"Ang Pungsod Ilonggo" Newsletter of the Ilonggo Nation Movement (INM) Global Network

“Himno sang Dakbanwa sang Iloilo”

2011-10-26T14:20:00.001-04:00

Iloilo City Council has declared “Himno sang Dakbanwa sang Iloilo” as the official Iloilo City Hymn via Resolution No. 2011-032.

The new Iloilo city hymn was composed and arranged by Professor Arne Lubasan, a music teacher at the University of San Agustin Conservatory of Music, who won the hymn-writing contest held during the Iloilo City’s 73rd Charter Day celebration last year.

LYRICS OF THE ILOILO CITY HYMN

“Himno sang Dakbanwa sang Iloilo”

Puluy-an ka sang mga dungganon
Guindihon sa imong gugmang bilidhon
Namat-an sang mga baganihan
Nakigbato para sa kahilwayan

Dunang manggad sa amon guin-aman
Manggaran sa kulturang kinaadman
May maragtas nga madinu-agon
Bulawanon ang mga palanublion

Chorus:
Iloilo, Iloilo
Dakbanwa kong nahamut-an
Iloilo, Iloilo
Bugal magpadulong diin man
Tampad nga magpabilin sa imo
tungod palangga ko
Dakbanwang Iloilo, Bugal ko!

Himpit nga gugma sa imo ihalad
Sakdagon ang imo katuyuan
Itib-ong ang Kauswagan
Padayon nga ma-angkon ang katin-aran
Repeat Chorus (once)

City government encourages Iloilo city schools to play and sing the official Iloilo City hymn during flag raising ceremonies and other activities.

(Shared by Nonoy Taclino- INM Iloilo City)

The Role of "Ilonggos" in EDSA-1 People's Power Revolution

2011-07-21T01:43:00.010-04:00

The Role of "Ilonggos" in EDSA-1 People's Power Revolution
(by: dinggol araneta divinagracia-Ilonggo Nation Movement (INM) Global Network-July 18, 2011)

Prologue:
As we celebrate every 25th day of February the anniversary of EDSA-I People's Power Revolution; it is but fitting that we also recall for posterity, the roles conspicously played by our "Kasimanwas" of the Ilonggo Nation in this important chapter of our history, thus:

The Epifanio de los Santos Avenue or EDSA is a long span of highway in Metro Manila-Philippines. It connects Roxas Boulevard (named after an Ilonggo from Capiz, President Manuel Roxas) in Pasay City and the Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City; traversing the cities of Makati, Mandaluyong, San Juan/Pasig and Quezon. It was named in honor of the great Filipino scholar and patriot Epifanio de los Santos.

EDSA made an indelible mark in the annals of world history, as the venue of a relatively bloodless revolution emulated by freedom loving people around the globe under the yoke of tyrants. It created a new phrase in the dictionary, the famous "People's Power Revolution".

Unknown to many, the Ilonggos were greatly instrumental in the events leading to the successful EDSA-I People's Power Revolt.

During the decade of the 1960's, an aggressive young war correspondent named Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, together with Fr. Jose Blanco, S.J -as reported by Quijano de Manila in the book "The Aquinos' of Tarlac -were seen hiding atop a water tank tower to evade arrest by Indonesian military as suspects in providing arms, on behalf of a western foreign power, to rebel forces fighting Indonesian President Sukarno's regime.

Later, Ninoy became Senator of the Philippines, after his under age controversy to qualify as senatorial candidate was put to rest by the one vote of Senator Rodolfo "Roding" Ganzon of Iloilo City. The "Timawa" Ilonggo Senator, then Chairman of the Electoral Tribunal in the Senate broke the 50-50 deadlock justifying that if the Tarlaqueno wins the election, by the time of his induction, he would be of age as Senator, under the provisions of law.

In 1968, Senator Ninoy Aquino exposed the Jabidah Massacre, an unexpected turn of event that ultimately aborted Malacanang's "Operation Merdeka", the covert Sabah invasion project headed by Major Eduardo Martelino of Aklan who styled himself as "Abdul Latif Martelino".

The Jabidah massacre expose' catapulted the brilliant and charismatic Ninoy, as the "Darling of the Press" --and with the support of the opposition; his wealthy and politically influencial family and by the Ilonggo oligarchy that controls popular tri-media outlets, he became the "numero uno contra " to strongman Marcos reign of power.

As the country was at the brink of total anarchy, when Malananang has to contend with both the left and the right of the political spectrum; on September 21, 1972 President Ferdinand Marcos began the revolution from the center and declared martial law --"Para sa Ikaunlad ng Bayan, Disiplina ang Kailangan" as he announced the birth of the "New Society". One of the first arrested was Senator Benigno Aquino and was incarcerated for many years together with other politicos, professionals, members of media, academe, business, student and labor leaders vocal against Malacanang. And yes! the untouchables who used to operate their nefarious activities with impunity, including notorious illegal drugs manufacturer, a chinese national who was executed by firing squad.

Apparently, few years after martial law regime, the Filipino people were contented; with the visible massive concrete infra-structure projects, nationwide developments and relative peace and order situation and with improving economy. Notwithstanding, harshed implementation to student, peasant, professional and labor activist groups, by some sectors in the military led by young officers, who would later consciencely turn around to advocate reforms in the AFP.

Unfortunately, the son of Batac, due to critical failing health (the true condition kept secret from the general public) became just a mere figurehead, so to speak. People he trusted and close to him, both personal and professional, were at the helm of government and practically running the affairs of the state. Regretably, they indulged in massive institutionalized graft and corruption, and grave human rights abuses; the malfeasance just like rats on board a sinking ship, eroded whatever Ferdinand Edralin Marcos envisioned as his legacy for history --due to command responsibility.

Then on August 21, 1983 the indomitable spirited Ninoy, coming home after being released in prison for a critical heart operation in the U.S. was assasinated at the tarmac of the Manila International Airport.The airport was the jurisdiction of the Aviation Security Command (AVSECOM) under PAF Gen. Luther Araneta Custodio of Silay City, Negros Occidental. Thereafter, Instant condemnation of the distardly act flooded the airwaves and mainstream global news media. Locally, however, news were curtailed or maneuvered by the regime, even the tremendous crowd that brought Ninoy to his resting place was scarcely publicised.

Three long years had passed and due to controlled military, suppressed media plus inherent "Bahala Na" attitude of Filipinos, the sentimental massive outburst and public outrage of Ninoy's brutal slaying obviously simmered down, his martyrdom relegated to the dustbin of history.

Then on February 6, 1986, the incumbent Governor of Antique was assassinated outside the Provincial Capitol in San Jose. The impunity with which opposition Gov. Evelio Javier's public execution was carried out in broad daylight, in plain veiw of his constituents by the butchers in the military establishment was too much to bear. The Filipino people's cry "Tama Na! Sobra Na!" was heard loud and clear from Aparri to Tawi-Tawi. A few idealistic officers in the AFP could no longer swallow series of distardly acts and wanted reform with concrete radical action. The Reform the AFP Movement (RAM) led by Rex Robles and Billy Bebit of Iloilo, Gringo Honasan of Sorsogon, Red Kapunan of Capiz, Victor Batac, Jose Almonte and other RAM boys planned to attack and takeover Malacanang. However, another Ilonggo, a Major in the Phil. Military Academy in Baguio, loyal to his Commander-in-Chief revealed the brewing coupe-de-etat to the Presidential Security Group, who lost no time arresting suspected members involved.

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Juan Ponce Enrile, whose close-in security were positively identified the leaders in the failed coup, has no choice but break-away with his benevolent benefactor in Malacanang. He then publicly exposed their own shenanigans; seek the support of "Kumpadre Fidel" and the two joined forces against Apo Ferdie. The AFP Vice-Chief of Staff, Gen. Fidel V. Ramos was obviously not satisfied with benefits, privileges and promotions accorded him by his presidential second cousin.

As Sec. Enrile and Gen. Ramos, with a few loyal supporters barricaded themselves in Camp Crame along EDSA, awaiting for the "Sword of Damocles" to fall upon their heads, the military might of the government was fast approaching to end the treasonous drama. Then ... the "Miracle of EDSA" occurred, sabi dah!

Only two weeks after Ilonggo Governor Evelio Javier of Antique was slain, and as God wills it! --another Ilonggo, a prelate from New Washington, Aklan named Jaime Cardinal Sin would broadcast over Radio Veritas to appeal public support for the besieged Camp Crame group and thereafter, effectively instigated what has become to be known as "EDSA-I People's Power Revolution". And the rest is history...

Epilogue:
When "Ninoy" became a dream and "Cory" the reality after EDSA-I; when the plain housewife was transformed into Her Excellency Corazon C. Aquino-President of the Philippines, she depended to ilonggos; Franklin M. Drilon as Executive Secretary, Justice Raul M. Gonzales as Tanodbayan (Ombudsman) and Solicitor General Frank Chavez to face the tentacles of the deposed dictator.

Footnote:
In an article published in Philippine Daily Inquirer, Ilonggo Political writer Amando Doronila wrote that: People power movements have been an Imperial Manila phenomenon. Their playing field is EDSA. They have excluded the "provincianos" from their movement with their insufferable arrogance and snobbery ... ignoring the existence of the toiling masses and peasants in agrarian Philippines.

"Ang Pungsod Ilonggo" Newsletter of the Ilonggo Nation Movement (INM) Global Network: The Power Behind the Throne

2011-04-28T10:47:00.000-04:00

"Ang Pungsod Ilonggo" Newsletter of the Ilonggo Nation Movement (INM) Global Network: The Power Behind the Throne: "THE POWER BEHIND THE THRONE (By: dinggol a.divinagracia -INM Banwa_Mo *October 15, 2007) Behind the success or failure of Filipino Leader..."

The Moro Peoples' Conflict, the Ilonggos and Deuterium

2009-12-03T14:54:00.010-05:00

The Moro Peoples' Conflict, the Ilonggos, and Deuterium
(By: dinggol araneta divinagracia)

Long before "Kamikaze" zero fighter planes hovered over the horizon during the last stages of WWII and even much earlier before todays "Jihadist" martyrs resorted to suicide bombings; our Muslim brothers in the south, fighting to defend their cultural identity and to preserve their religious patrimony had already instilled fear in the heart of the infidels --because of the brave and determined "Huramentados"

It took the invention of Colt 45's knocking power during US war of conquest in Mindanao at the turn of the last century, led by Gen. John "Black Jack" Pershing, to neutralize waves of attack by these fanatical moro holy warriors

In the 1950's --with the governments "Land for the Landless" program during the CIA-backed Presidency of Ramon Magsaysay, a great number of Christian settlers from Ilocandia; the Hukbalahap veterans of Central Luzon; and the Ilonggo-Cebuano Bisayans emigrated to the "Land of Promise".

Thereafter, an uprising that broke out in 1948 with a few hundred men led by Tausog leader "Kamlon" of Sulu escalated into a full blown rebellion. After the loss of so many lives and destruction of so many properties, but due they say, to old age he just faded into oblivion. Others believed his close friend Jose "Bano" Escribano, the Ilonggo Mayor of Tacurong, Cotabato later was able to appease the brave old Muslim Rebel.

Peace reigned in Mindanao and the multinational giants; Dole Philippines, Firestone Rubber Company, Etc. were later established that generated jobs by the thousands. Earlier B.F. Goodrich started operations in 1919, Del Monte through a subsidiary in 1925, and Goodyear in 1929. These big companies then owned lands by the thousands of hectares.

Going back to the government transistion period in 1935. Commonwealth Act No. 141 was signed into law by President Manuel L. Quezon --Section 84 declared all ancestral lands in Mindanao as public lands.

The Moros and other ethnic groups were deprived of lands once owned by their ancestors. A Moro may own only 4-hectares; a Christian settler was allowed to own 24-hectares while Filipino Corporations of up to 1,024-hectares.

The smart alecks, both foreign and local were then able to legally convert ancestral domains into dynastic corporate empires and they became the new breed of oligarchy --the modern day illustrados that eventually controlled the economy and political scene in Mindanao.

In the early 1960's --massive rampage against families of peaceful Christian settlers in the south were systematically conducted by the "Black Shirts" and later by the notorious "Barracudas" ; the groups of Muslim seccessionist under the Muslim/Mindanao Independence Movement (MIM) formed by Datu Udtog Matalam in Central Mindanao. To protect themselves, these early Christian settlers led by the magnificent seven (7) Ilonggo Mayors in Mindanao organized themselves into what turned out to be the most dreaded "anti-moro" group of them all the "ILAGA" . Headed by Ilonggos from Panay, the most prominent were Norberto Manero, Jr. of Janiuay, Iloilo; his wife Leonarda "Kumander Inday" Lacson and an obscure simple farmer from Antique, named Feliciano Luces alias "Kumander Toothpick". The brutality pertetuated by some Ilaga (Ilonggo for Rat) members in treating their adversaries gained them utmost notoriety.

In the 1972 election, Col. Carlos B. Cajelo of Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo who nurtured the Ilaga Movement, defeated Datu Udtog Matalam as Governor of Cotabato in Central Mindanao; and served as the longest elected governor of the province for 12 years.

During the late 1960's, the clandestine "Operation Merdeka"; Malacanangs' grand plan to destablize and take over Sabah from the Malaysians, using the Jabidah Special Forces was concieved. Maj. Eduardo Martelino of Kalibo, Aklan an articulate and dashing Army officer of the Office of Civil Affairs under the DND was tasked to head the core group that planned and implemented the project. He was a graduate of the Infantry School in Fort Benning in the U.S. and the Defense Information School of the U.S. Armed Forces, the precursor of the psychological warfare school of Fort Bragg. Maj. Eddie Martelino then settled in Simunol Island in Tawi Tawi, Sulu; purportedly converted into Islam as "Abdul Latif"; married a young local lass and named after her the recruitment and training camp for Jabidah Special Forces - "Camp Sofia".

In March of 1968, the massacre of at least 23 Jabidah trainees on Corregidor island for the Sabah Mission sparked another Muslim rebellion and gave birth to the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) led by University of the Philippines Professor Nurullaji "Nur" Misuari and other young Muslim Intellectuals who disregarded the traditional muslim elitist leaders.

Once again, the south turned red in the ensuing battles between government forces and the MNLF. To supplement the AFP, Malacanang directed the creation of the dreaded "Lost Command" composed mostly of undesirables and para-military groups of ilonggo mercenaries under the command of Col. Carlos Palabrica "Ladi" Lademora of Iloilo. Col. Lademora's Lost Command exploits in unorthodox guerrilla warfare that was feared not only in Mindanao; was dismantled after the Marcos regime.

