Original Source
'Hawak Mo Ang Jeep' Protest: Dancing Against Oil Price Hike
'Hawak Mo Ang Jeep' Dance as a Form of Resistance
On March 20, 2026, a protest was held in Mendiola, Manila, against oil price hikes in the Philippines. Demonstrators danced to the popular song 'Hawak Mo Ang Jeep' (You Hold the Jeep), expressing their discontent with the government's oil price increase policy and rising commodity prices in a cheerful yet firm manner. They performed on top of jeepneys and on the streets, drawing the attention of passersby.
Criticism of Government Policies and Call for Citizen Participation
The protesters held placards and chanted slogans demanding the repeal of the oil tax hike and a reduction in basic living costs. Specifically, they urged solutions to issues directly affecting ordinary citizens, such as the abolition of the 12% value-added tax and an increase in the education budget. This demonstration is seen as an attempt to go beyond mere protest, using dance and music to encourage broader citizen participation and effectively convey political messages to the public.
*Source: YouTube: ABS-CBN News (2026-03-20)*
