Mula sa PinoyWeekly (www.pinoyweekly.org)

Above is a slideshow of Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran’s photos taken by photographer Boy Bagwis and Pinoy Weekly. I am reposting Jeffrey Ocampo’s Pinoy Weekly article about Ka Bel as a tribute to a dedicated representative in congress and the Filipino people’s working class hero.

Sa paggunita sa unang taon ng pagpanaw ni Ka Bel

Jeffrey Ocampo, www.pinoyweekly.org

Sa isang payak na katha na may pamagat na “Ka Bel,” inilarawan ng makatang si Gelacio Guillermo (poem posted at the end of this post) ang kasimpayak ngunit makabuluhang buhay ni Crispin Beltran.

Si Ka Bel ay isang lider-obrero’t progresibong mambabatas na lagi’t laging may matalim na kritika sa Estado, nasa unahan ng laban ng mga maralita at piniling manatili bilang simpleng mamamayan na naghihirap sa ilalim ng kasalukuyang kaayusan ng lipunan.

Tinalunton ng katha ang pagkabata, pagkabinatilyo’t pagbibinata, at ang pagtanda ni Ka Bel. Binahagi din kung paano siya namulat mula sa kanyang sariling nakaraan at mga karanasan. At ana ng makata, sa buong buhay niya, “hindi tinalikuran ni Ka Bel ang kanyang uri.”

At isang taon matapos ang pagpanaw ni Ka Bel, buhay pa rin ang alaala ng kanyang buhay na inalay para sa bayan.

“Nag-iwan si Ka Bel ng natatanging legasiya sa pagtatanggol ng interes ng mga manggagawa at iba pang aping uri sa lipunan,” pahayag ng Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), na minsa’y pinamunuan niya.

Ilang tala mula sa mahabang talambuhay

Lumaki sa karalitaan si Ka Bel. Musmos pa lamang, batid na niya ang kahalagahan ng paggawa. Ilan naman sa naging mga hanapbuhay ni Ka Bel ang pagtulong sa sakahan, pagtanggap ng labada, at pagdidyanitor. Nagtrabaho siya upang matususan ang kanyang pag-aaral.

Naging drayber ng taksi si Ka Bel at nang lumao’y sumama sa mga protesta laban sa di makataong turing sa mga manggagawa. Tinatag ang Amalgated Taxi Drivers Association kung saan naging tagapangulo si Ka Bel mula 1955 hanggang 1963. Matapos ito, kasama sina Felixberto Olalia at Feliciano Reyes, tinatag naman niya ang Confederation of Labor of the Philippines. Naging pangalawang tagapangulo siya nito sa loob ng siyam na taon mula noong 1963.

Hindi naman natinag ng batas militar si Ka Bel. Sa mapanupil na panahon na ito, kasama siya nang buuin ang Federation of Unions in Rizal at Philippine Nationalist Labor Organization. Noon namang 1980, naitatag ang KMU na lumaki ang kasapian mula 100,000 patungong 500,000 sa kabila ng batas militar. Mahalaga ang naging papel ng KMU at ng kilusang paggawa sa pagsalag at paglaban sa pasismo ng diktadurang Marcos.

Sa kasagsagan ng malupit na panunugis noong 1982, isa si Ka Bel sa mga hinuli at piniit. Gayunman, nakatakas siya matapos ang dalawang taon. Nagpatuloy siya sa pagkilos laban sa diktadura sa kanayunan.

Nang paslangin si Rolando Olalia noong 1987, humalili si Ka Bel bilang tagapangulo ng KMU. Tumakbo din siya sa pagkasenador sa ilalim ng Partido ng Bayan at nakaani ng 1.52 milyon na boto. Ngunit ayon sa pagsisiyasat ng KMU, natalo ito dahil sa matinding dagdag-bawas.

Ilan pa sa mga pinamunuan ni Ka Bel ay ang Bagong Alyansang Makabayan mula noong 1993 hanggang 1999 at ang International League of Peoples’ Struggle noong 2002. Samantala, nanatili siyang aktibo sa KMU hanggang 2003.

Mula naman noong 2001 hanggang 2003, nanilbihan siya bilang kinatawan ng Bayan Muna Party-list. Noong 2004 hanggang sa kanyang kamatayan, isa siya sa mga kinatawan ng Anakpawis Party-list. Nanguna ang party-list na ito sa pagtataguyod ng interes ng mga manggagawa, magsasaka, maralitang lungsod at iba pang sektor ng lipunan sa loob ng Kamara.

Noong ika-20 ng Mayo ng nakaraang taon, sumakabilang-buhay si Ka Bel sa FEU Hospital matapos mahulog mula sa bubong ng kanyang bahay sa Bulacan na kanyang kinukumpuni. Ana marami, bagama’t hindi ito namatay sa pakikipaglaban sa lansangan gaya ng kanyang nais, lumisan pa rin ito bilang bayani ng bayan.

Si Ka Bel, nagtalumpati sa isang rali matapos mapaslang ang kapwa lider-obrero na si Rolando Olalia noong 1987. (mula sa Pinoy Weekly)

Pagpapatuloy ng laban

Maraming laban ang nasimulan na bahagi o sa pangunguna ni Ka Bel.

Bilang isa sa mga haligi ng makabayang kilusan, kilala siyang tagapagtanggol ng mga karapatan ng mga manggagawa. Patunay nito ang ilang taon ng masigasig niyang pagtangan ng mga gawain sa KMU at iba pang mga organisasyon ng manggagawa. At sa Kamara, nakilala siya bilang mambabatas na hindi kailan naging tiwali habang patuloy sa pakikipaglaban para sa kagalingan ng mga maralita.

Bago pumanaw, ilang batas ang kanyang naisulat o katuwang na isinulat. At lahat ng mga ito, para sa pagtatanggol ng karapatan at pakikipaglaban para sa kagalingan ng mga manggagawa, magsasaka at iba pang naghihirap ng sektor ng lipunan.

Sa ikaapat lamang na Kongreso, sinulat at naging bahagi si Ka Bel ng pagsusulong ng 13 house bill (HB), 47 house resolution at 12 privilege speech na tumalakay sa mga isyu katulad ng repormang agraryo at kasiguraduhan sa pagkain, karapatan at pangangailangan ng mga manggagawa gaya ng dagdag-sahod at laban sa panunupil sa kanilang hanay.

Ilan sa mga panukalang batas na ito ay ang nagbabasura ng “mapanupil at magsamantalang mga batas” gaya ng Human Security Act, Wage Rationalization at Oil Deregulation Law.

Isa naman sa pinakatampok sa kanyang sinulong na mga panukalang batas ang HB 1722 o ang P125 across-the-board na dagdag-sahog. Kaugnay din nito ang HB 1962 o ang P3,000 across-the-board para naman sa mga kawani ng pamahalaan.

Sa kasalukuyan, patuloy ang mga kasama ni Ka Bel sa Kamara at sa makabayang mga organisasyon sa pakikipaglaban para sa mga nasimulan ni Ka Bel.

‘Pilipino ng siglo’

Nag-iwan ng “di mawawaglit na legasiya” si Ka Bel sa lipunang Pilipino. Ginagalang ng lahat, pagkat tunay siyang kagalang-galang. Maging ang mga katunggali sa pulitika, batid ang kanyang sinseridad at katapatan sa prinsipyo. Ayon pa kay Sen. Joker Arroyo, hindi kinompromiso ni Ka Bel ang paninindigan. Masasabing isa siya sa pinakamatatapat na nagsulong ng interes ng mga manggagawa at iba pang maralitang mamamayan.

Bilang pagkilala sa kanyang ambag sa lipunan, ilang mahahalagang mga aktibidad ang gaganapin bilang paggunita sa unang anibersaryo ng kanyang pagpanaw.

Sa Mayo 20, magsasama-sama ang lahat ng kapamilya, kaibigan, mga kasama’t tagasuporta ng makabayang kilusan upang gunitain ang makabuluhang buhay ni Ka Bel.

Sa araw ring ito, pasisinayaan ang pagtatayo ng iskultura ni Ka Bel sa Plaza Miranda kasabay ng pagdi-deklara ng lunsod ng Maynila sa Mayo 20 bilang “Araw ni Crispin Beltran.” Masusundan pa ito ng isang kultural pagtatanghal upang bigyang pugay ang naging buhay ni Ka Bel. Para sa Crispin B. Beltran Resource Center (CBBRC), layunin ng konsiyerto na maging inspirasyon ito sa mga manggagawa lalu na’t panahon ng matinding krisis na nagdudulot ng malawakang tanggalan, pleksibleng paggawa, mas matinding kontraktwalisasyon at kasabay nitong panunupil sa kanilang hanay.

Dahil dito, ilang mga organisasyon ang nagbansag kay Ka Bel bilang “Filipino of the Century.” Batayan umano nito ang naging buhay ni Ka Bel at ang katapatan nito sa paglilingkod sa taumbayan hanggang sa huling sandali ng kanyang buhay.

Ka Bel

Gelacio Guillermo
Inilathala ng (Bulatlat.com)
1.

Trabaho

Bata pa si Pin
Marunong nang magtrabaho—
Magtanim ng kamote,
Manghuli ng isda,
Magluto,
Maghugas ng pinggan,
Mag-alaga ng mga kapatid.
Ang batang si Pin
Sa usapan ng matatanda’y
Mahilig makinig.
Panahon ng Hapon,
Ang diyes anyos na Pin
Kumilos na kuryer
Ng mga gerilya.

Kumusta na ang mga bata ngayon?

Ang binatilyong si Pin
Nag-enrol sa hayskul.
Nagtrabaho bilang labandero,
Nag-alaga ng baboy at manok
Para mabuhay at makapag-aral.

Kumusta na ang mga binatilyo ngayon?

Ang binatang si Pin,
Taga-Bikol ay nagpa-Maynila.
Nagtrabaho bilang gasoline boy,
Washer boy, grease boy,
Tagabusisi ng makina.
Ang binatang malinis sa pananamit,
Ngayo’y nakakamisetang gulagulanit,
Amoy grasa’t usok ng tambutso.
Masipag, walang reklamo,

Maraming kaibigang kapwa manggagawa
Na ang tawag sa kanya’y Crispin.

Kumusta na ang mga binata ngayon?

Mula bata hanggang pagtanda,
Hindi tinalikuran ni Ka Bel ang kanyang uri.
Ito ang kanyang pinagmulan,
Ang kagalingan ng uring anakpawis
Ang kanyang ipinaglaban.
Hanggang sa huling sandali,
Siya’y manggagawa.
May kongresman bang naglilinis ng bubong?

Kumusta na ang matatandang
Kasing-hangal ni Ka Bel?

2.

Welga

Masaya sa Maynila
Ang taxi driver na si Crispin.
Nagagalugad ang lahat ng sulok ng syudad,
Iba’t ibang klaseng pasahero ang nakakausap,
Maraming kaibigang drayber
Ka-good time-man sa Quiapo.
Pogpog na taxi’y napapaandar din.
Maliit man ang kita’y
Nakapagpapadala kahit paano sa probinsya.
Si Crispi’y myembro ng unyong
Kontrolado ng kapitalista,
Magreklamo’y tanggal agad sa trabaho.
Kaya’t siya’y lumipat sa unyong
Maka-manggagawa.
At siya’y napasabak sa welga,
Ang kauna-unahan niyang
Madugong welga.
Nilusob ng pulis at armadong maton,
Tatlong welgista sa harap niya’y nabuwal.
Ito ang simula ng habang-buhay

Na edukasyon ni Crispin
Tungkol sa unyonismo,
Sa dilawan at tunay na unyon,
Sa sabwatan ng naghaharing uri
Laban sa interes ng mga manggagawa,
Sa relasyon ng unyonismo at pulitika.
Buong-panahong kumilos
Sa pag-oorganisa ng mga unyon
At pamumuno sa pederasyon
Habang binubuhay ang pamilya
Sa isang kahig, isang tuka.

