Still no railway here

Ben Contreras

I COULD only sigh in dismay as I read the news “SMC breaks ground for P71-B railway project” in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, April 21, 2016. It says, “The 22 kilometer train line from Quezon City to San Jose del Monte in Bulacan…”

How many railroads does Luzon have? The Philippine National Railways, the North Luzon Railway, the North South Railway–well, I must have missed another. But what about the island of Mindanao? What happened to the Mindanao Railway? It’s a promise to a promised land that is Mindanao that until today remains a promise while Luzon expects another.

Is it deliberate? Or is imperial Manila playing with our lives? I am beginning to like Mindanao independence if only to see peace in this part of the country. Perhaps, the national government loves to see Mindanao in turmoil because, there is that saying that if there’s war, there’s money.

War makes a great nation’s industry running. War makes some corrupt Philippine government officials wealthy. War makes dirty men in uniform rich. War makes Filipinos kill Filipinos.

What is the NPA fighting for? What are our Moro brothers struggling for? Why are there no solutions to these?

Perhaps, the Mindanao railway can be the Mindanaoans’ last hope. A Mindanao railway that would link provinces can spur business activity, reduce costs of transportation of people and goods and buoy economy that might solve our problems with the left and the secessionists.

It is never good to see a divided Philippines. But if the imperial Manila continues to ignore the welfare of the Mindanao people, then it has only itself to blame when people in the South rise up to claim what’s due them.

• •

It’s been more than a week since he was laid to rest at the old Chinese Cemetery. I thought it was wrong not to write something about him as a tribute to his kindness.

Bro. Fred Kho is Ho Chi hia to us. “Hia” means “manong” in bisaya. As a small kid, his name would resonate in our home. When someone in the family would take the boat to Cebu or Manila, I would hear them say, “Go see Ho Chi hia.”

Of course, Ho Chi hia was the agent of two shipping companies in the city decades ago. Those who cannot afford boat fare would go see him for a free pass. He was always very accommodating especially to those who belong to a poor family like us before.

My elder siblings were mostly beneficiaries of his kindness. My sister Tata has a special spot in her heart for Ho Chi hia. She never missed to pay a visit to him whenever she comes home for a brief vacation. And I was always her driver.

The last time we visited him was this January when my brother and sisters came home for the wedding of a niece. He was in good spirit though with a bit impaired hearing.

I was in Cebu when I received a text message of his untimely demise. I was shocked and informed my younger brothers. They in turn informed my brothers and sisters in Canada. When I came home, I didn’t waste time to go to his wake. There he was, looking very handsome, signifying absence of pain. Thank you, Lord!

To Ho Chi hia, our family will never forget you!