Kagalingan ng isang taga-UP

Posted By danny On June 18, 2008 @ 12:47 pm In Konteksto (Pinoy Weekly column) |

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Article printed from Rising Sun: http://risingsun.dannyarao.com

URL to article: http://risingsun.dannyarao.com/2008/06/18/kagalingan-ng-isang-taga-up/

The summer solstice has yet to carve an arc to signal the end of a simmering season, yet I feel like my heart is on the verge of imploding, searing hot with the pain of the past few weeks' events. Never have I felt more disrespected, misunderstood, and taken for a fool. Here are a few of my realizations:

1. No matter how good your intentions may be, how much of yourself that you're sacrificing, you can never please everybody.

2. There is no such thing as a perfect intern; neither is there a perfect facilitator.

3. God always provides great opportunities to test your patience and the strength of a willing back with a heavy load.

4. The Book of Proverbs is correct: spare the rod, spoil the child.

5. Trust, Commitment, and Loyalty are the three most taken for granted concepts.

Despite all these, the infinite capacity of the human heart for forgiveness, perseverance, and love, can make it all seem oh-so-worth it. 

***

“Poets, too, must know how to fight.”  - Ho Chi Minh

The only thing on my mind is the late Cong. Crispin "Ka Bel" Beltran's voice echoing through the halls of the House of Representatives in a 10-minute privilege speech just 2 weeks ago. In a resonant declaration, the speakers reverberated with the verses of "Ang Manggagawa" by Amado V. Hernandez, as Ka Bel's tribute to the so-called primary forces of the Revolution.

It seems that death is the hammer that pairs with the sickle in the way that millions will gather to mourn a leader's end-of-contract with the Fates. Permanently. Despite my admitted bias against labor issues (I'm human -- I still have personal grievances against certain labor leaders from certain labor organizations in certain regions), I believe that the legacy of Ka Bel is a lasting cry, shouting out from rooftop to rooftop of each industrial park, obsolete factory, business district, and any other manufacturing enclave where the arm that turns the cog remains enslaved to a system that alienates and oppresses.

Paalam, Ka Bel.

By Dabet Castañeda
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH
BULATLAT
VOL. VII, No. 42, November 25- December 1, 2007

One year and five months after their abduction, a witness testified that he had actually seen and talked to Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño, the two scholars of the University of the Philippines (UP) who were abducted allegedly by soldiers on June 26, 2006 while doing research in a farming community in Barangay (village) San Miguel, Hagonoy, Bulacan. Farmer Manuel Merino was abducted together with the two.

The witness, Raymund Manalo, also confirmed what had been feared all along - that the UP students were raped by their abductors.

First meeting

Manalo, who was abducted together with his brother, Reynaldo, in their home in Barangay Buhol na Mangga, San Ildefonso, Bulacan, on Feb. 14, 2006, said he first met Cadapan sometime in November 2006 at the barracks of Camp Tecson in San Miguel, Bulacan. Camp Tecson hosts the First Scout Ranger Regiment (FSRR).

It was an uncanny meeting, Manalo said in his signed affidavit submitted at the Court of Appeals (CA) on Nov. 12. “Sa loob ng barracks ko nakilala si Sherlyn, isang estudyante ng UP,” (I met Sherlyn, a UP student, inside the barracks.) Manalo said as she described Sherlyn as a “babaeng nakakadena (chained woman).”

At first, Manalo said he was told not to converse with the chained woman. But on the third or fourth day, Manalo said he approached Sherlyn and gave her food.

Sherlyn, meanwhile, gave Manalo some information about herself. “Sinabi nya sa akin na …matindi ang tortyur na dinaranas niya. Umiiyak sya,” (She told me she experienced heavy torture. She was crying.) Manalo said in his testimony.

Manalo also said Sherlyn was ordered to do the laundry during the day. But more than this, what was bothersome was Sherlyn’s confession that she had been molested by a certain Mickey, Donald and Billy. “Sabi ni Sherlyn sa akin na siya’y ginahasa,” ((Sherlyn told me she was raped.) Manalo said in his testimony.

Manalo described Mickey as “pandak na mataba, maputi,” (short, fat, and fair-skinned) while Billy is “maitim, bungi, pinakamataba sa kanila, pandak.” (dark, with missing teeth, the fattest, and short) Donald is Master Sgt. Donald Caigas, the same suspect in the killing of human rights worker Eden Marcellana and peasant leader Eddie Gumanoy in April 2003.

Manalo said the words “24th IB” was tattooed on the shoulders of Caigas.