3.

Ang Pagsilang ng ‘Ka Bel’

Naghahanap si Crispin ng direksyon.
Kanin at isda lamang ba
Ang ipinaglalaban ng unyon?
Paiipit ba sa ligalismo
Ang lakas-paggawa?
Nasaan ang tunay, ang makabayan,
Ang palabang unyon?
Paano, paano, paano
Ang pagsapi sa kilusan?

At sinunod ang payo
Ng matandang rebolusyonaryong
Cesar Lacara.
Sabi: “Basta gumawa ka ng mabuti
Para sa masa,
Mabuhay at makibaka kasama nila.
Gawin mong pangunahin
Ang pagsusulong sa interes
Ng anakpawis.”

Si Ka Che ang unang tumawag
Kay Pin, kay Crispin,
Ng Ka Bel.
May pangalan
Ang direksyon.

In honor of working class hero and Anakpawis partylist representative Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran, the City of Manila has declared May 20 of every year as “Beltran Day”.

By issuing Executive Order No. 11 designating a day to commemorate the militant lawmaker, Lim hopes to encourage the people of Manila to launch civil activities to call to mind the very “significant lessons” left by Ka Bel, a respected labor leader.

Beltran died last year in a freak accident while fixing the ceiling of his house.

(Mayor Alfredo) Lim also agreed that a bust of the late lawmaker be placed in one of the pillars in Plaza Miranda.

Read the rest here at GMANews.TV

As a tribute to Ka Bel, Kilusang Mayo Uno and Anakpawis Partylist will be holding the following activities:

• May 18: A forum on the Labor Rights situation of top 2 Most Dangerous Countries for Workers: Columbia & Philippines, 1:30-5pm; St. Mary and St. John Cathedral, Trinity College, E. Rodriguez Ave., Quezon City
• May 19: A Dialogue with legislators on assistance for displaced workers and demanding to pass Ka Bel’s legacy bill, the P125 Across-the-Board Wage Increase Bill
• May 20: Mass and Ceremonies at Ka Bel’s grave, and unveiling of bust relief and marker for Ka Bel at Plaza Miranda

I’m appending here at the end of my post Ka Bel’s short biograpy.

A Brief Profile of Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran

Crispin B. Beltran, ANAKPAWIS Party list Representative on his 3rd term in Congress, a great labor leader, an incorruptible parliamentarian, staunch fighter for national freedom, democracy and international working class solidarity, died on May 20, 2008, 11:48am at the FEU hospital in Quezon City due to severe head injuries. He was 75.

One year has passed, and we still mourn with his family and friends, comrades and colleagues. In his passing, he left a distinctive and brilliant legacy of fighting for the interest of the workers and oppressed peoples. Rep. Beltran was then scheduled to file a bill to remove the e-vat on electric power to lower the rates affecting his constituents. Rep. Beltran’s study of his legislative measures is for the protection of the underprivileged and other marginalized sectors.

Crispin Beltran, more endeared to the masses as “Ka Bel”, is a living legend and epitome of militancy and progressive lawmaking in the country. When he died last year, he was the current Chairman of the national political party Anakpawis (Toiling Masses) Partylist and is its re-elected Representative in the Philippine Congress.

Having been an activist for over fifty long years, Ka Bel is esteemed by laborers, peasants, urban poor and other marginalized sectors as a true defender of the toiling masses and staunch critic of privatization, deregulation and other destructive policies of globalization.

Ka Bel also stands against the United States’ war of aggression on Iraq and its war on terror. He also is steadfast in his call for respect for national sovereignty and international unity against
foreign intervention.

Early activism: Japanese war to taxi union leader

During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, at an early age, Ka Bel volunteered as a courier for the guerillas. After the war, he worked as a farm hand and janitor to support his studies. He then worked as a gasoline boy, messenger, bus driver and later on, a taxi driver. At age 20, he joined his fellow drivers in a strike against unfair labor practices. The police attacked their picket line, injured many and claimed the lives of three protesting workers. Since then, Ka Bel vowed to fight alongside the working class.

He organized the Amalgamated Taxi Drivers Association, for which he served as President from 1955 up to 1963. Together with Felixberto ‘Ka Bert’ Olalia and Feliciano Reyes, leaders of the Filipino labor movement’s militant tradition, he organized the Confederation of Labor of the Philippines (CLP). He was CLP’s Vice-President from 1963 to 1972. Ka Bel also helped found the Philippine Workers Congress and other labor organizations such as KASAMA and PACMAP, which de facto asserted their recognition during Martial Law.

Martial law years: KMU’s founding, detention, countryside

Under the repressive martial law, Ka Bel helped establish the Federation of Unions in Rizal and the Philippine Nationalist Labor Organization (PANALO) until KMU was founded in 1980. From 100,000, KMU’s membership soared to 500,000 in the 1980s. The establishment of KMU united and strengthened the people in its fight against the fascism of the Marcos dictatorship.

When Marcos launched a crackdown in August 1982, Ka Bel was one of those arrested and detained. In November 1984, he was able to escape, and went back to organizing workers and peasant s in the countryside. When Ka Rolando “Lando” Olalia was brutally murdered in 1987, Ka Bel took over the presidency of KMU. He ran for senator under the banner of Partido ng Bayan that same year and garnered 1.52 mi llion votes but lost due to massive “dagdag bawas” (ballot and vote switching) scheme of elect ion fraud. He remained a leader of the militant union until March 2003.

International leader and parliamentarian

He also became a National Council Member of multi-sectoral alliance Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN, which means New Patriotic Alliance) in 1985 and also served as its national chairperson from 1993 to 1999. Ka Bel became the chairman of the International League for People’s Struggles in 2002. He is also considered as one of the pillars of international working class solidarity in the era of globalization.

From February 2001 to November 2003, he served as Vice President and one of the three representatives of Bayan Muna (People First) Partylist to Congress, where he introduced legislations imbued with his high sense of patriotism and advocacy of the rights and welfare of the marginalized sectors.

In 2004, he became the representative for Anakpawis Partylist as a sectoral representative of workers, peasants, urban poor and other toiling masses.

Ka Bel was cited by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism as the partylist representative in the 13th Congress with the most number of bills and resolutions filed, totaling to 130, and with a nearly perfect attendance before his arrest in February 2006.

His three-term stint in the House of Representatives has garnered him awards such as Filipino of the Year and Most Outstanding Congressman for four consecutive years from 2002 – 2005, and in 2006, was adjudged part of the Congressional Hal l of Fame – all these and the respect of the public he reaped even as the Arroyo regime continues to persecute him and his fellow activists.

Arroyo’s repression and bribery

After his arrest and year-and-a-half long arbitrary and illegal detention initiated by the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administration, Ka Bel was proven innocent of the rebellion charges against him. Persecution, however, persists through the fabricated inciting to sedition case that the Metropolitan Court of Quezon City refuses to dismiss until now, despite legal prohibit ions for duly-elected officials to be charged with crimes punishable by not more than six years of imprisonment such as inciting to sedition.

In October 2007, Ka Bel exposed bribery attempts by administration allies, particularly by KAMPI member Francis Ver. He was offered P2 million in exchange for his support to the weak impeachment complaint against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

All around goodness

Ka Bel is survived by 11 children, 29 grandchildren and 5 great-grand children.

Exercise, no smoking and drinking, love for manual labor and a healthy diet are some of the other passions which Ka Bel practiced throughout his colorful, but spartan life. He was also known to be an early riser, often reporting for work at the KMU office as early as 6 a.m. and starting the day by sweeping the floor at the office’s receiving area.

I try to remember the struggles of the people and the freedom that they demand. I remember watching many people, old and young, friends and strangers, media and police anticipating the release of Ka Bel, a champion of the people.  He was detained at the Heart Center medical facility in Quezon City for his stance in protecting the rights of the majority living in the Philippines- seeing many cry to see him release was moving.  This man has been through a lot of harassment by the police and politician for his pro people, pro national democracy points of view. 

Ka Bel

It was humbling meeting people who are affected by the corrupt government of the Philippines.  I will remember their stories and feeling helpless when they asked for my advice on what they should do.  These are the people who are countlessly having their land stolen.  These are the people who lack resources because the corporations, elites, and corrupt politicians take them. These are the people who walk dozens of miles up and down hills and hazardous conditions to go to work and school sometimes without chinelas (sandals). 

“If helping the poor is a crime, and fighting for freedom is rebellion, then I plead guilty as charged.”  –Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran

One particular person I was not able to meet was Cris Hugo because he was gun down for his political believe.  Cris Hugo was a 20 year old student from Bicol and the first student killed for his believes in 2006.  He was only 4′ 11″ but instead of just being timid he shown a fighting spirit and determination to fight for student’s rights.  He was a powerful speaker and motivated many to care.  Because he was vocal, he was assassinated.  Imagine speaking up for justice and then instantly silenced, to be made into an example to those who wish a better future for the people.  His passion is survived by the many who he’s touched personally and internationally. 

Justice for Cris Hugo

I didn’t know Cris personally, but the work he has done is moving.  While in this process of reflecting for the second trip to the Philippines, I found myself crying.  I feel very bless to have strong friends I call kasamas.  I remember close to the end of our integration, we visited the Nestle worker’s HQ and watched a video I’ve seen before.  I don’t know why, but I couldn’t stop crying then whereas before it hadn’t phase me much.  Maybe because I was at ground zero where many had died and got injured during the Nestle massacre.  Ka Fort had also been assassinated because of his role in people’s rights. 

As I commit myself to the movement as so many people before me has done and so may people after me will, I take a step back and breathe and recognize the work that I’ve done and try to understand the value of this commitment.  My personal dedication is a testament to the work of other organizers because if it were not for them I would be lost and angry looking for a way to channel that anger.  

It was my first Anti-war rally 5 years ago, I remember going there as a 20 year boy, just the same age as Cris Hugo was, not knowing what to expect.  I was in a sea of over 500,000 protesters! but seemed to still be drawned to the sea of red shirts, sexy chants, and a contingent made up of Chinese, Koreans, Vietnamese, Mexicans, Blacks, and Filipinos.  It was then that I met a kasama  from the league of Filipino students who I bought a “serve the people” shirt from.  It was not until two years  later where I would bump into that same kasama who would eventually be the one to mentor me and challenge the way I thought. 

San Francisco Bay Area - International League of Peoples' Struggle-Strength in Unity & Anti-Imperialist Grassroots Contingent

I sit here, reevaluating my self-worth, why am I even organizing when I can climb the ladder ad secure my finances?.  I remember at one point in time when I was suicidal-what was the point of living?-This world is so fucked up.  I remember that in one point in time, I rejected my own ethnic roots.  I now have to remember that as an individual I can make a difference a struggle that is far yet so close.  As I wrap up my endless ramble, I take a breath, and remember those who have organized me, who will continue to organize others…  It is the love for the people that we do what we do.  It is our love for the people.. our love for the people.

