Jane Balleta: Compassionate Epileptic Is Source of Her Family’s Strength, Pride

Published on February 22, 2010

Mrs. Balleta related that Jane tried to control her epileptic attack. “She already felt her neck stiffening. She held on tight because her arms were about to thrash. Her attack was on the onset.”

Jane’s money worth P10,700 for her maintenance medicines and the pair of earrings that was given to her by her sibling was taken away by the military. Mrs. Balleta said “that the earrings can be pawned in case of emergency. That’s why her sibling gave it to her in case she had an attack and she didn’t have money to buy her medicines.”

A Source of Strength

When asked how Jane is as a daughter, Mrs. Balleta said: “Jane is a source of strength whenever the family is confronting a problem. She would help me explain things to her sisters and brother.”

Jane with heer grandfather, the late Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran(Photo courtesy of Balleta family)

Cris, her younger brother, said: “She knows how to handle every situation.” He also described her sister as simple and intelligent. She always received awards in school.” They are best friends.

“I always run to her whenever I have assignments and whenever Mama was busy doing organizing work in the factory.” They got even closer when Cris was in college. They went to the same university. “We would always talk when we were both activists in school, she was with Gabriela Youth and I was with Anakbayan. She would always update me on issues like tuition increase, budget cuts and other national issues. Later on she was like Mama. She would come home late from organizing her fellow students.” Jane became one of Cris’ influences.

Jane is also a mother to three-year old Trixie, her only child. Trixie grew up with Mrs. Balleta as Jane would often travel during outreach programs and medical missions. “But she knows her mother,” Mrs. Balleta said. Whenever Jane is at home, she would spend her time bonding with Trixie. “They would eat fishballs together. She would take her to the hospital herself. Jane taught Trixie how to write.”

They have a pet, an albino rat, that died three days after Jane left. “It died because it was sad when Mother left, but it will live again when she arrives,” Mrs. Balleta recalled Trixie as saying.

Jane was not able to finish her sociology course. Mrs. Balleta said: “For me, it was never an issue whether they finish their studies or not. There would always be a reason — it’s either they don’t want to go to school anymore or we can no longer afford to send them to school. I support them whatever decision they make that would develop their potentials.”

Jane also writes poems and composes songs. There may be many talented youth out there but to Mrs. Balleta, Jane is different. She said Jane is versatile, can cope easily and learn with other people. She can manage herself even without supervision.

Proud Family

Jane’s whole family cried foul over what the military did to her and her colleagues. “That training was supposed to enhance her skills, further advance her knowledge for what she loved to do most… She chose not to finish Sociology and then the military did this. It’s unacceptable,” Mrs. Balleta told Bulatlat.

Jane stepping off the military bus that brought them to the Court of Appeals last week. (Photo by Cris Balleta / Kodao Productions)

The family of Jane is very proud of her. They provided her with medical equipment such as her stethoscope and blood pressure monitor. These were all brand new and were recently bought when the military raided their training.

“The whole family knows that she is a practicing health worker. They acknowledge that she helps our family and the people. They admire her for that,” Mrs. Balleta said. “Jane is intelligent. She may not be like her cousins who finished college but when they talk about her you could feel her cousins’ admiration. They are very proud of her.”

Her late grandfather, Ka Bel, would be just as proud.

“When the military learned that she was Ka Bel’s granddaughter, the soldiers told her that activism is in their blood. Jane replied that she is just as determined,” her brother Cris told Bulatlat. “For me, Jane’s determination springs from the government’s neglect in providing social services to the poor. This is what my sister and her colleagues fulfill.” (Bulatlat.com)

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