Tweet Have you ever felt such deep emotions for a place that holds a big space in your heart that you could hardly breathe as you try to put down your feelings in writing? I have always been fond of my birthplace, my hometown, Zamboanga City, ever since I was young. I always sat down with our elders during reunions and intimate family gatherings just so that I can hear about the stories from old. I loved listening to my parents, relatives and their friends as they retold again and again their fond memories of the place they called their true home. I took their stories, plus what I have learned of its rich and colorful history and combined it with the little of what I remember and made them my own memories. You see, I did not grow up in Zamboanga City. A couple of months before I turned two (2) years old, my father transferred us, his family, to Manila to pursue a career that he had started to build in Zamboanga City. Ever since then, we lived in Quezon City, transferring from one rented place to another until finally, after a couple of decades later (give or take a few years), my father was able to provide us with our own house, our home away from our true home.
The first time I went back to visit Zamboanga for vacation was a year or so after we transferred to Manila. Being so young at that time, what I mostly remembered then were the fun times we spent playing with our cousins, or going to the beach or eating delicious seafood and fruits that were abundant in Zamboanga. The 2nd time I went back for a visit was ten (10) years after the first. By this time I was older and a bit more matured to take in more of what the city offered. I remember feeling envious of my cousins who lived there their whole lives. I told myself that I would persuade my parents to let me go home every summer after that so I can experience more of the city. But due to reasons not worth mentioning, I never went back, that is not until after almost two (2) decades. We went home to attend the wedding of one of my cousins. It was my shortest visit out of the three as we only stayed for a little more than a week, But what struck me most this time was that it was a lot smaller relative to what I remembered it to be and from what I heard in stories. Don't get me wrong. Zamboanga City is big. But if you measure it in travel time as you go from one place to another, the distance between places were a lot shorter than what I was used to here in Metro Manila. This only added to the growing affection I had for the city that I hardly knew personally. Almost all of what I held dear to me about the place came from the stories and old pictures that my parents and relatives treasured. This did not stop me from loving it more and more. I was, and still am, proud of my roots, my heritage. All this time, even when I lived most of my life here in Quezon City, I never forgot my native dialect. My parents made sure we never forgot Chavacano, a mixture of Spanish, Visaya, Tagalog, Subanen etc.
Now, Zamboanga City is under attack by rebels who aim to take freedom away from my fellow Zamboanguenos and to establish the city as part of a different republic. Hearing about these rebels who came in with show of force: shooting at civilians as well as soldiers protecting the city, burning down houses and establishments, snipers shooting at firemen as they try to put the fire out and holding hostages and using them as human shields, have riled me up so much that I could hardly breathe. I realize now that it was my anger that triggered my recent asthma attack. I can't sleep. thus I am still writing this until the wee hours of the morning. But what riles me the most is the way our government officials, both local (Zamboanga) and national, and even most of the media covering the crisis, are trying to downplay what is happening in Zamboanga City. They keep saying that the situation in the city is under control and everything is back to normal but the truth is they have not done anything that will end this crisis as peaceful and gentle as possible at the soonest possible time. For one reason or the other, the country's highest official has been quiet about this crisis, leaving it to his cabinet members and aides to try and control the situation. Today is the 5rh day, what is taking them so long to get this situation under control for real? What does it take for them to act immediately to end this senseless violence that is being inflicted upon my people, my fellow Zamboanguenos? I may not be physically affected as I am living all the way here in Metro Manila, but my heart is breaking as I see my hometown being destroyed and the inexplicable suffering that my people are going through. If only my health would allow me, I would be there to help my people, even if I have to put my life at risk. I want our future generations to have our beloved city in their care, rather than having it placed under the rule of undeserving people. Yes, they are my people for I hold them dear and very near to my heart, for they are as much part of the roots that I rightfully claim, being the proud daughter of my Zamboanga Hermosa.
Friday, September 13, 2013
An Open Letter to the President of the Republic of the Philippines, Benigno Aquino III Re: The Crisis in Zamboanga City
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Dear Mr. President,
I write to you today as I listen to news about my beloved hometown, Zamboanga City. I am Kathrina Abrera Libarnes, born to parents who both came from the City of Flowers. I was born there in 1973 but my family and I moved to Manila before I turned two (2) years old. I've spent 38 years here in Quezon City and with regret I have only gone back to Zamboanga City for vacation three times in all these years, each visit with more than a decade in between. But this does not lessen my love for the city where I was born and for the people in it. This is where my roots came from, with bloodlines stemming from 3 or 4 generations before mine. I even have granduncles, paternal side, who served in the government, both local and national. One was even an esteemed senator who served the country before my time. Thus, my ties cannot be easily broken even though I personally do not have memories of growing up there. I must admit that now, as my family and I listen or watch the news about the attack in specific areas of Zamboanga City, I would often turn to my Mom and ask her if she knew the place and if they where near the areas that I was familiar with or near the areas where we have relatives still living there.
I am aware that my hometown has undergone a lot of hardships from the time before I was born up to more recent times. If I remember correctly, just a few years back, armed men also caused panic in one of the villages, a bit far from the city's center. Insurgents have also tried to instill fear among our people by planting and blowing up bombs in key areas of the city. Not counting the invasion and colonization of other countries, this is the first time that a group of armed rebels attacked our city with the intention of "liberating" us from the Philippine government. One of their goals is to take over our city hall and raise their flag and make Zamboanga City part of Bangsa Moro Republic. Unless we have been duped by our government, hiding the fact that Mindanao has become Bangsa Moro Republic, I believe that we are still part of the Republic of the Philippines and that I am still Filipino and not a foreigner in a land where I have lived and pledged allegiance to all my life.