I will try to remember the struggles of the people to win true democracy and freedom.  Doing so will strengthen my perspectives and drive to continue the work.  One kasama had said to me before, “you are rewarded for the good work that you do with more work”.  That statement alone makes me crack a smile, not because of the absurdity of it but because, it is the love for the people that we do what we do.  There are those around us, in our society, that could not fathom helping people because they were conditioned to believe in individuality.  Our culture breeds individuality, which forces us to think more for ourself than for people around us such as attaining occupations for the sake of a good salary so we can climb the social ladder instead of attaining occupations that would genuinely improve society, or leaving our elderly in nursing homes instead of taking care of them. For myself, I am forever thankful to meet so many wonderful people.  As corny as this entry sounds, and like the backstreet boys says… “for you I’ll walk a thousand miles” So onward on this Long March together…

I will not be here for May 1st, International Labor Day to march with millions around the country for Immigrant and Labor rights however, if you have time and would like to make your voice heard or meet organizations and people affected by immigration policies and/or the recession please  join the immigrant & worker rights march

May 1st International Workers Day!

work not war!  legalization now!

may 1st  .  international worker’s day

1:30pm . dolores park  [19^th & dolores]

the government continues to spend billions on the war while conditions for workers worsen due to job loss, service cuts and increased repression. this international worker’s day let’s take the streets to demand respect for our sanctuary city, equal rights for immigrants, no cuts to any services, and peace with justice in iraq, afghanistan, palestine and beyond.

deporten a la migra coalition . may 1st alliance . sf immigrant rights defense committee

for more information: 415.487.9203
– 
Mariana Viturro
Comite de Vivienda San Pedro / St. Peter’s Housing Committee
474 Valencia Street #156
San Francisco CA 94103
415-487-9203 

Long Live International Solidarity

Long Live the Workers Movement

Makibaka, Huwag Matakot!

Struggle onward, Have no Fear!

Part III:  The Philippine Working Class Movement in the Era of U.S. Colonialism

The Commonwealth Government and Attempts to Divide the Union Movement; The Struggle against Japanese Occupation during WWII (1917-1945)

Thursday, March 19, 2009
University of Toronto
Bahen Centre for Information Technology
Room 2135
40 St. George Street, Toronto (map)

This next installment of the lecture series covers the latter part of the American colonial period and the period of Japanese occupation.

After the complete pacification of the Filipinos through the Philippine-American War, the American colonialists continued the repression of the working class by co-opting the ruling classes and established the Commonwealth Government. But even though the armed resistance was suppressed, Filipinos continued to organize through labour unions and community associations which clamoured not only for workers’ rights but also for national liberation, and eventually formed a working class party.

As the Second World War broke out, Japan invaded the Philippines and the United States retreated, leaving Filipinos to struggle against a new imperial force.

Some topics and personalities to be covered:

• Crisanto Evangelista
• Manuel L. Quezon
• The Commonwealth Government
• HUKBALAHAP
• Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s famous promise: “I shall return.”

*Attendance at previous lectures is not a pre-requisite. A recap of major points from the first two lectures will be provided.

*This event is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Presented in partnership with the Filipino Students’ Association of Toronto (FSAT).

For more information, contact migranteON.youth@gmail.com or (647) 239-6553.

Visit our page on the entire Ka Bel lecture series:
http://migranteontarioyouth.wordpress.com/projects/

Crispin Beltran Philippine History Lectures
Part II:  The Philippine Working Class Movement in the Era of U.S. Colonial Rule
Second Half:  The Commonwealth Government and Attempts to Divide the Union Movement
Date and location TBA.
Once again presented in collaboration with the Filipino Students Association of Toronto (FSAT).

Filipino Youth Festival
A whole day of activities on awareness-raising about Philippine history and culture and community engagement.  A collaborative project of Migrante Ontario Youth, Philippine Advocacy Through Arts and Culture, Kapisanan Philippine Centre, Filipino Students’ Association of Toronto, Filipino Canadian Association of Ryerson.
Saturday, January 24, 2008
Time and location TBA.

It appears that I’m at a loss on what to write on my debut column. I’m here sitting on a park bench with a large expanse of open field in front of me. A large canopy was standing here a few weeks ago that served as one of the fairgrounds for Canada Day Weekend which includes our town’s Annual Strawberry Festival. It was teeming with suburbanites both young and old enjoying the entertainment and the free strawberry cake as well. At dusk on Canada Day, this area served as a vantage point for the same people who witnessed the fireworks display that capped off this nation’s 164^th founding anniversary.

A week later this fairground was back to being barren. The huge canopy was gone save for a few mementos of Canada Day – flags still left hanging on lamp posts. As for the throngs of people back then, it’s only me on a park bench flanked by huge trees on both sides and a few behind me. The prominent sounds here are myself and the gushing waters of the spring nearby whose wooden bridge is reminiscent of one rendezvous point of lost lovers in old, cheesy movies.

I’m facing west and a few hours from now, the sun will set and hopefully I’ll witness a bright, red glow similar to that of Manila Bay though still incomparable. Right now I’m basking under the sun enjoying its immense rays while munching on green grapes. Being born and raised in the tropics for more than a quarter of a century, I know I don’t have much time to enjoy a weather like this. Fall is just around the corner and snow will be falling again. Oh Canada.

—-

Ricky Esguerra, former instructor at the University of the Philippines, delivers his lecture at the Charbonnel Lounge, University of Toronto

To be back on track , I attended last July 5 the lecture on “The Birth of the Philippine Working Class and the Katipunan” at U of T’s St. Michael College Charbonnel Lounge. This lecture is the first of the Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran Memorial Lectures hosted by Migrante Ontario Youth and the Filipino Students’ Association of Toronto (FSAT). Ricky Esguerra, a former instructor from the University of the Philippines, delivered the lecture. Though this was a lecture series in memory of a left leaning labor leader, it was an honest to goodness apolitical, intellectual and informal one.

Mr. Esguerra’s discussion centered on the rise of the Philippine Working class from pre-Colonial times up to the Philippine revolution in 1896 which if you took High School & college in the Philippines would be very familiar with. The lecture wrapped up with an open discussion which unintentionally, but inevitably veered towards the question: “After learning this part of our history, where do we go from here?”

It puts a smile on my face that members of the FSAT were willing to give a piece of their mind on how

these lessons we’ve learned during these years of subjugation be used in a positive way that will be able to propel us Filipinos to move forward. Out came present issues such as poverty, migration and corruption. Despite the Filipino students’ Canadian accents and their comfortable lives in this First World Country, they still feel sympathy and attachment towards their country of origin. One student, who said it was his first time to visit the Philippines, has developed this attachment and is willing to come back. A brain-gain for our country? Perhaps.

During the individual introductions right after the discussion (which is quite odd) I remember telling members of this student organization that I’m a columnist for this paper and this might be my debut column. I was flattered when all of them clapped upon learning that I just started this “job”. So is this how Canadians say their congratulations as a group? I find it very formal though it was committed in an informal setting. Nevertheless, I did and still do appreciate this gesture. It really is unforgettable. The next time a similar situation arises with another person and I’m with a group, I know what I should give as a congratulatory remark.

—-

I learned a few days ago that one of my co-workers in my last job in the Philippines passed away after years of suffering from a rare illness called acute pancreatitis. Ronaldo “Ronnie” Jovellanos was 36 years old. I don’t consider him a close friend during my almost 2 year stint at our company but being single guys albeit him 8 years my senior, we shared jokes and stories that interest single guys the most – women. At our workplace, some hate him, some love him. But during his last days in this world, those who have known him at our office regardless of feelings towards him, bonded together to give moral support to a co-worker.

However, the sad story doesn’t end there. Although Ronnie has left this world already free from pain, circumstances has left his family and to a certain extent his physical body in dire straits. During his month-long confinement at the Makati Medical Center (MMC), he had amassed a whopping 1 million pesos in hospital bills which included a major operation and blood transfusion. MMC initially refused to release his remains and was kept in a freezer pending the settlement of his bills. His remains were eventually released and sent for interment and eventually awaiting cremation. However, the latter can’t be done without the Death Certificate which only MMC can issue. And again, without the hospital bills being settled, the Death Certificate won’t be issued therefore the cremation or even burial won’t push through without this document.

—-

I can’t help but make a comparison between what Ronnie has undergone and Juana Tejada’s predicament here in Canada. Should Juana Tejada be deported come December and resume treatment in the Philippines, it’s not surprising that she could amass more than a million pesos for the ongoing treatment for her stage 4 cancer. It is a sad yet given fact that she had been given a couple of years (5 years to be exact) to live. And in between these years, she is required to undergo treatment regardless of the inevitable.

So should this unfair deportation push through, where will she get the money for her treatment? And who’s gonna give financial support to her family when their breadwinner is left without a job while hospital bills begin piling up?

My sympathies go to Mrs. Tejada. After all, we are both caregivers under the Live-In Caregiver Program (LCP). We also have more or less the same set of reasons why we left the Philippines.

Diwa Marcelino (above) and members of Migrante-Ontario, held a rally in front of Citizenship & Immigration Canada denouncing the decision of the agency not to grant Juana Tejada, a caregiver afflicted with cancer, permanent resident status

Just because the CIC case officer’s denial of her application was based on the argument that her “health condition might reasonably be expected to cause excessive demand to health and social services (of Canada)” doesn’t mean that there is no room for compromise. After all, it is assumed that when she left Hong Kong where she first worked and after undergoing a supposedly mandatory medical checkup by a Canadian Embassy-accredited medical center for her to be able to enter Canada, she was given a clean bill of health and therefore it is logical to assume that she got the cancer while on Canadian soil. So shouldn’t at least the Canadian government share “this burden” by granting Mrs. Tejada permanent residence for her to continue her treatment “right here” where she most probably developed this cancer?

Should the Canadian government uphold the decision of its immigration agency the CIC to deport Mrs. Tejada, it’s tarnishing its image as a guarantor of human rights and is espousing the inhumane treatment of its workers (albeit short of becoming its own citizens as in the case of Tejada).

The case of Tejada may be lost as far as legalities are concerned but there is still the power of moral persuasion that transcends the boundaries of law. And this should be the basis of the Canadian government to reverse its decision and cite this case a “moral obligation” to let her stay in Canada.

Part II:  The Philippine Working Class Movement in the Era of U.S. Colonialism

First Half: The Philippine-American War and the Consolidation of U.S. Rule

We are continuing the “Ka Bel” lecture series which started in the summer. The next topic will be the first half of the American period, 1898-1916- that covers the Philippine-American War and the Consolidation of US Rule in the Philippines. In this period, we’ll also see the beginnings of the Philippine trade union movement, and the role of the Philippine Independent Church in the liberation movement.

Thursday, November 20, 2008
5:00pm – 7:00pm
Charbonelle Lounge, St. Michael’s College @ University of Toronto
81 St. Mary Street, Toronto

Special Guest Speaker:
RAMON GRAJO
- Sessional lecturer/instructional assistant at the University of Toronto
- PhD Candidate in Philosophy
- Spokesperson for BAYAN-Canada in Toronto, a campaign centre for Philippine issues

This event is FREE!

If you have any questions please contact:

Lei-Ley Hull, FSAT Education & Community Affairs – (416) 801-4869
Ben San Juan, FSAT External Affairs – (647) 830-1675
Mithi Esguerra, Migrante Ontario Youth – (647) 239-6553

Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/event.php?eid=42882478427

July 21, 2008

Salamat sa Young Blood article, “Quiapo Vendors” ni Ms. Lucero, na lumabas sa PDI.

On July 19, 2008, we went to Plaza Miranda to look for the Flower’s Vendors Association. We easily found the vendors selling flowers along the mall at the side of Plaza Miranda near Quiapo Church. I asked about the president of their association and met Mrs. Maria S. Batac, from San Fernando, Pampanga. I learned that Ms. Lucero bought the flowers from her.