In the early 1990's, Abdurajak Abubakar Janjalani of Basilan, whose ilongga mother was from a central town in Iloilo became the principal founder of the Abu Sayyaf Group, a radical Muslim organization with links to Al Queda. He was a student of a fundamentalist imam in a Muslim community in the Christian city of Zamboanga when he joined the mujahaddins to fight in Afghanistan. When he died in an encounter a few years ago, his brother Kadaffy took over leadership of the ASG but was also allegedly killed later.

Today, history repeats itself in Morolandia. News report confirms the on-going war that sadly reveal AFP tragic soldiers on the losing end not necessarily because of inferior armaments but mainly due to series of error in judgement committed by their superior military officers. It likewise, exposed the suspected ulterior motives of some high ranking local government officials for economic advantage. Thus, Senate Probe in this regard is in progress.

But what is alarming, are reports that US Special Forces in full combat gear were sighted within the war zones which is contrary to and in violation of the existing U.S.-Philippine Visiting Forces Agreement or VFA.

Skeptics say, we may not have enough black gold or fossilized oil deposit to warrant foreign intervention. But perhaps, the rich "Deuterium" deposit, the fuel of the future that is in abundance beneath the ocean floor of the Visayan Seas that connects to the Mindanao Deep could be the magnet to justify the next venue of a full scale war against global terrorism in Mindanao.

GOD FORBID!

(Source: INM Banwa_Mo eGroup -August 20, 2007)

ANNOUNCEMENT

2009-12-03T14:30:00.002-05:00

From: Mauro Somodio <maurosomodio@y7mail.com>Date: Wed, Nov 25, 2009 at 4:59 PM
Subject: ANNOUNCEMENTS
NONG , PALIHOG NI POST SA ILONGGO NATION BULLETIN NATON... MERRY CHRISTMAS... THANKS॥ MAU
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What: CPUAA-NORTH TEXAS Thanksgiving Dinner celeब्रतिओं
When: Saturday, November 21, 2009, 6:00 – 11:00 PM
Where: Oasis at Joe Pool Lake, Upstairs banquet रूम
Attire: Semi-formalDinner buffet, music, dancing, special numbers, door prizes, Karaoke singing contest, general fun and fellowship$ 20 per person to Rhodora Regalado Perez, 5908 End O’Trail, Fort Worth, TX 76112.Email SALLY PHILLIPS, Irsphillips@yahoo.com, if you have questions।
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Saturday, November 28, 2009, 5:00-9:00
PMCPUAA-GREATER TORONTO CHAPTER Thanksgiving and Christmas PartyWilmar Heights United Church967 Pharmacy Avenue, Scarborough, OntarioEveryone is invited।For information, call GERRY FALCO at 416-284-5076।
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Saturday, December 5, 2009, 11:००
AMCPUAA-SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Christmas PartySan Marino Masonic Center3130 Huntington Drive, San Marino, CA 91108 (Tel। 626-285-3156)Potluck, Games, Raffle।Everyone is invited।For more information, call PHOEBE MARAVILLA at 909-396-8323 or Helen Lebiga at 949-654-7606.
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Saturday, December 5, 2009, 11:३०
CPUAA-NORTHEASTERN USA Christmas PartyCalvary Baptist Church of Clifton, New JerseyLexington (462) & Clifton Avenues, Clifton, NJSpeaker: Dr। Carla Romarate-KnipelPotluck luncheon, singing, games and a Christmas programCPU alumni and friends are welcome.For inquiries, call MANUEL MAWE DE LA FUENTE at 973-204-5816.
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Saturday, December 12, 2009, 4:00 PM
CPUAA-LAS VEGAS Christmas PartyResidence of Bob and Riza Smith6050 Daisy Run Ct, Las Vegas, NV 89120Come and enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner!$5।00 per person, work volunteers are welcome.All Centralians and friends who are visiting Las Vegas are invited.Contact RIZA PROXIMO SMITH at 702-434-7286 or DANNY DAMASCO at 702-457-1784.
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Saturday, December 12, 2009, 5:00 – 9:00 PM
CPUAA-MIDWEST CHICAGO Annual Christmas PartyNorthwest Filipino Baptist Church1900 Nerge Road, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 (Tel. 847-352-1968)FREE Dinner in thankfulness for God’s blessings!A free-will offering will be taken for CPU’s God’s GRACE Feeding Program.Please bring gifts for your children for Santa Claus to distribute during the Children’s time.Everyone is invited.Contact YOLY PEÑACERRADA JAIN to reserve and for information at 847-827-7421.
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Mauro SomodioAllSafe International Pty/Ltd.Brisbane, Queensland BranchTel. (07) 32169808Mob. 0404 663 ९७८
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Mauro SomodioTFC ABS-CBN DealerBrisbane, Australia Tel. (07) 32169808Mob. 0404 663 978
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Mauro SomodioFounding President- Filipino- Australian Foundation of Queensland Inc।PO Box 206COOPERS PLAINS QLD 4108AUSTRALIA
www.fafq.org.auTel. (07) 32169808Mob. 0404 663 978

2009-11-23T01:33:00.002-05:00

WHERE DO YOU BELONG?
The Filipinos of today, wherever they may be, belong to these political spectrum:

1) The Sige lang...
2) The Walang Paki???
3) The Tama na!!!

I - THE SIGE LANG..

A- The first group are those who at all cost shall do anything and everything to preserve the status quo. With rampant graft and corruption in all levels of government, they never had it sooooo good!

1) The Oligarchy: the modern day illustrados, control the economy and big media outlets; brainwashing engine targetting the vulnerable masa. More often than not also controls the political landscape in their respective fiefdom. It is common knowledge that these few big landlords circumvented the laws at the expense of the many poor farmers; deprived of their land, life and dignity due to legal maneuvers, just so these vultures of society could expand their "Emperium Negosiurum".

2) The Nouveau Riche: Mostly high ranking government officials who provided for their future during the heydays of martial law and the present day smart alecks (illegal operators) with right connect. See their big businesses and palatial homes, in exclusive enclaves around the country, even abroad.

3) The Political Dynasties: The "Pseudo Royalties -The patriarch is "King Senator/Congressman", the matriarch is "Queen Governor", their siblings or children "Prince/ss Mayor" their spouse/s, "Prince/ss Board Members/Councilors" etc, etc, etc. Their favorite dance "Rigodon de Familia" everytime elective tenure expires. While their constituents, pobresitos and pobresitas.

4) The Traditional Politicians: These "trapos" believe in the dictum "sometimes you win; sometimes you loss". Behind the political cloud the sun also rises. The political merry-go-round spins like the windmill of their mind never ending, nor beginning. But the perpetual poverty of their constituents remain.

It is regretable, indeed, that even idealistic officers of the law, those who have steadfastly avoided the "ogres" that had swallowed Filipino society; sometimes have no choice but to follow the whims and caprices of the afore-mentioned group against the "taong bayan" because of their sworn duties to uphold. While those brute "Moonlighters" always serve their masters blindly.

B- The second group are what we call the "Baka Sakali" .These people are still hoping against hope for a miracle of a clean, honest and orderly election to come. POR DIOS POR SANTOS!! ANO BA KAYO! With the present maladies that afflicts our nation; the blatant vote selling (placard bearing in slum areas) and systematic vote buying at iba pa! When will you realize its futility? That's what we call "Suntok sa buwan, jab sa langit" or in latingo lingo (latin-ilonggo), "Asalom Tubolum".

II- "THE WALANG PAKI??" This group, I hope does not comprise the majority of our "kababayan" who see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil. They are comfortably contented, mindless of the apathy and injustice around them and prefer to play stupidly safe. Bahala na! Their favorite song "Que sera, sera" Whatever will be will be. The truth of the matter they are the cowards of the country. The hotest spot in hell is reserve for this kind of people with no conviction.

III- "THE TAMA NA!!!"

A- The first group comprises the young and the young once from all sectors of Filipino society including OFWs' and advantaged Filipino expatriates with patriotic fervor, who silently shed their blood, sweat and tears to keep Philippine economy afloat. This group are feed-up and wanted a change by whatever means as long as for the betterment of the Filipino People.

B- The second group are the armed elements in the Philippines:

1) The Military Reformist:

While some who have tasted power during the martial law era and were swallowed by the System wanted "the return of the comeback!" sabi dah! to sing "Happy days are here again" there are still others who are seriously taking things with noble purpose. If we could blend the vim, vigor and vitality of these idealistic young officers in active duty with the experience and wisdom of likewise, idealistic retired officers who had tried hard but nonetheless failed to cure the "Cancer of Filipino Society" what a relief it would be.

2) The NDF-CPP-NPA:
The seemingly never ending struggle for national democracy of our brothers from the left shall only be supported by majority of their kababayans if and when they abruptly renounce the 'Godless Foreign Ideology", that is gradually fading in the global scene.

In short: NDF, maybe! - NPA, perhaps! - but CPP, a "BIG NO!!" NEVER! The question: why wage war with the lowly soldiers and policemen just doing their duties? Why not with the "ogres" themselves? I wonder why? I really wonder why?..

Instead of fighting each other, since they share common objective: to defeat the "ogres" and reform society, why not do your patriotic duty and offer these few "Incorrigibles" in the altar of righteousness. It would be hypocritical to say you do not know these people, as we're sure you do.

To sacrifice simultaneously 5 or 10 in every Region is relatively very low compared to the millions of Filipinos who shall be benefited. And more importantly, the impact to discipline the whole Filipino Nation.

Yes, mga kababayan "Discipline is the name of the game"... and very soon! ... or forever perish as a people.

Where do you belong?

dinggol araneta divinagracia

ANNOUNCEMENT

2009-11-01T02:18:00.005-05:00

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ASSOCIATION OF ILONGGOS OF METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON D.C.(AIM) INC.
(Tax exempt: Section 501-c (3) U.S. Internal Revenue Code IRS No. 52-1818814)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-
Invitation to a semi-formal "DINNER-DANCE" on a Saturday - November 7, 2009

From: 6:00 p.m. up to midnight * Dinner starts exactly at 7:00 p.m. and Dancing thereafter.
Venue: WOODS COMMUNITY CENTER - 10100 Wards Grove Circle, Burke, Va. 22015
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This socio-civic activity is with the kind support of the following groups:
* KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS (Fr. Diamond Council 6292) Fairfax, Virginia
* "Ang Pungsod Ilonggo" the eNewsletter of the Ilonggo Nation Movement
* MIGRANT HERITAGE COMMISSION, INC. -shall render cultural presentation for free.

Your tax deductible donation of $25.00 each is intended for relief assistance to the victims of the recent great typhoons "Ondoy" and "Peping" that brought havoc to the Metro Manila area and its environs in the Philippines.

Please issue check payable to AIM, INC. - Thank you!
For Reservation, contact: Mrs. Thelma N. Billy-Member, Board of Directors and Chairperson, Special Projects Committe-AIM, Inc. at Tel. No. (703) 323-6470 & (703) 887-8150(mobile) or send an email to Mr. Rudy "Dinggol" Divinagracia -Executive Vice-President, AIM, Inc. at:
dinggol1023@gmail.com (Visit AIM, Inc. website at: www.tabligan.org/AIM )

