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083015: Lumad Mini Rally & Fridate with Rheeca (part 1 of 2)

Last Friday, I had one of my best days yet here in Metro Manila. During Thursday night, my Art Studies professor had sent me an email saying that we were going to be joining a mini rally with the Lumad children, the UP Pep Squad, and the Men’s Football team before the start of the art workshop that the Art Studies Department had prepared for the Lumad kids. I’d been waiting all week to be able to interact with the Lumad but never really had the chance because my schedule last week was kind of crazy, so I was incredibly grateful that the opportunity presented itself to me. I had been part of the crowd who welcomed them to the campus last October 26 but after that, I wasn’t able to visit the Kampuhan or join the cultural festivals and the candle-lighting ceremonies.

The following Friday morning, we all met up at the Lumad Kampuhan where we had an educational discussion with several volunteers and delegates. We also got to talk to some of the Lumad (children and adults alike) and asked them how they were doing and their future plans. Most of the children were shy and reserved but there were a select few who were very open and energetic despite the language barrier. By 9:25am, everyone was ready to go so we (the Art Stud students, the members of the pep squad plus the football team, and the Lumad kids) all lined up in 5 rows and we marched from the Lumad Kampuhan to Vargas Museum under the morning sun, holding up banners and slogans of protest against the ongoing injustice that the Lumad are suffering through. (If you want to know more about this social issue, please click here. It’s great to be informed and to join their cause for justice!)

We were peaceful during the mini rally, only holding up our banners and slogans without chanting. Although I still did chant under my breath my favorite lines: “Libro, hindi bala! Edukasyon, hindi giyera!” I love those lines so much to be honest, they give me goosebumps.

After the mini rally, I had to rush to my next class (Poetry, which is scheduled at 10am every WF) and since it was already around 15 minutes after 10, I was practically running from the Vargas Museum to Palma Hall. I reached the classroom panting heavily and looking like a mess, only to find it empty. Instantly knowing that something was up, I checked my mobile phone and found out that I had an unread message from Rheeca. She texted me saying that Sir Manalo had emailed our class about an hour ago that he was “Sorry. I’m too sick to come to class today.” I instantly breathed out a huge sigh of relief because I was scheduled to report on Yehuda Amichai’s poem “A Pity, We Were Such a Good Invention.” The downside of my report being moved AGAIN (I was supposed to report last Wednesday but we ran out of time) is that my nerves continue to be on edge because I’m always incredibly nervous for class reportings. Also, I have wasted two of my nicest black shirts that I specifically wear during times when I need to report in front of people. Go figure.

Because my last class for the day got cancelled, I had a ridiculous amount of free time ahead of me. I didn’t want to go back to my dorm because I knew if I did, I would just end up spending 5 hours sleeping and then hating myself upon waking up. That has happened a lot of times already in the past and let’s just say that those were the times that I wanted to hit myself really hard with a frying pan. Sleeping for 5 hours straight during the day might seem like a good idea in theory but take it from me, it doesn’t sound as good of an idea as it does when you’ve actually been through it multiple times. You just end up wanting to bury yourself deep in your blankets and die.

But I’m rambling again, aren’t I? I think I’ve had too many things to say for this post already and I haven’t even finished telling you guys about half of how my day went so I’m going to continue this post as soon as I finish this paper I’m writing for Fil40 … which might be tomorrow … or the day after that … or the day after that. But rest assured, I will try to update when my mind’s a bit more free from all the information I fill it with. But who am I kidding, this little brain of mine is always full. There’s just so much to take in and not enough space for me to accommodate all of it, if you get what I mean.

Nevertheless, I promise that the continuation of this post will be up soon. I hope.

Take care always!

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