Philippine Observer

Today is Wednesday

Tuesday, September 27, 2016 The Mail Man 0

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<span style="font-size: large;">Wednesday is what most of us consider as the middle of the week. Something to look forward to at the end of the workday knowing that the other half of the week will lead to the weekend. It is a touchstone for most of the working class. It is as if the worst is now behind us. We can cruise until the weekend comes. Wednesday is the crossroads in the week. For those who have labored so hard on Monday and Tuesday. In most bars, Wednesday is Ladies' Night. A Promtion to lift up the spirits of the stressed and tired, to tide them over until the weekend. Days of recuperation and respite. A time for home, family and friends. A time for the weekly respite on a middle of the week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today is Wednesday. The economy shows strength in GDP indicators and yet the poorest of the poor have yet to benefit from it. International Rating Agencies have yet to put food on the tables of millions of Filipino children who will sleep on mats, cardboards, bare floors and garbage without eating supper. Those who are sick will not get any doctors, medicines and medical attention today because is Wednesday. Many of them will die because they did not have the medicines and medical attention because it is Wednesday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today is Wednesday. Many of the people have no jobs because of failed economic policies made during that Wednesday. Industrialization was thrown out so as to assuage the IMF-WB conditions on what the Philippine economy must be after the 1947 Bretton Woods Agreement. In exchane for loans, the country must not industrialize. our people will just be the market for the products of other countries. our people will just be hewers of wood and carriers of water. And yet the country will need dollars to survive. Hotels, the Cultural Center, PICC, Folk Arts Theater, the Manila Film Center were financed by those loans in order to attract tourists. Agreements were made with Middle East countries for Philippine labor. At such acost. The cost was a Presidential Decree that automatically allocated 40% of Philippine government revenues to automatic debt payment. Now, no industrialization meant no jobs. Now we have the Diaspora of Filipinos to foreign lands. The cost is social and very hard to measure. The very fabric of the Filipino family is now being threatened. How I miss my sister and brother. These all happened on Wednesday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today is Wednesday. When elected and appointed government officials run roughshod over the people. Giving them crumbs, corrupting their values and morals so as to sustain a Ruling Class that is answerable to no one. Of having the biggest mansions, the most delicious food, the best and fanciest vehicles, the most lavish parties, the finest clothes and the most money. They do so because of the Pork Barrel system. They do so because of corruption. They do so because they have made beggars of the people so that they will be elected again and again and again. Because it is always Wednesday and they made a Mendicant State.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Macliing Dulag. Dr. Johnny Escandor, Eman Lacaba, Edgar Jopson, Alex Boncayao, and thousands of soldiers, MNLF, NPA, activists, workers and way before them Elias, they all died on Wednesday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is a Tuesday now, but our country is still at Wednesday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today is Wednesday. Our country is at the crossroads. We must decide if we are to be a better country, having ridden over the hump for the promise of a weekend or to be stuck on Wednesday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All the evil started on Wednesday. In Malacanang. Marcos surrounded by his Rolex Twelve. They were making the countdown.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">September 20, 1972 was a Wednesday. The next day was September 21, 1972. The day Martial Law was declared.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today is a Wednesday.</span></div>
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Wednesday is what most of us consider as the middle of the week. Something to look forward to at the end of the workday knowing that the ...

History in the Upside Down: Bud Dajo

The Mail Man 0

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSgjvLgOo8P13pCij-3OCuGF86X4n8raa6kukPMp6pfdGgjvZ7L0OW0AXZ6KWifv8q6VcHshtaWRMB64dWYIdTNRO-qSlDl3l0uhEOt80vJzmCv4h3dOp-1y8wNpvk0M0hXyKMsGoKucD5/s1600/Bud+Dajo+Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSgjvLgOo8P13pCij-3OCuGF86X4n8raa6kukPMp6pfdGgjvZ7L0OW0AXZ6KWifv8q6VcHshtaWRMB64dWYIdTNRO-qSlDl3l0uhEOt80vJzmCv4h3dOp-1y8wNpvk0M0hXyKMsGoKucD5/s400/Bud+Dajo+Pic.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The things happening recently really transports one to a world of surrealism. I have never imagined that history can be used as a weapon of disinformation to this day. In fact, it is not only disinformation but is used to muddle up any issue. The recent digging up of the Bud Dajo battle is an example of such a case. It was waved and bandied about as a sort of the pot calling the kettle black</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have been a serious student of history but not formally. My main source of history back then was my maternal grandfather. He was born during a time when the Philippines was an American colony, and then part of the Commonwealth, WWII, Independence and contemporary history.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But he is remarkable since he graduated Magna cum Laude at the Philippine Normal College during the commonwealth era and Magna cum Laude at the Union Theological Seminary. I deferred to him most regarding history, both written and unwritten because he also came in contact with those whose stories are not part of formal history books.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was during grade school that I became aware of the Muslim Question in Mindanao. Not finding it in my grade school elementary history books, I asked him. I knew that the Philippines was an American colony before and I saw the movie posters of Dugo ng Tarikan (starring Vic Vargas) and also Sunugin ang Samar! (starring Ramon Revilla), and I wondered what about Mindanao.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">His answer came in the form of a lecture on the Bates Treaty and that it somehow kept the peace after that. He did mention the Bud Dajo battle and that it was the battle that settled American dominance in Mindanao.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today, Duterte waved it as an example of American terrorism and disrespect for human rights of Filipinos. Again, I went back to my grandfather but he passed away 1987. And again I fall back on what he taught me and did research on the subject. That was why I kept my mouth shut during the time when it was the stuff of headlines.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here goes.</span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiacSJefq4zZSaIZWxpouw4-1rKdz7LkaFVUxzGEJkmK9x_90sZyDHsSGugSxfEzDkU3JUVDY3Ow1NaFV0nGmhURblgreylTtV0kHu8eUk4CHVx3JOcb9RhiL_DR52cMsNj-21nRKGpFwQk/s1600/Bud+Dajo+Pic2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiacSJefq4zZSaIZWxpouw4-1rKdz7LkaFVUxzGEJkmK9x_90sZyDHsSGugSxfEzDkU3JUVDY3Ow1NaFV0nGmhURblgreylTtV0kHu8eUk4CHVx3JOcb9RhiL_DR52cMsNj-21nRKGpFwQk/s640/Bud+Dajo+Pic2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bud Dajo Mountain</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bud Dajo</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bud Dajo is located 6 kilometers from Jolo. It is the crater of an extinct volcano with an elevation of 640 meters above sea level. Its crater has a circumference of 1,800 yards and the volcano itself has an 18 kilometer circumference and is steep and thickly forested. It has three major trails going to the summit. In military terms, it is a formidable defensive perimeter and owing to the size of the area, a siege would be very difficult to undertake.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Why Bud Dajo?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A Moro named Pala ran amuck in a village in Borneo, then part of the British colony that was to be now Malaysia. Having become a fugitive, Pala went back to Jolo, then part of the Sulu Sultanate. He was to be arrested by Col. Hugh Scott, district governor of Sulu. The Datu opposed the move to arrest Pala and during the ensuing fight, Pala managed to escape. In time Pala became a Datu and it was several months that another attempt to arrest him was made. Pala then sought refuge in Bud Dajo because of its easily defensible perimeter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bud Dajo was not only easily defended but also had a source of water and soon, other Moros joined Pala in the sanctuary of Bud Dajo.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Why?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">During that time, “reforms” were being implemented in Mindanao. These reforms were:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. No more “Cedula”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. Stopping of the Slave Trade</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Even in pre-Hispanic Philippines, slave raiding and slave trading was an industry in Mindanao, with slave raiders ranging as far as Luzon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Those joining Pala were against the reforms banning slavery and were the remnants of three earlier revolts against the Americans.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Initial attempts at inducing Pala and his group to surrender were futile. These consisted of sending Datus and even the Sultan himself failed to make Pala and his group to surrender.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Having a secure base, Pala and his group raided nearby villages for women and cattle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This prompted the Americans to neutralize Bud Dajo. 3 combat columns attacked from the three main trails leading to Bud Dajo. Each trail was defended by barricades and fighting was intense and even led to hand-to-hand combat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Eventually, the crater summit was on the verge of being overrun. A last resort was then made for a surrender, two Datus were sent to negotiate and again failed to obtain a surrender. The final assault began on March 7, 1906 and was made by artillery and machineguns.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Only 6 of the estimated 800 – 1,000 Bud Dajo garrison survived.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There was no massacre. There was a battle which was a culmination of months of negotiations. The issue was not about religion but about those who wanted slavery to continue as an industry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Duterte said they were his ancestors. Then so be it. It explains a lot of things about him. Even his use of history is incompetent.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">History in the Upside Down</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sources:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. Arnold, J.R., 2011, The Moro War, New York: Bloomsbury Press, ISBN 9781608190249</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. John J. Pershing (25 June 2013). My Life before the World War, 1860--1917: A Memoir. University Press of Kentucky. p. 386. ISBN 0-8131-4198-2.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3. "The Right Sort of White Men": General Leonard Wood and the U.S. Army in the Southern Philippines, 1898-1906 (Doctoral Dissertations). p. 8. Retrieved 11 August 2015. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">4. The statement from Scott comes from: Gedacht, Joshua. "Mohammedan Religion Made It Necessary to Fire:" Massacres on the American Imperial Frontier from South Dakota to the Southern Philippines," in Colonial Crucible: Empire in the Making of the Modern American State. Edited by Alfred W. McCoy and Francisco A. Scarano. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Press, 2009, pp. 397-409. Information on the use of craters as sites of refuge during Spanish attacks can be found in: Warren, James Francis. The Sulu Zone, 1768-1898: The Dynamics of External Trade, Slavery, and Ethnicity in the Transformation of a Southeast Asian Maritime State, 2nd ed. Singapore: NUS Press, 2007.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">5. The Battle of Bud Dajo (archived from the original Archived May 9, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. on 2008-05-09), chapter 19 of Swish of the Kris (archived fromthe original Archived February 2, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. on 2008-02-02), by Vic Hurley.</span></div>
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Events History Nationalism Patriotism History in the Upside Down: Bud Dajo

The things happening recently really transports one to a world of surrealism. I have never imagined that history can be used as a weapon ...

