Maglana: Kasimbigat ng Bundok Apo

THE first time I heard the sentiment "ang kanyang pagpanaw ay kasimbigat ng Sierra Madre" was from the tribute many years ago of the National Democratic Front (NDF) to honor the late Doreen Fernandez, columnist and a critic of the Marcos dictatorship.

I understood that the phrase referred to the sense of heavy grief that attends a very significant loss. I also recall discussing back then with a friend the practicalities involved in determining the weight of a mountain. And we ended up concluding that the size of the mountain range, its range, height and its symbolisms would probably come into it, and that from that view the Sierra Madre does seem heavy indeed, and finally we made a mental note to ask environmentalists and anti-mining activists whom we thought would have a better handle of the matter.

I never got around to asking environmentalists and anti-mining activists about how to determine the weight of a mountain. But two recent deaths gave me a chance to revisit the sentiment, albeit this time the reference is Bundok Apo, in keeping with being in Mindanao and, perhaps, even more appropriately, given the mountain's status as the highest peak in the country. Environment and sustainable agriculture advocate Francis Morales, Bong or Tatay Francis to many, died of acute lymphocytic leukemia on November 12, 2014. Earlier, a former student leader of the University of the Philippines in Mindanao, Rendell Ryan "Perper" Cagula, died in an encounter on November 4, 2014 in Sarangani.

The sense of immense loss could not be helped. Tatay Francis was after all a person who had consistently pursued his beliefs in transformation that benefits the many. From the time he was a young seminarian who resisted authoritarian rule, until his death -- as executive director of BALSA Mindanao his last act was to help in the establishment of the DALUYONG National Network of Disaster Survivors -- Tatay Francis had been unflagging in his many advocacies. In between, he was involved in interfaith and inter-people work as part of the Mindanao-Sulu Pastoral Conference (MSPC) Secretariat, in community organizing in the Zamboanga Peninsula, in the promotion of sustainable agriculture as Board member for Mindanao of the Magsasaka at Siyentipiko para sa Pag-unlad ng Agrikultura or Masipag, and in more recent times as secretary-general for Panalipdan Southern Mindanao, which is focused on the defense of our patrimony and environment.

The loss is no less felt in the case of Perper. Although of a different generation than Tatay Francis, Perper's record of involvement has also been extensive. He was chairperson of the UP Mindanao Student Council from 2011 to 2012, and the executive vice-president of the Kasama sa UP (Katipunan ng mga Sangguniang Mag-aaral sa UP), the all-UP student council alliance. Outside of the campus Perper served as the regional spokesperson of the League of Filipino Students (LFS) and regional coordinator of the Kabataan partylist organization.

Tatay Francis had not let on to anyone his ailment, and he worked continuously despite many bouts with discomfort. There were those who rue the seeming non-attention paid to his health -- if only he had been more mindful, had been wistfully said. In the case of the young Perper, he had left school ostensibly to do field work, only contacting his parents every now and then to share that he was teaching Lumads. A few voices regret that Perper elected to not finish his degree in Anthropology, and instead join the New People's Army (NPA).

The sense of loss cannot but be felt at different levels and aspects. Tatay Francis and Perper were fine individuals who were special to their families, friends and communities. Their sudden absence in the lives of these people cannot but leave voids. The two were involved in work that is complex and challenging, one that each day continues to become more complicated. Tatay Francis and Perper and their contributions would be missed sorely by those for whom they worked, and with those they worked alongside. Their deaths were all the more significant because they chose to offer their lives to achieving change that would benefit the underprivileged and promote justice.

To their families, friends, colleagues-comrades and communities then, the passing away of Tatay Francis and Perper could arguably be kasimbigat ng Bundok Apo. The significance of the reference would not be lost to Tatay Francis and Perper. After all, Tatay's deep concern for the environment finds resonance in the ecologically diverse and rich, and highly contested Mt. Apo that is also home to many indigenous tribes, whom Perper held in high respect.

There would always be those who would frown at the recognition of the sacrifices made by Tatay Francis and Perper, preferring to dismiss their choices as foolhardy. There were even reports that the military was set to investigate UP Mindanao, simply because since the time of its establishment two decades ago three of its students had joined and died in the armed resistance to government.

Differences in politics and ideology aside and at the most fundamental level of human sentiments, it would be difficult to take issue with Tatay Francis and Perper and their having opted for choices that to them made sense and which made them happy. In the words of Joy Cagula, Perper's mother, "my regret was he could have done more. He told me before in our phone conversation that this is his life, he is happy."

The sad reality is that there had been countless others who lost their lives and denied the chance at what made them happy. In that light, one can only commend Tatay Francis, Perper and others who, by the size, range, height and symbolisms with which they lived their lives and secured their happiness, make those whom they left behind regard their deaths as kasimbigat ng Bundok Apo.

Email feedback to magszmaglana@gmail.com

Trending

No stories found.

Just in

No stories found.

Branded Content

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph