“Cry for Justice,” by BenCab, for "Hudyat" exhibit — “Cry for Justice,” by BenCab

Tomorrow, March 9, a group of artists led by National Artist Ben Cabrera (BenCab) will come together to share their works on the theme of human rights and human dignity.

“Hudyat!” is an unprecedented project by a group of artists that will train the spotlight on extrajudicial killings (EJK) in the country, and on the abuse of human dignity.

These killings are unprecedented in post-Marcos history. Since the Duterte administration waged its all-out war on drugs, more than 7,000 people have been killed either in legitimate police operations or in incidents described as consequences of vigilante killings.

After a brief moratorium because of mounting pressures both here and abroad and the killing of a Korean businessman by rogue cops, President Duterte resumed his war on drugs, his centerpiece program of government.

“Hudyat!” aims to put the spotlight back on human dignity that is being lost in the current antidrug campaign of the government. Human dignity is an innate right of each person to be valued, respected and to receive ethical treatment. Human dignity is the basis of fundamental human rights; it is inviolable and must be preserved, respected and protected.

Without human dignity at the center, the purported gains of the antidrug war will not have a lasting significance in society.

By Melvyn Calderon for "Hudyat" exhibit — By Melvyn Calderon

By Carlo Gabuco for "Hudyat" exhibit — By Carlo Gabuco

“‘To battle for the right’ is in Far Eastern University’s hymn and one of our core values is uprightness. The ‘Hudyat sa FEU’ is a discourse platform that will guide us in making a more informed decision to uphold and protect human dignity,” said Romel Bernardo, president of FEU Central Student Organization.

The exhibit will run March 9-25, at the FEU campus on Nicanor Reyes St., Sampaloc, Manila.

By Rick Rocamora for "Hudyat" exhibit — By Rick Rocamora

By Raffy Lerma for "Hudyat" exhibit — By Raffy Lerma

“Eksenang Tahimik,” by A. Delotavo, for "Hudyat" exhibit — “Eksenang Tahimik,” by A. Delotavo

Student fora to further expose the problem will feature artists, advocates, victims and survivors on March 10, 2 p.m., and March 18, 10 a.m.

The participating artists are National Artist Ben Cabrera, Pandy Aviado, Xyza Bacani, Melvyn Calderon, Sheila Coronel, Antipas Delotavo, William Elvin, Patricia Evangelista, Carlo Gabuco, Toym Imao, Marne Kilates, Jose F. Lacaba, Raffy Lerma, Julie Lluch, Nikki Luna, Resbak, Rick Rocamora, Jose Tence Ruiz, Ea Torrado, Mark Valenzuela, Veejay Villafranca.

FEU artists include Ma. Eugene Aniar, Christopher Bautista, Manuel Billoso, Jun Concepcion, Alexandre Dalit, Gabriel Gapay, Archie Jacinto, Candido Manarpiz, Gene Paul Martin, Victor Sison and Dexter Sy.

The exhibit by curated by Ricky Francisco.

Call 09176302924, 7364897; visit www.facebook.com/HUDYATSAFEU