STA. CRUZ, Laguna—“Where words fail, music speaks.”
Perhaps these words of the Danish poet and writer Hans Christian Andersen were what inspired peace warriors of a lowly town about 100 kilometers south of Manila when they thought of “Isang Gabi ng mga Awit ng Pag-Ibig… sa Bayan.”
As talks between the government and the National Democratic Front were stalled, residents of Magdalena and nearby municipalities were abuzz with words of Freddie Aguilar and a host of local talents performing for the cause of peace. Then thousands showed up to watch him rock with his Watawat band, along with locally popular alternative musician Rence Rapanot, who shared the locals’ desire for enduring peace.
Magdalena, a fourth class municipality of Laguna of more than 25,000 people, is nestled in the boundaries of Pagsanjan, Cavinti, Majayjay, Liliw and Nagcarlan. It prides itself as the “Little Hollywood” owing to the number of local films and telenovelas shot on its enchanting and mystic spots, including the church.
More than 20 years ago, the erstwhile quiet and sleepy town became part of the operational area of the Melito Glor Command of the New People’s Army which covers the east and southern part of Laguna and the provinces of Rizal, Quezon and Batangas and Mindoro, then known to be headed by Rogelio “Ka Roger” Rosal who became spokesman of the Communist Party of the Philippines until his death in 2011.
Magdalena’s own son, Tirso “Ka Bart” Alcantara took over the NPA southern Tagalog leadership when Ka Roger was made CPP spokesman. He was wounded and arrested six years ago in Lucena City but was release last August as consultant of the National Democratic Front at the peace talks that resumed in Oslo, Norway.
“This is the first ever of its kind here in Laguna,” said Dennis Villavecer, the representative of Gov. Ramil Hernandez who witnessed the event held recently at the town’s open grounds.
Laguna residents from as far as Calamba and Los Baños, along with those from surrounding towns, joined to celebrate the spirit of peace. The thousands quietly sat or sang with the performers with the rendition of songs of love and the people’s struggle.
The Concert for Peace was organized by the ALMES-MES Alumni Association in cooperation with the Rotary Club of Fort Bonifacio Global City District 3830.
The event was part of the centennial celebration of the town’s central school, Ananias Laico Memorial Elementary School spearheaded by its alumni association.
Rotary FBGC’s participation was in observance of the 112th year of Rotary International. Peace and conflict resolution is among Rotary’s focus this year.
“We had hoped that the message be sent across that the people, mostly us who are affected by the armed conflict, want the government and the rebels to continue to talk peace,” ALMES-MES alumni president Ariel Penafiel said. “There is no alternative to talking peace,” he added.
Residents were awed to see and hear the legendary Freddie Aguilar rendered his popular hits.
“It was a different feeling. It’s as if the people found reason to be one,” said an elderly woman who was witness to the influx of fully armed military into the town a few years ago which she said brought anxiety to the people.
She added: “Sana daanin na lang nila sa awitan.”
The woman may not have heard of Kahlil Gibran, but she probably has in mind his thoughts about music and songs: “Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life bringing peace, abolishing strife.”
