A Mudblood's Life

I just watched a feature presentation about the black movement in the United States, dating back from Rosa Parks in Montgomery to Martin Luther King, and finally to Obama’s victory in the recently concluded US Presidential Election. This conjured a tumbling kaleidoscope of memories for me.

Change is inevitable. It’s the only thing that is constant in this world, they say. Throughout the years, the world has changed which in turn brought several changes in the lives of the people as well as in the culture and social norms that govern them. Change can go either way; it can be positive or negative. However, it’s positive change that we work for and celebrate most.

In the society where I belong, inter-marriages with people outside the ethnic group were highly discouraged. A “royal-blooded” Maranao man should marry a “royal-blooded” Maranao woman. No ifs, ands or buts about it. The Maranao people consider themselves to be royal-blooded and prohibiting inter-marriages was their way of preserving their cultural heritage, wealth and values. It was in early 1980s when my father and mother decided to live together, and deviated from the social norm. They weren’t married that time though. They couldn’t since such a social norm prohibited them. My mother was a Bisaya working as a waitress in my father’s family business (a restaurant somewhere in Amai-Pakpak, Marawi City). There was no way they could be together in a community that discriminated against her and all the people of her kind. Four years after they lived together, they finally had the courage to take their vows and bind themselves in the sanctity of marriage. That was the year I was born. Since then, I have been a part of what seemed to be an uphill battle for me, my family and all the other “half-breeds” like me.

However, my society has started to change its tune regarding the issue of inter-marriages as time goes by. There are several reasons attributed to this. Personally, I believe that more and more Maranao men are getting practical. For them to marry a Maranao woman, they have to present a huge dowry to the woman’s family. This tradition alienates Maranao men. Since marrying a Maranao woman costs a lot of money, they prefer marrying non-Maranao women instead, and use the money supposedly for dowry to run a small business in some other place. After few years, these men come back and bring their wives and children with them, most of whom have obtained better education in the country’s most reputable academic institutions. As a result, more and more “half-breeds” dwelled in the society, and their increasing number overwhelmed the majority of “pure-bloods”, and sparked a silent and peaceful revolution. Moreover, the correlation between education and power became a driving force too. Most of the “half-breeds” hold important positions in the government and in academe, and this gradually earned them the respect and recognition of the society. The media catalyzed the change and brought the issue in a whole new light as well. Through the media, the Maranaos were able to see things outside their society. Before, they hardly see the forest for the trees. In the status quo, they are exposed to new concepts and ideas which make them more open-minded. Lastly, the gradual integration of the “half-breeds” to the “pure-blooded” ones became an avenue to bridge the gap and debunk stereotypes. As these people work with each other everyday, they tend to understand and appreciate each other’s similarities and differences more.

I am one of the “half-breeds”—a mudblood like Harry Potter. There are many Lord Voldemort’s in my society—those people who aren’t that receptive and who cannot recognize our existence. We were against all odds. A flock of black sheep as we were, we experienced all forms of discrimination, even from our immediate family members. We were (and still are) considered "low class" or less of a person. We're not pure. We're tainted. Looking back at those days still pricks my heart painfully. The pictures are still very vivid and clear in my mind. I can’t believe that we once lived in a very small house we rented while my grandparents enjoy the luxury of their huge torogan (or mansion). However, this did not make me feel less of a person. In fact, it has become my rallying point. I took my studies seriously and participated in several community activities. I became the class valedictorian among the 700 graduating students of my high school class, 99% of whom are "pure-blooded" Maranaos. That was a form of sweet revenge for a “half-breed” like me. I also represent my society in several competitions. I channel their sentiments and grievances in mediums I can handle--debate, public speaking and writing. I wanted the society to appreciate me, to realize my worth and to recognize my existence. I may have sounded so desperate, but that’s how I wanted the river to flow. It has never been an easy battle. Nevertheless, I am not alone in this endeavor. In fact, I am only a microcosm of a massive and united vanguard of “half-breeds” clamoring for the same recognition. Our determination did not upset us for at the end of the day, the prize we sought was won. We wanted to belong and we did, gradually at least.

Now, I live in a society that accepts and respects me for what I am and where my roots come from. It’s not a total make-over though. Some people may still not be as receptive as others. However, what’s important is that I now have a cultural heritage I can be most proud of. I am proud to be a mixture of two different ethnic groups. I was born not to taint the rich and beautiful culture of the Maranaos, as what the others may think. I am proud of it. I celebrate it and I would die to preserve it.

Our Lord gave me a loving family that embraces me with arms wide open. I salute my parents for overcoming the adversities they’ve been through—the rejection and condemnation. Life is a constant struggle between being one’s self and being a member of a community. I believe that my parents were able to handle this dilemma excellently. After all those years of fighting, I think I deserve the degree of recognition I have. We deserve it. In my own little ways, I will continue to paint a picture of my society admired as a paragon for the continuing pursuit of positive social change amidst diversity. Martin Luther King once said, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” I share this dream; I want to see it borne out in my society. I hope that the growing trend of receptiveness towards the “half-breed” Maranaos will continue to move forward.

