Susan Fernandez: Teacher, Singer, Activist, Friend

By BENJIE OLIVEROS
Bulatlat

MANILA — To some, Susan Fernandez, 52, was an educator who taught  at the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University and St. Scholastica’s College.   To her children Kalayaan and Sandino, and grandson Khio, she was a loving mother.

To the many who have known her since the 1970s, she was a singer and a patriot, rendering songs that reflected the people’s yearnings:

Kalayaan, kalayaan,
Kay tamis ng iyong pangalan,
Inaawit ng mga ibon,
Inuusal ng mga ilog at mga alon.

Susan Fernandez (Photo courtesy of akomismo.org)

A woman who gave a voice to the millions of oppressed women.

Babae ka,
Hinahangad, sinasamba,
Ipinagtatanggol, ikaw nama’y walang laya,
Ang daigdig mo’y laging lang isang tahanan,
Ganda lang ang pakinabang, sa buhay walang alam.

Dahil sa akala a mahina ka,
Halaga ay di nakikita,
Bisig mo ma’y sa lakas ay kulang,
Nguni’t sa bisig ka biniyayaan,
Upang ang tinig mo’y maging mapagpasya.

A performing artist and a romantic.

Sa hirap at sa ginhawa,
Ako’y iyong kasama,
Bituing mapagpala ang gagabay sa’ting dalawa,
At kahit na lumabo man o maglaho ang sinag,
Ako’y tapat sa iyo, kaibigan mo’t kadaop-palad

Tayo nang gumaod sa bangka,
At damhin ang tubig sa mukha,
Lasapin ang simoy ng hangin,
Magpahanggang libing.

A human-rights activist who sang the people’s cries for justice.

Lupao, Lupao,
Ang dugo mo’y humihiyaw,
Huling habilin ka.

Alaala ma’y banabal na hinagpis,
At may tinig na laging tumatangis,
Wari’y sumpa sa salaring nanggagahis,
Wari’y sumpa sa salaring nanggagahis.

An activist who never gave up the battle for justice and freedom.

Sa kanayunan, bawa’t bungkal ng lupa,
Paghihimagsik naipupunla,
Apoy ay nababalot sa kanayunan,
Maririnig ang putok ng paglaya.

To Susan, we would surely miss not only your resonating voice but also your tender heart, your warm soul, and your genuine love and concern for friends and for the Filipino people. (Bulatlat.com)