BMFI

Dec. 5 update:
Sumilao farmers at the Senate

	Sumilao farmers shave their heads Dec. 5 outside Cojuangco's San Miguel Corporation in Ortigas.  Photo: Jimmy Domingo

At 8:30 am, 4 December 2007, the Sumilao farmers started to walk from the Cathedral of St. Andrew Parish, Paranaque. They were set to rest at the San Carlos Seminary, Guadalupe.

The traffic was worse than last Monday, hence they had to walk in double lines, instead of their usual three lines. Fortunately, the police and traffic officers were kind enough to assist the farmers in their walk.

The heat of the sun and the hustle and bustle of the traffic were made bearable by the shouts of support and approval from the motorists and by-standers.

At around 11:30 am, the farmers reached the Philippine senate. Upon knowing that the farmers were at the gate of the senate, Senator Aquilino Pimentel, who is himself a Mindawanon, excused himself from their session and talked to the farmers. He expressed his support and even committed to help in whatever way possible for the early resolution of their case. "Dinadama namin ang inyong pakikibaka at kami'y naniniwala sa inyong ipinaglalaban," said Sen. Pimentel.

Senator Peter Allan Cayetano also talked to the farmers and expressed the same sentiment and commitment as that of Sen. Pimentel.

It was also at the gate of the Philippine Senate that the farmers ate their lunch together with the support groups numbering around 500.

Until this time, the farmers from Calatagan, Batangas have been walking hand in hand with the Sumilao farmers. The lands claimed by the Sumilao and Calatagan farmers are owned by Danding Cojuangco. Both groups of farmers were being deprived of their lands given to them by law. The CLOA (Certificate of Land Ownership Award) of the Sumilao farmers was sought to be cancelled, while the EPs (Emancipation Patents) issued to the Calatagan farmers were also cancelled.

After taking their lunch, the farmers proceeded with their walk. At 3:30 pm, they stopped briefly at the Makati City Hall. In all the stretch of the walk, the media were following the farmers. While in Makati, the media continued their interview with some of the farmers.

And while they were nearing the San Carlos Seminary, law students of the Ateneo Law School waited for the farmers and subsequently joined their walk – in their formal attire.

The Seminarians sang songs for the farmers and gave messages of inspiration. During the program, the Sumilao farmers shared the history of their struggle. The Calatagan farmers also did the same.

It was a moment where the farmers somehow feel the spirit of Christmas. They feel the many support given by groups and individuals who have shared not only time and resources but also their faith and hope of recovering back their land.

The farmers were hopeful that DAR Secretary Pangandaman will give them the Christmas gift they longed for more than ten years, which is to award to them the 144 hectares.

At Cojuangco's San Miguel Corporation
6 December 2007

	Protesting outside Cojuangco's San Miguel Corporation in Ortigas.  Photo: Jimmy Domingo

As early as 5:00 am, 5 December 2007, the farmers ate their breakfast at San Carlos Seminary together with the priests and seminarians. At 8:00 am, there was a film showing of the ABS-CBN's Correspondents' coverage of their walk from Mindanao to Visayas, as well as the showing of the videos uploaded in the youtube.

At 10:30 am, the Datus of the Sumilao farmers (Datu Man-agnayan Haligi and Datu Mampaalao-Mapailubon) performed a "Panlitub", a ritual asking for forgiveness to their ancestors for their trespasses, and for their plan of shaving their head, which is considered a curse in their tradition. They only hope that their ancestors will understand their sacrifice because for them, if they will not own the land, it is tantamount to being cursed as well. Datu Man-agnayan was sent by Datu Mansabyahan who is the Chieftain of Guilang-guilang of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

After the ritual, the farmers walked towards San Miguel Corporation in Ortigas. Upon their arrival, they expressed their purpose and message in front of San Miguel.

At around 1:30 pm, 30 men of the Sumilao farmers finally made the hard sacrifice of shaving their head. Although they have prepared for this moment, the women cried as the men shaved their head.

After the emotions have settled, the farmers walked to the EDSA Shrine where they took their lunch together with hundreds of supporters. From the EDSA Shrine, they proceeded to walk to Ateneo de Manila University in Loyola Heights. While on their way to Ateneo, the students and faculty of the university also made a sacrifice of joining the walk.

They arrived in Ateneo at around 5:30 pm. At 6:00 pm, after they have rested, they heard a mass celebrated by Bishop Gaudencio Rosales. Bishop Rosales was the Bishop of Malaybalay, Bukidnon.

Bishop Rosales said that the gathering of the Sumilao farmers and the support of students, teachers, peoples organizations, non-government organizations, schools, church, priests, religious and lay, was a divine providence.

Bishop Rosales also emphasized that salvation depends on how one helps the poor, the powerless, the oppressed.

After the mass, there was a community dinner. Thereafter, the Ateneo campus was filled with music with the tribute concert by various Filipino artists.

The farmers slept in the dormitories of the students of Ateneo, who have given up their place for a night to accommodate the farmers.

Today, they will visit the House of Representatives and sleep in the vicinity of Department of Agrarian Reform in Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City.