IBM eMentor Buzz: Eleven and Colonel

I first met Eleven and Colonel during our Eid 2008 Holiday's trip to Durian, Sultan Gumandar (now Municipality of Picong). Eleven and Colonel’s parents worked at my father-in-law’s coconut plantation in the municipality. These two boys were always following us around especially my son Shane. Sometimes they would laugh at him, maybe they find it queer and funny that Shane still has to be assisted in taking a bath, in eating and being accompanied wherever he go. Likewise Shane squirms whenever he observes this two hardened boys, walking around without slippers, running around the sharp grasses unmindful of the thorns on their bare feet.

While Eleven was boisterous, inquisitive and is not afraid to talk, Colonel was shy, very quite. Though exact opposites, the two were inseparable. I noticed Eleven stands out among the other children. He was sharp, witty, full of questions, and was not afraid to talk to us. One can’t help but notice this little boy. I presumed they were regular boys who also go to school. I was mistaken.

I asked the two boys how old they were, Eleven, the older among the boys, replied he is “sapolo” (10 years old), I then asked Colonel how old he was, and he won’t reply. I figured Colonel was around 8 to 9 years old, but I am not sure because the children in this place are mostly small for their ages. Eleven said Colonel doesn’t know his age because he hasn’t gone to school. I asked Eleven what grade he was in, he asked me instead “Antonaa i grado?” (What do you mean by Grade?). It turned out both boys haven’t gone to school.

Eleven then asked how old Shane is; I told him he is “walo” (8 years old). He then asked me ” Antonaa i mala sa walo ago sa sapolo?” (Which is bigger, 8 or 10?). He meant to ask who is older. I told him he (Eleven) is older by two years. He then replied “Maito ako ugaid na mas matu-a ako.” (Perhaps I am older, but I am smaller than him).

I asked Eleven why he have such a name. He said it’s only a nickname, and that his real name is Numairie (If I remember right). The people around answered why he was nicknamed Eleven. I won’t write why, it’s kinda not writable. Anyway, Colonel on the other hand was named after my father-in-law.

I asked the two if they had ever gone to school. They told me they have, but they stopped because the teachers were always absent. I asked their parents if this is true, and they said it is. I asked them why the teachers won’t come to school, when they’re paid to do so. They said most of the time, there’s always a gunfight ensuing in the area where the school is.

I can’t help but think of these two boys and all other children of this place. I found out later that this is common to most of the children in the municipality. It is very sad to think that these children will grow uneducated, unable to read and write. It is so easy to tell what they will become when they grow up.

Sultan Gumander, now known as Picong, is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. They got picturesque and breathtaking view of its shorelines and islands, one is called Ibus Island and the other one is a small island, don’t know what it’s called though. We once have hiked a stretch of its shoreline and found so many colorful fishes and beautiful corals on the water. Fishermen said they commonly see “boong” (whale shark/butanding) and other whales while fishing, they consider such organisms as “tonong” (ancestral spirits) thus making the animals safe in this places. When you are in Sultan Gumandar, you would see endless of coconut trees and plantations, it is one of the leading copra industries of the region. Aside from it’s rich resources, it is also very historic. This is the site where the legendary Sultan Kudarat is buried, in a beautiful place called Ramitan.

So why are the children deprived of education, when such place have rich resources, when our country are spending billions to its public education system?

This is the downside to this otherwise beautiful place. Everywhere you see are traces of wars and feuds. Along the way one can’t help but notice abandoned school buildings, sometimes burned to the ground. You could see the war torn communities along the way. You could pass by the empty, abandoned and war-ridden homes. I learned people have fled their homes because of ensuing gunfights brought about by decades-old family feuds.

Because of these troubles, the children are the most affected. Their education suffered. Because of this, they would grow up to the only world they know. The arms. The guns. And the endless Maratabats, some rightful, some are not.

Nevertheless, if the children are exposed to a different world, their priorities would have changed. They would build hopes, and would be a start to a beautiful life. What a beautiful thought; for them to be able to have good and peaceful life amidst such beautiful place.

This place is now full of hope Alhamdulillah. The almost finished construction of the highway leading to Karomatan SND, Lanao del Norte is a start. Such highway is one of the best I’ve seen in terms of quality construction. I’ve witnessed the painstaking process they have done to the area; some were constructed twice whenever they see imperfections. Picong is now a gateway between the two Lanao provinces, and between the Cotabato region and Zamboanga region. It would soon play a vital role between these provinces and regions. This would pave a way for a new Picong, full of hope and promises.

Ten years ago, when I have first set foot on this place, one can barely see vehicles passing the difficult roads. The highway leading to the SND area was closed. Whole villages and barrios were abandoned. Now, the highway is open, a different atmosphere is felt in the area, it is somehow changed, perhaps sensing its better future. People have gone back to their houses, and one can see the barrios and communities full of life. Though one can still hear the occasional gunfire in the area, and we were advised not to travel after 5 pm, still the place has changed.

Perhaps one day its sad history would become a thing of the past. Perhaps one day, children like Eleven and Colonel will have a better life, a normal and peaceful life. Inshaallah.

Eleven