"Of demanding Rice, (and be replied with Bullets)"

"Of demanding Rice, (and be replied with Bullets)"

(Notes on the April 1 actions at Kidapawan)

With 3 killed, 116 wounded, and the rest subjected to arrest orders by the police, these swarthy farmers, tied to the barren soil, and suffering from a dry spell known as "Tiempo Muerto", hath resorted to marching and barricading a government-owned granary for three days, before the authorities forcibly dispersing them resulting to a bloody scuffle, enough to call as "Kidapawan Massacre".

Like any other incident involving these angry and desperate peasants, the authorities rather forcibly disperse them from their three-day barricade near the compound of the National Food Authority, worse, they fired their guns against them, as well as issuing arrest warrants for their "disorderly act" such as "illegal assembly". 

That somehow shows how the state failed to heed the clamour of the hungry, suffering peasant, but instead, killing them and arresting some, all in the name of restoring order given that they're doing "illegal" or perhaps "subversive" given the groups involved in asserting people's clamour.

It may also sound common like those of past revolts, be it the actions against the Principalías to the tragic incident at Hacienda Luisita, that these peasants, driven by hunger and desperate for food, hath been clamouring for aid as well as justice for days if not weeks; while at the same time hearing the system describing them as rebels for being against the authorities with all their statements pointing against them, especially after noticing mass organisations supporting these farmers calls for food and rural development especially in the time of drought.

Worse, to hear a governor's statement justifying blocking a caravan of rice coming from a rival Presidentiable who promised aid (well, the governor happened to be from the administration party) as a "staging ground for their propaganda", if not stating that the protesters had no rally permit for their barricade. True to hear that the governor and the Local Government Units under its side took full responsibility on that incident, including those of having policemen issuing search and arrest warrants towards these protesters for making an "illegal action" be it from the barricade or at the Mission Centre of the Methodist Church they're currently staying, as well as insisting that one of the protesters carried a gun.

So are the system's apologetics. Who afforded to condemn them, from the farmers, mass organisations, and other concerned groups such as the church, as "being supported by Rebels", "supported by a rival Presidentiable" while describing those who directly sympathise as "meddlesome" in case of a Party-List representative who visited these peasantfolk and an actor who afforded to donate sacks of rice.

But all and all, thinking that with these authorities did such actions, this person, as well as others concerned ought to say that what they did is an example of a Tiempo Muerto done by the system, reminiscent of the past actions such as those from the middle ages such as those of peasants clamouring for land, bread, and justice, only to face death, if not imprisonment, or disappearance in those really suffering times. 

And to accuse them for being violent? Or instigating violence? The negligence brought by the system in the middle of El Niño, what more of its Tiempo Muerto is itself violent given the farmers, and its communities' terrible condition! As according to Gerardo Lanuza:

"Paolo Freire is right- 'It is not the unloved who initiate disaffection, but those who cannot love because they love only themselves. It is not the helpless, subject to terror, who initiate terror, but the violent, who with their power create the concrete situation witch begets the 'rejects of life'. It is not the tyrannised who initiate despotism, but the tyrants... Force is used not by those who have become weak under the predominance of the strong, but by the strong who have emasculated them."

Made by Gerilya, shot by Joum Valera

Anyways, is justice truly dispensed under a landlord-led rule? If there is, then why is the peasant question remained still? Sorry to say, but regardless of criticism, these peasantfolks are willing to take arms, if not turning their bolos into a weapon of vengeance, again, reminiscent of the peasant revolts of long ago.

For a radiant future and other poems

"For a radiant future" and other poems

A Radiant future

It seems that the world has gone stopped

As everything around as if all but same

Same tunes yet different labels

Sold by stores here and there

It seems that despite all such progressions

The concerned sees its retardations

In a way people watch and enjoy trash

Profited by big entities like oligarchs and corporations

It seems that the world has gone stopped

And everything around likely to be degenerated

As the smoke from the once proud chimneys

Gone as these all fell silent

And the cogwheels that were once shiny with grease and oil

Hath gone gathering dust if not almost rusted

Turning the once tangible into memories

Whose fate is deemed to be forgotten

The glorious days of what we call past

Has been left in textbooks made by the so called present

But contrary to those profound aspirations

The reality is quite radically different 

For sure the future we want to see 

Is very far from what we idealise and expected

In a way instead of a proud hardworking populace

Isa a pleasure seeking mob degenerated

Sickening true indeed for the concerned hath seen

Translated into various quotes and realtalks people ought to hear

But for sure some ought to accept as most shun and escape

Trying to seek a future so fictional with years enough to make

The reality has made the world a continuing past

Especially having a generation whose escapism tries to make illusions tangible and long last

