Pacete: Christmas of the street people
STREET people are the human beings and children of God who have the street as their home by day and night... source of income, living room, bedroom, kitchen, dining room and some even die there. Just like us, they also celebrate Christmas.
The “manug-cariton” (cart pushers) were already there at the “bagsakan” (drop off area for vegetables) as early as two o”clock in the morning to meet their “suki” (vendor clients) who may want to avail of their push cart to transport their “compra” (purchased items) from the market to the bus terminal. In this season of hope, they hope that their “suki” will give them extra pay so that they can buy “regalo” (gift) for the family.
We have the “Badyaws” (Badjaws) who are always here as “constant tourists”. We still have to know their handlers who hold the schedule of town and city fiestas. Our Filipino brothers from Tungkalang who are sea gypsies speak “Sama”, the “lingua franca” of Tawi-Tawi. They come to our place with the entire members of the family...father, mother and children.
The adult males sit at the street corner and extend their open palms to Christians passing by. The ladies (young and not-so-young) carry babies and some are even exposing their breasts while feeding the infants. They are creating a scenario that would catch the attention of the passers-by. The teenagers are boarding the jeepneys with drums to play Christmas music. Some give coins but some are irritated because of their gutter smell.
At night, they converge in a dark place (usually abandoned building) to share their day’s commission. It may be awful but they also mate in the building like rabbits. Our politicians, priests, ministers, pastors, nuns, government social workers and people like you and me are aware of their presence in our society. Are we doing something for them... at least this Christmas?
Our home-grown children are also there in our murky streets not just to beg. They also steal, snatch or even slash the pockets of innocent Christians. As young children, they are horribly naughty. When they become adults, they could be members of hold-up gangs, gun for hire or “akyat-bahay-gang”. They could be junkies also using solvent, marijuana, or shabu.
The lady street children are honed by the pimps to be slaves for sex and later mature as whoremaster. If they are “lucky”, they become naked dancers, “queridas” of policemen, or professional commercial sex workers (“potas de noche”). We are all aware because they are just there in our communities. This Christmas, can we walk as good Samaritans?
With open eyes, we see our brothers who are “buang” (mentally sick). They are “loco” because society made them “loco” ...family, community, or even close friends. They are just there loitering in our dirty streets and pouring out the contents of garbage cans. Probably, they are hungry or simply depressed. Jesus Christ was born for them also.
While our plazas, government centers, commercial establishments and homes are sparkling with Christmas decors, we have Filipino brothers and sisters who are very much deprived. They are the “indios” of our time. They are just ghosts and shadows and our society is not that sensitive.
As we enjoy our Christmas parties, let us also go out of our comfort zones and share our definition of Christmas.