Chapter 6
Osigan AgriculturalCollege
(This was once Romblon Agricultural College that offers secondary education only. This is where Driarco and Taklin and batchmates graduated. This same school offered College education after its conversion to Romblon State University. Source: Microsoft Bing. Retrieved 07-12-2022)
Rejuvenated after two days of hibernation from the Bishop's visit, Driarco reported back to school. "Two days' absences, not that bad. I'll just catch up on lessons missed," the thought lingered in his mind entering the entrance of the school premises. Osigan Agricultural College was once exclusive for secondary education students only. But as the municipality progressed, many migrants resettled in this peaceful place parents by necessity sent their children enrolled in the school. Enrollees then bloated to the maximum. Upon graduation, parents were forced to send their sons and daughters to Manila for College. Tertiary Education however offered later at Osigan, many stayed for good until its conversion into State University expanding Academic offerings from Agriculture, Liberal Arts, and Education to Engineering. In the sylvan setting one could feel and see through many centuries-old mango trees spread throughout the school campus ushering fresh air conducive to learning among its students provided a cool ambiance for study.
This proved very decisive as alumni opted to study in their beloved Alma Mater until graduation finding jobs without ever experiencing political harassment the way their counterparts experienced in Manila. The institution is one of its kind. The teachers were the cream of the crop, the brightest and most articulate from their batch. And as a good foundation was in place in their education, the school produced excellent graduates successful and productive in their respective chosen fields – letters, arts, education, and agriculture some engaging themselves later in politics. Religion too surprisingly has played a profound influence among its graduates. Batch '75 incidentally, for example, was the most ecumenical producing the most numbers of graduates serving God's vineyard as Catholic priests, Reverends, and Pastors of His Church. What a noble way of returning the compliment to God. The most telling of them all true to many Universities and Colleges, student-leaders joined the Nationalist struggle for democracy; many also joined the military. The Firebrand nationalist Taklin was one.
The overwhelming bandwagon though as they were still young joined progressive groups whose ideologies fanned by social unrest would soon lead to a clash against the government forces. These were the ones trapped and swallowed up by extreme idealism. They soon joined big rallies as a precondition for their acceptance to the ranks. Later as full-time supporters and armed combatants. What else would these young idealists go if not for the protection of the people and institutions they identified their collective strength.
Doy Laurel's letter to Cory Aquino on August 13, 1988, after the fall of Marcos exiled in Hawaii, accounted for 25,200 members of which 16,500 were NPA regulars; 2,500 in Metro Manila, the rest affecting twenty percent of the country's 42,000 barangays. Those in Manila advertently joined the feared underground movement of the Maoist and Leninist factions. Soon they pay price for their idealism as they fall one after the other on the dragnet set by Brown Shirts, the wolves unleashed by the military. Those captured were either given refresher courses on the Filipino ideology of the New Society, or the unfortunate ones were subjected to severe beatings and tortured dead. Some held under maximum security detention were at least lucky their freedom extended but not until they were banished into thin air after being summarily executed. Too many of them in fact and by all gauging set by the trend of dictatorship would go unabated depending on the extent of abuses of dictatorial government.
The vast tract of land, verdant rice fields rice stalks vowing to the ground the sun shining through its golden palay, fishponds, duckery, and piggery projects – all these are the common sight inside the school campus and considered water hallmarks of the College. No students would graduate from secondary education without undergoing rigid training in these projects. Those who would like to engage in farming after their studies are provided with farm lots and carabao to learn new farming techniques and technologies to increase agricultural production. Driarco spends four years on such a project. Not that he wanted to go full-time farming later but practice industry and feel what it takes to become a successful farmer. His nerve and guts paid off albeit not earning a handsome dividend. This is all that he desired determining not just the thrill but also the viability of farming and the profession.
"They are considered the true hero of the land as they feed daily the people, why are they not receiving subsequent respect," he told.
