Ted Alcuitas and The August Twenty One Movement (ATOM) in Winnipeg (1983-1988)

Published in Ang Peryodiko (OPINION) - March 1-15, 2016

In the struggle against the dictatorship, theory without practice is basically empty. It can be likened to faith without love in the church. Without leaders who are willing to sacrifice resources, time and life for a cause, any liberating idea becomes futile.

Based on my research (1983 to ‘88) and most especially after the assassination of Benigno Aquino in August 21, 1983, Teodoro “Ted” Alcuitas played a significant role in the struggle against the dictatorship in Winnipeg.  He was the publisher of Silangan, Winnipeg’s only newspaper in the mid ‘70s to 1982. He also pioneered Kalayaan newspaper in 1984. Back in the early ‘80s, he told CBC that “there is a need for an alternative press in Winnipeg to counter the allegedly pro- Marcos government leanings of the existing Filipino Media.” He was known to be a member of the Philippine Support Group (PSG), another activist organization, but according to him, he was not formally affiliated as such. He also told me that he is basically a church activist.

In one of our phone conversations, Ted shared that Fr. Sam Argenziano was a big help in organizing ATOM events when he was still a priest at St. Edward’s Church. I, myself, have listened to Fr. Sam deliver a sermon and he is really awesome.  He is faithful to the radical teachings of the Gospels and the social teachings of the Church on the preferential option for the poor. I remember him delivering a liberating sermon back when Migrante (A Filipino Migrant organization that can trace its roots to PSG) was fundraising for the Three Amigos Campaign in 2011.

Courtesy of PhilippineCanadianNews.com

Some Breakfast Club pundits say that Ted Alcuitas is a person that you can count on when it comes to mobilization. Ted Alcuitas provided mass leadership when most were intimidated and scared. He will gather no matter how small the number was, even if it was only his family.  He reckons, “the thing that brought him into the movement was the assassination of Benigno Aquino and that the organization that they formed was named ATOM – Winnipeg,” which, to their surprise, was used later on in the home front as the name of the national movement that was part of the toppling of the dictatorship. Ted added that he heard about the assassination over his car radio on his way to Middlechurch, Manitoba for the St. Edward`s Parish picnic. Upon his return to Winnipeg, he called Dante Buenaventura of Magdaragat Dance Theatre to propose organizing an anti-Marcos group and that he should lead it. He said that Dante declined and insisted that he (Ted) instead lead it. Ted initially had second thoughts since he was still publishing Silangan and could not be writing about himself in covering the events (Alcuitas, History of the August 21 Movement (ATOM) of Winnipeg-Draft).

Writing about this article took me back in time in 1983, the time that I first joined a rally in a spontaneous manner when the assassination of Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino happened. I was also part of the funeral rally for Ninoy Aquino where thousands of banners of ATOM were waved by activists. Aside from the marchers, the sidewalks were filled with symphatizers, angry and chanting “Down with the Dictatorship!” From the Philippines to the diaspora, the struggle was raging back in the days.  I was drawn into the struggle during the same time as Ted Alcuitas and others were involved in the struggle here in Winnipeg.

Ted Alcuitas, the founding chair of ATOM, recalls he can count some of the courageous people who joined him in the activities of ATOM and they were Arturo (Chair of Atom 1987) and Purita Dizon, Monina and Al Relano, Pablo and Rose Jalalla, Efren and Nimfa Arbilo, Dinah Penaflorida, Bert and Gloria Penaflorida, Jimmy and Luisa Pagsuyuin, Steve and Betty Tuazon. He noted that they barely reached twenty people, mostly comprised of the individuals mentioned and their families. They were the few who dared to raise the Banner for Democracy. “Everybody was freaking scared,” he said, but when the EDSA Revolution happened, suddenly, everybody wants to be the star and be close to some of the national leaders who came to Winnipeg to visit. ATOM basically was under the leadership of Ted Alcuitas. The contribution of this organization in raising the consciousness of the community and the standard of patriotism and democracy in the diaspora must not be forgotten.

