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7 But Can Peasants Do It?

With the de-mythologization of established concepts, like that of ownership, and traditional attitudes and institutions, the question of organization for power becomes more urgent.

“Can the peasants do it?” is an oft-repeated question. For, obviously, the landlords and capitalists don’t part with their privileges voluntarily. “Of course, the peasants can!” is the loud answer.

We peasants must realize our own worth and importance, Mang Tino says. Our non-farmer friends tell us that three out of four Filipinos are peasants. Moreover, it is the peasants who provide the food which will always be a basic requirement of people. Without food, no one can live or move.

The lawyer, he continues, cannot defend his case in court if he has not had breakfast. Nor can the priest say Mass if he has not had dinner.

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In another barrio, Mang Tesyo has this to say: We can compare our nation to a house. A house has many parts - - - a roof, walls, windows, floor, etc. At times, some of these parts are beautiful to behold, like windows made of jalousies, marble floors, or walls with lots of decorations.

People coming into the house immediately notice the most attractive or beautiful parts. But the most important parts of the house are not immediately seen which are none other than the posts or foundation of the house.

However, shiny the floors may be, or beautiful the windows, if the posts or foundations are weak, then the whole house is also weak. The farmers are the "posts and foundations" of the nation. In order to make the nation strong, the peasantry must be strong.