Freedom. Equality. Justice.

These rights, inherent in every individual, are a universal necessity

but are seldom upheld. As art persists as a versatile platform of limitless expression and
cognizance, it never rests in its fight for the truth—a discussion of critical and timely issues of
social, cultural, and political relevance. Nevertheless, art too ensures each crucial matter is
highlighted and easily digested by the common eye. As human rights continue to be one of art's
central themes in its fight against ignorance, it thus portrays the struggles of the marginalized,
the silenced, and the oppressed.

Moreover, an individual's denial of their rights is a rejection of their dignity and freedom. Marcel
Antonio's "I Is the Other" artwork then embodies equality and independence universal to all,
whereas Bert Monterona's artwork entitled "Human Rights for All" argues that each person is
entitled to rights and that it is an absolute must that we fight for them. Current power structures
define the limits to the extent of what people can and can't do. Individuals can only ever become
free if their constraints are clearly defined without supreme overruling from those in power.
Since independence was enacted in the Philippine bureaucracy, human rights conflicts have
faced a significant increase spanning over decades. Likewise, in the Philippine art context of
human rights, as one of Asia's oldest active democracies, freedom of speech within media,
society, and the civil constitution to defend every Filipino's rights is not always guaranteed.

Utilizing artworks familiar with this scope of context as an example is Chelle Bebita's "Muted,"
which is a painting dedicated to every victim silenced for defending their human rights,
regardless of age, gender, or appearance. This portrays the very reality of freedom of expression
and speech in the Philippines. Albeit journalists and student activists—or the average Filipino
citizen—advocate for the end of impunity so that all Filipinos can exercise their democratic
rights to free speech, there is a low tolerance for critique and opposition, resulting in a reduction
in democratic space and influencing a cultural attitude of dread and silence to avoid being red-
tagged. From activists protesting the protection of human rights to journalists and even the
common citizen who opposes political ideals, there are no limits to red-tagged victims fighting
for the truth. Through fraudulent accusations, falsified evidence, and false appeals, anyone who
tries to defend human rights merely becomes unjustly accused. Jim Orencio's "Wanted or
Planted" artwork thoroughly depicts the adverse effects of testifying for human rights,
particularly leading to extrajudicial killings, which persist as a rampant problem. While both
local and international human rights organizations dedicated themselves to finding accountability
for the continuous red-tagging and harassment of human rights activists and journalists, there has
been little to no avail of justice.
Ultimately, all these artworks do not solely showcase the adversity and challenges faced by those
silenced from realizing their human rights; they nevertheless shed light on the injustices faced by
Filipinos. These artworks consistently maintain exposure to current conflicts to push for human
rights and freedom, depicting the plight of the people, as they unequivocally remain an essential
tool for advocacy to ensure public awareness and understanding.