Charles Teves
The loyalists of Bongbong Marcos (LBM) have failed to show class once more after making fun of the Sumilao ritual Vice President Leni Robredo went through.
Robredo on Wednesday was greeted by farmers from the Higaonon tribe in Sumilao, Bukidnon. The presidential candidate’s relationship with the group dates back to 2007 when she and her late husband, then-Naga mayor Jesse Robredo, welcomed them to their city to retrieve their ancestral land from San Miguel Corporation.
“Noong una pa man, kasama na namin siya. Hindi na siya iba sa amin.” said Bajekjek Orquillas, one of the farmers Robredo marched with to Malacañang. “Nakilala namin siya bilang abogada, bilang isang kaibigan, bilang parang isang ina,” he added.
Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Panligal or Saligan, the nongovernmental organization Robredo was part of, assisted the farmers.
She noted how far the group came from that fight. “Mahaba na talaga ‘yung tinahak natin na landas pero kami na nananood…sa inyo, sobrang proud kami kung nasaan na kayo ngayon,” Robredo said.
She promised to keep on fighting for the farmers and fishermen.
“Ang akin pong promise sa inyo, na patuloy na ipapakipaglaban natin ‘yung karapatan at kabuhayan ng bawat magsasaka saka mangingisda,” she furthered.
The farmers made Robredo go through a ritual that included something on a white plate hovering over her head during the visit. Trolls and critics then made fun of it without knowing its history.
Taga bukidnon ako and I'm exactly a member of Lumad Tribe kasi Parents ko both lumad at kakilala ko pa yung tribal datu na gumawa ng ritual for Leni kasi pinsan siya ng father ko. Nakakaloka lang talaga yung mga basher at bitter, kung hindi sana kayang respetohin si leni https://t.co/WiVqJSqv1s
— Dauntless Caps (LySam) (@CapsDauntless) February 25, 2022
The ritual was made to provide protection and good fortune.
Pinagtatawanan pala yung sacred ritual ng mga Lumad na kanilang isinagawa para kay VP Leni.
Kami ngang mga pari ay ginagalang ang mga ito.
Misplaced na talaga ang kalooban at pakikipagkapwa-tao.
— Pari Koy (@pads_nosi) February 24, 2022
hay saw another mockery video towards the ritual that the tribes of bukidnon are performing noong winelcome nila si madam leni.
pls be educated enough to know about our IPs and their culture. it is extremely disrespectful to them and to you as a filipino to mock their rituals.
— ً aya ☁️ qs era! (@knjeoncart) February 25, 2022
The LBM always accuses Robredo supporters of being disrespectful, but they constantly promote hate.
I have this HS Schoolmate who blatantly shares about how "bastos" Leni supporters are, all while disgracing a tribal ritual of Bukidnon IPs. I think we should check on ourselves first especially if we wanna call someone like Leni, "Lugaw" or "Bobo".
— Gobii (@Radioactive9999) February 24, 2022
https://twitter.com/dj_conyo/status/1496487547370983425?s=20&t=AskHuGVkmL5VNoYMlsDJKg
Robredo’s daughter, Tricia, noted how her mother always made an effort to meet with the farmers at every opportunity she got.
“Si Mama kahit nung naging VP siya, she makes it a point to try and visit the Sumilao farmers tuwing bibisita siya ng Bukidnon. At kapag umuuwi siya sa bahay, laging may baong kuwento at updates tungkol sa kanila. Mas kaibigan at pamilya more than supporters ang turing sa kanila at sa amin, vice versa,” she said.
“Mapa-eleksiyon man o hindi, ‘yung constant presence nila very comforting and very energizing. Taga-yakap at taga-gabay,” added Tricia.
Orquillas said the group would make sure Robredo wins the presidency.
“Naipanalo natin siya noong 2016. Ngayon pa kaya tayo magpapatalo? Kung naipanalo natin si Ma’am noon, ipapanalo natin ngayon sa 2022.”
