Journalist. Freedom. Massacre. During the revolution between the Filipinos and the Spaniards, what sparked the courage of the Filipino to fight for their freedom were the writings of our national hero Jose Rizal. Thus they say, the pen is mightier than any sword.
This belief continued until the time of former President Ferdinand Marcos, when he first declared Martial Law on September 21, 1972. The late President Marcos took over and controlled all the privately owned newspapers, magazines, television and radio. Many journalists were thrown into prison and incarcerated in military camps. Even though the former president banned all the media outfits in the country, there were still brave journalists who continued to write, in honour for the freedom of the country and the right of the people to know. Because of the bold decision and the courage these journalists showed, many Filipinos from different parts of the country, young and old, Catholics and Muslims, joined force to create a peaceful revolution known as the Edsa Revolution. The news written and telecast all over the country made by the brave journalists plus the cooperation of the Filipinos toppled the Marcos Government and gave way for the new administration. The media was given privilege by the new administration by giving them freedom and the right to inform the Filipino citizen of what is happening in the country. The media, since then, became a powerful tool for the Filipinos right to be informed.
However, the right of the Filipinos to be informed gradually decreases as the culture of impunity rises. The culture of impunity, in the Philippines, is defined as the continuous assassination of journalists where the government and other institutions ignored and even encourage the violence and harassment done to journalists resulting for the perpetrators to go unpunished. Since the time of the late President Marcos until the era of the former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, there were countless of journalists slain and no justice was given.
Last November 23, 2009, the whole world was shocked as news broke out that 58 civilians were killed in Maguindanao. This shocking incident was considered to be the worst election-related killings that happen in our country. Out of the 58 victims, 34 journalists were murdered, and women victims were violated before they were killed. As of now, the remains of the body of the 58th victim were nowhere to be found.
The journalists at that time were covering what was supposed to be the biggest news of that year. For the first time in the history of Maguindanao, someone will run against the Ampatuans in a race for the governatorial post. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, now the current governor of Maguindanao, sent his wife along with his lawyers and other supporters to file a candidacy for the governatorial post. Media persons and journalists accompanied the said team to cover the filing of candidacy of Mangudadatu. The journalists who were supposed to bring the news was instead became the news. Because of this tragic incident, media persons and journalists once again fight for their security to bring the news and inform the people of what is true. Freedom of the press was once again became an issue. Many persons from the media institution grieve for the loss of fellow journalists. Several protests were made asking for justice for the victims.
To date, one year has passed, and still there were no clear reports of justice for the victims. Although the primary suspects, the most powerful clan and the warlords of Maguindanao, the Ampatuans, are already in the custody of the Philippine National Police, and there are several witnesses to the crime who already appeared before the court, the trial seems to last longer and the justice seems to be far from reach.
I remembered the time when we went for General Santos for our field activity as a journalism student. It was February 23, 2010, our last day at General Santos. Instead of going straight to the airport and be ready to fly back to Manila, we went to Forest Lake Cemetery where the 12 journalists who were killed in the tragic Maguindanao Massacre were laid to rest. Before going to the cemetery, we dropped by the market to buy some flowers. Some of us really took a long time to think what kind of flowers to offer on the graves of the 12 journalists. Some bought fresh flowers; some even manage to pick their preferred flowers and asked the person in-charge to arrange our own personal choice of a bouquet and some really took time and effort to look for presentable flowers.
Upon our arrival at Forest Lake Cemetery, when I saw the 12 tombstone of the journalists, I felt chill run down my spine. I stood there and slowly walked to each tomb bearing the journalists name that died in the massacre. As I gaze at each name, I felt a tingling ache in my heart. I was so sad and I wanted to mourn for what happened to the 12 brave journalists, but more than that I want justice. We offered flowers and prayers on the grave of the 12 journalists. Soon, the family of the victims came arriving, and I saw the children left by the 12 victims. They were so young to understand what happened. What moved me the most was when I saw this very young little girl, of age 3, waving and saying ‘goodbye’ and ‘I love you’ to her mother, as asked by her relatives. In my mind, I was asking myself if that little girl knew what she was doing. It was really a heart-breaking scene.
