It was a grace-filled Christmas for some 100 displaced ambulant Carbon market vendors who lost their means of livelihood with the privatization of the city’s oldest and biggest public market.
For the duration of the Misa de Gallo from December 16 to 24, several parishes in Cebu City and Mandaue City opened their doors to the vendors and heeded their appeal that they be allowed to sell their wares during the nine-day dawn Masses.
The activity, dubbed “Pasko sa Anawim”, was facilitated by Cebu Caritas and the Cebu Archdiocesan Social Advocacies (CASA). It was endorsed by Cebu Archbishop Jose S. Palma. Anawim is a Hebrew word meaning the poor, oppressed, and marginalized.
Aside from being able to sell food items (kakanin), fruits, vegetables, and souvenirs, the vendors also attended the dawn Masses in the parishes where they set up booths and stalls.
Carbohanong Alyansa spokesperson Analiza Maglasang expressed the group’s gratitude to the Cebu Archdiocese, Cebu Caritas, CASA, and the various parishes for giving them the opportunity to sell and earn, even for just a short period.
“Kami sa Carbohanong Alyansa ug mga displaced vendors sa Carbon Public Market nagpasalamat sa higayon nga kami nakatinda sa mga simbahan sa panahon sa Misa de Gallo. Dako among pasalamat sa Cebu Caritas, Inc. Nga gipangulohan ni Fr. Alex Cola, Jr, ug sa iyang mga kaubanan nga sila Fr. John Baran, ug sa mga kauban sa nagkalain-laing Parish Caritas nga nahimung pultahan para madungug ug mapakuyanap ang issue mahitungod sa pag-pribatisa sa Carbon Market,” Maglasang said.
“Sa mga simbahan nga ni abli sa ilang pultahan para matabangan ang mga Anawim labi na ang mga vendors, dako kini nga tabang sa among padayon nga pagpanginabuhi luyo sa nabati nga krisis ug pag-saka samba palaliton, “ she added.
In behalf of the vendors, Maglasang thanked the team of pastors and parish priests of the following parishes for allowing them to sell their goods and food items during the Misa de Gallo:
1) Nativity of Mary Parish, Canduman, Mandaue City
2) Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish (Redemptorist)
3) The Archdiocesan Shrine of the Most Sacred Heart Parish, D. Jakosalem St., Cebu City
4) San Nicolas De Tolentino Parish, Cebu City
5) Cebu Archdiocesan Shrine of San Pedro Calungsod, Cebu City
6) Alliance of Two Hearts Parish, Banawa, Cebu City
7) San Vicente Ferrer Parish (Franciscans), Sambag 1 & 2, Cebu City
8) Sto. Rosario Parish, Cebu City
9) Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Cebu City
10) Virgen de los Remedios Parish, Labangon, Cebu City
11) Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Therese, Lahug, Cebu City
12) San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish, Tisa, Labangon, Cebu City
Other vendors belonging to the Carbohanong Alyansa also expressed their gratitude and sentiments.
For vendor Juliet Orlanes, it was a blessed Christmas because they were given the opportunity to share their plight with some members of the Cebu clergy.
“Blessed Pasko sa tanan kay daghan tang pari nahimamat ug naka estorya jud nato sa atong mag sentimiento sa Carbon,” Orlanes said.
Vendor Retchel thanked the Redemptorists for allowing them to sell and for the cash gift (P50) they received.
Kuya Roland, also a vendor, said, “Mao nay mga trials nato og molahutay ba ta kay dili lang ang pagpaninda maoy atong atimanon. Atimanon usab nato ang pagpaminaw sa wali sa pari. Bisan mingaw ug wala halin basta nak-asimba ta ug nakapaminaw ta sa pulong sa Ginoo, ok na kaayo kay ang Ginoo naglantaw kanato sa kanunay.”
On their part, Cebu Caritas and CASA thanked Archbishop Palma and the eight parishes for their support to the plight of the displaced Carbon Market vendors.
Attorney Paredes is a Trustee of Cebu Caritas, Inc. and Member of the Good Governance Committee. Before her retirement, she led the Public Affairs division for Visayas and Mindanao of Smart Communications, Inc. She used to work in media both for print and broadcast.