Araw ng mga bayani / National Heroes’ day

Gestern Sonntag stand in der Zeitung, dass in Manila ein neues Museum eröffnet wurde. Darin ist eine Gefängniszelle nachgebildet, in dem Friedenskämpfer während der Zeit des Martial Law (Ausnahmezustand/Kriegsrecht) von 1972-1986 gefangen gehalten wurden. Die Leiterin des Museums Carolina Malay sagt: „Wenn du Kinder hast, was willst du ihnen erzählen? Wie erkennst du, dass diese Zeiten wieder kommen? Was ist das Wichtige, um das martial law zu überleben? Was willst du tun, dass so etwas nicht wieder passieren kann?

Mich erinnern die Zeilen an die Zeit in Europa während Hitler, Auschwitz und den heutigen Methoden von Mobbing (Harassment) und wie man die Wahrheit unterdrückt und verfolgt.

Letzte Woche traf ich Bischof Francisco F. Claver. Er war ein energischer Kämpfer für die Unabhängigkeit, Freiheit, Frieden und Gerechtigkeit während der Marcos Zeit zwischen 1965-1986. Ein weiterer Führer zu mehr Demokratie und Frieden war der hier berühmte Kardinal Sin, der vor zwei Jahren gestorben ist. Und nicht zuletzt muss man den berühmten Benigno „Ninoy“ Aquino nennen, der ermordet wurde, als er das Flugzeug in Manila verlassen wollte, das ihn aus seinem Exil in den Vereinigten Staaten zurück brachte. Er soll einmal gesagt haben: Was nützt mir ein friedliches Leben in den USA. Ich gehöre zu meinem Volk.

Im Gespräch erzählte mir Bischof Claver, „dass sie viel gelitten hätten, während dieser Zeit“. In seinem Buch „Die Steine werden es herausschreien“ (Lk 19,40) sind Predigten aus jener Zeit. In einer sagt er, “wir haben immer völlig offen gesprochen (und nie etwas verborgen) und wir werden weiterfahren so zu handeln. Das ist unsere Verfahrensweise, der wir von Anfang an, seit der Zeit des martial law, gefolgt sind. Und es meint die Wahrheit immer auszusprechen, auch wenn es zu Konflikten mit der Methode führt, wie die Behörden die Wahrheit unterdrücken.“ In einer anderen Predigt sagt er, dass die Menschen (und damit auch die Kirche) unter der Verfolgung leiden, wie sie bedroht und belästigt werden, wenn sie nicht mit der Regierung gemeinsame Sache machen.

Francisco Claver ist für mich einer dieser Helden, der wir gestern und heute gedenken. Die Schüler haben heute Montag im Gedenken an die Opfer dieser Zeit schulfrei. Hoffentlich vergessen sie es nicht, dass dieser freie Tag mit Blut und viel Leiden bezahlt wurde. Hoffentlich vergessen die Menschen in Europa und überall auf der Welt nicht, womit ihre Freiheit und ihr Wohlstand bezahlt wurde.

Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino on 500 Pesos note and Francisco F. Claver, Bp em. Vicariate of Bontoc-Lagawe

Araw ng mga bayani (english)

Yesterday we celebrated the National Heroes day (araw ng mga bayani). Bayani is a word that comes from bayan, which means country, town, land etc. The heroes in fact are people from its own country. In the news I could read, that there is a newly opened museum in Manila in which is a prison cell of some heroes. Activists against the situation during Marcos time and martial law were fighting for Peace, Independence, Freedom, and Justice. Carolina Malay, head of the museum said in an interview: “If you have children, what will you tell them? How do you recognize that it’s going to come aground again? What is it that’s important to know to survive martial law? What will you do so that it won’t happen again?”[1)

I truly recognize the situation, which I studied in lectures, held by Prof. Dr. Clemens Thoma, SVD in Switzerland and many others about the Second World War, concentration camps in Auschwitz etc.

Last week I have been meeting Bishop Francisco F. Claver. He was one of many energetic fighters for human rights during Marcos regime in 1965 till 1986. An other leader for more democracy and freedom of the people was Cardinal Sin, which died two years ago. Last but not least of fighters for the independence was the famous Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, which started the people’s silent protest on EDSA-Avenue in Manila. He was shot as he left airplane in Manila when he came back from his exile in US. Ninoy Aquino said once: Why shall I have a fine life in US – I belong to my nation.

During the conversation Bishop Claver told me: “you know, we suffered a lot in that time”. In his book “The stones will cry out” are some speeches from that time. In one of this he said: “We have operated completely in the open and we will continue to do so. This is a policy we have followed from the very beginning of martial law, and it means speaking the truth out at all times, even when it leads to conflict with the government’s policy of suppressing truth.”[2] The people and therefore the church have been suffering a lot under the persecution and the harassment of this era.

Francisco Claver is for me one of the heroes, which we have been celebrating yesterday and today. The students have a day off today because of this memorial. I hope they will think on the suffering and the blood the heroes paid for. Hopefully people in Europe and all over the world will not forget how their Freedom and Welfare has been paid.

[1] Philippine Daily Inquirer, Sunday, August 26, 2007, A1,A6

[2] Claver, Francisco, F.: The Stones will cry out, Orbis Books, Maryknoll, New York, 1978

Poinsettia* @ 29.08.2007 15:48 CEST
Hey Martin!
Talking about heroes reminds me of one silent hero in my life. My father is quite an unassuming man who is now in his 90's. And on the contrary, he can also be as animated and conversant when it comes to telling interesting stories about his life. I remember him talking about his childhood and his younger days, when, as a young boy he already was learning how to make both ends meet. Being born to a typical poor family from a barrio, he knew how it was to live in a hand-to-mouth existence. But this did not deter him from dreaming big-- and somehow making those dreams come true. He later set out to the big city to continue his studies. At the same time he worked on part time jobs to support himself through college. Even as a working student, he managed to have good grades and graduate with merits.

When the 2nd World War broke, he was among those who fought side by side with the Allied forces against the Japanese. He recounts how they would hide in foxholes, and survive on whatever little food was available. As a young girl, I was always in awe as I listened to his stories. He recalls how many of his fellow guerillas suffered and died before his very eyes. He was among those who survived the infamous Death March, wherein close to 100,000 Filipino and American prisoners of war captured by the Japanese were forced-marched from Bataan, 55 miles to San Fernando. Then they were taken to Capas, Tarlac where they walked another 8 miles to a camp. Many died along the way -- starved or stabbed (bayonets) to their deaths.

I also remember my grandma talk about women who were raped and forcibly made in sex slaves. 'Comfort women" as they are known in this generation. I am aware of the atrocities done by the Japanese forces not only to the Filipinos but to other countries they have invaded during the WWII. Though my father somehow had some negative views on the Japanese, at his age I feel he has now put those things behind him. He was molded and ripened with time into the man that I look up to now. He has the strength of character, strong will and determination which has brought up all of us his children to what we are today. We were nurtured with love and fatherly care which has given me the strong foundation, and inner reservoir of strength as I also face my own battles in life.

Yes, heroes live among our midst. They come in different faces, in different situations. One only has to see and experience it with an inner eye...and heart. I have my own true-to life hero and I am proud of him! My salute to you, Papa!

nothing @ 05.08.2008 06:14 CEST
pangit mukang tae wlang msintindihan