HISTORICAL INTERPRETATION/ANALYSIS

Maria Cecilia Flores- Coronacion

Oebanda Chiva

According to (Gomez, 2012), According to (Bantayog, 2017),

Maria Cecilia Flores-Oebanda Philippines’ official website, the

was organizing youth leaders Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa

and helping the human rights Hapon (Hukbalahap) movement

victims when martial law was did not dissipate even after the

declared. In 1976, a war. Coronacion Chiva, along

government crackdown on with other member of

Bacolod activists drove her to Hukbalahap continued to

quit school and head to the hills demand for agrarian reform

of southern Negros to join the from the government. She saw

armed struggle against how people in her community

President Marcos. There, she continued to suffer from

How did the different
circumstances prompted them became the leader of the New poverty, lack of land to till, and
to take actions
People’s Army in the for low wages they received

hinterlands of Southern Negros. from their farm employers. So,

It was supported by an article in 1967 to 1971, she became

written by (Gatignol, n.d.). the organizer for the

According to her, Cecila was (PANELFU) Panay Association

about 15 years old when she of Nationalistic Laborers,

became a youth leader in a Employees and Farmers’

politically unstable Philippines, Union, which advocated for

run by a president considered a land reform and better wages

tyrant. However, Cecilia was for farmers. She was also

determined to fight. At the heart assigned as the union president

 HISTORICAL INTERPRETATION/ANALYSIS
of the fight, groups were in their town. It was also

organized to tell stories about supported by (Commission on

liberation theology, and Human Rights, 2018) stating

eventually Cecilia became one that she was the light that drew

of three female commanders of thousands and despite the

the guerilla movement. countless threats to her life, she

carried on, fighting for what is

right.

In an article by (Edwards, According to (Bantayog, 2017),

2016), Cecilia’s greatest Coronacion Chiva rallied

contribution relies on her against military abuse, poverty,

bravery for eliminating civil and unfair sharing schemes,

human rights violation by exploitation of workers by sugar

battling for the Filipino people’s planters, and so on. The rallies

liberation during the dictatorship drew thousands of people. She

of Ferdinand Marcos. It was became so popular that she

Contribution to the Philippine
History also supported by (Gatignol, received speaking invitations

2012) and added that today she even for fiestas and village

has become the president of dances. In 1972, after her

the Visayan forum foundation imprisonment, she opened her

and assisted more than 60,000 house to the secret activities of

people escape the horrors of students who formed the

human trafficking. She also resistance against the new

serves as an Appointee of the martial-law regime. Waling-

 HISTORICAL INTERPRETATION/ANALYSIS
President of the Republic of the waling gave assistance to them,

Philippines to the Inter Agency fed them and gave them

Council Against Trafficking necessities. She became the

(IACAT) to represent the young ones’ teachers. Often,

Women's Sector. She is a well- she would tell the activists who

known human rights activist visited her about the local

and expert on human people’s long struggle for a

trafficking, child labor, and better life, connecting this to the

domestic employment. Filipino people’s struggle for

nationhood and provided them

historical context. Despite

countless threats to Waling

-waling’s life, she carried on,

inspiring younger activists

According to (Kessler n.d.), According to (Liberation, n.d),

Maria Cecilia Flores-Oebanda Coronacion Chiva’s contribution

has dedicated her life in fighting and efforts to the revolution, as

for the Filipino people’s a result of her devotion to the

liberation during the regime of revolutionary movement, link

Ferdinand Marcos, fighting the patriotic revolutionaries of

Relevance to the Philippine
History against modern slavery by and the past to the new generation

eventually forming Voice of the of revolutionaries. (Bantayog,

Free after her release as a 2017) also added that her

prisoner. Cecilia has worked to political life stretched over three

successfully build worldwide decades, making her a symbol

best practices in the fight of her people’s battles for their

 HISTORICAL INTERPRETATION/ANALYSIS
against human trafficking. She lives, and under martial law,

is recognized for her bravery resistance against injustice.

and unwavering pursuit of a She is legend of sorts in Iloilo, a

society in which people are free courageous, distinct, and

to pursue opportunities without outspoken woman, utterly

fear of being exploited, abused, committed to her cause.

or enslaved. Student activists and Feminists

honor her.

References:

Gomez, C. (2012, September 12). Kumander Liway: NGO head was Red rebel vs Marcos

dictatorship. Retrieved from: https://globalnation.inquirer.net/50348/kumander-liway-ngo-head-was-

red-rebel-vs-marcos-dictatorship

Kessler, P. (n.d.). Telos Governance Adviser: Maria Cecilia Flores-Oebanda. Retrieved from:

https://www.telosgovernance.com/phillip-j-kessler

Commission on Human Rights, (2018). Habilin: Coronacion “Waling-waling” Chiva. Retrieved from:

https://chr.gov.ph/?

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