society was gradually deteriorating under the Marcos dictatorship and the climate of apathy and suspicion surrounded its initial public activities. However, as a SEC registered organization espousing change through non-violence, the initial obstacles placed by government officials on its public acts were gradually overcome. A flurry of public events and organizing activities marked the next three years carrying the banner “Humanize the Earth”. This was marked by numerous cultural open-air presentations, free public concerts and festivals, indoor socio-cultural events, AV shows, lectures and workshops.

In 1982, student chapters of The Community were formed in the National College of Business Administration, University of Sto. Tomas, University of the Philippines, Philippine Normal College, and University of the East where a locale was established in the Underwood Building along Claro M. Recto, Manila along what is known as the university belt. The Community UP Chapter organized the “Humanist Week” composed of exhibits, film showing, seminars and workshops (April 30 to May 6, 1984, Diliman Campus in Quezon City). Workshops such as "Student Power for Non-Violence" were organized in schools and universities.

On May 4, 1984, the Movement in the Philippines launched a public concert called "A Day of Joy" held at the Glorietta Park in Makati.

There were metro-wide signature campaigns done to create awareness on the violence, get support and participation, and to address social issues. There were socio-cultural celebrations, symposia, campaigns on education and women's rights.

In the late 1970s and early years of the 1980s, the Marcos regime was fast losing its popularity. Business investments were pulling out, the economic and political future bleak. There was an exodus of Filipinos who left the country to look for better prospects or to seek political asylum. The majority of Filipinos were getting fed up but kept their views to themselves; in general, avoiding public outcry due to adverse reaction from the repressive government. It was in this general repressed scenario that The Community launched its public acts. Denouncements were made against violence, and active non-violence was proposed as a way of action. Forums, workshops, lectures, slide presentations and film showings were held in private as well as public municipal halls.

On August 21, 1983, the assassination of Benigno Aquino, Marcos’ political opponent, created ripples in Philippine society. It broke the political stupor of the Filipinos and their discontent could not be silenced anymore.

Humanist Party (1984-1989)

In 1984, the Humanist Movement, as an international structure, simultaneously launched the Humanist Party in different parts of the world. The Humanist Party is a political party to carry forward the humanist aspirations in the political arena. In 1984, a team of Italian humanists came to the Philippines to help establish the Humanist Party.

In 1985, it launched national campaigns with signature campaigns against the Preventive Detention Action, Pasya ng Bayan (people’s vote to oust Marcos), Magkaisa (awareness campaign against traditional political parties with the proposal for the people to organize themselves), labor and human rights. In 1985, The Humanist Party participated in labor rallies, conducted surveys and free medical and dental clinics. It organized chapters in the NCR, northern and southern Luzon, and Mindanao. In 1987 it organized and held Humanist Party internal elections in the base council levels.

On February 7, 1986, the national snap elections were held by the Marcos regime to try to pacify the increasing discontent of the Filipino people. Corazon “Cory” Aquino (the widow of assassinated Benigno Aquino) ran for presidential office. Marcos’victory was declared by the Commission on Elections but the majority of Filipino people refused to accept the rigged outcome. When the call for people's support came from the Enrile-Ramos breakaway military group in Camp Crame on February 22, spontaneous groups and organizations from different political positions, conscientious citizens, Catholic organizations rushed to the gates of Camp Crame. The spontaneous mobilization of people effectively blocked the main thoroughfare of the city. Subsequently, people from the other cities and provinces joined their support. The Humanist Party was among the first groups to answer the call for people's support, its political headquarters was located at P. Tuazon Street near Camp Crame. History recalls this moment as the 1986 People Power Revolution (People Power 1 or the EDSA 1 Revolution), a non-violent phenomenon that gathered hundreds of thousands of people, finally culminating in the overthrow of the Marcos dictatorship and placing Corazon Aquino as the president.

It was during the 1986 Snap Elections that the Humanist Party first fielded independent candidates for Councilors of Manila and Quezon City as its first political campaign action.

On December 10, 1986 the Humanist Party was launched at the steps of the Arts and Science Building of the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City. This launch was preceded by a metro-wide teaser campaign that consisted of posting large posters with the words DEC 10 all along the main streets and avenues. On December 14, 1986, the Humanist Party held its first National Congress at U.P. Diliman, Quezon City.

When President Corazon Aquino took office, one of the priorities of the government was to abolish the 1973 Philippine Constitution (which was in force during the Martial Law under the Marcos regime) and draft a new constitution by elected representatives to the Constitutional Assembly. One of the first campaigns launched by the Humanist Party after the fall of the Marcos dictatorship was "Konsultahin Ang Tao" as a requisite before drafting a new Philippine constitution.

In March 1987, the Humanist Party of the Philippines filed with the Commission on Elections for political party status and was granted.

However, the Humanist Party was short-lived. Its members, at that time were more inclined towards socio-cultural activities rather than political expression. It experienced a loss of crucial leadership by emigration of some of its founding members to other countries; and when there was an emphasis and redirection towards structural Humanist Movement activities, the Humanist Party activities were dropped.

