A New Life

This was late last night, Renato and Amiya waving their goodbyes to us as we saw them off, making sure they were on the bus that would take them home.

Just 3 days ago, they were sleeping on the streets of Cubao after being turned away in Aguinaldo. And just 3 days ago, they were hungry, bone-tired, dirty, scared, in deep despair.

And until Pia and Ricky took them into their home, fed them, comforted them, they thought they were in deep trouble with the law for having escaped the Cojuangco hell aka Hacienda Luisita —this hacienda owned by 2 past presidents of the Republic of the Philippines. (Nga naman ang buhay ano??!)

A sugar plantation where their hopes and dreams for a better future for them and their children were dashed, were they were treated no better than the lowest beasts of burdens, where the horses of Mikee Cojuangco got fed milk, eggs, expensive shit while they had to scrounge in Mikee and Noynoy’s and Kris’ basurahan for whatever food they could get to feed their aching bellies.

Where they were did backbreaking labor — under pain of bodily harm — from 2/3/4am till the sun set. And where they got paid, at most, 160 pesos a week and often, 40 pesos a week. Where water breaks were scarce and where they were beaten for the smallest infractions.

Just 3 days ago, after being turned away in Aguinaldo, they were about to draw their huling baraha and tell their families back in Mindanao to sell the precious little that they had—the pig, chickens — to beg, to borrow — for money for a bus ticket home.

Until Pia and Ricky saw them. And did not look away the way most of us would have. And my friend, the journalist Joel Pablo Salud, tagged me.

The chain of humanity lengthening.

Under this awesome chick, Sec Judy Taguiwalo from whom the DSWD takes its cues, we welcomed them with open arms and did all that we could for them. Besides the basic care of feeding and comforting and the bus fare back home, we are working closely with the DOLE so Justice will be served.

And then I told you guys about them.

And you transformed our rage and grief into a song of defiance that very clearly showed where you stood—resolutely behind our brothers and sisters --- some of them T’bolis, all of them Mindanaoans. All of them Filipinos. All of them human beings like ourselves.

And we shook our collective fists at the greedy oligarchs — these bastards who have been our bane since time immemorial. Who have taken and taken until there was nothing more to take.

And then fuckingly took some more.

And as if to make up for all the shit they’ve had to endure in the bloody hands of the Cojuangcos, you guys gave and gave and gave. From all over the country, from all over the world. Global pass the hat of Filipinos. Electronic Bayanihan.

And it was what I told them last night.

“Maraming nagmamahal sa inyo. Hindi kayo nag-iisa. Ang dami naming lumalaban para sa inyo. Wag kayong matakot. Yung perang nai-raise nila Pia at Ricky para sa inyo -- galing yan kung saan-saan na mga kapatid natin — sa Dubai, sa Italy, sa Laguna, sa Cebu, etc. Hindi mayayaman ang nagbigay nyan. Perang pinaghirapan din pero taos pusong pagbibigay kasi mahal nila kayo.”

My friends, you should have seen their faces. Tears streaming down their cheeks — shaken to the core at the outpouring of love and support. And it was just startling to them that all this time they were in despair, turns out they weren’t alone.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for giving me the privilege to be of service in this way.

Pia and Ricky — because they are such private people, will need me to say this to you guys too:

You gave over and beyond what any of us expected.

As of this morning, over 150k and counting. So much more pouring in.

We are closely monitoring them. And we expect them to be in Davao by Saturday. A DSWD representative will help them choose which, among the DSWD-accredited farmer organizations they can buy their seeds and fertilizers from. With the money you gave them.

A new life awaits them. And it is filled with hope. This is your gift to them.

Thank you.

You did good. You guys are awesome!

Yakap you all!

To follow ASec Lorraine on Facebook, click image.