Empowerment among the society was indeed essential in fighting for human rights.

The
campaign of the Sumilao farmers was in reality a dreading story after having a long march from
Bukidnon up to Manila; passing 1,700 kilometers which ended for two months. As they walk all
together with nothing but their banner attached in long bamboo poles on their shoulders, rubber
slippers and thin cotton clothes, people who’ve seen them were astonished how they have
survived. Nobody could imagine how hard their mission was except those who experienced it.
Day and night, rain or shine, nothing hindered them from heading towards their venture, to take
back their ancestral land and see Malacañang.

Along with farmers, there were two attorneys: Atty. Arlene "Kaka" Bag-ao and Atty.
Marlon Manuel, who accompanied and joined them to uphold respect to the rule of law and
human rights. The determination and perseverance of these two attorneys weren’t different from
what the farmers possess. They planned all the strategies, tools, and preparation as one. The
group gained a lot of support from different sectors but also had a lot of opposing judgment from
others.

The farmers, having been issued certificates of land ownership on 1997, were suddenly
had not gotten the justice that they deserve when Quisumbing, the owner, abruptly claimed the
land by rights. The owner asserted the land’s redistribution after years of being silent. But after
fighting with strong spirit and perseverance, the farmers finally got hold the ownership back of
the land. The two lawyers never failed to show what alternative lawyering is. As Bag-ao believes
“that alternative lawyering is not simply a career but an advocacy for a particular way of life for
lawyers and legal advocates; alternative lawyering is a life that is not based on sacrifices and
compromises, but a choice and a lifelong commitment.”
The two lawyers who marched with the farmers extremely lifted up the morals and hopes
of the farmers by doing this method of practicing as lawyers. This process of lawyering is suited
for indigenous people and those who are not capable of defending themselves. This is not just
about defending the oppressed but rather helping those marginalized to participate actively in
fighting for their own rights. Lawyers tend to be the guards and voice of the offended party but
in this case, lawyers were present to guide and let the clients do their own actions to protect
themselves. The endeavor was not just a mere promotion of human rights and freedom but rather
an advocacy, which not only lawyers can do the act of defending such case but also clients have
the ability to express and prove what they have to prove.