This story
was taken from Bulatlat, the Philippines's alternative weekly
newsmagazine (www.bulatlat.com, www.bulatlat.net, www.bulatlat.org).
Vol. V, No. 13, May 8-14, 2005
PHOTO ESSAY Silver
Day The
25th anniversary of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU or May First
Movement), observed last week with rallies all over the country, was a day of
both joy and grief for those who took part in its observance. So it was in
Manila, where the main rally was held. The 25th
anniversary of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU or May First Movement), observed last
week with rallies all over the country, was a day of both joy and grief for
those who took part in its observance. So it was in Manila, where the main rally
was held. The workers rejoiced as
they reminisced victories earned in countless fights against tyranny and social
injustice: the ousting of two presidents, Ferdinand Marcos, a dictator, and
Joseph Estrada; as well as triumphs in countless labor battles including
strikes. They also remembered that even before the birth of the KMU it was
workers who staged the first open protest action under the martial-law regime,
namely the strike of La Tondeña brewery workers in 1975. But even as they celebrated
their hard-earned victories, they also mourned for all fellow workers and
friends of the labor movement who in the past 25 years either fell in the line
of battle – like Rolando Olalia, the seven slain Hacienda Luisita workers, and
Edwin Bargamento; or died of sickness or old age but were dedicated to the
workingman’s cause to the very end, like Felixberto Olalia, Sr., Nonoy Librado,
Serge Cherneguin, and Isabel “Ka Chabeng” Olalia. In last Sunday’s rally they
reiterated the six-year-old call for a P125 wage increase, even as they called
for the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who, they said, has been
working against the interests of the workers and other impoverished sectors. Of course, like previous
Labor Day rallies, last Sunday’s activity was a day not just for workers.
Joining workers in their observance of the big day were activists from other
sectors. Artists had designed the
giant mural on stage and they gave a variety of cultural performances, migrant
workers and their families talked of common problems of Filipino workers whether
at home or abroad; scientists came with their computations on the country’s
latest hunger and poverty statistics; church leaders spoke of the liberating
faith as one that sides with the oppressed. Peasant leaders spoke of
how closely linked are the fights of those who till the land and those who toil
in the factories and other workplaces. Danilo Ramos of the Kilusang Magbubukid
ng Pilipinas (KMP or Philippine Peasant Movement) was as always in his element,
speaking of the woes and rage of the peasantry while holding a stalk of palay
and a placard demanding a stop to the killings of “peasants who feed the
nation.” Urban poor leader Carmen
Deunida was also there with her always-quotable tirades against the current
Malacañang occupant, driving the protesters to laughter as she said of President
Macapagal-Arroyo: “Mas malaki pa ang nunal niya sa mukha kaysa sa nagawa niya,
kung meron man, para sa kapakanan ng manggagawa at ng buong sambayanan” (The
mole on her face is bigger than what she has done, if any, for the good of the
workers and the entire people). The long day (the program
in Manila lasted from 1:30 to 8:30 p.m.) ended with the workers and other
activists raising torches to the tune of the classic “Internationale,” even as
they worried that they might be hit by sparks from the fireworks that exploded
above them. Bulatlat © 2004 Bulatlat
■
Alipato Publications Permission is granted to reprint or redistribute this article, provided its author/s and Bulatlat are properly credited and notified. TEXT AND PHOTOS BY ALEXANDER MARTIN
REMOLLINO
Bulatlat