Testimonies of some members of one of its chapters on what it means to be part of a ‘Partylist for all seasons.’
By Rosario Brenda Gonzalez
Sustaining a Partylist to realize its mandate of truly representing the poor and marginalized sectors is hard work, persistence and commitment. It does not function only during an election season but for all-seasons.
This is especially true for members of the Bayan Muna (BM) Laura Chapter in Quezon City – poor and lower middle-class constituents, mostly women struggling to make ends meet as they attend regular meetings, participate in mobilizations, engage in feeding and relief operations. We cannot help but listen to what they have to share.
Rosita
Rosita Labanan is a 68-year-old widow with five children. She says of her being a BM member: “Being a member gives me the opportunity to help others and be with other women in the community. We are happy we are together. Through Linda, another member, I was recruited into BM. This organization is for the benefit of community members. It assists us through relief operations and feeding programs and education and organizing community residents. I only finished Grade 3. I also did not live with my parents while growing up. When I came to know of BM, I learned another life, a life of service to society.”
Weny
Another widow, Weny Galvante who raised seven children added: “Life is getting harder and harder because of the high prices of food and gasoline. That is why I like the aims of BM to educate us, the people, on why there is hardship and poverty. I also tell my children, they should choose BM. When I listen to BM representatives before, their community organizer and volunteers, I realize they have a clear explanation on current issues such as the high prices of rice, consumer items and utilities. I hope these ideas are accepted by many people. BM should continue what it is doing as this is for the benefit of everyone.”
Victoria
Personal difficulties did not deter a single mother, Victoria Rusiana, from joining BM: “I lost my parents at a young age. The three of us, siblings, went our own ways to survive. I got married, but it ended in separation. I was not interested in BM or any other political organization before. I thought it was risky. I was afraid of government soldiers. One of my children warned me that I might get arrested. Then I was introduced to BM members. I listened to their stories – of how traditional politicians engage in corruption and how, on the other hand, ordinary people like us suffer such as the jeepney drivers. I also go to the market and each time, I have a hard time budgeting our money to buy our needs. I also find it hard to commute. When BM members went to the streets to protest, I became interested. I found myself joining them and slowly I lost some of my hesitation. We also frequented the BM office. BM is against corruption and wrongdoings in government. We came to know the then Representatives including Satur Ocampo. If I will observe how we, BM members, developed through these years, I would say that it is a continuing journey of enjoying what we do. It is a beautiful thing. My life changed because I was just living within the confines of my home. After encountering the BM people, I came to know of the larger world, a society where I can somehow contribute something. My grandfather was against Marcos. Maybe I inherited something from him, the courage to overcome fear.”
Leonila
It is with pride that Leonila Martinez Soriano, 71 calls herself a BM diehard: “We engaged in relief operations during the pandemic years, 2020-2022. There was packed food. We also had a Community Kitchen. Sometimes we distributed fresh fish and vegetables. At other times, we gave bread to the community residents. Our recipients would number up to 100. It makes us feel good. We are able to share whatever we have with others. We see people happy. During the relief operations, BM would introduce itself including its objectives and activities. Our activities would sometimes end late at night. But all these difficulties did not lead us to leave the organization. BM has noble goals. We have come to embrace these. We become aware of what’s happening in the country. We protest against increasing prices of gasoline and commodities. We demand for a decent and living wage. It makes us feel good that we know these things. Most of us here are active BM members. We do not act to comply with requirements. We do things on our own. There is strong initiative among ourselves. Sometimes we would hear other people saying, ‘Here they are again. Don’t you think that BM would only bring danger to your lives?’ We explain to them that never has this happened to us. We know we are just doing what should be done, which is to fight for our rights – our right to a decent wage, our human rights.”
Linda
BM Laura Chapter President Linda Calubag has an interesting transformation from a scared spectator to an energetic leader. She said: “I did not want to join BM. Even my husband was against my joining this group. In 2002, he got sick and eventually passed away. Two years later a community organizer, Susan talked to me about BM. I told her I am afraid of the group. She persisted and invited me to my first mass action. I was afraid that something bad will happen. I thought our group will be hurt by the police or bystanders. But nothing happened. I lost most of the fear in myself. Up until I got used to being a BM organizer myself. We are the ones shouting in the streets about the people’s demands and when these are granted, it is not only us who benefit but the others as well, including those accusing us of being paid protesters. We are the ones suffering from the heat of the sun, the rains, and the wrong accusations yet our victories are shared by everyone. My relatives and neighbors used to worry about me. I always tell them that we in BM also fight for them to have a better life, without corruption and with the ability to have decent lives. Of course, we experienced being trailed by suspicious looking men. We had a lot of difficulties – being under the rain and the sun; staying in the streets for as long as necessary; and conducting quick reaction teams (QRT). But we persist in what we do because it is the right thing. I learned a lot from the BM organizer, Ate Ching – including the aims and activities of BM and where its chapters are. We derive strength from the various chapters spread out in Metro Manila because we see their members in joint activities. Our experiences really strengthened our commitment to BM including our defense of Batasan 6. We were part of those who performed quick reaction team (QRT) tasks at that time. Even during the night, if there was a need to engage in mass action and similar activities, we were there. And with the vindication of Batasan 6, it was really a victory which these BM women savored. Since my elementary years, our relatives have been active in the church. I was brought up to believe that to help others is to live out the words of Christ and the church teachings. This must have influenced my involvement with BM.”
(A trumped-up rebellion charge was slapped by the Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) against the Batasan 6: Bayan Muna Representatives Satur Ocampo, Joel Virador and Teddy Casino, Anakpawis Reps Crispin Beltran and Rafael Mariano, and Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza on February 27, 2006. The Supreme Court ordered the Makati City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 150 to dismiss the cases against the Batasan 6 on June 1, 2007. On June 12, 2007, Solicitor General Agnes Devanadera, filed a motion for reconsideration in the SC, which it junked with finality on July 10, 2007.)
Yolanda
Yolanda Contado, 54 looks at mass actions with fondness: “I enjoy when running during the rallies so we can catch up with the group in front of us. I get tired and fear for our safety. I do not look physically fit but I give my all during these mass actions because I believe in BM’s position on issues. I am part of the so-called original. It is an enriching experience. We came to know many people.”
Leonida
Similar to several BM members, Leonida Bor used to be a union member so it was not hard for her to join the organization: “I like what we have, we BM members are together in mass actions. We want to correct what is wrong in our society. I used to be a union member and was quite active in the workers’ movement. Being a BM member is a natural consequence of my being a union member since the 1990s.”
Emily
Emily Bertudis remembers the representatives of BM, especially Neri Colmenares: “He speaks well. Even if he had lost several times, Neri still fulfills the BM principles and beliefs.” She adds, “I have been a BM member since 2005. I find joy in being with the other members. We shout to our hearts’ delight when we chant. We ‘attack’ (lumulusob) even if it is raining. We bring with us the placards which we ourselves made.”
Olga
Not all BM Laura chapter members were able to sustained their membership. Some became inactive but many returned including Olga Dino Reyes who recalled: “I was a BM chapter member in 2003. I have an ID to prove it. But I became inactive for personal reasons. The other members continued interacting with me and recently, I decided to rejoin the BM chapter. It was the right timing as I was able to witness the 25th anniversary celebration of BM. I was able to go back to all those assemblies and education sessions. I realized that BM has not changed its aim of improving the lives of Filipinos for the long-term – to understand the issues of the poor and act on them.” #