The 2010 Ilonggo Presidentiables

2009-10-14T02:30:00.009-04:00

This article was first posted almost two years ago, when these incumbent senators where still toying with the idea of throwing their hats in the presidential derby of 2010.
~~~~~~~~~~~oo0oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THE 2010 ILONGGO PRESIDENTIABLES
(By: dinggol a.divinagracia -INM Banwa_Mo *October 15, 2007)

When Ilonggo-at-heart incumbent President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s term in Malacanang is over, the following ilonggos are believed to have greater chances of taking over the reins of the government. (Alphabetical order):

* Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Morena Lacson
"Ping" was born of modest and humble but upright parentage in Imus, Cavite. His paternal ancestor belongs to the Lacson clan of “Parian” now Molo in Iloilo City.

In the middle part of the 1800’s, some members of the more adventurous prominent “Pari-anons”; such as the Yulos' & Yusays'; the Lacsons' & Locsins'; the Aranetas', Salases and de la Ramas' migrated to Negros Island and engaged in large scale sugar plantation. Years later, some family members went farther north with the expansion of the sugar industry and establishment of modern sugar mills in Luzon. These are the forebears of the Yulo’s and Lacsons who settled in the Calabarzon Area and Central Luzon, and the Araneta’s and Locsin’s in the Bicol Region.

Senator Ping Lacson graduated from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class of 1971 and Master in Government Management at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila in 1996.

With his outstanding service record in the Philippine National Police, he was eventually promoted as Chief of PNP. As the top Police Officer, he was able to effectively instill strict discipline in the national police force and raised the morale of it’s officers by instituting the “No Take” policy and succeeded in eradicating the corrupt culture attributed to policemen. Thru his efforts, police efficiency greatly improved. Thus, PNP achieved 58% public approval rating --the highest ever in PNP’s history and 78% approval rating for himself. For financial assistance especially to the rank and file in the Police force, he founded the PNP Foundation, Inc.

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson was elected Senator in May 2001 and has continually proven himself up to the present, as a no-nonsense legislator and as the fearless voice of the people in the upper chamber of Congress.

His Personal Dictum: “What is right must be kept right. What is wrong must be set right.”

* Sen. Loren Bautista Legarda
"Loren's" maternal grandparents belong to the illustrious Gella clan of Antique. She is the only daughter of Antonio Cabrera Legarda of San Pablo, Laguna and Manila and the late Bessie Gella Bautista of Antique and Malabon. She is the granddaughter of one of the late pillars of Philippine journalism, Jose P. Bautista, editor-in-chief of the pre-Martial Law Manila Times. Loren decided to follow her paternal grandpa’s footsteps in the field of Journalism.

She was cum laude at the University of the Philippines where she obtained a degree in broadcast communication. Loren Legarda soon became an icon in T.V. broadcast media that catapulted her in the political arena.

Loren’s estranged husband, former Batangas Governor Antonio Leviste, grabbed headlines in mainstream media recently for his confessed involvement in shooting to death a company employee.

As a legislator, Loren has proven herself as staunch advocacte for Law and Order, Rights of Women, Youth and Children, Education, Environment and Employment; and Nationalism.

Senator Loren Legarda is the only woman in Philippine political history who has topped the Senate race twice, in the 1998 and in the 2007 senatorial elections.

* Sen. Manuel “Mar” Araneta Roxas II
"Mar" who hails from the Province of Capiz is an Economist. He is the grandson and namesake of past Philippine President Manuel Acuna Roxas of Capiz and Trinidad de Leon of Bulacan.

He is the son of late Senator Gerry Roxas and Judy Araneta y Araneta de Roxas of the old rich ilonggo family. His maternal grandfather the late Don J. Amado ”Amading” Araneta of Negros Occidental, was the founder of the Cubao, Q. C. multi business empire that includes the world reknowned dome “ARANETA” coliseum. He is a bachelor, who is alleged to be romantically link to one of the most popular ABS-CBN broadcaster Karina Sanchez,

Senator Mar Roxas a.k..a. “Mr. Palengke” proved his expertise in economy as former Secretary of Trade and Industry and political savvy during his term as Congressman of the first district of Capiz. He ran for senator in the 2004 election and was number one --with the highest votes ever garnered by a national candidate in the history of Philippine electoral process.

* Sen. Miriam Palma Defensor-Santiago
"Inday Miriam" was born in Iloilo City to Judge Benjamin Defensor and Dimpna Palma . She graduated class valedictorian in both elementary and high school levels. She also graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of the Philippines. She finished it in only three and a half instead of four years. She made history as the first female editor-in-chief of "The Philippine Collegian" in its fifty years of existence as UP's student newspaper.

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, the multi-awarded scholar and public servant and is considered a "Maverick" in the senate is now on her second term as Senator of the Philippines.

(excerpted from Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago's Biography):
"Miriam Defensor Santiago became globally famous with her courageous and brilliant crusade against corruption in the Philippines. As a result, at 43, she was named Laureate of the Asian Nobel Prize, known as the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service. She was cited "for bold and moral leadership in cleaning up a graft-ridden government agency."

Miriam was widely featured in the international press because of her charisma, flamboyant personality, and her signature witticisms, making her good copy. In 1997, the Australian magazine named her one of "The 100 Most Powerful Women in the World."

In later years, Miriam was keynote speaker of the international anticorruption conference in Sydney, Australia. As senator, she sponsored and secured ratification by the Philippine Senate of the UN Convention Against Corruption. Miriam ran for President of the Philippines in 1992, and led in the canvass of nationwide votes for the first five days. But she was ultimately defeated by a margin of less than a million votes out of 36 million votes.

The campaign was reportedly marred by widespread election fraud, notably power blackouts after the first five days. The public outrage over the presidential results prompted Newsweek to feature her and her rival on the cover with the question: "Was the Election Fair?" In another cover story, Philippine Free Press magazine asked: "Who's the Real President?"

Inday Miriam Defensor-Santiago, "Pride of the Ilonggos".

* Sen. Manuel “Manny” Bamba Villar, Jr.
This incumbent Senate President, was born in Tondo, Manila to Curita Bamba of Pampanga and Bataan. His father Manuel Montalban Villar, Sr. of Cabatuan, Iloilo grew up in Tanza, Iloilo City. At an early age, Manny helped in his parents seafoods dealership business in Divisoria. As a working student, he finished at the University of the Philippines where he earned a degree in Business Administration.

He was employed in several prestigious Firms for quite sometime, until he decided to engage in gravel and sand business that eventually lead him to establish one of the largest development firms in the Southeast Asian region, the Camella & Palmera Homes. His C & P Homes started as low-cost housing projects that later became high scale under the brand name Crown Asia.

Senator Manny Villar earned citations as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of 1986, the Agora Award for Marketing Management in 1989 and Most Outstanding CPA by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in 1990. In 2004, he was named the Most Distinguished UP Alumnus—the highest recognition given by the UP Alumni Association --for his exemplary public service and achievements.

He was already a successful businessman, when he ventured into politics and was elected in a landslide victory as Congressman of Las Pinas in 1992. Later he was chosen to be the Speaker of the House of Representatives. In May 14, 2001 he won in the national election as Senator of the Philippines. On his first day in office, he was selected as Senate President Pro Tempore, the position he held until 2003, that paved the way for his unanimous election as Senate President on July 24, 2006.

He is recognized as the richest legislator in Philippine history where he was consistently the richest congressman from 1992 to 2001 and richest senator from 2001 until today.

Senate President Manny Villar, is married to Congresswoman Cynthia Aguirre-Villar, of the wealthy and influential Aguirre clan in Las Pinas. She is the richest legislator in the lower house of Congress, representing the lone District of Las Pinas.
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ANNOUNCEMENT

2009-10-07T00:53:00.010-04:00

2010 CPU Global Grand Reunion
JULY 1, 2, 3 2010
EMBASSY SUITES SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
250 GATEWAY BLVD.
SOUTH SAN FRANCISO, CA 94080

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE:

Fellow Alumni and Friends,

Come and join in the fun, fellowship and camaraderie with “old” and new friends.

Come to relive treasured school day memories and make new ones. Come to show your support for the school that provided excellent education and training. Come because you believe in what Reunions are all about—bridging the separation brought about by time and distance, so that we can once again celebrate as one body, our Central Spirit.

I thank God that we are able to make the 6th Global Reunion a reality in San Francisco, CA USA on July 1, 2, & 3 2010. Your presence is vital to the success of this endeavor. Please send your registration early to avail of special pricing in both registration and lodging. Invite your friends and family to join you—the more, the merrier.

Our theme: Enrichment in Times of Change. Even as we remember our past, let us look with anticipation and joy to the years to come; more importantly, let us appreciate the blessings we enjoy today, and make special moments with those whose lives are entwined with ours, through our common heritage and God’s love.

I look forward to seeing you next July. May God bless our plans.

Perla Guillergan Londres
CPUFOAA President

REGISTER TODAY!
COME AND JOIN THE FELLOWSHIP, FUN AND EXCITEMENT!!!
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TYPHOON ONDOY FUNDRAISING

CPUFOAA Family,

I had written Dr. Ted Robles and Mr. Rey Cordova, CPU President and President of the CPUAA--MM chapter respectively, to inquire as to the process to use to provide aid to our country men and women in the wake of Ondoy and the possibility of more severe weather in the near future. Following is the relevant excerpt of the message I received tonight from Dr. Robles:

We at CPU are encouraging our constituents to donate for flood relief. Cash donations will be consolidated by our Outreach Office then channeled through Faith Baptist Church in Quezon City. I am going to discuss with the VP's how the University can help.

This event gives me an opportunity to roll out a significant break through for our FOAA efforts to facilitate the charitable gifts of our US-based alumni. Effective immediately, all donations channeled through the CPUFOAA for charitable purposes are tax deductible under section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code, as we have been determined as EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAX UNDER SECTION 501(c) (3) of the Code.

Therefore, please advise your members, other alumni, family and friends to send their donations to our attention, CPUFOAA, 440 S. Maple Avenue, Unit 2-S, Oak Park, IL 60302, and make the check out to Central Philippine University Federation of Overseas Alumni Associations, Inc. (CPUFOAA). In the Notes section of the check, please note the recipient/purpose, and in this instance, Flood Relief will suffice. The CPUFOAA will remit all donations in its entirety to Central Philippine University to be distributed to the appropriate agency in the Philippines for the use of the flood victims. All donations will be duly noted and confirmations will be sent to the donors by ourselves, as well as, acknowledgments from CPU and/or its associated agency/ies. We will make arrangements with CPU to release equivalent funds in the quickest possible way so aid could be timely.

I appreciate any and all efforts to support the urgent and massive need back home. To the extent that you and your circle of influence are able, please be generous with your donations. Most importantly, continue to take the people in need to the Lord in prayer, as He alone can offer true deliverance.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow--He is faithful and is with us through plenty and in want. Who knows, in these hard times, good fruit for His purpose may come about.

Best to you and yours, Perla
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Nong Dinggol, Palihog man ni announce sa aton Ilonggo Nation News...Thanks guid...

Mauro Somodio
Founding President-Filipino-Australian Foundation of Queensland Inc.
PO Box 206
COOPERS PLAINS QLD 4108
AUSTRALIA
www.fafq.org.au (Tel. (07) 32169808/Mob. 0404 663 978)

Sri Visaya and the Legend of the 10 Datus

2009-09-19T02:03:00.000-04:00

Sri Visaya and the Legend of the 10 Datus
(By: Dr.Jose Palu-ay Dacudao-INM: Butuan City, Philippines)

“Ice had formed ahead of them, and it reached all the way to the sky. The people could not cross it… A Raven flew up and struck the ice and cracked it. Coyote said, “These small people can’t get across the ice.” Another Raven flew up again and cracked the ice again. Coyote said, “Try again.” Raven flew up again and broke the ice. The people ran across.”

(A Legend of the Paiute ethnic people, describing a time more than 10,000 years ago when their ancestors braved the glaciers of the ice age as they traveled from Asia to America.)

I was just reading an article on Russian History. The Russians start their story at their roots as a Slavic ethnic people during pre- Christian times, inhabiting Eastern Europe . The eastern Slavic tribes were eventually organized by Scandinavian traders called Varangians or Rus (from where Russians took their ethnic name) into a single state in the 800s. These Rus established the ruling House of Ryurik around that time. In 882 AD, Kiev and Novgorod (the two main Eastern Slavic principalities) were united as the state of Kievan Rus under a single ruler from the house of Ryurik. In 980 Vladimir I (son of Svyatoslav, a warrior king who spent his entire life conquering and expanding Kievan Rus) became ruler. Eight years later he converted to Orthodox Christianity and made Orthodoxy the official religion of Kievan Rus. The Church of the Rus used Slavonic (the language of the Slavs as it was known then) in its liturgy. The present-day Russian, Ukrainian, and Belorussian nations trace their ethnic and political lineage to the Kievan Rus.

Notice that the Russians always start at their origins as an ethnic people, speaking a distinct language. So do practically all nations and nationalities today. If so, there is something grossly askew with the way history is being taught in Philippine schools..

As told in all Philippine schools by the Manila-based Educational curriculum:

NOTHING whatever is mentioned of the origins of the ethnic peoples of the Philippines .

The Russians clearly know that they are a Slavic people, defined by a Slavic language, and a distinct history.. What do we Visayans know of our ethnic origins? Mostly NOTHING, but it’s not our fault because our Educational system is controlled by Tagalista Institutions and individuals who mostly tell THEIR story, which naturally tends to be a Tagalog story, with Tagalog heroes and movements. OUR fault is that we take this propaganda standing down, when we should be telling the story of our people to our children from OUR point of view.

