There's just something about being euphoric that's eerie. We just can't shake off our penchant for pomp and revelry like what we just witnessed over the signing of the FAB and the CAB. I compare it to eating till our tummies burst at any rare opportunity because "banat ta kaon ron kay ugma gutom" (binge now because tomorrow we'd be hungry again). We love to strut our stuff for the opportunity to be identified with the high and mighty, opportunity to have a share in the big pie of other people's money. When the real work resumes -- well, there's a million opportunities to work. Who would want a million opportunities when it entails work...?
Moderation has never been our best assets. Filipino or human nature -- go figure.
(Don't worry. I know a handful who were there squirming to get things over with).
I do have a question: How do you really discuss a seemingly complex concept like a peace process to someone who haven't had the opportunity for proper schooling?
Given enough time, I can look up for you all these data showing how low the literacy level of Mindanao is, let alone ARMM (the core area of the Bangsamoro). Again, nitpicking on these numbers is the best way to kill time. We all have come across it at different points anyway. How much more research do we need. Tell me if you do not get blank stares when you talk about the peace process to someone in the logged-over mountains or silted marshes of Maguindanao.
Going back: What exactly are my hopes and fears now that the parties have formally signed the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro? Is this agreement already THE Peace agreement many have been anticipating for so long?
There's the danger. I too, shared in the euphoria when the FAB was signed in October 2012. But it sent mixed messages. Reports reaching our office say that individuals (who are not IPs) came in droves to tell the IPs (Teduray & Lambangian) communities that they are taking back "their" land because "the peace agreement was already signed".
We have forwarded these reports to respective duty holders (state agencies) for verification and action.
These are the handful of strategies being used. There could be more:
One: Groups of 20-40 individuals bring seedlings of coconut, african palm and banana to a piece of land they like. They clear that piece of land and plant these seedlings, alongside with corn. Their leader, usually armed, tell the IPs not to worry because they're just planting crops anyway. But historically, once the seeds/seedlings are planted, the non-IPs fight for their stake. In the words of an IP: "Tinitiro lang kami na parang manok. Buti pa ang manok may halaga." (We are shot at like chickens. Good for the chicken because it has monetary value)
Let us not forget that alongside armed invasion, Mindanao was also conquered through population transfer. Vast tracts of land were awarded by the state to corporations; and also to people of Luzon and the Visayas who were slaves in their own lands; landless people who were willing to clear forests with their bare hands, plant crops and stake their claim. What the IPs are experiencing now is localized neo-colonialism.
Two: The IPs (again in the context of this article Teduray, Lambangian & Dulangan -- lest we go into splitting hairs over definitions) are made to sign some form of consent for the entry of bananas and african palm or what have you so that their lives will be better. Haven't we heard the same promises about sugar and pineapples decades back? Oh, yes. For everyone who became a millionaire there are thousands who barely live on a daily wage.
Three: Non-IPs engage in armed clashes in the guise of rido (clan feud). The IPs, always the non-confrontational lot, sidestep. The sidestep is often many strides -- towards some safe haven like a river delta, a cove, or deeper into the forest. They usually don't join evacuation centers as they feel discriminated upon even in those conventional places of refuge. But alas, once they return to their place of origin, somebody else owns it and usually brandishes some kind of paper to show "proof".
Four: Peace agreements are signed and promoted to say it will bring in a windfall of investments and foreign aid. Whether the billions of dollars from a previous agreement that was poured on the blood-stained lands of Mindanao ever impacted positively to the people's lives is another story. And we're not talking about accounting yet.
Are so called peacemakers and peacebuilders discussing the aforementioned in the open? Maybe yes and I still have to come across it as a formal agenda. Everything just gets lost in translation and my comprehension is just up to the level of many who are living in those logged over hills or silted marshes.
I'm not stating specific ethnic affiliations as there are only quite a few among us who can take the issue with a straight face. But, if you take time to thresh out your thoughts, apply where applicable. You would know what I'm talking about. (Unless you live in Mars).
The lack of trust the IPs have over peace agreements have basis. IPRA as a law is a peace agreement that is taking eternity to implement in the ARMM. Moreover, right after the GRP-MNLF peace agreement, the GRP awarded thousands of hectares of forest land (IP territory) to the MNLF.
I find the IPs' proactive engagement in the current peace process magnanimous. Despite the lack of trust, they persevered in pushing their agenda. Unarmed. Their mantra: "Participate. Or Perish." I pray that by the time they get their end of the (fairest) deal, they won't become the next oppressors.
Generally there's a prevailing feeling of "anything except war" over peace agreements. I suppose this comes as a result of propaganda-savvy strategies acquired by most players: smother the general public with feel-good slogans and statements and that's all the education they need to get.
