#manilakbayan

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MANILAKBAYAN 2017 GALLERY PT.1 

[1872ph]

#Manilakbayan2015 Welcoming Ceremony (AS Steps, UP Diliman)

I was at the lumad welcoming ceremony earlier today after my class in UP, and I learned a whole lot of new things about the situation in Mindanao. There were a lot of speakers, including the chancellor Michael Tan, the vice-chancellor for community affairs Nestor Castro, the datu Jonorito Guaynon, National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera, convenor for Stop Lumad Killings Network Bryle Leano, and many others. They spoke generally about the theme of pursuing and continuing the fight for equal rights for our fellow Filipinos, the lumad, as well as pleas against the internationalization and globalization to be deepend by the APEC and the forthcoming summit in November.

I got there a bit after the initial introductions but I caught the beginning of Dr. Nestor Castro’s words. He mentioned that a lot of people asked, “Bakit ninyo pinapapasok ang mga yan sa campus ninyo? Hindi niyo ba alam na mga komunista sila? Hindi naman sila mag-aaral ng unibersidad!” (“Why are you letting these people into your campus? Don’t you know that they are communists? They’re not even students of the university!”) or something to this effect. He said, “Wala kaming pakialam, ano mang ideolohiya…pwedeng pumasok sa unibersidad, basta ginagawa ninyo sa hindi marahas na pamamaraan.” (”We don’t care. Whatever ideologies…can enter the university, so long as they are practiced in nonviolent means.”) (NV)

After the vice chancellor was the lumad datu Jonorito Guaynon. He mentioned that there are now 144 lumad dead in their district, and 150-250 have been filed with fake cases due to their resolve to reject mining companies in Mindanao. He mentioned that they were offered royalty tax by these private companies, but they refused because they did not want to sell their ancestral land because they believe that this is the heritage and inheritance of the people unto the next generation.

Military operations, he also stated, are the ones carrying out Noynoy’s Oplan Bayanihan "for peace and development"–but these military do not respect the rights and culture and lives of the citizens, of the lumad. Many of their fellow lumad have been forced to enter and join the paramilitary, to chase away and kill the lumad who reject the mining companies lest they (those who have been forced to join the paramilitary) be killed or filed cases against. 

I did not catch the name of the female speaker, but there has been word, she said, that Noynoy Aquino promised 500,000 hectares of land to be mined without the permission nor even the consultation of lumad. You know with whom he exchanged words with? The investors, of course. Those who will benefit from the land and the resources of the people.

According to National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera, who took the perspective of the importance of culture, we in the city often forget that we have undergone different cultures as a nation. Philippine ancestral culture is important, he said, which can be found inside the epics and songs and stories of the lumad. Our lives here in the city is not separate from the lives of the lumad, and our education–or learning–is not complete if we do not study the cultures of our brothers and sisters in Mindanao. It is important that we learn of our ancestors. It is important to have a grasp and understanding of who we used to be, and who we still are today.

Bryle Leano followed, saying that if we in the University of the Philippines only ever dreamt of a free education, the lumad, on the other hand, have already achieved and made true these sentiments, these dreams. The lesson of collective action is important and should be picked up by everyone. Living in the lumad context of politics, economy, and culture is important, unique, and must be studied and valued. Despite the violence and massacre, the lumad still continue to take a stand for their rights by traveling from Mindanao, some 1,100 kilometers away, to make their pleas heard.

The lumad performed a sacrificial ritual in between, what they said was asking permission for the land to allow them to tread the earth they are standing on. They killed a live chicken and spilled its blood on the AS steps, and the speaker elaborated on how important this ritual was and how important it is for the lumad to ask permission before they do anything to new land.

They also danced and played the budyong, and let people join them in the festive dance. I missed a little bit of what happened before this as I got hungry and bought lunch a bit away.