Ted Alcuitas and The August Twenty One Movement in Winnipeg (1983-1988) (Part 2)

In one article sent by Ted Alcuitas titled, Winnipeggers Remember (EDSA) Revolution with Mass, Dinner, it was mentioned that “since its formation, ATOM not only led the anti-Marcos struggle but also initiated several fundraising projects in aid of the poor in the Philippines. It was the only group in the country to respond to the starvation in Negros province with its Alay Negros campaign. It continues to raise funds for projects in the Philippines, including AKAP, a Primary Health & TB Control Program.”

Pioneer activists in the community informed me that prior and during the EDSA revolution, they were endlessly organizing events and mobilizing people to be aware of the issues. When the home front was in upheaval, those who were here were in a state of agitation.  According to the article of Ted Alcuitas, History of the August Twenty One Movement of Winnipeg (ATOM) - Draft, some of the events that they have mainly organized were the following:

1.   September 21, 1983, Demonstration at the Philippine Consulate at the Royal Trust Bldg on 330

      St., St. Mary’s Avenue.  Forty persons attended this meeting.

2.  August 21, 1984, Protest Rally Marks 1^st Anniversary of Aquino Slay.  Members of ATOM

     Winnipeg participated in a protest rally in front of the Philippine Consulate General’s Office at St. Mary’s where members stage a re-enactment of the shooting of Mr. Aquino by Military.

3.   November 21, 1983, a slide presentation on “Hamletting.” Hamletting is when the soldiers of the dictatorship drive out the peasants living in a given area and relocate them to deprive the insurgents of a base of support.

4.  1984, Ted Alcuitas was elected as Chairperson of ATOM-Winnipeg

5.   Coffin carrying rally disrupts opening of the Philippine Week in Winnipeg June 11, 1984. One of the signs carried by Ted Alcuitas says, SHAME ON YOU Mayor NORRIE Aligning Yourself with the MARCOS Dictatorship!”

6. January 23, 1984, “Aquino Assassination on Videotape” “Tribute to a Hero” A two hour videotape presentation of the assassination will be shown on Sunday, January 22, 1984 at St. Edwards Church,12:00 noon. Sponsored by August 21 Movement.

7.  Visit of Agapito “Butz” Aquino way back in December 9, 1984 that happened at St. Edward’s Church, where according to Ted Alcuitas, more or less 500 to 700 Filipinos attended (Winnipeg Sun, December 9, 1984).

       - December 84- St. Ignatius, St. Norbert and Holy Cross held a Christmas Card Writing campaign for the political prisoners in the Philippines as part of the Action Program for the Development and Peace

8. Martyr’s Day, a Mass for Justice and Peace in the Philippines, Commemorating the 2^nd Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Benigno Ninoy Aquino, Wednesday, August 21, 1985.

9.   Visit of Dr. Mita Pardo de Tavera of AKAP

10. December 8, 1985, Alay Negros Relief Fundraiser, St. Edward’s Church. Magdaragat will perform, Neil Cruz, Edgar Padilla, Evangeline Egonia, Karilagan Dance Troupe, Sikaran School of Martial Arts, Filipino Seniors Rondalia

11. Demonstration at the International Inn to protest the planned installation of Honorary Consul Dr. Roland Guzman.

12.  Cooperated in the visit of PETA’S Panata sa Kalayaan.

13. People Power 1^st Anniversary Celebration, dubbed as the People’s Mass at St. Edward’s    Church, 818 Arlington Street on February 25, 1987.

14. 1987, September 21 to 32, The Philippine Printmakers Show

15. 1988 June 21 to 22- Jaime Cardinal Sin visits Winnipeg under the Winnipeg Filipino Project (WFP). WFP was institutionalized at the initiative of Cardinal George Flahiff. He assigned Fr. Joseph Godbout to organize a group that will focus on the growing Filipino community. Jaime Tadeo, a peasant leader in the Philippines, also visited Winnipeg around this year.

16. Alay Kapwa Concert (April 1992, Mosaik,Ted Alcuitas)

17. ”Bayan Ko,” award winning movie returns to Winnipeg, Saturday, November 2 and Sunday, November 3, (Late 80’s). Bayan ko (My Country) is a movie directed by the activist director Lino Brocka and was considered by the dictatorship as a subversive film.