And the cycle resumes.
*****
Cotabato City
27 March 2014
Aveen Acuña-Gulo wrote a column “The Voice” for the Mindanao Cross from 1991-2006. She likes to challenge stereotypes. “Don’t worry about my opinions,” she says. “It won’t make a dent to the conventional."
"Satire is interesting. Being able to look into our flaws straight in the eye is a sign of maturity," she says.
Friday, March 28, 2014
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Davao In My Mind
I don't know Duterte from Adam -- at least that one from Davao. The only time I heard the name was when my grandmother would include Nene Duterte in prayers for the departed during our daily evening rosary . During their time the name Nene was also given to men, very much like one Pimentel.
Oh, sorry -- where was I.
Carol Arguillas sent me a text message to list down three things I like about Davao and three things I don't like about Davao.
Without blinking an eye I immediately ticked off the following:
Likes:
1 - The Smoking Ban
2 - Honest Taxi Drivers
3 - Efficient Traffic Management
4 - Can I put a fourth? Firecracker ban
Dislikes:
1 - Flashfloods
2 - Usu-usu
3 - (Still thinking of a third one)
And since Carol prefers some explanation, let me attempt to say it in a few words. The key is attempt.
On the Smoking Ban:
I still vividly remember the day when all of us smokers in a workshop were made to smoke inside a glass cubicle inside a fancy hotel. This was to be in not just one hotel until those who cant avoid a nicotine fix demanded for their rights.
There we were, being watched like weird creatures in a fishbowl -- inhaling firsthand and secondhand smoke with ambivalent gusto. As we leave the glass cubicle, we were met with smirks by the non-smokers. The seeds of being embarrassed with how one smells were planted. This was at least ten years ago.
On Honest Taxi Drivers:
The last thing a harried passenger would want inside a cab is having to negotiate whether to use a meter or not; add a tip or not; this route to take or that -- like what I always encounter in the gates of hell and yes, in CdeO. Such bad business practice. Pirmi lang sila kunwari magpaki-looy, hiway robbery na diay to. What happened to dignity in honest toil?
But in Davao these get reported to their mayor and, as I learned just this January, six drivers were banned from the airport and their licenses were suspended after being proven for canvassing for passengers and not using their meters. The taxi driver who told me this (I took note of the name in his ID -- Felix Adlao; forgot the name of the taxi though) said he just returned only recently to the airport to queue after the crooks were flushed out.
On Efficient Traffic Management:
Gee -- I'm just too happy to have my car's registration renewed very recently without a hitch. I drove through red lights a couple of times in Davao and was told through the grapevine that my violation can be tracked online! I presume those manning the monitors must already have the capacity to determine whether the driver violated traffic rules deliberately or not.
One time a traffic officer flagged me and I honestly did not know what my violation was. I rolled down my window and for a half-second I explained to him in 50 words that I just came a minute ago from a car shop to inquire for hubcaps. He just smiled and told me, "Seatbelt, Ma'am". (Was the name Coprado? Apologies. This was in 2004 or 2005). With a melted heart I gained a healthy respect for traffic and safety rules.
On the Firecracker ban:
It's not only second hand smoke, but lesser beings in other cities still have to know what noise pollution is.
* * * * *
On Flashfloods:
I wouldn't want to be in any low-lying area or a riverside in Davao when it rains. Even for half an hour.
On Usu-usu:
Naa pa ba ni ron? Anyway, bka naundang na since nagka vehicular accident tong jeep kay wa na magdungog ang pasahero ug ang driver sa kakusog sa sawnz. I wonder why passengers still have not mustered the strength to squeeze the neck of drivers who wont turn down the volume of their sound system to a level that will promote world peace.
And while we're at it (noise pollution), it's good to note that Davao has started to put a curfew on videokes. Arrrgggghhhh those gadgets for self-glorification and illusory stardom are just making life miserable for the rest of an unwilling audience around the nearest neighborhood. The mayor did not give in to the pleas of extortive mendicancy (if there is such a term) saying that the right of a person to turn up the volume ends with the right of the other person to live in peace and quiet and open air.
Going back: Again I don't know the Davao Mayor from Adam. I just know him through the results of his work. No need to put up screaming ads inviting people to come or live or invest in Davao. No need to put up epal tarps to brandish how good and multi-awarded he is. All he needed to do was do his homework, clean up the city hands on and work within the constraints of the law. Looks like he did not spend so much energy cooking up new laws or ordinances to see whether it will work or not. He just let it work.
And haha. I like the way he speaks the language of the bad guys -- for example "...kining yawang..." (did I hear it right...?) It's the only language the bad guys and gals understand that he means what he says. For a handful of times I'm amused at myself for not being eager enough to have a picture taken with him at Yellow Fin, Iron Horse or the mall.
