A FARMERS PROTEST.......
I was talking to protesting farmers inside Hacienda Luisita. They were angry, hungry and sad. Alot of their comrades were hurt from yesterday's clash between police and army men. Some died. And yet again..they wanted to stand again and fight.

But what are these guys fighting for? A piece of land? Some rice to eat? Maybe something less...they wanted to get a fair wage increase.

"How can we survive?" approached one farmer as he was brandishing his payslip in my face. I rubbed my eyes and took a second look at the piece of paper he was holding...it read "NETPAY P9.50" (17 US cents) a day!!!!...damn!

Most of these sugar farmers work only once a week...they get a minumin daily wage of P194 (US$ 3.50)...most of them take home P9.50 for the day's work after salary deductions...divide it by a week...and distribute it to a family of five...YOU DO THE MATH!