After all, my blood is red. Is theirs yellow?

Musings in the Month of November

November is a very special month for me. In this month, I had (and will have) my "firsts": first Halloween in the United States, first time to witness the US Presidential election, first Thanksgiving holiday, and most of all, first taste of what some students describe as a "hell week" in the university.

Halloween here in the United States is very different from what we have in the Philippines. I was flabbergasted by how Americans treat this holiday. I was amazed to see students wearing costumes in my class during the Halloween week. There was a Mickey Mouse, a Harry Potter, a witch, a Dracula and even a Michael Phelps! I didn't know that we were supposed to wear costumes. It was for this reason that I wasn't able to dress up. Have I known, I would have pulled out some of the costumes that I brought from the Philippines. My datu-costume-with-matching-landap-and-tubao would have made head turns. Nevertheless, I participated in our hall activities for children (“trick or treat”). I also went to some "haunted houses" organized by the student government. It was tons of fun!

I also felt so privileged to be able to witness what they declare as the most historic U.S. Presidential election. During the Election Day, I went out with my friends to personally witness the election process. We went to the polling precincts and took pictures (yes, we did). The voting process here is very organized, and less cumbersome. It reminded me of how we conduct elections in Lanao del Sur, wherein hundreds of armed men roam around the area. Oftentimes, series of gunfire are heard and massive election fraudulence is very prevalent. That night of November 4, I joined the millions of people who celebrated for Obama's victory. It's not that I preferred Obama more than McCain (although I really do). More than that, the fact that the Americans were able to elect their first black president is overwhelming. The recently concluded presidential election is a perfect epitome of "people power". Change isn't far-fetched, only if we religiously work towards attaining it. I'm also impressed with both candidates' sportsmanship. After the results were out, John McCain bravely faced his supporters in Arizona to inform them about their loss, acknowledging Obama's victory and his defeat. If it were in the Philippines or in Lanao del Sur, a recount would have been called for, accusing the winning party of cheating (not all the time though). "Yes we can", Obama said. Listening to his speech that night reminded me of ARMM once again. It made me asked the question, "When can we?" Trapos continue to proliferate (or say flourish) in the ARMM region. It’s sad though that our very own SSG in MSU becomes the training ground for some of these trapos. Corruption in Lanao del Sur or in ARMM exists in the grassroots level. Our very own officers in the student body could not even explain the thousands of money that are lost every year. They cannot declare that the money goes to the materialization of their projects, because there aren’t any. The Senior’s Council last year even lost 27,000PhP and there was no resolution to that. No investigation I guess. The culprit was set free.

Although my idealism continues to wane, I still remain optimistic. I still see the glass half-full. In ARMM, we can initiate change too. Yes we can.

Anyway, I also volunteered for Habitat for Humanity. Along with some Global Culture Club members, I visited the work site in Belgrade, Montana and helped the entire organization with its work. It was very fulfilling, and it somehow relieved me from stress. The UGRAD-Montana also hosted a South-East Asian dinner. Ella and I cooked chicken adobo from the Philippines, and we're very glad that everyone liked it (it wasn't as great as my mother's chicken adobo though). Nothing was left at the end of the dinner. The dinner became an opportunity for us to also present our countries to the American and other international students present during the dinner. We really had a great time. Two weeks after that, Ella and I were once again invited to talk about the Philippines to a middle school in Bozeman. Ella and I brought several items from the Philippines, and presented some videos and PowerPoint slides to our audience. We were doing our job as unofficial ambassadors of the Philippines.


I just finished my midterm exams for this semester, and here are the results:

CHEM -- 95/100
EE 261 -- 86/100
COM 110 -- 92/90

In my Public Communication class, I got the highest rating in our midterm speech presentation. I talked about the wedding ceremony among the Muslim Maranaos in the Philippines. I feel so proud because there are 160 students in my class, from 8 different sections. My score went beyond the highest too, and the next highest was 88. My exam scores in chemistry are improving too, and my professor is very happy about it. In fact, he wrote a note in my midterm exam paper. He said he is very glad that my scores are improving and that he is very impressed with my neat work (solution). On the other hand, I will have to strive harder in my EE 261 class to beat the A-grade range. As of now, I am in the B+ range.

Thanksgiving holiday is only few days from now. I am staying in one of professor’s house. She invited me to celebrate Thanksgiving with her family. I am very excited. I also plan to go to California this Christmas break, and I am very glad to know that Kuya Zaldy is willing to welcome me in his payag with arms wide open. Thanks to Ate Matet for endorsing me. Special thanks goes to Ate Perl for the Disneyland treat that she promised me. =)

Note: This article was originally published in Global MSU Network.

"Partners in Crime"

This is an article that we submitted to the Starfish: The Filipino Youth Empowerment Magazine. It was published nationwide. :P Enjoy it!