Heroes 5 (Part V of my Philippine Alternative History Series)

The Mail Man 0

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<span style="font-size: large;">P/SInsp. Augusto Tirona was having a bad day. He was suffering from a headache brought about by a bad hangover. He and 3 of his men had 3 liters of Emperador the previous day. It started early enough at around 2 in the afternoon but it dragged on until 10:00 p.m. His men, Lito and another one “Bulik” and Julian were in the PCP drinking because of domestic troubles of Capt. Tirona. The alternating hot sun and short but sharp rains all throughout the morning tested Tirona’s nerves. Although he and his men were not I the frontlines, they were still ordered to deploy behind the Civil Disturbance Control phalanx that faced the demonstrators. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tirona’s men were armed unlike the CDC before them. The rallyists were able to barricade themselves behind the 10-wheeler truck that served as their stage earlier in their morning program. It was not supposed to be this way since earlier orders from Gen. Kamagong was for the policy of maximum tolerance. They though they outsmarted the demonstrators. Although the demonstrators sat behind the students who lay down on the road leading to the Libingan ng mga Bayani, their plan was to fly in the body of ex-President Marcos. But the organizers of the demonstrators also had contingencies. When the helicopter was approaching, a barrage of fireworks were lighted, dozens of rockets filled the air and the helicopter could not safely approach. It turned out that the 10-wheeler truck not only brought the stage and sound systems but also brought with it face masks, water, the fireworks along with enough food to last for days. It also brought a generator that powered laptops, cellphones and gadgets that brought streaming video to the internet. After 3 attempts the helicopter could not loiter anymore and would have to return to Villamor Air Base. The demonstrators felt victory at hand.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Also, employees from Ayala went down from their offices and are now marching down McKinley Road. Employees from Ortigas Business Center were also now marching down C5 and were already at Bagong Ilog, Pasig. The Police and the AFP never had any such contingencies. Radio reports of clashes between police and demonstrators coming from Quezon City were being fed them and the stopline was in Cubao where those in Araneta Center were attempting to outflank the blocking force at EDSA corner Aurora. There can be had no reinforcements from Crame or Aguinaldo since a large part is already in Cubao and another contingent was blocking Shaw Blvd because of demonstrators coming from Mandaluyong and Manila.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The adjacent provincial commands had to send augmentation forces to surround Malacanang. It would be hours before more units can be poured in from Rizal and Bulacan. A day at least from Quezon Province and Bicol commands. It took them by surprise since all they expected was resistance from the demonstrators already at the BGC.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tirona was given the order to move forward since the CDC was already advancing towards the demonstrators. Then several teargas launchers were fired against the rally line. But instead of dispersing, the rallyers poured water over their eyes and face marks. Those lying down were also doused with water, thus the teargas was neutralized. The Amihan wind also blew the teargas towards the police line and greatly degraded the operations. Not all the policemen and soldiers were issued gas masks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But the CDC reached the demonstrators lying down on the road. The impact was psychological. It was one thing to use truncheons on standing demonstrators. It was different beating down on students who were lying down.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Emilio and Gregorio were the one’s who were sitting down in front of the students lying down. They were part of the UP contingent. Those lying down were students from UST and Ateneo. The troopers cannot beat them down but they tried pulling them up and carrying them but the students held on to each other’s hands and arms. They were locked in a human mesh. No matter how hard they tried, it was useless. The CDC was faltering. Tirona had his men with guns firing rubber bullets come forward. When the CDC retreated in frustration, Tirona ordered a volley. The first rank of those sitting down crumpled. Emilio was hit on the chest and he crumpled over. Gregorio carried him to the back and other students took their place. Again Tirona ordered a volley and the front line of the students went down, but again others took their place.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tirona was already frustrated, a third volley was ordered with the same results. Students already had bloody heads and faces. Tirona then stepped on the bodies of the students lying down. He did not care if it was a face or a stomach or a leg. A priest the stood up and told him that it was enough. Then a nun implored him to cease the volley of rubber bullets. More than 1 hundred students were bleeding behind them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Gregorio took Emiio to the aid station. Dr. Jose Rizal together with volunteer nurses and doctors were treating the casualties and more were coming. Dr. Jose Rizal then went towards the frontlines because of the continuous flow of casualties. He was wearing his white coat and just following the line of litter-bearers who came streaming to the aid station. When he got to the from, he saw the final volley of rubber bullets and his hands turned white with rage upon seeing the students being mown down. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But the students and other demonstrators would not back down. They started to sing Lupang Hinirang which was commenced by a lone UP Music Conservatory student. It was such a stirring voice that upon the second stanza, all the others sang together with her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tirona was blocked by the priest and nun. He could not hear what they were saying since the national anthem was being sang around them. Tirona took out his 9mm Beretta and pointed it at the priest to order them to stop. The priest just stood there. The nun seeing the gun tried to yank Tirona’s arm. Tirona, confused, having a bad headache and the loudness of the song pulled the trigger. The priest crumpled and fell down, the nun draped her body over another student. Tirona said “Putang ina ninyo, tumigil na kayo!”, But the students only sang louder, He pointed his gun towards the head of another student sitting down. It was Gregorio, the nun dived over Gregorio, the gun went off and the bullet hit the nun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dr. Rizal was running towards Tirona but other policemen went to Tirona and carried him off toward their lines. Dr. Rizal knelt with tears running down his cheeks. The priest was dead and the nun had a gunshot wound on her side. Gregorio was trying to stanch the blood on the nun. Dr. Rizal took the puls of the priest as the song ended at “Ang Mamatay ng Dahil sa iyo……..”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Events were now being livestreamed over the internet. Pictures were being posted realtime on facebook. The demonstrators even had drones flying of the carnage. The world saw what was happening.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At the same time, Andy Bonifacio was with a group inside vans that were heading to Sampaloc…</span></div>
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History Nationalism Patriotism Heroes 5 (Part V of my Philippine Alternative History Series)

P/SInsp. Augusto Tirona was having a bad day. He was suffering from a headache brought about by a bad hangover. He and 3 of his men had 3...