Maya-maya ay ngumiti siya. Nagtanong siya kung kailan kami pupunta sa puntod ni Ka Bel. Magpapadala uli siya ng mga bulaklak (at inisa isa na ang mga bulaklak). Pinigil ko siya, at sinabing “sa Bulacan po siya nakalibing, baka ho malanta agad ang mga bulaklak.”

Aling Maring said, “basta nakababad sa tubig ang mga bulaklak ay matagal itong malanta.” Para lang huwag na siyang mag-abala pa, I told her na “ganito na lang po, Aling Maring. Pag kailangan namin ng mga bulaklak, sa inyo na lang kami oorder at magpapagawa. Hihingi na lang po kami ng discount.” Tumango siya at sabay sabi sa amin na, “sige, kayo ang bahala. Hihintayin ko kayo.”

Binanggit ko sa kanya na marami ang nakabasa at naluha sa artikulo ni Ms. Lucero. Kaya, hinanap namin sila para mapasalamatan. Sabay abot ko sa kanya ng dala naming Thank You cards mula sa pamilya at Anakpawis Partylist. Naluluha-luha niyang binasa at tinitigan ang mga cards na iniabot ko sa kanya. Pansamantala kaming nagpaalam at sinabing babalik kami sa kanyang puwesto para muling makipagkuwentuhan.

Marami pang ibang simpleng tao na hindi namin kakilala ang nagpunta sa burol ni Ka Bel. Tulad ng isang lalaki na tuwing umaga ay pinupunasan ang kabaong ni Ka Bel. Nang tinanong siya ng isa kong kapatid, ang sagot niya ay “ito man lang ay magawa ko para kay Ka Bel, bago man lang siya ilibing.”

Napakarami, di mabilang ang mga simpleng tao, marami sa kanila ang nanggaling pa sa probinsiya ang nagtungo sa Iglesia Filipina Independencia (IFI) para masilayan sa huling sandali ang katawan ni Ka Bel at magbigay ng kanilang respeto, kilalanin ang simpleng buhay at puspusang pakikibaka ni Ka Bel para sa interes ng masang anakpawis.

Nais namin silang puntahan at makilala, para tulad ni Aling Maring ay maabutan ko ng Thank You Card ng aming pamilya at ng Anakpawis Partylist. Higit pa rito, ay maiparamdam namin sa inyo ang mahigpit at mainit na pakikipagkamay at masabi sa inyo ang aming taos pusong pasasalamat.

OFELIA BELTRAN
Anak ni Ka Bel

Recently deceased Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran is introduced in Wikipedia:

A Filipino politician and a labor leader. A staunch critic of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, his imprisonment in 2006 and 2007 on disputed charges of rebellion and sedition drew international attention. As a member of 13th Congress of the Philippines with the Anakpawis or the ‘Toiling Masses Partylist’ and former chair of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), a militant and progressive labor movement, he was a major figure in contemporary Filipino history.

According to the Kilusang May Uno web site:

Crispin Beltran is … the epitome of militancy and progressive lawmaking in the country. He [was] the Chairman of the national political party Anakpawis (Toiling Masses) Partylist and is its re-elected Representative in the Philippine Congress. Having been an activist for over fifty long years, Ka Bel is esteemed by laborers, peasants, urban poor and other marginalized sectors as a true defender of the toiling masses and staunch critic of privatization, deregulation and other destructive policies of globalization.

A recent Youngblood column at the Philippine Daily Inquirer provides a glimpse into his credibility and how endeared he is among ordinary people-the “masa” or masses in Philippine society:

I did not bother to haggle anymore. Then I handed her a piece of paper on which I had copied the epitaph my father wrote: “Pagpugay sa dakilang anak ng uring manggagawa, Ka Bel; Ang buhay at alaala mo’y titis ng pag-asa sa pakikibaka ng uri. – Kas. George.” (In honor of a son of the working class. Ka Bel, your life and memory is an inspiration and hope of the struggle of the working class – Comrade George)

The vendor was shocked by the long message. I figured that she was used to writing only “Condolence and sympathy” on the ribbon. But she talked so loud that the other vendors came over.

“Santissima! Kay Ka Bel mo ba ibibigay?” (My goodness, are you giving it to Ka Bel?) a vendor of Lego-like toys asked.

I nodded and smiled.

“Diyos ko, Mare, huwag mo na singilin!” she told the flower vendor. “Kay Ka Bel naman pala eh. Kapatid natin iyon sa pakikibaka.” (My God, then don’t charge her. It’s for Ka Bel. He is our brother in the struggle).

Liberal Arts Dude sez:

I racked my brain trying to think of who in contemporary American politics would be the American version of Ka Bel-someone who is not only a champion of ordinary people in the arena of law and activism but also someone who is beloved by those whom he championed and is widely and highly regarded by the working class as one of their own. Someone who is widely and nationally known, highly esteemed and respected as a genuine working-class folk hero. Much to my chagrin I could not think of anyone.

Tony Mazzocchi who tried to organize a Labor Party is the closest example that I can think of. Or perhaps Jim Hightower.

Otherwise it is to the past that I delve into: Eugene Debs, Robert La Follette, Mother Jones, Martin Luther King or Malcolm X.

I feel sad and disappointed that in contemporary U.S. politics that I have to really think long, deep and hard to find a true American counterpart to Ka Bel. And that I had to go to the distant past to do so.

This brings to my mind two conclusions:

1. There are no working class heroes anymore in contemporary American society and that is both sad and bad for American society
2. There are working class heroes but they toil and do their work in obscurity. This indicates something both sad and bad about American society

I’ll delve into what these mean in Part II.

Part I: THE BIRTH OF THE PHILIPPINE WORKING CLASS AND THE KATIPUNAN

Migrante Ontario Youth and the Filipino Students’ Association of Toronto (FSAT) are proud to present “The Birth of the Philippine Working Class and the Katipunan,” a lecture on Philippine history to be held on Saturday, July 5, 2008, 1-4pm at the Charbonnel Lounge, St. Michael’s College at the University of Toronto, 81 St. Mary Street (south of Charles St. West, west of Bay St.).

July 7 marks the founding anniversary of the Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (Highest and Most Revered Association of the Children of the People). Founded in 1892, the Katipunan quickly became a nation-wide organization which would lead the Philippine Revolution of 1896 to end almost 400 years of Spanish colonial rule.

The lecture, “The Birth of the Philippine Working Class and the Katipunan,” will focus on the period of Spanish colonialism and how economic policies at the time resulted in the emergence of the Philippine working class. The lecture will also look at the Katipunan as an organization initiated by workers and its role in the struggle for national liberation.

The featured resource person at the lecture, Ricky Esguerra, is former instructor of Political Science a the University of the Philippines.  He is currently on the executive committee of the Community Alliance for Social Justice, and member of the Philippine Solidarity Network.

This lecture is the first of the Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran Philippine History Lectures prepared by Migrante Ontario Youth in commemoration of the long-time labour leader turned congress representative, who passed away in May 2008 shortly after a visit to Canada.

The lecture is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact:

Migrante Ontario Youth
Mithi Esguerra
migranteON.youth@gmail.com
647-239-6553

The Filipino Students’ Association of Toronto (FSAT)
Lei-Ley Hull, Education & Community Affairs Executive
fsat.educational@gmail.com
416-801-4869

]]> http://barangayrp.wordpress.com/2008/06/11/cartel-gatt-wto-gov%e2%80%99t-polices-to-blame-for-rice-crisis/ Wed, 11 Jun 2008 03:06:11 +0000 barangayrp http://barangayrp.wordpress.com/2008/06/11/cartel-gatt-wto-gov%e2%80%99t-polices-to-blame-for-rice-crisis/

The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP or Peasant Movement of the Philippines) said that the current rice crisis is a result of hoarding by the rice cartel, loopholes in the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law of 1988, and the government’s policy of liberalization, deregulation, and privatization, which is in line with its commitment to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade-World Trade Organization (GATT-WTO).

BY ALEXANDER MARTIN REMOLLINO
Bulatlat
Vol. VIII, No. 18, June 8-14, 2008

The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP or Peasant Movement of the Philippines) said that the current rice crisis is a result of hoarding by the rice cartel, loopholes in the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law of 1988, and the government’s policy of liberalization, deregulation, and privatization, which is in line with its commitment to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade-World Trade Organization (GATT-WTO).

This crisis, KMP said, cannot be solved neither by the government’s aggressive importation of rice nor by the extension of the CARP.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, early last week, certified as urgent House Bill No. 4077, which provides for a five-year extension for CARP. HB 4077 provides for an allocation of P100 million ($2.27 million at the June 6 exchange rate of $1:P44.14).

The Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law was signed in 1988 and was intended to be in force until 1998. CARP expired in 1998 but was extended for another 10 years. It expires again on June 10 this year.

Based on DAR data, only 3.96 million hectares out of the target 5.16 million hectares, or 77 percent, under CARP have been redistributed.

Usec. Gerundio Madueño of the Department of Agrarian Reform supported the extension of CARP saying that extending CARP will help improve the country’s rice production.

“By completing CARP, it will help in the increase in the production of rice ‘cause the farmers will be given the basic rural infrastructure, technology, the training and support for their cooperatives and training for themselves,” Gerundio said.

But Madueño’s claim was belied by KMP secretary-general Danilo Ramos. He pointed out that the country had experienced rice crises under CARP. This, he said, does not give a promising picture of CARP’s supposed ability to solve the rice crisis.

“When did we first experience a rice crisis?” Ramos said. “That was during FVR’s (Fidel V. Ramos) time (as President). 1994-1995. CARP ended only in 1998, before it was extended for another 10 years. That means that experience shows that CARP is not a solution to rice crises.”

The rice cartel

“In fact, during FVR’s time, rice supply increased by 350 percent, but prices nevertheless soared,” he added. “Why? Because of the cartel.”

The rice crisis of 1994-1995 was largely a result of the partial privatization of the National Food Authority (NFA), which then procured only 0.5 percent of total palay (unhusked rice) production. Private traders took advantage of the situation, creating an artificial rice shortage by hoarding supplies. This caused rice prices to jump by 90-100 percent.

The present rice crisis is also largely traceable to the activities of a rice cartel, known as the Big Seven, whose members, aside from being able to channel production to itself through a network of traders, are also allowed to import heavily.

The members of the Big Seven have been identified in Senate investigations as Joaquin Go Soliman (JOMERCO Trading), Pio Sy Lato (PNS Grains Center), Ramon Ang Syson (Family Native Supply), Gil Go (Jocardo Merchandising), Leoncio Tan/Janet Tiu (Leoneco Merchandising), Santos See (Manila Goodyear), and Teofredo Co (Teofredo Trading).

CARP and GATT-WTO

The depredations wrought by the rice cartel are aggravated by CARP’s loopholes and the government’s implementation of liberalization, deregulation, and privatization policies in accordance with the GATT-WTO (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade-World Trade Organization) framework.

The Philippines is now the world’s top importer of rice, according to the socio-economic think tank IBON Foundation – a far cry from its status as a self-sufficient, rice-exporting country in the 1980s. IBON Foundation’s research also shows that the Philippines devotes only 4 million hectares to rice production – contrasting sharply with Vietnam, with more than 7 million hectares planted to rice, and Thailand which devotes more than 10 million hectares.

Lands planted to cash crops are exempted from CARP. The owners of lands planted to rice and corn, which are subject to CARP, have found a way out of the government’s agrarian reform program through crop conversion. This contributed to the decrease in rice production.

