Yesterday/Last night UPSCA took part in the Mass (ok not really because we were late) and candlelighting at Ateneo for the Sumilao farmers. I will not get into the details because other people (such as Rob, who is working on a fundraising activity for them and who will blog about this event later today daw he says. Yak nangpressure haha) know the issue better and I might just get some facts wrong (and if I did please correct me :)). But basically, these farmers from Sumilao, Bukidnon have been robbed of land that is rightfully theirs, by rich landowners who not only used the land for their own profit but also violated laws regarding the use of the land. The farmers are now calling for the distribution of the land to them, as the proposed development of the land did not actually happen. The fight has been going on for years but still the farmers haven’t attained justice. They are now walking to Malacañang in protest and to make their voice heard.

This reminds me of the poem by Pastor Niemoeller, which, coincidentally, I read yesterday for the first time at the UPSCA tambayan (because super andun lang ako from 10am onwards, so I had plenty of time to stare at things on the walls, harhar). Sakto, diba?

First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out–
because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for the communists
and I did not speak out–
because I was not a communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists–
and I did not speak out–
because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for me
and there was no one left to speak for me.

~Pastor Niemoeller
Victim of the Nazis in Germany

This year is the 10th anniversary of their fight for social justice, and yet their voice still hasn’t been heard. But it shouldn’t be just their voice. Just because we are not Sumilao farmers doesn’t mean we should just watch as they suffer for their cause. Just because we don’t know them doesn’t mean we shouldn’t care. Rather, we should join them in speaking out for their rights. Let us not be apathetic towards the plight of our Sumilao brothers and sisters. Let us speak out for those who cannot be, or are not being, heard, for if we all do so, we can create one big voice that the world hopefully surely cannot ignore.