Minsan Lang Sila Bata

A Bolo instead of a Pen!

Dr. Jose P. Rizal our very own National Hero once said and I quote “Ang Kabataan ay Pag-asa ng Bayan” (The youth is the hope of the people). These lines mean that youngsters are the leaders and educators of tomorrow. But how can a child be the hope of our land if at their young age they trained to be someone like an adult, working for their family? This is one of the most chronic problems that the Philippines are facing right now, the problem on Child Labor. Child labor has been an international concern since it damages and destroys the future of our children. Instead of going to school or play with their friends they spend their time in earning a little amount in order to survive.

The documentary entitled “Minsan Lang Sila Bata” is a Filipino made film sets in the Philippines which tackles about the problem on child labor in the society. This documentary represents the lives of random children in Cebu, Ormoc and Dapitan who are facing the same predicament of living life of hard labor to handle with the cruel realities of scarcity. It was my first time to watch this film though it was made five years ago and it never fails me to praise the people behind this documentary.

This documentary serves as a Wakeup Call since it involves of exposing and informing the real happenings in the society that needs the attention of our dear Government. It really sounds Ironic that a law made by the government for protecting the rights of children is already existed but is not being utilize. It was stated in the Republic Act 7658 of the Philippine Constitution that children below 15 years are not allowed to be employed. In the documentary on the other hand we can see that all of the subjects are below 15.

Moreover films like documentary is more on the Component of the Character, since it entails Physical, Sociological and Psychological background. In the Physical background the subjects of the documentary gave their names, age and most of all their health status. When we talk about health status kids on the video specifically in the scene shot in Dapitan were kids are carrying sacks of cement we can truly see that their work gives harm to their body because of the substances coming from the cement. Next is the Sociological background, in this area it is obviously seen on the film regarding the economic status of the kids on the video, they sacrifice to stop schooling in order to have a job. Lastly is Psychological background, kids mindset is to help their parents that are their outlook in life instead of going to school they chose to have jobs. 

The main point of this film is to show the roots or shall we say the main reasons why poverty exists. Corruption and irregularity in the Government can truly affect the system and if it will be affected many individuals will suffer the unending problem of poverty and the most affected are the children. Because of this the “Kapit sa Patalim’’ decision will exists, the children are deprive out of their freedom to enjoy their time being kids which is to express their childhood wants and needs, and most especially to go to school in order for them to learn so that in the future they would be successful and can contribute to the fabric of development in the society.