Reds in Southern Tagalog celebrate CPP’s 51st anniversary

The journey to cover a guerilla unit of the New People’s Army (NPA) is never easy. One never knows what terrain awaits. Or how long the walk will be. Sometimes longer than the event to be covered.

But when held in the months of December, the throngs of the masses who walks with you – residents of nearby villages, kin of Red fighters and guests from the cities – make the walk more bearable. Like them, you get almost as excited to get to the promised destination.

The Red Fighters, if conditions are willing, however big or small, will hold a celebration for the anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

The CPP was established on December 26, 1969. They have just crossed the half century. The celebration was not held on the day of the anniversary. And maybe it usually is not, as the military is more prone to be on alert on that day of the year, same with the NPA’s March 29 anniversary. But the date does not seem any more important than the reason and the gathering itself.

The celebration began with the singing of the Internationale in the local language. Of course, in the Southern Tagalog region, it is sung in Filipino or Tagalog. Without aid of printed lyrics, many were able to sing along, even the locals.

Fighters stand in attention, some fighters and guests’ gaze became soft with tears—and that’s when one realizes this is their anthem. Not to a country, government or party, but to a cause. And the 1890s song translated in their local tongue connected them with every other people in the world whose hearts beat for the same cause.

The locals here were affected by typhoon Ursula, but that did not stop them from joining the celebration. There is a ceasefire after all, and somehow, however little, that is a reassurance. But the participation of the “mass base” as the NPA calls their influenced areas is more due to that the people are used to this annual tribute. To most in the countryside, where many are still not reached by electricity, tap water, internet, and government social services, maybe not even the prophets of religion – the CPP anniversary is their holiday of the season.

The gathering shared a few dishes – not as simple as their everyday meal we were told – and this was actually a feast. Some guests brought food to share – it is almost potluck like in any Christmas party. Some guests from the cities brought out their pasalubong – it was like the traditional Christimas exchange of gifts.

Like in any party, there were also some decors made for the event – a streamer, a flag, a relief of the logo.

Cleo Del Mundo, the spokesperson of the Apolonio Mendoza Command, was present and she discussed the region’s Party statement for the anniversary.

The emcee then told the gathering that in many parts of the country, many other guerilla fronts are holding the same gathering, if conditions are willing, however big or small. And that connected them with every other compatriot who must be at any of those last days of the month and the year, also stood in the middle of the forest with guerilla fighters reaffirming their commitment for national liberation by seizing political power from the ruling class.

The Red fighters paid tribute to their fallen comrades and make the promise to pick up their fallen arms and carry on the fight. And as if in direct response, some guests decided to stay behind and try to learn to live the lives of the Red fighters.