Nine days after meeting Sherlyn, Manalo said, he also met Karen and Manuel inside the same military camp.

During the day, Manalo said he, Reynaldo and Manuel were told to do errands while the two women were made to do the laundry.

An unexpected visit

On Nov. 22, 2006, the Manalo brothers, Manuel, Sherlyn and Karen were transferred to 24th Infantry Battalion (IB) camp in Limay, Bataan. According to Raymund’s testimony, they stayed there until May 8 of this year.

Going to Bataan, Karen was separated from the four and was forced to ride a black car with Caigas. The rest of the captives rode a stainless jeep.

Raymund said it was in Bataan where he witnessed the torture of Sherlyn and Karen.

The torture happened after Sherlyn told their soldier-captors that she kept a gun at her mother-in-law’s place in Calumpit, Bulacan. She was taken to the place but the soldiers found no firearm there. Sherlyn also tried to leave a letter for her mother-in-law but her military escorts saw the letter and confiscated it.

At the hearing for the writ of amparo Nov. 21 at the Court of Appeals (CA), Sherlyn’s mother-in-law, Adoracion Paulino, testified that Sherlyn indeed visited her in the evening of April 11. Paulino said she hugged and kissed Sherlyn but the latter just looked at her and took some clothes. Paulino said her daughter-in-law had five escorts at that time. The visit was swift, Paulino told the court.

After the visit, Paulino said the threats to her life had become endless. As she broke down during her testimony, she said soldiers and police had been visiting her at home, asking if it was true that Sherlyn and five of her escorts paid a visit. “Dinenay ko dahil natakot ako para kay Sherlyn, para sa anak ko at para sa sarili ko.” (I denied it because I fear for Sherlyn, my son, and myself.)

Paulino said she tried to keep the brief encounter with Sherlyn to herself. It was only in May when she decided to tell Sherlyn’s mother, Linda, about the visit.

Torture

When Sherlyn was taken back to the camp in Bataan, Raymund said, he saw the soldiers torture Sherlyn, “Itinali sya sa bangko, itinaas ang kanyang mga paa, binuhusan siya ng tubig sa ilong, kinuryente sya.” (She was tied to a bench, her feet were lifted, water was poured to her nose, and she was electrocuted.)

“Sumisigaw sya.Matagal syang pinahirapan,” (She shouted. She was tortured for a long time.) Raymund added.

When Sherlyn told the soldiers that Karen helped her write the letter for her mother-in-law, Raymund said, he saw the soldiers take Karen outside. However, Raymund said, he did not see what the soldiers had done to Karen. “Narinig ko lang ang mga sigaw nya,” (I just heard her cries.) Raymund said.

The following day, Raymund said, he heard the soldiers hurling invectives at the two UP students. “Inuyam sila sa ginawang pananakit, ipinaalala sa kanila ang ginawang paghipo sa kanilang ari at pagpasok ng kahoy sa kanilang ari,” (They were taunted regarding the pain inflicted on them; they were reminded that their private parts were touched and a wooden stick was inserted inside their sex organ.) Raymund said in his testimony.

On the other hand, Raymund said, he and Manuel where forced to join military operations in Bataan. Raymund said they witnessed how the soldiers killed two relatives of suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerillas.

Last sighting

From Limay, Bataan, Raymund said, the five of them (Manalo brothers, Sherlyn, Karen and Manuel) were transferred to a safehouse off the shore of Zambales. They stayed in the said place from May 8 or 9 (Raymund was not sure of the exact date) until June.

The five captives were taken back to Limay, Bataan sometime in June. After two or three weeks, Raymund said, he, Reynaldo and Manuel were taken to a forest by a certain “Lat.” They were made to sleep in the forest until Caigas ordered Lat to bring them back to the camp.

At night time, the three male captives were again taken to the forest, this time by a certain “Robin.” They were taken back to the camp the next morning. Raymund said it was then that he noticed that Sherlyn and Karen were gone. “Hindi ko na sila nakita,” (I never saw them again.) Raymund said.

The three male captives were then chained inside the cell where Sherlyn and Karen were kept before. They stayed there for three days, Raymund added.

Burned

On the third day, Raymund said “Lat” took Manuel outside the cell. “Kakausapin daw sya ni Gen. Palparan,” ( They said Gen. Palaparan would talk with him.) Raymund said, referring to retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan, then the commanding officer of the 7th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army (ID PA) based in Fort Magsaysay in Laur, Nueva Ecija.

“Nakapiring si Manuel, wala siyang suot pang-itaas, pinosasan,” (Manuel was blindfolded, he had no shirt and was handcuffed.) Raymund said in his testimony.