The usual tale (as told by Manila-based institutions) of the Philippines starts when the Portugese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, under the auspices of the Spanish Government, ‘discovered’ the Philippines in 1521. The Tagalogs then were simply ‘taga-ilog’ or literally ‘people living by the river’.

This is not so with the Visayans.

In disinterested sources, the first polity that is always mentioned as having influence in what today is called the Philippines is always the SRI VISAYA Empire. For instance, regarding the only major polity that affected pre-Spanish Philippines , the Encyclopedia Encarta, says:

“By the 12th century ad the powerful Sumatra-based Malay kingdom of Sri Vijaya had extended its considerable influence to the Philippines .”

Present day Visayan languages have practically dropped the phonemes ‘v’ and ‘j’ and so we would pronounce ‘Sri-Vijaya or ‘Shri-Vishaya’ (as written in literature) as ‘siri-bisaya’.

From the Cappeller Sanskrit English Dictionary [

Entry viSaya

Meaning m. reach, sphere, domain, province, country; the right place for (gen.);

‘Sri’ or ‘Shri’ is a Hindu-Budhist Indian honorific. Kabisayaan then literally means ‘Our Country’. To speak ‘Binisaya’ means speaking our own language. ‘Bisaya nga manok’ means native chicken.

What was the Sri Visayan Empire? If one were to surf the internet, one would quickly discover that the Sri Visaya was the longest living Empire in history, outlasting even the Roman Empire in its longevity. It had its origins in the 400s (possibly even as early as 200 AD) and died out in the 1300s. Our neighbors in Indonesia , Malaysia , and Brunei seem to be making capital out of this fact, and seem to be presenting themselves to the world community as the direct political and cultural descendants of longest Empire the world has ever known.

The Sri Visayan rulers were converted to Buddhism early in their history. (There are indications that Buddhism mostly stayed as a court religion, with most ordinary citizens remaining animists, and even much of the nobility seemed to have been interested in Buddhism more for its magical aspects rather then its theological message.) Practically all culturally advanced artifacts dug up in Archipelagic Asia more than a thousand years ago have something to do with the Sri Visaya. Its culture included impressive iron, glass, and dyed fabric technology. A culture that could produce iron implements is definitely not a pushover. The lifeblood of this Empire was the sea-based Persian trade route (the alternative trade route to the land-based Silk Route used by the famous explorer Marc Polo) between Europe and China , and its boat-making technology, which was a necessity in this trade, allowed it to span across the islands of Archipelagic Asia. At its peak, Sri Visaya had an army of 20,000, which could be regarded as small for its status, but then again Sri Visaya was fundamentally a tolerant economic Empire. It was multilingual, and allowed much autonomy for its component principalities, which might be one of the reasons why it lasted so long. (Pro-Federal readers who always argue for autonomy for the LGU’s should take heart in this.)

The Panay Atis may actually have a cultural memory of the Visayans’ arrival. One of the Ati sayings, describing a time when the Visayans still had not arrived in the Philipipines, goes as follows:

“Gurang tamon sa Bisaya,
Labi pa sa Katsila.”

As a matter of fact, we Ilonggo Visayans ourselves have a cultural memory of our ethnic ancestors’ arrival in the Visayas, in the often told tale of the 10 datus. As in all legends, this is just a legend and most disinterested archaeologists would concur that one should not take it too literally. However as with many legends, it is based on fact. Chinese Ming dynasty records (the Chinese were naturally friendly with the Sri Visayans who were their business partners) tell of mass migrations by Sri-Visayan datus fleeing from war-torn Sri-Visaya at its end in the 1300s, coinciding with the timeline of the legend of the 10 datus.

One of the versions of the legend of the 10 datus starts with civil strife in the troubled Sri-Visayan principality of Brunei Borneo just after the fall of the Empire in the 1300s. Sultan Makatunaw of Borneo proved to be such a tyrant that 10 of the nobility fled Borneo together with their clans in the giant outrigger boats typical of the seafaring Sri-Visayan culture, boats known to us as Balanghais, or Baranggays, or Biniray. (The mostly land-bound Chinese apparently had some respect for these boats, as they mention them in their records, as the boats of their Sri-Visayan business partners in the Persian trade.)

The 10 Bornean datus (among them Puti, Sumakwel, Dumangsil, Lubay, Balakasusa, Bangkaya, Paiburong, Dumalogdog), along with other personalities, to make the long legend short, arrived in Panay island, and then bought the whole island from the Ati Chief Marikudo with a golden necklace (upon the insistence of Marikudo’s wife Maniwantiwan) .

Perhaps every normal Ilonggo child grows up knowing that the Atis sold Panay to the Bisaya for a golden necklace. It is a living legend, one that is taught in homes and not in schools.

In actuality, Balanghais and other Sri-Visayan artifacts such as the golden tiara (not a golden salakot) have been dug up in Butuan, that indicate that Sri-Visaya had a presence in what today is the Philippines as far back as the 900s. Since the Philippines was directly in the trade route between the Sri Visayan capital of Palembang Sumatra and China , the Sri Visayans had to establish some kind of presence here, as indicated by such artifacts. Near the end of the Empire, the waves of Visayan migrations are remembered in our culture with legends such as the 10 datus (and officially in Ming Dynasty records).

While not literally accurate, and while these early Visayan migrants must have intermarried with other peoples, the legend carries a kernel of truth that we Visayans should be aware of:

That our ethnic identity is directly derived from the peoples of the great Sri-Visayan Empire, the longest lasting Empire in the world. We actually carry its name, passed on to us present-day Visayans for generations spanning more than a thousand years! Few ethnic peoples could boast of such a claim.

Let us do our ethnic ancestors proud!

After all these years we Visayans still carry the ethnic identity of this Empire. We are not told of this in our schools, controlled by Manila-based institutions, yet every child growing up in the Visayas and most parts of Mindanao is still imbibed with the ethnic identity of being ‘Bisaya’ for as long as he or she speaks one of the Visayan languages.

Next time someone from Manila or a Tagalista or plain ‘Taga-Ilog’ degrades our languages, culture, and identity, or insists on us speaking their language as it is in their opinion the ‘national language’, remember that. We Visayans had a long and glorious history beginning more than a thousand years before Magellan ever set foot here.

Mga Kasimanwa, do teach our Visayan languages to our children at home so that they will grow up as Visayans, and let us always lobby for the formal teaching of our languages in our schools!

MESSAGE FROM BANGKOK, THAILAND

2009-09-09T17:20:00.002-04:00

Saturday, 05 September 2009

FASTLANES: Rizal’s Tasio on Noynoy
(by BenCyrus G. Ellorin)

BANGKOK, Thailand (MindaNews/04 September)– “I honor the father on account of the son and not the son on account of the father.” - Jose Rizal in Noli Me Tangere, Chapter 14, English translation by Charles Derbyshire, 1912. The shallowness in our appreciation and analysis of social realities especially in the realm of politics is already synonymous to absurdity.

It betrays the Philippines’ glorious moments like when it won the revolution for independence against 333 years of Spanish Colonialism more than a hundred years ago and when we started the tide of bloodless regime changes all over the world with the People’s Power Revolution that toppled the diabolic dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos in 1986.

This shallowness may bespeak of our inferior social analysis skills to the point that it insults the profundity of the inspirations and sacrifices of Ninoy and Cory Aquino, two beacons of struggle for democracy.

I don’t know if it is lack of imagination or evil idolatry that is behind this looming movement to thrust Noynoy Aquino, Ninoy’s and Cory’s only son to run for President.

In light of the present circus in Philippine politics more than 120 years after the publication of the Dr. Jose Rizal’s novel Noli Me Tangere (Social Cancer), it may be fitting to revisit even just a chapter of the book, Chapter 14.

Tasio or Don Anastasio is an important character in Noli Me Tangere. He is an intelligent person coming from a rich family turned cynical by his frustrations over the rotteness of the country under Spain. His character gave scathing and accurate commentaries on the excesses and decadence of the theocratic Spanish colonial government.

Rizal’s creation of the character of Tasio is thought provoking and may provide some wisdom as we near the 2010 elections.

In one scene, a merry Tasio got a sarcastic remark from the Gobernadorcillo.

“The storm? Are you thinking of taking a bath?” said the Gobernadorcillo.

To which Tasio replied: “A bath? Not a bad idea, especially when one has just stumbled over some trash.”

The cynical Tasio was actually in “merry mood” as he was looking for something better like a storm which will bring “thunderbolts that will kill people and burn down houses.”

Throughout the book Rizal played magically with ironies and paradox and that scene was a paradox about the country under Spain. That it was in a worst situation than being hit by a vicious storm. It could also be the expression of exasperation “matamaan ka sana ng kidlat,” “makilatan ka unta” (may you be hit by lighting).

Tasio’s conversation with two sakristans (altar boys) who were later prominently portrayed by Rizal in the novel as Crispin and Basilio, children of the destitute mother Sisa is a livid commentary on the sufferings of Inang Bayan (Motherland) under the Spanish cross and sword.

What caught me as most fitting for our political situation and political exercises (in futility, I hope not) was Tasio’s conversation with Dona Teodora Vina about the arrival of Crisostomo Ibarra, son of the Don Rafael, a respectable elite who died after unjustly put behind bars at the behest of the vile friar Padre Damaso.

In a stirring rebuke to hypocritical sympathies and patronage, Tasio made it clear that he was not at all excited with the arrival of the son of Don Rafael, even as held the elder Ibarra in very high esteem.

“Ya Saba V., Senora, que no soy partidario de la monarquia hereditaria... honro al padre por el hijo pero no al hijo por el padre. Que cada uno reciba el premio el castigo por sus obras no por las de los otros.” (“But, madam, I am not a believer in hereditary monarchy. I honor the father on account of the son and not the son on account of the father. I believe that each one should receive the reward or punishment for his own deeds, not for those of another.”)

I have observed Noynoy at close range both in the August Hall of Congress and in meetings during the Congressional hearings of the second Impeachment of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as one of the citizen complainants of the 2006 complaint. To be clear about it, Noynoy is not a bad politician, neither can he be considered as a brilliant one. If that episode in our history is to be a measure, he paled in comparison to young oppositionists like Chiz Escudero and Alan Peter Cayetano, and even to the shouting TG Guingona.

We can go further, and a check with his lawmaking performance in the House of Representatives and now in the Senate wouldn’t make anyone grin with excitement either. Without the shining stars of his venerable parents Ninoy and Cory, Noynoy is a lackluster politician.

There are already many bugheads in the presidentiable list, the addition of another lackluster politician may not be comforting and not at all compelling.

With the country’s current unemployment rate at more than 30%, many Filipinos are hopelessly wandering in the streets or have chosen to abandon ship and find greener pastures elsewhere in the world as opportunity for upward social mobility seems to be exclusively franchised to the scions of the elites.

Thus the challenge for the 2010 elections if genuine political change is to be attained is for it to transcend patronage and transactional politics. It should be beyond entertainment and idolatrous hero worship.

There are many out there who have by far shown genuine vision and solid plans for the country but are not considered as mainstream to Philippines politics. They are definitely what we need now.

Otherwise, more than 120 years after Noli Me Tangere we as a nation is still a caricature of that distraught and destitute mother Sisa frantically shouting “Crispin! Basilio!” in some mortifying talent show of a barrio beauty pageant somewhere.

(Thanks! Segunda del Mar -INM WashingtonDC for forwarding this message)

Stop Coal Plants ... Or Else!

2009-09-06T13:07:00.005-04:00

STOP COAL PLANTS ... OR ELSE!

EPITAPH OF ILOILO
(Ni Agurang Rebohan - Abril 3, 2008)

Here, lies Iloilo, where once a cheerful, charming and creative people lived enjoying its bountiful natural resources.

The beauty of iloilo slowly and painfully faded away. The rich blue color of the waters turned black, the fresh air became poisonous, the crops and delightful marine sanctuaries were destroyed, and the once rich agricultural lands lay parched and bare.

It was two decades ago, that the City government allowed Panay Power Corporaton - Metro Bank to install the coal fired power plants in Iloilo City. They said that it was "for the betterment and progress of Iloilo" because coal power plants will address electricity shortages, lower the cost of electricity and bring in investment to Iloilo. Investments came but more on the pollutive types with strip mining at the forefront in Guimaras and Northern Iloilo.

When the coal power plants started operations, seawater immediately intruded in the aquifiers causing severe water crises in Metro Iloilo. Fishponds made unproductive with ash falls, fish fries became scarce and fish catch suffered when the seawater around the power plants heated up by about 3 degrees Celsius. Acid mists are constantrly felt in the sorrounding communities of the power plants.

The cost of electricity never went down, it even shoot up when the price of coal and freight tripled in less than 5 years. Power blackouts are now common because of problems in sourcing supply as Australia and Indonesia drastically cut their coal exports.

Seawater rose and much of the City is constantly inundated with dengue and other vector borne diseases claiming thousand of lives evey year. Climate has been unpredictable with heavy rainfall causing flashfloods and landslides and ultra-strong typhoons damaging homes and infrastructures.

Health advisories have been issued against eating fish, seashells and other marine products because of high levels of mercury, lead and other heavy metals contamination. Cancer, heart and lung ailments are now widespread with early and unexplained death common to every family in Iloilo. Children are observed with learning disabilities and psychiatric problems rampant.

Woe to the generation that allowed the establishment of the coal-fired power plants, why did they allow this monstrosity to happen? Why were their leaders so selfish and uncaring that they sacrificed Iloilo to ruthless growth?

Here lies Iloilo, abandoned and forgotten. A once proud and noble people but their leaders have forsaken them.
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Remarks!
Hi! Melvin, due to senior intellectual interlude I must have inadvertently over-looked posting this item of April last year while in Iloilo. My apologies! --- agurang dinggol.d~~~

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2009-09-03T04:20:00.004-04:00

Message from Bago City, Negros Occidental-Philippines

From: jimmy araneta
Subject: [aranetaclan] The DIFFERENCE!! !!
Date: Wednesday, August 19, 2009, 4:38 AM

The DIFFERENCE!! !!

Here is a good article sent by Dr. Arsenio Martin of Fort Arthur , Texas ...
Enjoy reading.

THE DIFFERENCE
The difference between the poor countries and the rich ones is not the age of the country:

This can be shown by countries like India & Egypt , that are more than 2000 years old, but are poor.

