Children's Opinion

Often, we hear children’s talk while playing sometimes imitating a character they have seen on television or just play make believe stories. Isn’t it fun when we just listen to them and be reminded of what and who we are before?

The children dressed in green shirts and faded yellow short pants were in the four corners of the children’s library. They were very noisy raising voices to each other. Out of curiosity, I went near them without noticing me. They sat on the rubber mat while connecting the puzzle pieces together. One child pointed at himself and said, “Ako, paglaki ko hahanapin ko tatay ko. Itatanong ko kung bakit niya ako iniwan dito.” The other one replied “Yung nanay ko nakakulong kaya ako iniwan dito. “ And more conversation followed like:

“Ako, magpupulis ako para hulihin yung pumatay sa tatay ko.

"Pulis nagkulong sa nanay ko."

"…tatay ko… naglagay ng tali sa leeg niya."
I held back my tongue not to meddle on their conversation. I just listened to them and observed how they responded to their own sharing. Obviously, innocence still dominated them basing on their reactions but as an adult listening to their conversation, it really made me wonder. Those statements are just among the enigmas which I and the others must understand.

Batang Lansangan

A documentary stage play/concert about the lives of the street children was held at La Salle St. Benilde in Taft Avenue, Manila last October 11, 2008.

We may have seen local films or plays about the lives of the people living on street especially street children portrayed by local actors and actresses like FPJ, Julie Vega, Nora Aunor etc but we seldom see street children portraying their own lives in a musical play live on stage such as this.

Street children are seen everywhere in Metro Manila. We see them on street begging money, selling different things, playing or doing services like shinning your shoes in exchange for a peso. They are mabaho, walang modo and etc etc etc…. But didn’t you know that they are also used and abused? They are being deprived of their rights. Bakit? Because they are just children?! (diba yun naman laging dinadahilan?)

Hellooooooooo!!!They are still humans who need love and respect from fellow humans regardless of status or profile in life. They turn to be what and who they are because that is what they see, what they learn and what they receive from the society.

They have talents but most of them use it the other way because they can not get it the right way. It is so sad that many rich people hate and scorn them to death. Masama ugali nila, no?

...batang-lansangan docu-concert..

..opening..

..(ang bata ay nasa lansangan dahil walang palaruan)..

..ang bata'y nasa lansangan dahil sa kapabayaan ng magulang at lipunan"..

..may iba't-ibang uri ng pagpapabaya..

..the cast..