BMFI

Feb. 1-4 updates:
Remembering Atty. Bobby & Atty. Caloy

Feb. 1 and 2

"Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God," thus quoted Fr. Jun Cabansag during a special mass held last February 1 (Friday) to remember the life lived by Atty. Bobby Gana and Atty. Caloy Ollado.

Bobby and Caloy were the lawyers who generously helped the Sumilao farmers ten years ago. Incidentally, Fr. Jun at the time was the student of Bobby on Social Justice Advocacy at the Ateneo de Manila.

Before the mass ended, Fr. Jun gave opportunity for the support groups and Sumilao farmers to share their reflection. Mr. Allan Puerto spoke in behalf of the Sumilao farmers who were camping at the DAR office. Mr. Puerto shared that although Bobby and Caloy are no longer around, the lives they sacrificed did not go to waste because even if the struggle is not yet finished after so many years, the support that the Sumilao farmers received is enough to make them feel that Bobby and Caloy are still very much present in their continuing struggle.

Atty. Normie Batula of BALAOD Mindanaw spoke in behalf of the support groups. Her personal encounter with Bobby and Caloy gave her the privilege to describe Bobby and Caloy up close and personal. She also shared that Bobby had a premonition – that the farmers will succeed in their struggle.

Mr. Neil Vicente C. Bacal, a KKP (Kristohanong Katilingban Alang sa Pagpakabana) volunteer of Xavier University, expressed the continued support and commitment of the KKP volunteers to the Sumilao farmers, particularly through consciousness raising of the whole studentry of Xavier University on the struggle of the Sumilao farmers.

In the afternoon of the same day, three of the Sumilao farmers went to Claveria, Misamis Oriental together with the Balay Mindanaw Group of NGOs (BMG). For the BMG, February 2 is an important occasion to remember Bobby and Caloy who are considered by Balay Mindanaw as among its "pillars". The BMG individually shared their insights for the occasion. For those who have had the privilege of meeting Bobby and Caloy, they shared their fond memories with the two lawyers, and how they meant to their lives.

Meanwhile, the Sumilao farmers who are in Manila were busy preparing the important documents they need for their case. They also met with the support groups to strategize how to broaden their campaign. They have just rested from their week-long school hopping in an effort to make the students and faculty understand better their struggle.

On February 2 (Saturday), the BMG, together with the 3 Sumilao farmers and Atty. Aying of SALIGAN Mindanaw, went to the Flight 387 Shrine. A Eucharistic mass was also celebrated in the shrine. Thereafter, there was a community lunch. At around 1:00 p.m., the group left the shrine to go the Oro Gardens at Cagayan de Oro City. At about the same time, around 150 Sumilao farmers were walking towards Oro Gardens to express their gratitude and thanksgiving to Bobby and Caloy.

Once there, the Sumilao sang as a form of outpouring their gratitude and thanksgiving for Bobby and Caloy. Charmaine Bacunga of Resource Center for Development and Empowerment (RCED) spoke in behalf of the BMG group.

From the Oro Gardens, the Sumilao farmers proceeded to the office of BALAOD Mindanaw and had a meeting in preparation for the broader campaign.

In Manila, the Sumilao farmers and their support groups attended 2 masses both offered to Bobby and Caloy. The first mass was held at Caritas at 3:30 p.m. It was officiated by Fr. Arevalo, uncle of Bobby. The farmers wore black T-shirts with printed text in front which says "ATTY. BOBBY AT ATTY. CALOY, BUHAY KAYO SA AMING PAKIKIBAKA," and at the back, "IBALIK ANG 144 HECTARES SA SUMILAO FARMERS." Manong Rene Penas, paralegal of the Sumilao farmers, shared his personal experience of having Bobby and Caloy as their lawyers. He shared how Bobby and Caloy imparted their legal knowledge, sharpness of mind, and most importantly how they practiced the principles of paralegalism.

The second mass that the Sumilao farmers attended was held at the Ateneo Chapel (Rockwell). After the mass, dinner was served. It was an opportune occasion for the Sumilao farmers to talk with and thank the parents and family of Atty. Bobby. From Ateneo, the farmers had a tactic session.

On February 3 (Sunday), the farmers attended a mass at the Holy Trinity Parish, Sampaloc, Manila. Fr. Eric celebrated the mass. At 3 p.m., the farmers attended a forum at the Holy Spirit with the students of said college. Through the forum, the farmers gathered the support of the students, who also committed to bring the farmers to La Salle Taft tomorrow (Feb. 4).

On the same day, the Sumilao farmers in Sumilao, Bukidnon had a sharing with the support groups. The support groups gave them the updates on what is happening in Manila, especially the stories not read nor seen in the televisions. After the sharing, they braced themselves for an even more challenging days ahead.

The next day (Feb. 4), the Sumilao farmers walked to DLSU to attend a forum organized by COSCA. They were accompanied by the high school students (around 100), parishioners, and faculty of the Holy Trinity Academy. Fr. Eric, parish priest of the Holy Trinity Parish, and Reynan, outreach coordinator, headed the walk to DLSU.

They passed by the Nagtahan bridge on their way to DLSU. This alerted the police because the latter fear that they might be going to Malacañang. Hence, Police Patrol cars followed and guarded some streets that led to Malacañang.

At the forum, the Sumilao farmers updated the students on their case. They also asked the students to once again give their all out support to them especially in this episode of their struggle.

From DLSU, the Sumilao farmers went to St. Scholastica College and talked with the Benedictine nuns, who attended to the needs of the farmers and provided space for them to stay for the night.