Humanist Movement in the 1990s

On May 2, 1988, “Unzipped” A Festival of Converging Diversity participated by various artists and musicians was organized at the Greenbelt Park at Makati, this time by the Humanist Movement in close coordination with the Greenbelt Organic Producers Market.

The 1990s ushered in a new stage, that of influencing the social and immediate environment and taking root in the community, work and school places where members belonged. The Humanist Movement was the banner organization and numerous study groups, weekly meetings, workshops, “encounters” of self-development, “retreats”, “personal works” were organized to qualify members and plan activities. Neighborhood Centers were established in Baclaran, Sampaloc, Pasig at the Victory Theater Building, Taytay, Makati, Mandaluyong, Muñoz-Quezon City, San Francisco del Monte-Quezon City, Teachers Village-Quezon City, Iligan City. The thrust was that the principles of new humanism take root not only in the inner life (in the heart and mind) but to find its expression (in action) in the social life of family, friends, school and work.

From 1988 to 1993, the Humanist Movement took up the ecological banner and launched activities under the Green Party of the Philippines and Green Future. Concerned with environmental deterioration due to indiscriminate logging and mining in the countryside and industrial pollution, its members organized environmental awareness activities in the areas of Pasig, Mandaluyong, Pasay and Makati and the universities of Manila and Quezon City.

Information campaigns such as Unite and Sign to Oppose Killer Smog (USOK) were organized in public parks and high schools, art contests were sponsored, youth "No Nukes" parties were organized.

In Pasig City, the issue of industrial pollution by Chemphil led to an investigative committee composed of residents, religious and community organizers, and Green Party members. With this strong alliance of various organizations, a congressional hearing was held on Chemphil at the Batasang Pambansa Complex.

Humanist clubs

It was that in the mid and later years of the 1990s that neighborhood and university newsletters under the Humanist Movement began to proliferate. Newsletters: Tangy Na, Voices of Taytay, Humanist Movement Monthly, Poblacion Neighborhood Newsletter, Human-Net, Naked Eye, ZONE-Net, ABAI, Humanista, Born to Write, Humanists Writers Club.

Humanist clubs such as Samahan ng Makataong Kabataan (SMK), UP Student Humanist Movement (UPHSM), Taytay Humanists, ABAI, Baclaran Humanist Club were formed. Action fronts such as World Without Wars and ZONE were formed.

Also it was also in these years that books of the Humanist Movement were published internationally and began to circulate. Also activities of The Community for Human Development was developed through self-development workshops given to NGOs and social work groups.

On May 4, 1997 the Humanist Movement publicly celebrated its founding date at the Quezon Memorial Circle at Quezon City.

ZONE: Convergence of Gay Humanists and Friends

In 1996, gay humanists participated in the Gay Pride Parade - Solidarity ’96: The Lesbian and Gay Pride March. It was a significant stage for the humanist members to come out into the open and fight gender discrimination. They demanded no special rights but equal rights as human beings. The Humanist Movement members participated carrying the banner of ZONE: Convergence of Gay Humanists and Friends. They also organized workshops for personal work, seminars on gay rights.

The next year ZONE together with the Kilusan ng Kasamang Minorya ng Pilipinas Inc. (KAMPI) and strongly supported by the Imelda Arcilla Papin Foundation, organized The First Philippine Gay Olympics: Unity in Diversity.

On March 17, 1997, active members of the Humanist Movement in the Philippines formalized the action front ZONE Convergence of Gay Humanists and Friends with the Securities and Exchange Commission. They were invited to talk shows to give their position on gays in the military.

On March 21–22, 1998, the Coalition of Humanist Gays and Lesbians for Elections ’98 held a two-day forum for presidential candidates called “Elections ’98: Gay Empowerment Year 2000” at theU.P. Film Center Cinematheque, Diliman. Presidential candidates were invited to talk on their political agenda for gays and lesbians and after the forum mock presidential elections were held. This activity attracted wide media interest.

In 1999, ZONE joined the Task Force Pride in charge with organizing the Manila Gay Pride March ’99: 1999 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride March.

Among its varied activities ZONE continues to study and research on gay issues and release position papers. Among these are the issues on the prohibition on sexual transplant, gay marriages, military service, charter change. It continues networking activities with other organizations as well as media development.

Kapisanan ng Tao Bilang Sentro

The Kapisanan ng Tao Bilang Sentro took root in Payatas, Quezon City.

Organizations

World Without Wars

In the 1996 the organization World Without Wars or Violence was organized worldwide and locally. It started with a global project petitioning for a one-week ceasefire in Year 2000, to demonstrate the feasibility of worldwide peace. The Foundation for World Without Wars was SEC-registered and signature campaigns were launched in San Sebastian College, University of the Philippines, Greenbelt Mall and other areas in Metro-Manila.

The Community for Human Development

There was no significant activity of The Community during these years. Activities had shifted to action fronts, initiatives and activities of the Humanist Movement. The Community lay dormant in the Philippines. However, The Community for Human Development, as an international organization, continued to develop in other countries.

