Workers of Hacienda Maria Cecilia walk the sugarcane field everyday to pursue a life of dignity and freedom. The Manila Fixed Gear cyclists ride for freedom to pledge an end to modern day slavery.
Workers from rural Negros. Cyclists from urban Manila. All Warriors of Freedom.
John Paul Embang is 5 years old and an honor student. He dreams of going to China. 1.2 million children like him are trafficked every year.
Yadu Saulo is 19 years old and a cyclist. He dreams that no children like John Paul will ever be forced to work in sweatshops, grow up in the streets, or sold by desperate families. He keeps this dream in his mind as he rides for freedom on Independence Day.
A dangerous path they both tread; a courageous heart they both need.
When Ka Potot, Hacienda Maria Cecilia’s Farmworkers Association leader was brutally murdered by unknown assailants, the heavy burden of taking care of 24 families fell into Bonifacio’s hands. Today, he continues to fight so that the workers of Hacienda Maria Cecilia will never be enslaved again.
Carlo is a proud son of 3 stars and a sun. He fights to defend his fellow brown men. On Independence Day, he will wave the flag loud and proud as he rides for freedom.
Mae Anne, 15, singer and songwriter. Her only aspiration is to be able to help her family. 27 million girls like her are enslaved across the globe. 70% of them are trafficked into sex trade and 30% into forced labor.
Mica Dionisio, cyclist and artist. Mica carries Mae Ann’s song in her heart as she rides for freedom on Independence Day.
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.” – Proverbs 31:8-9
Teodolfo is a farmer who left his land and family in Negros only to be deceived into a low paying job that left him destitute. Everyday, people all over the world are illegally recruited to work through intimidation, deceit or threat of violence.
Cyclists like Dayco Zaldo speak up for those who are silenced by fear and robbed of hope when he rides for freedom on Independence Day.
Robin Panes, 19. He did not finish school and helps his family by working in the sugarcane fields. Majority of victims of human trafficking are aged 18-24 years old and who, like Robin, did not have a chance to finish their education.
Kalki Salvacion, 21. He is passionate about biking and plays an active role in his cycling group. On Independence Day, he will ride for the freedom people seeking for greener pastures but has fallen victim to human trafficking.
Cherry Pie is a born fighter. She speaks eloquently of her fears and her dreams, of the past and the future, of her family and her father, Ka Potot, who was murdered fighting for their land. At 20, Cherry Pie’s experiences has only made her heart stronger.
Nityalila’s name literally means the eternal dance of love. People like Cherry Pie inspire her and fuel her passion to create music and to be an advocate against human trafficking. This Independence Day, with a burning desire in her heart, she will ride for freedom to help put an end to modern-day slavery.
An average farmworker like Ricky earns 220 pesos a day for 6 months. For the other 6 months of tiempos muerte (dead season), he has no work. Because of poverty, three out of every 1,000 people are in forced labor.
An average Filipino working class in Metro Manila earns 456 pesos a day. Ivan, like many other urban cyclist, bikes to work to save on gas and avoid the traffic. On Independence Day, Ivan will ride to pledge for every Filipino’s safe journey for a human trafficking free Philippines.
The encomienda system, which evolved to the Hacienda system and gave birth to slaves and sacadas, was implemented in the Philippines in 1570. Jose comes from a long generation of hacienda workers. Sacadas, common victims of human trafficking, are trapped in debt bondage which they cannot afford to pay with their average earning of 70 pesos a day for filling a truck with 15 tons of sugarcane.
The bicycle was invented in 1817. Dennis will push his limits on Independence Day as he rides a 196 year old invention of transportation against a 443 year old system of enslavement.
Jaymar’s playground are the rice fields. He likes to catch birds to bring home for his siblings to eat. Everyday, children like Jaymar are deprived of their childhood and are forced into labor.
Mai’s playground are the streets. He braves the city as his bicycle takes him to his destinations but his extra amount courage has made him stand up against slavery. Mai will undertake this challenge on Independence Day as he pursues the path of freedom for children like Jaymar.
Putting his own life at risk after his brother, Ka Potot, was killed, Teroy rose to continuously fight for the future of his family and the 24 other families whose hopes and dreams are anchored on the piece of land they own.
After learning about human trafficking, Kiko, head of the Manila Fixed Gear, accepted the challenge to join the campaign and ride for those whose freedom and future are easily stolen from them.
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