Teatro Obrero (Worker's Theatre) - Philippines

The Teatro Obrero is the cultural group of the National Sugar Workers Federation. The primary objective for forming this group was to use open-air theatre performance as a vehicle for social education and empowerment of youth as well as the community. The Teatro Obrero is based in Bacolod, the capital of Negros Occidental in the Philippines. Negros Occidental is the sugar growing region in the Central south region of Visayas and 80% of its population are sugar plantation workers.

The plantation workers are landless. The community is characterized by poverty and deprivations where violation of human rights is common. Murder of dissenting plantation workers by the militia force of plantation owners has been reduced but it still happens. The entire family of a sugar cane worker works on the plantation during peak season, which is referred to as milling season. During milling season, the plantation workers and their children work seven days a week. Adults work from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Youth and young children also work on the plantation after their school and often at night. During off milling season, there is only part time work available on the plantation that provides work for three days a week. During this time, the workers migrate to different cities and work in construction, and as cab drivers, while women and girls are hired as domestic helpers. The off milling season is called 'Tigkiriwi' meaning months of starvation.

On the plantation, the situation of exploitation of workers has improved today. In the past, minimum wage paid to a worker was supposed to be180 Pesos (US$ 3) per day but they only got paid 90 pesos (US$ 1.5). The workers lacked any collective bargaining power. Youth on the plantation grew up with very little hope for the future. One worker commented that they grew into adulthood straight from being children. There was no life for youths as they joined plantation work very young and often dropped out of school. Youths here lived an aimless life. They got into drinking and gang fights at a very early age. This was primarily because of the hopelessness.

Music, dancing, and poetry are an integral part of community's life here in the Philippines and sugar plantation is not an exception. Groups like Teatro Obrero turned that into a tool for the community's empowerment particularly that of adolescent girls and boys on the plantation. A youth group in Murcia in Negros Occidental performed songs and dance during my visit. The songs reflect poverty, plantation owners' exploitation, disrespect for human rights and dignity of human lives but at the end of all of their songs and poetry, there are strong messages regarding hopes for better days. This theatre group has been the vehicle since its formation in the 80s for community's youths and their family members to come together and collectively deal with social and rights issues affecting their lives. They have been able to carry out a collective bargaining agreement with the plantation owners that has enabled them to access cash advance during the lean season (off milling) and therefore increasing their wages. They used to get paid 250 Pesos piece rate for 1000 sticks. After the collective bargain, they are paid 500 Pesos per 1000 sugarcane sticks. Youth are now engaged in constructive art and cultural performances that are keeping them out of trouble. Murders of dissenting workers are still taking place but they have community groups to deal with it and provide protection to each other. The community has been able to elect their own leaders to run in local government elections. One such leader is now the village chief of the Barangaya (village) in Murcia that I visited. The Philippines has 'party list system' under which representatives from marginal groups/communities can run in local and national elections as independent candidates.

In the words of Rolando - a youth performer " I learnt how to analyze my situation. Why we need to go to school despite the hardship and live our life more meaningfully." I was encouraged to see that a young woman named Nona Espinosa was leading the youth group. She is only 23 and coordinates the theatrical productions of the group. She is also the group's choreographer. When women in the community are asked how their lives are different from men, the simple answer is - it is harder. Days are longer for them and they feel there is more work for women than men in a day.

acting
Nona Espinosa directing the performance of young performers

PWRDF (and justgeneration.ca) has a history with this group that goes back to the late 80s when the Asia-Pacific program extended active support to the community and was instrumental in initiating the formation of the group. The group's commitment to continue with their work is very high. They are well connected with other social groups in the region particularly with other partners. The group has been able to place community representatives in local government and therefore is able to work constructively and meaningfully with local government representatives. All these have been instrumental in the empowerment of once powerless communities of Sugarcane plantation workers.