All jobs require a certain amount of sacrifice from us. 

 

For some, their jobs take a huge toll on their personal time that require them to go beyond the normal 9 to 5 work schedule. For others, it is having to travel long hours just to get to their place of work. And now especially with the pandemic, some jobs require them to be constantly exposed to the risk of getting the virus. If not for their sacrifices, our society would cease to exist. 

However, there are those whose professions would ask so much more. Our fisherfolk for example are not only exposed to the risks and dangers of the sea but they are right at the heart of an international dispute that could spark a major conflict involving major superpowers. For a fisherman like Kuya Arnold who gets no seat on the negotiating table, his destiny is being decided by an elite few whose interests lie elsewhere.

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At 59, Kuya Arnold Ariola is a seasoned fisherman. It was through this trade that Kuya Arnold was able to send his siblings to school. Being the eldest of 7 siblings, Kuya Arnold had to share the burden of the responsibilities in providing for his family’s needs. Having dreams to pursue higher education himself, he had to ultimately let go of this dream to make way for his siblings’ aspirations. Hindi ako nakapag-tuloy na makapag-aral kasi inuna ko muna yung mga kapatid ko. (I was not able to continue my education because I had to put my siblings’ needs first). Through Kuya Arnold’s sacrifice, 4 of his siblings were able to finish school. 

 

Eventually, Kuya Arnold started his own family and the dreams he had for himself are now dreams channeled to his own children. As a father and breadwinner, he is prepared to do everything to provide a better life for his children. 

 

For a family whose budget and resources are scarce and limited, he would need all the available income he could get from the sea. Unfortunately, unexpected neighbors backed by big warships and long firearms are sneaking into our seas where our fishermen are solely granted the right to fish by international law. Kuya Arnold’s fellow fishermen are witnesses to this gross violation. 

 

Yung iba naming kasamahan sinasabi na nakaranas sila ng harassment mula sa mga Tsino. Tulad niyan, kapag mag-katabi sila ay pa-aalisin yan para sila yung mauna. Kung hindi sila aalis, i-spreyan sila ng tubig. (My companions experienced harassment from the Chinese. For example, if they are close to each other, the Chinese would tell them to leave so that they could go first. If they would not leave, they would spray water on them.) Due to the danger and imminent threat posed by the situation in the contested territories, Kuya Arnold decided to fish in areas closer to our borders instead.

 

It became apparent to him and to fellow fishermen that a mere statement on a piece of paper holds no true power when you are up against a mighty foe who uses intimidation to disclaim what is rightfully ours. 

 

In Kuya Arnold’s perspective, the only real solution in the West Philippine Sea is to increase our country’s military presence in the area. 

 

Syempre sa Pilipinas area dapat Pilipino ang nakikinabang. Pero inaako pa rin ng mga dayuhan. Yung sa akin lang talaga, dagdagan ang bantay sa teritoryo ng Pilipinas para makita talaga nila yung mga dayuhan na nakapasok. (Of course it should be the Filipino people who takes advantage of what is rightfully ours which foreigners claim to be theirs. In my personal opinion, the Philippines should increase our Coast Guards in order to keep in check the foreigners who are freely entering our territories.)

 

Surprisingly, despite the hardships Kuya Arnold faces at sea, there are many things he is thankful for, especially the success of his children (all girls) in their studies. Through Kuya Arnold’s sweat, blood, and tears, all of his 4 children are finally college graduates pursuing different professions! 

 

Hindi naman sila nagpabaya ng pag-aaral nila. Dahil diyan, mayroon akong anak na teacher, dalawang civil worker, at isa na nasa management. (My children did not neglect their studies. And because of that, I have a daughter who is a teacher, 2 civil workers, and one working in management.)

 

Even with his children working in different fields, Kuya Arnold still feels the desire to continue working in the seas to make ends meet.

 

Ito ngang mga anak ko sinasabi na tumigil na ako sa pangingisda pero yung katawan ko kasi ay halos tumanda na sa dagat at hahanap-hanapin mo talaga yoon. (My own kids are asking me to stop but I have almost grown old doing this and my body naturally seek for it.) 

 

Following the rhythm of his body, Kuya Arnold still continues to fish to this day. Unfortunately, the pandemic has taken a toll on our fisherfolk as well. Most of Kuya Arnold’s harvest are for export but due to fluctuating markers and the impact of the pandemic in businesses, there has been a significant drop in their income. 

 

But life goes on for Kuya Arnold and for countless fishermen exposed to all sorts of danger with little promise that their situation would improve in the near future. They can’t wait for a solution from the powers that be for waiting won’t feed their families.

 

Everyday is a daily struggle to survive and fishermen like Kuya Arnold are left with no choice but to overlook the incompetencies of a system which treats his kind as disposable pawns in a game to woo a foreign superpower. 

 

However, it is our responsibility to acknowledge the plight of every single Filipino regardless of who they are and where they come from because every Filipino has the right to hold those people who have been misrepresenting them accountable. And so, it is my hope that whenever fish is served on your plate, I hope that you remember Kuya Arnold’s story and to never take for granted the little things that aren’t so little after all.