“Ði nagtagal, narinig ko ang hiyaw o ungol ni Manuel. Sumilip ako sa isang haligi ng kamalig at nakita kong sinisilaban si Manuel,” (After a while, I heard the shouts and moans of Manuel. I peeked and saw Manuel being burned.) Raymund said.

That was the last time Raymund would see Manuel alive. “Sabi ni Donald (Caigas) huwag na raw naming hanapin ang dalawang babae at si Manuel dahil magkakasama na sila.” (Donald told us not to look for the two women and Manuel anymore because they are already together.)

The Manalo brothers were then transferred to Pangasinan where they were allowed to tend a small farm owned by Caigas. Around 1 a.m. of Aug. 14, the brothers were able to escape from their captors when the soldiers became drunk.
A writ of amparo has also been filed for the Manalo brothers who are still kept in a sanctuary as threats hound them and their family to this day.

Raymund is scheduled to testify for Sherlyn, Karen and Manuel on Dec. 18. Bulatlat

Start:	Dec 5, '07 7:00p
End:	Dec 11, '07 10:00p
Location:	Indie Sine Robinson's Galleria, Ortigas

KONTRA-AGOS RESISTANCE FILM FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
5-11 December, Indie Sine Robinson's Galleria, Ortigas

5 December, Wednesday
OPENING NIGHT PROGRAM
FREE ADMISSION

7-7:30 PM cocktails
8 PM
National Anthem: Tao Aves with Anino ShadowPlay
Collective
Welcome Remarks:
Independent Filmmakers Cooperative - Chits Jimenez
Kontra Agos Organizers - Sunshine Matutina
Special Guest Performance
Introduction of Walai: Adjani Arumpac
9 PM Screening of Walai by Adjani Arumpac

SHORTS 1 – Mindanao shorts (Programmed by TENG
MANGANSAKAN)
7 PM December 6 (Filmmakers' Reception), 3 PM December
8, 10 PM December 9, 1 PM December 10

ME'GUYAYA (Documentary)
By Eduardo C. Vasquez, Jr.,

Me'guyaya is a Te'duray term for merry-making or
thanksgiving. In 2003, an active and concerned group
of people in Upi, Shariff Kabunsuan initiated a
festival that would unite all residents in thanking
God for the abundant harvest. Since then, it has
become a big town event that celebrates the richness
and diversity of the Muslim, Christian and Lumad
peoples of Upi.

The documentary delves on how the Me'guyaya serves as
a catalyst for cultural unity as everyone gets
involved in the festivities.

TRANQUIL TIMES (documentary)
By Loren Hallilah I. Lao

The documentary delves on the good governance efforts
of the private sector, civil society and the local
government unit of Wao, Lanao del Sur working together
to erase remnants of the religious and ethnic clashes
of the 1970s. It explores how peace has been achieved
in this multi-ethnic town, propelling the
once-turbulent municipality into its present
agricultural renaissance.

GEORGE'S TOWN (Documentary)
By Moises Charles Hollite

George Sabandal is one of about 2,500 internally
displaced persons (IDPs) who have sought refuge in the
town of Buluan, Maguindanao as a result of the
"all-out war" in 2000. Refusing to go back to the
place of his origin, he has created a new life for
himself and his family in their ideal town.

SULU (Documentary)
By Al Jacinto

Born of a Muslim mother, young writer Arthur Sakaluran
Abasalo decides to visit Sulu despite the perceived
strife and presence of Muslim rebels and Abu Sayyaf
terrorists. In Sulu, he meets a former Muslim
rebel-turned policeman who tells him about his life
story and how he got separated from his family for
more than a decade. He returns to Sulu to start a new
life after being reunited with his family.

Arthur returns to Manila after a short stay in Sulu,
bringing with him memorable stories and truths about
the island feared by many as a dangerous place to go.

BINITON (Narrative)
By McRobert Nacario

A story depicting the process of preparation and
cooking of a dish called Biniton that is particular to
the community of Saniag, Ampatuan. The process of
cooking, in the eyes of an old woman, brings to life
the hardships they experienced amidst armed conflict
at the same time the process of preparation, through
the experience of Amel, her grandson walks us through
the current situation of their community. How amidst
the hardships and diversity in culture they had all
managed to bounce back and become united.

A STEP FOR MY DREAM (Narrative)
By Mona Labado

Seven-year-old Abdul dreams of becoming a leader of
his town. He has natural charisma and easily becomes
friends with people even if he hasn't known them for
long. But his grandmother reminds him of their peasant
roots which is no match to the traditional ruling
family. Undaunted, Abdul sees it as a challenge
envisions his future.