From his harvest he paid his tuition fees, the rest of the money formed his savings and allowance. The rest were spent vacationing and visiting relatives at Mindoro. Soon he learned that farming is not only a profitable undertaking but also, an enriching endeavor especially when one becomes a part of the farm. It was not all a pleasant experience though. At least he was hospitalized twice from farming when his left foot got infected by bacteria while plowing.
He was not sure whether he would be in farming again after his study in the seminary but what he is certain is the memory of working in the field would be part of his life. The aromatic scent of palay, the sprouting of mushrooms from the thawing rice stalks after harvest, catching mudfish and catfish by the nets, the mountains of rice brans turning black consumed by fire, the innocent voices and shouts of classmates either planting or harvesting palay – who could forget these memories?
What an excitement High School studies bring. There were times when his mettle was put to an acid test. For Driarco abhorrence to whatever form of abuse, either perpetrated by students or teachers is a legend. He could not swallow his pride being a witness to it let alone be subjected indiscriminately to abusive punishments. An instance was a punishment meted against him by his instructor demanding a bamboo pole for every single absence incurred. Questioning the legality and morality of bringing such a requirement, he was ready to challenge the sanity of Mr. Mirang, the instructor, after learning that bamboo poles donated or brought by the students were either used as fences for his house or just piled up gathering dust in the corner. The poor instructor just gave way to avoid further trouble and possibly getting the ire of the school's superintendent. For this heroic act, Driarco received give-me-five gestures from his classmates their loyalty and respect included.
"As I kept repeating as a song sang all over again, there are a hundred ways of killing a cat you know. The bottom line is you should stand and be ready to be judged by your action or work," he impressed his classmates after his exploits. But there were also silly things he did. He restricted this stupidity however to his friends not to dampen their morals looking up to him as a role model. Under cover of darkness normally every time there is a brownout, he and Taklin would surreptitiously collect ten to twenty sacks of carabao and or cow's manure from tons of such manures deposited beside the concrete fence along the municipal road. He would present them the following day to the collecting officer. Poor innocent guy gypped into believing the industry of his student. Fifteen sacks per student are required each year. Those who are not smart enough found themselves scouring from east to west, north to south of the municipality's grazing land forest including searching for that much-sought animal wastes. Dung. His roughly four years stay at Sta. Rita has been closely associated with his buddies – Miguel, Larry, Kim, Theodore, Monera, Kay, Taklin, Paz, Donna and Josephine, Lyon and Yolly – forming altogether into a clique. All are equally ambitious as Driarco and Taklin. Part of their covenant collectively agreed upon is to answer the challenge of who would make it as the best from among the group in the shortest possible time. Among others, implying that the first one who would go back to school later should be in a capacity as a guest speaker. It's one of the first deals the group unanimously agreed on in one of their session. Seldom a week passed by without a similar session held at Aling Nita's, a refreshment parlor adjacent to the school campus just across the road. Being Friday, they again regrouped but this time the topic centers on the impending Martial Law, the granting of emergency powers to President Marcos.
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(It was in this quadrangle on the ground, Martial Law was first announced by
Mr. Fano, Head of the Related Department that day of Sept. 21, 1972, that morning.)
"Have you ever read the announcement on the Bulletin Board?" Taklin asked the group.
"About tomorrow's important meeting with Mr. Paler, I mean Monday morning at the quadrangle," Kim volunteered.
"You're right. He would be discussing Martial Law," Taklin answered.
"Tell me why in the world there is a need of putting the entire country under dictatorship," Josephine griped.
"Sick idea from a very sick man Mr. Marcos indeed," Theodore interrupted.
"Sorry folks but I don't personally see any logic why he has to resort this far. You know what I mean," he added. The rest remained silent waiting for further bombshell from Horace.