On the other hand, Canada , Australia & New Zealand , that 150 years ago were inexpressive, today are developed countries, and are rich.

The difference between poor & rich countries does not reside in the available natural resources.

Japan has a limited territory, 80% mountainous, inadequate for agriculture & cattle raising, but it is the second world economy. The country is like an immense floating factory, importing raw materials from the whole world and exporting manufactured products.

Another example is Switzerland , which does not plant cocoa but has the best chocolate in the world. In its little territory they raise animals and plant the soil during 4 months per year. Not enough, they produce dairy products of the best quality! It is a small country that transmits an image of security, order & labor, which made it the world's strongest, safest place. Or Finland a small country with small population who is known the world over as the maker of the cellphone brand NOKIA
Executives from rich countries who communicate with their counterparts in poor countries show that there is no significant intellectual difference.
Race or skin color are also not important: immigrants labeled lazy in their countries of origin are the productive power in rich European countries.
What is the difference then? The difference is the attitude of the people, framed along the years by the education & the culture & flawed tradition.

On analyzing the behavior of the people in rich & developed countries, we find that the great majority follow the following principles in their lives:
1. Honesty, as a basic principle.
2. Integrity.
3. Responsibility.
4. Respect to the laws & rules.
5. Respect for the rights of others
6. Creativity & Work ethics.
7. Strive for savings & investment.
8. Will of super action.
9. Punctuality.
10. and of course...Discipline

In poor countries, only a minority follow these basic principles in their daily life.

The Philippines is not poor because we lack natural resources or because nature was cruel to us. In fact, we are supposedly rich in natural resources.

We are poor because we lack the correct attitude. We lack the will to comply with and teach these functional principles of rich & developed societies.

If you do not forward this message nothing will happen to you. Your pet will not die, you will not be fired, you will not have bad luck for seven years, and also, you will not get sick or go hungry.
But those may happen because of your lack of discipline & laziness,
your love for intrigue and politics, your indifference to saving for the future, your stubborn attitude.
If you love your country, let this message circulate so that many Filipinos could reflect about this, & CHANGE, ACT!

Jimmy Araneta
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Reaction:

Salamat! Primo Jimmy, for transmitting this article "The Difference !!!!".

Excerpted: "...What is the difference then? The difference is the attitude of the people, framed along the years by the education & the culture & flawed tradition... ."
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Here's a portion of "Huwag Magpakatuta! !" published on October 1, 2007 in "Ang Pungsod Ilonggo" newsletter of the Ilonggo Nation Movement at www.ilonggoNation. blogspot. com that is relevant to the issue at hand;

" ...In recent history many Illustrados and scholars were housed, hosted and co-opted with the "Victors" --the early Colonizers and the Imperialists who came to fulfill our Manifest Destiny. This created a group of historians, the minions or "tuta" as propagandists with blind loyalty to their former Masters.-- at least for now. The Land of the Rising Sun also almost succeeded to implant their own brand of "our" history for future Filipino generations.

Ever since these lackey’s brain washing materials were adopted in Philippine Educational System, our grade school pupils learned and sang with negative notion: "I was poorly born on the top of the mountain"; My Nipa Hut is very small and Planting Rice is never fun". We know more about the history of the American Revolution and heroes; sang the Star Spangled Banner with patriotic fervor and Dreamt of a White Christmas. Worst, we had to pay fine for speaking our very own language in school campuses. The Good Manners and Right Conduct, a seperate Subject in Elementary Classes of the yesteryears was stricken-out in school curriculum.

Engrained in the minds of students, is a history of a failed Revolution, but glamorizing exploits of the Luzon Revolucionarios or losers. While the defeat and documented formal surrender of Spain to the victorious Independent Federal Visayan Republic; and the heroic saga of the unconquered Bangsa Moro Nation in Mindanao ---are scarely, if ever mentioned in school text books and only relegated to the dustbin of history. Thus, only to become a travesty of the past and lost in the hazy twilight of our memories.

These people even have the gall to initiate ahead the construction of Magellan shrine to be revered by Filipinos while naming a grouper fish "Lapu-Lapu" -- after our foremost hero, whose statue was erected very much later.

Presently, most of us still suffer the hang-over of Magellan discovering the "Islas" and W.H. Scott converts insistence of early Malay Datus from Borneo emigration to Panay in "Maragtas" a hoax. While ancient Chinese Ming Dynasty chronicles recorded otherwise... ..."

And so, perhaps, the objectionable attitude and incomprehensible character of many of us is anchored on the systematic indoctrination that was effectively implemented sadtong mga traidor nga nagdampig sa mga naglupig sa aton mga katigulangan.

ang sa guihapon... dinggol.d~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~oo0oo~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~

A "Sham" in the Heart of Iloilo City

2009-09-01T00:15:00.005-04:00

A “SHAM” IN THE HEART OF ILOILO CITY
(ni: agurang dinggol‍.d - Julio 13, 2007)
----
On December 27, 1898 - A few days after Spain's formal surrender and the Federal Republic of the Visayas based in Iloilo became independent; thus, achieved the status as a Sovereign Nation --a 3,000-strong American military force led by Gen. Marcus Miller arrived in four US warships (USS: Baltimore, Boston, Concord and Petrel) to Iloilo harbor in Fort San Pedro to demand the surrender of the City.
--
Several negotiations were made but the Ilonggos vehemently refused to surrender and stood their ground. On February 14, 1899 - After about a week of continued naval bombardment, American troops led by Gen. Robert Hughes landed at Fort San Pedro in Iloilo and took the City by storm. Thus; began another ilonggo war, this time against American invaders.
--
(Excerpted from: The Philippine-American War as Race War; by Paul A. Kramer)
"...This point was also made at Senate hearings in 1902, when General Hughes described the burning of entire towns by advancing U.S. troops as a means of "punishment, " ---U.S Senator Rawlins inquired: "But is that within the ordinary rules of civilized warfare?" General Hughes replied succinctly: "These people are not civilized."Gen. Robert Hughes admitted he ordered the burning of villages and murder of women and children but he reasoned out that his victims were "not civilized." Describing the Filipinos in racist terms as "Chinese half-breeds" ..."
--
Sa Ciudad sang Iloilo, may ara kita dira subong isa ka Barangay and a main Street very near Plaza Libertad going to Fort San Pedro, named in honor of this American Military Officer; the Barangay Gen. Robert Hughes and the Gen. Robert Hughes Street. While most Ilonggo leaders of our very own freedom fighters, who offered their lives for future generations are forgotten and do not have up to this day even just a small alley named in their honor...
---
Hamak Mo Ran Banwa!!!

Message from Iloilo City-Philippines

2009-08-22T00:54:00.002-04:00

Reaction to: History Reborn - The Federal Republic of the Visayas
From: Ramiro F. Esteban
Subject: An eyewitness to our folk heroes
-----
I am an eyewitness to the long forgotten heroes of the Filipino-Spanish war.
-----
I am proud of my forefathers -- Cols. Emilio and Eduardo Esteban who were sent on a mission by the chief of staff of the Visayan Revolutionary Army, Gen Pablo S. Araneta who was the elder brother of Chief Justice Gregorio Araneta, the drafter of the MalolosConstitution.
-----
Gen. Pablo S. Araneta ( whom I affectionately called Lolo Bo ) was a daily visitor of my grandmothers, Consuelo, Pilar and Josefa Locsin Araneta, from the 20s until December1941. A glass of beer is set ready for him as he comes in at 9 after coming from the bank.
-----
He would scan the Spanish dailies, El Sol, El Tiempo and El Debate. After a sumptuos lunch he would take a nap and stay for the evening radio newscast in Spanish at 5. At his late age he was quick with his hands and an expert in "arnis".
-----
Ironically we lived at 161 Gen. Hughes St., the street that extends from the southwest corner of Plaza Libertad to Fort San Pedro.
-----
Pilar Araneta our paternal grandmother was the widow of Col Emilio Esteban.
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ---
Salamat gid! Tioy Raming, sining mensaje mga imo ginpadala sadto. I was in Iloilo last Feb. 2008 when my mom passed away and was able to meet Cecile but neither you nor tita Emma personally. Basi sa Abril next year matigayod ina, kabay pa! ....matinahuron, dinggol.d~~~

Message from Oklahoma City-USA

2009-08-20T03:06:00.005-04:00

From: Francis Benjamin E. efrancisbenjamin@yahoo.com
Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2009 11:43:28

agurang dinggol,
balik ron takon sa cyberspace. ti, maano ruman taton?
---------------------------------------
(Response by email)

Ay abaw! Agurang Amin, nahidlaw man tamon kanimo bah!

What a coincidence! just a few days ago my internet access has also become relatively normal after more than a year under problematic condition. But now with a new wifi feature, i'll be able to conveniently resume moderating INM Banwa_Mo egroup and push through with the "Ang Pungsod Ilonggo" publication regularly.

Maano ruman taton? --ah ti ano fah! . . . kundi . . .Padayon ang Hublag Ilonggo !!!

Ang sa guihapon ... agurang dinggol~~~

Message from Finland

2009-08-20T01:44:00.005-04:00

(Sent thru Facebook.com)

"Hello! Agurang Dinggol kmzta taga Passi man tamon and proud to be a member of your INM.

For your information we have also Friendster Ilonggo Nation 27 members with respect kanimo nag pangayo man ko pahintulot nga mag butang grupo sa FS.

Thanks again. Mabuhay Ilonggo Nation....".

Oliver Panes Penaranda Decosto
Helsinki, Finland
-----------------------------------------------

(Response by email)

Salamat gid! Oliver sang inyo pagbuylog sa aton kausa....Padayon! Ang hublag ilonggo.... All the best ...dinggol.d~~~.
-----------------------------------------------------

The Divinagracias of Dumangas

2009-06-25T03:30:00.012-04:00

THE DIVINAGRACIAS OF DUMANGAS
(By: Dinggol Araneta Divinagracia - June 15, 2009)
--
Prologue
This article is written as a tribute to our early ancestors for their bold decision and pioneering spirit that eventually led to the founding of a once upon a time great "Ilonggo" nation; the "Katiringban et Madya-as" or the Confederation of Madya-as.
--
Likewise, this is prepared in conjunction with the sincere endeavor of my sister Ma. Lina Araneta Divinagracia. Lina actively spearheaded the celebration of the "First" Divinagracia Family Grand Reunion on April 29-30, 2010 in Iloilo, Philippines; a "Going Back to our Roots and Coming Together as One"--
--
The Early History * Genealogy
The Divinagracias of Dumangas, Iloilo (Philippines) are descended from the adventurous seafaring Malays of Kinabatangan in North Borneo. The Maragtas legend explained and the ancient Chinese Ming Dynasty Chronicle confirmed; that sometime between the 13th and 15th century, ten (10) Shri-vijayan datus together with their families, households and subordinates fled Bornay (Borneo) in search of a new life.
--
Led by the Sultanate Minister Datu Putih they sailed their "balanghai" unto uncertain fate and landed in Siruanga/Sirawagan (San Joaquin-Iloilo) in the island of Aninipay (Panay). They bartered their gold and jewelries with the local "Ati" Chieftain Marikudo for the lowlands, plains and valleys of the island they called "Madya-as" or paradise. The land where time began the birth of the Ilonggo Nation and the cradle of ancient Filipino civilization.
--
After partitioning Madya-as into Akean (Aklan and Capiz), Irong-irong (Iloilo) and Hamtic (Antique) to be ruled by Datu Bankaya, Paiburong and Sumakwel respectively; Datu Putih and the other tribal leaders settled along the banks of the river by the sea with rich, fertile soil and abundant marine products and they called the place "Araut".
--
Thereafter, the council of elders established the "Katiringban et Madya-as" or the Confederation of Madya-as headed by Datu Sumakwel. This confederated political form of governance preceded great nations in Europe and the Americas, including the USA.
--
Excerpted from: Chronology of the Ancient Chinese Ming Dynasty and Islamic Influences by Ghou Zhongli.
"...1433 AD - A Seven-Datu-Council codified the Code of Kalantiaw (by Kalantiaw) and the Maragtas Code (by Sumakwel) for the people of Panay Island; Three Adatus from the original ten who came to Panay left for Batangas and Mindoro; Datu Putih was one of them but eventually returned to North Borneo from where no trace of him was found...."
--
Years later, one of his Malay grandson Raja-mun together with his family left Araut and settled in Kaputatan (Pototan-Iloilo); while his closest brother Raja-il stayed behind. Historians believed that when the Spaniards first came during the hot summer of 1565, they found the "noble bearing" Malay settlers in Araut to be warm-hearted, friendly and hospitable. Thus, they renamed Araut "Dumangas" (Naga duga ang mangas)..-which means "Very warm" There are other interpretations on how Dumangas got its present name.
--
Excerpted from Jose Rizal's essay "The Indolence of the Filipinos" originally written in Spanish and published in La Solidaridad on September 15, 1890 (English translation by Charles Derbyshire.
"..Part Three"...Wherefore, Gaspar de San Agustin says: "Although anciently there were in this town of Dumangas many people, in the course of time they have very greatly diminished because the natives are the best sailors and most skillful rowers on the whole coast, and so the governors in the port of Iloilo take most of the people from this town for the ships that they send abroad..."
--
To facilitate governmental administrative functions; primarily the collection of taxes and because native names did not favor the ignorant ears and indolent tongues of the Spanish conquistadores, Governor General Don Narciso Claveria y Zaldua issued an Executive Edict on November 21, 1849; that forced our complacent ancestors to change their names and adopted the surname "Divinagracia".
--
The first recorded Divinagracia, that I know was Don Rafael Divinagracia , the third Gobernadorcillo "Alcalde naturales" of Dumangas --who I postulated as the father of Crisostomo Alarcon Divinagracia and his siblings.
--
Crisostomo popularly known as "Capitan Omong" married Lucia "Siyay" Dolar. Both belong to the landed gentry in Dumangas. They have twelve(12) children, namely: Lino, Eulalio, Angela, Veronica, Jose, Exequiel, Tomas, Felomina, Eulalia, Felipe, Mateo and Ignacia. "Tan Omong" the Capitan Municipal of the Principalia and tax collector for the Spanish authorities, was well-respected and loved by the town folks. So that his poor "kasimanwas" be spared from conscription or forced labor, either to work in the haciendas of encomienderos and frailes or construction of churches, he would oftentimes pay on their behalf cartloads of his own palay harvest.
--
His generosity was well known and considered providential by early Dumangueños, a "Divine Grace" ---that earned him the appropriate family name "DIVINAGRACIA". Interestingly, "Tan Omongs" sister Felipa Divinagracia was also married to Lucias brother, Gabriel Dolar. They are the children of "Cabeza" Don Pedro Dolar and Ignacia Diamante of the "Cabeceria del Santa Cruz" colloquially called "Barrio Lublub" ---presently named the "Barangay Purificacion Dolar Monfort North".. Gabriel and Felipa Divinagracia-Dolar have five (5) children: Mariano, Urbano, Mathias, Vicenta and Brigida.
--