Under the WTO’s Agreement on Agriculture (AoA), which the Senate ratified in 1995, the Philippines has been forced to meet a minimum rice importation requirement, whether or not the country has sufficient rice yields. The Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA), which Ramos signed into law in 1997, aims for further privatization of the NFA and increased private-sector participation in rice importation.

The NFA is mandated by law to procure at least 12 percent of palay production. From an average of 7.95 percent of palay production in 1977-1983, the NFA’s procurement dropped to 3.63 percent in 1984-2000 and from 2001-2006 was only 0.05 percent of total production.

Rice imports have increased from 257,260 metric tons (MT) in 1995 to 1.7 million MT in 2006. This year, the government has secured the importation of some 2.2 million MT of rice from Vietnam, Thailand, and the U.S. – the country’s largest volume of rice importation since 1998.

“The government’s ratification to the GATT meant full liberalization of Philippine agriculture, particularly the emphasis on export crops and, on the other hand, rice importation,” Ramos said. “That is why in 1994, when the GATT was being deliberated upon in the Senate, we put forward a position urging them to reject it.”

The government’s Medium-Term Agriculture Development Plan (MTDAP) aims to reduce rice and corn production from 5 million MT to 3.1 million MT. Meanwhile, the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) for 2004-2010 aims for “the development of 2 million hectares of new agribusiness lands through multi-cropping, the cultivation of idle and marginal lands, the expansion of fishery production in unutilized offshore and inland waters, and expansion of the product mix through high value crops and value-adding through innovative packaging and agro-processing.”

The reduction of rice production and the country’s increased dependence on rice importation have placed the people more and more at the mercy of private traders, who control rice prices.

HB 3059

The KMP is calling for the passage of House Bill No. 3059, or the Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill. Principally authored by the late Anakpawis (Toiling Masses) Rep. Crispin Beltran, the bill provides for free distribution of land to farmers, the expansion of agrarian reform coverage to include all agricultural lands, and government support services for beneficiaries. Bulatlat

Message of the Central Committee
of the Communist Party of the Philippines

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) pays the highest tribute to Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran, a great hero of the international proletarian movement, the international anti-imperialist movement, the militant workers’ movement in the Philippines, the toiling masses and the Filipino people. The entire CPP and the revolutionary movement it leads salute him as a fine and valiant proletarian leader.

His death on May 20, 2008 at the age of 75 is mourned by the oppressed. Along with the rest of the Filipino people, the CPP conveys its deepest sympathies to his bereaved wife Ka Osang and his family, friends and comrades in the struggle. The Filipino people likewise celebrate the victories they have won with Ka Bel. These triumphs provide great inspiration, strength and enthusiasm to carry on with the struggle.

In the veins of Ka Bel flowed the blood of Gat Andres Bonifacio and all the Filipino revolutionary heroes. Like our revolutionary ancestors, Ka Bel laid down his life for the cause of the toiling masses and the entire people against oppression, exploitation, plunder and bondage by foreigners, tyrants and rapacious elements. He offered his life and talents in advancing the struggle of the working class, the toiling masses, the Filipino people and the peoples of the world.

In the face of myriad sacrifices and trials, his steadfastness and enthusiasm never waned in championing the interest of his class and of the Filipino masses, in pursuit of a sovereign, just and prosperous future. Be it in the picket lines or in the halls of Congress, in the streets or in peasants’ fields, in rallies or in gatherings, Ka Bel had always been a true fighter who stood firm, daring and vigorous in waging the struggle for national liberation, democracy and socialism.

At a young age, he served as a courier for the patriotic guerrilla forces fighting the Japanese occupation during the Second World War. In his youth, he farmed and eventually found work as a janitor, gasoline boy, messenger, bus driver and taxi driver. At the age of 20, along with his fellow drivers at the Yellow Taxi Driver’s Union, Ka Bel staged a strike opposing the company’s unjust policies. Three workers were mercilessly killed and many others wounded when police forces brutally dismantled their picket line.

His fellow workers recognized Ka Bel’s bravery, strength and militancy and elected him union president. Ka Bel was among the pioneer organizers of Amalgamated Taxi Drivers Federation, and served as its president from 1955 to 1963. During the time of intense anti- communist witchhunts and repression of the legal democratic movement in the 1950s, Ka Bel stood strong in defense of the oppressed.

From 1963-1972, Ka Bel served as vice president of the Confederation of Labor Unions of the Philippines (CLP) that he founded with Felixberto “Ka Bert” Olalia, Feliciano Reyes and Cesar Lacarra, all militant labor leaders. He was also one of the founders of the Philippine Workers Congress, Katipunan ng Samahan ng mga Manggagawa (KASAMA), PACMAP and other workers’ organizations. The workers under their leadership relentlessly fought against capitalist oppression and exploitation as well as Marcosian repressiveness until martial rule was declared.

Ka Bel stood unfazed by the reign of state terror under the USMarcos dictatorship. He played a significant role in the formation of the Federation of Unions in Rizal and of the Philippine Nationalist Labor Organization (PANALO) that was later transformed into the Alliance of Nationalist Genuine Labor Organizations (ANGLO). These were all part of the preparations for the establishment in 1980 of a center for a genuine, fighting, anti-imperialist and militant labor movement in the Philippines—the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) or the May First Movement. Ka Bel served as the first secretary general of KMU and Ka Bert Olalia, the chairperson. In the 1980s, KMU’s membership swiftly ballooned from 100,000 to half a million workers.

Marcos felt seriously threatened by the growing strength of the KMU and the labor movement it headed. He attempted to suppress the KMU. In August 1982, he ordered the arrest and detention of Ka Bel and Ka Bert. They, however, remained symbols of the genuine, patriotic and militant labor movement, and even behind bars, stood as strong symbols of the opposition against the US-Marcos dictatorship.

Ka Bel manifested his bravery and resistance to the Marcos dictatorship when he managed to escape from his military guards in November 1984. He joined the armed revolutionary movement in Central Luzon where, as a member of the New People’s Army, he vigorously aroused, organized and mobilized farmers in the countryside. “Ka Anto” was his nom de guerre, drawn from the nickname of Crisanto Evangelista, a great labor leader and founding chair of the Communist Party of the Philippines in 1930. Ka Bel contributed immensely in forging a stronger worker-peasant alliance in the area.

When Marcos was ousted and the political situation turned relatively favorable for the open mass movement, Ka Bel surfaced and became active once again in KMU. He took over as chairperson following the brutal killing by the military in November 1986 of Rolando “Ka Lando” Olalia.

Ka Bel was also one of the founders of Partido ng Bayan (PnB) or People’s Party under which he ran for senator in 1987. Amid the repressive terror campaign and massive poll fraud by the ruling rotten politicians and the military forces, Ka Bel and the rest of the slate lost in the elections. He was also a National Council Member of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) or the New Patriotic Alliance which he chaired from 1993 to 1999.

Ka Bel remained KMU’s chairperson until 2003, after which he was proclaimed KMU’s Chairman Emeritus in recognition of his remarkable leadership and the inspiration he provided the workers.

As a labor leader, Ka Bel was active in supporting the workers’ struggles and championing the cause of the oppressed people in the country and abroad. He was frequently invited to participate in conferences in a number of countries and international forums. He persevered in the struggles of the world proletariat and the international solidarity of oppressed peoples against imperialist plunder, bondage and oppression. Ka Bel was the first chairperson of the International League of Peoples’ Struggle and its International Coordinating Committee in 2001 and became its Chairman Emeritus in 2004.

Ka Bel also served as vice president of Bayan Muna (BM) party from 2001 to 2003 and sat as one of its representatives in Congress after BM got the most number of votes in the party-list elections. Ka Bel likewise became the chairperson of Partidong Anakpawis upon its founding in 2004, and consequently became its representative in Congress from 2004 to 2007 and again from 2007 until his death.

As a representative in Congress, Ka Bel along with other progressive representatives was famed for his relentless criticism of the rotten ruling system and corrupt rule, in drafting bills and resolutions that promoted the national and democratic interests of the toiling masses and the Filipino people.

Foremost among the bills he filed was one calling for a P125 increase in the daily minimum wage of workers that was approved by Congress in 2007 after seven years of struggle. This was, however, later blocked by Gloria Arroyo and returned to Congress for the final kill by her minions.

Until his last days, Ka Bel pursued this bill especially in the face of the worsening poverty and hunger caused by the regime’s proimperialist and antipeople economic policies. On the day he died, Ka Bel, together with the other progressive solons, were preparing to pass a resolution calling for the removal of the EVAT from electricity charges. He was likewise active in pushing for the passage of the Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill and deterring the Arroyo regime’s maneuver to extend the bogus and pro-landlord Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

Within and outside the halls of Congress, Ka Bel was relentless and vigorous in his conviction to fight the rotten and puppet Arroyo regime. He was among the active proponents of the impeachment case against Arroyo in 2005. In October 2007, Ka Bel exposed the bribery attempt by members of Gloria Arroyo’s party on him and other oppositionist solons. They were offered several millions of pesos to support the fake impeachment case that was aimed at sabotaging the filing of the genuine and new impeachment case against Arroyo. He always joined rallies and similar protests in the streets, especially for the welfare of the workers and the toiling masses.

Ka Bel was awarded the title Filipino of the Year in 2002 by the Philippine Graphic Magazine in recognition of his tireless support for the welfare of the majority of power consumers and other of impoverished Filipinos. The same title was awarded to him by the Philippines Free Press in 2003 in his determination to take on the interest of the toiling masses. Every year, he was chosen as the Most Outstanding Congressman from 2002 until 2005. In 2006, he was included in the Congressional Hall of Fame.

In spite of the countless awards he received, Ka Bel remained an honest and humble worker, servant and people’s warrior. Inside an institution of the rotten system filled with billionaires and crooks plundering the nation’s wealth, Ka Bel took home not a single centavo for himself. In the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth he submitted as a Congressional representative, he declared as personal “assets” his two barong tagalog, a few other clothes, a pair of eyeglasses and cabinets. He died the poorest among all congressmen.

Because of the militancy Ka Bel and the other progressive representatives displayed in the streets, in various arenas of protests, and even within the halls of Congress, Malacañang never stopped persecuting them by filing trumped-up charges against them.

The Arroyo regime arrested Ka Bel on February 25, 2006 and detained him for one and a half years. His body was weakened by incarceration and state repression so he was transferred to hospital detention. Ka Bel was only freed after 15 months when the Supreme Court junked the baseless rebellion cases filed by the regime against him and over 50 other progressive leaders and activists.

Upon his release and return to Congress, Ka Bel did not waste a single day and continued his fight against the Arroyo regime and the rotten system and in championing the cause of the toiling masses.

Ka Bel died in the midst of intense struggle and tireless resistance against repression, bondage and cruelty under the US-Arroyo regime and the entire semicolonial and semifeudal ruling system. In spite of his age and weakened constitution, Ka Bel remained very active in attending conferences and meetings here and abroad to strengthen the unity of the Filipino people and raise their militant consciousness and determination to end the rule of the puppet, brutal and rotten Arroyo regime.

He left us a golden legacy of militant struggle. Like his predecessors Ka Bert Olalia, Ka Lando Olalia, Ka Amado Hernandez, Ka Crisanto Evangelista and Ka Isabelo delos Reyes and other Filipino labor leaders, the memories and spirit of Crispin “Ka Bel” Betran will forever remain etched in the Filipino people’s collective memory.

His story is a wellspring of inspiration. His humility and simple living, courage and determination to fight marked his unwavering service to the masses in his desire to change, end exploitation and advance the struggle for national liberation and democracy.