DREAMS (Narrative)
By Sheron Dayoc

Nine-year-old Satra has been mute for as long as she
could remember. But her determination to secure a good
education reverberates clearly amid the strictures of
her Yakan culture.

SHORTS 2
Screenings: 7 PM December 7 (Filmmakers' Reception), 1
PM December 9, 9 PM December 10, 4 PM December 11

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF GLORIA (animation/ 1 min.)
By RJ Mabilin

A satire on the different political and economic
issues the country faces under the Arroyo
administration.

THRESHOLD (experimental/ 15 mins.)
By Mikhail Red

Seeking the Threshold, the Wanderer, endures a dark
journey through the unknown and into the limits of the
human mind.

BINGO (documentary/ 16 mins.)
By Noriel Jarito

Bingo reveals life's monotony of rural existence.
People embrace almost anything: dull, inspiring, tame,
untamed, reputable, and even deceptive. Their horizon
is bounded by beliefs which sometimes manage to
mislead, mock, and misuse their fate. They surrender
and never question the path they trace. Thus, they are
lost. Submission is sweet, to do otherwise is bitter.
Their incomprehension is at the maximum level that
wrong becomes right, and what is right becomes wrong.
To play "Bingo" inside a church is never questioned
and is labeled licensed by some unprincipled Catholic
Church leaders. Christianity is the largest religion
and surely many of its followers are destitute enough
to consider "Bingo" inside their church as a source of
momentary abundance.

Bingo reveals all: People are born. People are being
baptized. People marry. People die. All these should
have been valuable and symbolic, yet have gone awry
and worthless instead. Why? Because of people's
shallowness and ignorance.

LUNES NG HAPIS (narrative/ 12 mins.)
By Nick Olanka

Virgie, an elementary school teacher, and Ismael, the
captain of the troop assigned to infiltrate the
rebels, are lovers in the midst of a military offense
in Filomena. Every Monday they meet and make love
passionately and violently. One day, due to the
disappearance of Virgie's student's father, she falls
into the situation to choose between her love for
Ismael and her love for her community.

DIVINE WIND (experimental/ 4 mins.)
By Sari Dalena-Sicat

A Japanese soldier hides in an island, in the belief
that the war has not ended.

UNCONVENTIONAL WARFARE (documentary/ 30 mins.)
By Herbert Docena and Anna Isabelle Matutina

This documentary contextualizes the issue of US
military presence in the country within the long and
bitter history of conflict in the south. Countering
the reductionist frame set by the narrative of the
"global war against terror," it examines the
historical conditions that led to the emergence of the
Moro separatist movement and the subsequent rise of
the Abu Sayyaf. It dissects the government's
contradictory attempts to downplay its threat while at
the same time justifying escalating military
operations in the region.

Against this backdrop, the documentary then probes
allegations of US military involvement in the war.

PUTOT (narrative/ 20 mins.)
By Jeck Cogama

Putot (Visayan for "small") is the heartfelt story of
a young boy growing up at a squatter colony by the
sea. Putot, aged 13, is a taciturn boy who takes care
of his mentally-ill father, and ekes out a living
selling mussels. He meets Mayang, a mysterious young
girl with secrets of her own. A friendship begins
between the two.

Shot on location near Manila Bay, this emotional story
premiered at the 2006 Cinemalaya Independent Film
Festival, where its director Emmanuel "Jeck" Cogama
won Best Director. Putot has been shown around the
world.

MENDIOLA (documentary/ 31 mins.)
By Sine Patriyotiko

Through the First Quarter Storm to Mendiola Massacre
to Calibrated Preemptive Response: from the very
start, Mendiola houses the eye of conflict. Fact is,
the road from Mendiola to the Palace is several
hundred meters away. Nevertheless, this still is a
great risk: to look directly at the center is to show
the strength to confront those in power. On the road
to Mendiola, one can tread across the history of our
continuous struggle for change.

SHORTS 3
Screenings: 2:30 PM December 7, 7 PM December 8
(Filmmaker's Reception), 4:30 PM December 10, 9:30 PM
December 11

ANG BAYAN KONG PAYAPA (experimental/ 5 mins.)
By Elvert dela Cruz Banares

This is the state of our nation cycle.

SIMULA (experimental/ 11 mins.)
By Ruelo Lozendo

A worm enters a man's ear and lives inside his body.
As the worm's metamorphosis unfolds, the man
experiences his own transformation.
PUSHING THE PARAMETERS (documentary/ 27 mins.)
By Kodao Productions

2006 was the worst year for the members of the bar,
with seven lawyers and judges reportedly killed within
the year. A significant number of these lawyers are
directly involved in human rights advocacy. Under the
administration of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, 19 lawyers
and 12 judges were killed. And this can be seen in the
light of more than 850 victims of extrajudicial
killings from 2001 to 2007.