I asked Ted Alcuitas for a message to the youth about the relevance of activism and here is a simple quote from him, “The spirit of activism should always be nurtured and promoted in the community for it is through it that we can give vent or articulate our grievances or demands. It doesn’t matter if the issue is about politics or racism or discrimination, we need activists to arouse our community. Of course, it can take different forms- in militant ways like demonstration or through media strategies-i.e., letters to the editor, media boycott (which I did with the Winnipeg Sun for their racist treatment of Filipinos), civil disobedience, etc.  Because without it, we, as a community, oftentimes cannot move our agenda forward if we don’t show some militancy. For the youth, do not be afraid to show your opinion through rallies, etc. because it is through participation in the public forum that you can test the limits of your efforts. “ He added, “Participate in marches addressing Climate Change,  Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Truth and Reconciliation and show solidarity with other causes and not only your own.”

These activists in the community back in 1983 to 1988, who stood up against the dictatorship are commendable. They told me that they felt scared even here in Winnipeg. Rumors abound that there were spies watching dissenters.

 To date, February 2016, the organizations that I have mentioned here: Philippine Support Group (PSG) and August Twenty One Movement (ATOM) no longer exist formally.  Back in the 90’s, Ted Alcuitas, the founder of ATOM, moved to Vancouver and continued on as an activist. The PSG, by 1996, will be transformed into KAMPI or Kilusan ng Manggagawang Pilipino, which will affiliate itself with Migrante- Canada. Migrante is a national organization of migrants fighting for social justice in the Philippines and the rights and welfare of migrant workers in the diaspora.

 Activists are unsung heroes for they silently toil organizing resistance against the forces of authoritarianism. They endure hardship and intrigues, knowing that what they are doing is for the greater good.  They are also aware of the protracted nature of the struggle that it does not end with a regime change.  They are totally aware that until there is a profound change in the system, that is the feudal system prevailing in the old country, the state of being pre-industrial and agricultural, the struggle will continue. Hence, I salute all those who devote their time and effort for caring for the motherland, whether in the area of struggle for a change in policy, calamity or change in the system while in the diaspora.

Note: This Article is part 3 and 4 of a longer article titled Filipino Activism in Winnipeg.

Pope Francis, the People’s Prophet

by Levy Abad

The Korea Times

Courtesy of: CatholicPhilly.com

During one of my morning visits to La Merage Restaurant, seniors were discussing the message of Pope Francis in Malacaňang. The Inquirer headline states, “Pope Francis’ plea for government to help poor, stop corruption, a timely wake- up call.” When I saw the headline, it sent shivers down my spine. I was reminded of Archbishop Romero of El Salvador who played his prophetic role during his time and paid the ultimate price of being gunned down while celebrating the mass. His only fault was that he took the side of the poor and denounced injustice in society. 

The faces of all the activists who were martyred for taking the side of the poor suddenly streamed back in my memory. Priests, pastors, nuns and lay persons have been inspired through the years by the scripture, especially the biblical passage written in Luke 4:18 to 19, where Jesus read His great social commission in the synagogue of Capernaum, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me for He has anointed me to proclaim the good news to the poor, set free the oppressed, liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind and to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour.” Praise God for this event in Philippine history. It is indeed good news to the poor when Pope Francis delivered this strong message before government officials in Malacaňang: STOP CORRUPTION and HELP the POOR! The following was a part of his speech…“Essential to the attainment of these national goals is the imperative of ensuring social justice and respect for human dignity. The great biblical tradition enjoins on all peoples the duty to hear the voice of the poor. It bids us to break the bonds of injustice and oppression which give rise to glaring and indeed scandalous social inequalities. Reforming the social structures which perpetuates poverty and the exclusion of the poor first requires a conversion of mind and heart.  I hope this prophetic message summons will challenge everyone, at all levels of society, to reject every form of corruption which diverts resources from the poor, and to make concerted efforts to ensure the inclusion of every man and woman and children  in the life of the community.”  This is not only a pronouncement but a denunciation of the present social condition in the Philippines, the economic inequality between the rich and the poor. In Matthew 23:4, Jesus rebukes the attitude of some leaders, “For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.” Pope Francis’ message hits the nail and is consistent with the passage I just quoted. His words subvert the status quo. Bad news for the rich and powerful! Many people consider Pope Francis as the people’s prophet for uttering these words. By vehemently promoting and defending the rights of the poor, I cannot help but imagine how he will be placed under surveillance by the people whom he criticized, hatch a plan to silence him or worst, order the security forces to shoot him like what they do to ordinary activists who serve the people?  If you are just a simple church activist who seriously takes Jesus’ political/prophetic stand in the book of Matthew against the corruption of the leaders during his time, you will end up being marked as a communist agitator, placed  under surveillance, demonized as a terrorist and eventually martyred. Noli Capulong, a United Church activist, was shot for being steadfast in his stand against oppression; Fr. Fausto “Pops” Tentorio, a missionary martyr for the poor and the landless; Bishop Alberto Ramento of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente who was martyred in connection with the Hacienda Luisita issue. They are just among the thousands who became victims of impunity.

