'Political persecution has no place in a democracy'

from the inbox:

ERICSON ACOSTA is a former editor of the U.P. Philippine Collegian.
He is also known to his peers at the university as a poet, thespian, and songwriter.

He was arrested without warrant by the military on February 13, 2011, in an upland barrio in Samar just because the laptop he carried roused the suspicion of soldiers. He was accompanied by a local barrio official at the time of his arrest, as he was doing human rights work as volunteer researcher of the local peasant group KAPAWA in Western Samar.

We, his family, friends, colleagues and supporters demand nothing less than his immediate and unconditional release. Political persecution and the malevolent criminalization of activists have no place in a democracy.

Ericson’s sense of responsibility as Iskolar ng Bayan has led him to work in the grassroots and create art with the people. Even in detention, Ericson continues to craft poetry and songs, highlighting the plight of political prisoners in the country.

Respect for human rights is an indication of the government’s resolve to genuinely serve the people. Political prisoners are rights advocates whose bid for a more humane society is twisted and distorted in the hands of state discourse. Ericson Acosta’s right to participate productively as a free citizen of this country is violated each day he remains in detention. A year after his illegal arrest, we enjoin all freedom-loving Filipinos to defend human rights and to usher in peace based on justice.

FREE THE ARTIST!
FREE ERICSON ACOSTA!
FREE ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS!


SIGN THE ONLINE PETITION FOR ERICSON ACOSTA'S IMMEDIATE RELEASE
at CHANGE.ORG

Chamber Music at its Best (and for a Cause Again)

Violinist Gina Medina and Pianist Mary Anne Espina will perform at the UP Balay Kalinaw International House Conference Hall on May 28.

The presentor, Music News and Features, is donating 30 tickets at P500 each for the Ericson Acosta Legal Defense Fund.

To reserve your tickets, contact the Free Ericson Acosta Campaign through Sarah Katrina Maramag (0921-7417-469) or leave a message at the Free Ericson Acosta Facebook page.

Music News & Features Intimate Concert Series 6: Chamber Music At Its Best!

“The recital of the year was the evening of French music called Le French Soire featuring violinist Gina Medina and pianist Mary Anne Espina. The Faure was a brilliant opener, Ravel unleashed a lot of sensuality and Saint-Saens was a superb conclusion. The rapport was excellent. But on their own, Medina and Espina gave their audiences a rare glimpse of their artistry honed to sensitive maturity through the years.”--Philippine Daily Inquirer

Saturday, May 28 at 6 p.m.
UP Balay Kalinaw International House Conference Hall,
Guerrero and Dagohoy Sts.
University of the Philippines campus
Diliman, Quezon City

Tickets at P1,000 (with buffet dinner), P500 (concert only)
Capacity: 90 seats

Program

Romantic Pieces Antonin Dvorak

"Praeludium and Allegro"
Fritz Kreisler

"Rondino on a Theme of Beethoven"
"Libeslied"
"Schon Rosmarin"
"Spanish Dance in E minor"
Enrique Granados

"Danse Espagnole" from La Vida Breve
Manuel de Falla

"Sarung Bangui"
Folk Song-Kabayao

"Cavatina"
Nicanor Abelardo

"Hating Gabi"
Antonio Molina

"Bayan Ko"
De Guzman-Romero

The performing artists: Gina Medina, violin, and Mary Anne Espina, piano

Gina Medina was an attraction of the Filipino Artist Series of the Cultural Center of the Philippines in 2001 and has performed as soloist Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, the Manila Symphony Orchestra, PREDIS Chamber Orchestra, the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Orchestra, among others. A two-time first prize winner of the National Music Competition for Young Artists, Medina was awarded a French government scholarship which gave her the opportunity to join several music festivals in France and to study with Olivier Charlier, Dong Suk-Kang, Philippe Bride and the Amadeus Quartet. After her stint in France,she got a full scholarship to study at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts where she trained under Prof. Pavel Prantl, and Barry Wilde, concertmaster of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1994, Ms.Medina was chosen concertmaster of the Asian Youth Orchestra (AYO) under the baton of Maestro Sergiu Commissiona which toured Taiwan, Japan and the United States in 1995. As member of the AYO Chamber Orchestra, she had the opportunity to perform at the White House, the United Nations during its 50th Anniversary celebration and at the APEC Conference in Osaka, Japan, as concertmaster.

Mary Anne Espina is one of the most sought after collaborating artists in the country today. She continues to team up with outstanding local and international artists in major concert and recital venues in the country. Some of her notable collaborations are those with Filipino pianist Nena del Rosario-Villanueva at the People’s Republic of China: French violinist Frederic Pellassy; Israeli violinist Hagai Shaham; Russian violinist Anstacia Chebotareva, winner of the Tchaikovsky and Paganini Competitions; soprano Joan Gibbons; renowned Filipino tenor Otoniel Gonzaga; American cellist Stephen Framil; German violinist Angelo Bard, Romanian violinist Alexandru Tomescu and recently with French baritone, Jerome Correas. She has figured in the Intimate Concert Series with soprano Camille Lopez Molina, baritones Andrew Fernando and Noel Azcona, tenor Lemuel de la Cruz and flutist Christopher Oracion.

Call 748-4152 or text +63906-510-4270 for ticket reservations.