Wishing for goodwill in a time of division: Thoughts after a visit to Bethlehem long ago (and seeing a concrete wall)

Wishing for goodwill in a time of division:

Thoughts after a visit to Bethlehem long ago (and seeing a concrete wall)

Pilgrimage is at first may mean visiting holy sites, but inside lies an embarking on a journey of prayer, reflection, charity, and solidarity especially for the downtrodden in their times of trials, as well as countless other acts of faith.

But for this writer, that kind of journey isn't about faith alone. In fact, as his colleagues were thinking about the next holiest destination in the Holy Land, this writer encountered many walls and some bridges, especially on the peripheries. And from there one would say "What kind of peace being talked about when there are more walls instead of bridges? For sure one has mistaken peace for their desire of silence."

Especially in Bethlehem, known as the birthplace of the Lord Jesus Christ. As this person remembers his visit, the tour guide talked about the Palestinian Christian Situation where most are struggling out for their living- that they all depend on making crafts all for the visiting tourists be it Roman Catholic or Greek Orthodox alike, altogether looking for a rosary, or, if having enough cash, a vial containing holy soil, oil, and water. He even talked about stark reminders of the Israeli occupation- especially checkpoints that inhibit movement, and passes for Palestinians that able to enter Israel whether for work, or for the well-privileged, a chance to study. 

And because of that experience this writer would say that despite the journey's spiritual nature, that in seeing an actually exisiting truth and in the news being read, would say that the journey isn't just about visiting a holy site- but to remind of a duty to serve humanity. That in seeing the concrete walls and graffitis featuring names of martyrs and their calls of struggle, comes the thought of the need for peace that's based on justice. 

Otherwise, of what is prayer for peace if concrete walls continue to stand? Walls, be it physical or not, makes the view of peace, justice, what more of freedom, less possible. 

BEIT SAHOUR

Located east of Bethlehem, Beit Sahour, also known as "Beit Sahour an-Nasara" (Beit Sahour of the Christians), is believed to be the site of the annunciation to the shepherds (Luke 2), in which angels tell a group of shepherds about Christ's birth. The angel’s good news was not given to the noble or pious, but to workers with a low reputation. And ancient Jewish literature ranked “shepherd” as among the most despised occupations of the time — but for Jesus it was to identify himself with this occupation when he called himself “the Good Shepherd” (John 10:11). 

Popularly known for the "Shepherds Fields", Beit Sahour, the name of this historic city (the house of vigilance) reportedly stems from the Canaanite words ‘Beit’ (meaning ‘place’), and ‘Sahour’ (meaning ‘night watch’). It reflects the city's importance for shepherds, both as a grazing site during daytime and as a place of safety in the abundant caves available to the flocks at night.

And because of that event, there are churches, controlled by both Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox, situated within the site. For Catholics, a tent-shaped "chapel of the angels" was built by the Franciscans in 1953, and was designed by Italian architect Antonio Barluzzi. Inside, the church has five apses that mimics the structure of a nomadic tent, with words "Gloria in excelsis Deo, et in terra pax hominibus" are inscribed in gold proclaiming the pilgrim "Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on earth."  

Prior to the construction of the modern church, Franciscan archaeologist Virgilio Canio Corbo excavated the site and found evidence of a large monastic establishment, dating back to a mosaic-floored 4th-century subterranean church, which was said to have been built by St. Helena, the mother of the Emperor Constantine, in the 5th century. 

CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY

Originally built by Roman Emperor Constantine the Great over the cave venerated as Christ's birthplace, this present-day basilica was built by the Roman Emperor Justinian in the 6th century, and is still maintained by both Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, and Armenian Apostolic Churches. 

Inside its halls bear a timeless legacy. That despite its surroundings occupied and almost destroyed by various conquerors (Persians, Arabs, Ottoman Turks, Crusaders alike), as well as the growing need for maintenance by its keepers (as the church is also deemed to be endangered for a long time and thus needs to be restored), the church's timeless relevance and sacredness continues to bring thousands of pilgrims, irrespective of its sects around the world.

