We look forward to the day when we would have to transform the text into “Freed Frenchie.”
When Loi broached the idea of making a quilt on our silver anniversary, no one among us resisted. We entertained the suggestion even though none of us – except for one – had done it before.
We were certain of the text we wanted to sew: Free Frenchie. Since February 7, 2020, we can never mark our anniversary without thinking about the arrest and detention of community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, church worker Marielle Domequil and human rights defender Alexander “Chakoy” Abinguna.
Frenchie could be any of us. Like her, we have been labeled as “communist-terrorists” because of our brand of journalism. During the time of Rodrigo Duterte, we also wondered if our office would be raided next.
Deep inside, we also know that we are more privileged than Frenchie. Being in Metro Manila has allowed us to call for support when things turn ugly. There are days when guilt creeps in – guilt that we are still able to continue our work while Frenchie is languishing in prison for crimes she did not commit. Guilt that we could not visit her as often as we would have wanted, that we might not be doing enough to set her free. This feeling is difficult to shake off, despite knowing that we are up against an entire state machinery and that justice is so elusive in this benighted land.
And so we do anything, even simple acts of showing our solidarity such as this quilt. Our friend Naya who walked us through the process said these forms of “craftivism” are also considered resistance.
It took several days for us to finish everything. While laughing about our imperfect stitches, Zeng said that sewing helped calm her nerves. The activity compelled us to pause and deal with the discomfort of slowness. As I pricked all sorts of fabric, I acknowledged the guilt, frustration and anger. I also realized how the campaign has grown, and felt extremely grateful for the solidarity shown by many individuals and institutions.
We look forward to the day when we would have to transform the text into “Freed Frenchie.”
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