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A
Celebration
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The Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) has gone a long
way since its establishment in 1953. As an
organization of farmers, by farmers, and for
farmers, it has been at the forefront of the
struggle to liberate the Filipino farmer from
social, political, economic, moral, and cultural
oppression and backwardness. |
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This rich and storied
journey of the FFF over the past 50 years has borne many
fruits, such as the institutionalization of the agrarian
reform program and the establishment and strengthening of
the program’s support agencies, particularly the Department
of Agrarian Reform and the Land Bank of the Philippines. It
has branched out to many other initiatives, in the areas of
agricultural cooperatives, rural women and youth,
legislative and public advocacy, participation in the party
list system for Congress, and many others. At present, the
FFF enjoys a mass base of about 200,000 farmers and
fisherfolk, and remains as one of the largest and most
reputable organization of farmers in the country.
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Last 25th of October 2003, the FFF
commemorated this long and fruitful journey of 50
years. More than 2,000 members of the FFF from all
over the country, their sympathizers and friends
gathered together at the Le Pavillion along Roxas
Boulevard to step back and relive the past to
celebrate the federation’s golden anniversary. This grand reunion, the
culmination of “mini-celebrations” in the provincial
chapter, was anchored on the theme, “Gintong Kasaysayan
tungo sa Gintong Kinabukasan.”
In this celebration, the
federation valued the golden journey it has taken in the
past, take pride in its present path, and in the end, honor
its commitment to the Filipino farmers by building new roads
to the future. |
The
day-long celebration begins with the opening of a photo
exhibit that highlights five decades of the FFF’s growth and
accomplishments. This exhibit chronicles the beginning of
FFF’s journey in the ‘50s; its invaluable involvement in the
struggle for agrarian reforms in the ‘60s; the political
crossroads the federation encountered in the ‘70s; the
empowerment of its cooperatives in the ‘80s; and the path to
renewed growth and development in the ‘90s.
Also, in
celebration of the past, FFF’s collection of historical
photos were exhibited in a digital album. In recognition of
the present and to bring to light the accomplishment of its
members, their goods and products were displayed in booths
within the venue. Throughout the day, several seminars and
discussions that tackle the future of the federation in
general and agriculture in particular were conducted. In
between these discussions, cultural presentations were
performed by the farmers themselves and their special
guests. In the tradition of Filipino fiestas, traditional
activities were included such as games, regional parades,
and a salu-salu in the evening featuring treasured recipes
and provincial delicacies.
The
day-long event was capped by a audi-visual presentation that
synthesized the FFF’s golden history, its struggles and
accomplishments, and its advocacy and vision, through the
voices of its members. The autobiography of the FFF’s late
founder, Dean Jeremias U. Montemayor, was also launched
during the evening ceremonies. President Gloria Macapagal
Arroyo has graciously accepted the federation’s invitation
to be its guest of honor, in recognition of the fact that it
was her father, then President Diosdado Macapagal, who
responded positively to the FFF’s advocacy by signing the
landmark Land Reform Code of 1963 (RA 3844) which laid the
groundwork for future agrarian reform program in the
country.
A
commemorative souvenir program encapsulating the past,
present, and future journeys of FFF was available to all
those who attended the momentous occasion. |
