|
HUMAN
RIGHTS WATCH
‘No
Regrets Our Daughter was An Activist’
Marjorie's
life ended tragically at the young age of 18. But for her family, the
memory of a young girl who lived a life of commitment and service to the
Filipino people is a source of constant pride.
BY
TYRONE A. VELEZ
Bulatlat
MACO,
Compostela Valley -- For Manuel Reynoso, his daughter Marjorie was always
the girl who always found a way to help a friend, a neighbor or a sibling
in trouble.
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Slain
youth activist Marjorie Reynoso in a medical mission |
This
is why Manuel was not surprised to learn that Marjorie chose to walk the
path of activism at a young age. Manuel believes that it was in her
daughter's character to help those in need.
"In
our community, she was the person that every youth ran to when they were
in trouble," Manuel says.
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Accepting
his daughter's activism was easy for him and his wife, Gloria. Being
involved in the anti-Marcos dictatorship movement in Davao, activism has
been part of the couple’s life. Gloria was also a campaigner for Bayan
Muna in its first foray in the 2001 elections.
And
Manuel admits it was he who encouraged Marjorie to try being an activist.
"Marjorie then was into church groups.
But I told her to help her mother in the campaigns, because this
was what Marjorie liked to do, to help people," he recalls.
At
first, Marjorie was just trudging along with her mother during campaigns.
But later, she developed that sense of being able to listen and help
members of her community.
"Marjorie
was a listener.
Everyone talked to her about problems and she would listen,"
says her father.
In
2002, her friends and family prodded her to run as chairperson of the
Sangguniang Kabataan (SK or youth council) in barangay Anislagan,
their village. The fact that she was a confidante of the youths here –
their ate (big sister), their leader -- she was an obvious choice.
After
being elected as SK chairperson, Marjorie was on track in involving
herself with her community’s concern.
At the same time, she was chosen Maco coordinator of the youth
partylist group, Anak ng Bayan. Activities
such as medical missions, drug awareness campaigns, and community outreach
programs kept her busy.
"Back
then, we noticed that she spent more time with the community than in the
house. But
I didn't stop her. I understood she was helping other people," says
Manuel. "She was always like that, always helping out," he adds.
Marjorie's
life ended tragically at the young age of 18. But for Manuel, the memory
of a young girl who lived a life of commitment and service is a source of
constant pride. Bulatlat
Related
article
Maco Four Massacre: A Year Passing in Silence
By
Tyrone A. Velez
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© 2004 Bulatlat
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