The 17-year question about Jonas Burgos’ disappearance

“Nakita ninyo ba ang kapatid ko?“ (“Have you seen my brother?”)

This question was asked by JL Burgos, director of the film “Alipato at Muog,” to Jhed and Jonila, young women environmentalists, who were abducted; later, they would expose that the abduction was done by the military.

For 17 years, the Burgos family had been asking the same question. After 17 years, the people’s movement was asking the same question. The same question was asked by the families, kith and kin of the desaparacidos. The tide of search became the tide of search for truth and justice.

The film gave us the human face of the soulful search for a man who dedicated himself to serving the poor. Jonas is a son, a husband, a sibling, a father, a friend, an activist, and peasant group organizer.

The testimonies of farmers he had worked with revealed how grateful they were for Jonas’ work. He was considered one of them. By identifying himself with the poor and their struggle for life with dignity, Jonas suffered the ire of the state’s wrath and madness using the classical tool of military might by abducting him. The state made sure that the family and loved ones would suffer, too, from the agonies of search.

“Alipato at Muog” is not a neutral film. It is honest, direct, and unafraid to show who is responsible for the abduction. It must be a work of love; the people who shaped and nurtured the production had dedicated their gifts and talents and worked hard with all their heart, mind, body, and soul. It is also admirable that JL Burgos has woven the story of his brother with the stories of the victims of enforced disappearance.

Hence it was not a Jonas-centric film, but the journey of the victims, their families, the human rights advocates, the activists, and the movement seeking truth and justice. His testimony became a window for us to see other stories.

“Alipato at Muog” edifies us about how a film can become a medium for exposing the truth. This excellent film draws the audience to reflect, analyze, be critical, and take sides. For some, it is a political film, and to add to that, I believe it is also a spiritual film. It gives hope when hope is bleak; it lifts our spirit when we feel exhausted from persecution; it drives us to carry on the struggle when it is tempting to give up.

Personally and politically, watching a movie becomes necessary. I thought I would be the unluckiest person if I did not see it. It would be unwise to let this day go by without watching this film.

The fire that never extinguishes is the fire of raging and loving commitment of people, who would dare travel and seek justice even at the darkest moment of the night. The “alipato” (ember) is a powerful testimony that the source of light and fire will keep on burning. The light and fire of people’s struggle against forces of oppression, exploitation, and abuses will keep on burning until justice is done.

The movie offers the truth about the abduction of Jonas Burgos and other victims of enforced disappearances. Once the truth is unfolded before our eyes, it is now our responsibility to spread the truth.

Dss.Norma P.Dollaga,

kasimbayan@yahoo.com.ph