Today, Joe Burgos Jr, Jonas' father, would have turned 67. If he were still with us today, we would have had a simple yet joyous celebration with friends, colleagues and relatives. Joe always remembered to thank The Lord for the gift of life. (His daily ordinary 'living' was itself an expression of this gratitude.) His way would be to gather family and friends around him and share whatever blessings he would have at the moment.
During lean times, Joe would still celebrate and share memories and laughter with everyone.
This year, in keeping with this tradition, we celebrate -- and share. We celebrate not only the gift of family which has been a solid anchor in our search for Jonas, but also the gift of relatives and friends who have rallied behind us in these trying times.
We celebrate the gift of strangers who have expressed sympathy wherever we met them. We celebrate unnamed, faceless people from our beloved country and from other distant lands whose hearts wept with us, and who have offered prayers pleading with The Father that Jonas would be alive and well.
You have shared part of yourselves and for this we are truly grateful.
It is, indeed, a rare opportunity that we are blessed with the company of people whose very presence makes us aware that the Heavenly Father loves each and every one of us in a special way. We are reminded that even as Jonas remains missing, he is being taken cared of by Our Father. And that care given by The Father can never be outdone. We share this joyful thought with you.
We firmly believe that when we are ready, all will be revealed to us. We share this belief with you.
On Joe’s 67th birth anniversary and as we start the new year, the Burgos family
offers a prayer of gratitude for all of you. We commend all of you in a special way to the Lord. We pray that you will continue loving others in the way that you have loved Jonas' family.
As we pray for you we also ask you to pray for those who have been responsible for the abductions and the killings. We appeal to all to ask The Lord to give them new hearts. The way of peace can only start when there is forgiveness. We can all start by praying for them.
It may help if we remember that " When the heart is ready, the harvest will come. . . . Don't worry about all the unspoken, the unnamed, the undelivered. . . . Yearn for the yielding, but be patient. . . . Talk to the restlessness. . . . Sit with confusion. . . . Dance with paradoxes and sip tea and smile while you wait."( Joyce Ruppy)
May The Lord keep you and bless you always.
Edith and Peachy, Sonny, Jayel and Ann for Jonas
Friday, January 4, 2008
Dalawang Tula kay Jonas Burgos, Desaparecido*
TINIPON AT INILATHALA NG BULATLAT
Vol. VII, No. 39, November 4-10, 2007
ODA KAY JONAS
ni Axel Pinpin**
Malaya kang lilipad-lipad, palipat-lipat
sa pumpon ng dampa naming maralita
upang tipunin, simsimin ang tamis ng pawis
nang namumukadkad naming ngalit mula sa pagtangis;
na noong buwan ng Abril na iyon
ay kasinglapot, kasingpula ng dugo.
Sa gitna ng parang
ay namasdan namin ang iyong gintong pakpak,
narinig ka naming pumapagaspas,
nakikigapas at nakikiaklas.
Ikaw ang paru-paro naming magbubukid
at ang paroroonan mo ay walang nakabatid
nang patiyad, marahas kang lapitan
at hulihin ng lalaking salbahe at matapang ang hiya.
MAKUPAD ANG BATAS KAY JONAS BURGOS
ni Raul Funilas
Bawat pangyayari sa Metro Manila,
O karatig-lugar, aktibong probinsya;
Ang hinala nami’y pawang ipininta
Ng Bruskong Militar sa poder ni Gloria.
Tulad nang makidnap si Ka Jonas Burgos,
Sanga ng militar, “Tumalon sa ilog
At doon nagtago sa daloy ng agos
Upang di maamoy ang utot-mabantot.”
Subalit maraming testigong tumindig,
“Sa gobyernong hangal sasakyang ginamit.”
Diskarte at kilos militar ang kisig
Kaya kay Ka Jonas walang nakalapit.
Sa’n ka man naroon O, Kasamang Jonas,
Kami’y di titigil sa pangangalampag;
Sukdulang ang buhay ang sukling katumbas
Makita ka lamang sa tuwid na batas.
Inilathala ng Bulatlat
*Ang dalawang tulang ito ay parehong inihanda ng mga may-akda para sa kauna-unahang buwanang Protest Poetry Night ng Artists’ ARREST sa Mag:net Katipunan, na ginanap noong Oktubre 29.