"What's the use for instance of having registered 60,000 members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. What are they in service for? Just collecting our taxes as paid mercenaries without firing a single shot! Holy shit. He should have learned a lesson from then Justice Jose P. Laurel, his mentor, and savior from the Kempetai who exonerated him from the Nalundasan case though he was guilty as charged. President Laurel declared Martial Law you know in case you have not heard nor read it yet. But look what happened. Neither he was successful in cushioning the shock of the Filipinos from the Japanese nor helped him save his face from such action's unbecoming of a leader of a nation. I'm speaking of his decision of leaving the country with his family and some trusted friends as a sign of ingratiating himself to the Japanese when Gen. Douglas Mc Arthur's 'I Shall Return' was about to happen to the Philippines. He should have remained in times of crisishe was needed most by his people. Declaring war against the United States and Great Britain from the promptings of the Japanese and then flying away right after reading the declaration of war is simply amazing."
"But who knows he has other urgent reasons why he decided to leave the country," Theodore said with reservation.
"Shameful act and unbecoming of a President," Josephine echoed.
"Yes, but I think, not that serious. An exception you know. Here Martial Law was declared while the country was at war!"
"Yes. But not that serious I think because as a Constitutionalist, he is still par excellent. The later became a Senate President after his humiliation by Elpidio Quirino. Oh, you have probably heard one of the dirtiest election scams in history where birds and bees voted in an election. It's one of its kind in Asia happening right in our backyard given the penchant of our politicians sticking themselves in power no matter what. That's one of the incurable sicknesses our politicians suffer every time they are elected. Once they tasted power, they're never the same again. Not only that, but it is also contaminating one after the other leading to a political dynasty. And that what makes it alarming and doubly outrageous," Theodore added.
Driarco, Taklin, Paz, Donna, Theodore, and Isagani – all captive audiences sitting helped themselves digest the sanity of the lecturer. Larry was the self-proclaimed kibitzer.
"You mean Marcos should have utilized the military in quelling the fires of rebellion initiated by the reds – those whom he particularly addressed as enemies of the nation up in arms against the government," Larry ventured.
"That's what he said. True, that he has the legal basis from the Constitution. But where does that leaves us? Are we really in the state of rebellion, insurrection whatever he claims it to be? Whatever happened to his trusted lieutenants, the ministers tasked with calling order of this Republic. What made them so inept that they could not move and shoot their guns, "Theodore clarified.
"Then they should be castrated if not crucified," Taklin interjected drawing giggles from the gang.
"But assuming that there exists a state of violence or invasion that could overthrow the government," Donna asked.
"Then by all means he should declare war against the commies. This is what Suharto did to the communists in Indonesia. He practically wiped them out and gifted those who survived with coup'd grace. You see buddies. We can never trust commies. You may but beware of their intellectual dishonesty. They're the only group besides the Pope who claims infallibility as if they hold the key to problems ailing the nation. But is this true?"
"Good for the Pope that we Catholics are not critical against him when he speaks defending the matters of faith ex-cathedra. But not commies. They are that unpredictable lot. They change their color depending on the occasion Witness several purging from their ranks of zombies and mistrust creeping the entire system."
Without waiting for a response, he answered his question.
"I just don't think so," he said catching his audience almost under his spell.
"You cannot just mix water with oil you know if you get what I mean. Political power. That's what they are fighting for. And that's nonsense. It is not given on a silver platter; it is earned the hard way given to you by the people recognizing the role you are playing. A leader has to work hard to get it. It's the price the Filipinos would bestow to any person whom they could trust to give their future. Now let's go back to square one where we left off," Theodore decided shifting gear.
"That business of Martial law," Kim said sort of griping.
"I think we have more than enough of its reality. Anytime people would soon be herded into their prison cells and all that. Who must have been behind all these things?" Paz probed.
"Marcos who else," Larry declared.
"But I'm looking beyond that," Theodore exclaimed catching Donna's unprepared face blushing.