                                                                                       

Their tragic death brings to mind the lives of the prophets in the Hebrew scripture:  Isaiah, Amos; and also later prophetic developments like Vatican 2 and theologians of liberation such as Gustavo Gutierrez, Leonardo Boff, Dom Heldom Camara, Ernesto Cardinal and many more who were persecuted or sanctioned by the church for taking the preferential option for the poor.  I remember those who stood up and raised radical questions conditioned by the situation of oppression that call for a bold stand on the side of the poor in history. All of them dared to venture beyond dogma so they can express the cry of the oppressed of the third world and as a result, were crucified by the establishment. The words and actions of Pope Francis in the Philippines in siding with the oppressed validate the sufferings undergone by all who took the prophetic calls of the scripture. These are not enough, more work needs to be done that will lead to the completion of the struggle of the people for social justice and human dignity.

The effort of Pope Francis to avoid the attempts of the powers that be to put him in a box by giving him gifts, providing luxurious cars and offering pompous residences endeared him to people. Pope Francis preferred to go to the victims of Typhoon Haiyan in Tacloban to spend time with them. This is a prime example of being in solidarity with the victims of calamities and corruption.  He chided the bishops and priests to stay faithful to their vocation of being servants of God and the people of God by leading simple lives, reminding them of their vows of discipleship. The most powerful gesture of Pope Francis is his affection for children especially orphans, which reminds me of Matthew 19:14, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
In his speech, he mentioned the concept of “integral human development,” a classic  Vatican II  concept, meaning, governments  and  members of the church should strive for the holistic liberation of the people (economic, political, social and cultural)  from oppressive  and  evil social structures  imposed by  greed or to be blunt, neo-liberalism. The regime back home cannot escape from the biting statement of Pope Francis and they are well aware of it. On the other hand, the speech is a clear testimony of the persecution of all political activists who were jailed, tortured, disappeared and killed throughout our people’s liberation praxis.  If the government is really serious with the message of Pope Francis, it should right away release all political prisoners and stop the impunity of political killings. The government should address the root causes of the people’s dissent and insurgency, thus laying down the requisites for a genuine and lasting peace.

Have You Hoped? (Poem)

Have You Hoped?

Levy Abad, February 7, 2016

Have you seen the writing on the wall

Courtesy of bulatlat.com

Courtesy of YouTube.com

or the candle light in the midst of the barricade at night?

Have you visited the shanties

or walked in the paths in the country?

Have you seen the pain and suffering in the eyes of our people ?

Have you leapt into uncertainty

just trusting on the love of  the land that nurtured you?

Have you held the banner in the picketlines

or in the countless marches for justice?

Have you stared in the eyes of your brothers and soldiers 

who will one day be ordered to shoot you?

Have you been followed by the minions of greed while awake?

Have they haunted you in your dreams?

Have you seen them watching you from a distance?

Have they threatened you to stop caring for the motherland

or told you  of the fate that befell those who served ?

Have you seen Judas face to face

and told him that he has to do what he has to do? 

Have you seen the torture chamber being prepared ?

Have you seen the bullets flying towards you?

Have you closed your eyes and see your wife and children weeping over your grave

or friends and comrades tears fall with courage

to take your place in the struggle for justice?

Did your mother cry every night beseeching God to protect you from the Devil and his ilks?

The same mother who taught you to love and  care  for our people.

Have you seen what our martyrs have seen

or walked in the paths that the revolutionaries paved?

