Arian Jane Ramos, known to many as Marikit, isn’t your everyday ex-revolutionary.

Though I haven’t yet had the pleasure of meeting Arian in person, our conversations feel as if we’ve already shared countless moments together. Thanks to a digital platform, she has imparted ideas and experiences that have forged a connection that goes beyond mere words. Each discussion brings us closer, as if those virtual interactions transcended the confines of distance.

Arian’s is a remarkable transformation, one that might just ignite a revolution of thought in the way we approach activism and social justice.

This former political officer of the NPA Sub-Regional Guerrilla Unit, SRC5, SMRC and later secretary of NPA Guerrilla Front 55, SRC5, SMRC, has made waves — not with gunfire, but with a heartfelt call for peace, empowerment and social change. It’s a plot twist.

In a social media post not so long ago, Arian shared her reflective journey from fiery activism within the underground movement MAKIBAKA to a role of peace advocacy with the hope of saving more lives.

It’s not every day we get to hear from someone who has lived the intense reality of armed struggle. Marikit’s story is as gripping as it is eye-opening — from a fiery rebel to a champion of change.

There’s a rawness to her words that cuts through the noise, reminding us of the dreams and aspirations that often drive many individuals toward radical action.

Marikit knows this all too well; she once echoed those rallying cries for injustice and liberation passionately since she became Gabriela Youth-UP Mindanao chapter chairperson in 2012.

Here’s where it gets complicated — the noble intentions of revolution can quickly spiral into a cycle of violence and sorrow, a bitter pill that not all who seek change will find their way.

Through Marikit’s journey, we witness the tragic fallout of armed conflict — the displacement, the exploitation of marginalized communities, and the heartbreaking loss of lives in a relentless cycle of pain.

As Marikit points out, socio-economic disparities are like tinder waiting for a spark. She said that in a country like the Philippines, where a small percentage of folks hold most of the wealth while the majority scramble for survival, it’s easy to see how unrest brews.

Poverty, lack of education, and systemic inequality don’t just contribute to radicalization; they are breeding grounds for desperation and turmoil. Tackling these issues head-on is imperative if we want to shift our society from despair toward hope.

What’s particularly refreshing in Marikit’s narrative is her emphatic call for a new direction. Instead of weapons, she advocates investments in education, healthcare and sustainable development — essential tools for empowerment.

It isn’t just a plea for peace but also a vision for a flourishing society where opportunities abound, rather than a battleground where families are torn apart.

“True freedom,” she always says, “isn’t achieved through violence but through unity and belief in the radical act of peace.”

If that doesn’t spark something inside you, I don’t know what will. Marikit reminds us that sustainable change is born from education and dialogue, not from the chaos of conflict.

Now, here’s where we, as Filipinos, come in. Marikit’s journey asks us to reconsider: What does it mean to ignite change in our communities? It’s high time we invest in our youth, champion education, and foster an environment where violence is no longer seen as a viable path to justice.

Her narrative is more than just a personal story. The path forward isn’t paved with destruction but with a shared vision for a future where Filipino lives flourish — not just in survival, but in thriving.

Let’s heed her call and embrace the radical essence of peace and progress. After all, the truest revolution begins in our hearts and minds.

I couldn’t agree more with Arian, whose nom de guerre were Ka Aya/Baylan/Lory Bigkay, when she said: “Ang reality kung nandoon ka sa ground, mararamdaman mo talaga na mahirap ng maglunsad pa ng rebolusyon kasi nga napaka-successful na ng Army at ng mismong government. Nakuha na nila yung mga tao, nakuha na nila yung masa (The reality is if you are there on the ground, you will really feel that it is difficult to launch a revolution because the Army and the government itself are already very successful. They’ve got the people, they’ve got the masses).”

Yesterday morning, she led a group of former NPA leaders in filing a complaint before the Commission on Elections in Manila to protest the issuance of Comelec Resolution No. 11116 which declares that labeling groups and individuals as terrorists, dissenters, and criminals without evidence is an election offense in the 2025 polls. Assisted by lawyer Israelito Torreon, the group stands firm that “To tell the truth is not red-tagging.”