Reading the Tea Leaves

Episode #265: Marc Batac's story is one of profound political transformation, reflecting the broader struggles of Southeast Asia. Born in the eastern regions of the Philippines, Marc's early exposure to socioeconomic struggle, and the dysfunctionality of governance and political patronage in his homeland, shaped his worldview and set him on a course of activism.

In 2017, Marc played a pivotal role in helping organize a regional youth meeting that laid the groundwork for the Milk Tea Alliance (MTA), a transnational movement advocating for democracy and human rights. The Alliance, born out of a shared experience of state violence and repression, became a platform for young activists to connect, share strategies, and support each other's struggles.

After the 2021 coup in Myanmar, Marc recognized the urgency of the situation, and mobilized networks to provide immediate support to Burmese activists and the broader resistance movement. Through the MTA, he facilitated the sharing of resources, including financial aid and digital tools, to help activists on the ground organize protests and evade military crackdowns. The MTA also played a crucial role in amplifying the voices of Myanmar's pro-democracy movement on the international stage, using social media campaigns and digital activism to draw global attention to the atrocities committed by the junta. Marc and his peers worked tirelessly to coordinate efforts across borders, ensuring that the solidarity and support for Myanmar extended beyond mere words. This collective action not only sustained the momentum of the resistance but also strengthened the transnational ties that are vital for the long-term success of the pro-democracy movements in the region.

“If we are not in intentional in defining what the Milk Tea Alliance stands for, then other forces will define it for us. They are already doing that, in the early days and up until now,” he says. “We are simply nodes in our movements. The hashtag in this name and the symbolisms will be gone and will be forgotten at some point. But what will remain would be the relationships that have deepened, that are anchored in an analysis of the concrete link between our material experiences, our pain, and our struggles, and our our aspirations as well, that have existed before the hashtag, and therefore will continue to exist after the hashtag.”