More Filipinos have trouble buying enough food and paying for basic expenses, according to the latest IBON nationwide survey. BY IBON FOUNDATION Posted by Bulatlat Vol. VIII, No. 14, May 11-17, 2008 More Filipinos have trouble buying enough food and paying for basic expenses, according to the latest IBON nationwide survey. Of the 1,495 respondents,…
Janess Ann J. Ellao
Courageous Mothers in Baguio
For some, motherhood extends from their family to the sectoral groups they work with. Consider the stories of these mothers in Baguio City whom I interviewed for this article on this important day. BY ARTHUR L. ALLAD-IW Northern Dispatch Posted by Bulatlat Vol. VIII, No. 14, May 11-17, 2008 May 11 is Mothers’ Day, when…
Livelihood Worse Today, Says Most Filipinos
The April 2008 nationwide survey shows that the number of Filipinos who said that their livelihood worsened grew significantly from 46.3 percent in January 2008 to 64.3 percent in April. BY IBON FOUNDATION Posted by Bulatlat Vol. VIII, No. 14, May 11-17, 2008 More Filipinos feel that their livelihood worsened compared to the previous quarter,…
Baguio Transport Groups to Join Nationwide Protests
As drivers in Metro Manila and other key cities nationwide are expected to launch a transport strike May 12, the militant transport group here would stage a march-rally with red flags and banners demonstrating drivers’ demands. BY JOHN ERIC B. ESCALANTE Northern Dispatch Posted by Bulatlat Vol. VIII, No. 14, May 11-17, 2008 BAGUIO CITY…
Increasing Number of Filipinos See Themselves as Poor
The IBON April 2008 survey showed that 79.3 percent of 1,495 respondents thought of themselves as poor, an increase from the 71.7 percent in January 2008. BY IBON FOUNDATION Posted by Bulatlat Vol. VIII, No. 14, May 11-17, 2008 The number of Filipinos who see themselves as poor increased in the first four months of…
Cordillera Struggles Inspire Taiwan IPs
They live around 1155 kilometers away in Taiwan. Their history and culture is distinct from the Cordillera peoples. But the indigenous peoples of Taiwan and the Cordilleras share the same issues and concerns. And they are linked in solidarity in the struggle for indigenous peoples (IP) rights. BY AUBREY MAKILAN Bulatlat Vol. VIII, No. 14,…
Living along the Fringes, a Story of Four Badjao Children
Childhood is only experienced once, and every child is expected to enjoy it. But life is harsh, given the circumstances of a poor country where indigenous peoples suffer not only from poverty but also from discrimination and oppression making them lose out in the very few opportunities available for a better life. This is a…
Abducted Couple Transferred to Leyte
A couple abducted by soldiers and alleged as communist leaders in Leyte province have been transferred to the Leyte Provincial Jail after being surfaced around 3 p.m., March 24 in the PNP’s Camp Vicente Lim in Calamba City, Laguna. BY DABET CASTAÑEDA HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH Bulatlat Vol. VIII, No. 8, March 16-29, 2008 After four…
Old Reliable
Nothing beats the old reliable kalesa. Calamigan town’s improvised kalesa can seat eight passengers, including the kutsero. For a small fare, the kalesa – which remains an all-time favorite transport of rural Bikolanos – can take you from market to home. Unlike the smoke-belching tricycle or jeepney, the kalesa is environment-friendly and airy, to boot,…
Walang Awit ang Ibong Hindi Malaya
NI RAUL FUNILAS Inilathala ng Bulatlat Vol. VIII, No. 8, March 30-April 5, 2008 Ikulong mo man ang ibon sa hawla at gintong moog, Busugin sa milagrosang palay na ipon sa bukot; Oliba mang gintong lawrel ang aranyang ibinalot Nais pa ri’y kalayaa’t papawiri’y umimbulog— Galain ang buong mundong humihingal sa pag-ikot. Ligalig ang kaisipang…
Salamisim Noong Mahal na Araw
NI RICHARD R. GAPPI Inilathala ng Bulatlat Vol. VIII, No. 8, March 30-April 5, 2008 Prologo: Ang Pagninilay Sabi ng Simbahan, pagninilay ang kahulugan ng Mahal na Araw. May hihigit pa kaya sa pagbubulay-bulay kaysa sa mga tula na bulong at pintig ng puso ngayong duguan ang palad ng tanghaling tapat at sa kapayapaan, nandoon…