**Si Axel Pinpin ay kabilang sa tinaguriang “Tagaytay 5” – kasama nina Riel Custodio, Aristedes Sarmiento, Enrico Ybañez, at Michael Masayes – na dinukot ng mga pulis at militar noong Abril 28, 2006 sa Tagaytay City, pinaratangang mga “rebeldeng komunista” at ngayo’y mahigit sa isang taon nang nakakulong sa Camp Vicente Lim ng Philippine National Police (PNP). Naging fellow siya para sa tula ng UP National Writers Workshop noong 1999
Vol. VII, No. 39, November 4-10, 2007
ODA KAY JONAS
ni Axel Pinpin**
Malaya kang lilipad-lipad, palipat-lipat
sa pumpon ng dampa naming maralita
upang tipunin, simsimin ang tamis ng pawis
nang namumukadkad naming ngalit mula sa pagtangis;
na noong buwan ng Abril na iyon
ay kasinglapot, kasingpula ng dugo.
Sa gitna ng parang
ay namasdan namin ang iyong gintong pakpak,
narinig ka naming pumapagaspas,
nakikigapas at nakikiaklas.
Ikaw ang paru-paro naming magbubukid
at ang paroroonan mo ay walang nakabatid
nang patiyad, marahas kang lapitan
at hulihin ng lalaking salbahe at matapang ang hiya.
MAKUPAD ANG BATAS KAY JONAS BURGOS
ni Raul Funilas
Bawat pangyayari sa Metro Manila,
O karatig-lugar, aktibong probinsya;
Ang hinala nami’y pawang ipininta
Ng Bruskong Militar sa poder ni Gloria.
Tulad nang makidnap si Ka Jonas Burgos,
Sanga ng militar, “Tumalon sa ilog
At doon nagtago sa daloy ng agos
Upang di maamoy ang utot-mabantot.”
Subalit maraming testigong tumindig,
“Sa gobyernong hangal sasakyang ginamit.”
Diskarte at kilos militar ang kisig
Kaya kay Ka Jonas walang nakalapit.
Sa’n ka man naroon O, Kasamang Jonas,
Kami’y di titigil sa pangangalampag;
Sukdulang ang buhay ang sukling katumbas
Makita ka lamang sa tuwid na batas.
Inilathala ng Bulatlat
*Ang dalawang tulang ito ay parehong inihanda ng mga may-akda para sa kauna-unahang buwanang Protest Poetry Night ng Artists’ ARREST sa Mag:net Katipunan, na ginanap noong Oktubre 29.
**Si Axel Pinpin ay kabilang sa tinaguriang “Tagaytay 5” – kasama nina Riel Custodio, Aristedes Sarmiento, Enrico Ybañez, at Michael Masayes – na dinukot ng mga pulis at militar noong Abril 28, 2006 sa Tagaytay City, pinaratangang mga “rebeldeng komunista” at ngayo’y mahigit sa isang taon nang nakakulong sa Camp Vicente Lim ng Philippine National Police (PNP). Naging fellow siya para sa tula ng UP National Writers Workshop noong 1999
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Huling Balita at UP Film Center on Dec. 11
Please join us at the UP Film Center for our benefit gig billed as "Huling Balita".
Saturday, December 8, 2007
SURFACING - a photo project on the lives of the families of desaparecidos
They were activists, wanting to change society by arousing and organizing amongst the masses. They were ordinary civilians, going about their daily lives. Suddenly, they disappear. Desaparecidos is the Spanish word meaning “the disappeared.” It was coined in Latin America where thousands became victims of enforced disappearance implemented by tyrannical regimes.
Enforced disappearance is “committed by government officials or by organized groups acting in behalf, or with the support, consent or acquiescence of the government,” according to the International Convention for the Protection of all Persons against Enforced Disappearance. It is among the most common human rights violations committed in the Philippines, often by suspected military agents in the name of counter-insurgency. Under the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, there have been 184 desaparecidos, the highest since martial law.
SURFACING, a photographers' initiative led by the Free Jonas Burgos Movement and Desaparecidos, is an effort to create and sustain public awareness on the issue of enforced disappearances. It shows the lives and struggles of 14 families of the disappeared, as well as that of the disappeared.
“A photograph is an expression of absence and a form of transport,” says writer John Berger. Let these photos express the pain and injustice of the desaparecidos’ absence and transport us to the reality that we need to face and collectively challenge.
