On the 67th birthday of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines (YACAP) delivered a powerful message. They did this through their latest fashion show, The Horror: Fashion Against Fascism and Fossil Fuels. The event, held at the Ignacio B. Gimenez-KAL Theater in UP Diliman, highlighted how the current administration’s policies devastate the environment. It also emphasized the impacts on the Filipino people.
YACAP exposed the government’s disregard for climate initiatives through a haunting performance. This featured both models and activists. They highlighted the lack of a just transition framework and the resulting atrocities faced by Filipinos. The show was a departure from earlier iterations. It focused not only on external disasters. It also highlighted the internal anxieties and anger felt by the youth.
Artists and designers, including Kevin Raymundo and Santi Obcena, created chilling designs. These designs highlighted the performances of the models. They also conveyed the show’s urgent message. The model’s lineup as representatives from various sectors united in their fight for climate justice.
“The glaring incompetence and willful negligence of the current Marcos Jr. administration has led to the loss of livelihoods and even lives,” said Alab, producer and national coordinator of YACAP. “We are living in a reality more terrifying than a horror movie. We refuse to stand by and let things continue as usual.”
Director Karl Castro emphasized the significance of the event. He stated, “The garments strutted on the runway show the plight of today’s generation. They are most affected by the climate crisis. We hope this show inspires more people to take action.”
The Horror is a powerful reminder of the urgent need for climate justice and the devastating consequences of inaction. YACAP’s message resonates with the growing youth movement demanding a sustainable and fair future.
