A Sakada Story

A Sakada story Most of us used to live in a comfortable life where we can get whatever we want and even get more than enough. We don't need to work so hard under the heat of the sun. We don't need to exert too much effort in order to eat three times a day because everything we need is just right there in front of us, thanks to our parent who provides it all. But just think what if you have nothing? Your parents can't provide your basic needs? or even worst you have no parents to be there for you? Would you survive? What will you do? As we keep on exploring Negros Occidental we happen to meet and talked to a "sakada"(a person who works in a sugarcane fields). Noli "Panoy" Fortaleza is a sakada for almost 8 years already. He is originally from Anini-Y, Antique and moved to Negros when he was 15 years old together with his brother Nardo. Their parents were both farmers in antique but his father died when Noli was 5 years old and her mother can't afford to send all her seven children in school. Noli was forced to go and work as a sakada in Negros because of the influence of his brother Nardo and because being an ordinary farmer without a land of their own is such a difficult situation that Noli can't stand to. At first being a sakada is such a difficult work for young Noli but he has no choice but to like and worked hard being a sakada for his family. There are times that Noli thinks of going back to Antique but his brother won't go with him and that makes Noli stay since he thinks so much of his brother and their mother always says that "no matter what happen never leave your brother because you only have each other and your mother is too far to protect and take care of you". For eight years Noli and his brother were both loyal workers at the Hacienda Tonggoy owned and managed by Luis Tonggoy. According to Mr. Luis Tonggoy Noli is such a hardworking sakada. He works so hard and never complain and thing he likes so much Noli is his love for his brother. "May mga