Anti-Epal movement

Juana change hits SK tarps welcoming her to Bohol event

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines — The anti-Epal campaign of politicial satirist Juana Change finally reached Bohol where she assailed the welcome tarpaulins that the Sangguniang Kabataan Provincial Federation (SKPF) mounted for the 2-day Young Leaders Convention in the Visayas last Saturday.

Juana Change, or Mae Paner in real life, was supposed to be the guest speaker of the event on the topic “Transformational Leadership: Real or Moving,” but she protested upon seeing the tarpaulins bearing her photo, the other speakers and SKPF president Jethro Nathaniel Imboy.

The protestations of Juana Change were posted on her Facebook wall, and was discussed on the interview with her and Lazatin over ANC News Channel with Pinky Webb. Imboy also guested on the TV program to air his side of the issue. The day before that, GMA News TV had Juana Change and Imboy as guests on the same topic.

These also drew a reaction from Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes who tweeted on the issue to the Anti-Epal Movement group of Juana Change and co-founder Vince Lazatin. “Pagkatapos na marinig ang panawagan namin ni Lazatin sa Teleradyo (program) with Korina Sanchez, agad-agad nag-tweet si Brillantes sa amin. Resulta? May en banc session ang Comelec with (our group),” said Juana Change.

The SKPF, for its part, had to remove Juana Change from the roster of speakers to the convention. Two days before the event, the SKPF wrote to her apologizing “for whatever pain or damage the welcome tarpaulins may have caused.”

The letter also explained to Juana Change that the organizers, “upon close consultations with the partners, have decided to forego with the invitation that was earlier extended to you as guest speaker. We thank you for giving time and still hope to engage with you in your advocacies and pray for their success while we work and contribute together to social transformation.”

Earlier that same day, Juana Change posted a request on his Facebook Wall to take down the welcome tarpaulins bearing her photo. The organizers immediately informed her that the tarpaulins were already removed upon her request.

The SKPF-Bohol further told Juana Change that it never had any intention to use or put her in a compromising situation in line with her Anti-Epal Campaign, which was not made known to the organizers. It explained that the welcome tarpaulins were only made “to promote the convention, which a local-partner and 500 SK leaders from Bohol have committed to participate.”

Other posts of Juana Change on her FB states: “Dear Rene Relampagos (1st district representative) and Edgar Chatto (governor), ano ba ang paliwanag nyo dito ... Has this issue been brought to your attention? At ano ang pwede nating gawin? I am absolutely sure maraming marangal dyan sa Bohol ... at nakaintindi ng anti-epal advocacy.” (FREEMAN)