This is not about Christians vs Non-Christians or Catholic vs Muslims. Zamboanga has been, for the longest time, a place that has nurtured and celebrated the diversity of culture, beliefs and traditions of the different people that has called it their home. Throughout the years, Christians and Muslims have lived side by side, though with some personal spats and misunderstandings, and call each other brothers. This is about aggressors, fully armed and ready for battle, who has the intention of taking our freedom away. Others outside Zamboanga City may think that we are over-reacting, thinking that this is only a small group and that our government forces can quash this crisis easily. Then again, Mr. President, with that exact point, I counter and say, "Precisely, it is a small group but why then, after four (4) days (five by the time this open letter gets out) the situation is not yet contained and controlled?" How many more lives, civilians and soldiers/policemen alike, should be taken? How many more houses/establishments/livelihoods be destroyed before appropriate actions are implemented to stop this madness? If you are serious in nipping this in the bud, why send an insufficient number of half-starving, zombified due to lack of rest, with insufficient arms and gears, soldiers during the first few days? Why have we not heard from you directly, seeing only your cabinet members and aides? I do understand that you are delegating responsibilities and as you don't do the dirty works in most cases, but don't you know how much your people would like to hear assurance coming from you that you will not let our city be taken by force and be separated from the Philippines?
Ever since I was matured enough to think and speak for my own, there have been a number of issues that our country has caused discord in our ranks but I have never been more vocal in raising my own thoughts and views until four (4) days ago, when my hometown was attacked. I fervently pray to our Father in Heaven, through the intercession of his Son, Jesus Christ, and through our Mother, Mama Mary, to guide you and the rest of those involved in this situation to do the right thing by us. You have reiterated time and again that we are your bosses. We ask you to stand up and and take charge and be responsible for the safety of your people, and for bringing back peace and order to our beloved Zamboanga City.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Kathrina Abrera Libarnes
Dear Mr. President,
I write to you today as I listen to news about my beloved hometown, Zamboanga City. I am Kathrina Abrera Libarnes, born to parents who both came from the City of Flowers. I was born there in 1973 but my family and I moved to Manila before I turned two (2) years old. I've spent 38 years here in Quezon City and with regret I have only gone back to Zamboanga City for vacation three times in all these years, each visit with more than a decade in between. But this does not lessen my love for the city where I was born and for the people in it. This is where my roots came from, with bloodlines stemming from 3 or 4 generations before mine. I even have granduncles, paternal side, who served in the government, both local and national. One was even an esteemed senator who served the country before my time. Thus, my ties cannot be easily broken even though I personally do not have memories of growing up there. I must admit that now, as my family and I listen or watch the news about the attack in specific areas of Zamboanga City, I would often turn to my Mom and ask her if she knew the place and if they where near the areas that I was familiar with or near the areas where we have relatives still living there.
I am aware that my hometown has undergone a lot of hardships from the time before I was born up to more recent times. If I remember correctly, just a few years back, armed men also caused panic in one of the villages, a bit far from the city's center. Insurgents have also tried to instill fear among our people by planting and blowing up bombs in key areas of the city. Not counting the invasion and colonization of other countries, this is the first time that a group of armed rebels attacked our city with the intention of "liberating" us from the Philippine government. One of their goals is to take over our city hall and raise their flag and make Zamboanga City part of Bangsa Moro Republic. Unless we have been duped by our government, hiding the fact that Mindanao has become Bangsa Moro Republic, I believe that we are still part of the Republic of the Philippines and that I am still Filipino and not a foreigner in a land where I have lived and pledged allegiance to all my life.
This is not about Christians vs Non-Christians or Catholic vs Muslims. Zamboanga has been, for the longest time, a place that has nurtured and celebrated the diversity of culture, beliefs and traditions of the different people that has called it their home. Throughout the years, Christians and Muslims have lived side by side, though with some personal spats and misunderstandings, and call each other brothers. This is about aggressors, fully armed and ready for battle, who has the intention of taking our freedom away. Others outside Zamboanga City may think that we are over-reacting, thinking that this is only a small group and that our government forces can quash this crisis easily. Then again, Mr. President, with that exact point, I counter and say, "Precisely, it is a small group but why then, after four (4) days (five by the time this open letter gets out) the situation is not yet contained and controlled?" How many more lives, civilians and soldiers/policemen alike, should be taken? How many more houses/establishments/livelihoods be destroyed before appropriate actions are implemented to stop this madness? If you are serious in nipping this in the bud, why send an insufficient number of half-starving, zombified due to lack of rest, with insufficient arms and gears, soldiers during the first few days? Why have we not heard from you directly, seeing only your cabinet members and aides? I do understand that you are delegating responsibilities and as you don't do the dirty works in most cases, but don't you know how much your people would like to hear assurance coming from you that you will not let our city be taken by force and be separated from the Philippines?
Ever since I was matured enough to think and speak for my own, there have been a number of issues that our country has caused discord in our ranks but I have never been more vocal in raising my own thoughts and views until four (4) days ago, when my hometown was attacked. I fervently pray to our Father in Heaven, through the intercession of his Son, Jesus Christ, and through our Mother, Mama Mary, to guide you and the rest of those involved in this situation to do the right thing by us. You have reiterated time and again that we are your bosses. We ask you to stand up and and take charge and be responsible for the safety of your people, and for bringing back peace and order to our beloved Zamboanga City.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Kathrina Abrera Libarnes
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