THE HOBO EXPERIMENT: A Story of the Tribal People of Asog Book II
JANUARY 10, 2013 by BICOLMAIL in SPECIAL FEATURE
THE EDDIE SUAREZ FACTOR
Chapter XIV
By Ricardo E. Perez honeyhunter52@yahoo.com Mr. Eddie Suarez of HOBO, MInalabac, Camarines Sur (Standing 3rd from right) is all smiles as he welcomes the Aetas’ from Mt. Asog, Iriga City, together with some companions, to his poultry farm in Antipolo, Minalabac, Camarines Sur, fulfilling his promise to help resettle and support members of the Indigenous Peoples find a better way to survive. Almost a year ago, last February 2, 2012, my son Allan and I were motoring home from Ligao City, Albay after finishing the paperwork involved in a vehicular accident where our car was rear ended by an over speeding cargo truck. As we approached the intersection of the Fuentebella Highway going to Partido area, my cell phone rang.
The number of the caller was totally unfamiliar to me as was the voice on the other end of the line. The first word I heard uttered by the caller when I answered the call was “is this Mr. Perez?” and I was quick to reply and said, “yes Sir, this is Mr. Perez on the line”. He thereafter immediately identified himself as “Mr. Suarez” and asked me if it is possible for us to meet in person. Perhaps sensing the questions running on my mind, he immediately followed up his first statement by saying that he has been reading the series of articles or essays I have been writing in the pages of Bicol Mail, entitled “The Hobo Experiment” regarding our family project involving the Indigenous Peoples known as the Agta, and that he is interested to meet me in person as he actually came from Brgy. HOBO, the site of our social experiment.

Left photo: Mr. Eddie Suarez (center) beside the author, buys a bucketful of wild honey produced by “Potyukan” (Giant Asian Honey Bee) from one of the Agta honey hunters in Mt. Asog, Iriga City during his first visit to the Oyango tribal settlement in Sta. Teresita, Iriga City. Right photo: Testing the quality of sound produced by a “Balalong”, a native instrument made out of hollowed wood to summon the tribal community to an assembly or to sound an alarm. That introduction got me interested and curious and I agreed to see him within half an hour as we are already on our way to Naga. My son dropped me off in front of a bakery, where Mr. Suarez was waiting for me. He offered me a cup of native chocolate, his favorite, he said. After some formalities, Mr. Suarez begged me to dispense with my very formal “Sir” and just to call him “Manoy Eddie” instead, as that is the “label” he is most comfortable with.
Manoy Eddie explained that he is very interested in what our family has been doing in Hobo, that he has read the accounts of our efforts to uplift the lives of our cultural minorities. The Barangay captain of Hobo, Ayna P. Agravante, it turned out, was his relative and it was from her that he managed to obtain my cell phone number. His next statement caught me totally by surprise, Manoy Eddie’s exact words were, ”Alam mo Ric, gusto kong gayahin yang ginagawa mo”, “kung ano yong paraan ng pagtulong mo, gagawin ko rin”. (You know Ric, I want to copy what you are doing, whatever method you apply, I will do the same).
Mr. Suarez own a piece of land adjacent to our property in Hobo, where we have resettled our Agta beneficiaries, and he said that he can likewise bring in another family or two to this property, or to his other lot further up the mountain in Brgy. Del Socorro or nearer, in Brgy Antipolo where he has a poultry farm. In effect he was offering me an opportunity to help bring about a positive change in the lives of some of our Agta brethren using his own resources, all because he was moved and inspired by our example. All that I could say in reaction to his surprise offer was a truly heartfelt thank you for his interest to help.
As he was fully aware of the extent of our advocacy, we agreed to visit the mother settlement in Sta. Teresita, Iriga City, for him to get to know better the Agta families residing at the Oyango Tribal settlement and hopefully identify and choose potential beneficiaries of his project. On the day appointed, we agreed to meet again at his favorite place in front of the Plaza Quezon in Naga City. From there we travelled as a two car convoy to Iriga City.

