LETTERS FROM THE AGNO

A market concert against poverty
MARCH L. FIANZA

Market workers say they are bitin (not fully satisfied) and clamored for more. Last Wednesday, musicians in Baguio led some 500 market komboys (porters), carrot cleaners and tinderas (sellers) of the Hangar Market Vendors Association (HAMAVEAS) in celebrating the second year of the global campaign in the fight against poverty.

The musicians did their gig right smack in the middle of the busy bagsakan (trading area) for highland vegetables at the Hangar section. Launched last year, “Stand Up, Speak Out Against Poverty and for the Millennium Development Goals” is an initiative by the United Nations Millennium Campaign (UNMC) to set an official Guinness World Record for the most number of people ever to stand up against poverty.

In the year 2000, leaders of 191 countries reaffirmed their commitment to peace, security and good governance at the United Nations Millennium Summit with the adoption of what is now called the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The global campaign that was organized last year by the UNMC now holds the Guinness Book of World Record for gathering 24 million people from 87 countries to stand up against poverty in 24 hours on October 15-16, 2006. The Philippines contributed 10 per cent of that number in the national campaign “Tumayo Tayo Pilipinas” on the same date last year as performances were done simultaneously all over the world.

In Baguio , music and artistic performances were held near the earthquake-damaged Skyworld Condominium, now a popular wagwagan or ukay-ukay center or ‘poor’ man’s bazaar. The Hangar bagsakan area concert for this year certainly was a sight to see as the drum set and guitar amplifiers were tied on top of six karitons (push carts) of Mang Escano and Mang Nisperos.

The weird and wonderful idea was the result of coffee talk with Frank Cimatu of the Philippine Daily Inquirer who came looking for musicians. Sound system owner Dennis Tabbang and I were at first hesitant to position the instruments on top of the karitons, so we had to test the idea a day before the concert.

Mang Escano said it was okay, as one push cart could even carry a ton of vegetables. In his opening talk, Choy Pangilinan of UP Diliman, one of the organizers, put it in plain words. In the Philippines , he said, only few influential people were getting rich and that a large part of the population was becoming poorer everyday. Indeed, there is a serious call for Pinoys to “stand up and speak out against poverty.” I say, there is more need to “stand up and speak out against corruption” in the present administration.

This, as House Speaker Joe De Venecia calls on the President to cleanse his cabinet of corrupt members and “NPAs” or non-performing assets. As if De Venecia’s focus is becoming clearer. It is an admission on the part of De Venecia that corruption is widespread in the present administration.

Maybe this is the only time that I believe what the Speaker speaks. Why not? His son Joey III is the main man who accused resigned Comelec chair of bribery. In addition to his admittance, De Venecia said “I am not without sin.” What about Gloria? Can she also say that she is not without sin and can she be able to wipe clean her cabinet?

De Venecia said if she won’t do it, he “will be disappointed” and will have to look for other means to get rid of corrupt officials in government. After the Malacanang bribery scandal, a new brouhaha comes where lawmakers and local executives allied with the administration and those that it wants to become allies with, were given bags filled with wads of cash.

At least, governors Ed Panlilio of Pampanga and Jun Mendoza of Bulacan told the truth. I believe these two guys are not corrupt, maybe not yet, as they have already told the public about their terrible experience. The other governors are mum.

This way, the money they received can be spent the way they want to. If this goes on even inside Malacanang’s yard, it is an assurance that graft and corruption will not be eradicated – maybe even stay there for good.

Lately, reporters were told that Malacanang stands by the statement of the league of governors that money was not distributed to them when they were in the palace – and the Presidential Anti Graft Commission will investigate the “allegation.” The PAGC is a creation of Malacanang. Doesn’t that give us a picture of someone intentionally stepping on its own dirt and assigning one of its own to ‘investigate’ its shoe?

Public school teacher Andy Villamor, bassist of Grupong Binhi also said it all in his adlib. “May suhulan sa Malacanang habang maraming Pilipino ang hindi pa nakakakain” (There is bribery in Malacanang while many Filipinos have not eaten).

Pinoys are more aware of issues today. In a free-wheeling discussion by some komboys in the audience, I was dumbfounded when one of them asked me why our government leaders do not have programs that directly fight poverty. They know that Malacanang talks about a robust economy but that is not felt by them.

The other musicians in Grupong Binhi of Baguio are lead guitar Bobby Go, drummer Glenn Villamor and vocalist-percussionist Ronaldo Villamor. Bolivian flute musician Alex Amador was backed up by the Shakilan, another Baguio group that writes indigenous music. It is composed of acoustic guitarist Ernie Caccam, Ku’ding player and vocalist Rommel Fangot and percussionist Kent Banasan.

While Filipino indigenous songs blared in the Hangar market, the audience took turns in signing up papers that supported the theme “stand up, speak out against poverty.” Frank Cimatu said, three thousand signatures were gathered – most of them names of workers in the market. I thought to myself whether thousands or only two signed up in support of the worldwide undertaking – that should be sufficient statement enough for our leaders in Malacanang and congress to know that people in the market are aware of what really is happening. Certainly, they are part of our sensors because their lives revolve in the heart of the community – the market. – marchfianza777@yahoo.com