SUMIKAT NA ANG ARAW- KABANATA 11

MULING PAGPUPULONG

Ni Rene Calalang
Scarborough-Ontario



IYO’Y isang pulong na gaganapin sa mansiyon ni Rita. Naroon silang lahat, ang mga puno ng iba’t ibang sangay ng samahan. Naroon di ang mga mistah ni Alex na si Rear Admiral Marcial Dominguez at Brigadier General Domingo Marasigan. Naroon din sina Avelino Enriquez – isang bagong kasapi na naging mga puno.

Si Avelino Enriquez ay isa sa mga batang estudyante/aktibista bago nagkaroon ng martial law. Nang ideklara ang martial law ay isa siya sa mga hinuli at ikinulong. Binigyan siya ng isang huwad na paglilitis at hinatulan ng habambuhay na pagkabilanggo. Nang matapos ang People’s Power ay isa siya sa mga binigyan ng pardon.

Itinuloy niya ang kanyang pag-aaral ng Law. At sapagkat siya ay may angking talino ay nakapag-aral siya ng tuloy-tuloy. Madali din niyang naipasa ang Bar.

Tunay ang kanyang pagka makabayan. Sa kanyang paglaya at pagiging abogado ay itinuloy niya ang kanyang pagiging aktibista, hindi nga lamang radical.

Tuloy din ang kanyang pagiging makabayan sa pamamagitan ng paghawak ng kaso (lalo na sa mga agrarian issues) ng mga mahihirap na hindi makakayanang magbayad ng singil ng mga abogado.

Nagbibigay din siya ng lecture sa mga baryo upang ipaalam sa mga tao ang kanilang mga karapatan.

Sa pagkakaroon nang bagong Pangulo ay ipinasiya niyang kumandidato, bilang pasimula sa kanyang paglahok sa pulitika, bilang konsehal sa bayan ng San Quentin, na madali naman niyang naipanalo at siya pa ang nanguna.

Sa pagiging kasapi ng FREE LEGAL AID FOR THE POOR ay nakasama niya sina Aida Constantino at Eric Montelibano. Inanyayahan siya ng mga ito na sumapi sa PANGKAT NG MGA BAGONG MAKABAYAN).

NARITO silang lahat upang pag-usapan ang pagpapalit ng pamunuan dahil sa pagkamatay ni Ginoong Armando Dalisay.

Upang magkaroon ng formal na setting ay ipinasiya ni Rita na sa malaking dining room ganapin ang pulong.

Maaliwalas ang dining room ng mansiyon, na nagpapa-alaala ng mga dining room, European style, marahil ay sapagkat ang pamilya ni Rita ay may lahing Kastila. Ang kisame nito ay napapalamutian ng mga art na nagkahugis sa pahid ng plaster at stucco. Nakasabit sa kisame at nakatapat sa magkabilang dulo ng dining table ang dalawang pangkaraniwang laki at gawa sa solid brass na chandelier. May labindalawang galamay ang kalansay ng chandelier at ang dulo nang paarkong hugis nang bawat galamay ay nakaturo sa kisame, sapo ang hugis pusong bumbilya. Nakasabit sa kalansay ang mga crystals na sa tama ng ilaw ay nagbibigay nang nakasisilaw na liwanag.

Isang antigong dining roon set, Queen Anne’s style, at gawa sa solid mahogany ang nagbibigay sa paligid ng tila royal setting. Sa harapang dinding ay nakatayo, halos nakasandal na sa dinding ang China cabinet. Sa likod na dinding ay ang buffet table. Sa kaliwang dinding ay ang sculpture (gawa sa kahoy) ng “The Last Supper.” Sa kanang dinding ay ang painting (print) ng: “Still life with Fruit” ni Paul Cezanne.

Sa mahabang mesa, na dalawampu ang maaring umupo, ay naupo ang pamunuan. Tulad nang nagdaang pulong, sa kanilang harap ay naka display ang kanilang mga name plates. Kaagapay ng name plate ay isang basong crystal at isang 500 ml. na bottled water.

Bilang kinikilalang puno ay nasa kabisera si Alex. Nasa kanyang kanan ang kalihim na si Miss Mercedes Ferrer.

“Magdasal muna tayo…bago tayo magsimula,” mungkahi ni Father Nicolas.”

“Good idea,” sagot ni Rita.