And before he disappears from the local governance scene, I hope the culture of efficiency and service is no longer personality-dependent but ingrained as a way of life of Davaoenos. And hopefully radiate to the rest of the country.
###
Cotabato City
5 March 2014
Oh, sorry -- where was I.
Carol Arguillas sent me a text message to list down three things I like about Davao and three things I don't like about Davao.
Without blinking an eye I immediately ticked off the following:
Likes:
1 - The Smoking Ban
2 - Honest Taxi Drivers
3 - Efficient Traffic Management
4 - Can I put a fourth? Firecracker ban
Dislikes:
1 - Flashfloods
2 - Usu-usu
3 - (Still thinking of a third one)
And since Carol prefers some explanation, let me attempt to say it in a few words. The key is attempt.
On the Smoking Ban:
I still vividly remember the day when all of us smokers in a workshop were made to smoke inside a glass cubicle inside a fancy hotel. This was to be in not just one hotel until those who cant avoid a nicotine fix demanded for their rights.
There we were, being watched like weird creatures in a fishbowl -- inhaling firsthand and secondhand smoke with ambivalent gusto. As we leave the glass cubicle, we were met with smirks by the non-smokers. The seeds of being embarrassed with how one smells were planted. This was at least ten years ago.
On Honest Taxi Drivers:
The last thing a harried passenger would want inside a cab is having to negotiate whether to use a meter or not; add a tip or not; this route to take or that -- like what I always encounter in the gates of hell and yes, in CdeO. Such bad business practice. Pirmi lang sila kunwari magpaki-looy, hiway robbery na diay to. What happened to dignity in honest toil?
But in Davao these get reported to their mayor and, as I learned just this January, six drivers were banned from the airport and their licenses were suspended after being proven for canvassing for passengers and not using their meters. The taxi driver who told me this (I took note of the name in his ID -- Felix Adlao; forgot the name of the taxi though) said he just returned only recently to the airport to queue after the crooks were flushed out.
On Efficient Traffic Management:
Gee -- I'm just too happy to have my car's registration renewed very recently without a hitch. I drove through red lights a couple of times in Davao and was told through the grapevine that my violation can be tracked online! I presume those manning the monitors must already have the capacity to determine whether the driver violated traffic rules deliberately or not.
One time a traffic officer flagged me and I honestly did not know what my violation was. I rolled down my window and for a half-second I explained to him in 50 words that I just came a minute ago from a car shop to inquire for hubcaps. He just smiled and told me, "Seatbelt, Ma'am". (Was the name Coprado? Apologies. This was in 2004 or 2005). With a melted heart I gained a healthy respect for traffic and safety rules.
On the Firecracker ban:
It's not only second hand smoke, but lesser beings in other cities still have to know what noise pollution is.
* * * * *
On Flashfloods:
I wouldn't want to be in any low-lying area or a riverside in Davao when it rains. Even for half an hour.
On Usu-usu:
Naa pa ba ni ron? Anyway, bka naundang na since nagka vehicular accident tong jeep kay wa na magdungog ang pasahero ug ang driver sa kakusog sa sawnz. I wonder why passengers still have not mustered the strength to squeeze the neck of drivers who wont turn down the volume of their sound system to a level that will promote world peace.
And while we're at it (noise pollution), it's good to note that Davao has started to put a curfew on videokes. Arrrgggghhhh those gadgets for self-glorification and illusory stardom are just making life miserable for the rest of an unwilling audience around the nearest neighborhood. The mayor did not give in to the pleas of extortive mendicancy (if there is such a term) saying that the right of a person to turn up the volume ends with the right of the other person to live in peace and quiet and open air.
Going back: Again I don't know the Davao Mayor from Adam. I just know him through the results of his work. No need to put up screaming ads inviting people to come or live or invest in Davao. No need to put up epal tarps to brandish how good and multi-awarded he is. All he needed to do was do his homework, clean up the city hands on and work within the constraints of the law. Looks like he did not spend so much energy cooking up new laws or ordinances to see whether it will work or not. He just let it work.
And haha. I like the way he speaks the language of the bad guys -- for example "...kining yawang..." (did I hear it right...?) It's the only language the bad guys and gals understand that he means what he says. For a handful of times I'm amused at myself for not being eager enough to have a picture taken with him at Yellow Fin, Iron Horse or the mall.
And before he disappears from the local governance scene, I hope the culture of efficiency and service is no longer personality-dependent but ingrained as a way of life of Davaoenos. And hopefully radiate to the rest of the country.
###
Cotabato City
5 March 2014
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