The Village Tickler

Even Typhoon Mina Veered Away and Spared the Marchers from Destruction of its Fury. As fate would have it, typhoon Mina spared the Sumilao Farmers from its fury.

The Sumilao Farmers were in Gumaca, Quezon Province when typhoon Mina brought massive destruction in areas where it passed. In the 26 November 2007 issue of the PDI (11/26/07-8:47AM), it reported that typhoon Mina displaced hundreds of families, triggered power outages, and downed communication lines.

The Sumilao Farmers were still in Sta. Elena, Camarines Norte when they heard the news that super typhoon Mina will hit the province of Quezon. In order to escape the forecasted damage of Mina, the farmers forced themselves to walk 52 kilometers from Sta. Elena to Gumaca. They decided to stay in Gumaca for another day because they were strongly advised not to proceed to Malinao, Ilaya, Atimonan, Quezon.

Fortunately, typhoon Mina veered away from its expected course, and moved out of the country. The farmers attribute their being spared from Mina by the guidance of Magbabaya.

“Before we started our walk in Luzon, we asked that Magbabaya will bless our walk in Luzon, protect us from sickness and calamities, and that our spirit will forever remain strong,” said Roger Anlicao, one of the Sumilao Farmers.

But the Sumilao Farmers have yet to face the effects of tropical storm Lando, which according to the same PDI article, will reenter the country, and would hit Mindoro Island, the Bondoc Peninsula, the Sourther portion of Quezon Province and Camarines Norte.

For now, however, the weather is better, and allows the Sumilao Farmers with their walk.

“The weather is good for us now, but whatever happens in our way to Malacanang, we have prepared to face all circumstances that await us,” said Joey Racasa, also one of the marchers.

On 25 November 2007, as early as 4:00AM, the Sumilao Farmers started to walk again for another 33 kilometers negotiating the whole stretch from Gumaca to Atimonan. They arrived in their destination at around 4:00PM.

The following day, they woke up at 2:30AM and an hour after their morning rituals, they started traversing the road from the municipality of Atimonan to Lucena City, the Regional Center of the province.

PAKISAMA’s version of Umalokohan (barker) was set up to introduce the Sumilao Farmers to the public and to discuss and explain the Walk for Sumilao Land, Walk for Justice Campaign.

Approximately 400 supporters round up the Sumilao Farmers when the marchers reached the boundary of Municipality of Pagbilao and Lucena City. Streamers bearing calls and support for the Sumilao Farmers were displayed.

When the marchers were approaching said area, stream of applause and warm welcome echoed along the road. After which, a short and moving program was organized by PAKISAMA which was headed by Ka Cita. As speakers from the Sumilao Farmers explained their plights and discussed the rationale of their 60-kilometer walk from Bukidnon to Manila, support groups responded with their respective solidarity messages.

Some of the support groups that were known to the Sumilao Farmers particularly during their Quezon province leg include: MAMAMAYAN, Kilusang Mangingisda (KM), BINHI, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Bondoc Peninsula, Quezon Association for Rural Development and Democratization Services, inc., Kalipunan ng mga Magsasaka at Mangagawa sa Niyugan ng Gitnang Quezon, UGNAYAN, Alay Kapwa Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Municipal Organization of UGMA-PAKISAMA, Mangingisda at Magsasaka ng Unisan at Agdangan, SAMALO, SAMACA, KAMALAYAN, SAMANA, Akbayan Quezon, Tanggol Kalikasan, Samahan ng mga Magsasaka sa Kanlurang Tayabas (SAMAKATA), Pinag-isang Tinig ng mga Magsasaka (PINTIG), Katuparang para sa Tunay na REpormang Agraryo (KATUPRAN), KAISAHAN, SALIGAN, LGU of Lucena City and Province, LGU of Malinao Ilaya, Atimonan, Quezon, PNP National and local, Bureau of Fire Protection, Samahan ng Maliliit na Magsasaka sa F. de Jesus, Ugnayan Sariaya, DSWD Region IV and local, Philippine Red Cross and Hermana Fausta IP’s in Tayabas, Quezon.

The Katutubo of Tayabas, Quezon even offered a gift to the farmers as a symbol of their support. Likewise, local media joined the marchers as they walked from Malinao to Lucena City.

They arrived at Punzalan Gym in Lucena City at around 3:00PM