Accents
Paglaum, Inspirasyon, Pangamuyo
Paglaum, Inspirasyon, Pangamuyo – those were the key words embodied in the homily of Rev. Fr. Mark Senina, celebrant of the Mass offered in Luksang Bayan, October 30, at the Monument for Heroes and Martyrs in Iloilo City’s Plaza Libertad. As stated in the Programme, the affair was “Tuigan nga Pagdumdum kag Pagpasidungog sa mga Martir kag Baganihan sa Paghimakas.” My husband Rudy and I, newly back from the U.S., were glad to be around for the yearly celebration.
Constructed beside the iconic Rizal monument, the concrete slab of three clenched fists, is inscribed thus: A Monument for Heroes and Martyrs in the Struggle of the Filipino People dedicated this 19th day of September 2004 Iloilo City. It stands below the city government’s welcoming high archway: Welcome to Plaza Libertad!
This is followed by a brief, most significant aspect of Philippine history: Formerly called “Plaza Alfonso XII” right at the center of Iloilo City where the Flag of the First Philippine Republic was raised in Triumph after Spain surrendered Iloilo, her last capital in the island to the revolutionaries led by Gen. Martin Delgado on Dec. 25, 1898. In due acknowledgment, the arch carried the name Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, then Iloilo City’s executive when it was constructed.
Members of three progressive organizations – MARTYR, SELDA, Panay Alliance-KARAPATAN – had the place all set up for the 7 a.m. mass which opened the Luksang Bayan activities. It was most auspicious that October 30 also marked the first anniversary of the ordination of Fr. Mark Senina, assistant director of the Jaro Archdiocesan Social Action Center or JASAC. In crisp Ilonggo, the young priest stressed the pursuit of national democracy, shook the lethargic, and bolstered everyone’s spirit to continue the struggle to which 420 “martirs” and “baganihan” had sacrificed their lives. Printed in gold on a black background were 420 names draped on the monument for all to see, honor, and pray for during the entire ceremonies.
Hope, Inspiration, Prayer – in plain English, could not quite translate the full impact of the vernacular as expostulated by Fr. Mark. Ditto with the emotion-laden lines of the four songs sang in the Mass: Tumindig Ka for the Processional, Unang Alay for the Offertory, Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa during the Communion, and Mabuhay Ka, Kaupod that was continuously sung as flowers were offered and candles were lighted in the Pasidungog, Part II of the Programme.
Forge Pelaez delivered a stirring Pang-abi-abi or opening remarks, pointing out the significance of the occasion. Mrs. Terry Porzuelo, whose husband Alberto’s name is emblazoned in the list, gave a brief recollection. Mothers were well represented by Mrs. Lucy de la Fuente, mother of Edward and John de la Fuente, two of the martyrs. Our two departed brothers, FLAG lawyer Antonio Carreon and activist Ronnie Carreon and our cousin, Edmundo Rivera Legislador, were all in the alphabetical list of the heroic departed. A tear or two dropped as we searched the names of our loved ones who had crossed the Great Divide in the course of the struggle.
There were more messages – some whispered in tearful remembrances, others recollected impromptu. Rudy fittingly recalled how the venerable Mao Tse Tung differentiated two kinds of deaths: one mourned as heavy as a mountain and one so inconsequential, passing away is as light as a feather. He also quoted our National Hero, saying that the 420 being honored fell in the night “without seeing the dawn,” thus it behooves for everyone to struggle for the ushering of the dawn.
The choral group of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente sang the mournful Awit kay Bambi, the song that immortalizes Bambi Santos and all that she meant in the democratic struggle. Lines from the song encapsulized what Pasidungog was all about – remembrances, admiration, greatness:
Huwag kang mag-alala mahal na kasama,
Sa ‘yong pagkawala makaka-asa ka
Hindi masasayang alay naming bulaklak,
Hindi masasayang mga luhang pumatak,
Hindi masasayang aming awit at tula
ng paghanga at pagdakila.
Jojo Lutero of the National Union of People’s Lawyers spoke on how the young should follow the noteworthy footsteps of the older generation. Equally noteworthy were the messages of support from the infamously victimized Morong 43, and from Gabriela delivered by the dynamic street parliamentarian Lucy Francisco.
Reylan of KARAPATAN gave the Pangtakop nga Mensahe or closing remarks all spoken for the living to continue to victory what the 420 had started, and to remember to be extra vigilant to recall what emcee Alma Sumague said that in the first 100 days of the Aquino II administration, already 16 human rights violations have been committed.
Much welcome were the presence of May Wan and Tamara, daughters of the desaparecido Luisa Posa Dominado. Of course, Luisa’s name and that of fellow “disappeared” Nilo Arado are not in the list. Also not in the list is Leeboy Garachico who was shot and left for dead and fortunately survived. We hope against hope, as the cliché goes, that Luisa and Nilo will surface and that their abductors will be served their just desserts. To invoke the cry of the aggrieved, let justice be done though the heavens fall.
Arms linked up, a kapit-bisig show of force and commitment, and singing Huwag Kang Lumuha (Don’t Cry), we came out of Luksang Bayan determined more than ever to achieve national democracy for the masses that make up the huge base of the exploited, the downtrodden, the dispossessed, the disempowered, and the rest of the appalling adjectives. Hearts and minds vibrant with Hope, Inspiration, and Prayer, we dispersed strengthened to strive and to show the world that the “martirs” and “baganihan” did not die in vain. Yes, DARE TO STRUGGLE! DARE TO WIN!
Email: lagoc@hargray.com
