BAGUIO CITY (Dec. 18) — The Organisasyon dagiti Nakurapay nga Umili ti Siyudad (Ornus), an urban poor group, hosted a Christmas celebration at the Maryknoll Sanctuary in Campo Sioco, here. An estimated 250 persons joined the affair.

Chapters from Panagkaykaysa iti Nakurapay nga Agtutubo para iti Tarigagay ti Umili nga Demokrasya (Pinatud), Samahan ng Maralitang Kababaihang Nagkakaisa (Samakana), Metro-Baguio Tribal Elders and Leaders’ Alliance (MBTELA) and Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON) and community organizations from Barangay Irisan were also represented in the celebration.

Ornus also invited organizations like Salidummay, Gays and Lesbians for the Immediate Tsugi of Gloria (GALIT-Gloria), and Tanghalang Bayan ng Kabataan sa Baguio (Tabak-Baguio).

Cultural presentations showered the party. One of the best performances was from the Pinsao High School dance group. They performed a traditional dance, which included a mix of playing various indigenous instruments, singing and acting out a skit.

The Guinaang Youth Organization performed a play on the current experiences of the youth in school because of increasing prices of goods. Budget for their education had been commonly sacrificed. The performers gave a realistic performance since some of them really experience the same situation.

GALIT-Gloria sang popular carols. To justify their name, they changed the lyrics with the theme of “Oust Gloria.” As they seek Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s resignation from office, one of their songs (to the tunes of “Pasko na Naman” and “Sa May Bahay”) said, “Problema na naman. O kay hirap ng buhay… Galit, Galit, Sobrang galit na kami. Tulad ni Erap si Gloria ay itsugi. Galit, Galit, Sobrang galit na kami sa gobyernong naghahari. Ang may bahay, wala nang bahay. Dinemolish ang kanyang bahay. Mga vendors ay tinutugis. Hirap na nga huhuthutan pa ng pulis.”

Tabak-Baguio sang their “Himig ng Alyansa” that goes, “Makibaka, Lumaban at magkapit-bisig ngayong panahon ng ligalig.” They expressed the youth’s solidarity with the poor.

Despite their present situation of a more financially difficult life, one Ornus member said, “Daytoy ket tapno selebraran dagiti balligi iti uneg ti maysa a tawen a panagtignay. Sabaten ti sumaruno a tawen. Napingpinget ti babbae a lumaban kontra iti kumarkaro a kinakurapay.” (This is to celebrate the victories of one-year struggles. Let us welcome the new year. Women are more determined to fight the worsening hardships). # Pink-Jean Fangon Melegrito for NORDIS

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