“Father, could you lead the praying,” sabi ni Alex.

“Certainly. Let’s all rise.”

Tumayo silang lahat.

“In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

Nagkurus silang lahat.

“We thank you Lord for bringing us here together safe and sound. We ask for your guidance in our desire to right what is wrong and to open the eyes of many of our countrymen that Christianity is not through prayers only, but rather through prayers and action. We also ask that you guide us in our goal to correct things that are causing pains and sufferings to our people and our country, be it some of our leaders who misled our people, our inherited customs and traditions and the lack of proper education of many of our people.

We are aware that the road won’t be easy, but through our prayers,actions and your help, we sincerely believe, we will succeed.

May our former leader, who recently was a victim of the cruelty of men, find peace in your kingdom.

Give our present leader, the health and the strength to lead us into the path of righteousness.

“Amen.”

“Amen.”

Naupo silang lahat.

Binuksan ni Alex ang pulong. “The reason I call this meeting is to discuss the transition or change of leadership based on our Constitution,” pasimulang sabi ni Alex.

Saglit na katahimikan. Alam ng lahat, lalong lalo na ang mga abogado, na hindi problema iyon.

Nagtaas ng kamay si Eric.

“Yes, Mr. Montelibano.”

“I don’t see any issue on that, Mr. Chairman. We just have to follow our Constitution, and since you are the vice chairman; you are automatically the new chairman, unless you decline the position and decided to resign,” sabi ni Eric.

“Resigning is not part of my personality. Once I accepted a position, I am there, come what may. I am there until the completion, or at the end.”

“We know that, that’s why we are very happy to have you as our new leader,” sang-ayon ni Conchita Kim.

Bilang pagkilala sa malugod na pagtanggap ni Alex sa kanyang bagong katungkulan ay tumayo ang mga naroon at pumalakpak.

Bilang pasasalamat ni Alex ay itinaas niya ang kanyang dalawang kamay na ang mga palad ay nakaharap sa mga nagsidalo. Pinabayaan niyang ituloy ang palakpakan. Nang humupa na ang palakpakan ay pinaupo niya ang mga ito sa pamamagitan ng pagkilos ng kanyang mga kamay nang pataas at pababa.

“I am honoured by your faith in me. I will do my best not to fail our group, and together, we will try to fulfill our goals.”

Nagpatuloy ang pulong. “The other topic that I would like to discuss today is the coming local election, which is less six months away. I need everybody’s input on this issue. We will together decide based on the decision of the majority. I need therefore a motion on this issue.”

Muli, itinaas ni Eric Montelibano ang kanyang kanang kamay.

“Yes, Mr. Montelibano.”

“I move that our group participate in the coming election.”

“Somebody second the motion.”

Nagtaas ng kamay si Aida. “I second the motion.”

“Ladies and Gentlemen, a motion has been raised and seconded. We will now go into discussion. Mr. Montelibano, would you like to speak for your motion?”

“Certainly. Mr. Chairman.”

Tumayo si Eric. Bilang isang abogado ay malinaw niyang ipinaliwanag ang kanyang panig. “I think we should seek elective office so that we can, through the power given to us by the Constitution, by municipal and provincial by laws and other government rules and regulations, implement the changes and improvements we have been doing and we plan to do. Only through the power of the elective office we can do all these things without having our hands tied together. Otherwise, we will always be at the mercy of those people in power. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.”

“Very good point. Thank you, Mr. Montelibano.”

Naupo si Eric.

Pinalipas ni Alex ang ilang segundo. Pagkuway luminga ang kanyang mga mata, nagtatanong kung sino ang susunod na gustong magsalita.

Nagtaas ng kamay si Thomas Esguerra.

“Yes, Mr. Esguerra.”

Tumayo si Thomas, “I don’t think this is the right time to seek an elective office. Our group is still new, and we don’t have the foundation to challenge those in power. It’s just like a David, fighting a Goliath. They have the 3G’S that is: the goons, the guns and the gold. For me, it’s a waste of our time and resources. For me, it’s better if we establish ourselves first. This is my opinion, Mr. Chairman.”

“Very explained. Thank you, Mr. Esguerra.”

Naupo si Thomas.

Tumango-tango ang mga naroon, tanda na may katotohanan ang sinabi ni Thomas. Nag-anasan sila at nagpalitan ng mga kuro-kuro. Umiling-iling si Avelino Enriquez. Itinaas niya ang kanyang kanang kamay.