"Eureka. Don't tell me that Marcos has to do it by himself. You must be crazy. In a sense, Martial law simply tells us that Uncle Sam has not identified yet a possible replacement for Marcos never mind his state of health. This is the most logical thing that happened. Come on. Why? Military bases right here in the Philippines, the heart and soul of the Americans staying in this country. Allowing the restlessness of the people to escalate might cost their bases right here. And as you probably know that implies possible intrusion by USSR into the country unmolested. Should that happen, losing their defense in this republic would be another tragedy, an enigma to the incoming American generation second maybe to the humiliation they received from the hands of Ho Chi Min's Vietcong. Imagine losing 58,000 US armies after conscripting as many as 80,000 for Vietnam War. True that around 30,000 casualties suffered from Ho Chi Min after deploying 60,000 Vietnamese."
"How would Uncle Sam win anyway to a 'War of the Flea' of the frail Ho Chi Minh. Those huge casualties revealed the story of it all. But of course, many communists in North Vietnam were dead given sophisticated weapons by US armies. That's all they could do. But the reversal of the event was too much. Why not given the creativity of the enemies digging up Cu Chi Tunnels and Minh's trail, a famous supply line by National Liberation Front guerrillas right near US 1st Infantry Division," Theodore further narrated?
"But if you would consider the law of proportion, the US received the worst beating having lost more than half of its men. Not only that they also lost their faces back home. You could never win any single war you know if you're not armed with moral integrity and persuasion. That's it, folks. Dissecting Marital Law is tough. For one, it requires us to look into the complexity of reading between the lines as you probably say it" Kim batted in.
No one so far stood up and posed a challenge to Theodore's treatise. For Driarco and Taklin what his good friend expounded merely vindicates their notion of the American's implacable intervention in Asia and the rest of the globe propagating their concept of Manifest Destiny and Benevolent Assimilation. They have done it to other countries and why in the world they could not do it to the Philippines they too helped in times of crisis shedding their blood in fact during the Spanish-American War culminating with the Treaty of Paris in 1898.
"We can't trust the aliens' folks. They're not needed here. Maybe as visitors but never interfering with our political affairs. Look what happened to Magsaysay during his inauguration to the presidency after beating badly the incumbent Elpidio Quirino in the presidential election. Lansdale changed Magsaysay's prepared speech with his' plus an uppercut bonus to the chin dropping the poor Magsaysay down to the floor."
"So, take it from me guys, it's only a Filipino who could love better a Filipino. I may sound redundant to that concept ably emphasized by Laurel in his Filipinism to Claro M. Recto's nationalism but I think it makes sense to love a fellow Filipino. Who else do you think would come to our rescue if not our neighbor? In the gospel sense, we should be our own brothers' keepers. If not who else would. And if I may add, if not today 'when?' Thus, said the didactic journalistic piece from University of the Philippines telling it all in few simple words but pregnant with meaning."
Theodore was right thought Taklin. For he hardly recalls any deal between the US and the Philippines the country earning desirable credit. On the contrary, most of the agreements were always at its expense. Witness the fictitious independence given in 1946 making the Philippines its neo-colony instead imposing US suffocating control over the political and economic system of the country starting from the Bell trade act extending free trade relations in 1909 and allowing the US to prostitute our constitution like the partial parity rights. Further aggravating the sordid fate of the country has been the Military Bases Agreement (MBA) allowing the US with impunity to exploit selected areas as storage for their nuclear weapons to the chagrin of Nationalist leaders the likes of Recto, Lorenzo Tañada, and Diokno.
"One deal follows after another after that infamous 1949 deal. Thus, the infamous Laurel-Langley agreement of 1954 bloating the power of the US to use and develop the country's natural resources for their profit; the helplessness of the government in sustaining late President Garcia's Filipino first policy on to dishonorable surrender of President Macapagal to IMF-WB pressures which saw the devaluation of the peso to decontrol program of the 1960s," he said pausing looking into the eyes of this classmates.
"The high road now of course is Martial law hanging like a crucible over the heads of Filipinos. Like Damocles' blade, it could either make or unmake democracy in the country," Taklin further thought.