The tragic incident is not only an issue of security, press freedom and the right to information but it is also an issue on the family of the victims. Most of the journalists who died were the breadwinners of the family. Now that they are gone, what will be the future of their family? What will become of them? We must remember that the most affected from this incident are the family of the victims. The government spoke that it will take years before the justice can be given to the families, however, we must take note that most of the families came from the province of Mindanao. Whenever there is a hearing in Manila, these families flew all the way from Mindanao to Manila just to witness and hear about the case. Despite the money, time and effort the families put in for the case, the faith of these families is the greatest, faith that someday they get the justice for their loved ones.
This November 23, 2010, on the first year anniversary of the Maguindanao Massacre, many have come to pay tribute to the journalists who were killed and to remember their courage in doing their job and securing the freedom of the Filipino people to know their right to be informed. In celebration of the first year anniversary of the most gruesome Massacre in the history of election-related killings in the Philippines, media persons from different parts of the country as well as the family of the victims went to the massacre site to offer prayers and flowers In commemoration of the 58 victims of Maguindanao Massacre, the families and media persons released 58 white balloons and planted 58 trees.
In addition, the school where I graduated, St. Scholastica’s College Manila, offered a mass in memory of the victims in the Maguindanao Massacre. My fellow Mass Communication friends, schoolmates and classmates, and our professors released 58 balloons after the mass in remembrance of the victims. At 12 noon, several churches throughout the country including Manila Cathedral rang their bells in remembrance of the gruesome Maguindanao Massacre. Even President Noynoy Aquino promised to do everything that he can to give justice to the victims and their families. A promise that the persons from the media industry and the family will remember, and the media itself will serve as a watchdog.
The Maguindanao Massacre is something that we should not easily forget. We must always remember the victims who were killed in Maguindanao. We should continue to seek for justice and never stop until we get it or else this incident will just repeat itself and many more families will become a victim. Punishment should be given to the perpetrators, to the master mind and to the criminals. It does not matter if they are in the position or the wealthiest and powerful man, what matter most is that they should held reliable to what happened. We should believe and have faith that someday justice will come. Most of all, we should NEVER FORGET! LET US END THE CULTURE OF IMPUNITY!
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Saturday, January 1, 2011
The Aquino Legacy
Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III became the President of the Republic of the Philippines at the age of 50, the same age the late Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. died. It was not a coincident that the only son of Ninoy and Cory was the one to be elected President of the Philippines. It is because of the desire and will of the Filipino people to see the change in the country through good governance and a good leader. As the only son, Noynoy carries the legacy of his late parents, therefore, Noynoy have a great responsibility not only as a leader but also as the heir of name Aquino, the most covered political family in the Philippines.
It is not unknown to many why the parents of President Noynoy Aquino are highly regarded by the Filipinos. The late Ninoy Aquino was the one who exposed the plans of the Marcos government. He became the number one enemy of the then President Marcos because of his ideologies of democracy. When the former President Marcos first declared Martial Law on September 21, 1972, Ninoy was the first one to protest by going on a fasting for 40 days inside the prison cell. However, because of his heart disease, the Marcos government granted him amnesty provided that he and his family will go to Boston to have a heart surgery, in exchange that he would never come back in the country. Despite being in Boston, away from the dirty political arena, Ninoy remains a Filipino and true to his word. He became active by giving speech about the current situation in the Philippines and his views about it. After three years of living peacefully in Boston, Ninoy cannot ignore the cries of the many Filipinos who wanted change and democracy. He decided to come back home despite the rumors that he will be assassinated.
Filipinos, excited and eager to see him, tied a yellow ribbon, based on Ninoy’s favourite song Tie a Yellow Ribbon on an Old Oak Tree, in every corner as a sign of welcoming Ninoy back. As soon as Ninoy stepped down from the airport, a loud ‘bang’ was heard and Ninoy was suddenly seen lying on the ground, blood all over his body. The whole country was in grievance over the death of Ninoy, their only hope against the dictator government of Marcos. However, his death sparked the Edsa Revolution and in turn gave way to the presidency of Cory Aquino, Ninoy’s wife.
Cory, being politically inexperienced, proved herself worthy by restoring the democracy in our country that was once lost. She revised the constitution of the Philippines now known as the 1987 Philippine Constitution or the Freedom Constitution. She became one of the greatest Presidents in the history of the Philippines because of her honesty and humility.
Now, it is the turn of their only son, Noynoy Aquino, to continue their legacy and advocacy. The story of Ninoy and Cory has long been told, but for their son, this is only the beginning. His true story is just starting as he embarked on a journey called Presidency.
