HOW WE STARTED
Friend and anarchist community organizer who runs Balay Tuklasan Likhaan Infoshop generously offered his other space (previously vacant and unused) to establish a community-based autonomous center called Feral Crust. The Feral Crust space is located in Mabato Road Brgy. Ibayo, Tipas Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines in a squatted public road near industrial factories (cement, steel, livestock etc.). About 33 families squat Mabato Road to become a residential area since 1989. Feral Crust came to Mabato road last March 2014.
HOW’S TEACHING KIDS
We teach kids based on self-determination and equality. We try to do it together and express such values. We believe that we can learn just as much from daily routine and interaction among people including kids. The school system does not serve the basic interest and needs of the people; it only trains the entire humanity to become future wage slave and cogs of the machine under capitalism.
Activities we usually do with the kids include gardening, preparing vegetarian meals, making art (drawing, stencils, silk- screen printing, craft-making from scraps and other recyclable materials, etc.), film showing, playing games, writing and reading, taking care of plants and animals, storytelling, playing music, listening to their family situation and problems and counseling responsibility and respect.
RENOVATION
Since our space is very small, we try to implement structures that are based on its utilization. We do this through recycling materials and resources. In terms of infrastructure, we do it on our own such as setting up our solar panels, fixing the roof and doing basic repair so it would become stable. Most of our resources are given or donated by other collectives and friends; and some were just scavenged from the street.
EVICTION
We are currently facing eviction (5 houses including our space). The cement factory wants the road empty of squatters to park big machines, trucks and equipments. Legal solidarity on the side of the squatters is now in progress. The cement factory had made several attempts to convinced the Local Government Unit (Barangay level) the relocation of these 5 houses. This was done through bribery. We took measures against this kind of scenario and we keep ourselves prepared to fight by all means necessary. We are planning to organize a community week (graffiti, workshops, potluck, free market, concert etc.) in coordination with our neighborhood association who are engaged in the campaign against eviction.
GARDEN
We have regular activities once a week helping the kids set up their small container gardens and teaching them the basics of growing food (vegetables, flowers and herbs). Workshops highlight themes such as composting, identification of local edible plant species, designing and landscaping.
SELF ORGANIZATION AND AUTONOMY
Voluntarily and informally, the Feral Crust collective is actively part of the New Mabato Creek Road Neighborhood Association Inc.; a people’s organization committed towards community welfare and development.
Feral Crust contributes to the community by sharing awareness about social, cultural and environmental issues and struggles based on direct experience (locally and internationally). It also practices alternative ways of life that compliment value and respect to the natural ecosystem which sustain many living species.
Feral Crust activities are primarily centered in gardening, setting up DIY and skill-oriented workshops, organizing cultural events into music and art, resource sharing and feeding programs.
Feral Crust is also part of the local community watch and participates in solving problems to issues directly and indirectly affecting the community.
FURTHER CONTACT:
feralcrust [at] riseup [dot] net