Muslim Scholars’ Journey Towards Revitalizing Education

Rashid and Sittie Ayeesha

The sun is directly overhead. Scorching heat radiates through the rusty galvanized sheet roof of a shabby uninhabited house. It's midway through Ramadhan, the holy month when Muslims around the globe multiply their prayers and good deeds as best as they can and go hungry and thirsty from sunrise to sundown. Despite the heat that intensifies the anguish of a dry throat and empty stomach, a group of youngsters merrily distributes snacks to the fifty kids under that rickety house with cracked walls and leaky roof. They watch how excited the kids and their parents are in the activity they are facilitating. They can see it in the kids’ curious looks in their dirty little faces and in the hopeful eyes of the parents. Hungry. Thirsty. Yet cheerful to death.

Hours before that, they trekked on a long and dusty unpaved road that brought them to this little barangay in Saguiran that best screams that indeed Philippines is a third world country. The children, most are deeply tanned and are so lean that only their tummies exhibit bulging, wear faded clothes. Only a few wear denim jeans and almost all are just wearing worn out flip flops. To find the nearest school, one will have to travel many kilometers. No wonder, the kids here are not in school that day. Anywhere you look, you won't find the usual happy scene of children playing in the school grounds for there is no school to be found. Third world. Way underdeveloped. Here comes a group of youngsters carrying back packs and sling bags that are heavy with snacks and boxes of schools supplies like pads of paper, pens and crayons and instructional material such as flash cards, charts, children's books and posters of many sorts. That day will their plan of an outreach program will be realized.

Months before that, they were faced with a concern on how they may help alleviate the problem of illiteracy in ARMM region especially in Lanao del Sur. They, a group of thirty scholars of the World Islamic Call Society, decided to take their few small steps that will jumpstart their great journey. First roadblock they met is to find out what really is the problem or perhaps, what factors contribute to the problem and how are they going to address them. After studying the problem, they reached a consensus that ignorance of the people that goes along with poverty is indeed a factor. There are so many nooks around Lanao del Sur that are so poverty stricken and so far-flung that no academic institution can reach them. Most of the elders in those barangays have not even experienced a day in school. Thus, their kids grow up past preschool age without the knowledge of the importance of education inculcated in them. Not even the mere interest or idea on what schooling is really about is sowed in their potentially fertile minds.

And so, the group of scholars raised funds and even donated a portion of their monthly stipend for this endeavor which for them is their way of giving back their blessings. They hoped that through this small step of theirs, they may trigger the interest of the kids to go to school, enlighten the parents so they can be the ones pushing their children towards getting education, and inspire the community to take a collective action along with the government officials and agencies to do something too. Through the activity, the WICS scholars aim to plant the seeds of enlightenment that may become the rally point for the clamor for education—something that most communities in Lanao del Sur do not have.

Finally, the framework of the activity was laid down. It's going to be a one day event, which primarily aims to give the children of a barangay they will choose a taste of preschool life. They will teach the ABC's, 123's, alif ba ta's (Arabic alphabet), shapes, colors, etc. Story telling activities are conducted as well and in between class sessions are parlor games to break the ice and drawing contests to drive away the humdrum.

The World Islamic Call Society Scholars Association, from the name itself, is a group of 30 Muslim scholars from Mindanao State University in Marawi City. They are recipients of the scholarship grants by the World Islamic Call Society, an international organization stationed in Libya. As part of their moral and social responsibility, the group conducts literacy outreach programs in far-flung areas of Lanao del Sur to reinforce the value of education in the province. Aside form these outreach programs, the group also conducts series of seminars, workshops and forums designed to forward Islamic values that are tantamount to empowering the Muslim youth. For this group of scholars, being a scholar isn’t just about being in the intelligentsia nor is it just about enjoying the privileges they receive—monthly stipend, book allowance, free tuition fee etc. Rather, it is about forwarding greater cause and sharing the blessings that one receives. Indeed, “with great power comes great responsibility”, and the WICS Scholars highly recognize the power bestowed upon them.

Going back to the "classroom scene", the children are in the middle of a fiery drawing contest. For most of these kids, it is their first time to ever hold a pencil in their tiny hands. It's actually funny to watch others struggle at first with the pencil that seems to be so slimy that it slips between their fingers. But given an attractive prize for whoever will be able to give a decent drawing, the kids summon all their guts and passionately tried to make lines--straights and curves--that will manage to resemble something. Singing of some nursery rhymes and popular songs follows.

The sun's last rays still linger on the horizon. The kids are waving them goodbye. So do their parents. The WICS people dismantle the posters and other stuff they have brought. Some prepare food they call lapis--any halal food that will break their fast. This is the third time they did this and this barangay is the third they visited, yet it still feels so fresh. The sense of fulfillment is still there and immeasurable. Finally, the sun has set. The adhan or call for prayer can be heard faintly from a mosque nearby. A signal to break the fast. And they called it a day.