But within its walls is far from the usual Christmas card image, that the actual place of Christ's birth is a dimly-lit cave that's originally meant to shelter animals. That place, also known as the "Grotto of the Nativity", is to be entered through its Steps located at the right of the iconostasis leading down to the subterranean cave that sometimes caused pilgrims jamming in trying to enter that sacred abode. In its pillars and walls there were crosses drawn signifying the pilgrims of centuries ago, testifying how their faith was stronger in a time when chaos surrounded them. And the silver star, where marks the spot Jesus Christ was born, is surrounded by 15 silver lamps representing the three Christian communities: six belong to the Greek Orthodox, four to the Catholics, and five to the Armenian Apostolic.

MILK GROTTO

A short distance south of the Church of the Nativity is a shrine popularly known as the Milk Grotto. 

Hollowed out of soft white rock, the site, known since the Byzantine era and restored in 1872 by the Franciscans, has been a center of pilgrimage, and continues to remain sacred to both Christians and Muslims, especially mothers who are trying to conceive. 

ccording to legend, this shrine was the place where the Holy Family found refuge during the Massacre of the Innocents, before they fled into Egypt. But the name "Milk Grotto" is derived from the story that a "drop of milk" of the Virgin Mary fell on the floor of the cave and changed its colour to white. The white "milk powder" is also known for its miraculous powers, that by mixing it with food and praying to the Our Lady, mothers believe it will increase the quantity of their milk or enable them to become pregnant.  

***

These places are indeed, truly deepening the faith of many pilgrims and is visited in thousands around the world, irrespective of its sect. And to think that there are cases of scuffles especially in entering its relics- then it is not surprising for their faith seemingly compels them to enter, pray, and wipe a piece of cloth enough for a relic that not just deepens their belief but also a memory of entering that sacred site.

However, from those places where these pilgrimage sites situated, is also a center of protest. That behind being a "Shepherd's Field" Beit Sahour is also centre of Palestinian political activism, as it played a key role in the first and second Intifadas with its local activists using non-violent activism and tax resistance against Israeli occupation. They even send message of goodwill towards its Jewish neighbours, all in pursuit of "breaking bread, not bones". 

But in Bethlehem, this sacred site didn't escape from being a battlefield. In fact, according to Wikipedia, the city is surrounded by two bypass roads for Israeli settlers, leaving the inhabitants squeezed between thirty-seven Jewish enclaves, where a quarter of all West Bank settlers, roughly 170,000, live; the gap between the two roads is closed by the 8-metre high Israeli West Bank barrier, which cuts Bethlehem off from its sister city Jerusalem. Worse, that Christian families who have lived in Bethlehem for hundreds of years are being forced to leave as their land being seized, and homes bulldozed, all for the construction of Israeli settlements. Even the peaceful Beit Sahour is also affected by those seizures as the original Christian Palestinian occupants being driven out of the town, while Israeli settlements occupy their lands with the courts rule that Christian homes as illegal and thus subject to demolition by its occupiers.

And because of those experiences wouldn't be surprised that the Holy Land continues to be in a state of struggle. True indeed that Palestinians are taking arms and fight against the occupation, that one of their calls is a free Palestine "from the River to the Sea"; while concerned Jews expressed the need for addressing the Palestinian situation not by the force of arms but through a serious dialouge and recognising the Palestinian right for self-determination. Not also surprising that from the scene of war both Jews and Arabs who desired peace seriously wished to "break bread than bones" despite the risks being faced. 

For now the concrete walls continues remain stood and divided villages. Warning signs continues to threaten people with gunfire while Israeli settlements rise from the demolished villages. The other side of the walls, however, bear graffitis that expressed Palestinian opposition towards the occupation, if not some houses bear calls like "Free Palestine" to those of names of martyrs killed during the Intifada or the protests against the occupation. There are even graffitis or monuments that bear movements like George Habash's "Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine" or Nayef Hawatmeh's "Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine". Ironically, these left-wing Palestinian resistance leaders are themselves, Christian by their family backgrounds yet their calls for liberation are secular in description.  

