Kabataan Rep. Renee Co's SONA 2026 protest wear symbolizes youth's fight vs. imperialism, corruption

Kabataan party-list Representative Atty. Renee Co arrived in protest wear anew at this year’s State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Co wore an ivory Filipiniana top with bright red details and a symbolic painted skirt.

In an interview with GMA News Online upon arriving at Batasang Pambansa on Monday, Co said University of the Philippines fine arts student and Panday Sining member Sophia Cabugoy painted her attire.

The skirt depicts members of the youth with their fists raised in the air, with fire in the background.

“Ito po, pinag-aalab ng kabataan ang pag-asa para labanan ang imperyalismo at korapsyon,” Co told GMA News Online.

The skirt also features an eagle with a hat showing the colors of the American flag. It symbolizes the planned Pax Silica project with the United States, “kung saan wawasakin ang kalikasan, wawasakin ang water, electricity systems natin.”

The skirt also depicts a crocodile — “swimming sa ating pera,” noted Co — which symbolizes continued corruption in the Philippines.

“Pero kahit nandiyan ‘yung mga issue na ‘yan, ang mga kabataan, hindi naman mapapatinag. Magkakaisa at magsasama-sama para labanan ‘yung mga pwersa ng kadiliman at kasamaan na ito, at manaig ang mga taumbayan,” Co said.

Co was accompanied by University of Santo Tomas student leader Raven Racelis, who wore a painted Filipiniana top also by Cabugoy. Her top was painted with protesting youth and bore the words, “youth fight back,” which she said pertains to government corruption.

“Sa nangyayaring crisis ngayon sa loob ng government, especially about corruption, ‘yung kabataan laging nasa forefront ng paniningil. Pero ano ang tugon ng administration? Nakikipagsabwatan sa mga schools, nagpapapasok ng military, NTF-ELCAC, just like what happens sa UST,” Racelis told GMA News Online.

Racelis added that the government and schools hinder students from organizing and protesting. Students have also been the target of red-tagging and illegal arrests.

“Kanina sa labas, halos 40-plus na kabataan ang inaresto dahil lamang ngayon ay kumikilos ang kabataan para maningil na at humingi ng hustisya kay Bongbong Marcos,” said Racelis.

“Ang nag-aalab na puso ng kabataan ay buhay na buhay pa rin para sa pagpanday ng magandang kinabukasan at mapanagot ang lahat ng dapat managot."

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos is set to give his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday at 4 p.m.

Check out GMA News' live updates here, and watch GMA News' livestream of the SONA here. —CDC, GMA News