BINYAG (narrative/ 15 mins.)
By Mariami Tanangco

One night, two tragedies are about to take place. In
an abandoned warehouse, rookie policeman is tasked to
execute a suspected drug pusher. In the quiet suburbs,
a mother is worriedly waiting for her son to come
home. A social commentary on police-instigated
"salvaging" that was prevalent in the late 80s, the
film is intended as a personal elegy on lost
innocence.

RED SAGA (experimental/ 15 mins.)
By Gabriela Krista Dalena

Children of the Land faithfully guard the last harvest
from thieves. This poetic film offers a glimpse into
the passion and pain of the people's protracted war in
the countrysides.

MEDALAWNA (documentary/ 16 mins.)
By Apol Dating and Michael Cardoz

The story of a young girl named "Inday Liit" who helps
her family earn a living by happily sweeping
graveyards.

SA NGALAN NG TUBO (documentary/ 36 mins.)
By Tudla Productions

A video documentary that chronicles what happened on
November 16, 2004 when seven people died at the picket
lines of the Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac. Millworkers
and farm workers of the sugar refinery and plantation
owned by the Cojuangcos, one of the wealthiest, landed
families in the Philippines, went on strike. Their
demands were met with a volley of gunfire from
military and police. Beginning with the history and
background of the land issue, the film builds the
tension gradually, leading up to the actual footage of
the Hacienda Luisita incident, when even the filmmaker
holding the camera has to run for his life.

FEATURE LENGTH

WALAI (documentary/ 60 mins.) Opening Film – premiere
status
By Adjani Arumpac

Walai is an exploration of spaces.

It prods on the memories of four Muslim women who once
lived in the infamous White House in Cotabato City.
The documentary seeks narratives in "places...we tend
to feel without history." It traces the past through
the women's experience of what has happened inside the
wrecked home—nostalgia and fear, loss and love, and
birth and death.

Screenings: 9 PM December 5 (Opening Film), 1 PM
December 7, 3 PM December 10, 8 PM December 11

THE JIHADIST (documentary/ 75 mins.) – premiere status
By Teng Mangansakan

The Jihadist is an autobiographical documentary on the
filmmaker's struggle as an artist amid the backdrop of
the Moro revolution. His search for his rightful place
in the memory of his homeland yields questions that
require him to confront his identity as a Moro and
come to terms with his homosexuality.

Screenings: 9 PM December 6 (Filmmaker's Reception), 5
PM December 7, 1 PM December 8

STANDING UP (documentary/ 155 mins.) – premiere status
By Waise Azimi

Standing Up is a feature length documentary young
Afghan men training to become professional soldiers in
the new Afghan National Army. Situated at the Kabul
Military Training Center, Standing Up chronicles the
struggles and lives of these Afghan men from the
moment they arrive at the KMTC to the last day of
training of their training. Extensive access to the
KMTC training program has provided an insiders
perspective into one of the most underreported and
important stories in the War Against Terror, the story
of those who are Standing Up to the first line of
defense.

Screenings: 9 PM December 7 (Filmmaker's Reception),
3:30 PM December 9, 1 PM December 11

VOICES, TILTED SCREENS AND EXTENDED SCENES OF
LONELINESS: FILIPINOS IN HIGH DEFINITION
(experimental/ 100 mins.)
By John Torres

Voice, Tilted Screens is, at once, a meditation. It is
a meta-film that unravels a journey, a chronicle of
stories through foreign regions. It is a probing
letter from outside circles, an honest account of
illegitimate views from uneven terrain, and a
narrative-driven exploration of the nooks and
peripheries of the body, geography, and weather. As
the journey progresses, the film increasingly
traverses the countries of revelation, film, and heart
to where all journeys are meant to end with.

Screenings: 5 PM December 6, 9 PM December 8
(Filmmaker's Reception), 7 PM December 10

(DIFFERENT) WAYS AND MEANS
SUB-PROGRAM

HILO (experimental/ 90 mins.)
By JP Carpio

Originally conceptualized as a short film shot in 2004
and completed nearly three years later as a
full-length, the film charts the various emotional
courses during a dinner between Emerson, a university
professor, and Jenny, a university student.