December 5-11 Slideshow at Robinsons Galleria Cinema Lobby
December 9 North Edsa MRT Station c/o Larawanology
December 10 Plaza Miranda mobile exhibit
December 11 UP Film Center
Enforced disappearance is “committed by government officials or by organized groups acting in behalf, or with the support, consent or acquiescence of the government,” according to the International Convention for the Protection of all Persons against Enforced Disappearance. It is among the most common human rights violations committed in the Philippines, often by suspected military agents in the name of counter-insurgency. Under the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, there have been 184 desaparecidos, the highest since martial law.
SURFACING, a photographers' initiative led by the Free Jonas Burgos Movement and Desaparecidos, is an effort to create and sustain public awareness on the issue of enforced disappearances. It shows the lives and struggles of 14 families of the disappeared, as well as that of the disappeared.
“A photograph is an expression of absence and a form of transport,” says writer John Berger. Let these photos express the pain and injustice of the desaparecidos’ absence and transport us to the reality that we need to face and collectively challenge.
December 5-11 Slideshow at Robinsons Galleria Cinema Lobby
December 9 North Edsa MRT Station c/o Larawanology
December 10 Plaza Miranda mobile exhibit
December 11 UP Film Center
Friday, December 7, 2007
Surface the desaparecidos ! – Filipino Musicians
New songs featured in a concert for the disappeared
"Narinig nyo na ba ang Huling Balita tungkol kay Mang Kardo isang Manggagawa? (Have you heard the latest news about Mang Kardo the worker?) This is the first line in a classic song 'Huling Balita" written by poet and singer-songwriter Jess Santiago depicting the story of Mang Kardo and many other countless victims of forced disappearances during the dark days of Martial Law.
On December 11, 2007, as part of the Human Rights week commemoration, the message of Santiago's song will resonate in a special concert at the UP Film Center in Quezon City, which aims to once again draw attention to the issue of forced disappearances in the Philippines.
Dubbed "Huling Balita", the show will highlight new songs tackling the issue of the 'desaparecidos' with performances from Jess Santiago, The Wuds, Noel Cabangon, Cookie Chua, Anak ni Aling Juana, Tribu Poets, The Village Idiots, Granada, Einstein Chakras and the Radio Active Sago Project.
"The concert is part of a bigger collaborative initiative of artists, musicians, photographers and filmmakers seeking to respond to the issue of enforced disappearances" according to JL Burgos brother of missing activist Jonas Burgos and coordinator of the Free Jonas Burgos Movement (FJBM) one of the organizers of the event.
"This is an extremely personal issue for me, and I hope that these songs will help a lot more people not just understand the issue but feel incensed that this is happening in our country today" adds Burgos.
Aside from the performances, 'Huling Balita: the concert' will also feature the live recording of eight new songs touching on the issue of forced disappearances. These new songs draw inspiration from the stories and struggles of those left behind and a product of the musicians' interaction with the families of the disappeared and campaigners on the issue.
"The song Huling Balita was written in the 1970's as a response to what was happening then during the dark days of the Marcos Dictatorship, it saddens me that this song remains relevant to this day" laments songwriter Jess Santiago.
By choosing to put the spotlight on the plight of the desaparecidos and their families, respected progressive musicians like Santiago and Noel Cabangon, working side by side with their younger counterparts, are hoping that the last word on the issue will be one of justice.#
"Narinig nyo na ba ang Huling Balita tungkol kay Mang Kardo isang Manggagawa? (Have you heard the latest news about Mang Kardo the worker?) This is the first line in a classic song 'Huling Balita" written by poet and singer-songwriter Jess Santiago depicting the story of Mang Kardo and many other countless victims of forced disappearances during the dark days of Martial Law.
On December 11, 2007, as part of the Human Rights week commemoration, the message of Santiago's song will resonate in a special concert at the UP Film Center in Quezon City, which aims to once again draw attention to the issue of forced disappearances in the Philippines.
Dubbed "Huling Balita", the show will highlight new songs tackling the issue of the 'desaparecidos' with performances from Jess Santiago, The Wuds, Noel Cabangon, Cookie Chua, Anak ni Aling Juana, Tribu Poets, The Village Idiots, Granada, Einstein Chakras and the Radio Active Sago Project.
"The concert is part of a bigger collaborative initiative of artists, musicians, photographers and filmmakers seeking to respond to the issue of enforced disappearances" according to JL Burgos brother of missing activist Jonas Burgos and coordinator of the Free Jonas Burgos Movement (FJBM) one of the organizers of the event.
