People living in the cities and even its vicinities never
knew the real situation living in a place like Bagsac, one of the 14th
Barangay that belongs to the Municipality of Madrid. The main reason why is
that, this place is surrounded by two gigantic rivers (Carac-an,Buya-an
River)crossing each other forming letter “V” and this place is in the aisle.
The source of income and the kind of living is too serene
and simple. Agriculture is the main force, the bountiful resources holds and
helped to the survival of the people living here. Animal raising, root crops
farming, corn and vast rice fields completely satisfied to feed and sustain the
basic needs.
Being here for almost 25 years is really amazing. The fact
that I was one standing and experiencing the true lifestyle of being a child to
pupil and from pupil to student. Lots of untold stories are extremely
unrevealed due to some terrific circumstances. After finishing Elementary we
need to wake up early for a long walk awaits us. It took 4 kilometers to hike
before we reach (MNHS) Madrid National High School and we take it vice
versa-from early morning and the end of class in the afternoon. We need to take
a short break and take off our shoes for us to cross the flowing river before
we get to our home. Some of my (ka barangay) fellow students are quitting, they
started to cut classes just to get home early. Lack of financial needs is the
prime reason why they stop, their parents striving for their sons and daughters
in order to send them to school but they can’t push them because they knew the
reason behind before anyone else.
We lost pets, friends and family members upon attempting to
cross this unstable river and got drowned. It’s hard to say but we have nothing
to do but to accept the reality and be thankful if we recovered the dead bodies
we owned. We were victimized because we have no other way. We put our lives in
danger thinking that someday were gonna change this place. Some are leaving and
went to other place and start a brand-new life that is different from where
they came from. Those are the tragic and most painful memories to be remembered
and we can’t escape the reality because that placed mold us and motivate us to
do for the betterment of ourselves. Plenty of repeated words we heard from aspiring
candidates, Politicians from municipal and provincial level promised to do something
with regards to our problem but then again our place remain as is like his name
always a failure (BAGSAC!) There just
a piece of shit that after they were chosen to be the leaders and they forgot their
duties. If there are programs came from national and to be scattered to local it
seems like theirs a limit and we are exempted. Our dreams still dimmed and in
vain if we are waiting for those assholes to take actions. I’m sorry but it’s
all true that’s why we learned to be independent.
That bridge above is our hope it was a
project by a Non-Government Organization and that building extends our sight to
look forward for the next generation and for another unique and innovative
structure that might lead us to soar high.
The hardship, perseverance and dedication are the key to
success. I may not as successful like them but I’m proud to say that I finished
my studies and got a good job. I need to make this a short cut because even a
100 leaves of writing notebook or a rim of long bond paper is not enough to pen
this story. Despite the overwhelming odds this place produced teachers,
Engineers, Politicians, Policemen that soon to be our future general. Where
ever we may be, there is only one thing in our mind” There’s no other place
like our home and we called it our own.
