BMFI

Feb. 5-7 updates:
February 5-7: Spending Ash Wednesday in Manila

At UP Manila, a forum was organized by BIGKIS UP Manila, a group composed of medical students. Said forum was attended by medical and arts and sciences students of UP Manila. To make the presentation more interesting, the Correspondents' (of ABS-CBN) coverage of the Sumilao farmers' walk was shown. Selected video footages by Peter Bergado and Kim Quilinguing, which were uploaded on Youtube, were also shown.

There was also a presentation of the state of agrarian reform which gave a better context on the plight of the Sumilao farmers. Mr. Gary Galarita of the Sumilao farmers also gave an update of their case, and asked for the support of the students in the event that there will be a broader mobilization in the upcoming days.

Right after the forum, the farmers went directly to the PGH Chaplaincy where they rested for the day.

February 6 and 7

On February 6 (Wednesday), the farmers walked to Manila Cathedral with 6 OSCI staff of Ateneo leading the march as marshals. It was in the Manila Cathedral that the farmers attended the ash Wednesday mass which was attended by almost a thousand people from the community of Catholic and private schools.

February 6 was also the launching of the year of social engagement of the church. Bishop Pabillo celebrated the mass with 8 priests as co-celebrant.

Bishop Pabillo had a very strong message against injustices. He said that the church strongly supports the Sumilao farmers. The farmers were given time to speak before the community about their impending issue. It was also an occasion to ask for the support of the community present at the mass. Right after the mass, administrators of some Manila schools gave their support to the farmers. Specifically, they committed to provide the farmers a place to rest in their school-to-school campaign.

From Manila cathedral the farmers walked to Nazarene Catholic School at Quiapo, Manila. Msgr. Gerry Santos, director of the school, and Mr. Rolly Paed welcomed the farmers upon their arrival around 6 p.m. They took a brief rest, and were afterwards invited for dinner.

After dinner, the 12 farmers were invited to speak before the students of the night school. The students wondered on the farmers’ situation during their Sumilao-to-Manila walk and how they survived such hardship. The farmers also updated the students on their case and asked for their support as well.

On February 7, the farmers were still at the Nazarene Catholic School. Early morning, sir Rolly Paed visited the farmers and reminded them of the schedule for the day. After taking their breakfast, the farmers were then again busy in their room-to-room campaign involving third and fourth year high school students. In the afternoon, they campaigned to the Grade 5 and 6 students. After a day's room-to-room campaign, the farmers met with the high school and grade school faculty.