"This is an extremely personal issue for me, and I hope that these songs will help a lot more people not just understand the issue but feel incensed that this is happening in our country today" adds Burgos.
Aside from the performances, 'Huling Balita: the concert' will also feature the live recording of eight new songs touching on the issue of forced disappearances. These new songs draw inspiration from the stories and struggles of those left behind and a product of the musicians' interaction with the families of the disappeared and campaigners on the issue.
"The song Huling Balita was written in the 1970's as a response to what was happening then during the dark days of the Marcos Dictatorship, it saddens me that this song remains relevant to this day" laments songwriter Jess Santiago.
By choosing to put the spotlight on the plight of the desaparecidos and their families, respected progressive musicians like Santiago and Noel Cabangon, working side by side with their younger counterparts, are hoping that the last word on the issue will be one of justice.#
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
`RIGHTS' screening at Cinekatipunan
You are all invited to come to Cinekatipunan/Mag:net Cafe on September 28, 2007, Friday, 5:00-7:00 PM for the screening of RIGHTS, an omnibus film by:
Pam Miras: THE GOOD NEWS
Mike Dagnalan: DIYARYO
JL Burgos: DEFINITION 1
King Catoy: UNANG ARAW
Jon Red: IGNORANTE
John Torres: ONE TILTED SCREEN
Sunshine Matutina: JUAN, TAKBO! and THE DISAPPEARED
Paolo VIllaluna: TANGA
Sigrid Andrea Bernardo: BANGKO O EROPLANO,LOST AND FOUND
RJ Mabilin: HUMAN RIGHTS WORKER
Kiri Dalena: WHERE IS JONAS? and ADELISA
Sigfreid Barros Sanchez: DUKOT and KARNE
Nino Tagaro: IKAW?
"RIGHTS" is a collection of 30 second to 2 minute shortvideo/public service advertisements about the present human rights situation in the Philippines.The RIGHTS project was initiated last June by the Free Jonas Burgos Movement and Southern Tagalog Exposure as a response. The material, however, was rated "X" by the Movie & Television Rating and Classification Board (MTRCB) last 18 September 2007. The FJBM/IFC filed an appeal to the MTRCB for re-classification. Screening will start at 5:00 PM.
Pam Miras: THE GOOD NEWS
Mike Dagnalan: DIYARYO
JL Burgos: DEFINITION 1
King Catoy: UNANG ARAW
Jon Red: IGNORANTE
John Torres: ONE TILTED SCREEN
Sunshine Matutina: JUAN, TAKBO! and THE DISAPPEARED
Paolo VIllaluna: TANGA
Sigrid Andrea Bernardo: BANGKO O EROPLANO,LOST AND FOUND
RJ Mabilin: HUMAN RIGHTS WORKER
Kiri Dalena: WHERE IS JONAS? and ADELISA
Sigfreid Barros Sanchez: DUKOT and KARNE
Nino Tagaro: IKAW?
"RIGHTS" is a collection of 30 second to 2 minute shortvideo/public service advertisements about the present human rights situation in the Philippines.The RIGHTS project was initiated last June by the Free Jonas Burgos Movement and Southern Tagalog Exposure as a response. The material, however, was rated "X" by the Movie & Television Rating and Classification Board (MTRCB) last 18 September 2007. The FJBM/IFC filed an appeal to the MTRCB for re-classification. Screening will start at 5:00 PM.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
X-rating of MTRCB a violation of freedom of speech & expression--FJBM
Since Jonas Burgos was abducted by the military last April 28, 2007, the family and friends of Jonas Burgos organized the FREE JONAS BURGOS MOVEMENT (FJBM) precisely to campaign for the immediate and safe release of Jonas Burgos and other desaparecidos.
One of the campaigns of the FJBM, with the help of other organizations and artists, is the production of Public Service Ads called “RIGHTS”, a collection of independently produced advocacy plugs about the present human rights situation in the Philippines. Different artists and filmmakers freely and creatively participated in the growing movement to defend human rights in the country. “RIGHTS” was slated to be shown at the Robinsons Galleria, Cinema 3on September 21, 2007.
On September 19, 2007, the Independent Filmmakers Cooperative (IFC), who is helping the FJBM, received a letter from the Movie & Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) Chairman Consoliza Laguardia. The MTRCB informed the IFC that “RIGHTS” was reviewed on September 18, and was classified “X”—Not Fit for Public Exhibition for the following reasons: “Scenes in this films are presented unfairly, one-sided, and undermines the faith and confidence of the people in the government and duly constituted authorities, thus, not fit for public viewing.”
