Protests can be riotous and lethal like the one occurring in Thailand. However there is a different kind of protest that recently took place in the Philippines. This protest condemns human rights violations and media-killings through a concert called Protest Broadcast 3. This was supported by an estimate of 20,000 individuals both of prominent personalities and ordinary citizens.

Protest Broadcast 3 served as a vehicle to cry justice for some 34 media workers who were killed in Maguindanao Massacre, south of the country. There are other 25 citizens who were killed in that massacre that happened in November 2009 that caught the world gaping.

Unconventional Protest
Held at the Araneta Coliseum, the country’s biggest coliseum, on May 17, 2010, the benefit concert had re-enacted the Maguindanao Massacre as its opening salvo. The theatrical re-enactment brought apprehension to the audience as they were reminded again of the cruelty that was done to the innocent victims.

Without shouting in the streets and causing commotion with police forces, the people behind the Protest Broadcast 3 were able to cry out their plea for justice in such artistic and undamaging approach. Memories of the victims were remembered as the music played. Grieving families of the victims took the opportunity during the event to pour out their emotions through their loss as they were presented to the audience after the re-enactment.

Aside from the 20,000 attendees, apparent supporters of the cause of the concert were the performers who were prominent in their industries. Heading the production of Protest Broadcast 3 is the UNTV head Daniel Razon, whose additional objective is to help financially the families of the slain journalists through the fund-raising event.

The Author
Daniel Razon, as a journalist himself, is an advocate of press freedom and is condemning the inhumane killing during that infamous massacre.

"There's nothing we can do for the dead but we can do something for their families who are still alive." These were the words of Razon whose idea of helping the victims is through assisting the needs of the grieving families.

During the event, Razon gave full scholarship grants to the children of the slain journalists as one of the ways to support their basic needs.

Razon is known for the moniker Mr. Public Service. Some of his projects include the feeding programs in depressed areas in Metro Manila, and presently the free rides in buses, railway transits, jeepneys, free transient homes accommodation, medical and legal services, and free college programs. He does this in support of Bro. Eliseo Soriano, an international preacher of Ang Dating Daan, who spearheads these programs.

The Inspiration
Bro. Eli Soriano also happened to be the special guest that evening through satellite. Soriano addressed the recent election and current political state in the Philippines, indicating the effect of religion and politics in society.

Soriano underscored the practice of some religious leaders who claim that their bets for presidency are appointments from God. He stated that their false appointment alone directly reveal them to be fake or false preachers.

It was during the period that Bro. Eli was speaking that the venue got very silent. Bro. Eli addressed Noynoy Aquino, the president apparent, on what he could do to make the matters better the country.

Fellow Protesters Performed
The people behind the Protest Broadcast strongly believe in the integrity of those they picked to perform in the event. These were those whom they believed shared the same sentiments with the theme of the event. Legends like Joey Ayala, Lolita Carbon, and the nationalistic artists like Noel Cabangon and Gary Garanada were the ones chosen to perform in this historical concert night.

"Let us not bury everything with the dead . . . we need to shed light on the truth," the phrase intoned by Joey Ayala was obviously a cry for justice. Ayala played his version of "Balita" original from ASIN, followed by his composition “Tingnan N’yo.”

Lolita Carbon of ASIN brought shivers to the people as she sang some of her songs such as “Gising na,” ”Cotabato,” “Usok,” and “Masdan mo ang mga bata.” She also dedicated a song to the families of the victims of the Massacre. There was a distressing air when she sang “Himig ng pag-ibig” but its message was true to the concert’s theme.

Gary Granada sang “Kasama” which sounded obviously like a tribute to the activists.  Noel Cabangon sang “Tatsulok,” “Tao” and ended his performance with the “Ako ay isang mabuting Pilipino,” that got the audience singing along.

History Made
Aside from its uniqueness with its concept of protesting, Protest Broadcast 3 is ready to have a spot in history. “Protest Broadcast 3: The Album” sold more than 20,000 copies in its first day of release. This was recognized by the Bible Readers’ Society and Able Music International prized the album with platinum award on the same day of launching the concert. Razon accepted the award in behalf of the fellow artists featured in the album.

Protest Broadcast 3 is the third installment in a series of benefit concerts. The name was modified from Test Broadcast into Protest Broadcast to give emphasis on condemning journalists’ killing that is becoming a loose practice in the country, mostly during the Arroyo’s administration.

Other supporters of the benefit concert include UNTV executive Larry Henares Jr., Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP), National Press Club (NPC), Movie Writers' Welfare Foundation (MWWF), Rotary Club of Kamuning, AFima, Manila Times and Manila Business club as well as the congregants of Members of Church of God International (MCGI).

Aside from Araneta Coliseum, Protest Broadcast was also presented in Cebu on May 23, 2010 and in Davao on May 30, 2010. (David Waldorf)