In a guerrilla front in Cordillera, what seemed like a failed celebration of the Communist Party of the Philippines anniversary on December 26, 2024 turned into a feast of solidarity and education for Red fighters and masses.

The comrades arrived in Barangay Ranyag (Radiance), where the masses were mired in poverty. The severe drought followed by a series of typhoons that ravaged the region devastated the annual rice harvest. Harassment and relentless AFP operations also impeded the masses’ free movement to town centers to buy necessities.

These worried some comrades about how to hold the celebration. What food would they serve to the invited farmers? This caused the Red fighters to hesitate in preparations on the morning of December 26.

But in the afternoon, their warning device was suddenly triggered. From the woods, Baryo Ranyag people emerged one after the other.

“Comrades, to ensure our security we did not invite you to our houses. We came to you instead so we could hold the Party anniversary celebration,” group leader Mang Cesar explained. With him were his wife and child. They brought a large bag of suman (rice cakes) and a bucket of bilo-bilo (glutinous rice balls). Behind Mang Cesar were other villagers carrying spaghetti and firewood.

The comrades swiftly prepared and continued the planned program. Through plays, poems, songs and short speeches, they showed the worsening economic crisis experienced by the Filipino people, the intensifying conflict between Marcos and Duterte, and US imperialist exploitation of its neo-colonies (including the Philippines) in its fight against China.

They showed the domination of national and local dynasties of bureaucrat-capitalists over the province’s wealth, while deliberately depriving the people of social services. The presentations also emphasized the importance of the masses’ continued participation in the revolution to reverse their situation.

“Our father told us to look after comrades because you are the ones who truly care for impoverished people like us. This is a legacy that we will pass on to our descendants,” said Dani, one of the celebration attendees. “We know that our strength lies in unity and collective action.”

The villagers stayed even after the celebration. They held an assembly to form the local chapter of the Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Magsasaka (National Peasant Association) and planned to collectively till a portion of their communal land. They agreed on how to organizationally resist the expected onslaught of military operations and the return of RCSP.

In the following days, various special courses and studies under Padepa (Pambansa-Demokratikong Paaralan or National Democratic School) were conducted in the NPA bivouac.

People—both youth and adults—came every day to the NPA outpost. Some came to ask help with class assignments, others for simple conversations. The fighters sent them off with hope, along with carved wooden ladles and pestles.

On the comrades’ last day in the area, local activists forming the local Party branch completed a basic Party orientation.

“Comrades, you have fully explained the Party Program. We are committed to becoming its members,” Mang Cesar declared at the start of their oath-taking before the Party flag.

Leaving Baryo Ranyag, the comrades reflected on their worries. They wholeheartedly embraced the lesson from their experience: Always, in all circumstances, trust the masses.