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Vol. IV, No. 47 December 26, 2004 - January 3, 2005 Quezon City, Philippines

CORN AMID SUGAR

The girl in cap sells corn on stick for P4 ($0.07 based on a $1=P56 exchange rate) each as her customers try their hand at grilling them over coal in a small box that appears to be actually for some other use but was appropriated for her purposes. This is her way of providing simple food in the midst of a Christmas program held by striking sugarcane workers and their families Dec. 26 at the Cojuangco-owned Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac, 120 kms. north of Manila. The girl is among the many selling candies, fishballs, and other small food items in the vicinity of the picket. Such resort to resourcefulness is among the things that allow the strikers and their families to maintain their picket as they see themselves through workless, wageless days in their continuing fight for a decent life.

Photo by Dabet Castañeda / Bulatlat

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