Screenings: 1 PM December 6, 6:30 PM December 9
(Filmmaker's Reception)

THE SINGH FAMILY HOME VIDEOS (documentary/ 40 mins.)
By Emman dela Cruz

A documentary work in progress, "The Singh Family Home
Videos" charts an intimate look at the family life of
the filmmaker's neighbors, a Punjabi Indian family who
has assimilated into the Filipino culture and
community. Is nationality a matter of origin? Is
identity a matter of choice? Or is your "home" a
matter of where you are or where you'll be?

Screenings: 1 PM December 6, 6:30 PM December 9
(Filmmaker's Reception), 6:30 PM December 11

EHEM!PLO (documentary/ 43 mins.)
By Clodualdo Del Mundo, Jr.

'Lahat tayo ay nawawalan,' says Heidi Mendoza, a
conscientious auditor featured in this EheM!Plo
video-documentary. 'It is because of corruption that
there is poverty,' argues former Ombudsman Simeon
Marcelo. They are correct. Corruption ruins our
democratic institutions – tempting many to be angry
and hopeless. Young people, like Melonie Maglia of
Ifugao, are longing for leaders with conscience and
competence, not public officials who, according to Fr.
Vhong Navarro, invent projects for selfish interest.
Mayor Jesse Robredo and Allen Reondanga of Naga City
prove that good examples do exist. They employ
I-governance and community participation in their
struggle to uplift the condition of the Bicol region.

EheM!Plo shows that indeed corruption is violence. If
this is trure, then stopping corruption and spreading
integrity are now the new ways of working for peace.

Screenings: 1 PM December 6, 6:30 PM December 9
(Filmmaker's Reception), 6:30 PM December 11

OTHER KONTRA-AGOS EVENTS:

8 December, Saturday, 5-7 PM
PANEL DISCUSSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND ARTISTIC FREEDOM
IN PHILIPPINE CINEMA
FREE ADMISSION

PHOTO EXHIBIT AT THE LOBBY courtesy of the FREE JONAS
BURGOS MOVEMENT

Kontra-Agos is aninitiative of ST Exposure and Digital
Cheese in cooperation with UP Sining at Lipunan and
the Independent Filmmakers Cooperative. Visit
www.kontra-agos. blogspot. com. For inquiries about
the festival write to kontra_agos@ yahoo.com

EXACTLY six years, four months, and 17 days after the trial, deposed leader Joseph Estrada was found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of plunder and has been sentenced to serve up to 40 years in prison.

His son, Jose ‘Jinggoy’ Estrada and lawyer Edward Serapio, however, were acquitted of the charge of plunder. Estrada was convicted on charges of receiving over P500 million in monthly bribes for the protection of the illegal numbers game jueteng and P189.7 million in commissions from the purchases of Belle Corporation shares... (Avigail Olarte)

full story plus files at the PCIJ Blog.

Intro: E-C#m-A-G-Em-B7-Em-B7-

  Em             Am     D            G
  Di ba tayo'y narito upang maging malaya
     C         D         Bm-B7
  At upang palayain ang iba
Em               Am          D                G
  Ako'y walang hinihiling, ika'y tila ganoon din
      C           D          E       B7
  Sadya'y bigyang-laya ang isa't isa.

Chorus
          E    C#m         A              B
  Ang pag-ibig natin ay walang hanggang paalam
     E             C#m        A             G#
  At habang magkalayo, papalapit pa rin ang puso
  Cdim5             C#m  F#          B
  Kahit na magkahiwalay, tayo'y magkasama
        E        C#m        A-B-Em-B7-Em, B7
  Sa magkabilang dulo ng mundo.

      Em        Am          D          G
  Ang bawat simula ay siya ring katapusan
 C           D            Bm          B
  May patutunguhan ba ang ating pagsinta
Em              Am             D         G
  Sa biglang tingin, kita'y walang kinabukasan
    C          D              E  B7
  Subalit di malupit ang pag-asa.

Repeat Chorus except last word

        A-B-
  ...mundo.
        E        C#m        A-B-Esus-E
  Sa magkabilang dulo ng mundo...

http://www.opmpinoy.com/opm-walang-hanggang-paalam-guitar-chords-11309.html

The Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) is an independent federation of progressive peoples organizations, most of them grassroots-based organizations among indigenous communities in the Cordillera Region, Philippines. CPA is committed to the promotion and defense of indigenous peoples’ rights, human rights, social justice, and national freedom and democracy.

CPA is a non-stock, non-profit mass-organization duly registered with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission.