Again: Voices of Martial Law series to be staged at the Bantayog ng Mga Bayani theater this December.

Tuesday, September 20, 2016 The Mail Man 0

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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pinky Amador</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The play written and directed by Kanakan Balintagos was first staged at the 12th Virgin Labfest,  but its talented director-playwright promises a totally different take from its original run. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">“Loyalist Redux” performances will be on September 23 at 8pm, October 1 at 8pm, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">October 9 at 4pm and  October  15 at 8pm along with  “Duyan Ka Ng Magiting” written and directed by Erica Estacio, first seen at the People Power Experiential Museum, and “Thingy (or Or Ang Pak na Pak Ganern na Ganern sa Pakikipagsapalaran ni Melenyo, D’ Great Pokemon Hunter ” written by Chris Martinez and directed by Dennis Marasigan. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Never Again: Voices of Martial Law, is a series of nine plays produced by Ladies Who Launch (LWL), designed to create awareness about the harsh realities of living during the years after the declaration of Martial Law, the people around them, their work and how it has affected people to this day.  </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For the regular run, tickets are at PhP 500 per show consisting of three plays while a series pass allowing entry to all nine shows are at 1200. For inquiries, email ladieswholaunch.ph@gmail.com or  contact +639178106256. </span></div>
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History Nationalism Patriotism Again: Voices of Martial Law series to be staged at the Bantayog ng Mga Bayani theater this December.

Pinky Amador The play written and directed by Kanakan Balintagos was first staged at the 12th Virgin Labfest, but its talented directo...

Heroes 4 (Part 4 of my Philippine Alternative History Series)

Monday, September 19, 2016 The Mail Man 0

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<span style="font-size: large;">Elias Santiago or Ely looked left and right before going out the door of his house or abode or hole in the wall. It depends on one’s perspective. The 8x4 dwelling is home to Ely. He shares it with his wife and child who is 3 years old. Ely just turned 21 last Saturday and he barely got to celebrate it until his brother, Ignacio came with 2 liters of Emperador Lite and lechon manok. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At first, he did not want Ignacio to show up since Ignacio was also a small time pusher. But he was his only brother and his sister passed away 2 years ago because of complications with childbirth or Ely wanted to believe. He just do not want to listen to stories that his sister overdosed on shabu since she was already having contractions on her stomach and wanted the pain to go away.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ely  looked both ways again and took a step. It has only been a few weeks when many of his gang “surrendered” and went to the barangay hall. Oplan Tokhang has not reached their eskinita yet but somebody from the barangay went around with a list that showed names of drug addicts and small time pushers. Having found out that they had their names on the list prompted many of them to “surrender”. Ely’s name was not on that list. He avoided successfully taking shabu even though most of his friends were hooked on the stuff. He just did not like it, that’s what he told himself. He was now on his way to the plaza area where he has this small stall that repaired cellphones and other gadgets.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He never had time to kiss Linda goodbye, she was out early being a laundrywoman and she took their child with her. Ely gave Rooney 2 Pochi as they went. He hoped to get some business by 11:30 a.m. buy lunch and go home and after that return to his repair stall after lunch and earn some more before buying their supper.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was a hardscrabble life for him and his family. He got Linda pregnant when they were both 17 and just graduated from high school. Having a son gave him such a heavy responsibility that he was afraid to think 2 weeks in advance. He just worked, went home and played with his son. The regular drinking session with neighbors would come in twice a week and a brother who would drop by once a week was what occupied his time. He had a small TV set with cable connections (courtesy of neighborhood drug addicts who made the illegal connections) and a DVD player that he was able to buy from another drug addict who must have stolen it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He was riding his BMX bike (a survivor of his transition from boyhood to manhood to parenthood all in a span of 1 year) when he saw SWAT vehicles going the opposite way. He knew he was too small a fry to be bothered and even if he did bother, they would just ignore somebody like him. The only attention he got was when the owner of the sari-sari store would remind him of what he owed the guy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He arrived at the stall and removed the netting. Setting up his CPU and other tools took a whole of 5 minutes and he was open for business. Magno, the other stall owner who sold headphones, chargers and other gadgets sauntered up to him. “Pare, eto may 2 pang hopia. Merienda natin. Hoy Gemo, 2 gulaman, paki dala mo dito, dito ko na babayaran.” Magno would do this almost every morning. He was thankful that the cellphone repair stall also generated business for him. It was  symbiotic business relationship. “Nag inuman kami ni Ignacio kagabi. Di mo man lang ako inimbita nung birthday mo” Magno feigned hurt but he delivered it with a smile. “Biglaan lang naman yun, dumating si Ignacio may dalang empi at lechon manok. “OK lang yun, biro lang. Eto, hopia, happy birthday hahahaha!”.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was almost noon when Ely took up the contents of the box, he now had money for lunch. He bought 3 Okoy and 6 lumpiang shanghai and 3 orders of rice. As he was bicycling home, he was nearly sideswiped by the barangay ambulance. Hurrying home via the callejon, Linda with Rooney stopped him. She was in tears. “Ely, huwag ka muna umuwi, nag raid ang SWAT kanina pagkatapos mong umalis. Hinabol si Ignacio, dun na corner sa may kapilya, patay na.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ely rushed to the kapilya, there was already a security cordon. “kapatid niya ako” he told one policeman. He saw Ignacio. Half his head was blown away and uncounted bullet holes riddled his body. Ely’s knees buckled to the ground. He knew that his brother was a small time pusher. A small time pusher. But what he is seeing now is not a small time pusher. It was not even a pig slaughtered. A slaughtered pig does not look like that. His mind raced back when they were just children. Ignacio was always a big brother to him. Ignacio was the one who brought him to school and picked him up after school. It was Ignacio who came up with the money when his wife gave birth and it was Ignacio who spent for the baptism of Rooney. Ely knew that Ignacio was a pusher but Ely also knew that Ignacio was  his brother. Ignacio did not deserve to be butchered like this.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ely composed himself and went back to his stall. He will close early today. He will just wait until he has enough for dinner. He could not afford to wallow in despond. He had mouths to feed. Magno came up “Sorry Ely, kaibigan ko din naman si Ignacio.” Magno looked down. “Parang tayo lang ang kayang patayin di ba?”. Ely had this far away look. “Ely, may ipakikilala ako sa iyo. Hindi tama ang ginagawa eh. Para tayong mga ipis na pinupuksa”. “Sige, ipakilala mo ako.” Ely replied without even looking at Magno. Ely was gazing at the bell tower of the church and so much hated that the day is coming to an end.</span></div>
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History Nationalism Patriotism Heroes 4 (Part 4 of my Philippine Alternative History Series)