Poultry farm workers in Antipolo, assisted by Mr. Jose Lavandero (standing), a friendly neighbor, harvest fresh Tilapia at the fish pond inside the property to celebrate the arrival of the Aeta family in the farm. I have already given an advance notice, a week earlier, to our tribal elders at the Oyango Tribal settlement and they were waiting for us. Meanwhile, Manoy Eddie has taken the time to order baskets of bread which he brought with him on this trip and distributed to the community upon our arrival. He then asked for an audience with the three heads of household who has expressed interest to avail of his offer for a new life in Minalabac. My wife in the meantime, was busy cooking food to provide to the tribal people gathered to interact with our visitor, with Manoy Eddie even providing extra money to ensure enough food for everyone.
It was during this conversation with our prospective beneficiaries that Pedro Sentillas, the tribal chieftain mentioned the plight of one of the women in the settlement who is currently confined in one of the private hospitals in Iriga City. She suffered a stroke leaving half of her body paralyzed. The husband was beside himself, worrying and anxious at the condition they are in, for the hospital bills have been accumulating and it is just totally impossible for her to be discharged from the hospital without paying their accountabilities.
I expressed my dismay at the situation and very frankly told the elders in the tribe that they should have at least considered bringing the patient to a government run hospital rather than a private institution considering their economic condition. There had been many occasions in the past where our families (in-laws and co workers) managed to provide the financial support required by this poor people in several life threatening situations, by pooling our resources together, and it has taken time to do so. This situation is different, for with every passing day, the family is getting deeper into debt and even with the best of intentions, we are simply in no position to offer any immediate relief.
Manoy Eddie’s reaction to the situation was a total surprise to me. He requested to be allowed to say something and the very first question he asked the husband was “Magkano ang bayaran” (how much is the bill?). After some consultations, Chieftain Sentillas said that hospital charges have now reached over twelve thousand when they last inquired a few days earlier. Manoy Eddie’s next statement moved me deeply. He said, addressing the audience listening, “Magpasalamat kayo ki Mr. Perez, kasi kung hindi sa kanya at sa nakikita kong pagmalasakit ng kanilang pamilya sainyo, wala ako rito. Babayaran ko ang lahat ng utang ninyo sa ospital. Wala akong perang dala ngayon pero babalik ako bukas, ilalabas natin ang pasyente.” (You should give thanks to Mr. Perez, if not for him and the concern he and other families have shown to you, I will not be here. I have no money now but I shall return tomorrow. We will bring the patient out of the hospital).

Tribal chieftain Pedro Sentillas (with back to the camera) gestures as he explained to Mr. Suarez and company the many problems the tribal people often encounter. True to his word, Manoy Eddie returned to Iriga City the following day, paid the hospital bills amounting to P15,000.00, brought the patient and the rest of the party to a popular food chain, and treated them to a sumptuous meal. Truly, I could not find a more generous, warm hearted soul, in a gentlemanly package such as this person I have come to respect. Not to write something about this incident which makes for an interesting chapter in our advocacy to help the Agta, is to miss an important lesson amplified in scriptures which tells us in no uncertain terms that indeed “It is more blessed to give, than to receive”. An even more appropriate message in 2 Corinthians 9: verses 6 to 9 applies in the light of what was accomplished.“ Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all gr ace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever”.
You may probably be wondering, what happened to the plan to help a few more members of the Indigenous Peoples in the shoulders of Mt. Asog? I am most grateful to say that “palabra de honor” (word of honor), a virtue that is becoming a rare commodity today amongst men who make empty promises, is still alive and well. Through Manoy Eddie Suarez help and commitment, a young couple living on the shoulders of Mt. Asog, at the Parina Tribal settlement in Brgy. Perpetual Help, Iriga City, have been resettled in Brgy. Antipolo, at his poultry farm, together with two young men from two other families. He even caused the construction of a residential dwelling for the new settlers, furnishing them with all the household essentials. To celebrate their arrival at his property, he ordered the harvesting of Tilapia at the fishpond inside the farm so that the new arrivals will have fresh fish for their evening meal. Another couple will also be resettled in Hobo as soon as their own living quarters is finished. Our Hobo experiment is well on its way to being completed. There are still many problems and challenges to overcome. The pioneering settlers consisting of several families of Indigenous Peoples are adjusting well in their new environment. These latest development inspire us even more. Indeed there are still a few good men who can make a difference in the lives of others. Thankfully, I have been blessed to have one as a friend, Eddie Suarez is his name. How I wish there will be more of his kind today to help make our world a little better everyday.