“Uuwi na si Udong” by Kara David

I'm on the verge of tears while watching this episode. I deeply felt the innate sympathy for the children who suffers the agony that they do not entirely deserve and much of hatred for those parents who manages to risk the lives of their siblings while they escape the bulk of responsibilities they ought to give them.

This episode features how a ten year old boy (Udong), sacrifices his hours of playful childhood with 6 months of physical hard work as a sugarcane cutter. Udong, like the other hundreds of migrant workers from an island of Aklan chose to work in the sugar plantations also called “Sakada” in Batangas in order to support their families back home.

At his early age, you will hardly notice the juvenile spirit in Udong. He acts and talks like a young man in his 20's, very much determined to shed off sweat and hardships just to feed his family. Though with his father, Udong still works just like others, he forcefully grips and cuts the sugarcanes without uncertainty, ignoring the tormenting pain on his small and innocent body. He would even exchange an hour of sleep during periods of break than play around with other kids of his age. The scenario of all day work has been a daily routine for Udong and for other workers as well, enduring all the physical agony and longing for their families had become their driving force to bear hardship. But contrary to Udong, these hardships and sufferings are already unbearable for Toto, a 14 year old boy, who was forced by his father to replace him to work and pay for their debt. If given a chance Toto would rather work in Aklan with his family. The tough work in the sugar plantation was even made harder by the fact that he is several miles away from home. But to stop working is not an option, and so Toto was left to endure all the pain for several months. He only then looks forward for the end of Sakada to finally go back home.

Until the six months of laborious work has finally come to an end, the two boys along with other migrant workers eagerly wait to claim their salary. With several computations, and deductions, the two kids ended up with P600 each at hand. Not enough for Toto to buy a television set, toys and food for his waiting siblings. While other workers, turned out to go home empty handed. Sadly, the six months of Sakada didn't' paid off for their tremendous hard work. According to the owner of the plantation, this is because the workers had their commodities, vices such as cigarettes and alcoholic drinks and family debts that were finally deducted to their wages. And so, these workers had to make another debt just to bring some food and toys for their families. No wonder, if there's another Udong or Toto in the next batch of Sakada. And even if, the turnout of the wages for some seemed disappointing, the workers ignored the thought for a moment; excitement to go back to their homeland appeared to outweigh the reality that their families will hardly be eating again.

“Karangaya: Inareglong Kasal (Karangaya: Arranged Marriage)” by Sandra Aguinaldo

Who would have thought that a six year old kid will face the sacraments of marriage at this early age? The idea is definitely absurd! But the absurdity and improbability of this idea was not for long. This episode is very appalling and at the same time pitiful for the children. I'm not completely against this Karangaya for I know, this has been part of culture but thinking of the future of the kids is another thing. Looking at their naïve faces, gives me the thought that the rights of this children were being abused.

The union of children arranged by their parents at a very young age or “Karangaya” is continuously practiced until this generation in the Maranao culture. The tradition continues to live even in the Modern Maranao families. This was also done to bridge of war among rival families. And as a proof of the existence of “Karangaya” Sandra Aguinaldo was able to attend the wedding ceremony of two grade schoolers named Fajad Mangotara and Olily Hadjisalic. It was like any other ordinary weddings of grownups, the only difference is the screaming innocence of the groom and the bride while walking down the wedding entourage, surrounded by people, parents and relatives who appeared to be more excited than the soon to be couple. The two kids know for a fact they are getting married, but the depth of the word “kasal”(marriage) seems to be an unknown fact to them.

Though the occurrence of Karangaya is accepted and practiced as a tradition, there are still Maranaos who choose to stand on their principles and refused to obey the will of their parents. Just like Minang Sharief, an English professor from the Mindanao State University, who refused to marry his uncle back when she was only thirteen years old.

“Condo” by Jay Taruc

This episode is not new to Filipinos, the commonness of the scenario makes its spectators to ignore the fact that our nation is rapidly sinking in the dark, gloomy sea of drought and poverty. I had realized through this episode of how the world is in need of a stable government, officials who will not sit on the earnings of its people, while the majority of masses cannot even stretch their arms at home, otherwise there will be no space for other family members to move.

Jay Taruc on this episode experienced living in a squatter housing known as “condos” scattered beneath the Makati Bridge. For several days he became one of the family members who manages to fit themselves in houses built one on top of the other. Less of a size of four balikbayan boxes, condos here do not offer windows and doors and allow only a minimal space for rats, cockroaches to freely roam.

The condos are surrounded by a river overflowing with stagnant garbage and factory waste. And though I was not there, I know for one that the whole place terribly stinks!

I don't' know how these people manage to survive living for years in this kind of homes. Well, actually it's obvious, there's no other place to live. Maybe I just can't stand the fact that couples in this status still find time to produce and add to the increasing rate of population yet they cannot even provide safer homes for their families. The lives of the children will remain at risk each time large vehicles pass by and shake up the entire homes as if there was a calamity.

“Mga Batang Hiram” by Kara David

Children are wonderful blessings from God. Priceless as they say. But to my surprise, children in the Aeta community in Zambales tend to have an equivalent price. And seeing this episode awakened in me a feeling of remorse, I guess these kids will be luckier if they were not actually born so that, they will not suffer nor carry a mass of sentiments and angst on their families.

The children who had graduated from elementary school in Lupang Pangako, Zambales in the year 2005 do not even cover the fingers of my hand. Only three of them graduated and the reason behind are dreadful to know. Most of them have gone to school because of work. Their families sent them to work in exchange for allowances and guess what even for a live cow! (how cruel!) Some were even babies when they were sold to other people at very affordable prices, ranging from three to five thousand bucks! (such loving parents!)

William, who was borrowed in exchange for a cow, is currently working in a farm with his superior. He even said that he would rather work away from his family than stay in mountains and be an Aeta! No wonder why this boy earned a feeling of disgrace in his ancestral origin.

“Lukayo: Hindi ito Bastos!” by Howie Severino

I included this episode in my five picks. Since, I was astonished on how Howie's team was able to reach a tradition and culture that were hidden from the eyes of this generation. Airing this episode made a lot of violent reactions and comments, quoting that this is very immoral and offending to the viewers. Well, in fact it's not! Expanding the depth of one's perspective on things is a major need of this country. I'm not saying that you need to leave your values, traditions and culture in mere books of history; rather I'm jut encouraging you to think outside the box, be more open minded on things, and accept the mere fact of a changing world.

In the highlands of Sierra Madre, Howie met typical grandmothers who prioritize their family and work. These “lolas” (grandmothers) shared lots of stories and advices to the youth in their barangay, they even volunteer in other health activities. But, the only peculiar thing about these lolas is during the days of local wedding, wherein they suddenly transform into uninhibited wenches, wearing sort of a clown's costume teasing the newlyweds with wooden male organs. This ritual is known as “Lukayo”.

For several years, “Lukayo” has been one of the various rituals that constitute the research of the National artist for dance, Ramon Obusan. Aside from “Lukayo”, Obusan also has documented several rituals involving phalluses, giant artificial penises that appeared to be the symbols of fertility until Judas.

This age-old custom was of course contradicted by the parish priest. But to think of it, discovery and existence of such tradition enriches the fading Philippine culture.

I hope you had a glimpse of the Philippine culture and tradition, the ups and downs of both worlds. And to end this, documentaries are only means of spreading awareness, “Awareness is only the beginning”, taking some course of actions is still in the hands of its spectators. Ciao!