All sectors of society should honor Labor Day

We were disheartened when we read that the Armed Forces had directed all units to be vigilant this coming Labor Day because some anti-government forces may use the occasion to rally against the President. Traditionally, we have celebrated Labor Day on May 1st and this was because the first of May is the feast day of St. Joseph, the Worker. By sheer coincidence, May 5th is the feast day of San Isidro Labrador, patron saint of farmers. So we honored both labor and farmers on the same month. The ironic part is that Labor Day is an official holiday while the Feast Day of San Isidro Labrador is a holy day, but not a holiday. How do you explain such inconsistencies in our culture?

Labor Day has a very strong nationalistic history. One of the very first demonstrations against the American Regime took place on Labor Day of 1913. That was when the First National Labor met in Manila and held the first labor rally against the American colonizers. It was not till 34 years later – May 1, 1947 that we celebrated our first Labor Day celebration as an independent nation.

Labor Day in 2001 had another historical aspect. That was when the sympathizers of deposed President Joseph Estrada tried to stage another EDSA. We hope that all Metro Manila Mayors respect Labor Day. What we mean by their respecting Labor Day is that they do not grant any demonstration permits on that day. They can do so the next day. But Labor Day should be celebrated commemorating labor’s great contribution to the country. There are rumors that some groups even plan to go as far as attempting to topple GMA on that occasion.

Going back farther to our old traditions, in our youth, May was the month that we did three things — participate in the Santa Cruz de Mayo and the Flores de Mayo and of course, the annual trip to Antipolo, the patron saint of the galleon trade. That was a trip that culminated with a visit to Hinulugan Taktak.

All we ask is that Labor Day be observed as the day the nation honors labor’s great contribution to the nation. It must be a peaceful and joyous occasion. If some people want to demonstrate against the current regime, let them do it on another day. To do it on labor day is not in keeping with the day’s occasion. Labor is associated with physical labor. But all who work labor. And our labor is our contribution to our country.

We are glad that May 1st is Labor Day worldwide. Being a Catholic country, we cannot help but be proud that it is an extension of the Feast of St. Joseph. Again, what a coincidence that we honor St. Joseph and San Isidro Labrador on the very same month. The farm is where everything began. Even the word "culture" came from the cultivation of our fields.