But behind the goodness of modern day life

Is a rottenness of a reality with all affected in its plight

True that we seek for a radiant future

Coming from the stories we love to read

Be it from fact or fiction

Trying to bridge it as we lead

Trying to create a tomorrow of wonders

If not creating a world whose love is just

Trying to break the chains

Be it repression or of lust

True that we seek for a radiant future

For the fact that reality's a continuing past

Trying to realise old aspirations

From a concerned present whose ideals ever last

As they revolt against the rotten world

No matter how it guised with steel

In the end trying break the door till open

And to redeem those who are forsaken

I seek for your help, my joy and delight

As we want to set the world on fire 

To show that their rottenness be end in our sight

As I feel your love 

It seems that your love keeps me warm
And perhaps feel no harm

In the middle of the cold night
Thank god there are no bugs who bite

As I made this long poem

While listening to Erasure in the frog grassed garden and alone

Amidst the whirring fan and starless skies

Seeking you through the pen to bring hope to this lonely I

If not a relief to a barren mind

Or rather say, unwind

The sound from the player perhaps lies the tunes of one's love
That as if sent from the spirits all from that nightly heavens above

Giving warmth to a cold heart of a suffering one
And perhaps easing the tremors, pains left undone

Same as the waxing moon that shown in an almost starless skies
Quite inspiring to a lonesome person such as I 

However, there is no music coming from I to reply

But instead through a paper, ink, quill to write with words to fly by
If not a pencil through a well-made sketchpad
Drawing figures of you, alongside the factories hope you understand

In fact, I don't know why am I inspired

Especially that I afforded to create such works some ought to admire

Be it from the past or from its continuing

It expresses thy love that through a revolution that hath been brewing

And thus I ask who brought me to inspire

What more that I feel a love a man ought to aspire:

is it from the dark sky with the glowing moon, the star,

Or the picture of the maiden who comes from afar?

My expression then is: Wow! Strange for as if like the sea waves gone stronger

Greater than the past of silence almost gone further

Of Rice and Bullets: Protest after Hunger under Tiempo Muerto

Of Rice and Bullets:
Protest after Hunger under Tiempo Muerto

(Or how the Farmers of Kidapawan struggle 

Against hunger and repression)

source: Tinay Palabay

"Rice not Bullets!"

These are one of the calls of the peasants during the scuffle in a government-owned granary in North Cotobato.

With 3 killed, 116 wounded, these farmers, suffering from a dry spell known as "Tiempo Muerto", hath resorted to marching and barricading the granary for three days, before the authorities forcibly dispersing them resulting to a scuffle.

source: Tinay Palabay

source: Tinay Palabay

And like any other incident involving these angry and desperate peasants, the authorities fired their guns against them, as well as issuing arrest warrants for their disorderly act. But to think that with the authorities' action, it shows how the state failed to heed the clamour of the hungry, suffering peasant, but instead, forcing to disperse from their three-day picket near the National Food Authority compound, what more of firing them with guns, unintentionally killing them, and arresting others all in the name of restoring order.

source: Tinay Palabay

To some people concerned, these events may looked common like those of Mendiola, Hacienda Luisita, or even the Mediaeval peasant revolts that demands food for their aching stomachs, that these peasants clamouring for aid for their families as well as justice in their communities, while at the same time hearing the system describing them as rebels for being against the authorities with all their statements pointing against them. 

Or as according to James Aaron Mangun:

"Of course blame the victims and accuse them of being NPA and traffic obstruction."

Furthermore, the statement from the group "Ugnayan ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura" (UMA) expressed hatred against the system due to that incident, as it said (via Manila Times):

"It should be remembered that the Philippine government’s handling of peasant problems has always been bloody and violent. “These include,” the UMA statement said, “among others, the Escalante, Mendiola, and Hacienda Luisita massacres. If this is how the present government and the next one will handle issues of peasants in the coming days and months, they should prepare for the wrath of the common people whose options are not only limited to asserting their democratic rights in the streets.”

Such actions taken by the system has made things worse. Or rather say it makes the word "Tiempo Muerto" in Kidapawan more than the dry spell that brought famine. Literally wise, the Spanish word itself is what the system did to these hungry peasantfolk yearning for food and justice, especially that these peasantfolks had marched, picketed, demanded food as such.

Only to be replied with forced dispersal, or worse, firing them with guns, whether in the air or intentionally in front of these hungry, desperate, angry folks from the swarthy countryside. 