Pardon if this note may end "political" than "spiritual" especially as this writer, having observed both the pilgrimage sites and the concrete walls, of poor Palestinian Christians trying to work for a living and those of the Israelis in their fortress-like settlements. This note, in recalling the writer's visit in Bethlehem would say that despite its religious nature of that journey, would say that Christ's birth is not about spiritual redemption alone but also in pursuit of social liberation- just like what the Magnificat said, how Christ, being the promised redeemer, transforms the world "where the proud will be brought low, and the humble will be lifted up; that the hungry will be fed, and the rich will go without." And from those words, isn't it that political? Even the Lord's prayer itself is also political- for the words in the prayer are the “most revolutionary words human beings could imagine” in calling for God’s Kingdom to come and for His will to be done on earth as in heaven.

Anyway, may those words "peace", "goodwill", and "justice to all" be realised.

"Pandemic or Not, it's all about their interest over the people"

 "Pandemic or Not, it's all about their interest over the people"

Bluntly speaking, this note is ought to say that for the order who deals upon this pressing issue, it doesn't matter whether the pandemic will subside or not, for sometimes having that pandemic is itself a reason for the order to "put people in their place." Of course, people will oppose that measure citing it affects their daily movement (such as those of going to work or to buy necessary needs), but the order sees it as an opportunity to put their perception of stability, even it requires mobilising the police and the military to control people's movement, of imposing stringent measures in various levels and rebranding it as "quarantine" just to show how the regime is itself "fighting" the pandemic- even it isn't in a supposed medical manner and procedures such as the need for mass testing and necessary medical support especially frontliners. 

But as people continue to struggle amidst regulated movements and fear brought by the pandemic, authorities, who all sit comfortably in their high-end offices, and in connivance with interests, shrug people's concerns altogether if not being treated as an opportunity for their political agendas for 2022. In fact, various corporate entities take opportunity to make profit on this pandemic while corrupt politicians trying their best to "beautify" themselves in feigning doing charity for the poor.

However, in the halls of Malacañang comes a myriad of contradictions- that in one of presidential fireside rants, President Rodrigo Duterte wants the government’s vaccination program against COVID19 to kick off earlier than the projected second quarter of 2021, a change of statement from its earlier promise to "bring back normalcy" this December with vaccines to be distributed. Another statement from Duterte said he only recently saw the importance of mass tests after months of skepticism if not disagreeing with concerned officials stressing its importance. 

Yet, come to think that most of his rants shown in television emphasises the administration's real interest as not on how to provide support in this continuing pandemic problem nor the need to acquire vaccines from various sources (be it Pfizer, AstraZenica, or Sinovac) but rather the obsession of defeating the rebels with Duterte and his camarilla wallow in an endless stream of counterinsurgency war profit. The recent red taggings, witch hunts, and the extrajudicial killings has shown how the order, driven by their hatred against the growing mass of opposition from the toiling masses has preferred to continue wielding the sword of war as it continues its low intensity conflict in various names and rephrased plans. 

Like Aquino in 1987, Duterte would rather respond popular discontent not by social and economic reform or immediate relief for the downtrodden mass, but by police, military, and paramilitary action. And in speaking of that "wielding the sword of war" sometimes a concerned would wonder, what's the use of having an agency such as "adviser on the peace process" when the regime simply scrapped negotiations altogether? 

With these, a concerned would say "not surprising" about the situation. That as in the past, the order is either remorseless or unrepentant in its move to focus on their interest even it requires sacrificing its people be it this pandemic or the usual cycle of witchhunts and killings.  

"When defending rights coincides with...Arrest"

"When defending rights coincides with...Arrest"

By Kat Ulrike

The recent arrest that coincides with the "International Human Rights Day" has showeth how the order will continue with its venture. 

That like thieves in the night, authorities conducted four simultaneous raids on residences of six labor rights advocates and a journalist in Quezon City, Manila, and Mandaluyong between 2:00 - 3:00 in the morning last December 10 with evidences planted to justify their motives.

Those arrested and detained due to planted evidences consists of six trade unionists and one journalist. Here are as follows: 

• Dennise Velasco (Defend Jobs Philippines)
• Jaymie Gregorio Jr (Kilusang Mayo Uno)
• Romina Astudillo (Kilusang Mayo Uno)
• Mark Ryan Cruz (Kilusang Mayo Uno)
• Joel Demate (Solidarity of Labor for Rights and Welfare - SOLAR)
• Rodrigo Esparago (Sandigang Manggagawa sa Quezon City - SMQC)
• Lady Ann Salem - Manila Today

From this arrest, along with earlier incidents and bouts of witch hunts, lies the fact that the order's intensified crackdown against critics comes an obvious contempt for human rights. And from these arrests demonstrate how the order, via the current administration considers that human rights, as any other laws under the present constitution as a "doormat" for their orderist agenda. For the apologists, this doesn't matter for them whether it was planted or actually found by state elements, for the important is, these arrested are perceived as "enemies" of the state and therefore deserves that kind of unlikely consequence- and this is unsurprising. 