At the turn of the 19th century, Crisostomos' brother Juan Divinagracia left Dumangas to venture in Manila. While some of his descendants came back, others spread in the CALABARZON AREA of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon(Tayabas) Province; the Bicol Region and other parts of Luzon.
--
His other brother Jose Divinagracia also left Dumangas and settled permanently in Lapaz and later served as "Oficial del Municipeo". The Divinagracia Street (Barangay Divinagracia) in Lapaz, Iloilo City was named after him. He has four sons; Rafael, Gerardo, Jose and Francisco. Rafael join the successful 1898 revolution against Spanish colonialism and later fought against U.S. invasion of Iloilo. He fled to Luzon when the Federal Republic of the Visayas based in Iloilo fizzled-out due to American forces more superior weaponry. The last leader of the sovereign Visayan Republic( the first in Asia) to surrender was Gen. Quintin Dicen Salas of Dumangas. During the late 1960s' , I got acquainted with Gerardo "Gerry" Divinagracia from Lapaz while we were both connected with an Insurance Company. He related to me his ancestor came from Dumangas but the family consider themselves "tumandok sang Lapaz" and that they have many relatives in northern and central Iloilo, Capiz,, Negros and Cebu. It is regretable we never talked curiously about our common ancestry.
--
According to the late Jose "Junior Bina" Divinagracia of the Iloilo Bureau of Customs, his grandfather and namesake was a soldier of fortune who eventually became Mayor in Mindanao. If senior intellectual interlude serves me right, it was a Municipeo in the old Cotabato Province. Some of Mayor Divinagracia's descendants returned to Iloilo while others stayed permanently in Cotabato; sub-divided on July 15, 1903 (Act No.787) into (North) Cotabato, South Cotabato, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani.-----still other descendants transferred to Bukidnon, Davao, Zamboanga and other areas in the south.
--
Francisco Divinagracia married Casimira Gumabong and settled in the Gumabong's family estate located near the present boundary of Molo and City Proper. They have seven (7) children, namely: Leopoldo, Pamfilo, Francisco, Daniel, Nehemias, Leoncia and Samson.
--
During the early part of the 1900s, Francisco Divinagracia, dubbed as Iloilo's "Calesa King" gave-up his lucrative horse-driven transport business to enter the religious order. He actively participated in many missionary works conducted by the protestant congregation in the hinterlands of the Visayas. Francisco Divinagracia has the distinction as the first Filipino to be ordained Minister of the Baptist Church in the Philippines.
--
(Nota bene: The subject of (early) genealogy is not an exact science. Therefore; changes and revisions may occur, as new data with concrete evidence in antiquity are discovered and formally presented hereinafter.)
--
Acknowledgement:I wish to acknowledge the invaluable contributions provided directly or indirectly by Fred, Pol and Louie, all surnamed Divinagracia. Salamat gid!
--
Epilogue
It should be noted, that Genealogical Diagram (family tree) of our early Divinagracia ancestors are presently being procured and up-dated. Thanks! to Emilie Roldan Divinagracia-Riviere and Paolo Divinagracia-Araneta Evidente who are both enthusiastic to facilitate for posterity this noble undertaking "Gratis et Amore". Go to http://www.divinagracia.bluwiki.org/.
--
Divinagracia clan members are invited to join http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Divinagracias moderated by Ann Roldan Divinagracia for up-dates on the impending First Grand Family Reunion. Enjoy social networking with relatives at http://www.facebook.com/ initiated by Claudine"Din-Din"Divinagracia-Araneta Masilongan and Ramon "Nonoy" Duremdes,Jr.
--
Likewise, visit the official family website at: www.FamiliaDivinagracia.org created and monitored by Andrew"Andoy" Divinagracia-Araneta Evidente (Divinagracia Family Logo Designer) ---so that the brotherhood of our ancestors may continue to future generations.
--
Padayon! ang kaliwat Divinagracia sang Dumangas..."Magtipon kag Mag-ugyon" ...PADAYON!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~oo0oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[ilonggo_taton] Hiligaynon and Kapampangan team up

2009-06-24T02:22:00.006-04:00

--- On Thu, 3/26/09, Jason Paul Laxamana wrote:

From: Jason Paul Laxamana sisig_man@yahoo.com.ph
Subject: [ilonggo_taton] Hiligaynon and Kapampangan team up
Date: Thursday, March 26, 2009, 10:40 PM

Abangan!

Two Ilonggo-Kapampangan RnB songs (recorded separately @ iloilo city and angeles city, to produce the first regional-language- collaboration contemporary tracks in Phil Music history)... Coming soon!

JASON
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Delayed Response (June 24, 2009)

Salamat! Jason for your initiative on this worthwhile endeavor. Looking forward for this historic musical event.

More Power! to our affiliate the Ilonggo_Taton eGroup.

Good luck! ...dinggol.d~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(To view next article/s, please click! BLOG ARCHIVE (for JUNE) at right hand corner below this page)

Ilonggo Nation Membership

2009-06-24T01:40:00.007-04:00

From: jacinto largo jvlargo@yahoo.com

Subject: ILONGO NATION MEMBERSHIP

To: dinggol1023@gmail.com

Received: Wednesday, June 3, 2009, 8:51 PM

Masinadyahon nga pagtamyaw sa imo Ginoong Dinggol!

Akon nasiplatan ang Ilongo Nation website sang naga surf ako kag nagapangita sang informacion nahanugod sa "Western Visayas Languages."

I wasn't only surprised, but also speechless while viewing and reading the whole contents of the Ilongo Nation website. I couldn't believe before my eyes that it's real and it's happening. It's too good to be true! I had been carrying my resentment against the favoured Luzon and the Tagalog region since I was 12 years old. That was my age when I started reading PHILIPPINE FREE PRESS. I'm now a retired person. Congratulations! I'm so proud of you!

So count me in! Please send me full particulars on how to become a member.

Kabay pa nga ang kadalag-an ara sa aton,
JACINTO .
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Response (June 19, 2009)

Salamat gid! Utod Jacinto sang imo pagtamyaw kag pagkabalaka.

Sending you an invite for membership to INM group home page Banwa_Mo right now.

"Ang Pungsod Ilonggo" INM eNewsletter has been inactive for quite sometime due to massive virus attack on my two desk top computers and negative on internet access for many months.

Ginatinguha ko man nga mangin "Back to normal" ini kag basi sa madali nga panahon matuman gid! (Sa subong naga On-Off pa guihapon)

Padayon ang Hublag Ilonggo!!

Utod dinggol.d~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~oo0oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Under the American Sun

2009-06-24T01:24:00.005-04:00

Sirs:

Please visit our website regarding our film documentary on Camp Roxas in Agat, Guam: http://www.camproxas.com/

Under the American Sun: Camp Roxas Film Project (Agat, Guam, 1946- 1972) will recount a little-known chapter of American history - the story of skilled and unskilled laborers and professionals recruited from the Philippines' Iloilo Province by the United States military to rebuild Guam, devastated by years of Japanese occupation and war.

Thank you.
Bernadette Provido Schumann--
"Under the American Sun" - Camp Roxas Film Project(Agat, Guam: 1946 -1972)Website: www.camproxas.comEmail: camproxasguam@gmail.comBert Sardoma Jr, directorBernie Provido Schumann, producerAlex Munoz, producerJosephine Mallo-Garrido, associate producerNorman Analista, special projects document.

(To view more "Ang Pungsod Ilonggo" articles, please click! BLOG ARCHIVE at right hand corner below this page)

ANG MARAGTAS KANG MADYA-AS

2009-01-16T04:50:00.013-05:00

(December 28, 2008)
-
ANG MARAGTAS KANG MADYA-AS
--
The "Maragtas" legend explained that sometime between 1200-1250's; ten (10) Malay Datus' together with their families, households and subordinates fled the tyrannical rule of Makatunaw, the Shri-Vijaya Sultan of Bornay (Borneo).
----
Led by Datu Puti, the Sultanate Minister, they landed in the Island of "Aninipay" or Panay.
--
They bartered their gold and jewelries with the local Ati Chieftain "Marikudo" for the lowlands, plains and valleys of the Island they called "Madya-as" or Paradise. The land where time began; the birth of the "Ilonggo Nation" and the cradle of ancient Filipino civilization.
--
For about 300 years before the coming of the Spaniards, the Ilonggos lived in comparative prosperity and peace under an organized government, the "Katiringban et Madia-as" or the Confederation of Madya-as and with such laws as the Code of Kalantiaw and/or the Maragtas Code of Sumakwel.
--
Nota Bene: Period of emigration was later confirmed to be during the early part of the 1400's as recorded in the ancient Chinese Ming Dynasty Chronicles. (Related article below)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ <><><>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Maragtas Legend and the Ancient Chinese Ming Dynasty
=
The inclusion in the ancient Chronology of the "Chinese Ming Dynasty and Islamic Influences" by Guo Zhongli about the saga of Bornean Datu Putih, the Code of Kalantiaw and the Maragtas Code of Sumakwel, are like drops of rain on a hot summer day.
--
Likewise, this is a shot in the arm to believers of their glorious past & noble heritage.
--
According to Ming Chroniclers:
"...1372 AD -Sabah Journal reported a Ming envoy, Prince Sahib ul-Kahar Ong Sum-ping to have sailed through the Sulu Archipelago to Kinabatangan in North Borneo and established a permanent Chinese foothold in that vast uninhabited island...."
------------ --------- -
"...1390 AD - Srivijayan Raja Baguinda, a minor ruler of Minangkabau, arrived in Sulu from Swarna Dwipa and founded the town of Bwansa in Jolo Island;...."
------------ --------- -
Postulated analysis:
With the passage of time, inter-racial marriages and inter-relationships between neighboring islanders brought about a new generation of North Borneans under Sri-Vijayan Ruler Raja Baguinda (Sultan Makatunaw?).
--
Sahib ul-Kahar Ong Sum-ping, the light-complected Sino patriarch (Datu Putih?) and nine Bornean datus later fled Bornay and landed in Panay in the early 1400's. (Not between 1200- 1250 as earlier believed)
-------- --------- --------- --------- ----
We noted the following in contradiction viz-a-viz our contentions:
------------------ --------- --------- --------- ----
According to Ming Chroniclers:
"...1433 AD - A Seven-Datu-Council codified the Code of Kalantiaw (by Kalantiaw) and the Maragtas Code (by Sumakwel) for the people of Panay Island;
---------------------
Three Adatus from the original ten who came to Panay left for Batangas and Mindoro;
---------------------
Datu Putih was one of them but eventually returned to North Borneo from where no trace of him was found...."
---------------------
Maragtas Legend:--------------------------- Ming Dynasty Chronicler's:
1) The name: Datu Puti----------------------Datu Putih
2) Landed in Panay: 13th Century-----------Early 15th century
3) 3-datus remained 7 left for luzon----------7-datus remained 3 left for luzon
4) Reached Batangas in Luzon---------------Reached Batangas via Mindoro
5) From Batangas, settled & died in Sulu-----Back to Borneo (Bornay)
-
"Astana Putih" - present seat of the Royal Sulu Sultanate at Umbal Duwa in Indanan, Jolo Island in the Tausog Region of Sulu could have been named after Datu Putih.
------------ --------- --------- ----
We are inclined to believe the ancient Chinese Ming Dynasty recorded chronicles because of the confirmed two points early emigration to the Philippine archipelago, also above-cited.
------------ --------- --------- ----
Be that as it may, Pedro A. Monteclaro's "Maragtas" painstakingly created --became his legacy to the ilonggo's; a guide for future generations, notwithstanding attempts of distortions by others to discredit his efforts.
------------ --------- --------- ---
The "Maragtas Legend" shall forever be in the minds and enshrined in the hearts of Ilonggos, wherever they may be...a nostalgic memory...of a perceived myth that became a legend ...and the legend that turned out to be the history of a proud and noble People...of the once great Ilonggo Nation!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<><><>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ANG MGA KALIWAT NI "DATU PUTIH"
(Batanguenos, Ilonggos and the Tausogs of Sulu Bloodline)
------------------------------ -------------------------
Sadto nga mga panahon, sang ang "Aninipay" ukon Isla sang Panay nabahin na sa mga tribu sa pag pamuno nanday Datu Bangkaya ang Akean" (Aklan & Capiz); Datu Paiburong ang "Irong-Irong" (Iloilo) kag sa kay Datu Sumakwel naman ang "Hamtik" (Antique); ang tribu iya ni Datu Putih kag sang iban pa, nag pasad puluy-an sa "Araut" (Dumangas) malapit sa pampang sang suba nga indi man malayo sa dagat nga naga atubang sa Isla sang "Himal-os" (Guimaras).
------------------------------ -------------------------
Nag ligad ang mga tinuig, ang apo ni Datu Putih ang ngalan Raja-Mun upod ang iya sakop nag balhin sa lugar nga madamo ang tanum nga putat kag ila gin hingadlan "Kaputatan" (Pototan). Apang ang iya guid suod nga bugto ngalan si Raja-il nag pabilin sa "Araut" (Dumangas) sang ang mal-am nga Apoy kag anum ka Datu upod iban nga sakop liwan nga nag bugsay sang ila mga "Balanghai" padulong sa "Selorang Lusong" (Luzon) kag sila naka dangat sa pampang sang daku nga suba didto sa "Taal" (Batangas).
----------------------------- -------------------------
After partitioning "Aninipay" or the Island of Panay which they called "Madya-as" or Paradise, among the tribes under Datu Bangkaya, Paiburong and Sumakwel--- the exit point of Datu Puti and the remaining tribes after deciding to sail farther north towards Luzon was the Malay settlement at the banks of Araut (Dumangas) River.
--
While some of his kinsmen accompanied him, others opted to remain in Araut... finding the place rich .. fertile soil and with abundance in marine products.
--
Years later, one of his Malay grandson Raja-Mun, (Datu Ramon-evidently a convert) left Dumangas together with his family and settled in "Kaputatan" what is now the Town of Pototan in Iloilo. While his closest brother Raja-il and others stayed behind.
--
Historians believe that the present Batanguenos are also descendants of Datu Putih and the other Bornean Datu who later left the Island of Panay and set up the first Malay settlement at the mouth of Taal (Batangas) River.
--
In the year 1570, Kapitan Juan de Salcedo -- grandson of the "El Adelantado" Don Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, as second in command to Spanish Conquistador Martin de Goiti, together...explored the coast of Batangas on their way to "Maynilad" and came upon the Malay settlement at the mouth of the Taal River and in 1572, the town of Taal in Batangas was founded.
-------------------------------- -----------------------
Undoubtedly, before Datu Putih -- the Shri-Vijaya Sultanate Minister went back to Bornay (Borneo) to face uncertain fate, his seeds were planted along the banks of Araut(Dumangas) River in Iloilo; Taal (Batangas) River in Southern Luzon and the most logical route back to Bornay.... via the Tausog Region where early Malay settlements were established in Mindanao.
--
Therefore, it is safe to conclude, that the Batanguenos, the Ilonggos and the Tausogs have direct bloodline from Datu Putih. And that was long before the Portuguese Ferdinand Magellan and the Spanish Conquistadores Don Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, his grandson Kapitan Juan de Salcedo and Don Martin de Goiti arrived in the "Islas" armed with the sword and the cross. .
--
(Modified from previous INM postings)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<><><>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Delayed Acknowledgement

2009-01-16T03:46:00.003-05:00

To all concerned:
--
Our belated acknowledgement for the following comments posted at the GUESTS BOOK in the INM Website. Delayed is due to our absence in cyberspace for quite sometime; as follows:
--
From: Jbltusa@.....>
Subject: re: Capiz Revolucionario
--
Dear Kababayan,
I would very much appreciate some clippings regarding Colonel Pascual Barza, my great Grand Uncle ( Lolo Cuwa); also ion Mr. Isaac Barza, my grand Uncle__former President of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce before 1933.
--
More Power to you.
Janice B. L.. Thabet
---------------------
