MTV EXIT (End Exploitation and Trafficking), in partnership with the Philippines Government, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Australian Government’s Agency for International Development (AusAID) recently announced the return of the MTV EXIT campaign to the Philippines with a free MTV EXIT Live in Manila concert on October 29.
MTV EXIT Live in Manila will bring together international and local artists to raise awareness and help prevent human trafficking and exploitation. The free outdoor concert will be headlined by Korean pop sensation, Jay Park, and held at SM Mall of Asia concert grounds. Joining the line-up will be Californian alternative rock band, Evaline and top local artists Parokya Ni Edgar, Pupil, Ebe Dancel, Itchyworms, and will be hosted by MTV VJ Holly, including a special appearance by popular Filipino celebrity, Dingdong Dantes, who is the new MTV EXIT Celebrity Ambassador in the Philippines. Free tickets are available through www.facebook.com/astroplus1 or more details on www.mtvexit.org.
MTV EXIT Campaign Director, Matt Love said, “We are excited to return to the Philippines to inspire youth to take action against this critical issue. MTV EXIT Live in Manila harnesses on the power and influence of music to bring together international and local artists in solidarity with youth across the Philippines to fight against this problem affecting millions of people worldwide.”
Human trafficking is a crime that affects 2.5 million people worldwide. Of those, more than half are living in or from Asia and the Pacific. Often, the victims are young people who are guilty of nothing more than wanting a better life for themselves.
MTV EXIT and Visayan Forum Foundation (VF) will also be hosting the first-ever National Youth Summit for the Movement of Anti-Trafficking Advocates (MATA) from 24 October to 28 October to empower youth leaders from across the Philippines to spread key anti-trafficking messages. The Summit will bring together 110 youth leaders, ages 16 to 26 years old, for a series of workshops conducted by media professionals from the film, theatre, and music industries. The Summit will strengthen the youth leaders’ creative skills, while challenging them to produce a campaign plan to take the fight against human trafficking back to their local communities.
U.S. Ambassador Harry Thomas has expressed his support for the Youth Summit, saying, “the Movement Against Trafficking Advocates is harnessing the power and creativity of youth, and youth can be an important force in the fight against human trafficking. All of us must join hands to fight this form of modern day slavery.”
Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Rod Smith says, “The work of MTV EXIT reminds us that we all have a responsibility to end human trafficking. Individuals, families, businesses and governments must work together to stop this trade in human life, and ensure justice for its victims. Human trafficking calls for a global response. Australia is committed to working with the Philippines and its partners in the region on this issue of shared international concern.”
In addition, MTV EXIT announced the release of the new half-hour Filipino documentary film, Enslaved: An MTV EXIT Special, hosted by Dingdong Dantes. The documentary will give audiences a real and rare glimpse into human trafficking and exploitation in the Philippines, telling stories of human trafficking survivors and highlighting what everyone can do to help end this horrific crime. Enslaved: An MTV EXIT Special telling will premiere on GMA NEWS TV Channel 11 on November 27 at 9:55PM.
For more details about human trafficking and exploitation in Asia, visit www.mtvexit.org or follow MTV EXIT on the following social media platforms: Twitter @mtvexit and www.facebook.com/mtvexit
