Labs ko si Ka Roda: The Tribute
UP Solair’s open garden was filled with love last Saturday—not just because it was Valentine’s Day. After weeks of preparations, the ‘Labs ko si Ka Roda’ event was held there to pay tribute to Piston chairperson emeritus Medardo Roda.
Proof of how much Ka Roda is loved was the early arrival of most of the performers and attendees. The UP Solair garden was filling up nicely an hour before the program was to start. This was a pleasant surprise. And good thing many arrived early because Ka Roda himself and his family arrived 20 minutes before the scheduled start of the program. We had the rare luxury of starting at exactly five o’clock in the afternoon.
Ka Roda and family were surprised to see how many people turned up. Ka Roda himself was nearly smothered by the number of people who wished to shake his hands and ask him how he was doing. The frail man gamely smiled and exchanged pleasantries to all. Vintage Ka Roda.
Katrina Sarah Maramag kindly agreed to lead the singing of the national anthem. No, it wasn’t because she was wearing a red “Serve the People” shirt that she was asked. Magaling naman talaga si Birong at pretty siya noong hapong iyon.
Piston sec-gen George San Mateo gave it his usual touch when he delivered the welcome and opening remarks—rousing and a bit long-winded. But it wouldn’t be George if it was otherwise.
The officers of Piston’s Bicol Chapter were loveable as they struggled through ‘Sarung Banggi’. I know those guys were more comfortable with a karaoke mike but they braved through their song and finished it with panache. Ka Roda was clapping and singing along throughout the song. It was a nice start.
Bayan chairperson Carol Araullo came well-prepared and had her speech written down. She talked about the time when she and Ka Roda were at odds over some tactics in the past. But Carol is Carol and Ka Roda is Ka Roda. In the end, it was moving that Carol admitted how much she admired Ka Roda from the time when she was a young student leader up to the present when she heads Bayan.
The People’s Chorale came in full force and was well-prepared. Their performance of ‘Moonriver’ and ‘Around the World’ brought the house down. It was moving when the more senior activists sang along. Boni Ilagan and Mon Ramirez even swayed while fully displaying they still knew the songs’ lyrics by heart. Bisto!
KMU deputy secretary general Roger Soluta spoke in behalf of chairperson Elmer Labog (who was out of the country) and EVP Lito Ustarez who was indisposed. Ka Roger spoke of how he first met Ka Roda inside a courtroom where he was accused of drug running while Ka Roda was facing rebellion charges. He recalled one of Ka Roda’s favourite jokes to the delight of the crowd. For an impromptu speech, it was good.
Tambisan sa Sining arrived early and had plenty of time to rehearse. It showed on their performance. It’s seldom that they perform as a group nowadays but it was for Ka Roda they were performing for last Saturday and they were happy to do it. They did not wear red, though, and even hassled everyone who wore red at the time. And even if they did not perform their signature songs, Tambisan was delightful and funny.
Ka Roda was energetic up to this point. He would shout “Balik, balik” (More, more!) and “Tuloy lang!” (Go on!)
Ka Roda’s long-time colleague and sometime nemesis at the KMU Norma Binas spoke next. Ka Norma came with a list of anecdotes about Ka Roda—how hard-headed Ka Roda and the late Ka Bel were in regard to their diets, how Ka Roda hated cold weather, how their group have to fight off a snake that slithered into Ka Roda’s old car through a hole on its floor. Ka Norma refreshed everyone’s memory about how funny and (sometimes) exasperating Ka Roda was in his prime.
Anakpawis Representative Rafael Mariano arrived in time to deliver his message. He praised Ka Roda’s steadfast stance against the counter-revolutionaries who polluted the mass movement some time in the last decade. When Ka Paeng sang his own signature ‘Patak ng Ulan’ everyone was bowled over. Nothing beats a mass leader who, aside from being good as a speaker and organizer, can sing with aplomb.