Elias Santiago or Ely looked left and right before going out the door of his house or abode or hole in the wall. It depends on one’s pers...

9 Plays Tackle Life (and Death) Under Martial Law

Sunday, September 18, 2016 The Mail Man 0

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<span style="font-size: large;">In response to the growing myths and misconceptions about the Martial Law era, a new group has launched a series of plays about living and dying during the Marcos regime, beginning September 21, 2016 at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Entitled Never Again: Voices of Martial Law, these series of nine plays produced by Ladies Who Launch (LWL), are designed to create awareness about the harsh realities of living during the years after the declaration of Martial Law, the people around them, their work and how it has affected people to this day.  </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Included in the lineup are the Palanca Award-winning “Bulong-bulongan Sa Sangandaan” by Ramon Jocson which be directed by theater luminary Audie Gemora, “Loyalist Redux”, a comedy written and directed by Kanakan Balintagos, first staged at the 12th Virgin Labfest with theater star Pinky Amador in the title role, and “Duyan Ka Ng Magiting” written and directed by Erica Estacio, first seen at the People Power Experiential Museum.  </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">LWL says “Our goal is to unearth these stories and make them visible, visceral, and palpable. We want those alive today to remember the victims as people, not just as statistics or bios on a website. Above all, we want to ensure that the evils of Martial Law are never forgotten, never repeated.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The six original plays created for Never Again: Voices of Martial Law are “Princess Lilli” written by Layeta Bucoy and directed by Tuxs Rutaquio,  “Disco 1081” written by George de Jesus III and directed by Melvin Lee, “Shhh” written by Allan Lopez and directed by Jenny Jamora, “Indigo Child” written by Rody Vera and directed by Jose Estrella, “Thingy (or Or Ang Pak na Pak Ganern na Ganern sa Pakikipagsapalaran ni Melenyo, D’ Great Pokemon Hunter ” written by Chris Martinez and directed by Dennis Marasigan and  “Ang Lihim na Kasaysayan ng Huling Habilin ni Ferdinand Edralin Marcos (Spiritual King Solomon of Israel) Hinggil sa Pamanang Kayamanan ni King Bernardo Carpio at Jose Protacio Rizal Para sa Pagpapaunlad ng Bansang Pilipinas na Siyang Nalalaman ni Mang Ambo, Taxi Driver”  written by Guelan Varela-Luarca and directed by Roobak Valle. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The play will have a gala premiere on September 21, the anniversary of the proclamation of Martial Law. Weekend performances will run from September 23 until to October 16. After this run at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani, the production is also scheduled for  school and city tours.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For the regular run, tickets are at PhP 500 per show consisting of three plays while a series pass allowing entry to all shows are at 1200.For inquiries, email ladieswholaunch.ph@gmail.com or  contact +639178106256. </span></div>
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Events History Nationalism Patriotism 9 Plays Tackle Life (and Death) Under Martial Law

In response to the growing myths and misconceptions about the Martial Law era, a new group has launched a series of plays about living ...

