Letter to the Editor — What for, Barili?

Crucial to the outcome of my reaction to the column of Orlando Carvajal found elsewhere is, the articulation at length on some socio-political issues of the town of Barili, Cebu which for so long remained unnoticed, unseen and made irrelevant by powers that be in the government and private institutions. We are delighted Noy Lando doled out a riposte to such reaction and the discussion must continue. The thing is, there can be no point of agreement where one looked at the forest from afar while the other one looked at the branches, the flora and fauna. I am in the forest floor just like all of us who remained destitute in Barili. Bridging the gap is socially impossible. For instance, why should I prefer to have this opinion be submitted to other paper instead? Because it will never see print in an outlet affined to the Garcias. The division, like the political alienation we are so accustomed in Barili, is wrecking us.

Nonetheless I apologize to readers for becoming irrelevant but insist on my bias to express a far greater malady. I have felt the pain of economic deprivation, what it feels to be arrogantly denied of our basic needs from a nasty local executive office: Water, medicine, roads, opportunities for employment and livelihood, social services, our dignity, our respect. All because of partisanship, favoritism and political predisposition, a hangover of the attritious political hostilities between the Osmeñas and the Garcias. Other local elective officials shame us even more by their ineptitude and excesses.

Should we deserve all these? Are we as a people too subservient our leaders hoodwink us all the time? Yes, we are annoyed and inconsolably angry. How can we congratulate a mayor's turncoatism if we know more than anybody else, the desperation behind a man who is running out of options in his own political party and dealing a disgraceful indictment from the people of the municipality. Garcia camp is more than willing to grant asylum. It's a grab and rule thing. Who says no more to traditional politics? If the whole scenario still refuses to give meaning then, just snatch one fellow in the street of the poblacion and ask. Chances are he will tell you.

No need to abuse one's mind. I am a real person just as real as anybody else's navel. Poor as I am, Noy Lando can drop me a visit at barangay Balao, Barili, Cebu. I will be glad to prepare stewed manok bisaya spiced with ginger, lemon grass, sili espada and the mighty kamungay. I am not gifted with erudition save for the newspapers I devoured during lull moments moonlighting as habal-habal driver. My only credential was being a staff writer in a school paper back in high school in Iligan City. This is how far I can go after a forgettable year in college seven years ago. My parents are now all dead and wonder what Barili can do for me before I end up in prison or get side sweep by a Ceres Bus and, insignificant as we are, nobody appreciate statistics like that.

I am not privileged enough to choose my life but, if only I will have my way, I will criminalize partisan politics in the country and send obstructionists to development projects of the opposite camp to jail, because like Noy Lando I am doing these for the love of Barili.

Ethelbert Molina
Balao, Barili, Cebu