“Yes, Mr. Enriquez,” sabi ni Avelino.

Tumayo si Avelino upang magsalita. “But David killed Goliath, didn’t he? What I am saying is our group could be another David. Through our sincerity, caring attitude and being results oriented, maybe we can defeat those Goliaths. The bottom line is: I think we should participate. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.”

“Very good point.”

Muling nagbalik ang sandaling katahimikan. Tumungga nang kaunting tubig sa crystal na baso si Alex. Pinabayaan niyang makapag-isip ang mga naroon at unawain ang mga nasabi na ng mga nagsalita.

Pagkalipas ng mga ilang segundo ay muling luminga ang mga mata ni Alex. Muli, nagtatanong ang kanyang mga mata.

Nakita niyang nakataas ang kamay ni Miss Mercedes Ferrer.

“Yes, Miss Ferrer.”

“I think we should all run. I think we are already an established group. In the island where Father Nicolas and myself come from, people are encouraging us to run again against the Father & Son combination that narrowly defeated us in the last election. Many of the would-be volunteers are coming forward and promising us that they will campaign and support us. Plus, if we seek office in the next election, the more we will get noticed. Being a candidate is by itself a form of advertisement even if we don’t win. But I am confident, we will win. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.”

“Excellent point. Thank you, Miss Ferrer.”

Naupo si Miss Ferrer.

Muli, nagbulungan ang mga naroon. Nagpalitan sila ng mga pansariling kuro-kuro. Humupa ang bulung bulungan

Nakita ni Alex na nakataas ang kamay ni Miss Margarita Noche.

“Yes, Miss Noche.”

Tulad ng iba ay tumayo si Rita. “Mr. Chairman, in my opinion, I don’t think we should run because politics is dirty. I think we are effective now because we are not very involved in politics. I think, if we get involved, we may get tainted. I think the way we are doing things now, that of using the spirit of volunteerism, harnessing and using the good side of mankind is the better way. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.”

“Very well explained, Miss Noche.”

Sumunod na nagtaas ng kamay si Father Nicolas.

“Yes, Father.”

“This is basically to support the point raised earlier by Miss Ferrer. I think we should run. I think many people are sick and tired of the many traditional politicians and their corrupt ways. I think majority of our people want changes and they are looking up to us to effect these changes. I think, by running, we can better explain our platform to the people without fear of being harassed. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.”

“Very well explained, Father.”

Sunod na nagtaas ng kamay si Crisanto del Rosario.

“Yes, Mr. del Rosario.”

“I think we should run since we have the resources. Part of the problem why principled people failed is because of the lack of resources. We are very fortunate we don’t have this problem. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.”

Wala nang nagtaas ng kamay.

“Anything else?” tanong ni Alex upang siguruhin na ang lahat ng naroon ay binigyan ng pagkakataon na makapagsalita.

Saglit na katahimikan. Muli ay gumala ang mga mata ni Alex. Nakita niya na nakataas ang kamay ni Danny Lee.

“I move to end discussion,” sabi ni Danny Lee.

“I second the motion,” sabi ni Crispin Tan.

“In favour of ending discussion.”

Halos lahat ay nagtaas ng kamay.

“Carried. We will now proceed to the counting of the votes of the original motion. In favour of the group, participating as a whole in the coming local election?”

Lahat ay nagtaas ng kamay maliban sa apat. Itinala iyon ng kalihim.

“Against?”

Nagtaas ng kamay ang apat. Itinala iyon ng kalihim.

Thank you all for expressing your views. It was democracy in action. It has been decided that our group, as a whole, will participate in the coming local election. I am leaving to all our members and officers to seek positions best suited them. Let’s have a thirty minutes break; then when we return, we will discuss other issues.

TUMAYO sila upang ituwid ang nangawit na mga paa, ang nabaluktot na mga likod at nangalay na mga leeg at upang ipahinga ang napagod na mga mata.

May mga nagpunta sa washrooms upang magbawas. May mga kumuha ng miryenda. Mayroon naman na nagkumustahan na lamang.

SA KANILANG pagbabalik ay handa na nilang talakayin ang iba pang mga paksa. Nakaupo na ang lahat at panatag na sa pagkakaupo.