Have you seen compassion, justice, peace?

Have you hoped?

Dante Buenaventura and Filipino Cultural Activism (Part 2)

Published in The Diversity Times - March 2016 Vol.5 No.3

Courtesy of Tonyocruz.com

I scoured the files in the Manitoba Archives as suggested by Ted Alcuitas, a pioneer activist journalist back in the mid 70s in Winnipeg. He was the founder of Silangan Newspaper, the first Filipino newspaper that started in 1977 and lasted up to 1982. He told me to dig into the archives to gather the events that happened in those days and have a feel of the process. Lo and behold, from 1976 up to 1988, Dante Buenaventura was a tireless organizer of different events in the community. Through Tanghalang Filipino (Philippine Theatre) that was formed almost at the same time as Magdaragat, he wrote and organized about fourteen short plays through the years that promoted Philippine culture in the diaspora. In these plays, he called for unity and love of the motherland. To cite some examples, in 1978, a play was staged titled “Sisa, Kasaysayan ng Isang Ina” (Sisa, The Story of a Mother); 1979 - “Larawan ng Buhay” (Portrait of Life); 1980- “Hanggang dito na lamang, Bukas naman Ulit.” He was also a delegate to conferences like “Focus 82”- a seminar for artistic directors. Felino de Jesus recalls that the last play that Dante staged before his death on March 5, 1988 was “People Power,” where Felino played the role of an activist priest. Born on December 21, 1945, he will lead a life full of relevance for 43 years serving the people.

Dante Buenaventura played a huge role in the field of culture in Manitoba. Aside from this, he contributed a lot in the area of multiculturalism. He was one of the pioneers of Folklorama from its beginning and even up to now with Magdaragat’s presence as a cultural group. He was well appreciated in the mainstream community of Winnipeg. Leaders recognized him for his contributions in the community like the late Premier Howard Pawley, Maureen Hemphill  (Minister of Education  in the 80’s) and Sylvia Toduschuk, to name a few (Source: Pablo Herrera, Felino de Jesus).

In 1983, when Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino (foremost Philippine opposition leader in the 80’s) was assassinated, Dante Buenaventura’s idealism became apparent with his active involvement in the anti- dictatorship struggle in Winnipeg. He became a leading member of Philippine Support Group (PSG) and also supported the August Twenty One Movement organized by Ted Alcuitas. Dante Buenaventura directed Magdaragat to participate not only in mainstream cultural events but also significantly in fundraising and presentations that have clear anti –dictatorship calls. Magdaragat served as the cultural component of the political organizing by the Philippine Support Group. This kind of leadership coming from Dante Buenaventura separates him from the rest. Based on his practice, one can see that for Dante, culture, if not used for the liberation of the motherland from the dictatorship, is inadequate. In 1986, he even went home to the Philippines to research on the details of the EDSA Revolution so he can write the script of the play “People Power,” the last play staged in 1987 (Source: Interviews with F. de Jesus). In the December 1986 and January 1987 issues of New Silangan, Dante wrote two articles with revealing titles, “Struggle for National Democracy” and “What is the National Democratic Coalition?”

When I heard the testimonies from people in the community and based on my research on Silangan issues from 1977 to 1982, I resolved to write an article about Dante Buenaventura. Dante Buenaventura must not be forgotten as he is one of those who prepared the ground for migrant organizations to flourish and serve as shield of the community from racism and discrimination, exploitation and oppression. What he started will lead to organizations that promote patriotic stage plays, parties (fun events) as well as organizations that promote rights and welfare of the migrant (workers) community. Mabuhay ka (Long live) Dante Buenaventura! Isa kang tunay na anak ng bayan!  (You are a true son of the Motherland!)

Souls Taken Away ( Poem )

Souls Taken Away (Poem)

April 1, 2014

Levy Abad

Courtesy of GlobalNews.ca

From the late eighteen hundreds to nineteen ninety-six

Through the dark n’ cruel days of colonization

Children removed from their families and tribes

And their delicate souls torn and broken.