CPA was founded in June 1984 in Bontoc, Mountain Province, by 150 delegates from 27 organizations attending the Cordillera People’s Congress. The founders of CPA were mainly indigenous leaders and activists who spearheaded the widespread and successful opposition to the World Bank-funded Chico dams project and the commercial logging operations of the Cellophil Resources Corporation.

This was during the Marcos dictatorship period, when the government and its corporate partners pursued destructive projects in the Cordillera region, coupled with worsening militarization and political repression. There was then a need to strengthen the mass movement of indigenous peoples in the Cordillera to work for the promotion, recognition and defense of indigenous peoples (IP) rights and human rights. The newly-formed CPA answered this need.

Through the years, CPA has launched sustained information drives, advocacy activities, campaigns and direct actions and local struggles on indigenous peoples’ rights and related issues. These activities were implemented along side organizing work of various indigenous communities in the region and building their capacity through education seminars, trainings and various types of assistance. Through the years, CPA has expanded to include 120 community organizations, three provincial chapters in Mountain Province, Kalinga, and Abra, urban multi-sectoral chapter in Baguio city, Municipal Chapter in Itogon Benguet, and sectoral federations of youth, women, elders, peasant and cultural workers.

CPA, as an alliance, respects the independence and autonomous operation of its members. But it also provides a system of tight coordination and close cooperation in the implementation of its general program as its basis of unity.

Today, CPA has gained recognition and legitimacy as a major center of the progressive Cordillera mass movement with its independence, unwavering commitment and its consistent and sustained advocacy, campaigns and direct actions on the recognition of indigenous peoples rights, human rights, social justice, genuine peace and national democracy.

Drawing strength from its two decades of experiences and lessons, CPA continues to pursue its commitment to advance its general programme and principles.

N.B. - This was published in Vol. 5, No. 48 (Dec. 13-19, 2006) of Pinoy Weekly (p. 5), the full text of which may also be retrieved from URL http://www.pinoyweekly.org/pw5-48/op_ed/ed-5_48_3.htm. Pinoy Weekly’s next issue will be on January 3, 2007.

KONTEKSTO
Danilo Araña Arao

Luha ng Pasko

Buti na lang at walang namatay sa aming mga kamag-anak sa Lungsod Tabaco, Albay. Pero naging matindi rin ang pagkasira sa mga ari-arian ng mga taga-Tabaco dahil sa malakas na hangin at ulang hatid ng bagyong Reming.

Sa katunayan, nilipad ang bubong ng kuwarto ng aking asawa at nabasag ang mga bintana ng bahay nila. May mga kamag-anak din kaming pinasok ng putik ang bahay at nawalan ng kabuhayan dahil literal na nilipad ng hangin ang mga gamit.

Dahil walang naiulat na namatay sa Tabaco noong kasagsagan ng bagyong Reming, sapat na ba ito para maging maligaya ngayong Pasko? Tatanggapin na lang ba natin itong konsolasyon dahil kaya pa namang makapagsimulang muli ang mga taong naapektuhan?

Habang isinusulat ito, sinabi sa amin ng isang kamag-anak na malakas na naman ang ulan sa Tabaco dahil sa bagyong Seniang. Wala pa ring kuryente sa lugar na iyon at ang mga residente ay kinakapos na ng pagkain. Mahirap pa ring pumunta sa at lumabas ng Tabaco dahil hindi madaanan ng sasakyan ang mga kalsada.

Sapat na ang mga ulat sa midya para masabing naging matindi ang epekto ng mga bagyong Milenyo noong Setyembre at Reming kamakailan sa marami nating kababayan. Maraming ginagawa ang ilang indibidwal at organisasyon para tulungan ang mga nasalanta. Totoo namang ito ang mga pagkakataong kailangang magkaisa ang lahat para tulungan ang mga nangangailangan.

At ang pagkakaisang ito ay nagtutulak sa ating lahat na ipakita ang pakikidalamhati, kung hindi man sa pamamagitan ng aktuwal na pagbibigay ng tulong ay sa pagkakaroon ng isang simpleng selebrasyon ng Pasko kasama ang pamilya. Bagama’t nariyan ang kasiyahan, hindi pa rin dapat mawala sa isip ang kalunos-lunos na kalagayan ng mga taong nawalan ng mga mahal sa buhay at patuloy na pinipilit mabuhay kahit na walang katiyakan ang malapit na hinaharap.

Tinaguriang panahon ng ligaya ang Pasko, pero hindi ka masisisi kung may luhang pumapatak sa iyong mga mata sa pag-alala sa mga namatay at sa mga naiwan nilang mahal sa buhay na hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin makapaniwala sa nangyaring trahedya. At hindi ka nag-iisa kung hindi mo masyadong nararamdaman ang diwa ng Pasko kahit na may nakasabit nang parol sa iyong bahay at gabi-gabi nang nagka-caroling ang mga bata.