Walkie Mirana, Roselle Pineda, Amihan Euza Mabalay, Sarah Maramag and Jasmine Icasiano made the crowd feel the love even more with well-chosen and well-sung Filipino love songs. Their minus-one CD was defective so we had to resort to an Ipod as back-up. This contributed to some ‘dead air’ but Roselle was quick with her funny spiels. This were the exact reasons why I was ordered to get this group—magaling, kahit sa sitwasyong alanganin. (I also saw how they practiced diligently weeks before the event. And it showed.)
Next, Kodao’s ‘Ruta ni Ka Roda’ (written, directed and edited by Risa Jopson) was shown to its biggest audience yet. After the tribute, I received many text messages saying they cried when they watched the video. I was very happy for the video but sad with the realization that many comrades have not seen it yet despite the fact that it was the first of Kodao’s ‘tribute videos’ and it had been two years since it was finished and first distributed.
And now, it can be told. I found it very easy to ask Prof Jose Maria Sison through Facebook to sing for Ka Roda on video. He immediately said ‘okay’ and delivered with days to spare. I sent him You Tube links of the Mabuhay Singers’ cover of the Ilocano Folk Song ‘Naranniag Nga Bulan’ and its lyrics and that was it. So, yey! to Facebook and You Tube. And despite Ka Joma describing his effort as “amateur’ it was a hit. People were delighted to watch him sing and Kodao received several requests for copies of the video.
Piston current chair Steve Ranjo spoke next about Ka Roda’s long, dedicated, fruitful and vital role as long-time leader of the transport sector. If I were Steve, I’m sure I would have liked to be given more time to talk about Ka Roda. But there were time constraints. Still, there are more opportunities to do that.
Piston’s entire National Council performed next. They sung “Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa.” Good thing they did or some people may not have forgiven us if this song was left out. I gave them an ‘A’ for effort. But then again, I don’t think the audience minded too much if they were off-key.
Three of Ka Roda’s young granddaughters offered two songs to their lolo. Halatang matanda na ang karamihan ng audience. Walang nakaka-alam sa mga kinanta ng mga bata! Hahahaha! I hope those pretty kids now know how well-loved Ka Roda is.
By this time, Ka Roda was already tired and he showed it. He gave the shortest speech he ever gave when I asked him for a response. But he was moved. Boy and girl, was he moved.
When everyone got up to sing ‘The International’ Ka Roda was bowed on his wheelchair but his fist was clenched all throughout. He pounded it on the armrest as he bravely mouthed the words. I remembered Nes Jacinto and Ka Dan Vizmanos who both did exactly the same thing last year. Heroes all.
The following are some of the low points I saw during the program:
- MMDA general manager Robert Nacianceno incessantly chatted Ka Roda up. He prevented Ka Roda from concentrating on the speeches and performances. (Kung hindi lang siya tumutulong kay Ka Roda…But he supports Ka Roda kaya naman he was invited.)
- UP Solair’s microphones are too old! Grounded na! Sira na rin ang mga mike stands nila! (Kasalanan pa rin ito ng rehimen!)
- The lights were inadequate. We did not know some light bulbs around the garden were busted!
- There were some ‘dead air’ because of CDs that won’t play and wires that were tripped by the moving impermanent concrete tiles.
Patawad po.
I also wish to thank the following:
- Glades Maglunsod, who was stage manager and coordinator with some of the performers.
- Walkie Mirana, for coordinating with the People’s Chorale and the ‘Nationalist Divas.’
- Mr Boni Ilagan and Ms Marilie Fernandez-Ilagan for securing discounted rates with the Solair Dean and backing me up in directing the event. Basta andun si Boni, malakas ang loob ng Kodao.
- Piston, particularly Steve and George, for being patient with me.
- Cherry Clemente for her help in coordinating with Ka Paeng.
- All performers and speakers.
- All those who attended.
- UP Solair for the discount and the kind assistance of Mang Romy and crew.
Maraming salamat po.
Mahal niyo nga si Ka Roda!