Heroes 3 (3rd Installment)

Tuesday, September 13, 2016 The Mail Man 0

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<span style="font-size: large;">Emil Jacinto was just about to get a ride after his class. His meeting the last week kept him pondering on what to do next. He hoped that he will be able to have enough time to finish his 2 term papers and get a head start on his thesis. The cardboard sign he wore around his neck he no longer carried since he walked from Diliman to Cubao the other day. He was drenched to the bone when classes were suspended during mid-day. It was really hard getting a ride and so he walked to Cubao and rode a jeepney going to Rosario, Pasig. He heard that EDSA was at a standstill and he saw during his walk that EDSA was indeed one huge parking lot. His cardboard sign was soaked and was turned into pulp by the time he reached Cubao. Such was his lot he told himself. He sent an sms to his mother that he will be late coming home and told of his travails. His mother was already preparing dinner and told him it would be Almondegas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At the corner of EDSA and East Avenue, he saw his ROTC upperclassman. Greggy del Pilar was popular on campus. Although, Emil thought of the hardships at the ROTC COCC he underwent under Greggy. Given the circumstances, Greggy smiled and told him to come over. He told Emil that since they were walking and already wet from the rain, Greggy would treat him at the nearby lugawan when they reach Kamuning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">“Emil, lugaw tayo, treat kita.” Greggy said. Greggy was from Cainta, Rizal and he hoped to get a ride in Cubao too. “Hirap talaga ng sitwasyon natin. Akala ko mawawala na itong trapik after ng bagong president. Same old shit.”. Emil was not wary. He knows of the political stance of Greggy but he did not disclose that he was already in contact with those who opposed the new administration. Greggy respected Emil since he saw Emil as a fellow traveler and part of the Corps of Cadets. Greggy was also one of the bright stars in the university. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Emil and Greggy walked all the way to Cubao. In that one experience, they talked about a lot of things going on around. Although Greggy was the more martial of the two, Greggy respected Emil’s concerns with regards to threats to freedom and human rights. “Akala ko nga OK na tayo eh. Kaya nga ako nag Advance ROTC para magkaroon ng training on how to protect the motherland if needed.” “Mukhang sa iba ko magagamit” Greggy disclosed. “Bahala na” Emil retorted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When they got a ride at Cubao, Emil said “sa tingin mo, magiging malala pa kaya?”. Greggy smiled and said”di ko rn alam, mas matanda lang ako sa iyo ng isang taon, bakit ako tinanatanong mo?” and then the smiled turned into a laugh. “Sa kwento ng mga tito at tita ko, mas mahirap yung naranasan nila nung panahon ni Marcos”. “Pero walang makasagot bakit pinayagan ng ilang taon na mag Martial Law?” Emil just mulled over the answer and then “Sa tingin ko di ako papayag na tumagal ang ganung sitwasyon, iba na panahon ngayon. Mas madali na communications dahil sa technology.” Emil said. Greggy then answered “technology din ang ginamit ng mga nag elect sa gobyerno ngayon” “mukhang mahihirapan this time around.” Iyan yung nasabi sa akin nung isa kong ka chat sa fb na nakaranas din ng Martial Law” “Minsan talaga di ko malaman kung seryoso o talagang may katok sa ulo yung si Budoy.”. Emil again pondered on that since he also heard that from Apol Mabini.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Upon reaching Rosario, Emil got off. It was then that there was a crowd milling near Dr. Sixto Antonio avenue where he will get a ride going to Pasig. He had a classmate there and he saw Rollie. “Umabot na dito talaga” Rollie said. There was a man lying on a pool of blood. Rollie said, “kilala ko yan, kapatid ni Bukol yan.” Emil was about to ask when Rollie continued “Riding in tandem. Hindi talaga bubuhayin eh. Pito ang tama.” Emil felt a shiver, not because he was still wet but a coldness born out of terror and fear. Walking home, he asked himself what can be done? It was not like all of this was a secret. It was being done in plain sight. Even official statistics have shown that close to 3,000 have already died. It was as if the whole country was giving in to bloodlust. Something must be done. He would try to chat about it with Andy Bonifacio.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He was online when he got home. Emil transmitted the picture via PM to Andy. Andy just told him, we are still organizing but it is good that this is documented. Do not post this on your timeline nor write about this in your blog. “We are going underground” Andy said. Emil just had this far away look. The Almondegas warmed his belly but not his heart.  </span></div>
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History Nationalism Patriotism Heroes 3 (3rd Installment)

Emil Jacinto was just about to get a ride after his class. His meeting the last week kept him pondering on what to do next. He hoped that...

