Happy anniversary, Sumilao!

October 10, 2008 marks the first year anniversary of the “Walk for Sumilao Land, Walk for Justice,” the historic march across the country of 55 farmers so they could air their grievances to the government. More than a decade ago, on October 9, the hunger strike of the Sumilao farmers – known then as the MAPALAD farmers – started. The walk from Bukidnon to Manila traversed 1,700 kilometers while the hunger strike lasted for 28 days.

If there is one lesson that could be immediately gleaned from these efforts it is that social justice or asset reform is achieved with a high cost. Despite the openings in the laws or the pockets of reforms here and there, the powerless still needs to fight for their rights. The Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL), deemed as a landmark albeit a less than ideal law, exacted sacrifices from the farmers just so they could own, possess, and peacefully cultivate their lands.

And the Sumilao farmers made great sacrifices. The walk was difficult, tiring, frightening, and sometimes depressing and frustrating. The farmers counted the days in terms of kilometers. They survived the ordeal on hope against hope that their sacrifice is for their children: those who were walking with them and those they left in Sumilao. They walked so that their younger loved ones could have options later in life. Such was their hope, their wellspring of grace.

Eighteen years ago, the Local Government Code was passed into law. Like the CARL, the Code was not perfect but it has good provisions that could be maximized. Because of this law, many of those who were not counted obtained a voice in the democratic processes. This did not only produce tremendous results in the formal arena, it also yielded an informal gain through the symbolic change in societal relations.

Of course the Code also produced bad eggs. In some areas, it even entrenched local warlordism. But a law is just a mirror of the society from which it emanates. So long as our structures remain unjust, we would produce laws that have openings that must be maximized by the poor and marginalized through great sacrifices.

Thus, a big shout of congratulations to the Sulimaw farmers! Gang, anniv na sang baklay! I am one of your biggest fans. Padayon sa pakigbisog.

While at this celebratory note, here’s a loud happy birthday to another fan of the Sulimaw farmers: Dondi! Happy birthday!

Belated happy birthday as well to CB! I am certain that he is another fan of the Sulimaw although I am also sure that he feels more for the Calatagan farmers (wink). Happy 25, CB!

And advance happy christening to Sumi, that chubby boy of the two legal eggs of KAISAHAN, BALAOD, and SALIGAN. Welcome to the world, dearest. This is a better world because your parents decided to journey with the farmers. In your generation, may you witness what your mom and I love to appease ourselves with, otro mundo es possib, another world is possible.