BMFI

DAY 7 (Oct. 16) UPDATE
Salute to Candiis Elementary School
By Kaka / Normie

On 16 October 2007, the farmers woke up at 3:00 a.m. to conduct their everyday early morning rituals and started to walk at 4:15 a.m.

Passing Gingoog City going to the municipality of Magsaysay, the whole stretch of the walk consists of barangays Punong, Anakan, Udyungan, Pangasihan, Talisay, Consuelo, Bonifacio-Aquino, Candiis, Sta. Cruz, and Kibungson. The farmers and their support groups marched for a total of 32 kilometers.

At 7:35 a.m., they reached Brgy. Udyungan where they had their breakfast feasting on inun-on, boiled egg, bulad, and rice. Together with BMFI Gingoog Team and the Parish community of Udyungan, it was a happy meal as if they were one big happy family discussing anything under the sun.

Big smiles remained in the faces of the Sumilao farmers. Cracking jokes made them feel lighter especially when they reached Brgy. Consuelo. There they had to stop and pause for a while to attend to their personal necessities – call of nature.

At lunch time, they arrived in Beach Manisalang in Brgy. Bonifacio-Aquino. They were welcomed by the Parish Priest of Kibungsod and some partner people's organization of BMFI. They had their community lunch making fun of everyone's anecdotes during their walk. Laughing and singing filled the air of the beach resort. And with the warm fresh air of the sea, they took a power nap in the shore until 2 p.m.

Unexpectedly, when they passed Candiis Elementary School, the teachers invited the marchers to have some rest and snacks. Though surprised because they never planned to have a stop-over in the said school, the farmers accepted the invitation. It turned out that the teachers have been waiting for them for hours, excited to meet them and have a conversation with them as regards their cause. The farmers again felt moved and inspired with the hospitality and support of the teachers. They were treated as very special guests of the school. They have learned that no one from the support groups asked these teachers to prepare snacks for the marchers.

Over binignit and buko juice, and while having a discussion with the teachers, the farmers enjoyed watching the students play and listen to what they were saying. They remembered their children who were left in Sumilao, and wondered how they were doing, what food they were eating or if they were eating at all, since they could no longer attend to their farms. Though a bit sad, the situation made the farmers more determined to continue what they have started as they intend to provide better future for their children. They know not when they will ever again see their families back in Sumilao, but they were certain and hopeful that this long and tiring journey of walking 60 days to Malacañang will make a difference in their future. They were not disturbed by the comments of some by-standers that they cannot solve their problem through the long march, and that the present administration will not mind whether they will die on their long walk to Malacañang.

After 30 minutes of rest, snacks and discussion with the teachers, they decided to continue their walk. The teachers assured the farmers of their prayers and solidarity. When they left the school, the farmers observed that one student joined them in the next two-kilometer walk. They never had the opportunity to know the name of the said student because he was so discreet when he joined the march. When the boy reached his house with her grandmother waiting for his arrival, he kissed her and both of them waved their hands and said farewell to the marchers with tears in their eyes. This was a tear-jerking moment for the farmers. Indeed, they are not alone in their fight reclaiming their rights and dignity once stolen by those powerful and influential individuals.

Before, what were obvious were the clear ignorance and inefficiency of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) and the apathy of the current administration in the plights of the poor and marginalized, particularly the small farmers. This time, it is clear that the ordinary people can feel the pain and sufferings of the farmers because of greed of those who are in power…

When they reached Brgy. Kibungsod, Father Joel Lozar held a mass and blessed the marchers. There were a few hundreds locals who joined the marchers during the mass and watched video documentaries the marchers brought with them to inform the public as to their struggle. Ka Rene likewise had his testimony with the community and explained the rationale of their walk. The community was moved and expressed their deepest sympathy and support to the cause of the farmers.

For the whole stretch of their walk, the marchers would like to thank those who took part in their struggle – BM and their partner paralegals, Father Joel Lozar and the whole parish community of Brgy. Kibungsod, the anonymous boy who joined them in their journey from Brgy. Candiis to Brgy. Sta. Cruz, and of course the teachers in Candiis Elementary School. These are the reasons why the farmers said that they will not stop walking until they reach Malacañang and until justice is served.