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8 The Importance of the Roots

We could also compare the nation to a tree, Mang Igui says. A tree has many parts. What some people immediately see are the more conspicuous parts, like verdant leaves, strong branches, a big trunk, beautiful flowers, and delicious-looking fruits. These parts are like the more conspicuous parts of our society: politicians, churchmen, doctors, professionals. But are they the more important parts?

In the case of a tree, the most important parts are inconspicuous or even hidden. They are buried in the soil, close to the mud, the dirtiest parts, hardly noticeable nor immediately given importance. These are none other than the roots.

Should a person cut off the branches, the leaves, the beautiful flowers and the fruits, other branches, other leaves, other flowers and fruits will again sprout and grow.

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But if one should dig up and cut up the roots of the tree, the whole tree will die. The peasants are like the roots. They are the roots of the nation. If we want a strong nation, we must let the farmers become strong.

If the peasants are poor, Mang Igui’s voice is rising, the nation cannot be rich no matter how tall the commercial buildings in Manila and Makati grow. If the peasants are weak, the nation cannot be strong, no matter how abundant the steelworks in the city are and if the peasants are enslaved, the nation can never be free, no matter how long the marches on Independence Day shall be.