DECLAMATION PIECE

HE TOOK MY PLACE
03.25.2015
By RGDB
People of the philippine vs. --------IKaw -------- ay hinahatulang ng hukumang ito ng reclusion perpetua habang buhay na
pagkabilanggo sa karumal dumal na pag patay kay Ginang Maria Santiago.
That was five years ago. But I am different now. I have been changed. Before, my life was a
wreck. I had no one to turn to. I had to leave my family because I can't stand the demands of my
mother for her vices. Every time I woke up, I am forced to find work, beg for money or even
steal. She would make me and my siblings do things that we didn't like to do. I was 7 when I
tasted cigarette. I started drinking liquor when I was 9. At 12, I was a professional snatcher. I
was quite good.
At one time, I was very hungry so I had to scavenge for food. But I can't find any. So I had to
resort to the dirty tricks which my friends have taught me. I had to steal. Again. I saw an old
woman passing by and there I run and tried to grab her bag. But she didn't want to let go. We had
a struggle. And then people started to notice. I wanted to run away but she was grabbing my shirt
tightly. So I had to fight back. I had to. And there, I had to bring out my knife, and stab her.
I just thought of how angry I was at this world... I got confused. I thought of how unfair it is that
some have caring mothers and I can't have one, that some have too many food on their table and
I can't even have a bread to spare, how some people lavishly display their wealth through their
signatured clothes and I only have a shirt and this pair of slippers. Life is so unfair. So I took that
knife and did what I had too. I felt her warm blood coming out from that cut and slowly she let
loose of her grasp. I just had to run. I dropped my knife and run but I can hear the siren, the
policeman's steps drawing nearer and nearer. I turned left into the alley, I tried to climb up the
wall but someone grabbed my foot. I had to kick but it was too late. I had nowhere to go. The
policeman was persistent. So I just had to explain. "Please, It was an accident. I just had to."
And that is the reason why I have to stay in this cold and dark room. Everyday, I curse the day I
was born. I cursed the people who didn't help me. I wouldn't talk to anybody. I wouldn't ask for
someone else's help. Although, during a Sunday, I was forced to attend the service so I can get a
pair of clothes donated by some Baptist Church. While I was there, I just thought of listening to
the minister. And he was very persistent in sharing about this certain person who loves me, and
he didn't care what I did wrong. While he was preaching, my mind slowly drifted to this Jesus
who came on earth to save sinners... And there I saw myself...
On that dreaded fateful night of November 7... The police were there, they were asking me
questions. My Hands were fastened by cuffs. I knew i was having a nightmare again. It's the
same dream I keep on dreaming. But then, the police stood up, took my hands and got his key.
He removed the hand cuffs and said I am free. I can go now. Because someone took my place. I
cannot understand. I just started running.

RGDB 2015

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DECLAMATION PIECE
And as I look back, I see a man hanging on a cross. He never retaliated, he was like a sheep
ready to be slain and offered by the shepherd. Is this Jesus? Is this the man whom the minister
was referring to? I see the nails, piercing through his hand and his feet. His face was covered
with blood because of the crowns of thorns those soldiers placed. And I shouted, Take him
down, take him down. I am the one to be blamed. It is my fault. I killed that old woman. Why are
you taking someone else? Why does he have to suffer? But it seems they were not hearing me.
There was a wall between us. He didn't deserve this. This was a punishment that I deserve. He is
innocent.
As I look at him, I asked the question, What are you doing? Why are you giving up yourself? It
was my fault. It was my fault but why are you taking my place. Why are you paying for my
debts? And the only thing he said was because, "I love you."
He knew that I was getting tired of being a prisoner of my sin. There and then, I repented from
my sin. And thereafter I felt a tap on my shoulder as I was kneeling down. It was the minister
standing beside me offering his hand, his question was, "Would you like to accept Jesus Christ as
your personal lord and Savior?"

RGDB 2015

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