Email: geeshop24@.....>
Comments: kamusta banwang ilong-ilonganon...sorry if bi-englih ni..pero i lav to support ilonggo nation..sa subong, i'm running an ilonggo section sa akon website.. running with cgispy.com...but until now, out of order pa ang ila website. ga plano ko tani to revive ang ilonggo/binisaya/kinaray-a ang language ta paagi sa mga binalaybay kag iban pa nga sahi sg literature naton nga bisa-aynon. just contact me on what can we do about this.
GEE
-------------------------
Email: egauzonjr@.....>
Comments: With my little knowledge on local historiography I like the way the movement works. Local history narrates so interestingly than manila-centric history.
--
erasmo gauzon jr
Valencia City, Bukidnon
-----------------------------------------------
Email: tyron_cloyd@.....>
Comments: Hi Dinggol Great site for us ILONGGO. Im a member of Solfed member, founded by Dr. Joey Dacudao, one of your content contributor. Im into IT also. Good luck. USWAG MGA ILONGGO...
--
Jay-R Calasara
Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental
--------------------------------------------
Email: trez_lobaton@.....>
Glicerio Lobaton
Pulupandan, Negros Occidental
--------------------------------------------
Email: braggart_21@.....>
Comments: Iloilo and the rest of Panay Island plus Guimaras should declare independence from the Philippine Republic. It's about time that we should have our own country, own passport, own laws, own legislators. I'm sick and tired of the politicians from Luzon determining our future. Let's declare independence and become a proud new country.
--
Ian Alvarez
La Paz, Iloilo City (Presently in Saudi Arabia)
------------------------------------------
Email: mcadornigara@.....>
Comments: Born and raised in Iloilo City, now teaching in Queens, New York
MARVIN CADORNIGARA
-----------------------------------------
Email: bbernales@.....>
Comments: Dear Dinggol, Thank you for directing me to the links of the Ilonggo Nation Movement. I need some help from genuine Ilonggo historians regarding the Chronology of the Ilonggo Nation under "The Spanish Conquest". Something seems to have been arbitrarily or expediently altered and does seem right.
--
As a Capizeno, I feel slighted that there was no mention of the fact that Legaspi's first landing on Panay Island was in the Town of Panay (which later became part of Capiz Province). This is most likely how those damn Spaniards happened to name the whole island itself as Panay.
--
Hopefully, your genuine or bonafide Ilonggo historians could help clarify the discrepancy because it has been engrained in our Capizeno minds that after Legaspi landed on Bohol Island on 1565, he next went to Cebu, and from there to Panay Island on 1566. On Panay Island, he landed first in the Town of Panay before going to Ogtong in Iloilo. From Ogtong, Legaspi's expedition then went to Romblon, and eventually ..
--
Cicero A. (Bernie) Bernales
Kailua (Honolulu/Oahu), Hawaii
------------------------------------
Email: jobert.telic@.....>
Comments: I'm glad that you posted in capiz yahoo groups... Intresado guid ako nga makig-ugyon sa inyo... kabay pa nga ma-e-mail ninyo sa akon kon paano ako mangin miembro sang INM... Diri ako gali naga-obra sa Makati sa sulod na sang walo katuig...
--
Jobert Telic
President Roxas, Capiz
------------------------------------
Email: jbrown@.....>
from: San Joaquin, Iloilo
Comments: Regarding the following comment posted on your website, please provide additional detail. I am a direct descendant of Santaren and would like to compare my information with yours. Who is your elder cousin mentioned below? "Fr. Tomas Santaren, fathered a child in San Joaquin, Iloilo whose son became an illustrious Ilonggo Physician, married to my close elder cousin who knows her family tree like the palm of her hands."
--
Josie Brown
--------------------------------------
Email: tlgoodwiniii@.....>
Comments: I found your site as a link on my friend Gil Camporazo's site "Vibrations." I learned alot from your site. God bless The Ilongo People, God bless the Phillipines.
--
Thomas L. Goodwin III
Rockingham, NC USA
--------------------------------------
Email: Bobdor@.....>
Comments: from: Las vegas, nv
Bobby Buenaflor
--------------------------------------
Email: ndbvibrations@.....>
Comments: paagi sa pag-surf ko sang internet nakita ko ini nga site. interesado ako. maayo guid. palihog bisita man sang akon nga website kag tan-awa kun maayo. indi magkalipat nga mag sign sa akon guestbook. salamat guid!
gil
La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, Philippines
---------------------------------
Email: gladyct@.....>
from: iloilo
Comments: is it ok if i link you up to my blog?
gladita
----------------------------------
Email: SYLVESTERBRAG@.....>
Comments: SALAMAT SA INFORMASYON NAGHATAG SA AKON SG BUGAL BILANG ILONGGO KAG NABAL AN KO ANG ROOTS KO NGA ITUDLO KO MAN SA ANAK KO
--
KIDOT
VANCOUVER
--------------------------------
Email: tagacolo@.....>
from: Bais City, Negros Oriental
Comments: I enjoyed reading your site. t.y.
-----------------------------------
OUR SINCERE APOLOGIES ...dinggol d~~~

UPDATING

2008-12-14T03:47:00.010-05:00

To all concerned:

Greetings!

Just recently my internet access has become relatively normal, after about nine months under constant "problematic" condition.

Therefore, "Ang Pungsod Ilonggo" --the Ilonggo Nation Movement's Newsletter shall now proceed with it's internet issue and shall initiate the hard copy version.

Meanwhile, here is a belated article on my trip back "home" sometime ago.

We hope afore-mentioned publications shall continue regularly.

Ang inyo alagad sa guihapon,

dinggol a. divinagracia~~~
(Founder: The Ilonggo Nation Movement-Dec. 25, 2005)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THE LONG "ILONGGO" JOURNEY

On February 25, 2008 --after about a decade in absentia, my flight safely touched-down in Cabatuan, Iloilo and I was impressed with the new Iloilo International class airport. An ilonggo dream comes true!

I - Farewell to the Matriarchs

At noontime, I arrived in Molo "Santa Ana " Church just when the final memorial rites were about to begin. My sisters and "twice-over" first cousins obliged me to deliver the eulogy during the Requiem Mass, which I did impromptu.

Thereafter, the joint interment followed in our modest family mausoleum at the Molo Catholic Cemetary in Iloilo City, Philippines.

And so, our dearly beloved matriarchs were laid to their eternal rest.

*Adela Locsin Araneta de Divinagracia (August 4, 1914 -February 23, 2008)
*Consuelo Parcon Divinagracia de Araneta (May 18,1919-February 20,2008)

On behalf of our family, I sincerely express our gratitude to all those who have shared their sentiments with us --when Mama Adela and Mama Connie joined our Papa Joe and Papa Turing in the kingdom of their Creator, where there is no more death but only everlasting joy.

Salamat gid! Sa tanan nga nagbuylog sa amon sadtong mga panahon...

From the Children:

*Ma. Lina (Marlyn)....................*Concha & Rey
*Carmeling & Junior...................*Agnes & Lando
*Dinggol & Lilia......................*Tony & Maridel
*Susan & Erning.......................*Inday Ling & Erwin
*Boy(+) & Marilu......................*Inday Ting & Jessie
*Marcia & Boy.........................*Inday Bing & David
*Bino & Soling........................*and the Grandchildren
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~oo0oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

II - Padayon ang Hublag Ilonggo
*The Ilonggo Nation Movement (INM)*

Confucius once said: "A long journey begins with the first step".

It has been said; that something as small as a flutter of a butterfly's wing, can ultimately cause a typhoon halfway around the world.

The long overdue vacation back home, afforded me the chance to personally "eyeball" for the first time with several enthusiastic INM members and sympathizers in Panay and Negros.

Likewise, with four others from abroad who just came over, curious to meet me personally --to discuss on how to concretize INM's course of action in furtherance with the Movement's advocacy presently via cyberspace.

Important issues were discussed and thoroughly deliberated and relevant matters were seriously considered during the "Low Profile" conference held somewhere in Western Visayas.

INM members present, who belong to local media, eager for a "Scoop" --were advised to refrain from covering the historic event since the public at-large; due to limited internet access within WV area, might not fully comprehend INM's agenda for now. And our noble objectives could be misconstrued, even jeopardized.

However, in due time after the printed (hard) copy of "Ang Pungsod Ilonggo" INM Newsletter begins in circulation "Gratis et Amore", all responsible tri-media practitioners shall be properly entertained.

Thereafter, ang aton mga kasimanwa sa Kabisay-an Nakatungdan, shall be able to learn the "true" history of the Ilonggo Nation; be guided accordingly to actively participate in the preservation of our rich cultural heritage and abundant natural resources; and be emboldened, to fight fearlessly against the "Ogres" of society responsible for the maladies that now confronts our people.

Padayon Kita! Wala Punaw!

Today: the Ilonggo Nation...Tomorrow: A Federal Filipino Nation!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~oo0oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

III - Highlights of my Trip

(Aklan)

After the usual post memorial activities, I proceeded to Aklan upon invitation of Greg Montinola Sanson for his natal day celebration in their family owned beach hotel-resort. A brief stop-over in Kalibo, enabled me to clarify some issues with several INM sympathizers waiting at the bus terminal and who later drove me to Malay's Caticlan Pier for Boracay.

A nostalgic reunion with other guests in the island resort --of long lost kins and friends; also meeting new acquaintances was a memorable experience.

Surprisingly, I met an avid "Ang Pungsod Ilonggo" eNewsletter reader. He was the jolly Manila Lawyer "Pompoy" , scion of the illustrious Dinglasan Clan of Capiz, who "stole the show" with his songs and dancing style. His contemporaries were the TV dancing "Gurus" of the yesteryears; Chito Feliciano and Archie Lacson.

Thanks! Primo Greg and Prima Marilou Tirol-Sanson for your very generous hospitality. And kudos to the staff for job well done.

(Iloilo)

I visited the towns of Pavia, Sta. Barbara, New Lucena, Dumangas and Cabatuan to meet INM members and sympathizers.

Sta. Barbara was of course, the site of the historic "Cry of Freedom" by Visayan Revolucionarios on November 17, 1898.

While Cabatuan, was one of the seat of the embattled Federal Visayan Government that still continued to function while fighting U.S. invasion forces against all odds during the turn of the last century. The Ilonggo leaders ignored the decree abolishing the Federal Republic of the Visayas issued by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo on April 27, 1899.

In Iloilo City, informal meetings were held with several NGO's and student groups; likewise, with several active and retired police and military officers.

More notably, with environmentalist Melvin Purzuelo --Head of Western Visayas Green Peace and Convenor of Responsible Ilonggos for Sustainable Eneregy (RISE) and Rodelen Paccial of the Western Visayas State University. Salamat! utod Melvin for the groups' laudable initiative after Typhoon Franks devastation. And to utod "Toto Rod" for that logical suggestion, it's well taken...

(Negros Occidental)

An absence in Silay City for a very long time has made personal contact with relatives mutually more touching. I was deeply elated to learn that many kins and acquaintances are INM members and/or sympathizers.

I was able to confirm from elders, thru old documents the role of the "Locsins" during the 1898 Revolution in Negros and Panay:

*That Gen. Leandro de la Rama Locsin --was Alcalde Municipal and Head "Comite de Silay" under the "Comite Revolucionario Zona Norte Negros Occidental" led by Gen. Aniceto Ledesma Lacson; whose members also included: Simon Lizares, Jose Ledesma, Nicolas Golez Coloso, Dr. Lope de la Rama and Melecio Severino-Secretary.

*That Gen. Leandro Locsin Fullon, the Revolutionary hero of Antique Province --was the son of Justo Fullon and Justa Locsin. His siblings were named Baltazara, Luisa and Jose. Gen. Fullon's daughter in Manila married Roberto Pacificador of the "Rentas Internas".

*That Dr. Vicente Armada Locsin of Janiuay, Iloilo acted as Confidential Intelligence Emissary with the Central Revolutionary Committee of Iloilo based in "Parian" now Molo.

The Committee was headed by Don Raymundo Angulo Melliza with Gen. Pablo Soriano Araneta, a Physician-Surgeon; Don Francisco Felipe Villanueva, Gen. Angel Corteza; Don Ramon Avancena and Don Francisco Soriano as members.

Later, Dr. Vicente A. Locsin married Dna Trinidad Teves and settled permanently in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.

During my stay in Talisay City, Joel D. Liboon related to me that his great Grandpa Alfonso Garcia Liboon, served as the first Northern Negros Supervising Public School Teacher during the early American regime. While other family members fought under "Papa Isio" Sigobeyla against U.S. forces in Murcia and over the hills of Negros.

Utod "Joel" was the Charter President of the Talisay City (Host) Lions Club in Negros Occidental. Presently, he is District Deputy of the Knights of Columbus for V-83 (Whole Visayas) and a past Grand Knight of the K of C.

Also in Talisay, I talked to "Caloy" Claparols Balcells, a great grandson of erstwhile Negros Presidente Gen. Aniceto L. Lacson regarding some historical family matters. His branch of the family who participated during our 1993 first family grand reunion in Iloilo City was quite impressive.

In Bacolod City, Hansy Alojado, a young faculty member of De La Salle University was "all smiles" when we met for the first time. He is an ardent ilonggo martial arts practitioner. Yes! "Utod Hansy" --- "Kali" preceded Arnis de Mano.

To my "Big Time" former classmate Renier Geroche and family --Salamat gid! for your very generous hospitality. The food and spirits in that more affluent Japanese Restaurant was excellent.

The bemoustached Renier, an amateur golf enthusiast is presently the District Governor of Rotary Club International for Visayas and Mindanao in the Philippines.

I also met Jimmy Araneta of Bago City --one of the five "Jimmy A's" he jokingly said. He is the grandson of Col. Jaime Sarmiento Araneta of the Negros Revolutionary Forces, the son of Gen. Juan Araneta y Torres. The imposing mounted statue of "Tan Juan" in Bago City Plaza is a revered historical landmark.

Salamat! Jimmy for extending best wishes from "Primo Saming". Dr. Samson Araneta Gonzaga is the President of the Gen. Juan Araneta Family Association, Inc. based in Bago City, Negros Occidental.

Likewise, for the first time I met a grandson of Dionisio "Papa Isio" Sigobeyla of Cauayan, who was kind to allow me take photo shots of the original "anting-anting" (amulet) worn by the forgotten Negros revolutionary hero and patriot.

"Papa Isio" a "Babaylan", declared himself head of the Negros Republic and continued the struggle for freedom for eight more years fighting U.S. forces after Gen. Aniceto Lacson -President of the Negros Island government surrendered to the American invaders.

(Negros Oriental)

In Guihulngan, Ben Bacalso Ricarte told me that the mother of Ilokano revolutionary leader Gen. Artemio "Vibora" Ricarte (who never pledged allegiance to the U.S.) was from Mambusao, Capiz. This I have to check.

Rey Serion of Vallehermoso, great grandson of Don Diego de la Vina informed me that "Don Diego" has three daughters, who married a Serion, Morales and a Villegas. He also said the historical marker in his honor was put up in Dumaguete City only sometime in 2006-2007.

Don Diego de la Vina, a Spanish mestizo who owned large tracts of land in Negros Oriental was head of the revolucionarios who defeated the Spanish authorities in Dumaguete City. (As contained in "A Chronology: The Ilonggo Nation" first posted in INM website on December 25, 2005).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It should also be noted, that the Bacolod City historical marker commemorating Spain's formal surrender to the Negros cantonal government was erected only after 109 years on November 6, 2007 ---after the afore-mentioned INM article was published. The Negros Occidental Provincial Information Office under the late Gov. Joseph Maranon acknowledged INM's article contribution.