Countless pass through the hell of assimilation

Where four thousand angels perished for naught

In the so called schools of learning imprisoned

Where the scripture is twisted and justice is wronged

In the name of belief that some are superior

The system guarded their being and thought

By whipping their tongues and crippling their spirit

To save the “soul of the savage,” and civilize

While there in the pews of the cathedrals of love

Compassion and mercy is sung to the heavens

Drowning the wailing that the horrors inflicted

Perverting the meaning faith.

The river of tears flow with rage until now

And thousands of questions haunt us to remember

When will these pestering wounds ever heal?

Wounds that the present and the future will shoulder.

And so pray to the Great Spirit I do

That the dead rise up with a cry and renew

Thru the prairies and valleys far as the eagle can fly

Until the time when the river of tears do run dry

Can a song or a poem heal the wounds of the past?

Can a melody find the graves of the missing?

Will the ancient ways be restored by my singing?

In the land where the elders and the mothers are weeping

(for the souls that were taken away)

If there was injustice, how will justice be served?

Can the hope that was taken still be returned?

Will the prayers and footsteps in the land be recovered?

Can the future t’was buried still be retrieved?

 The collective soul hurtin’ and burdened by past

The abuse and mistreatment like nightmares come back

This historic pain weighs so heavy like syndrome

And in a bottle of liquor the future is drowned

But only the truth can set history straight

And true apologies can start fixing the ruins

While sincerity’s needed to break walls of mistrust

Hoping those who were taken can finally rest 

Grateful to GACIBO

Grateful to GACIBO

Levy Abad (Migrant Perspective ) The Korea Times 2015

I was driving southbound McPhillips Street and Jefferson Avenue listening to my song “Through the Changing of the Seasons,” a cut from my CD album, Rhythms of Compassion-Canadian Experience Vol. 3:

While the storms of life are raging

I’ve seen the hunger in your eyes

I will sing about your vision

To be free

And all the mountains you must climb

And your countless sacrifice

Through it all, I will sing your story

On and on

While listening to the groove of this song, which I wrote as a tribute for the Filipinos in the diaspora, thoughts about my mom and my late dad ran through my mind and I was thinking that most of the seniors whom I met at Garden City are the same generation as my parents. At the Food Court, I interviewed some of them for the article that I am writing, an article about the different seniors group that hang out at malls. They asked why I am writing the article. I explained that I am doing it to give tribute to the GACIBO (Garden City Boys) who became my community advisers when I arrived in Winnipeg from Mississauga, Ontario. They were the ones who told me about the do’s and don’ts in the community. What would our lives be without them?

The first seniors whom I met were Tito (Uncle) Victor Biluan, Eduardo “Popoy” Adriosula, Romeo Davila (Iloilo), Romy Tabanera (Aklan), Raul Ibabaw (Aklan), Manny Joven   and many more.  Tito Vic and I came from the same town in Laguna.  I asked him about the founding of GACIBO and who coined the name of this group.  He said that he can’t remember anymore and added that it just evolved.  He explained to me that GACIBO is a non-political group. It is a purely fun informal association of seniors.  Their goal is to hang out after 30 minutes of exercise around the mall. Minutes later, he remembered that the group was founded around year 2000. Tito Vic added that there are also GACIBO Ladies - the GACIBO`s wives who usually does 30 minute walk around the mall just like their husbands. The ladies would have their own circle and would talk among themselves, by 11:30 a.m., they leave the place with their husbands.

Tito Vic asked me, “What is this Levy? Are you doing this interview as a material for a new song like the one being played on GMP-CKJS, Dito sa (Here in ) Winnipeg?” I answered: “It is not. I just want to write an article about the community from the ordinary folks' point of view, sort of a narrative of Filipinos of North End.” It was Tito Popoy`s turn to ask, ʺHow is this different from others already written?”  I explained, “The difference is, I will not edit the information or answers you gave me. What I hear from you is what will appear in my article. The conversations I had with you when I first arrived, I will just share them with my readers or those who will take interest in my writings. It is not my intention to be profound or scholarly. I just want to express my gratefulness that you guys are here and you provide a great sense of community to newcomers like me. What can be more deep than that?ʺ Tito Vic told me that what I am doing is good, chronicling the stories of ordinary people. I asked him if he can tell me a joke that I can use. He responded by giving me a quote: “If you live on what you are yesterday, you are limiting what you can be today.” I thanked Tito Vic for sharing this insightful quote that I can use as a guide in my community work. On my way home, these words from Tito Vic reminded me of the quote from Lao Tzu (360 B.C.) that my mother ask me to memorize when I was in the university: “Go in search of people, love them, learn from them, plan with them, serve them, begin with what they know, build on what they have, but of the best leaders, when their task is accomplished, their work is done, the people all remark -we`ve done it ourselves.”