Like many others from the toiling masses, he died while repairing his humble abode. In life and in death, he was a model of simple and dignified living and faithfulness to principles and struggle.

With clenched fists, the hundreds of thousands of members of the Communist Party of the Philippines, Red fighters of the New People’s Army and the millions of revolutionary people in the cities and countryside accord the highest tribute to Ka Bel.

Long live the memory, aspirations and struggles of Ka Bel!

Long live the working class!

Long live the toiling masses!

Love live the Philippine revolution!

By REV. LUNA L. DINGAYAN

“For what has a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” — Matthew 16:26 46:1-3

God’s sense of humor

I would like to add my reflections to the countless accolades and eulogies uttered and written on the life of Ka Bel.

The Book of Ecclesiastes says that there is time for everything: a time to be born and a time to die (3:2). But God must have a sense of humor. Ka Bel had lived a dangerous life for the good of the working class and toiling masses, militantly struggling against the Marcos Dictatorship as well as the repressive and corrupt regimes that followed after, whether in the parliament of the streets or in the parliament of congress until his death.

Yet, Ka Bel died not by assassin’s bullets or in the hands of torturers or while marching and protesting in the streets, but rather by accidentally falling down while doing some repairs in the roof of his house in preparation for the rainy days. Some might say that his death as well as his life would have had greater impact if he died while in the midst of fighting the evils of today’s society. But what happened to Ka Bel would only show to us that we could not really dictate when or how we should die. Many times death comes to us at a time when it is least expected. Hence, we should always be ready for its coming.

Man for others

But nevertheless, we have to look at the meaning of Ka Bel’s death not only in terms of the immediate circumstances surrounding his death, but rather in terms of his total life. After reading and listening to all the things that were said and written about his life, I would say that Ka Bel is “a man for others”. This is a phrase coined by the great German theologian and martyr Deitrich Bonhoeffer, referring to the life of Jesus Christ our Lord. Jesus spent his life not for himself but for others – he “proclaim good news to the poor, recovery of sight to the blind, set free the oppressed, and announce that a day will come when God will save His people.” (Lk.4:19)

Like Christ, Bonhoeffer also spent his life for others. He was one of the leaders of the underground Confessional Church fighting against Hitler and his Nazism. He was arrested, tortured and executed on the charge that he was one of those who plotted the failed assassination attempt against Hitler. Truly, Bonhoeffer lived up to his own theology. He was the one who said that if Christ would call a person, he calls him or her to die.

Also, Ka Bel is a man for others, because until his last breath he lived his life for others, for the members of his family, and for the bigger society, especially those who are poor and oppressed like himself. Like Jesus and Deitrich, he was also arrested and tortured by the powers-that-be. Although he was not executed, and was able to escape from prison, he did not stop fighting for the good of the masses, even in the halls of congress. Yet, he never forgot to care for his family. He raised and brought up his family out of his own sweat. In fact, he died while fixing the roof of his modest house so that his family will have a shelter from the storms.

Never lost his soul

Ka Bel never lost his soul or principle in life. Although it was very tempting for him being a party-list representative, he never sold his soul to the devil or to the mammon, the so-called god of money. He remained the poorest man in the House of Representatives, where many have become wealthy in exchange for their souls. He exemplified in his life what Jesus Christ our Lord has taught us that authentic life is consisted not in what we have but in what we share (cf. Lk.12:15; 18:22).

Indeed, Ka Bel deeply understood what Jesus Christ our Lord meant when he said, “For what has a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mt. 16:26). We are truly grateful to God for Ka Bel’s life – it is a life that goes beyond death. #

I recently talked with a friend who told me that if only Ka Bel’s death was more heroic, his wake could have attracted more people. But after my personal encounter with Ka Bel that night- after seeing, hearing and feeling the life of Ka Bel through his family, friends, peers, peers,a nd comrades – I realized that what is important is not how he died. It is about what he did when he was still alive.

BY JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
Bulatlat
Vol. VIII, No. 17, June 1-7, 2008

The streamers of Anakpawis (Toiling Masses) and Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU or May 1st Movement) and other organizations have set the mood for the people entering the Iglesia Filipina Independiente Cathedral at busy Taft Ave. last May 27.  One gets the feeling that s/he is not merely entering a wake but also a rally.  The atmosphere created by the banners and numerous solidarity statements extolling Crispin Beltran is not only of mourning but also of militance. The first thing that would remind the visitor that it is indeed a funeral is the ubiquitous guest book near the door.  But what strikes the visitor, upon entering the church, is the magnificent painting of labor leader and Anakpawis Representative Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran.  The painting exudes strength and vigor; it’s as if he was alive.

I have not met Ka Bel personally.  I could have, a week before he died.  I was covering a rally then, with my co-intern Hannah, when we were approached by one of Ka Bel’s staff asking us if we would want to interview him, pointing to a van parked nearby.  But we were in a hurry and we declined the invitation.  We never thought that it would be our last opportunity to meet the man who is now being revered as a true representative of the people and a person from the working class till the end.  I have only seen Ka Bel in some of his television interviews and newspaper clippings before. But I can still barely remember the details of the aged but unwavering icon of the Filipino people and the workers’ struggle.

Near the altar, some people were busy rehearsing for a cultural number that would be presented that night. The performers and the technical aspects of the show seemed to synchronize so well that it’s as if they have been practicing for almost two weeks now. But Ka Bel has been dead for only less than a week, so one can imagine the time and effort that people put into this event to pay tribute to Ka Bel.

I was not aware that people from all walks of life were already arriving in droves until I noticed that there were already people sitting along the aisle of the church. I looked behind me saw that there were also a lot of people  standing at the back, waiting for the event to begin. It took some time before the people joining the tribute settled down as they waved their hellos to familiar faces and initiated small chitchats. The people who came that night seemed to know each other very well. It was like a big family reunion, a family bonded by their shared perspective in life.

The Grand Tribute

The grand tribute for Ka Bel portrayed how he carved his selfless battle that started at a very young age. He was a witness to the suffering of his fellow Filipinos when Japan invaded the country. This drove him to do auxiliary work such as being a messenger for the guerillas at the age of 10.

From then on, the pieces of his life story seem to build up to what he is known for right now. From being a humble taxi driver, and a militant labor leader fighting the Marcos dictatorship, he became a lawmaker under the partylist group Bayan Muna (People First) then Anakpawis.

Aside from illustrating how Ka Bel was as a lawmaker and a comrade in the militant labor movement, the tribute also showed the other side of Ka Bel: that of being a family man and a boss. The love story of Ka Bel and his wife seemed to intrigue the people while the song of the staff of Anakpawis for Ka Bel brought silence to the church as the audience listened attentively.

One of the highlights of the event was when some of Ka Bel’s pictures were shown in a slideshow as his favorite song Imagine by John Lennon was played in the background. Emotions of sadness and grief poured out and filled the air. I looked around and saw that everybody was teary-eyed, so was I.

At first I could not understand why it made me feel as if I have known him very well. But after listening to the testimonies of the people that night, I felt Ka Bel’s contribution in my life. The mere thought of him living a humble life made me think that he did not only defend the welfare of the poor but shared their agony as well.

A Hero

I recently talked with a friend who told me that if only Ka Bel’s death was more heroic, his wake could have attracted more people. But after my personal encounter with Ka Bel that night – after seeing, hearing and feeling the life of Ka Bel through his family, friends, peers, and comrades – I realized that what is important is not how he died. It is about what he did when he was still alive.

I see Ka Bel as a man who chose a battle that would not give him any personal gain but is for the interest of the whole country. The celebrant of the ecumenical service said that some people Ka Bel helped are now better off than he is. But I think this is not surprising for a man who shared not the crumbs but the best he has to offer. Bulatlat

Muli kong ilinalathala dito ang mga kaganapan sa huling araw ng labi ni Ka Bel, kasama ang mga manggagawa at alyadong kanyang pinagsilbihan at pinag-alayan ng buhay.

Ang mga larawan ay kuha ng mga lente’ng hawak nina Ilang-Ilang Quijano, Danny Pata, Kenneth Guda, KJ Rosales at John Clemente.

Maraming salamat sa Pinoy Weekly, ang nagmamay-ari ng mga larawang nakatala sa ibaba.

==================================
Mula sa katedral ng Iglesia Filipino Indipendiente sa Taft Ave. kung saan ibinurol si Anakpawis Rep. Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran, nagmartsa ang progresibong mga grupo, sa pangunguna ng KMU (Kilusang Mayo Uno), patungong Mendiola, sa unang bahagi ng libing-martsa noong Mayo 28. (Ilang-Ilang Quijano)

Nagpadala ng mga bulaklak ang Revolutionary Council of Trade Unions, National Democratic Front of the Philippines, at Communist Party of the Philippines bilang pagpupugay kay Beltran, 75, na namatay sa aksidenteng pagkakahulog sa bubungan ng kanyang tahanan noong Mayo 20. (Danny Pata)

Nakaimprenta sa t-shirt ng manggagawang ito ang makasaysayang mga salitang binitiwan ni Beltran noong nililitis siya para sa paglaban sa diktadurang Marcos. (Ilang-Ilang Quijano)

Binabasa ng mag-inang ito ang isang polyetong nagpapaliwanang ng kahulugan ng buhay ni Beltran, na ipinamahagi ng mga raliyista sa dinaraanang maralitang mga komunidad. (Ilang-Ilang Quijano)

Naglakbay pa mula Timog Katagalugan ang mga manggagawang ito para makiluksa at makiprotesta sa pagpanaw ng lider-obrerong tumulong sa kanilang mga pakikibaka para sa sahod at trabaho. Dumalo rin ang mga manggagawa mula sa mga rehiyon ng Kordilyera, Gitnang Luzon, at Bikol. (Ilang-Ilang Quijano)

Itinapon pabalik ni Elmer Labog, tagapangulo ng KMU, ang mga bulaklak na ipinadala ni Pangulong Arroyo sa burol ni Beltran. (Ilang-Ilang Quijano)

Ayon sa Anakpawis at KMU, isang kahangalan ang pakikiramay ng Pangulo kay Beltran na ipinaaresto niya noong 2006 at ipinakulong nang mahigit isang taon na bahagi umano ng panggigipit sa oposisyon. (Ilang-Ilang Quijano)

Ibinuhat ang mga labi ni Beltran papasok ng Kamara nina Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo at Teddy Casino, Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza, at iba pang mga kaibigan at katrabaho. (Ilang-Ilang Quijano)

Pinangunahan ni Fr. Joe Dizon ang necrological mass para kay Beltran. (Ilang-Ilang Quijano)

Mahigit kumulang 80 kongresista at mahigit 1,000 tagasuporta ni Beltran ang dumalo sa misa at seremonya sa loob ng session hall ng Kamara. (Ilang-Ilang Quijano)

Binasbasan ni House Espiker Prospero Nograles ang mga labi ni Beltran. (KJ Rosales)

Kasama ng mga apo, muling sumulyap sa kanyang kabiyak Si Rosario Beltran, na may 10 anak sa kongresista. (Kenneth Guda)

Sa talumpati ni Ocampo, pinatotohanan niya ang pagiging huwaran ng simpleng pamumuhay ni Beltran, na kadalasa’y walang pera sa bulsa. Pinasaringan niya si Arroyo at mga kaalyado nito (kabilang si Nograles sa kanyang likuran) na umano’y nagpahirap sa mga tunay na naninilbihan sa sambayanan tulad ng yumaong kongresista. (Ilang-Ilang Quijano)

Mula Kamara, muling nagmartsa ang nagluluksang mga raliyista patungong Fairview. (KJ Rosales)

Tuloy ang Laban, kanilang paulit-ulit na sigaw. (Ilang-Ilang Quijano)

Umabot sa mahigit 20,000 ang mga dumalo sa makasaysayang martsa-libing. (Ilang-Ilang Quijano)

Inihatid si Beltran sa kanyang huling hantungan sa Angel of Meadows sa Angat, Bulacan ng kanyang mga tagasuporta, kaibigan (kabilang si Sen. Jamby Madrigal), katrabaho, at kapamilya . Taas-kamaong pinagpugayan ang lider-obrero sa pamamagitan ng pagkanta ng Internationale, pandaigdigang awit ng mga manggagawa. (John Clemente)

Noong May 20, pumanaw si Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran, isang tinuturing “progresibo” na parliamentarista nang dahil habang umakyat siya sa kanyang bubong para ayusin nito, aba natapilok si lolo….ayun, kinuha na siya ni Lord…oops, si Lenin (sa ideolohiyang Komunismo, wala silang tinuturing relihiyon o konsepto ng “God” pero dumadaming mga pari na sumusuporta sa mga kilos-himagsikan nila)

Aba…siguradong sigurado, di siya matatangap sa langit, dahil tutol ang ilang mga obispo sa Simbahang Katoliko na magpapamisa ang pari nila para sa kanya. Eh ang problema kapag papasok siya sa impiyerno, baka kakalasin pa niya mga demonyo para humagsik laban kay Satanas mismo.

