The Manilakbayan ng Mindanao continues to get support in spite of being called “unsightly, unsanitary, and infiltrated with threat groups.”
MANILA – The Manilakbayan ng Mindanao – whose Kampuhang Bayan (people’s camp) at Liwasang Bonifacio here was called “unsightly” and “unsanitary” and is threatened to be dismantled by Nov. 13 –received a Sunday treat and moral boost from well-known personalities and groups that visited their camp and supported their calls, on Nov. 8.
Manilakbayan calls on the public to join the “Walk with the Lumád” on Nov. 13, the day of the dismantling of the camp.
In the morning, the Lumád were treated to breakfast, courtesy of fans of the Aldub Nation – the love team of Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza, a.k.a. Yaya Dub, created by the noontime show Eat Bulaga and has since become a social media phenomenon.
The breakfast was followed later in the morning by a story-telling session, organized by Hustisya and Desaparecidos. The storytellers were volunteers from Project Banig and Anakbayan UP who read stories written and illustrated by political detainee Eduardo Sarmiento, as well as stories published by the Adarna House.
Awarded writer and former Bulatlat staffwriter Ina Alleco Silverio read her yet-to-be published children’s story, “Pangarap ni Pakoy (Pakoy’s dream).
The story of Bagobo Matanem (tribal chieftain) Birang, or Tomas Ito, was also read by Rerie Ratilla, with participatory performance by Lumád children.
“Birang” was written by Kalumaran chairperson Matanem Monico Cayog, and is one of the Lumád stories in a collection of the same title.
Volunteer medical practitioners from the Lifeline Foundation Support Team conducted a medical mission at the Kampuhan shortly after noon.
Later in the afternoon, acclaimed artist Aiza Seguerra and Lumád musician Bayang Barrios also came and performed at the camp.
The Manilakbayan was originally given permit by the Manila City hall to stay up to Nov. 22, but Mayor Joseph Estrada shortened it only up to Nov. 12, reportedly pressured by Malacañang for the preparation of the Asia-Pacific Cooperation (Apec) leaders’ summit.
Text by Bulatlat
With photos by Christian Yamzon, Randy Evangelista, Dee Ayroso 
