Jona Andalina Deanon is a community based paralegal with Kaisahan which helps farmers become landowners and involved in agrarian reform in the Phillipines. They work to make sure farmers have a voice in the process and support rural development and social justice. Jona shares her learning journey and what inspires her, along with the important work We the People does in the field of land and environmental justice.
Briefly introduce yourself and tell us about your work in the Philippines
My name is Jona Andalina Deanon from Kaisahan. I am a community-based paralegal, an association president and at the same time a story-tiller. As a community member, my role is significant and the risks that come with it are a constant burden. But I embrace these challenges wholeheartedly because I believe it’s the purpose that God has given me—to serve and help those who struggle to achieve justice due to a lack of knowledge, strength, and courage to stand up for their rights.
Jona Andalina Deanon is a community paralegal with Kaisahan
The experiences of my family and our community have inspired me to fight for our rights, particularly our right to our lands. For those who may not know, I come from a community of Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) beneficiaries & Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) holders in the Negros Island Region. I am also a victim of harassment and red-tagging. At one point, I was red-tagged because our community opposed a ship recycling project proposed by the local government (a battle we eventually won). We stood firm against the project because we understood the severe environmental risks it posed. It was a tough and seemingly impossible fight, but with the full support of Kaisahan, the church, and our dedicated community, we succeeded.
This experience had a profound impact on my work. I became known for opposing the local government unit (LGU), which made it difficult to obtain clearances from them. I’ve heard insults and faced setbacks, but I chose to stay silent and focused on the bigger picture. With the help of professional advice and time, we were able to overcome these challenges.
Story-tiller is composed of women and youth campaigners for land rights, who are tilling the land and telling our stories. As part of this, I became a content creator on social media, sharing my story as a woman farmer and encouraging younger generations to value farmers as the backbone of society. This program has been incredibly helpful to me as a community leader. I’ve been able to pass on what I’ve learned to my community members, and I also teach them how to be responsible content creators, empowering them to share their own stories.
I’ve reached a point in my life where my perspective and aspirations have been deeply shaped by the challenges I’ve faced—bitter experiences, trials, the hardships of poverty, and the struggle to find the courage I once lacked. But these experiences, along with the stories of my family and our community, have given me the strength and motivation to keep moving forward. I ask myself, if not me, then who? Should I let fear stop me when there are so many ways to seek help?
The local government has subjected us to injustice, affecting our 94-hectare community. But what about the younger generations, and those who will come after us? I cannot remain silent. I must find the courage to ask for help and fight for justice—not just for human rights and land rights today, but for the future of those who follow. I want to live with purpose, using the gift of life meaningfully. When my time in this world is over, I want to leave behind a legacy that my neighbors will remember—something that will inspire them as they continue their own journeys.
Being a member of the Grassroots Justice Network has been a meaningful experience, especially in relation to my participation in the paralegal exchange in Bangkok. It significantly broadened my knowledge and helped me grow as a community-based leader, particularly in how I communicate with both Filipino and international participants.
One important takeaway was realizing that language barriers are no longer a major obstacle, thanks to advancements in technology. Regardless of our race or background, we all share common struggles—such as the fight for legal justice, freedom, human rights, and land rights.
Most importantly, the exchange brought together diverse sectors united by the same goals. This collaboration has been incredibly helpful, as it has enabled us to form associations and group chats to stay connected. Through these platforms, we can quickly and easily seek advice, share knowledge, and offer support across different sectors, all thanks to social media and modern communication tools.
Based on my experience as a member of the Grassroots Justice Network and Kaisahan, the advice I would give to other members of GJN is to continue what we have started. Let’s not grow tired of studying the law, learning new regulations and strengthening our organisations.
I look forward to seeing us apply what we’ve learned to our own communities. Hopefully, everything we wrote on the canvas before leaving Bangkok will come true one day. Let’s meet again as proud and successful justice defenders, and I hope we continue to grow stronger.