I guess, this is my plea to anyone reading this: 

Let us stand beside our lumad brothers and sisters in their fight for equality and  justice from, and recognition by, the government. A government should be taking care of its own people, not fostering the interest of other countries. Globalization and internationalization are inevitable, yes, however, there is a limit to this and if that desire for “progress and development” tramples the rights and lives of the minority, then it is no true way to achieve progress and development. Progress and development do not solely lie on globalization and internationalization, and these two processes entail destruction in this instance–destruction and desecration of ancestral land, of the environment, of peaceful lives, of culture, of an entire country. 

If a government cannot even play its first and most important role of protecting and serving its people, then of what use is it? Noynoy Aquino has done nothing but put the interests of foreigners–of the West, of the United States–above everything else, above the rights of the Filipino people most of all, the very people he was supposed to be putting first. His term is nearing its end and we have heard of no claims of acknowledgement, much less accountability, from him–not from the tragedy of the SAF44, not from the first few waves of the extrajudicial killings that occurred during his term. We have heard more about the so-called martyrdom of his parents in the past six years than we have the death of the Filipino under his rule. 

STAND WITH THE LUMAD IN THEIR FIGHT TO BE HEARD! WE ARE BROTHERS AND SISTERS SUFFERING ALL THE SAME UNDER THIS CORRUPT SYSTEM. HOW IS THEIR VOICE ANY LESS THAN YOURS? 

We also currently need donations for the lumad residing in the kampuhan in UP Diliman for the week. Blankets, clothes, food, drink, slippers, any form of donation will be welcomed. The kampuhan can be found near the College of Human Kinetics, near the Vanguard. Please help our fellow Filipino. Let’s not ignore the murders and injustices happening right under our very noses.

[atornii]

Pub Mat illustration I drew for use of the Philippine Collegian for the Manilakbayan event, Kampuhan sa Diliman, the week-long solidarity campout. Over 700 Lumad are traveling to Manila from their militarized communities in Mindanao. We are set to welcome them as they arrive on campus, Monday afternoon (Oct 26, 2015).

How else you can help: use the hashtags #Manilakbayan and #StopLumadKillings and invite friends to participate in the campout, donate food, medicine, toiletries, or drinking water, or you may also sign-up as a volunteer by contacting Welvin of Anakbayan at 09262560639.

[kapwacollective]

MANILAKBAYAN (Journey to Manila) is a Mindanao People's Mobilization for Land, the Environment, and Human Rights that brings voices of concern on mining affected communities and the attacks on environment defenders.

Against these threats to land and life, Mindanao peoples - Lumads, Moro and settlers - continue the valiant commitment to defend the environment and national patrimony, resisting Goliaths of plunder and terror driven by corporate mining.

http://www.facebook.com/ManiLakbayan

Please share and learn with us. - Kapwa Collective

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[Walang Pamagat]

Ang dating luntiang mga damo at puno ay siyang pinalitan ng pulang likido mula sa kanila mula sa kanilang mga Lumad na pilit na ginapo, pilit na pinapaalis sa mismong sariling lupa. Ang dating huni ng ibon, ang noo’y ingay ng rumaragasang ilog, ay pinatahimik na ng mga putok mula sa riple, Mula sa mga ripleng bitbit ng mga berdugong dayo.

Walang pinatawad ang mga naka-uniporme, Kahit matandang hangad lang ay kapayapaan sa tinubuang lupa, ultimo batang nakasaksi sa karumal-dumal na pagpaslang ay nais patahanin, nais patahimikin ng bala’t pagpapakatuta. Walang pinatawad ang mga naka-uniporme, Bakit? Bakit may kailangang patawarin? May mali ba silang ginawa? Kasalanan na ba ang ipagtanggol ang karapatan?

