BAYANGAN: Molder of Minds, Molder of Lives

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By Gerald CJ “Yuri” Moribus

“Magbayang ay di biro, maghapong nakayuko” (Pottery is no joke, bent all day long).

Living in the poorest area of Poblacion in Lezo, Aklan, Fiel, at the young age of 7, dreamed of buying the colorful and slimy clays that other children played with.

But now, as the reality of life confronts him, he pounds massive clay, molds various sizes, sculpts detailed patterns, and works at the scorching ‘pugon’ or brick oven — all while investing his time in school.

As the third son of Mr. Efren and Lea Reyes, Fiel’s hard work under force and pressure is compulsory to support his seven siblings and their daily needs. He is determined amidst uncertainty. “Pasma” or hand tremor is his constant companion as he studies during the day and works overnight at the “kaangan”.

During his elementary days, Fiel began his day at 5:30 am, helping his family to earn an allowance for the day. His high school routine was quite rigorous, requiring more energy and effort early in the morning as he “bayo” or smashed, stomped, and mixed the freshly transported clay with sand.

“This is our source of income and living. We have to endure everything to survive and pursue my education,” Fiel said.

He managed to cover his tuition and fare expenses during college.

Fiel’s dream is now a daily sacrifice. He juggles his roles as a student and a “manug-bayang” or laborer who pounds and molds clay at night.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), about 7.8 million Filipino youth were employed as of July 2020.

“Life is like the process of making a clay pot. You need to exert effort to pound and mash the clay, apply focus and skill as you mold, gently shape with strength and control as you turn the wheel, and be patient while waiting for the overnight cooking and the hours of sun drying,” Reyes said, full of hope.

Money from Soil

As an indigent resident of the Bayangan community, 19-year-old Pearl Jay Cruz is a pattern sculptor and designer raised by her grandmother, “Lola Berlindeta”.

Growing up without the presence of her mother and father left a void in her life. Her “Lola Nanay” stands as her inspiration as she navigates life without her primary sources of support.

Defying the odds, Pearl’s artistry and creativity became her tools to fight poverty and fund her education. She sculpts traditional patterns, symbols, and images on clay pots and adds color with paint and varnish.

“Malisod dunganon ro pagbayang ag pagtuon. Ginatinguhaan ko gid ra para makabulug kay Lola agud may tug-onon ag isuea kami” (Pottery and studying at the same time is hard and tiring. I keep doing this to help my grandmother and to put food on our table), Pearl said in vernacular.

Pearl is among the 31.17 million working students (PSA, 2020).

She mentioned that Bayangan helped sustain her educational needs and she is now exerting extra effort academically to lighten their burden.

Through her eagerness and diligence, Pearl is now earning from her crafts and excelling in school, recognized as a top-performing student in her class.

Ceramic Virtuoso

Chesil Anne Velez, 18, a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4P’s), is the third born among five siblings. Her family has faced poverty, with shortages in many aspects of life.

But to overcome this, Chesil began working as an assistant at her aunt’s stall in the Bayangan Village at the age of 8. Observing her grandmother’s work, she aimed for perfection in every pot she designed and painted.

Now, as a part-time minimum wage earner, she financially supports her family and siblings. She is a locally acclaimed artist, with her pot designs and intricate crafts featured by Aklan Tourism during Culture and Arts Month and at tourism fairs. Her large clay jars are also exported to nearby regions and Manila.

Of the 872 thousand working children in 2020, Chesil is one of the 597 thousand or 68.4 percent of child laborers. Of these estimated child laborers, 73.3 percent were in the age group 15 to 17 years, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Chesil was a clay pot virtuoso at 16.

As Fiel’s journey is molded by his workplace and second home, the Bayangan Village, his mind is also shaped by studying while working at night. With all his struggles, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation from Aklan Polytechnic College in 2021.

For Fiel, Pearl, Chesil, and millions of working students, thriving for their future is not only a quest for survival but also a labor of passion and a sense of home, making their journey a bit easier.

Truly, Bayangan is a molder of minds and lives.