But will the concerned just stay quiet for this? True that these personalities are either against the administration or being critical on the administration's policies, but does it lead to another wave especially against those simply expressed their disbelief in their leader whose supporters look upon as their idol? Even Vice President Robredo is included in those witchunts brought by the order's apologists simply because she is "competing" against their idol! So again, will the concerned shy away for this system-sponsored paranoia? 

"More than an appeal to recover: Stand and Fight Back!"

 "More than an appeal to recover:
Stand and Fight Back!"

by Kat Ulrike

As in the past, defence policy in the Philippines has less to do with defending its national sovereignty against foreign invaders, but instead continues to pursue a policy that keeps society in a state of fear by endusing that the local population supports whatever orderist agenda the regime and its armed forces pursue "in the name of the people." From this, the armed forces attains both economic and social objectives through promoting internal security. 

Reminiscent of Marcosian tactics and Aquino's "Low Intensity Conflict", the Duterte regime's version of "war on terror" remains "multidimensional"- encompassing political, diplomatic, economic, all in pursuit of "winning the peace". It is not surprising for as the regime, taking pride in its extrajudicial killing or its unjust arrests as a "necessary move", with its apologists using "anticommunism" or its earlier "anti crime" as its rallying point to support with. With this kind of venture, close to 50,000 people in the country have been victims of state terror. Mostly are peasants whose lives been subjected to the whims of the thugs-in-uniform via psywar and combat operations. Even in Metro Manila and its surrounding provinces instances of arrests and killings against activists occurred and rebranded as cases of "resisting arrest" or "illegal possession of firearms" to justify such moves. 

For the apologist of the order, Duterte's version of Low Intensity Conflict is more than a rehash of "democracy versus communism", "against illegal drugs/crime", or an outright call for "total order versus democratic chaos", and these are used to obscure the true agenda of protecting and promoting interests both local oligarch/bureaucrat cliques and foreign conglomerates. By borrowing U.S. Colonel Waghelstein, this kind of action is "total war at the grassroots level", which includes economic and humanitarian assistance as "weapons" while at the same time mobilising either its police/military or the dreaded death squads that also supported by the state. Not surprising if these also supported by allies especially the United States, with its recent acquisition of weapons systems to be used for counterinsurgency purposes. And by suspending the negotiations in favour of Duterte's declaration of war supported by the armed forces, has intensified its operations. Operations like Oplan Kapanatagan and Oplan Kalasag, both described as "whole of nation approaches", are itself derived from the LIC scheme. 

In response to these actions, international human rights groups and known individuals have condemned the Duterte regime for its bloodied venture-of widespread killings and rights abuses. But again, for the apologists, this doesn't matter to them but instead further justifies it by covering up its crimes, or by hearing promises of blanket pardon from the president himself, or by outright equating human rights to "communism" reminiscent of Marcos's accusation of Human Rights as a communist-driven motive. For sure one would also remember statements like "shoot in the vagina", or its earlier rape jokes,  myriad of foul-mouthed messages, and the outright downplaying of the peace negotiations by Duterte himself reflected the administration's actions against the perceived "enemies of the state" whether by its aerial bombing, outright takeover of civilian facilities such as schools, or harassments/coercion from uniformed and non-uniformed elements- that  diminishes the civic and humanitarian programs that primarily aims to "coordinate both civilian and military resources in its offencive" against terrorism and crime. Wouldn't be surprised if state elements also toyed the idea of disbanding the "office of the adviser of the peace process" in order to justify further the basis of discontinuing the negotiations in favour of an all out war "solution."

