BARYA LANG PO
Bawat piso ay may kuwento. VOL. 00 | ISSUE NO. 00 | JULY 2022
BARYA LANG PO
The prowess of money is something each individual will never find disenchanting. It has a spell, a curse even, for people to be driven in paths and roads most likely are not well taken. But who are we as a society to judge these people who only seek refuge and hearth from the warmth of comfort and luxury only money can buy? The reality of life may be harsh but it is true and genuine. The common denominator of all existing humans is money. It has shaped several epochs, defined the future of generations, and even dictated the state of several countries as to whether they succumb to the depths of despair, or thrive from the illumination of their golds. “Barya Lang Po” presents itself not only as a maxim, but a mundane economic expression depicting the daily struggles of common Filipinos, with a vehement capability to suffice their needs, and suppress the darkness of poverty from pulling them into its abyss. Money formed into bills may have greater value as they contain greater denomination, but money forged into coins are much more accessible, and easier to be handed out as people deem it to have a lesser value, not realizing that each coin they give out, is a stomach to be gratified, a thirst to be quenched, and a story to be told.
A University of the Cordilleras graduate, Jim, a jeepney driver, continues to roam the streets and roads of Baguio, ensuring transportation accessibility to each individual. The four-wheels of the vehicle Jim drives, carry not only passengers and himself as the driver, but also lived-experiences of their existence that have gone through rigorous process of time-testing. Although comfortable in life with a degree under his belt, Jim chose to drive around the city as another way to earn some extra cash. The coins handed out to him as form of payments or fare capacitates him in buying commodities in accordance to his wants. With his needs being met and satisfied, and his wants being purchased with his earnings from driving, the story of Jim comforts itself within the parameters of bliss and euphoria.
“MAGLALAKO LANG PO AKO HINDI AKO MAGNANAKAW, hindi ko ipagpapalit ang halaga ng pera mo sa hanap buhay ko”
The sound of bells, the flock of birds, the stairs, the people, the beliefs, and the faith, all form the institution of a religion. But these essential elements with an addition of 40 pesos constitute the life of Rosaly. By selling sampaguita flowers around Baguio City’s Cathedral, Rosaly earns a living, and has become capable in supporting her five children. However, the vicinity of the Cathedral is not only the arena Rosaly plays in against her battle with life. At dawn, Rosaly explores first the streets of the city, selling from one house to another. After which, she goes on to the Cathedral to meet patrons, and provide them with flowers of great importance not only to her livelihood, but also to Filipino sense of patriotism. Rosaly’s story may seem mundane, but the story that shall echo through the chambers of her existence is the one that has discriminated her, and classified her as pickpocket, rather than a dignified vendor. The gaze as to which the tourist has used to look upon her has categorized her into a criminal with just their proximity and her intention of selling flowers. It’s a shame that people with such privilege and luxury in life, are incapacitated from feeling what kindness is. There is more to the life of fazon, but what each and every coin can only illuminate are the ones lurking in desolation and despair.
ABOUT THE COVER The face of a peso coin is a face known among the Filipinos for his bravery and ingenuity amidst the powerful colonialization of the Spaniards to the Philippines. But what is seen in a much lesser value and dignity are the faces of ordinary people, living ordinary lives, under extraordinary circumstances. The normalization of poverty must never become a reality. It must be deployed in the den of nightmares, and must not be let out. Unfortunately, poverty, together with its fangs and claws, have rendered the
Philippine economic efforts futile as policies remain to be for the rich, and the common Filipinos are oftentimes overlooked. Asking out for coins on the street to people is an ordinary practice exhibited in all corners of the country: in the city, in the province, on the street, the mall, even in establishments. Policies were also executed to suppress these individuals from conducting such behavior, not realizing that these policies were discriminatory and anti-poor as policies must be directed toward healing the deeply-rooted problem,
rather than patching it up with superficial and shortterm solution, completely abandoning the lives of common Filipinos to falter. The people featured in this literary folio are not beggars. But, each coin being handed out to them, each money being given to them, is a representation of their hard work and tireless passion, as well as an ink for them to further write their stories into fruition. Every coin has a story to tell. From how it was made, to the first recipient of such, to what kind of
commodity it was exchanged for, until it reaches the palms of a driver, a sampaguita vendor, a busker, or a student. Who may be it is, this coin they receive has the power to change lives.
“IBA ANG BUSKING SA PAMAMALIMOS KASI NA-ENTERTAIN SILA”
People have witnessed what darkness means at least once in their lifetime. It may have impaired them from looking what reality is, and even procrastinated them in achieving their aspirations, rendering them unable from completely executing their full capabilities. But if such darkness, with a one-time presence have made an individual disadvantaged, what then is the meaning of life for people who are completely blind who busks for a living? Alvin, a 38-year-old busker, has been supporting his three children with the income he earns from entertaining tourists and locals through singing. But prior to busking, Alvin has also indulged into the physical therapy industry and were able to fully utilize his sense of sight. Unfortunately, the measles he has recently acquired have had serious repercussions in his health, gravely affecting his capability to see. With only his feet and voice to see and walk life through, each coin received is a tinged of life, and a view of the world. A story not only of fatherly or familial love, but also of loss and deprivation.
With the rich and dynamic features of generations who have preceded this current one, it is imperative to know the pressure and difficulty students endure just to be enough for a system of discontentment and of traditional mentality. A struggle that is further exacerbated by the current design and education system of the Philippines. But how can students be productive if family, by itself, is dynamic, and if opportunities differ from student to another with a basis on comfort, privilege, and connection? How can students excel if their needs are not met or if their performance is greeted with “’yan lang?”, instead of “congratulations!”? How can students forge their way to success if the system that is supposed to provide them with strength and wisdom has drained them all throughout their academic journey, only to find themselves jobless, helpless, and hopeless after graduation? How can students become competitive and active knowing that their allowances may not even be enough to support them through the week? This common dilemma among students can never be denied and Jyra is one of those who face it. With the pressure of striving for a better grade, the image being maintained just so society may be pleased with one’s performance, and the desire to fulfill one’s family’s expectations, a student’s concentration will remain to be divided and dispersed in order to guarantee that each aspect of his existence is seen worthwhile. But feeling the reality, what the status quo means, a student’s strength is something that is worthy of appraisal as it has gone through rigorous process of memorizing, understanding, reporting, writing, reciting, reviewing, and even proving himself worthy of a particular grade. With the daily struggles of students, their resiliency and drive to form their aspirations into a corporeal element must not be capsized and alienated. Each coin they have in their purses is of great importance as they, themselves, as the brush, and the coins as the paint to be used to draw their dreams. An exhibition, and a story of hope and faith.
Then, How do we see an ideal society? Regulation of street selling by the government, allowing easier way to obtain permits. Provide job opportunities for people with disabilities. Remove the excise tax on fuel. Provide subsidy for students and continue the Libreng Sakay program.
AKO AY ORDINARYO. AKO AY MAY KWENTO. AKO AY PILIPINO.
BAKLART X WARNER