Save for Driarco, the girls by all indications already under the influence of their own ladies' red wine ready to accept relevant thoughts for the day.
"So, you should not be surprised at all folks in case we would be soon under Martial Law. That's the price we have to pay for having lived under foreign control or have been so lavishly smitten by the promise of milk and honey over there by Uncle Sam," Theodore told the group exhausted after dishing out his nationalistic sentiments.
"You are great buddy," Larry complimented Theodore.
"Your presentation of the futility of Emergency power has been lucid. Like a scalpel, it dissected the very deep recesses of the anatomy of dictatorial rule, and its implication to us today. For this I owe you a gallon more of coco beer," Larry added blowing out loud a whistle.
"My point is, let's start our formal protest from now on. We have nothing to lose but our fears as they said. If we would not move who would follow suit. Never mind what form each one signifies his protest. The point is we should stand up and be counted," Theodore said while gazing seriously around his eyeballs almost popping out from their sockets.
"There's just no substitute for democracy. Everybody knows that. By democracy, I'm very particular to a process not much on the concept. In layman's terms, if we could not practice it then leave and forget it and scout for another political system workable and best for us. Lenin of Russia, Mao Zedong Tung of Mainland China, and Fidel Castro of Cuba show us how to get one through revolution. What else. But could we afford so much bloodshed to happen in our land? That is tantamount to invoking God's wrath. If indeed the price for creating such a political system is wholesale carnage of our people then we might as well forget it. Suffice it to say that democracy is still the best political system existing under the sun."
"But how mature Filipinos are in accepting let alone maintaining such a system? Our experiences in the past and now Marcos deal to us tells simply irrevocable 'No!' With much regret I don't think that the government is setting an example. Look and count the number of persons controlling for instance vital industries in the country today. You could count them with your fingers. The Cojuangcos, Benedictos, Tans, Desinis, and other fortunate souls who believe they could bring their riches with them in limbo when they get there."
"The UP political scientist was right. She said that what we do is not democracy per se but merely pretensions of being a democratic country. Gee what a revelation!"
The group has their eyes fixed anew on Theodore who seems not to leave any stones unturned on the topic.
"I believe it might be very interesting for you to know from a respected columnist and journalist that indeed we do have democracy but not when you discover that what is left is very little only. Thus, his question: 'how could we ever claim that we are failing when we have not even tried it all?' True enough, how could we afford to lose it too if we have not practiced it, I am asking too the way you're also asking yourself."
Seen through the faces of his listeners were intellectual satisfactions. His impromptu political treatise was simply plausible no one in the group could deny it. They collectively agree that the praxis dimension of democracy is the bottom line and what counts. It's just observing leniency to a Catholic changing religious affiliation to Protestantism and becoming a better practicing Christian, a living gospel if you wish rather than staying as Catholic and don't give damn knowing and practicing his faith lousy attitude prevailing among nominal or occasional Catholics.
"Where your heart is there's your happiness also," Driarco collected from one passage in the book of Psalm. The gathering was not anticipated to be as fruitful that evening. Driarco for instance feels the occasion was heaven-sent relief, a catharsis to the bleeding democracy. Each one feels uncertain of their survival capacity not discounting any possibility they might too end up as scapegoats of the dictatorial regime.
Outside the crickets were chirping merrily under the clusters of thick shrubs auguring a new cold evening ushering chilling air biting their skin.
"Good grief Charlie Brown," Driarco uttered to himself after Miguel, the interim chairman of the group officially closed the session thanking each member reiterating their commitment to a yearly reunion at Aling Nita's. Kim and Donna were appointed as Chairman and Vice-Chairman respectively for the ad-hoc committee.
Like all other fellowships, the night was filled with laughter and music, a valid excuse for uncertainties and insecurities shrouding their future. Who knows given the unpredictability of Martial law? Not even those in power. The president could put anybody behind bars with just one stroke of a pen, suspend the writ of habeas corpus, and or order summary execution.