But despite this, the people who have taken a stand against Duterte's actions chose to stand up and resist against his tyranny. From the recent protests to those of memes in social media, the people, including those who once supported him, realise the fact how the man who once promised "change" turned to be a farce, a mockery of people's hopes and aspirations regardless of what the administration tries to brag such as carryovers of past infrastructure programs or "reforms" that actually rephrased from the past both altogether meant to evade people from seeing the bloodied agenda. These forces, in valuing human rights and national interests are trying to assert and defend through whatever is left of legal courses with greater courage despite reprisals from the order and its attack dogs and only armed with principles and determination to resist against their motives.

“Drawing strength from faith and devotion amidst fear and disquiet”

“Drawing strength from faith and devotion amidst fear and disquiet”

(Or: “thoughts after Duterte’s Immaculate Conception message”)

For sure everyone cannot forget how that leader said that God is stupid, that he chose to go to hell "so that the people will live in paradise", and a myriad of tirades against the church, all just to defend his bloodied venture. 

But to think that with his message on this feast of the Immaculate Conception, just like this coming Christmas, or even Lent and Easter next year, all these together as expressing an appeal to unity using faith, then what an irony. For sure one would ask if is he's trying to curry favour with Christians especially those voted for him amidst his bloodied ventures and inactions, all after his earlier tirades accusing the clergy and the faithful for being against him in the name of "human dignity" and "human rights." "Let us all draw strength from the holy life and example of the Virgin Mary" as what he said, while some years ago he lambasted the Pope and the religious, while his supporters accused one clergyman after another of being a communist simply because of their really concerning statements and appeals. 

Perhaps, no matter how it appears not to be political, that as Christians, any other other religious, would say that there's hope in resisting against the wishes of an oppressive order and a tyrant who leads in it. That everyone should "do their share one another, of valuing justice, peace, respect for human dignity, and human rights" even in this scenarios of disquiet and rage. 

 

"More than a commemoration- a call for action"

"More than a commemoration- a call for action"

by Kat Ulrike

At first, this note pays tribute to the founder of the Katipunan and the Great Plebeian, Andres Bonifacio, whose life, labours, and legacy continues to serve as an inspiration for countless generations.

This may deemed strange given his foolishness as his detractors described him, but, his passion for liberating his country what more of his support for the folk outweighs his mistakes as a leader of a revolution. And to think that in this commemoration, done amidst this ever-present pandemic and the tragedies brought by calamities, shows that the Filipino people tries to fight back and live no matter how it felt the suffering be it those calamities or the negligence brought by the order that supposed to serve especially after those times of turmoil. It is the same Filipino who, burdened by billion-peso debts, is also sick and tired of corrupt bureaucrats, of despotic officials, who represses the folk with new "policies", "laws", and "incidents" all in the name of interests as in the time of Bonifacio and the Filipino during his period.

And up to this day, the folk continues to be challenged as it continues his unfinished struggle for national and social emancipation. For contrary to the order's petty statements, the reality that the very order has benefited from its corruption and injustices, words like "change" coming from their mouths has becoming a joke, a mockery against those who are really desired. But despite these, the folk cannot just remain silent for those actions the order (through its figureheads) has brought to them- that's way too contrary to their statements mostly appeals for "unity".
And in speaking of those statements and appeals for "unity" for sure as in the past that these figures would again reiterate Bonifacio, as any other hero's act as worthy of an example the way Duterte saying that Bonifacio should be an inspiration to all Filipinos especially in this pandemic. Indeed but, since these leaders talked about these heroes while at the same time oppresses its people in the name of order, then is this the society as envisioned by Bonifacio, Rizal, and others who sacrificed their mind and sinew to that "altar of freedom"? Not surprised that there are those who rather find "real" the message of Robredo that courage shouldn't be brut strength but also with compassion- especially in this time of disquiet and rage, of people wanting good leaders than those of thugs in suits.

