“Dance, Run, Protest” Rising in Quezon City Against VAW, Corruption, and Fascism

“Dance, Run, Protest”: GABRIELA Leads OBR PH 2026 Women Rise vs VAW, Corruption, and Facism

“QUEZON CITY, Philippines — On Valentine’s Day, the national women’s alliance GABRIELA, together with various sectoral organizations, successfully held the “Dance, Run, Protest: One Billion Rising (OBR) Philippines 2026” at the University of the Philippines Diliman. Under the banner “Women Rise Against VAW, Corruption, and Fascism,” the mass dance protest and advocacy run served as a powerful collective action of Filipino women amid a deepening socioeconomic crisis, escalating cases of violence against women and children, and growing public outrage over massive corruption scandals under the Marcos Jr. administration.

“Today, we transformed our collective grief and rage into militant dance, run, and protest. We rise because the violence inflicted on women and girls is mirrored by the violence of a plundering state and its fascist machinery,” declared GABRIELA Secretary-General Clarice Palce.

The mass action centered on three urgent and interconnected issues crushing Filipino women: the alarming rise in cases of Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC); the systematic plunder of public funds that worsens hunger, poverty, and the collapse of social services; and the escalating fascist attacks targeting women human rights defenders and communities who dare to resist.

The program featured vibrant creative campaign and advocacy materials calling to “Defend Filipino Women,” “Labanan ang Abuso,” and “Kurakot, Managot!” A poignant highlight was the pledge activity “I Vow to Fight VAW: Your Touch Lessens My Pain.” Participants wiped off bruise marks on a large image of a woman—symbolizing collective healing from violence and abuse—and used the ink to imprint their thumbmark as a lasting commitment to end all forms of violence against women and girls.

“This pledge is a powerful symbol of our solidarity. Every thumbprint is a promise that we will be each other’s keepers. We will expose the abusers and perpetrators in our homes, schools, and workplaces—along with the plunderers and thieves in government,” Palce said.

The OBR PH 2026 mobilization stands as a testament to the unwavering spirit and growing militancy of Filipino women in the face of a regime marked by violence, corruption, and fascism. GABRIELA urged Filipino women and the public to join the escalating protests, including the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Uprising on February 25, and the historic International Working Women’s Day mobilization on March 8.”