Filipino community leaders tell Maria Ressa: “You are not alone”

“Ressa, Ressa,” di ka nag-iisa “, sing Filipinos from all walks of life in Oslo

as posted byThe Oslo office

The following photo report originally appeared in The Oslo Desk.

Filipino journalist and co-winner of the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize, Maria Ressa, met leaders of the Filipino community at the Grand Hotel in Oslo just after delivering her inspirational speech at the award ceremony that took place is held at Oslo City Hall on December 10.

Ressa gave a shorter version of her speech at the awards ceremony to the delight of community leaders who had waited hours to see her at the Grand Hotel.

In her signature gesture with folded hands, Ressa pleaded with the leaders of the Filipino community to do their part to fight misinformation in social media and spread the message of truth despite threats and harassment online. She asked them cryptically what she said she had asked herself so many times before: “What are you willing to sacrifice for the truth?” “

While addressing the community, Ressa would at times look up as if trying to recapture moments when she stood in front of the audience that awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, searching for words to convey her important message to those in the audience. want to hear it.

Ressa raises her hands animatedly while trying to make a point about “surveillance capitalism and how everyone needs to hear its impact on their lives and global democracy”.

Ressa has captivated the community with her exhortations on what she can do to help restore trust in social media, fight lies and defend democracy.

“Build ‘communities of action’, Ressa challenges the Filipino community in Oslo, saying that they are expected to be high since they live in a democratic country where ‘most things work’.

“In a world ruled by the rule of law, the cyber defamation case should have been dismissed,” Maria told leaders of how she was persecuted by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. She also laments the fact that there is so much poison in social media that it is getting harder and harder to tell the truth from the lies. “Once you’re angry you can believe anything” is how she explains why there is so much hate and misinformation.

“You are not alone, this is what the Nobel committee says, this is what I heard from them,” she told the leaders.

Ressa listens intently to a leader’s question, only to be told that she can be compared to Filipino national hero Jose Rizal. She blurted out in return: “Don’t say that, he was shot!” to everyone’s laughter.

A place of honor is at the center of the Filipino community. Ressa happily poses with the assembled leaders in his honor and on his behalf.

Christmas glitter along the route of the Torch Parade in Karl Johan Street to honor this year’s Nobel Peace Prize laureates.

“We are Filipinos and tonight we are proudly walking along Karl Johan Street wearing the national colors in honor of the country’s very first Nobel Laureate.”

Not without controversy, a banner carried by a group at the Torch Parade asks, “Where’s Assange?” while at the same time declaring their support for Ressa and Muratov.

Filipinos rallied under one flag, braving the wintry night of December 10 to show their support for Maria Ressa.

Flags and cheers greeted Maria under the balcony of the Grand Hotel as Filipinos from all walks of life await her appearance. Some wear the color pink, a symbol of hope.

“I’m here,” Maria could have told the crowd as she stepped out onto the balcony with Russian journalist Dmitrij Muratov, co-winner. The Filipino crowd goes into a frenzy shouting, “Ressa, Ressa, ‘di ka nag-iisa (Ressa, Ressa, you are not alone). ” – Rappler.com