IT began as a creative release of an artist who has had enough.
Kevin Eric Raymundo has been creating satirical illustrations for his hit web comic series “Tarantadong Kalbo” for two years. On July 17, he posted another piece that expresses his disapproval of the current administration without expecting much of a response.
The artwork depicted legions of anthropomorphic fists bowing down in submission, mimicking the signature fist-bump pose of President Duterte. In the middle of the frame, however, valiantly stands an outlier. In its defiance, the character appears as a clenched fist pointing skyward, standing as the symbol for resistance.
Titled Tumindig, Tagalog for “to arise,” the piece inspired another illustrator, Kapitan Tambay, to create his own avatar that stands in solidarity with Raymundo’s. It was the first adaptation of the character, which has since spawned a few thousands more in less than two weeks and has now evolved into a full-blown online movement that continues to gain momentum.
“Sobrang hindi ko siya in-expect na it would blow up na ganun kalaki,” Raymundo said in a recent TV interview with ANC. “Nung time na ’yun ang daming balita na lumalabas na sobrang depressing, especially with the coming elections, ang daming nagpaparamdam na politicians who want our vote. I felt the need na ilabas ’yung nararamdam ko. ’Yun lang naman ang purpose ng artwork na ’yun—to show what I’m feeling.”
As of this writing, Raymundo’s original Tumindig post has garnered close to 60,000 likes on Twitter. Individuals and organizations have joined in on the trend, expressing their support to the movement by posting their own raised-fist avatars. The list includes political figures from the opposition, youth organizations and art collectives, among others.
Visual artists have also embraced the movement. Sculptor Leeroy New reimagined Raymundo’s raised fist using discarded water bottles. Meanwhile, Bayani Galera used pencils to fashion out fingers for his version.
In his ANC interview, Raymundo revealed that the next step for the movement is to expand it beyond the digital realm. “May plan kami to combine the entries into one big image, then ikakakalat namin siya possibly offline…sa streets,” he said.
“Art is always political, whether you like it or not,” the artist added. “Hindi siya just for aesthetics. Even if you choose not to participate sa political discourse, that in itself is staying silent. When you stay silent, you are siding with the oppressors.”
Raymundo said that he is but a simple citizen who visualizes his thoughts through drawing.
“I am using my talent and my platform to call out the Duterte administration for its cruel, unreasonable and arbitrary use of power and control,” he said. “I get a lot of questions lately kung tungkol saan ang artwork ko, at kung ako ba raw ay against the government. I think the better question to ask is: Sawang-sawa na ang mga tao sa kapalpakan, pangaabuso, pagpapatahimik, pagpapakulong, pinapatay ang mga karaniwang mamamayan, at sa gitna pa ng pandemya—is the government against its own people?”
“Kasi kung oo,” he added, “ay dapat na itong palitan. Magpa-rehistro tayo and let’s vote them out in this coming elections.”
Image courtesy of Twitter.com/Kevinkalbo