It is not unknown to many why the parents of President Noynoy Aquino are highly regarded by the Filipinos. The late Ninoy Aquino was the one who exposed the plans of the Marcos government. He became the number one enemy of the then President Marcos because of his ideologies of democracy. When the former President Marcos first declared Martial Law on September 21, 1972, Ninoy was the first one to protest by going on a fasting for 40 days inside the prison cell. However, because of his heart disease, the Marcos government granted him amnesty provided that he and his family will go to Boston to have a heart surgery, in exchange that he would never come back in the country. Despite being in Boston, away from the dirty political arena, Ninoy remains a Filipino and true to his word. He became active by giving speech about the current situation in the Philippines and his views about it. After three years of living peacefully in Boston, Ninoy cannot ignore the cries of the many Filipinos who wanted change and democracy. He decided to come back home despite the rumors that he will be assassinated.
Filipinos, excited and eager to see him, tied a yellow ribbon, based on Ninoy’s favourite song Tie a Yellow Ribbon on an Old Oak Tree, in every corner as a sign of welcoming Ninoy back. As soon as Ninoy stepped down from the airport, a loud ‘bang’ was heard and Ninoy was suddenly seen lying on the ground, blood all over his body. The whole country was in grievance over the death of Ninoy, their only hope against the dictator government of Marcos. However, his death sparked the Edsa Revolution and in turn gave way to the presidency of Cory Aquino, Ninoy’s wife.
Cory, being politically inexperienced, proved herself worthy by restoring the democracy in our country that was once lost. She revised the constitution of the Philippines now known as the 1987 Philippine Constitution or the Freedom Constitution. She became one of the greatest Presidents in the history of the Philippines because of her honesty and humility.
Now, it is the turn of their only son, Noynoy Aquino, to continue their legacy and advocacy. The story of Ninoy and Cory has long been told, but for their son, this is only the beginning. His true story is just starting as he embarked on a journey called Presidency.
Keeping the faith: Overcoming Obstacles in Life
All people face different kind of challenges in their life. These challenges have become a great part in everyone’s lives, not to punish, but instead to make people more strong and mature. There are varieties of self-help books available in bookstores about overcoming ones problems but there is really no definite formula on how people can overcome all the challenges and obstacles in life. It is through experience that we learn how to cope and how to become strong amidst the problems that may come to us. It is said that experience is the best teacher. Let me share an experience of someone whom I knew, who learned how to cope with life.
She was a student full of dreams not only for herself but also for her parents and country as well. Six years ago, she had an unknown sickness that some others believed of a supernatural phenomenon. Even the doctors could not tell if she can regain her memory back. Her parents, her teachers, relatives and friends were very worried about her. She’s been in the hospital for months, when she opened her eyes she can’t recall things that happened in her life. It looks as tough she was born again. Her unknown sickness brought forth a lot of difficulties as well as changes in her life. She had a hard time coping with her studies. She got low scores in all of her subjects. Being a diligent student, she had a hard time accepting the fact that she was no longer performing in school than usual. That made her lost her self-esteem.
Because of the incident, she blamed God for what happened to her. She always cried alone in her room and often asking God why such a thing happened to her. Aside from her performance in school, many of her friends turned their back on her. She had no friend to rely on to in the midst of her loneliness. She was also criticized by some and started calling her names like crazy, insane and a lunatic. One day, her mother told her about the people who visited her during her stay at the hospital. She then realized how much she was love by her family, her relatives and most of all by God by giving her a second chance to live. She believed, from then on, that her sickness was just a test for her to see that she can always count on God at all times. She realized that her sickness was a blessing, and not a curse, in order to see that her strength and hope lies in God and God alone is her salvation. It was a mystery to her when she was feeling lonely and uncertain, she suddenly found a little book entitled ‘God’s Promises to You.’ The book contains a lot of teachings and words of God that made her heart and her mind be enlightened about the true purpose of God.
Based on my friend’s story, the lesson that I have learned is that God loves us so much that He will not put us in danger, instead of mourning be thankful for the challenges you are encountering because God knows what is best for us. Even if we encounter ups and downs in our life, we must always remember that God offers a helping hand. Remember also, that no matter what happened in our life, no matter how much we are hurt, we just need to keep on striving hard and move on. Accept all the pains and sufferings, forgive the people who have hurt you and most important of all, always keep the faith because no matter what we do, we cannot run from all these problems and challenges in our life, we must face it with our whole heart. There is a saying that “it is not the problem that determines who we are, but how we face it and our attitude towards facing them.”