Sabi ng isang lumang Pamaskong awitin, “Tayo’y magsikap upang makamtan natin ang kasaganaan.” Kaya ba nating sabihin sa mga nasalanta ng bagyo na magsikap lang sila ay makakabangon silang muli? Bagama’t dapat purihin ang mga indibidwal at organisasyong nagbibigay ng mga pagkain at iba pang pangangailangan sa mga nasalanta ng bagyo, alam nating mauubos din ang mga ito at hindi naman puwedeng habambuhay silang umasa sa donasyon.

May pangunahing responsibilidad ang gobyerno para tulungan ang mga nasalanta, hindi lamang sa porma ng donasyon kundi sa pagkakaroon ng disenteng pabahay at mapagkukunan ng ikabubuhay. Ang simpleng pagsisikap ay hindi sapat dahil alam naman nating ang mga mamamayan ay hindi nabibigyan ng pantay na oportunidad para umangat sa buhay.

Kung iniisip lang natin ang ating sarili, baka salubungin natin ang Pasko nang parang walang nangyari sa Bikol at sa iba pang lugar na naapektuhan ng mga bagyong Milenyo at Reming. Pero sa kabila ng ating magkakasalungat na paniniwala, masasabi kong karamihan sa atin ay may konsiyensiyang tumulong sa mga nangangailangan. Ganito rin ba ang ating masasabi sa mga kongresistang minamadali ang pagbabago sa Saligang Batas para umabot diumano sa Mayo 2007 ang plebisito? Hindi na bago para sa mga nasa kapangyarihan ang isipin lang ang kanilang sarili. Ang kanilang pagsusulong ng “Cha-Cha” (charter change) kahit sa panahon ng trahedya ay nagpapakita lang ng tunay na kulay nila.

Kaya nararapat lamang na ang Pasko ay maging okasyon ng pag-alala sa mga nasalanta ng bagyo, gayundin ang mga ginagawa at hindi ginagawa ng pamahalaan. Ito ay pagkakataon para pag-isipang mabuti ang kahihinatnan ng ating bayan kung magpapatuloy ang panlipunang kaayusan.

Bunga ng luhang pumapatak sa ating mga mata, gawin nating kakaiba ang katangian ng Pasko. Hindi lang dapat ito panahon ng limitadong ligaya, kundi panahon ng paglaya. Sa isang banda, ang luha ay hindi lang para sa mga nagdadalamhati, kundi sa mga nagngingitngit sa galit.

Isang mapagpalayang Pasko sa ating lahat.

Para makipag-ugnayan sa awtor, pumunta sa www.dannyarao.com.

Activism
Abortion	Affirmative Action	Afrocentrism
Age Discrimination	Animal Rights	Anti-Semitism
Breastfeeding in Public	Campaign Finance Reform	Child Advocacy
Child Soldiers	Civil Disobedience	Civil Rights
Climate Changes	Cloning	Conscientious Objection
Conservation	Consumer Advocacy and Information	Corporate Accountability
Corporate Philanthropy	Death Penalty	Disabilities
Diversity	Dog Breed Specific Legislation	Drug Policy
Drugs in Sports	Educational Equity	Employment and Workplace Issues
Environmental Health	Euthanasia	Extended Breastfeeding
Fair Trade	Fat Acceptance	Feminism
Firearms Policy	Food Safety	Fraud
Gays in the Military	Genetic Engineering	Gentrification
Global Change	Global Warming	Hate Crimes
Health Care Policy	Housing	Human Genome Project
Human Rights	Immigration Reform	Immunizations
Literacy	Literacy	Media Ethics and Accountability
Mining	Multiculturism	Native American
Oil and Gas	Ozone Depletion	Parent Advocacy
Peace and Nonviolence		Philanthropy
Pollution	Population	Pornography
Poverty	Pro-Choice	Pro-Life
Prostitution	Race and Racism	Racial Profiling
Secondhand Smoke	Separation of Church and State	Shorter Workweek
Socially Responsible Investing	Social Security Reform	Sustainable Agriculture
Sustainable Development	Sweatshops	Tax Reform
Term Limits	Urban Sprawl	Violence
Waste Management	Water Management Issues	Weapons Disarmament and Nonproliferation
Welfare Reform	Whistleblowing	Xenotransplantation
Zoos At a time when advocacies stretch from A to Z, can you still stomach the thought of staying within your comfort zones? Is apathy something to be worn like a badge? think about it.