Friday, December 21, 2007

A different Christmas for the Sumilao Farmers

"If through our walk, we were able to convince the cardinal, the bishops, priests and the church people
to the righteousness and sincerity of our cause, we are hopeful that we can likewise convince the
President so that she will take decisive action to resolve our case."

~ Napoleon Merida Jr., chair of the San Vicente Landless Farmers Association

different christmas1

The glum street of Quezon City Circle.

different christmas2

"Return our 144-hectares land" the Sumilao farmers appeal.

different christmas3

The other side of the parol says: "Merry Christmas?" The question mark should be boldly emphasized. President Arroyo should see this. Or she might have already.


Whenever I opted to walk from work on my way home, I always find myself standing in awe in front of this lantern. An assemble of old slippers (perhaps) of the 55 Sumilao farmers who have been camping out in front of the Department of Agrarian Reform central office since December 3. They are disputing the sale of their 144-hectare property to San Miguel Foods Inc. (SMFI), claiming that it should be subjected to land reform.

They have marched to Malacañang Palace last December 7 to appeal their case to President Macapagal-Arroyo urging her to ‘act decisively’ on the appeal of the farmers. Will their Christmas be as 'merry' as they hoped it would be? I hope.

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[Postscript:]

I am sending my season's greetings to everyone. Hope you are all happy. Hope you are all good. Hope you are with your family and loved ones. Don't eat too much! ;-)

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon!

Gelukkig kerstfeest En een gelukkig nieuwjaar!

Joyeux Noël, Bonne année!

Selamat hari natal, Selamat tahun baru!

7 comments:

Toe said...

Wow, what a parol that is! I have also been updating myself with the plight of the Sumilao farmers. At this age, nasa feudal times pa rin tayo.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Rayts!

Anonymous said...

Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon din sa inyo! Have a very merry celebration yourself Rayts!

(:

I do hope that Mrs. Arroyo will come to a wise decision regarding the land matter; hopefully the Sumilao farmers will have a merry celebration minus the question mark.

pieterbie said...

Hey, great, your wishes in Dutch on your Blog and in French as well, thanks for that, Rayts!
A very merry Christmas to you too and all the best for 2008.

Must be dreadful for those farmers, amazing how things like that can still happen. I hope a satisfactory solution is reached.

I agree with you that walking home from work is interesting :-)

haggis basher said...

I thought the farmers had won there case!! maybe not!

Merry Christmas and I hope you have a happy New Year. (I'll unfortunately be back at work!)

Anonymous said...

Very meaningful yang parol na yan. Sana makuha nila Christmas wish nila. Merry Christmas Rayts!

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas! Hope you got my card in time!

my gulch said...

Toe,
merry christmas din sayo Toe at kay Honey. i heard from the news na nakauwi na ang mga Sumilao farmers kaya pala bakante na rin ang harap ng DAR office. pero wala pang malinaw na resulta.

kyels,
thanks! have a merry christmas to you and your family too.

peter,
thanks a lot. merry christmas. send my greetings to mrs. beyen.;-)

mike,
thanks. they took the break barricading the DAR office to celebrate Christmas. expect them to come back.

Ferdz,
sana nga.Merry Christmas din sa yo!

Tien,
What card? hehe. yea, got the merlion card last week. thank you so much! ;p

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