"Memories of the old Santa Ana Park"

"Memories of the old Santa Ana Park"

(Or how this person again recalled the late, great Santa Ana Park

after seeing some pictures)

Source: Waldenstrom

Seems more of a revisit, especially that all after seeing some existing pictures of that once recognised place in Makati-Manila area, and a brief recall of that place's existence after being replaced years ago by a commercial complex owned by the Ayala, this person is ought to say that despite being named as "Circuit Makati" with all of its modern features, it will always be remembered by the old, and the old at heart, as Santa Ana Park of the Philippine Racing Club Inc.

source: NickAris

Founded during the American period to counter the Manila Jockey Club, the Philippine Racing Club, along with the Santa Ana Cabaret, served as a venue for then upper-and-middle class Filipinos and Americans to enjoy horse racing just like its Spanish-controlled counterpart at the former San Lazaro Hippodrome.

Source: NickAris

Source: NickAris

And perhaps, with its architecture, it somehow reflects the "peace time" period, that if given chance, some of which be preserved while the rest paved way to development, knowing that to some people, the Ayalas has been known for preserving heritage the way it kept its illustrous name for generations.

Sadly, the entire place was demolished few years ago, and instead would see new buildings being set up, as well as having events gone through that place. However, few photographers like NickAris, Waldenstrom, and others, had afforded to take some pictures on that place prior to its demolition, and one said that those pictures were all but memories of a past, wherein a part of Sta. Ana, Manila was known for its race track, of having People who knows nothing but to bet their money and live their life in and out of the racing park, a legacy of what once was.

"GOOD FRIDAY"

"GOOD FRIDAY"

Christ, like the Paschal Lamb, was sacrificed so as to redeem mankind from its sins. 

Christ, being a rebel, was punished by a repressive order for defying the laws in pursuit of laws emphasising justice. 

His struggle for reclaiming faith for God may have reinterpreted in various means, but his actions been "political" given that he was been accused of subverting the established laws what more of being against Herod, or even the Caesar for being the man known as "King of the Jews" who had healed the sick, taught the children values, fed the multitudes, and preached the message of salvation.

Yes, truly he is the king who sacrificed to redeem humanity, a man whose desire for justice and freedom costs his life, as he died on the cross after a day of suffering, being taunted, being flogged, and carried a cross on the way to Calvary. 

That's all for now. 

"Ecce Homo"

"Ecce Homo"

A Holy Week message

"Ecce Homo!"

These are the words Ponitus Pilate saidth when he presents a scourged Jesus Christ, bound and crowned with thorns, to a hostile crowd shortly before his Crucifixion. That somehow has captured every imaginations coming from various artists trying to replicate the governor's, as well as the people's expression towards the suffering Christ.
That for the Roman governor, knowing of the innocence of the Lord and expressing it, is nevertheless end bowing to the will of a bloodthirsty and clamorous mob, and be eventually turned over to his soldiers the Lord Jesus Christ for them to scourge Him in preparation for the crucifixion.

That somehow that experience also corresponds to the country that has been called "Pearl of the Orient" for its scenic wonders and wealth, only to be exploited by the system the way it mocked its people their cherished ideals and aspirations as they favoured vested interests. Like the paschal lamb, the country, its cherished ideals, and the people, hath been sacrificed into the altar of interest as the system raised its knife, or in case of the crucifixion, raised its hammer as it nailed the country into the cross of suffering.

And perhaps, it is somewhat replicated in the yearly "Kalbaryo ng Maralita" protest-passion plays at Mendiola. However, this person did not visit last Monday's passion play of seeing the common Juan, representing the country and its people, be crucified by the system in a manner of thy Lord Jesus Christ.
But like the events of yesteryears, it also showed how the system has acted like Pilate and Herod, Antipas, Caiaphas, to those of Judas Iscariot in prolonging the average Juan's suffering similar to those of Christ, carrying its hardship towards Calvary.

And since everyone seen various situations wherein people sought individuals trying to present themselves as worthy amidst their controversial natures, then perhaps one would say that how hypocritical these beings who presented themselves to others as righteous yet actually they aren't. What more if they've mocked some, if not most, cherished ideals if these same people present themselves as "for the people" with all their various "contributions" and yet in reality they pocketed anything what the people hath greatly needed for it. Like the passion of Jesus Christ, the country itself, the one whom the people sworn to defend and to cherish, been mocked by the people themselves by favoring their own interests, of those who babble they are for the needy and yet actually they mocked them through their actions, be it in a form of a corrupt politician pocketing the people's hardship if not a despotic landlord repressing its tenant.