The Quagmire of Philippine Agriculture

Sunday, September 11, 2016 The Mail Man 0

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<span style="font-size: large;">The Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) was implemented in 1988. It was the enabler for the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL) which was the first landmark legislative achievement after the re-establishment of freedom in 1986. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The CARP was for farmers to own the land they have tilled for decades. It should be noted that President Ferdinand Marcos also declared the entire Philippines as a Land Reform Area after Martial Law was declare in 1972. What was not specified is that the declaration only covered “sugar” plantations and did not include rice fields and coconut lands.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">From in the first 4 years of the CARP, 848,000 landless farmers became beneficiaries or a 22% of the number of potential beneficiaries. It should also be seen on a context that the CARP has a life of 20 years in which it must be able to give coverage to all the landless farmers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Land Reform has 2 methods of acquisition and awarding to farmer-beneficiaries.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Voluntary Land Transfer (VLT) – This is when a landowner voluntarily distributes distribute land to farmers-tenants. This happens when the landholdings have been declared as a land reform area. Compensation is provided by the government.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Compulsory Acquisition – This is when the government has classified a landholding to be a land reform area and the owner has to sell the land to the government for distribution to farmers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This covers rice, sugar and coconut plantations</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Economic Dislocation. The farmer-beneficiaries were given land but lacked the resources with regards to farm inputs such as seeds, palay, irrigation, fertilizers and pesticides.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The farmers were then forced to obtain loans for these inputs, resulting in lower profits.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>  Volume. There is a certain level of volume production that is needed to make these farms economically viable. These were not factored I land distribution. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Employment. The tradition is for the farmers to employ family members in tilling the land. This did not contribute to employment since family members were not given salaries, thus, there is not employment generation gained.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These factors has led to the stagnation of the agricultural sector and has resulted in a lose-lose proposition for both the farmers and the former landholders that has led to the lowering of the income levels in rural areas. That is why poverty has gained in the rural areas instead of decreasing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Given the evaluation and analysis, there are no oligarchs to blame for poverty.</span></div>
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Op-Ed Socio-Economic The Quagmire of Philippine Agriculture

The Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) was implemented in 1988. It was the enabler for the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (C...

Heroes 2

Sunday, September 4, 2016 The Mail Man 0

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<span style="font-size: large;">Andy Bonifacio was about to turn in for the night. He was just gazing from the window of his 2-storey house and watching the goings on of the street below him. His meeting with Apol Mabini, Emilio Jacinto and the Luna brothers the past week still resonated in his mind. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Andy was thinking of how things came to such a pass. He was born after the 1986 EDSA Revolution. It was when he was 5 years old that he knew what Martial Law was about. Actually, it was not directly. It was during the heat of the 1992 election campaign  when his parents were campaigning for Sen. Jovito Salonga that he learned that the old man was a victim of the Plaza Miranda bombing. Up to then, Plaza Miranda was where Jollibee is located. It was there where they went after Sunday Mass at the Quiapo church. His grandparents took him there each Sunday. He asked how such a thing could happen in such a place. It was on a Sunday afternoon that his father, a supervisor at a shipping firm showed him pictures of EDSA 1986. He was told that a year later after that bombing, Martial Law was declared. That was the reason why they were campaigning for Salonga, for he was one of those who stood up against Martial Law. No matter if he was already frail, blind in one eye, deaf in one ear and missing several digits in his hands.  His mother told Andy that there are men worth emulating and so he must study hard and be like Salonga. Andy had this quizzical look on his face when told of studying when he was only on his first grade in school. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Andy grew up being studious and also street smart. His first cognizance of the differences in social classes was when he was transferred to a private school for his high school education. He was not in agreement with it since he will leave behind his childhood friends in Juan Sumulong (John Forward) Elementary School. But his grandfather insisted since a retired educator himself, he saw the potential of Andy who excelled in the social sciences and mathematics at the same time. Also, having a proficiency in Pilipino and English at the same time. Andy remembered the rows and rows of books of his grandfather whenever he would visit them at Teachers Village in Quezon City. He would bring comics that he bought at National Book Store and bring them with him and asked his grandfather how to pronounce words and what they meant. In time he learned to read his grandfather’s books himself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Andy saw the differences between his childhood friends and his new classmates in the private school. Not only in their clothes and school supplies but also in their manners. These boys had a finesse about them and they were not all that rough and tumble like Boknoy and Junior Kalbo. Goldwyn and the other guys had nice, white and crisp polo shirts that never seemed to lose their creases even after the end of the school day. They even had pretty sisters who talked in English even when not in school.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Of course Andy would still hang out with Boknoy and Junior Kalbo and Lando on Saturdays and Sundays when there were no school related activities. In fact, they would shout his name outside their gate during such mornings and they would ride their bikes all the way to Arranque and buy pigeon feed. They had collective pigeon coops that they managed to maintain and increase since 4th Grade. But on some Saturday evenings, Andy’s world would change. His father would drive him to a soiree where he would mingle with girls from another school and He knew Muffy and Marina would never hang out with Boknoy and the others in his neighbourhood. Yes, Andy knew about drinks since he together with Boknoy and the gang would buy (bilog) and Mountain Dew on other Saturdays and drink behind the stage at the basketball court. In these soirees though, alcohol was strictly prohibited but Goldwyn and Caco would sneak in vodka (sapberry flavour) too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As Andy went on to college, he got totally immersed with his studies and also exposed to the LFS. But the exigencies of his studies (he also enrolled in optional ROTC) took up most of his time. Junior Kalbo went to the home province of his father, Lando dropped out of school and now drove a tricycle and Boknoy was taken by his mother to the US. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">During all these times, Andy would participate in election campaigns (local) because of family ties. He never experienced a time when there were no elections and the advent of first, cable TV and then the internet enabled him to get information as much as he wanted. It was here that he researched Martial Law. It was because of times when they had house guests and they talked about Mendiola and Welcome and Ayala. He never had any idea how it was to have no freedom, being born after EDSA.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But being a bank employee at a government financial institution, he also learned the real economy, what is unemployment and a stagnant agricultural sector since these were their clients in the bank. In fact, he saw what was needed for national development and learned to question the economic policies  of the government.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was then that Andy decided that he must take a more active part via groups that espoused a more economically sound policy. It was here that he came into contact not only with like minded people but also those with a whole new different perspective  with regards to social and political policies. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Things came to a head when the elections resulted in a mere plurality elected president riding a wave of deep disenchantment for the policies of the last 30 years. Although trained in economics, finance and governance, Andy tried to wrestle with the phenomena that just happened. It was also the acrimonious campaign period that he realized the fissures in society and that a wave of EJKs were the norm in traditional media that he started to contact these persons that he got to know before. This was a time for organizing and trying to stave off the resulting firestorm that the country is headed. His meeting last week at Starbucks Metrowalk was a step towards that direction. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After finishing his cigarette , he turned to his TV which was kept on “mute”. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Davao Night Market Bomber says the quotron of CNN Philippines. Andy told himself that this is going to be a mean season.</span></div>
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Nationalism Patriotism Heroes 2