We are very disappointed with the decision of the MTRCB to classify “RIGHTS” with an “X” rating. The ruling stifles freedom of the speech and expression and serves only the interests of the government.
When Jonas was abducted, the Burgos Family went to different democratic institutions of this government. The family asked for the help of the following institution: Commission on Human Rights, which up to now has yet to release its findings on the Jonas case; The Philippine National Police, which is not even vigorously investigating the abduction of Jonas and now seems to be a part of the cover-up of this government; The Armed Forces of the Philippines, which up to now has yet to release its provost martial report even though Gen. Hermogenes Esperon said they will abide by the court’s decision; The Office of the President, Department of Justice, which after state prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco ordered the investigation of different agents of the state was sacked by the Secretary of Justice for the premature revelation to the media of vital information about the case. And now the MTRCB is telling us that scenes in the “RIGHTS” as UNFAIR, ONE-SIDED and UNDERMINES THE FAITH and CONFIDENCE OF THE PEOPLE IN THEIR GOVERNMENT and/or DULY CONSTITUTED AUTHORITIES.
I remember that my father, the late JOSE BURGOS JR., fought for freedom of speech and expression during the dark years of martial law, I though that we have it now.
The FJBM is saddened by this development. Is this the democracy that this government wants? Is this the democracy that our martyrs and heroes of martial law era fought for?
Today, as we remember the ugly past of Martial Law, I would like to raise a question… who is now UNFAIR, ONE-SIDED and UNDERMINES THE FAITH and CONFIDENCE OF ITS PEOPLE?
The Free Jonas Burgos Movement will oppose censorship. We will oppose political repression. And we will oppose human rights violations.
JL BURGOS
Convenor, FJBM
One of the campaigns of the FJBM, with the help of other organizations and artists, is the production of Public Service Ads called “RIGHTS”, a collection of independently produced advocacy plugs about the present human rights situation in the Philippines. Different artists and filmmakers freely and creatively participated in the growing movement to defend human rights in the country. “RIGHTS” was slated to be shown at the Robinsons Galleria, Cinema 3on September 21, 2007.
On September 19, 2007, the Independent Filmmakers Cooperative (IFC), who is helping the FJBM, received a letter from the Movie & Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) Chairman Consoliza Laguardia. The MTRCB informed the IFC that “RIGHTS” was reviewed on September 18, and was classified “X”—Not Fit for Public Exhibition for the following reasons: “Scenes in this films are presented unfairly, one-sided, and undermines the faith and confidence of the people in the government and duly constituted authorities, thus, not fit for public viewing.”
We are very disappointed with the decision of the MTRCB to classify “RIGHTS” with an “X” rating. The ruling stifles freedom of the speech and expression and serves only the interests of the government.
When Jonas was abducted, the Burgos Family went to different democratic institutions of this government. The family asked for the help of the following institution: Commission on Human Rights, which up to now has yet to release its findings on the Jonas case; The Philippine National Police, which is not even vigorously investigating the abduction of Jonas and now seems to be a part of the cover-up of this government; The Armed Forces of the Philippines, which up to now has yet to release its provost martial report even though Gen. Hermogenes Esperon said they will abide by the court’s decision; The Office of the President, Department of Justice, which after state prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco ordered the investigation of different agents of the state was sacked by the Secretary of Justice for the premature revelation to the media of vital information about the case. And now the MTRCB is telling us that scenes in the “RIGHTS” as UNFAIR, ONE-SIDED and UNDERMINES THE FAITH and CONFIDENCE OF THE PEOPLE IN THEIR GOVERNMENT and/or DULY CONSTITUTED AUTHORITIES.
I remember that my father, the late JOSE BURGOS JR., fought for freedom of speech and expression during the dark years of martial law, I though that we have it now.
The FJBM is saddened by this development. Is this the democracy that this government wants? Is this the democracy that our martyrs and heroes of martial law era fought for?
Today, as we remember the ugly past of Martial Law, I would like to raise a question… who is now UNFAIR, ONE-SIDED and UNDERMINES THE FAITH and CONFIDENCE OF ITS PEOPLE?
The Free Jonas Burgos Movement will oppose censorship. We will oppose political repression. And we will oppose human rights violations.
JL BURGOS
Convenor, FJBM
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