tiny and thin

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THE SACADAS HAVE STAYED

We searched for them.  It was only 6 pm but darkness had fallen.  I could not recall how long did it take us to reach the place of the sacadas in Haciend Luisita.  All I remembered was the vast cane field.  I was with Lisa (Ito), Raffy Lerma  of the Inquirer and some local journalists in Tarlac.  After Dabet (Castañeda) told me about them, I’ve been restless, wanting to see and talk to them.

Finally, we found them.  We walked through the wet and muddy path.  It was December.  There were lanterns made of cane grass hanging at the entrance of their bunk house.  We introduced ourselves.  One of the sacadas immediately said, “Hindi kami pwedeng magpa-interview.  Kausapin ninyo muna ang contractor namin.”  The others were silent.  For a moment, we did not know what to say.

Nevertheless, I began asking questions to the one standing beside me.  He looked young, probably 16 years old.  He told me he is already 18. I was convinced the hard work has made him look older.  He was only five-feet tall, thin and dark.  The muscles on his arms were not yet fully developed. I did not believe what he said but decided not to express my doubt.  At the back of my mind, I was thinking he has been asked by the contractor to lie about his age. 

He told me his story.  Like most of the sacadas, he came from Negros Occidental.  I went on asking about his work, his pay, his everyday life at the hacienda.  He spoke slowly, groping for Tagalog words to say. 

I interviewed two more sacadas. One of them showed me where they cook their meal: a hole dug from the soil.  Their daily food supply: a kilo of rice, sardines, noodles. 

Their sleeping quarters are no bigger than two cubicles of the comfort rooms in Manila’s malls.  On one of them was a couple with their two children—a two-year old boy and an infant, less than three months.  The mother was feeding her child when we came to see them.  The only light was coming from a gas lamp.  We asked the usual questions. But I found myself groping for the right words to say.  The fully lit, airconditioned Luisita Mall came to mind.  I could hear Kris Aquino flaunting her necklace, “Katas ito ng Hacienda Luisita.”  Was it rage that struck me?

 

A few minutes later, I could hear someone lashing out invectives.  The contractors arrived.  They were angry, as though they could kill us for the crime of breaking the silence of the sacadas.  An older companion told them we just asked questions.  And I said was, “Wala silang kasalanan,” referring to the sacadas.   I feared the contractors might do something against them. 

Then again, what could be worse than not being able to speak freely? Than to live in a “bunk house” only fit for animals?  Ripped of their dignity as human beings, the Cojuangcos have deprived them of simplest dreams.     

We left.  But they have stayed with me. 

Posted by: ronalyn at 06:35 | link | comments (3) |

 HEADLINES PAGKATAPOS NG PEOPLE POWER 2

106 colleges and universities to increase tuition

Premyo sa libong kabataang dumagsa sa Edsa, Mendiola at iba pang punong lungsod

Oil prices up

Gaganda ang ekonomiya pagkatapos ng Edsa

No salary increase for gov’t employees

Malaki ang budget deficit, kailangang magtipid

GMA allots P4.2B for AFP modernization

Sinsero ang administrasyong Arroyo sa usapang pangkapayapaan

Danding jet to ship Erap

Hindi takot makulong ang pinatalsik na pangulo

NPA, banta pa rin sa seguridad—DND

Sa kanayunan, sumusulong ang digmang bayan

 

Lucena, Quezon

(Marso 6, 2001)

Posted by: ronalyn at 03:54 | link | comments |