Andy Bonifacio was about to turn in for the night. He was just gazing from the window of his 2-storey house and watching the goings...

Libingan ng mga Manggagawa or Elysium for Sleepless Souls

Thursday, September 1, 2016 The Mail Man 0

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQwvR5C-zVTUQbkVl4RD6aM0wIdIdiAgpLcOpeCNcfMQidqMgWlCtEX5pLhmnXvxRcohT4QIfh1wOiOTcH6yVqr38tIIs8160uyuPxIX5YjOnk-Bj_pAcSeCgKvr1Q5EpTG-BZd93kP-y7/s1600/FC1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQwvR5C-zVTUQbkVl4RD6aM0wIdIdiAgpLcOpeCNcfMQidqMgWlCtEX5pLhmnXvxRcohT4QIfh1wOiOTcH6yVqr38tIIs8160uyuPxIX5YjOnk-Bj_pAcSeCgKvr1Q5EpTG-BZd93kP-y7/s640/FC1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The debate on the Marcos burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani rages but what about the Libingan ng mga Manggagawa? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Let us go back in time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was well noted that the Philippines hosted the Ms. Universe 1974 pageant. It was less than 2 years after Martial Law was declared and it was an attempt to show the world the “Smiling Martial Law”. Those times were meant to show the world the New Society and a re-envigored Philippines. That the pageant was held at the 10,000 seater Folk Arts Theater (FAT) was evidence. The FAT was constructed at record time (for the Philippines) and was the precursor of other buildings to sate the caprices of Imelda Marcos who then was diagnosed with an “Edifice Complex”. Soon followed the National Nutrition Center, The Philippine Heart Center for Asia, The Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), the Kidney Center and 14 luxury hotels. These were the centerpieces of the Martial Law regime.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">By 1981, there seemed no stopping the regime. By that time, Imelda Marcos sought to have a  film festival to rival the Cannes film festival. Of course a venue for the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) must be constructed since the MIFF was set on January 1982. The Manila Film Center was to be the centerpiece of the MIFF. It was to cost US$25 million at that time. Imelda Marcos wanted it to be modeled after the Parthenon in Greece. A place for the new Filipino “gods”. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was hidden from the public at that time that the regime was teetering on the brink of economic collapse. The projected revenues to be generated by economic policies fueled by cheap petro-dollar loans were nowhere to be found. Thus, such extravagant spending on such buildings and edifices found its funding squeezed that resulted in delays. In order to compensate for the delays, more workers were required to meet the deadline. By that time, there were 4,000 construction workers toiling in 3 shifts around the clock. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was on November 17, 1981 when tragedy struck. It was about 3:00 a.m. when the upper scaffolding collapsed and workers fell into the still wet cement of the lower scaffoldings. Some were buried, others were half buried and others were half buried and impaled on the steel reinforcing bars.  Rescue workers raced against time and the quick drying cement to recover and save the workers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Imelda Marcos was informed of the accident and told that it would take time to recover the workers. Imelda wanted to meet the deadline. She ordered that the workers just be covered by new cement and stories of protruding arms, legs and torsos were just cut and fresh cement was just poured on top of the workers, many who were still alive. The media was controlled tightly and the news just filtered out because the truth cannot be totally hidden. In fact, rescuers, ambulances and media were barred from the area for a full nine hours!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The festival opened on schedule on January 18, 1982. The guests included Brook Shields, Ben Kingsley, Robert Duvall among others. It was told that the carpets were squishy since the cement under it was not yet dry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The first film screened was “Gandhi”. After that there was a party at the Film Center. The stars, notables and celebrities partied standing on a mausoleum. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The following year, the MIFF had to scramble for funds because US$5 million was withheld because of the scandal it caused. In order to finance the festival, Imelda Marcos allowed pornographic films to be shown. That was the end of the Manila International Film Festival.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Imelda Marcos and the Marcos family has a macabre sense of burials and interments. They are now pushing for the burial of Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani and acting and behaving in such a way as that they have no sins during the regime. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The least they can do is rename the Manila Film Center to Libingan ng mga Manggagawa. An Elyseum for Sleepless Souls. </span></div>
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Events History Libingan ng mga Manggagawa or Elysium for Sleepless Souls

The debate on the Marcos burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani rages but what about the Libingan ng mga Manggagawa? Let us go back ...