Napakaganda. Kahanga-hanga. Filipino pride. Ito siguro ang naiisip natin sa koronang ito subali't ano nga ba ang nasa likod na kwento nito?
Sa likod ng magandang korona ay ang opresyon laban sa mga katutubo di umano ng Jewelmer Corporation na doumano ay connected sa San Miguel Corportation.
SMC connected na naman? Tila consistent ang corporation na ito hindi lamang sa pagsira sa kalikasan kundi pati na rin sa paglapastangan sa mga katutubo at sa lupang ninuno. Sa likod ng mga magagandang salita at iba pa ay ang katotohanan na ganid sila sa tubo at pansariling interes. Kailan pa kaya bibigyan ng halaga ang mga katutubo at nasaan ang NCIP sa mga isyung ito?
Ang korona na sana ay simbulo ng pagkilala sa galing ng nanalo sa Miss Universe ay simbulo ng pagpapahirap at paglapastangan sa mga katutubo.
Katarungan para lahat ng mga katutubo sa ating bansa! Tama na! Husto na!
Tara na at magkaisa sa panawagan.
📢 Sign the petition NOW and demand that our government hold corporations accountable and return the ancestral waters to the Molbog and Palaw’an tribes.
Link to Official Press Release: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/JuxPc9C3CWo39BqP/
🛑 Share this. Speak up. Palawan’s waters belong to its people—not corporations.
Press Release - SAMBILOG - Balik Bugsuk Movement
Why This Matters Now:
The Miss Universe pageant prides itself on promoting global goodwill and empowerment, yet its association with Jewelmer raises ethical concerns. While Jewelmer markets itself as a sustainable brand, its operations fail to meet the UN's holistic definition of sustainability, which prioritizes not only environmental conservation but also social equity and economic justice.
Moreover, this issue is compounded by the involvement of another corporate giant, San Miguel Corporation, which has aggressively expanded in Palawan since the 1970s under cronyism linked to the Marcos Sr. dictatorship. The June 29, 2024, armed aggression against Indigenous residents on Mariahangin Island—broadcast on Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho and covered by major Philippine media—highlights the ongoing threats and violence faced by these communities.
On Jewelmer, which is occupying ancestral waters with their pearl farms:
- Official Press Release on Sambilog - Balik Bugsuk Facebook page on the Miss Universe crown
- Call to Action to the public
- Petition of Sambilog - Balik Bugsuk, which also contains a broaden call to action to the Philippine government
- A few videos of confrontation with Jewelmer corp., shared on Facebook, which demonstrate the harassment
The recent coverage of the issue related to the aggression of San Miguel corp. on June 29, 2024:
- TV documentary: Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, July 14 episode (English subs version in Google Drive)
- Rappler, Inquirer, and other media coverage (list in Google Drive)
- Artists have made their solidarity cartoon for the campaign such as Tarantadong Kalbo and Cartoonist Zach
This is not just a story about a crown; it is a story of resilience, justice, and the urgent need for global accountability. Your coverage can bring much-needed attention to the plight of the Indigenous Peoples of Palawan and call on the Miss Universe Organization to align its values with its actions.
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