Mag-ingat sa mga medyong maselang bituka – me mga eksena sa mga bidyong nito ma marahas at madugo.

Nandito malalaman mo ilang dahilan kung bakit umaangkat na nga kami ng bigas mula sa mga kapitbahay natin sa Asean, habang linilipas kami at iniiwasan ng mga foreign investors sa rehiyon. Kita mo kung karamihan mga magsasaka, imbes na tumanim ng bigas para di sila mapauwi sa gutom, pinipilitan silang gumamit ng itak’t AK-47 para pumatay ng kapuwa-tao.

Sa larangan ng industriya, mga investors ay dapat tumatayo ng mga pabrika para makatrabaho mga ka-milyung-milyon ng mga Pilipino; pero nangdahil sa pagpapapsok at pagsasakop ng mga unyon ng mga kutong Pula, mas naging praktikal sa mga investor na lumipat sa Thailand, Indonesia at pati Vietnam (na dating sinakop ng Komunista)

Kung masasabi palaganap ang paglalabag sa human rights noong panahon ni Macoy, aba, walang sabi ito sa anu’t anong mangyayari sa ating bansa pag natuloy ang maitim na balak ng mga ito. Di lang mawawala na ang mga kalayaang nating manulat sa blog at mag-post ng mga bidyo sa YouTube (mangyayari pa nga, baka ibabawal na nga ang pag-aaccess roon). Kung mayroon mga gustong magpakita ng tapang, aba ayun… makarating ka sa mga “kangaroo court” na pati ng mga kababawan katulad sa pagtatalik o paglalampung sa mga kasamahan mo, magagamit pa nila laban sa iyo pa.

Sa totoo lang, walang kaibahan itong Joma at mga katropa niya sa mga buwitre’s buwaya na nakakaupo sa kasalukuyang administrasyon. Pareho silang mahilig magpapapasarap ng buhay habang gumugutom mga tauhan nila sa kabundukan…mabuti na nga si Joma pa, me ka-partner na blondie pa (0:05) sa sayaw! Eh pati ang kapapanaw na si Beltran, aba, me anak pa siya sa labas!!! Kaya nga dumalaw si Erap sa libing niya…para magpabigay ng respeto sa isang kapuwang-barako katulad niya (hahah!!!)

Dito nga makikita rin ng paraanan kung paano nagpapabango ng dating ang mga alipores ng Pula. Kunwari’y sumigaw sila ng “nasyonalismo” at nagpapasuot pa sila ng mamahaling damit at kurbata para yumapak sa Batasang Pambansa (eh, sa 2:56, sinong gumawa ng suit mo? Parang mamahalin iyan…aba, ayaw ni Pareng Marx na iyan!!!)

Di ba, iyan ang balak nila, gamitin mga salita’t baliktarin ang kahulugan mismo nito. Iyan ang kabulukang tinuturing na “doublespeak” na naging uso noong ikaunang bahagi ng dekadang setenta sa EU noong nakaupo si Richard Nixon sa White House

O ayun, gusto mo mauwi ang mahal na bansa natin sa ganito ba??

Philippine politics

PAGTUPAD   Habang taas kamao mong sineselyuhan ng sigaw na umaalingaw-ngaw sa loob ng Iglesia Filipina Independiente at Taft, ang pangako mo sa nakabuwal na katawan ng ating ka bel- na tuloy ang kanyang laban. Mabigat na tungkulin ang iyong tinanganan. Una, sa kanya. Pangalawa, sa sinisinta niyang bayan.   Paalala kasama, bayaran na naman ng mataas na matrikula, lingguhan nagtataas ang diesel unleaded at gasolina, di man lamang umabot sa bente ang umento -kung umento man itong matatawag ni ka bel, dinudukot, pinapatay, tinatapon sa ilog ang mga kasama, nakakulong. At kasama, nasa Malakanyang pa din si Gloria. Wag nang antayin ang nine days, forty days at babang luksa- umpisahan na ang trabaho. Tuparin agad ang pangako.    

sa ating pagkilos lang sila mananatiling buhay.. -gelacio guillermo

Paalam KA BEL

ni Gerald Gravela

Kay bilis ng panahon

tinanggalan ka kaagad ng

panahon. Ang iyong

ipinaglaban, san kaya

mapaparoon?

Biglaan ang iyong pagkawala.

Tila ba nagbiro ang tadhana.

Ang sandaling ito’y hindi ko

naisip, gisingin ninyo ako sa

pagkaidlip.

Hindi ka pumanaw para sa amin.

Pagkat ang iyong pakikibaka

ay palagiang dadalhin. San

man kami liparin ng aming

mga paa. Mananatiling

buhay sa puso naming ang

iyong alaala.

Isang Pagpupugay kay Ka Bel mula sa Kasamang Taksi Drayber

ni Mark Angeles 

Primera 

Kasabay ng pagpihit sa kambiyo

ang nasang buhay ay magbago.

Mahigpit ang hawak ko sa manibela

at matiim na sinusuyod ang kalsada.

Sagad na ako sa bawnderi

pero hindi pa ako gagarahe.

Pandagdag sa badyet sa bahay

lalo’t malapit na ang pasukan.

Segunda 

Anong kulimlim sa aking sipat

ang nakadipang mga alapaap.

Ka Bel, ngayon ko lang nalaman

ang balita ng iyong pagpanaw.

Para ba akong sibuyas na tinadtad.

Anong lungkot itong lumagpak!

Agad kong tinabi ang aking taksi.

Balita sa radyo’y tinutukang maigi.

Tersyera 

Sa gitna ng harurot ng mga sasakyan

hinalughog ang kaban ng aking isipan.

Tantiya ko’y higit sa limampung taon,

Ka Bel, nang una kitang makita sa pulong.

Naroon ka nang buwagin ang aming welga

at napatay ang tatlo sa ating mga kasama.

Salamat, Ka Bel, sa pinalaganap mong alab

para ipagtanggol kaming mga kapus-palad. 
 

Pagtupad

ni Rustum Casia 

Habang taas-kamao mong sineselyuhan ng sigaw

na umaalingawngaw sa loob ng Iglesia Filipina

Independiente at Taft, ang pangako mo

sa nakabuwal na katawan ng ating

Ka Bel – na tuloy ang kanyang laban,

mabigat na tungkulin ang iyong tinanganan. Una,

sa kanya. Pangalawa, sa sinisinta niyang bayan.

Paalala, kasama, bayaran na naman ng mataas

na matrikula, lingguhan nagtataas

ang diesel, unleaded at gasolina, di man

lamang umabot sa bente ang umento

- kung umento man itong matatawag ni Ka Bel,

dinudukot, pinapatay, itinatapon sa ilog ang mga

kasama, nakakulong.

At kasama, nasa Malakanyang pa din si Gloria.

Wag nang antayin ang nine days, forty days

at babang luksa – umpisahan na ang trabaho.

Tuparin agad ang pangako.

  Tanging sa ating pagkilos sila mananatiling buhay.

       – Gelacio Guillermo 
 

Sapagkat Siya ay si Ka Bel

ni Maria Baleriz 

simple. simple. simple 
 
hayaan ninyong sa ganoong kataga 
aking simulang iguhit ang kanyang imahe 
 
payak siyang tunay 
sapagkat ang kayamanan niya’y hindi ang pera 
kundi ang masa, ang masa at ang masa 
dahil maging ang kanyang pamilya: 
ang butihin niyang maybahay 
mga anak 
mga apo 
ang kanyang dakilang ama at ina 
mga tiyo at tiya 
mga kapatid 
ay bahagi ng sambayanan 
ng masang lubos niyang pinaglilingkuran 
 
ang kayamanan niya ay ang masa 
kung nasaan ang samu’t saring 
uri na nagpanday sa kanay 
hanggang sa mahubog ang dakilang siya 
ang mga manggagawa 
ang mga magsasaka 
ang mga kabataan 
ang mga kababaihan 
ang mga katutubo 
ang mga maralita 
sa lungsod at kanayunan 
ang sambayanang lumalaban 
 
sapagkat ang kayamanan niya 
kung iyong hinahanap 
natitiyak kong ikagugulat mo’t 
ibayong paghanga pa ang sa iyo’y haharap: 
 
dalawang barong tagalog 
isang pares ng salamin sa mata 
aparador at ang ilang mga kamiseta 
ito ang yamang mayroon siya 
 
hindi siya nabuhay sa luho ng mundo 
bagkus sumibol siya para sa pakikibaka 
at pagbabago 
na upang mabuhay ka 
di ito para sa pansariling gusto 
kundi sa pagsuong sa hirap at sakripisyo 
at pagtindig kahit sa kuko ng kamatayan 
para maglingkod sa paglaya ng sambayanang 
binubusabos ng mga dayuhang 
ganid sa yaman 
 
simple simple simple 
 
hayaan ninyong sa ganyang kataga ko 
ilarawan ang huling paglalapat ko 
ng sangkap na magpapatingkad ng obra maestrang 
sambayanan din ang humubog. 
 
si Ka Bel. 
ganyan humigit-kumulang. 
huwaran. 
militante. 
para sa kanyang pamilya. 
sa mga kaibigan. 
…mga kasama. 
 
sa masa. 
sa rebolusyon. 
 

ni Alexander Martin Remollino 

Sa alaala ni Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran, lider-manggagawa, 1933-2008

Maramot sa liwanag ang araw 
at siya’y nagtatago sa likod ng mga abuhing ulap 
nang ikaw ay iwan ng huli mong hininga.

Hindi ka nasawi sa larangan, 
di-gaya ng siya mong nais. 
Ngunit huwag mo sanang isiping ang iyong pagyao 
ay hindi paglisan ng isang bayani, 
sapagkat hanggang sa huli mong hininga, 
may ligtas na pahingahan sa iyong puso’t isip 
silang nagpapagal 
upang bigyan ang bansa’t ang buong daigdig 
ng bubong na masisilungan, kalasag 
laban sa dahas ng unos at lupit ng araw. 
Hanggang sa kahuli-hulihang sandali, 
ang bawat tibok ng iyong puso ay laan 
sa kanilang nagbabaon ng mga pako sa kahoy at kongkreto 
upang itindig sa lupa ang mga tahanan.