Pardon for the thought for as reality is way too far from the statements of today's leaders like Duterte. Whether he exhort the Filipino to "love the country and fight for it" or to "push for a strong and progressive Philippines", the ordinary folk rather sees the contrary that those who love and fight for their country are the ones deprived while the corrupted claims that they do love their country when it is actually out of their convenience. For sure since 2016 he promised change that some find him as a radical alternative to a "yellow" problem; but, did that change he promised really happen: especially with a cabal of those trying to maintain their interests? For sure Duterte would claim he's fighting oligarchs, but did it really end their reign? Nope- actually he benefited from their very existence no matter how he promised to curb their power nor his followers desiring to end their reign.
And although "true" that he put an end to Wongchuking's Mighty Corporation or forced Lucio Tan to pay taxes, this doesn't translate to justice. Did he sided with the farmworkers of Lapanday when these people demand justice? Nope-he chose to side with the Lorenzos. Did he sided with the urban poor dwellers of Sitio San Roque when the Ayalas came to occupy their land? Nope even- making his 2016 promise of "no demolition without relocation" a farce. He did preach about promise of human rights the way he values "human lives" over their "rights", but the fact that harassments, killings, and threats became widespread in the name of order, then, he as the representative of that dreaded order created rebels who are willing to go beyond legality no matter he tries to restrain them. These rebels are as same as Bonifacio in the past: driven by passion, aside from their love of country and their families as their reason to fight and sacrifice.

Perhaps to cut this note short, that in this occasion, celebrated in this time of pandemic and a myriad of threats from the order, that the folk should not stop seeking truth from facts and to fight back against slander and oppression. Call it a "call for action" as one may say, for like Bonifacio, it becomes a duty to become aware, what more to resist and assert for immediate relief, necessary changes, a desire for social and economic justice that the order failed to offer as such despite promises. 

"Remembering Frederick Engels in his 200th year"

 "Remembering Frederick Engels in his 200th year"

by Kat Ulrike

At first, this note is in one with the working people in marking the 200 birth anniversary of the writer Frederick Engels. Known as a writer, historian, fighter, at quite some time a businessman and as a lifelong friend and colleague in struggle of Karl Marx, Engels made immense contributions to the development of Marxism as an ideology of the working class. From this would say that the working folk treasure the contributions what Engels bequeathed to them. 

Born from a well-to-do family, Frederick Engels was just 22 when he was sent by his father to England to help run the family firm. His father hoped that this would draw him away from radical ideas he engaged during his college days, but, from that same Manchester England where he worked, that young man rather saw instead the suffering, and the power of a growing proletariat whom he rather supported their struggle. 

Marking Engels' birth anniversary in this present day cannot be more significant and relevant as the global capitalist order faces an ever continuing and unprecedented crisis. Despite numerous achievements ever bragged under capitalism, this doesn't hide the fact that intolerable conditions and untold sufferings on the labouring folk continues to rise: with low wages, bad working conditions, joblessness, cuts on social service spending, indebtedness, and various measures especially under neoliberal capitalism just like what Engels and Marx faced. 

From these somehow that along with Marx, Engels devoted in formulating, developing Marxism through their collection of works (be it Das Kapital, the Communist Manifesto, or some essays and correspondences related to the emancipation of the working class) that served as a reference for the working class in their struggle for radical social change since the 19th century. Hence, The proletariat owes Engels and Marx the standpoint and system of thought which point them to the path towards their emancipation. That, for the first time in history, it was shown that liberation from all forms of oppression comes not as a result of mere idealism, but rather as a conscious historical act of class struggle by the proletariat.
Tracing from history, they revealed how capitalism, as any other order prior to it, gave birth to the class who will not only dismantle the old social order, but will establish a society that will end the history of classes and class exploitation.
And although prior to Marx and Engels there were men and organisations who tried to look for radical solutions to a centuries-old repression, the observations and works of these two colleagues-in-struggle consolidated it that in 1848, they were commissioned by the German Communist League to elucidate on the main principles of scientific socialism and communism. It was from that same year when they wrote the "Manifesto of the Communist Party" which shook the ramparts of the capitalist order. Since then, the Communist Manifesto would serve as the general declaration of principles of all communist parties with the exhortation “The proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains. They have a world to win.” and "Workers of the World, Unite!" that has inspired generations of revolutionaries.

Again, as this note marks the 200th birth anniversary of Frederick Engels, the labouring masses should draw inspiration from his dedication to the struggle for their emancipation. No matter how critics would try to put down their contributions, more are ever determined to study in order to firmly grasp the view that Marx, Engels, and other revolutionaries brought, to be dedicated in their commitment to the workers and oppressed classes, and to lead with determination in various struggles, marching along the path towards emancipation.