Admittingly speaking, this person ought to say that the Philippines, or the Filipinos themselves been acting like the Israelites of yesteryears waiting for a redeemer. And during elections, people hear about their preferred candidate been packaged throughout the season as a "national messiah" trying to bring peace, justice, prosperity, and a variety of hope to a suffering populace. 

Sadly, that populace whom yearning for upliftment and redemption, failed to act themselves as a community, if not limiting their affirmative actions to themselves, as individuals, alone, enough to present themselves as righteous afterwards. Perhaps, despite all these crisis, repressions, and hypocrisies, people will soon truly realise the need for a national redemption as a nation as in the past. 

"In pursuit of Redemption"

"In pursuit of Redemption"

(or the Filipino's yearning and attempt for redemption 

through the Christian faith with its socio-spiritual liberative character)

At first, this person started writing this writeup this Holy Thursday. Due to an excess of thoughts this person initially gathered for his earlier “Holy week”-related writeup, the idea of having another socially-related “Holy Week”-relevant post seemed to be appropriate and an easy way to let those thoughts flow the way thinking being an easiest way to fill many days and nights, enough to consider “impossible” to avoid.

However, this person seemed worried about this work be left undone due to other tasks such as painting, drawing, reading various reports, and other related stuff including those of taking part at later’s “Maundy Thursday mass” with this person taking part as an “Apostle”. The afternoon heat hath also seemed to create a hindrance in making this writeup as well, as it entices one to “rest” with the whirring fan enough for some ventilation if not an aesthetic of noise in the middle of this silent afternoon.

"Looking back, all in pursuit of Redemption"

“Why do we strive for redemption in this hell of a kind world? 

Amidst enjoying the good life, why there are those who are seeking liberation from the cycle humanity has been chained over from the cradle to the grave? For sure everyone prays, does charity, enough to seek relevance and to redeem one’s self. 

But despite all their actions, God has come down amongst the people; and he has become man in Christ. Hence, through Christ, everyone is trying to approach God directly besides those of good works. The way everyone cries for liberation from harsh caste-bondage and thus been heard by God, who came to us in Jesus Christ who live and save all people from their sins."

These are the words this person has been thinking of these days, that amidst experiencing everyday good life as a Bourgeois, has been a witness in seeing everyday poverty, of usual suffering particularly those of a struggling common man in what activists called as a “semifeudal, semicolonial” society. Sorry if these words has becoming political, but to think that Christ’s work has been political- especially when he healed the sick, fed the poor, been praised by the people, mocked by the system, crucified, died, and resurrected with his followers preaching the good news of his salvation.

And perhaps, through his example, people should stand up and struggle against the flow, against an unjust order, the way it applies God’s word though advocating a revisit of almost forgotten morals and a reinstitution of genuine justice. Why the contentment in seeing social suffering, what more of mocking them from time to time till aggravate old tensions and problems, if instead must act both for self-cultivation and service to others particularly to the less fortunate? And worse, assuming to be self-righteous yet treating its own righteousness as "holy water" for their almost incurable sins. Such actions done by those truly committed is driven by the idea of redemption, both in the individual and in the society. That in this era of fabricated crisis and centuries-old repression, the drive for redemption has been rampant, what more of its actions be it as pious as the prayer vigil at the churches or as bloody as the armed struggle at the countryside.

Strange isn’t it at first, but to think that the society is in its continuing past of repression and injustice, people will always clamour for a future based from a cherished principle with others willing to participate in case of the enlightened. Why was the peasant and the worker joined the Katipunan? They were not just motivated by National Liberation, but also a social one such as those of land. But they were also motivated by faith, given that most of them were Roman Catholics whose interpretation of Christ as a redeemer from repression different from what the friars commonly stated; after all, De Los Reyes, Aglipay, the makers of “Si Cristo Socialist Ya”, and Benjamin Alforque expressed the statement of Christ as a socio-spiritual liberator whose justice is distributive with the idea of "love God and love one another". And since some people has greatly understood the Christian faith as liberative in its character than those of its colonisers and the system despite all its antics, it shows how indigenisation has changed Filipino Christianity given that it was originally came to the Philippines by a foreign force and not by native acceptance.
Also to think that Christ has been served the people faithfully, of listening and responding to their plight, isn’t it that obvious that Christianity’s character is enough to deem radical than conservative as insisted by those whose motive is repression if not interest by the system and its apologetics? Radical in a sense that it tries to empower the people, communities, the way it asserts reinstitution of justice in pursuit of redeeming souls for kingdom come.

Anyways, no wonder why the quote "Follow Christ, Serve the People" has been the tagline for the socially-aware Christians whose desire is redemption both in its own character and those of its own society amidst socio-spiritual crisis.