She was a student full of dreams not only for herself but also for her parents and country as well. Six years ago, she had an unknown sickness that some others believed of a supernatural phenomenon. Even the doctors could not tell if she can regain her memory back. Her parents, her teachers, relatives and friends were very worried about her. She’s been in the hospital for months, when she opened her eyes she can’t recall things that happened in her life. It looks as tough she was born again. Her unknown sickness brought forth a lot of difficulties as well as changes in her life. She had a hard time coping with her studies. She got low scores in all of her subjects. Being a diligent student, she had a hard time accepting the fact that she was no longer performing in school than usual. That made her lost her self-esteem.
Because of the incident, she blamed God for what happened to her. She always cried alone in her room and often asking God why such a thing happened to her. Aside from her performance in school, many of her friends turned their back on her. She had no friend to rely on to in the midst of her loneliness. She was also criticized by some and started calling her names like crazy, insane and a lunatic. One day, her mother told her about the people who visited her during her stay at the hospital. She then realized how much she was love by her family, her relatives and most of all by God by giving her a second chance to live. She believed, from then on, that her sickness was just a test for her to see that she can always count on God at all times. She realized that her sickness was a blessing, and not a curse, in order to see that her strength and hope lies in God and God alone is her salvation. It was a mystery to her when she was feeling lonely and uncertain, she suddenly found a little book entitled ‘God’s Promises to You.’ The book contains a lot of teachings and words of God that made her heart and her mind be enlightened about the true purpose of God.
Based on my friend’s story, the lesson that I have learned is that God loves us so much that He will not put us in danger, instead of mourning be thankful for the challenges you are encountering because God knows what is best for us. Even if we encounter ups and downs in our life, we must always remember that God offers a helping hand. Remember also, that no matter what happened in our life, no matter how much we are hurt, we just need to keep on striving hard and move on. Accept all the pains and sufferings, forgive the people who have hurt you and most important of all, always keep the faith because no matter what we do, we cannot run from all these problems and challenges in our life, we must face it with our whole heart. There is a saying that “it is not the problem that determines who we are, but how we face it and our attitude towards facing them.”
Filipino OFW and their Families
Everybody says that in every parts of the world, in every country, you can find Filipinos out there. That is because most of the Filipinos choose to work abroad because they prefer high salary in order to feed their family and give them a decent life. Compared to the Philippines where unemployment rate is higher, the salary and compensation are also not enough compared with their income abroad. However, due to their desire to provide their family a good life, they choose to be away from their family and be slave of another country.
In exchange for money, they trade their time working instead of spending them with their loved ones. I am not speaking ill of the Filipinos who are working abroad because my father too is an OFW. In actuality, I am proud of them because they are our modern heroes. Without their remittances, our country would have long suffered from poverty and economic failure. However despite the success and good income of an OFW, there are also negative effects of being away from a family for a long time.
Speaking of which, I remember the movie ‘Anak’ played by famous actresses Vilma Santos and Claudine Barreto. In the story, Claudine was a rebellious daughter growing up away from her mother. Her mother, Vilma Santos was an OFW working for several years to provide her family a decent life. Yes, she indeed gave them a decent life, having all the things they want. However, when Vilma came home after her husband’s funeral, she was shocked to find out that her children do not seem to care about her. Her oldest daughter, Claudine does not seem to have any affection towards her. Her only son, portrayed by Baron Geisler, was not talking to her. Even though she tried hard to talk to them, to pursue them but nothing worked. The worst part was when Claudine got herself involved in many mischief doings, taking drugs and getting pregnant at an early age. The movie ended Vilma going back to her work abroad, but before she leave for abroad, she made Claudine realized that it was not easy for her to leave them and it was hard for her taking care of other children while she do not have time to take care of her own.
This movie moved my heart deeply because I know the feeling of being a child of an OFW. Sometimes, I think that the other children are very lucky to have both their parents attend all the important events in their life. I know I’m lucky too because I have a very hard working parents, and that I have a decent life and because of that I am able to graduate in a prestigious school. However, sometimes I can’t help but feel sad.
