June 30, 2009
The sky was so dark in the morning. Fortunately, our guest had a land travel braving the mountainous path that divides Mindoro; the Occidental and Oriental. She sent a message to me early morning. “arrived finally.” It was 10 in the morning.
Madonna Virola of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Asia Calling is our guest. She was asked by the PLAN-International to have a follow-up article on the special project on Mangyans. Coincidentally, since she also covered the story on the “Learn without Fear” she inquired about the status of the plans proposed by the children-participants during the Peer Educators Training. Thus, off we went to Purnaga, Magsaysay.
Just after lunch, we proceeded to Purnanga National High School. It was a two-hour drive from San Jose town proper. Barangay Purnaga is situated in the municipality of Magsaysay. It is an agricultural village near the foot of the mountains that divide Occidental Mindoro from Oriental. It was my first time to come here. With its picture perfect setting, one would think that living in the village is idyllic.
We reached the school at 3:30 in the afternoon. The kids (PLAN-sponsored children and participants of the workshop), four mothers, a father and the head teacher of were already waiting for us.
As usual Amor, introduced us to the parents and the teacher. Soon enough, we are discussing about the Learn without Fear program of PLAN and how their children participated in the program. I was there as a parent also who have two-school aged children like them. I discussed about the violence confronted by my children as well as my experiences when I was studying.
Ms. Virola in turn asked about the parents’ views on violence happening in school. Surprisingly, the parents thought these are just normal occurrence. Bullying is considered a part of school life and dismiss it. The young head teacher is not aware of the difference between sex and gender or how to deal with sexual advances among the students. I blame it to the fact that the school has no guidance counselor. The teachers are performing all the tasks including counseling. As the kids are learning their rights some parents feel that their authority is being threatened. In my capability, I explained simply that it is good that the children learn their rights because it will protect them from other people that may harm them.
The school is a typical rural setting. Though the school buildings are newer thanks to the Fil-chinese community donations. But not far from the school, a military detachment is located. Children and parents are expressing concern because there are already cases of human rights violation, and sexual advances among the female students. According to one parent, a fourteen year old girl is already married to one of the CAFGU. Of course we said that it cannot happen, there is no legality. But then again, at the point of a gun, everything becomes legal. Even the brgy captain is no longer respected by the military.
Presently, the children-participants of Purnaga has a plan ready for implementation on the middle of July, after or before their periodical examinations. Their first activity would be the orientation of the parents on the Learn without Fear, which would tackle gender base violence in school and at home. The children already identified the places where violence is most likely committed in their school. They call it the “backstage” or at the back of the stage. The area near the stage is planted with bananas and quite shrubby. Mostly, bullying is identified in school. There is no reported case of sexual violence, except for the CAFGU that married the 14 year old girl who already dropped from her classes.
We left the place at 5:30 in the afternoon. On our way home, the “magtatalok” were also heeding home after a day’s work. Children were also walking towards home. Dark was fast approaching. They were waving farewell to us as our land cruiser ran through the bumpy and muddy roads of Purnaga.
Pauwi na siya,
Mula sa maghapong pagtatanim
Sa bukirin na hindi naman kaniya
O mapapasakaniya
Kahit pa umagos
Ang pawis
Sa kaniyang noo
O ang dugo
Sa nasugatang mga kamay.
Pauwi na siya
Sa kanilang dampa
Naghihintay na si Ama, si Ina at si Bunso
Sa iuuwi na bigas at tuyo
Mula sa kinitang isan-daang piso
Mula sa maghapong pagkakayuko.
Pauwi na siya
Upang palipasin ang magdamag
At ilatag ang patang katawan
Sa papag at mag-ipon ng lakas
Upang bukas ng umaga
Harapin ang panibagong pakikibaka.
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