Kasalanan ba ang mag-aral? ang matuto? Kasalanan ba ang pagpapanatili ng tradisyon, ng kultura, kasalanan ba ang mabuhay? Kasalanan ba na maghangad ng dapat? Kasalanan ba na palayasin ang mga dayuhang nang-aangkin? Sabihin mo sa akin, anong mali ang nagawa nila para danasin ang ganito? ang ganitong pagtrato na tila mas masahol pa sa pagtrato sa mga peste sa taniman? Sabihin mo sa akin, ano ang nagawa nilang masama para sila’y pigilan? Pigilang mamuhay? pigilang maging mapayapa ang pamumuhay?

Pinatay sila, pinaslang sila sapagkat supersibo kuno. Ginilitan, pinakain ng bala at lupang pinalapot ng dugo, ni hindi man lamang hinayaang umiyak, magsalita, hindi man lamang binigyan ng pagkakataon. Basta lang. Basta lang, sige lang, kalabit pa. Kalabitin mo pa ang gatilyo’t huwag magpakaduwag. Patunayan mong ika’y matapang Major. Patunayan mong isa kang putanginang berdugo!

Pinatay sila, pinaslang sila sapagkat subersibo daw. Kung subersibo na ang pagkatuto, kung subersibo na ang pag-aaral ng alpabeto, ang pagbibilang at pagkukwenta, Kung subersibo na ang pangarap na magbigay ng edukasyon, Aba’t mas nanaisin ko pang maging komunista. Mas nanaisin ko pang maging kasapi ng NPA, Mas gugustuhin ko pang tumangan ng armas at makidigma.

Mas gugustuhin ko pang matawag na komunista, sapagkat nais nami’y paglaya. Paglaya mula sa gapos ng kahapon, ng mga nang-aangkin ng kasaysayan, paglaya mula sa gapos na tayo rin ang may hawak ng susi papalabas. sabik na kami sa pagbabago, sabik na kaming tanggalin ang kurtinang iniharang nila para pagtakpan ang kanilang pagpapatupad ng huwad na sistema, sabik na kami, gigil na kaming pabagsakin silang mga naghahari at nang ang masa naman ang manaig.

Ngayon sabihin mo sa akin, sabihin mo sa akin o amin inutil na pangulo, Ano ang susunod? Para kanino naman? sa kanila pa rin ba? Para sa kanila pa rin bang mga amo mo? Ayos lang, okay lang. Sige lang. Dahil kami, sila, ang buong sambayanan, hindi titigil, hindi mapapagod, patuloy kaming susulong hanggang makamit, ang inaasam, nang maging luntian na muli ang binahiran niyo ng dumi.

-November 2015

[cwts-1p2-blog]

MANILAKBAYAN 2017 GALLERY PT.2 

[1872ph]

#MANILAKBAYAN2015

The lumad are now currently in UP Diliman. I wasn’t there but I will be passing through sometime this week.

It was raining earlier today in Marikina, so I’m not sure about the situation there right now but please if you can:

bring food, clothing, maybe umbrellas, slippers, and other donations in kind for our brothers and sisters

visit them to know more about their story

if you cannot be physically present, use the hashtags #StopLumadKillings and #Manilakbayan2015 to raise awareness, share messages or news articles, anything, for our lumad brethren

We need you now more than ever. Let’s fight alongside the lumad for justice and accountability. Let’s fight with our brothers and sisters for the government to stop the murders and massacre of our fellow Filipinos in Mindanao!

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Manilakbayan 2016

 Pagsasalaysay ang mga nangyari bago,habang at pagkatapos ng inyong pagpunta sa Manilakbayan

When we went into UP Diliman we were lost for a bit because we did not know where to go but we eventually found the direction of the Manilakbayan by asking directions. When we got into the base of the Lumads that was set up for them by UP we were overwhelmed and surprised of what we saw. We saw a community and that was very lovely to see. we can’t help but notice though that there were no smiles whatsoever on their faces. The talk was not yet commencing so we had time to explore the museum they have set-up on the side. We also got a chance to interview Ate Julie - who told us their story and how they have come here. Afterwards it was already time for their talk, and more tribal leaders narrated their story.

