Anak Bayan Part One: History of Colonisation in the Philippines

Anak Bayan Part One: History of Colonisation in the Philippines

We’re interrupting our special series on Kanaky this week to speak about ongoing colonial violence in another island nation in the pacific. This past Friday June the 12th, The Philippines celebrated its 128th Anniversary of Independence. The Philippines had been under Spanish colonial rule from the 1560s to their declaration of independence in 1898. However, with the ongoing political and military influence of the US empire today many Filipinos feel that The Philippines is still under a kind of colonial rule. On the 19th of April this year the Philippines Armed Forces massacred 19 people on the Island of Negros. This was part of an ongoing suppression of workers organisations by the government who many see as a puppet to the US and global market interests. To better understand the massacre and how it relates to the legacy of colonialism in The Philippines, Mell spoke to two members of Anak Bayan Naarm, a socialist Filipino youth organisation which is part of the national democratic liberation movement. We’ll hear more about Anak Bayan as an organisation in part two of this interview. But to fully understand the context of the massacre and worker exploitation in The Philippines, we need to first talk about the history of colonisation on the islands. … You can learn more about Anak Bayan on their socials, Bayan Aus [https://www.instagram.com/bayanaustralia/] or Anak Bayan Melbourne [https://www.instagram.com/anakbayanmelbourne/?hl=en]. If you aren’t on this continent, look up your local chapter. Anak Bayan’s current call to action is for Filipino youth to go home and serve the people. This episode was made on stolen Kulin land. Sovereignty was never ceded and colonial violence continues both here and in The Philippines, as does indigenous resistance. In this episode you heard the trackss “Pag-ibig Ay Rebolusyon” and “Reklamo ng Reklamo” by JD Remitar [https://www.instagram.com/jdremitar?igsh=MTd1eTVlcmtvNXpzbA==] The Sunday Paper podcast is independent, not for profit and listener supported. Matt Chun is our executive producer. Interview support, research and fact checking by Preeshita Shah The Sunday Paper podcast is recorded, edited and produced by Mell Chun. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesundaypaperpodcast.substack.com/subscribe [https://thesundaypaperpodcast.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

The Colonisation of Souls: Ep3 - Healthcare

This is the third episode in a series of on the ground reports from Kanaky brought to you by Sunday Paper reporter Mell Chun. In this episode, Mell speaks to Muneiko Haocas, president of the National Sovereign Independence Movement, as well as their secretary general, Chrystele Marie. The National Sovereign Independence Movement or MNIS is a pro-independence party established in 2019. MNIS have been working on the ground with poor communities in the settler dominated southern provinces. Working class areas, especially those with large Kanak populations, have become increasingly disenfranchised due to industry, tourism and colonial policies. This episode was made on stolen Kanak Land and stolen Kulin Land. Sovereignty was never ceded and colonial violence continues in both these places, as does Indigenous Resistance. A special thanks to Free Kanaky Solidarity Naarm [https://www.instagram.com/freekanakysolidarity.naarm/?hl=en] for translation and advice during the production of this series. And to producer Alain Lecante from Mangrove Productions for providing permissions for the music. In this episode you heard the track Justice Coloniale by Waan The Sunday Paper podcast is independent, not for profit and listener supported. Matt Chun is our executive producer. This episode was made with production assistance from Preeshita Shah. The Sunday Paper podcast is recorded, edited and produced by Mell Chun. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesundaypaperpodcast.substack.com/subscribe [https://thesundaypaperpodcast.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

The Colonisation of Souls: Ep2 - Feminism

This is the second episode in a series of on the ground reports from Kanaky brought to you by Sunday Paper reporter Mell Chun. In this episode, Mell attends a picnic, and speaks to Oriane Trolue, a feminist with decolonial politics. She is also a member of the pro-independence Oceanian movement (MOI) and is the World March of Women’s (MMF) national coordinator for Kanaky. This episode was made on stolen Kanak Land and stolen Kulin Land. Sovereignty was never ceded and colonial violence continues in both these places, as does Indigenous Resistance. A special thanks to Free Kanaky Solidarity Naarm [https://www.instagram.com/freekanakysolidarity.naarm/?hl=en] for translation and advice during the production of this series. And to producer Alain Lecante from Mangrove Productions for providing permissions for the music. In this episode you heard the track Kanaky Libre by Humaa-Gue, composed by Chanel Ouetcho. The Sunday Paper podcast is independent, not for profit and listener supported. Matt Chun is our executive producer. The Sunday Paper podcast is recorded, edited and produced by Mell Chun. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesundaypaperpodcast.substack.com/subscribe [https://thesundaypaperpodcast.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

The Colonisation of Souls: Ep1 - Checkpoints

In September 2025, reporter Mell Chun spent 10 days in Kanaky, reporting on the French state’s suppression of the Kanak people following the uprising of May 2024, as well as their continued resistance and Independence movement. In this first episode of the series, Mell sets the scene, describing the atmosphere of state control and talking to fixer Marie* about checkpoints, police violence and the legacy of settler colonialism. If you want to learn more about Kanaky and show your support, follow Free Kanaky Solidarity Naarm [https://www.instagram.com/freekanakysolidarity.naarm/?hl=en] on instagram You can also donate to FKSN’s Chuffed campaign here [https://chuffed.org/project/112521-free-kanaky], which goes toward food, medical supplies and legal representation for the Kanak people. The Sunday Paper and Podcast remain not for profit, independent and listener and reader supported. This episode was made on Kanak Land and Kulin Land. These lands were invaded, stolen and remains under occupation. Colonial violence continues, as does Indigenous Resistance. A special thanks to Alain Lecante from Mangrove Productions for permission to use the track Ma Kanaky by Gayulaz And to Franscisco Bagwan for his song ‘Pasifika Rising’ You also heard a Kanak Song and Dance by the group We Ca Ca Matt Chun is our executive producer. The Sunday Paper Podcast is compiled, mixed and edited by Mell Chun. *”Marie”is a pseudonym given to our fixer and her voice has been disguised for this story. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesundaypaperpodcast.substack.com/subscribe [https://thesundaypaperpodcast.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Kanaky: History and Context (Repeat)

Before we launch into our new series on Kanaky, we wanted to replay this episode from November last year. It provides some important historical context for the coming series. This episode has been edited for brevity, but all references and statistics are from 13 months ago. Mell talks to Grand Chief Sinewami, King of Gureshaba, about the Kanak people’s fight for independence from France. Joining the conversation also is Cathy from Free Kanaky Solidarity Naarm. If you want to learn more about Kanaky and show your support, follow Free Kanaky Solidarity Naarm [https://www.instagram.com/freekanakysolidarity.naarm/?hl=en] on instagram You can also donate to FKSN’s Chuffed campaign here [https://chuffed.org/project/112521-free-kanaky], which goes toward food, medical supplies and legal representation for the Kanak people. The Sunday Paper and Podcast remain not for profit, independent and listener and reader supported. This episode was made on Ngunnawal, Ngambri and Wurundjeri land. This land was invaded, stolen and remains under occupation. Colonial violence continues, as does Indigenous Resistance. Our theme music was made by DOBBY You also heard the track ‘Kirikitr Reggae’ by Kirikitr and a Kanak Song and Dance by the group We Ca Ca Matt Chun is our executive producer. The Sunday Paper Podcast is compiled, mixed and edited by Mell Chun. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesundaypaperpodcast.substack.com/subscribe [https://thesundaypaperpodcast.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]