UP Diliman (UPD) through the UPD Gender Office (DGO) held the UPrising: UPD Community Mural and One Billion Rising 2024 on Feb. 14 at Benton Hall.

According to a post on the DGO’s Facebook page, the event was “in solidarity with the global One Billion Rising movement” as “UPD unites to raise awareness and demand an end to gender-based violence.” The DGO further wrote, “Together, let’s paint a future without oppression.”

With the poster Isang Bilyong Babaeng Babangon, Isang UP Lalaban, advocates and groups expressed their solidarity messages.

Former Gabriela Women’s Party representative Emerenciana “Emmi” De Jesus said, “Ang tingin ko, makabuluhan ang temang dala ng inyong programa at marapat lamang na ang salitang ‘change’ ay malinaw na naglilingkod sa mamamayan at kababaihan.”

Meanwhile, Ma. Shari Niña G. Oliquino, UP assistant vice president for academic affairs (student affairs), highlighted the important role of the youth in social change. As Angelica Ann Cayabyab, Sangguniang Kabataan UP Campus chair, said, “At ang totoong pag-ibig ay mapagpalaya at nagtitipon-tipon ngayong araw.”

The main activities of the event were the mural painting and One Billion Rising dance. Several participants were wearing pink headbands, displaying “Sulong, Kababaihan!”

Among those who performed at the event were UP Kontra-GaPi, dancer Megan, and Ang Mga Baklang Kanal who did a short beauty pageant. Meanwhile, a highlight at the One Billion Rising dance was the participation of the Batibot Kids from the daycare Early Batibot Learning Center.