Kuya Popoy Adriosula added that GACIBO is fond of organizing birthday parties and picnics like the one I attended at Kildonan Park. It is purely for camaraderie like helping one another in times of problems. They also helped out with advising newcomers about the life in Manitoba. Tito Vic said everybody is welcome in GACIBO, whether you belong to any of the political parties. We want to discuss ideas like the latest events in the old country, have coffee and talk about what is happening in the city.  He continued that his group wants to share jokes, have a good laugh and go home happy.

I also inquired about Kuya Rolly Togado who was one of the first persons who helped me out when I arrived and drove me around the Maples. He introduced me to a lot of residents of Maples. Kuya Rolly is from Magdalena, Laguna which shares boundary with my hometown in the Philippines. They told me that he already passed away couple of years ago. What a shocking news and this explains why I have never seen him lately at Garden City where he usually hangs out. Kuya Vic sadly told me that they have a lot of members who already passed away. He mentioned names of members that they miss like Virgilio Manalili and many more. I remember Tito Virgilio when he was still alive. We used to have chats about the struggles of the people back home and the comparison with what goes on here in the Peg.  May God rest his soul. He was one of the good members of GACIBO. Guess, he is still with us at the mall although we can’t see him anymore. Made me hum the song of Mary Hopkins, “Those were the days my friend, we thought they’d never end, we’d sing and dance forever in a day.”

I hopped to the next table and talked to Manoy Romeo Davila, Romeo Calanza, Samuel Artuz and Manoy Prudencio Gamayaw.  They were talking to Manoy Prudencio since he was going home the next day. I asked them about the different groups that hang-out at the Food Court. They listed several groups like Ilaw (Ilocano Association of Winnipeg); Timpuyog Ti Ilocano (Tito Nemi Juan and Tita Cory were the pioneers of this group); and Manong Pablo Dizor, 2014-2015 President. AIM (Association of Ilocanos of Manitoba), which was founded by Kuya Manny Joven who also hangs-out there. They added that there is also a group of seniors from Cavite that gathers near the Vietnamese food stall of the Food Court.

I remember the days when I did not have a car. Manoy Romy Tabanera would take me from La Merage Restaurant at Isabel to Garden City and talk to the Boys re: different community events and issues. The seniors discussed the issues in the community and I just listened.  I learned a lot from their stories because they have been here since the 60s. In a way, they know the dynamics of the community.

I remember the events that I became a part of, like the formative period of the Manitoba Filipino Street Festival as its first secretary. After some time, my wife Cherry replaced me as secretary. It was first launched at the grounds of Garden City on August 25, 2012.  I also performed at the second Street Festival (August 24, 2013). A musician friend of mine, Bobie Nepomuceno, also organized a singing event at this place, “Lahat Panalo sa Musika” (November 23, 2013). I was a part of the program and sung a couple of my songs.

Garden City houses one of my favourite Filipino fast food - Casarap, a stall operated by a friend, Josephine Gutierrez. It offers food like Lumpia, Okoy, Arrozcaldo and Tokwa't Baboy, Pritong Pusit, Tuyo and many more. I also frequent A & W during those times, especially when I have to meet up with somebody about community matters. Thanks to the multicultural nature of the city and the strong presence of the Filipino community. Surely, it makes it easier to blend in with the warmth that community members provide through the changing of the seasons. To the members of GACIBO, “maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat at mabuhay kayo mga Tito at Tita” (thanks to everybody and long live!).
 

