Thursday, September 25, 2008 Speak out: Rachelle’s ideals By Nono Makisig
RACHELLE Mae Palang. An activist, a friend and a nurse.
She was an activist because she believed that Philippine society won’t progress if we are being choked by foreign masters.
She also believed there should be land for the tillers, and employment and education for all.
This was her belief and the reason we became friends.
Months ago, she passed the nursing board exam and was happy to achieve one of her dreams.
But I knew that was not the hardest exam of her life, that there is the difficult question: "Alang kang kinsa ko?"
Her answer to that question could be gleaned from her actions. She poured her energy, skill and intellect not for herself or the few but for the oppressed.
On Sept. 22, 2008, reports identified her as one of those killed in an encounter between the NPA and military. The latter tagged her as a rebel. I don't care.
But there are paid-mercenaries of the Arroyo regime who use their guns to kill people. They abduct and torture, and have a long record of terrorist acts.
They did it to Cris Hugo, Ambo Guran and hundreds of other victims of extra-judicial killings.
At the end of the day, however, there is the reality that Rachelle is gone. I have to pursue her ideals. I have to raise my fist.
To stop is to betray Rachelle.
Dark Naga school
(Writer’s name withheld upon request)
Kining suwat kabahin sa among sitwasyon dire sa Naga National High School (NNHS).
Usa man gud ko sa mga estudyante diri unya nilapas na sa usa ka buwan nga wa mi kuryente.
Wa mi pahibaw-a kun unsay tinoud nga hinungdan kung nganong hangtud karon wa pa gyud makonektahi og balik sa kuryente kining among eskwelahan.
Naproblema gyud mig maayo kay matag uwan ngiob kaayo ang among room.
Ang ubang estudyante ug mga maestra ilabi na sa mga edaran na dili makaklaro sa mga gipangsuwat og gipangbasa.
Usahay kun dili gani maagwanta namo, dili na lang mi magklase.
Kun ting-init sad, ang mga maestra pareha anang naay high-blood dili makaharong og tudlo.
Daghan kaayong mga electric fan sa eskwelahan pero dili man sad magamit.
Kun maabot pa ni og pila ka buwan, unsa pa man ang among makat-onan?