“Welcome back,” pasimulang bati ni Alex. I hope everybody had a good thirty minutes break. The first half of our meeting was indeed very productive. In the second half, we will tackle other issues that are important especially those related to the coming election. Let’s have a brainstorming session on how best we can be effective during our campaign. I need everybody’s input.”

Muling gumala ang mga mata ni Alex, sinisiguro na handa na ang lahat sa pagpapatuloy ng pulong. “Is everybody ready to start the second part of our meeting?”

“Yes….” tila chorus na sagot ng lahat.

“Let’s get started then. Anybody who wants to start.”

Nagtaas ng kamay si Father Nicolas.

“Yes, Father.”

Hindi na tumayo si Father. “We need to be different,” sabi ni Father Nicolas.

“What do you mean, Father?” tanong ni Alex.”

“The traditional way is that the politicians make a lot of promises during the campaign period. Once they got elected, they don’t care if they deliver or not. My suggestion is: We don’t make promises,” pagpapatuloy ni Father Nicolas.

Saglit na katahimikan bago sumagot si Crispin Tan “But we have to. Otherwise, the people wouldn’t know what we plan to do.”

“That’s where we will be different.”

“I am confused. Please clarify,” sabi ni Aida.

“Instead of promising, we do, or we start to do what we will do if we get elected. In short, we need to be truthful.”

“Give us an example,” tanong ni Avelino

“Certainly. For example, if we plan to improve the cleanliness of the river or the irrigation, we should, with the help of our supporters, start doing it right away instead of promising to do it after we get elected. And then we will tell the people that: “What they are seeing is just the beginning. We will continue it, perhaps on a bigger scale, and with the participation of the people through volunteerism if you vote for us. At least they will know that something will be done.”

“You mentioned the word “volunteerism.” That’s a good system to use. I remember in the old days, it was called bayanihan,” sabi ni Danny Lee.

“Yeah! We should revive bayanihan.” sang-ayon ni Crisanto.

“Great idea.”

“I agree; we need to be different. The traditional ways have been, mostly failures. We need to do something different,” sang-ayon ni Conchita.

Nagpatuloy si Father Nicolas, “Let’s keep it simple. We will let the people know that even though we have the resources, we don’t want to spend them on things that don’t add value to the whole project or to the whole community. For example, we don’t want to spend big amount of money to those expensive entertainers just to attract people. We can better use the money to other useful things.”

May idinagdag si General Marasigan, “The other way is honesty. Nothing can beat honesty. We should avoid using dirty tricks just to get some votes. For example, we should avoid trying to influence others through bribery, or being a Kumpare or a Kumadre. I think a lot of people will appreciate us if we are honest,” dagdag ni General Marasigan.

“What if the other side are the one who are not honest. We know there are a lot of hot spots and we will be running against them,” tanong ni Miss Ferrer.

“I had asked my superior to assign me as the officer in charge of those hot spots.”

“That’s very good news,” sang-ayon ni Father Nicholas.

May idinagdag si Commodore Dominguez, “May I add that we should refuse being a Kumare or a Kumpadre as it is hard to refuse a Kumare or a Kumpadre when asked for a favour.”

“Excellent point,” sabi ni Alex.

“Anything else?

Wala nang nagtaas ng kamay o kumibo.

“I agree to all we decided today. I think we have a consensus of what we need to do. It’s now up to all of us to implement all we have decided. And of course, we will keep the line of conversation open and share information. Is there anything more we need to discuss?”

Walang kumibo.

“Did we cover everything?”

“Yes….” halos ay iisang boses na sagot.

Bilang pagwawakas ay nagpasalamat si Alex kay Rita, “On behalf of the group, I would like to sincerely thank Miss Margarita Noche for hosting today’s meeting.”

Pumalakpak ang mga naroon.

“I am not finished yet. I would like to announce that Miss Noche had volunteered her place to be our temporary headquarter; that is until we found a permanent home.”

Muli, natuon ang mga mata nila kay Rita. Bilang pasasalamat ay tumayo silang lahat at pumalakpak.

Naupo sila.

“If there is nothing more, our next meeting, as mandated by our constitution, is on the last Sunday of every other month. Please mark that date in your calendar and see you all in two months.”

Itinala nila ang petsa nang susunod na pulong sa kanilang mga I pod at I phone at Blackberry.

“Again, thank you all. THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED.”

---

MAY KARUGTONG