Earlier this afternoon, I picked up a box of donated toys from a friend for our museum’s “Give a Toy, Share a Joy” project. Instead of just walking to the museum and lugging the box around, I hopped on pedicab 0483.
As we passed a group of protesters along the boulevard who were calling for justice, denouncing corruption, the wastewater spill in Bais, and other forms of neglect, the driver noticed me taking a video. He turned to me…
Driver: “Bisa’g unsaon nila’g singgit dira, dili gihapon na sila masabtan. [laughs]”
Me: “Sige lang. Naa man silay placards ug streamers. Makabasa ra ang tawo.”
Driver: “Gibayran siguro na sila noh? [laughs]”
Me: “Dili man. Kung mahuman kos akong lakaw ron ug dili ko kapuyon, muapil siguro ko nila.”
Driver: “Wala diay nay bayad?”
Me: “Wala. Pero kung ganahan ka, pwede ka muapil.”
(He fell quiet for a moment.)
Driver: “…So bahin diay na sa kamatuoran ug kaayohan sa katawhan?”
Me: “O. Para asa pa man diay ning gipangbuhat natong tanan?”
He stayed quiet for the rest of the ride.
Sometimes you don’t need to fight fire with fire. But you also shouldn’t shrink and allow yourself to be subjected to ridicule. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is hold your ground—calmly, firmly—and offer a clearer view of what others have long refused, or never had the chance, to see all their lives.
After my trip to the museum, I walked back home, passed by the protesters again to take more photos and videos. I didn’t get to join them this time, but I am with them.
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