Idetalye ang mga napag-usapan ninyo sa focus group discussion. Ano ang highlight ng kwento nila.

The highlight of their stories where the deaths that they have narrated. We were shocked to know of how violent these deaths happened and we would not wish them upon anyone. 

Ano ang naramdaman ng grupo ninyo habang ikinukwento nila ang mga pangyayari sa kanilang buhay? Sa pakikinig sa mga kalahok ng Manilakbayan,paano ninyo isinabuhay ang hamon ni Pope Francis na to become a beggar-- to think, to feel at to do.

The group (Team Basic) genuinely felt sympathy for the Lumads. Just think about how it would feel if you could not go into your home, a place that is rightfully yours to begin with! It is saddening but at the same time it angers us as well and it frustrates us that up until now nothing is being done for them.

Through this activity we embody  Pope Francis’ challenge to become a beggar -- to think, to feel and to do by sympathizing and by putting ourselves in their shoes in our way of thinking, We have to look at this issue in their perspective and see how much this affects them even if to some people it has no affect whatsoever. 

Batay sa kwentuhan ninyo, ano ang dapat gawin ng pamahalaan upang tugunan ang isyu ng mga katutubo sa Pilipinas.

The government should prioritize the Lumads wants and needs to save their ancestral and cultural heritages. They should pay attention and give immediate response and actions towards the issue on the militarization of the lands that solely belong to the Lumads. If this is not given immediate attention soon enough there would no longer be indigenous people in the Philippines who could still share their rich and vibrant cultures. 

Batay sa kwentuhan ninyo, ano ang nais ninyong gawin upang tugunan ang isyu ng mga katutubo sa Pilipinas.

As a group Team Basic would want to start by educating those who have no knowledge about this issue. It is important and vital for the whole Philippines to know that this kind of issue is taking place and that such issues are timely. Informing the public would help raise awareness and then further strengthen the Lumads claims towards their rights. 

- Rea Acuesta 

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Last night's Salubungan (convergence/ meet up/ link up): Lakbayan2016 #Manilakbayan

Last night’s Salubungan (convergence/ meet up/ link up): Lakbayan2016 #Manilakbayan

Last night’s dazzling convergence on University Avenue:      About 3,000 members of indigenous peoples and national minorities from Cagayan Valley, Cordillera, Abra, and Nueva Vizcaya clad in colorful weaves, led by Datu Humurito Guhaynon were  warmly received by host UP Diliman led by Chancellor Michael Tan on University Avenue last night. Chancellor Michael Tan’s welcome remarks, excerpts: “Ito…

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Naranasan ang acupuncture sa kamay ni Ate Imee, isang Lumad mula sa Bukidnon, at nakagawa ng isang bracelet sa tulong ng mga Lumad children mula sa ALCADEV! Nalaman ko rin na napakaganda ng curriculum nila at sadyang matatalino ang mga batang Lumad. Napaka-compre ng history subject nila! Mas marami pa silang alam sa amin. Haha. Tunay nga na ang paglubog sa masa ang makakatulong sa pagpapanibagong hubog natin. Napakarami ng matututunan natin sa pakikipamuhay sa iba't ibang batayang sektor ng ating lipunan 😊 #Manilakbayan (at Liwasang Bonifacio)

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#Lakbayan2016 #Manilakbayan Oct. 12-30 arrives today on campus, to be hosted by #UPDiliman led by Chancellor Mike Tan

#Lakbayan2016 #Manilakbayan Oct. 12-30 arrives today on campus, to be hosted by #UPDiliman led by Chancellor Mike Tan

About 3,500 members of indigenous communities in Mindanao, who travelled on foot and by sea to Manila, will march to Mendiola then to  UP Diliman today, in what is dubbed as  Manilakbayan 2.     The Manilakbayan 2 will pitch tent on campus Oct. 12-30 and will be hosted by UP Diliman led by Chancellor Mike Tan.      Members of  Manilakbayan 2 demand justice for the murder of anti-mining leader and…