Ikaw ay bayani, 
kaya’t nauukol na mabuhay nang walang hanggan 
sa pambansang alaala 
upang maging tanglaw sa umagang makulimlim 
at sa gabing walang buwan at bituin.

Related videos:

Pagdating sa PIC Taft.

Parangal  ng Taga Timog Katagalugan

Parangal ng Kabataan

Libing

[This blog has a new domain: http://philippineaffairs.com/]

What could be more ironic than a marine squad of honor guards saluting the coffin of a Marxist labor leader? What could be more poetic justice than a battalion of police protecting a crowd of activist marchers?

We are tired of hearing news about soldiers summarily executing leftist leaders. We are already numbed seeing TV footages of mass-dispersals of protesters by anti-riot police using tear gas, bamboo canes, and water cannons. Yesterday’s funeral march for Ka Bel was indeed an unusual scene. It was more than ironic. It was more than poetic. Even in the last stretch of his long journey, Crispin Beltran was still the quintessential street parliamentarian. The funeral march was turned into a protest. Among the sea of red shirts and flags, chants of indignations were heard.

Although his death was not as dramatic or heroic as he wanted it to be, his life was a paragon of unselfish service for the working class, particularly for the common laborer. He gallantly fought for reforms both on the streets and in the halls of congress. But his mouth is now forever silent. His feet will never step on the streets again. His arms will never again be outstretched with defiant fists. His walk is now finally over. Ka Bel might simply become just a footnote in history or he might simply be forgotten but his legacy will remain. As long as the working class is slave to the capitalist infrastructure, many other Crispin Beltrans will rattle the chains and try to break free from bondage.

This song is a fitting tribute to Ka Bel and to all others like him:

MANGGAGAWA

By Gary Granada
(Downdload MP3)

Kung ang ulo niya’y masagi sa balikat mo kaibigan
Ikaw na sana ang marunong umunawa
Ibig lamang maidlip ang lamog na katawan
Ng isang pangkaraniwang manggagawa
Sa maraming pabrika ang pahinanteng tulad niya
Ay palipatlipat na namamasukan
Sa lamig ng magdamag, pagod niya’y sinasagad
Sa munting paghahangad na mabuhay

Kulang ang maghapon upang makaipon
At makakaahon ang isang dukha
Kulang din ang pawis kahit labislabis
Kung ang nagnanais ay maralita

Natutunan niyang hamakin ang sakit at sakuna
Tatlumpu’tpitong taon na siyang nasanay
Sa matang namumutla ay inyong mapupuna
Siya’y mamamatay sa kakahanapbuhay
Sa mga nagpapaluwal ang sahod niyang butalbutal
Nasanla nang matagal sa kagipitan
At kahit siya magpapagal, pilit mang isusugal
Ang hapo at nangangatal niya nang laman

Kulang ang maghapon..

Samantalang may isang panginoong maykapital
Ang nagdiwang at nagdaos ng hapunan
At kabilang sa hapag ng panauhing pandangal
Ang tanyag at ang banal sa ating lipunan
Halos ang bawat isa’y makapangyariha’t matagumpay
Dahilan sa isang taglay na katangian
Ang matibay na loob na magsawang mabusog
Habang may nangangatog sa hapdi ng tiyan

Kulang ang maghapon…

Kahapon po ay libing ni Ka Bel. Kasama si Nanay at Tatay, pumunta po kami sa Batasan upang magbigay ng pagpupugay.

Syempre pinalipas na ng mga Marines ang pag-inspeksyon sa akin.

Pagdating namin sa entrance ng Batasan South Wing, kami ni Nanay at Ninang Cathy ay nagpicture taking.

Bongga pala ang pagsalubong ng Batasan sa mga baby tulad ko. Tingnan po ninyo at red carpet ang inaapakan ko.

Habang nag-iikot-ikot sa Batasan, si Lolo Gil po ay aking namataan.

Syempre sa lahat ng iyan, si Lolo ay di mawawala. Picture dito, picture doon. At nang ako ay makita, di na nakatiis. Ako po ay kinarga.

Marami pong comrades ang sa akin nakapansin. Tulad po ni Tito Nato, na spokesperson ng Bagong Alyansang Makabayan.

At si Tita Ofel, anak po ni Ka Bel.

Syempre marami pa pong iba, nariyan sila Ninang Reileen, Tita Marge, Lola Ces at ang kanilang tropa.

Pati si Tita Ruth, asawa ni Ka Teddy Casino ng Bayan Muna, ay napatingin.

Karga po ako ni Nanay habang kami po ay nagmamartsa’t nagbibigay-pugay.

Pagpupugay at paalam, Ka Bel!

By KILUSANG MAYO UNO — CORDILLERA

May 20, 2008

“If helping the poor is a crime and fighting for freedom is rebellion then I plead guilty as charged” — Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran (21 years ago on the rebellion charges against him by the Marcos dictatorship)

The militant workers of the Cordillera Region under the flagship of Kilusang Mayo Uno-Cordillera join the Filipino masses in celebrating the life and works of the great leader and fighter of the oppressed Anakpawis Representative Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran, who died at 11:48 A.M. on May 20.

Beltran succumbed to lacerations of the head and brain injuries that resulted from a fall in his house in Muzon, Bulacan. He was first rushed to the Far Eastern University Hospital in Quezon City which declared that the congressman is “brain dead” after at least four cardiac arrests since arrival. He was later transferred at the Caloocan Doctors’ Hospital. Beltran is 75.

Ka Bel is a big loss to Filipinos especially the poor as they lose a brilliant and brave father who dedicated his life in giving utmost servitude for the advancement of the democratic rights and welfare of the Filipino people. He firmly stood for what he believed in, fighting against the exploitations and oppressions and struggling for a just and democratic society in the country.

Ka Bel was a true-blooded working class hero. He courageously fought for the democratic rights and welfare of the Filipino workers for almost 54 years. A trade unionist ever since 1955, he helped in the establishment of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (May 1st movement) forwarding genuine, militant, and nationalist unionism. He is the chairman emeritus of the KMU before his death.

He became the vice-chairman of the Partido ng Bayan (PnB) from 1986 to 1987. He was one of the first set of representatives of the progressive Partylist Bayan Muna in 2001 until 2004. From 2004 until the time he died, he is the representative of Anakpawis Partylist.

He is the chairman of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan). He is also the founding chairman of the International League of Peoples’ Struggles.

Ka Bel was born on January 7, 1933 at Bacacay, Albay. He attended elementary at the Bacacay Elementary School (1938-1941; 1946-1949). He finished secondary education at the Albay High School (1949-1953), went to the Philippine School of Arts and Trades (1953-1955). He took up Marine and Civil Engineering at the Far Eastern University.

He is married to Rosario Soto Beltran with whom he had 11 children.

Ka Bel is a true peoples’ servant. As a congressman of the masses, he filed numerous bills advancing the people’s welfare. He is at the forefront of exposing government anomalies and corruptions. He is a vocal campaigner against foreign exploitation and domination. Because of his tireless and dedicated performance in the public service, he was awarded the Congressional Hall of Fame. He was chosen Most Outstanding Congressman for four consecutive years from 2002-2005. The Philippine Graphic Magazine recognized him as Filipino of the Year for 2002 for protecting consumers from the anti-people policies and abuses of electricity firms and by the Philippine Free Press as 2003 Filipino of the Year for advancing the interests of the working class.

Being a staunch critic of the Gloria Macapagal Arroyo administration, Ka Bel was illegally arrested on February 25, 2006 just after Arroyo desperately declared a state of emergency by elements of the Philippine National Police without even explaining to him the basis of his arrest. He was only presented after a few hours a photocopy of an alleged warrant for a rebellion case hurled against him by the Marcos Dictatorship which was dismissed 21 years ago. He was a political detainee during the Martial Law and was again one under the Arroyo administration for more than 15 months falsely charged for inciting to sedition from March 2006 to July 2007 through a hospital arrest at the Philippine Heart Center.

According to his daughter, Ofelia Beltran-Balleta, Ka Bel was about to file a bill scrapping the 12% reformed Value Added Tax (RVAT) which is the main cause of the sky rocketing of the price of oil and other petrol products. Ka Bel was among the principal authors

Ka Bel may be physically gone, but the Filipino masses especially the working class, will never forget his golden deeds and priceless contributions for the people’s welfare.

A simple salute is not enough but continuing his fight will be the better way to let live what he thought us.

LET US SALUTE OUR BELOVED CONGRESSMAN!
LET US CONTINUE THE FIGHT OF KA BEL!
ISULONG ANG PAKIKIBAKA NG MASANG ANAKPAWIS!
MAKIBAKA! HUWAG MATAKOT! #

By INNABUYOG-GABRIELA

Today, we mourn the loss of a hero. Crispin Beltran, or “Ka Bel” as he was known by the Filipinos. He passed away on May 20, 2008, after a fatal fall while trying to prepare his house for the rainy season.

The Philippines was blessed by this living hero for many years. Pickets, dialogues, strikes and demonstrations were strengthened by his mere presence, his faith and courage. He battled many trials in his life as he to the yoke with the Filipino masses against oppression poverty, government corruption.

During his younger years, he was imprisoned with other militant leaders fighting against the Marcos dictatorship. Undaunted by the prison bars and illness, he continued through his wife, who delivered his words of solidarity to barricades and other mass meetings. Age and health did not stop him nor allowed the flame for democracy and equality to wane in his heart.

Ka Bel was a labor leader. He fought for just wages. He fought for the workers’ rights. He is the chairperson of the militant Kilusang Mayo Uno. He was the current representative of the partylist, Anakpawis. He devoted his life to pursuing people’s rights to land reform, job security, and human rights. Even as a lawmaker his statement of assets and liabilities was reported to be just a little over P27, 000 pesos, making him the poorest congressman. The manner of his death is a testimony to the simple life he lead though he was surrounded by corruption.

The Innabuyog-Gabriela and Gabriela Women’s Party is among the millions of lives he has touched and is forever grateful to the service, the leadership through the path to genuine democracy. He has provided us with the tools to rebuild our lives as we continue to destroy modern-day slavery in the country. He showed us the way to fight for our just rights. He helped build the pillars of this modern-day revolution. We, from Innabuyog will never forget his efforts and works

With Ka Osang, his wife and his children, the Innabuyog-Gabriela and Gabriela Women’s Party Filipino women, know that we will never be alone in this journey for a dignified life and the stand for the truth.

Ka Bel, your death is not the end of your legacy. You will forever remain in the hearts of the toiling masses. Your story shall be heard by children of generations to come, continuing to inspire and produce new revolutionaries. Your lessons are forever burned in the pages of our books. Your name is engraved in our revolution and your roar will forever resound in the battle against tyranny, poverty and corruption. And as you rest, know that the revolution you started will never lose its essence.

We love you, Ka Bel.
We will miss you!
Fight for Peace, Justice and Genuine Democracy! #

national rally to honor ka bel

Nilisan mo man itong daigdig
tinig mo’y patuloy na maririnig
Lulan ng mga himig mong alay
na lipos ng pag-ibig

Pag-ibig sa bayang sayo’y nagluwal
at sa manggagawang labis mong minahal
ang tulad mo ay d malilimot
Habang kami ay narito

Marami pang dapat imulat Kasama
Lipuna’y puno ng problema
sa pagtigil ng tibok ng puso mo
Kami ang magpapatuloy….

So long, my idol, my grandfather, you have shown us how it is to be a working class hero. you have shown the world the true service to the people. may we have the strength you had to continue the struggle!