Coping with a Desaparecido
Abner and Cris Hizarsa were members of progressive groups who suffered frequent harassments and detentions by the military. The second time a raid happened at their house in Subic in 1992 precious photos were taken. Now, most pages of their family album are blank, memories of happy times lost forever.
Coping with a Desaparecido
Mornings are spent doing household chores. Shara occasionally sells ice candy to the children in their neighbourhood.
Coping with a Desaparecido
In the 28 years that they have been married, Abner and Cris has spent many years away from their families and from each other as they were fighting for their committed causes and from time to time, harassed and/or detained. Ever since Abner’s retirement from the underground in 2000, they have been together as a family the longest time.
Coping with a Desaparecido
What his family has are memories and old photos of a husband and a father sorely missed by his family. But hope is burning still. One day, he will come back and be with them again.
Coping with a Desaparecido
Pajita, Cris’ mother, while away mornings watching a local game show on television. Over the years, she has helped care for her grandchildren, especially when their parents were in detention or were elsewhere fighting for a cause.
Coping with a Desaparecido
It used to be that Cris spends time at home doing the day’s marketing and chores. With the disappearance of her husband, all these must be finished by lunch so that she can open and attend to the store a few blocks from their house until evening.
Coping with a Desaparecido
Pajita, Cris’ mother, while away mornings watching a local game show on television. Over the years, she has helped care for her grandchildren, especially when their parents were in detention or were elsewhere fighting for a cause.
Coping with a Desaparecido
Cris tends to the family store, their only means of income. With the forced disappearance of her husband, she carries the burden of providing for her family. It is a hard but necessary decision.
Coping with a Desaparecido
Tsong, as Abner is fondly called by neighbors and friends, tended to this store that the family rented from relatives. Ever since he contracted a heart ailment, he has devoted quality time to his family. In the twenty eight years that he was married, it was only during the last seven years that he really was with his family.
Coping with a Desaparecido
Cris tends to the family store, their only means of income. To make ends meet, she deviced an enterprising promotion for her neighbours. Every mobile electronic load they buy earns them a raffle ticket for a chance to win a second hand or refurbished mobile phone. With the forced disappearance of her husband, she carries the burden of providing for her family. It is a hard but necessary decision.
Coping with a Desaparecido
Cris has been looking for his husband since 2007. Searches in military camps with other families of desaparecidos often are unsuccessful.
