Exhibiting effigies of the incumbent president has long been a tradition for protesters at every State of the Nation Address (SONA) in the Philippines. With President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s third SONA approaching, GMA News Online revisits past effigies and speaks to those preparing new ones for the upcoming event.
Tradition of Effigies in Protests
Effigies have been a staple in Filipino protests since the 1970s, often serving as a form of street theater with elaborate visual narratives and interactive elements. According to Max Santiago of Bayan’s cultural committee, the effigy of Marcos Sr. during the First Quarter Storm of 1970 remains one of his favorites.
Memorable Effigies
Santiago also mentioned the “Gloria Manananggal” effigy during former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s administration, symbolizing the human rights violations and economic hardships of that time. Another notable effigy was “Rody’s Cube,” a Rubik’s cube featuring images of former President Rodrigo Duterte, Marcos Sr., Nazi leader Adolf Hitler, and a dog, used to protest Duterte’s policies in 2017.
International Attention
One of the effigies that gained international attention was the “Trump Fidget Spinner,” displayed during US President Donald Trump’s visit to the Philippines in 2017. It was even featured on Jimmy Kimmel’s show in the United States.
Importance of Effigies
Santiago emphasized the importance of effigies as a reflection of freedom of expression in a democratic society. He described them as a form of public art that conveys messages about societal issues creatively.
SONA 2024 Effigies
For this year’s SONA, Santiago revealed that two effigies will be displayed during the march along Commonwealth Avenue. One depicts a giant Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte in a physical altercation, symbolizing the disunity between them. This effigy will be burned during the rally.
Additionally, an oversized ball representing the “Bagong Pilipinas” logo will be featured. Protesters will toss this ball around to highlight their critique of the administration’s new governance campaign.
Background
Marcos and Duterte ran as a tandem in the 2022 elections, promoting unity. However, Duterte has since resigned from her Cabinet positions and declared herself the “designated survivor,” indicating a split. Through the effigies, protesters aim to highlight their differing allegiances, with Marcos shown supporting the US and Duterte supporting China.