Start of the Millennium (2000s)

With the start of the millennium a new mission arrived in the Philippines to open up new structural lines of the movement.

Ang Komunidad Para Sa Ikauunlad ng Tao

In July, 2005, The Community was registered at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as Ang Komunidad para sa Ikauunlad ng Tao. From 2005 to 2006, workshops on nonviolence, forums, and painting activities involved the students of Manggahan, Kapitolyo, Sagad, Pinagbuhatan, Eusebio and Rizal HS, public secondary level schools in Pasig City as well as the tertiary Rizal Technological University, Pasig Campus.

In 2007, a joint activity was launched by the different councils - “Edukasyong Walang Karahasan”, (Forum for Active Nonviolence In Education) where teachers, students and school administrators attended coming from NCR area.

The same year the United Nations declared October 2 as International Day of Non-Violence. To commemorate this day Ang Komunidad launched “Week of Peace and Nonviolence”. Public secondary schools of Pasig and San Juan, the local government university Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasig and the local Pasig Art Club jointly participated. This was part of the simultaneous global campaign celebrating the International Day of Non-Violence through simultaneous formation of Human Peace Signs by peoples in more than 50 countries.

This event was followed in 2008 with “5K Run for Peace and Unity”, “Celebration for Peace and Non-Violence”, and World Without Wars Forum.

International participation

Asia-Pacific Humanist Forum

European Humanist Forum, Milan

In October 2008, upon the invitation of Council 208, two Filipinos attended the European Humanist Forum in Milan. Already then, the Humanist Movement worldwide was starting to gear up for the ambitious plan to launch the World March for Peace and Nonviolence. In between the main program of the forum, spontaneous meetings and coffee break meetings livened up the trip. On the last day, the theme of the forum was "Beyond Justice... Beyond Revenge" where well-known Italian personages talked of their experiences with personal tragedy and how it led them to commit to transform their social world through non-violence.

World Without Wars and Violence

World March for Peace and Nonviolence

In 2009, the Humanist Movement launched an international campaign called the World March for Peace and Nonviolence, initiated by Mundo Sin Guerras. It was a tremendous plan for a march to circle the earth proposing the end of wars and nuclear disarmament. The World March international base team, started in New Zealand on Oct, 2, 2009 and passed the Philippines on Oct. 5-7, 2009, to culminate after passing more than 100 countries in Punta de Vacas, Argentina.

Numerous activities were done by World Without Wars Philippines and Ang Komunidad, and the Kapisanan ng Tao Bilang Sentro to promote the World March, ranging from presentations in universities and conferences, direct promotion team formation in schools, networking with peace, inter-faith, arts and culture and ecological non-government organizations, religious institutions, educational institutions, government offices and agencies.

Activities included public marches, presentations in conferences, signature campaigns on nuclear disarmament, the Hiroshima Memorial Dinner with foreign consuls, ambassadors, educators, media; and press conference at Batasan Pambansa.

Coordinated by the World Without Wars Philippines, activities were hyped during their passage to the Philippines on Oct 5-7, 2009. Events included wreath-laying at the Rizal Monument at Luneta, cultural welcome at the Rizal Technological University, parade and march from Manila Bay area to the San Andres Sports Complex with a cultural program, visit to the Batasan Pambansa, Lucena City march and formation of a huge human peace sign by 10,000 students, visit to the Taguig University, support of the unveiling of the Zero Violence Billboard at Isabela City, Basilan.

The World March marked a new stage, ending the decade of localized action and introduced new dynamics and ways of work that could be carried forward to the next decade. Networking and linkages, both local and international, were developed. Also, the use of media to spread the global consciousness for peace was a significant development.

With the World March, the call for a new world was launched and was taken up by millions of people from different latitudes and cultures. Time will tell if this signal was strong enough to resonate to the future in the coming decade.

The five organizations

In January 2010, the Humanist Movement met briefly in Argentina and officially de-structured itself. Existing internal councils functioning within the Humanist Movement were dissolved, allowing the independent development of the five organizations: the Community for Human Development, Convergence of Cultures, Center of Humanist Studies, Humanist Party and World Without Wars.

Launching of Philippine Park – Disciplines

The year 2010 for the Philippines marks also the start of the building of COS (Center of …) or Parks, where people with different religious and non-religious beliefs can go to renew their commitment to peace and non-violence and get in touch with their own deep spirituality which marks the essence of the truly human.

The future

With the end of the first decade of the millennium, Philippine history is still unfolding. Nothing remains static. We find ourselves in a vast Philippine landscape without geographical or social boundaries. The matrix of Filipino interaction and concerns can lead the Humanist Movement in the Philippines to many localities: from human spirituality, the recognition of the “sacred” in human being, from child rights to education to senior welfare, from the economic issues brought about by the liberalization schemes to the plight of overseas working Filipinos, to education, artist's rights, interfaith, health benefits, poverty, indigenous minorities, local and regional peace. We continue to define what it means to be a Filipino, what it is to humanize the Philippines…and the earth.