Where Did We Go Wrong? (conclusion)

FILIPINO JOURNAL    LEVY ABAD

ISSUE » Vol. 29 No. 14

POSTED IN » Anong Masasabi Mo?, Columnists

by Levy Abad

Some people ask why activists are always critical of regimes. The reason for this is that many nationalist activists are acutely aware of the Constitution, the history, and the reasons other countries progress economically. Many of us know that Japan and Korea, to cite a few, were destroyed during World War II; and that, in the case of South Korea, the country was heavily impacted in the war with the north. Despite the devastation suffered by these two countries, every day while I drive around Winnipeg, I see Japanese and South Korean cars. Even cellphones and other electronic gadgets come from these countries. The Philippines, for its part, produces and exports products like bottled tuyo (dried fish), sardines, tapa (beef jerky), and “junk” foods like Chippy and Corniks. Although there is nothing wrong in producing and exporting these products, it should not stop here. The Philippine government should aim for industrialization, which it should have done more than fifty years ago. When Japanese and Koreans travel to the Philippines, they go as investors or tourists; but when Filipinos go to these countries, it’s basically to work as Japayukis, domestic helpers, or industrial workers. Many Filipinos would laugh at China back in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, saying that it was a communist country; but now, even the United States is heavily indebted to China, which has billions of investments in Africa, Latin America, and North America including Canada. Where is the Philippines in all of these? This begs the question, “Where did we go wrong?”

The greatest lesson that I learned from being a part of these historical events is that, it is never the great personalities that make history but the people. As long as a president, no matter who she or he may be, does not implement the people’s agenda, then the people have the power to remove their leader. We have seen this time and again. When Benigno S. Aquino III became President through elections, people were happy and hopeful and were thinking that progress would happen. But having been in power for almost five years, he still follows the script of the same puppetry narrative. Up to now, even the Constitution that was ratified during the term of his mother, former President Corazon Aquino, particularly the provisions on nationalist industrialization and agrarian reform found in Article 12, have not been implemented. The slogan of the present regime–“Daang Matuwid”–is just another crooked road and a plan that affirms neo-liberal policies.

In an article posted on Huffington Blog titled “Philippines ‘Mirage’ Economy: Why it’s worse than a bubble?”, Richard Javad Heydarian writes that, “three years into the Aquino leadership, however, it has little to show in terms of major infrastructural projects and cutting down of red tape and bureaucratic uncertainty. With barely three years left in his office, the [President’s] introduction of decisive measures to arrest the decline of the manufacturing and agricultural sectors, are yet to kick in. The government has missed its targets on the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension and Reforms (CARPER) to the fury of millions of farmers and rural citizens, while the impending integration of the Philippines into the regional common market will most likely batter its already fragile manufacturing sector, which has been struggling with declining demand in the intraregional production chains in recent years.” That served as another proof of the failure to initiate the implementation of the policies enshrined in Article 12 of the Constitution.

Going back to the Agrarian Reform of the Corazon Aquino regime, Satur Ocampo wrote in his article “At Ground Level,” published in the Winnipeg-based community newspaper Ang Peryodiko (November 16-30, 2014): “Her government asked the Court of Appeals to rule favourably on the Cojuangcos’ appeal, which the court promptly did. In 1987, she issued Proclamation 131 and Executive Order 229, defining her agrarian reform program, which included stock distribution option as a mode of implementation, instead of land distribution. The SDO was incorporated in RA 6657 (CARP), signed in 1988.” This is a proof that Aquino’s Agrarian Reform is bogus. True to the line of thinking of the powers that be, the present regime is also engaged in attempts to change the Philippine charter’s nationalist provisions through ChaCha (Charter Change).

The regimes of Corazon Aquino up to B.S. Aquino III are characterized by betrayal of the Constitution of the Republic where the preamble states “We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of Almighty God, in order to build a just and humane society, and establish a Government that shall embody our ideals and aspirations, promote the common good, conserve and develop our patrimony, and secure to ourselves and our posterity, the blessings of independence and democracy under the rule of law and a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace, do ordain and promulgate this Constitution.”

The failure of the government to provide decent jobs led to the continuous exodus of professionals, numbering about five thousand daily (2014 statistics). Unfortunately, the country is just a paradise for foreign monopoly corporations and few rich families. If all the regimes failed to implement Nationalist Industrialization and Agrarian Reform that are enshrined in the Constitution, what more can they do to improve the welfare of the people? The Constitution, at the given stage of our people’s history, is the embodiment of the will of the people, thus it is sacred. So what happened to our so called democracy? Where did we go wrong?