My father, who is working as a seaman up until now, has not attended any of my birthday and graduation. This is one of the reasons why I strive very hard to excel in my studies so that I can at least repay them for their hard work. In addition, I made my father promised me that he will attend my graduation once I graduated college with flying colours. My wish was fulfilled when I graduated cum laude in my batch, and father was finally able to come to my graduation. I was even happier when our family, the four of us, went for a vacation abroad. I was so happy because it’s been a long year since our family went for a vacation, just the four of us. Unlike other children of OFWs, I do not hate my father nor ignore him when he comes home. Instead, I always see to it that my father feels loved and welcomed.
But we must remember that not all OFW families end up in a happy ending. There are some families who were abandoned by OFWs. There are several reasons why abandonment happened. Some of them are third party, problematic relationship between spouses, vices, absence/distance and loneliness. This abandonment of the OFW parent has negative effects especially on their children. Some of the effects on children, they are starting to feel hurt, mad, sad, disappointed and wanted to avenge. They also became a rebellious children due to lack of guidance, misses their father or mother, they started to long for father’s or mother’s love and care, their education is affected which could lead to poor performance and a sudden attitude and behavioral change.
Being an OFW is hard because you need to be away from your family for a long time. Being a child of an OFW is also hard because sometimes there is a gap formed between a child and an OFW parent. However, this can be prevented by constant communication with each other for communication is important for the OFW families. Nowadays, with the rise of internet and cell phone, communication is just one click away.
In exchange for money, they trade their time working instead of spending them with their loved ones. I am not speaking ill of the Filipinos who are working abroad because my father too is an OFW. In actuality, I am proud of them because they are our modern heroes. Without their remittances, our country would have long suffered from poverty and economic failure. However despite the success and good income of an OFW, there are also negative effects of being away from a family for a long time.
Speaking of which, I remember the movie ‘Anak’ played by famous actresses Vilma Santos and Claudine Barreto. In the story, Claudine was a rebellious daughter growing up away from her mother. Her mother, Vilma Santos was an OFW working for several years to provide her family a decent life. Yes, she indeed gave them a decent life, having all the things they want. However, when Vilma came home after her husband’s funeral, she was shocked to find out that her children do not seem to care about her. Her oldest daughter, Claudine does not seem to have any affection towards her. Her only son, portrayed by Baron Geisler, was not talking to her. Even though she tried hard to talk to them, to pursue them but nothing worked. The worst part was when Claudine got herself involved in many mischief doings, taking drugs and getting pregnant at an early age. The movie ended Vilma going back to her work abroad, but before she leave for abroad, she made Claudine realized that it was not easy for her to leave them and it was hard for her taking care of other children while she do not have time to take care of her own.
This movie moved my heart deeply because I know the feeling of being a child of an OFW. Sometimes, I think that the other children are very lucky to have both their parents attend all the important events in their life. I know I’m lucky too because I have a very hard working parents, and that I have a decent life and because of that I am able to graduate in a prestigious school. However, sometimes I can’t help but feel sad.
My father, who is working as a seaman up until now, has not attended any of my birthday and graduation. This is one of the reasons why I strive very hard to excel in my studies so that I can at least repay them for their hard work. In addition, I made my father promised me that he will attend my graduation once I graduated college with flying colours. My wish was fulfilled when I graduated cum laude in my batch, and father was finally able to come to my graduation. I was even happier when our family, the four of us, went for a vacation abroad. I was so happy because it’s been a long year since our family went for a vacation, just the four of us. Unlike other children of OFWs, I do not hate my father nor ignore him when he comes home. Instead, I always see to it that my father feels loved and welcomed.
But we must remember that not all OFW families end up in a happy ending. There are some families who were abandoned by OFWs. There are several reasons why abandonment happened. Some of them are third party, problematic relationship between spouses, vices, absence/distance and loneliness. This abandonment of the OFW parent has negative effects especially on their children. Some of the effects on children, they are starting to feel hurt, mad, sad, disappointed and wanted to avenge. They also became a rebellious children due to lack of guidance, misses their father or mother, they started to long for father’s or mother’s love and care, their education is affected which could lead to poor performance and a sudden attitude and behavioral change.
Being an OFW is hard because you need to be away from your family for a long time. Being a child of an OFW is also hard because sometimes there is a gap formed between a child and an OFW parent. However, this can be prevented by constant communication with each other for communication is important for the OFW families. Nowadays, with the rise of internet and cell phone, communication is just one click away.
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