Concluding their activity was the singing of "Ang Bayan Ko" their shrill and resonant voices echoing back and forth in the four walls of the refreshment parlor. It ended with catcalls and whistles sealing their initial salvo of defiance against emergency power. On a suggestion by Erly and collectively agreed by the group, they tattooed the soft spot between the index finger and thumb of their left hand with the numbers 9/21 using ancient Greek numbers symbolizing mark of identity and protest they would probably erase when dictatorship would be over. When would that be? No one has the answer yet.
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Seasons come and go. Graduation was already fast approaching. Barely five months more to go, Driarco would find himself in Manila at Fishermen's Theological Seminary. Possibly he would be donning his cassock five years after to formally start treading the path towards Calvary, they said what priesthood is all about. By then he would earn his philosophy degree and begin studying theology. Would he succeed? He doesn't have the answer. Bishop Valdez provided the cue for how to be one.
"Just be true to yourself. It's a deal between you and God," he recalled his Bishop's advice making him enthusiastic about facing another brand-new day. A smile with the thought that he would finally be serving God in the service of his fellowmen somehow elated him. Thus far, he's undaunted having met the seminary's minimum requirements: passed the entrance examination, has the favorable endorsement from the Bishop himself and the financial assurance from Mr. Smith, the German national philanthropist.
Taklin, the closest to Driarco would be with him entering Minor Seminary. Just don't though what option he would choose as entering Philippine Military Academy in Baguio, the premier military institution of the country and academy of future generals has been at the back of his mind. He keeps this privy even from his bosom friend Driarco to avoid complications. Of course, to be a priest is his first option but for one reason or another might transfer to military training as what happened to the rest. He too passed the required entrance examination both physical and academic. Sta. Rita has been proud to have announced that Taklin made it to the top three for batch '76. Miguel is contemplating taking up Civil Engineering, Larry Law, Kim agriculture, Theodore political science, Paz nursing, Donna accounting and Josephine medicine, Lyon education, Yolly, Salim, Ruth, Diego ministry. Not a bad start to equally ambitious crusaders of peace. At least they know what to do and where to go.
Weekends are usually spent by both Driarco and Taklin helping their respective fathers on their farm. In the evening they would see themselves attending fellowship and choir rehearsals. They would join helping lay ministers in faraway villages after second masses on Sundays. Preparation of liturgy and readings are their primary task and similar related activities as sacristan.
Such has been their apostolate making themselves dear and closer to the parishioners in remote places. This makes them hardworking all the more not counting the cost and hardships in crossing wading through rivers, scaling mountains and hills, and enduring the heat of the sun. From the looks of it, Sundays seem like a great trek. Taklin himself has no complaints over this long and tedious journey having been used to it in war-torn Mindanao before his parents migrated to Romblon.
"Once you're used to it everything comes in handy with less effort," he clarified. Such has been their devotion to their work they are caught jogging in the thick of the night just to be on time for their commitments attending fellowship and bible studies. This activity went on unabated for the past four years. It was very taxing alright but the accommodation and their zeal for serving God far outweighed the concomitant hardships and problems faced.
When not busy in any church activities, they would frequent the barracks located atop the hill two kilometers away from the municipality. There they would bury themselves in books in the library reading military history, guerilla warfare, revolutions, and related literature. They would practice shooting in between after playing basketball. This love of sports made them in top shape and strong sustaining their energy in handling many activities.
Part also of their leisure is catching freshwater fishes through hook and line attached at the top of dozens of bamboo sticks. All they do is plant two meters of a bamboo stick in knee-deep water at the center of a rice field with minute live farm frogs as bait leaving them there for one hour. Coming back, they would know that either mudfish or catfish are caught when the line suspended to the tip of the stick loosens drifting away and pulling big catch. Proceeds of this activity are reserved during rainy days and excess are oftentimes wasted away in local cinemas.
Such has been their lifestyles during weekends draining out sometimes reserved adrenalin but they have to let them go. All work without play makes a person dull and sickly, they would say.
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