Bulatlat

The children were playing as the adults were discussing about the ill effects of mining on their ancestral land and in their lives. But their games were more than just games. These were the children’s way of expressing their views on the life and death issue of mining.

BY ANGIE DE LARA
Bulatlat
Vol. VIII, No. 12, April 27-May 3, 2008

BAAY-LICUAN, Abra―Cordillera Day is not just for elders. The saying “age doesn’t matter” proved that even children understand the dangers that mining would bring to their lives and on their ancestral land.

Educational games

Since they are after all children, the facilitator used games as a medium to convey knowledge, ideas and values to children for them to enjoy the learning process.

There were three games: Aso’t Pusa (Dog & Cat), Pepsi-Seven-Up & The Boat is Sinking.

In Aso’t Pusa, two groups formed two layers of circles. The inner circle protects the child assigned as “Nano” from the child assigned as “Oly.” Oly who is outside the outer circle, would do everything to get Nano. But the two groups would prevent Oly from catching Nano. Even if Oly is able to penetrate the outer circle, there is still in the inner circle to protect Nano.

Megan Daguiao, a 13-year old Igorot girl from Baguio City, a participant in the game, related that in the game “Aso’t Pusa” (Dog and Cat) Oly represents the Olympus Pacific Mining, Inc., which is conducting exploration activities at Mount Capcapo in Licuan, Abra, which, in turn is represented by Nano. The outer circle represents the people and institutions pretending to be the protector of the mountain and villagers while the inner circle represents the people of the village who have resolved to fight the mining company. Megan, who played Oly, said she easily passed through the first circle because they do not care much for Nano, but failed to enter the inner circle because the people know the dangers that Oly would bring to Nano. “That’s why they would do anything to protect Nano from harm,” she said.

Jason Verzola, a 13-year old also from Baguio City, participated in the game “The Boat is Sinking.” In this game, the “It” says a number and the participants should group themselves according to that number. Those who are not able to join any group are removed from the game. Jason explained that the game taught them that, “we should not abuse all the available resources around us, we should also think of the future of our next generation.” The excess, he said, represents the minerals from exploited mountains, which mining companies profit from but cause the destruction of the environment.

“If open pit mining will be allowed in the site, all the available minerals will be gone and nothing will be left for the next generation. It is all right to mine for the needs of the villagers, and at the same time preserve the resources to have something left for the future generation,” he furthered.

Abrenian youth

This was their first time to attend the Cordillera Day but Abrenian kids already understand the threats of large-scale mining.

When asked by Bulatlat, Jomar, an 11-year old Itneg of Brgy. Poblacion explained that there would be many harmful effects if they allow the Olympus Pacific Mining Inc., or any other mining company to dig out the mineral resources from their ancestral land.

“Masisira ang mga bukid namin. Mamamatay ang mga puno at mawwawala na ang bundok. Malalason na ‘yung ilog namin,”( Our fields would be destroyed. Our tees would die and our mountains would disappear. Our rives would be poisoned.) said Jomar, adding that their lives will also be affected if the environment will be destroyed.

Meanwhile, 11-year old Webster walked for about 6 hours from their house in Brgy. Duminglay to the Poblacion.

Webster’s parents are farmers in Brgy. Dominglay so it was not a surprise that he also wants to be a farmer. But to realize his plan, he recognizes the need to fight mining operations in their place to protect their fields and their houses as well.

“Gusto ko ring maging magsasaka tulad ng magulang ko, pero kung may mining, mawawala ang bukid namin at mapapaalis din kami sa bahay namin,” (I want to be a farmer like my parents but if mining is to be allowed our fields would be destroyed and we would be evicted from our homes.) said Webster.

Young militant

A five-year old boy, Ranyag Quitasol, religiously attends the annual Cordillera Day celebration with his parents. His father is a Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) organizer and his mother is a member of the cultural group Dap-ayan ti Kultura iti Kordilyera (DKK). Although this was already his fifth year of attending Cordillera Day, the 24th Cordillera Day celebration was Ranyag’s first cultural presentation. With other children participants, they performed a short skit that showed that children could help bring down a giant if they stayed united with the people. In the skit, a giant came in and harmed the villagers, including the children who were just playing. But even if how big and strong the giant was, the villagers, with the children, conquered the giant.

“Kahit malaki ‘yun hahabulin ko ‘yun, itatali ko ‘yung kamay,” (Even if it was big, I would chase it and tie its hands.) said Ranyag.

In the skit, they were chanting, “Ang laban ni Macliing sa pakikibaka..di matapos tapos, ating itutuloy (We will continue the fight & struggle of Macliing) while raising their fists.

Ranyag takes pride in his participation in rallies in Baguio. When asked what he calls for during rallies, he smartly said, “Patalsikin si Gloria!” (Oust Gloria). In the near future, Ranyag will be a “Kuya” (big brother) to his coming “Ading” (younger brother) whom he said he would bring and guide in rallies in the future. Bulatlat