Unfortunately, however, I noticed the National Historical Institute (NHI) plaque only narrated the Spanish Forces capitulation under Col. Isidro de Castro, Negros Politicol-Military Governor; and not that the formal surrender document (Acta de Capitulacion) was signed by the last duly constituted Spanish authority in the Philippine archipelago...Governor-General Don Diego de los Rios.

Due to previous Iloilo scheduled appointments and time constraints, my Dumaguete City trip was cancelled.

(Back to Iloilo City)

I enjoyed a sumptuous "Comida" together with Manang Eva Araneta-Serra in the "Swiss Chalet" of the Loring-Gay ancestral home fronting University of San Agustin where my "habla espanol" almost ran-out.

Our gracious hostess, Dna. Amparo Gay Loring de Hernandez was enthusiastic to discuss with me early family genealogy, due to proddings by her children about their maternal great grandma's (Trinidad) side of the familia. The feeling was mutual, since the subject ancestor was
the sister of (Paz) my very own maternal great grandma. The third sister Candelaria, married
Francisco Tejador Cacho, patriarch of the Cacho Hermanos.

Moreover, I was also eager to hear her testimonies about Iloilo historical events directly involving her close family members. Tita Amparing confirmed that the last Iloilo Spanish "Alcalde Mayor" was Jose Ma. Gay, her mother Concha's brother and not her "abuelo" Don Vicente Gay as portrayed in some articles and historical accounts.

On December 23, 1898; To avert further bloodshed --Iloilo "Alcalde" Jose Ma. Gay accepted Spain's banner and official sabre, symbol of authority relinquished by the last duly constituted Spanish Governor-General in "Islas Filipinas", Don Diego de los Rios for formal surrender to leaders of the approaching victorious ilonggo revolucionarios. This was the day prior to Don Diego's departure to Spain via Zamboanga together with the Negros and Cebu Politico-Military Governors; Col. Isidro de Castro and Gen. Adolfo Montero respectively.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Madamo man nga salamat! to Cecile Campos-Jarantilla for my favorite dish "Lengua Estofada" at the cozy Montelibano Restaurant in Tabucan, Mandurriao. Likewise, to Tita Emma Esteban-Campos for copies of old family documents and photos she provided for me.

The amiable Cecile introduced me to Fr. Calixto Enojo in his Lapaz home where we talked about history for hours. Fr. Enojo (77), a retiree both as secular priest and AFP Chaplain is well versed on ilonggo history. He is also aware of the omissions and discrepancies in our history books and commented that nobody seems to care.

Politely, I explained INM's primordial objective; to attempt rectify these historical blunders and asked for his opinion and blessing.

Before we parted ways, Fr. Calixto Enojo sincerely said in a low tone voice; "Padayona ninyo ina Toto, ma-ayo gid ina nga kausa".
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Night with the General -in Manila)

Michaelangelo Hubero Siscar of Bulacan, the first "Pavianhon" to acquire the AFP Star Rank, came to meet me for the first time with invitation for my "last supper" in the Philippines. Salamat! BGen. Michael for the invite at the huge Mall of Asia, where we ate and drink with gusto in that great Resto Bar.

Hoping next meeting, we shall have the luxury of time for a more better acquantanceship.

(Back to the U.S.A.)

After a weeks stay in Michigan, rubbing elbows with members of the Ilonggo Association of Michigan (ILAM-USA), Inc. --I proceded to the Metropolitan Washington D.C. area with one night stop-over at Philadelphia in Pennsylvania.

In Philly, I stayed with INM Co-founder Benjie Estuche where we discussed future INM activities. Salamat! Agurang Amin kang imo pagkabalaka..

In Rockville, Maryland --during a social function, I interacted with members of the Association of Ilonggos of Metropolitan Washington D.C.(AIM), Inc. --AIM, Inc. is a tax exempt organization with over a thousand members within the Nations' Capital, State of Maryland and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

I also met David, Judy and several INM members/sympathizers during the affair coming from Canada.

In Woodbridge, Virginia --Monching Jocson of Bacolod and Himamaylan, an INM Co-founder tendered a "bienvenida" party for me, attended by Virginians from Negros Occidental.

From Fallujah, Iraq --I received email best wishes with photos in full U.S. Army combat gear of New York based INM member whose maternal ggrandad Col. Macario Sarmiento was Minister of Police of the Bohol Cantonal government under the Federal Republic of the Visayas in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo during the late 1890's.

Regretably, I was saddened to learn the demise in Iloilo of cancer stricken New York based INM Co-founder Nestor Ortiz Sulpico. He was dubbed by U.S. mainstream media, as the "Honest Cab Driver of New York" and in the Philippines as "Bagong Bayani ng Pilipinas" in the year 2005. Utod Nestor returned $80-K worth of rare black pearls left by a passenger in his taxi cab.

(I Shall Return)

The rapid growth in membership, especially among the enlightened studentry; concerned professionals and with more pledging support for INM's advocacy from advantaged Ilonggo expatriates, made me contemplate going back "home" once more to personally guide the groups direction.

We believe and are confident that with the advent of modern technology; somewhere, sometime in the near future, somebody out there --destined by fate shall emerge to lead us reach the long journey that we at INM had began and thus, finally fulfill our dream: "The Rebirth of the Ilonggo Nation".

Ang inyo alagad sa guihapon...dinggol a. divinagracia~~~.

The MANILA MAIL issue re: The Ilonggo Nation

2008-03-05T04:46:00.016-05:00

THE MANILA MAIL
(Feb. 4, 2008)
Washington Tsismis Column

THE ILONGGO NATION

Anybody read the online newsletter of the Ilonggos? My fellow Tsismosos have informed me
that the name of this new group should be a cause for worry for President Arroyo who is a
Kapampangan as well as Tagalogs, Itawis, Warays, Bicolanos, Ilocanos, etcetera. They
said this group might become another secessionist group similar to the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF), which wants to secede from the Philippines.

Here is this group’s collective letter to me in my email address: (http://us.f562.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=tsismosodc@hotmail.com)

“My fellow Tsismoso:
“We are bringing to your attention the birth of a new movement that might follow the trail of
the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front which is demanding independence. We urge
you to go to this group’s website called banwa_mo@yahoo. com (ilonggoNation Movement).

This movement sounds fearsome. Ilonggo Nation Movement? And its newsletter is called
Ang Pungsod Ilonggo, Kabisay-an Nakatungdan (The Ilonggo ”Nation” Movement
newsletter). What is troubling is that its first issue carried the story of the heroic Ilonggos
who fought the Spanish invaders 400 years ago! And it showed the “political map’ of
Western Visayas. It’s motto is ‘To appreciate where you are now, you should know where
you came from.’

“The newsletter said it is published fortnightly for INM (Ilongo Nationa Movement members
and friends.) In one of its issues, the top stories included ”The Cry of Sta. Barbara, I Am
Bisaya, The Ylongo Composo, etcetera.

“It says that to access its issues, please go to ”/Ang Punsod Ilonggo/” at:
www.IlonggoNation. blogspot. com Previous publications are likewise, archived therein.

“It concludes: ‘We are pleased to have the privilege of serving you. Ang inyo alagad…dinggol
a.divinagracia.

“Now what will happen to the Philippines if the Ilocanos, for instance, declare an
independent Ilocano Republic, the Kampampangan their own republic etc., etc.? Please
spread the warning.”
Okay. If Gloria does not reform, I will support the Ilonggo Nation Movement and all other
Movements that will emerge.

(Note: THE MANILA MAIL is published fortnightly in the Metropolitan Washington D.C. area, that includes the Commonwealth of Virginia and the State of Maryland)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~oo0oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
REACTIONS:
Anent above-subject, here's our rejoinder:

The Ilonggo Nation Movement's advocacy is not necessarily to secede, nor establish a "new" State but a bold attempt to agressively pursue the "Revival" of the Federal Republic of the Visayas. An independent sovereign Nation, that preceeded the present Manila-based unitarian centrist government --that evolved thru continious legal processes from the anomalous $20-million Spanish-American real estate deal under the Treaty of Peace (Paris) during the end of the last century that included our part of the archipelago.

Spain had earlier formally surrendered to our ilonggo forebears, as evidenced by the "Acta de Capitulacion-1898" duly signed by Spanish Governor-General Don Diego de los Rios, the last duly constituted Spanish authority in the Philippines, based in Iloilo.

Therefore, Spain had no more legal rights to sell to the U.S. --the territories under the control and jurisdiction of the independent Visayan Republic.

Minions and lackeys of the "Conquistadores" and U.S. imperialist victors, had deliberately designed our school books, altered historical facts to relegate our triumph against Spanish centuries of subjugation to the dustbin of history and into oblivion --our sovereignty as an independent Nation.

INM discovered this anomaly; have come to realize the diplomatic faux pas and exposed this travesty of history.

Perhaps, due to INM's initiative, the de facto Ilonggo nation was best manifested last November 6, 2007 --when the National Historical Institute under Malacanang, unvieled the long overdue Historical Marker in Bacolod City to commemorate Spain's formal surrender to the ilonggo revolucionarios after 109 years. INM's material (article) contribution was duly acknowledged by the Negros Occidental Provincial Government under Gov. Joseph Maranon.

Incidentally, your article enabled curious readers of Manila Mail, especially Visayans, to visit "Ang Pungsod Ilonggo" INM's eNewsletter at: http://www.ilonggonation.blogspot.com/ which apparently, bolstered our membership list that already contained about thirty thousand groups and individuals globally. Salamat guid!

Padayon ang Republika Federal sang Kabisay-an!

Sa guihapon... dinggol a. divinagracia
(Founder: The Ilonggo Nation Movement)
--
Email: http://us.f562.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=Banwa_Mo@yahoo.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
jamimah estuche wrote:

Ang tsismis naga-umpisa sa hutik-hutik; ang hutik-hutik may dala nga malisya. Ergo, ang mga tsismoso, malisyoso.
--
OK, the syllogism above is fallacious somewhere, which is the point when we look at the above article from the Manila Mail.
--
If one looks closely at the INM newsletter, the following is glaringly presented:
--
1) That the Ilonggo Nation predates the Republic of the Philippines by more than 500 years;
--
2) There is nothing fearsome from the name "Ilonggo Nation Movement" parsing it to "Ilonggo," "Nation" and "Movement." Like all tsismis, fear arises from ignorance;
--
3) There is no illusion of secession in the purposes of the INM because of no. 1 above. We are there to correct the illusion of Philippine nationhood, emanating from the wrong perception of history and by the way it was written with contemptible bias from the standpoint of "imperial Manila" (to quote my good friend from SOLFED, Dr. Jose P. Dacudao);
--
4) Historical events were wrongly presented by the minions of the Loyalists to the Spanish Monarchy who wanted the archipelago declared as a Spanish Province and had fantasized of representation to the Spanish Cortes in the mid and late 19th century in the same manner that the latter American lackeys deceitfully manipulated events leading to the Treaty of Paris in 1898;
--
5) The motto as quoted is a simple paraphrasing of Rizal's "Ang taong hindi marunong tumingin sa kanyang pinanggalingan ay hindi makarating sa kanyang patutungohan" and does not contain any word or phrase that denotes any revolutionary/secessionist fervor as in "Workers of the world, unite, you have nothing to lose but your chains!;"
--
6) When the perception is as in No. 1 above, who is there to secede?
--
7) Most of those who contribute their minds in here are, in fact and in truth, advocates of FEDERALISM, except for the undersigned, who believes that the Philippines should first break up into several nation-states, each of which shall democratically express their individual intention to collectively federalize, if that is their democratic will; This post does not reflect the collective will of the INM but only of the undersigned.
--
AGURANG AMIN
------------------------------------oo0oo--------------------------------------
Priest-soldiers of Panay
(By: Atty. Rex T. Salvilla -The News Today-Iloilo)

On March 18, we will be celebrating the Anniversary of the Liberation of Panay. We have been honoring our veterans and had been focusing on the fighting men and often times overlooking the non-combatant elements of our armed forces.
--
So this time, let us dwell on the fighting padres -- the chaplains who were with the Panay guerillas. Here they are:
--
1. Capt. Mariano Ga - 61st Infantry Division Chaplain of the Philippine Independent Church (Aglipayan church). After the war, he retired as major and became the Obispo Maximo (Supreme Head) of that church.
--
2. 1Lt. Jose Dacudao - 61st Infantry Div. Chaplain of the Catholic Church.
--
3. 1Lt. Ildefonso Odi - 61st Inf. Regt. Chaplain. After the war, he retired as major and became a monsignor serving in several parishes his last being Janiuay.
--
4. 1Lt. Ciriaco Escutin - 62nd Inf. Regt. Chaplain. After the war, he became Chief Chaplain of the Armed Forces of the Philippines with rank of brigadier general.
--
5. 1Lt. Celso Pasiderio - 63rd Inf. Regt Chaplain.
--
6. 1Lt. Miguel Tadifa - 64th Inf. Regt Chaplain. After the war, he became Chief Chaplain of the Philippine Army with rank of full colonel. He saw action in the Korean was as chaplain of the 10th Battalion Combat Team (10th BCT).
--
7. 1Lt. Federico Velasco - 65th Inf Regt Chaplain
--
8. 1Lt. Vicente Tim timan - 66th Inf Regt Chaplain
--
9. 1Lt. Aguston Masa - 61st Inf. Chaplain for Protestant sects.
--
In the 71st Inf. Division of Negros Guerillas two from Panay served as chaplains, thus:
--
1. Major Antonio Frondosa -- Chief Division Chaplain (Catholic). After the war, he became the first archbishop of Capiz.
--
2. 1Lt. Felix Regalado -- regimental chaplain (Protestant) of the 71st Inf Regt.
--
Of post war officers, we have Fr. Vicente Vacante who served as chaplain in the Philippine Army until he retired as full colonel.
--
In the United States Navy, there is Lt. Col. Roy Panes who saw action in the Iraq war in 1990.
--
Lastly, a hundred years ago, during the Philippine Revolution Iloilo, three Ilonggo Catholic priests joined the revolution as chaplains in the Ejercito Libertador. The chief chaplain was Fr. Praxedes Magalona and his assistants were Fr. Santiago Pamplona and Fr. Sivestre Apura.
-------------------------------oo0oo--------------------------------------
Rizal: Undeserved Adjectives?

A radical historian who constantly challenges the status quo of historicity urged yesterday future writers on the life, works and heroism of Dr. Jose Rizal to refrain from further embarrassing him with undeserved adjectives that do not faithfully reflect his true being.
--
Rizal had never seen a corporate boardroom in his lifetime and therefore not a businessman as portrayed by Dr. Ernesto Sibal in his book, Rizal the Businesssman. He merely hawked farm products in the sidewalks of Dapitan, according to author, professor, newspaper columnist, magazine editor and historian Dr. Frank Grego.
--
The national hero is not a linguist as portrayed by historians Sofronio Alip and Gregorio Zaide. He had no formal studies in linguistics and dialectics who learned Japanese because of his pursuit for the love of O Sei San in Japan; French to communicate with Nely Buosted and Gertrude Becket whom he wooed in Paris; German for his unrelenting interest to his A las Flores de Heidelberg; and Spanish because of his education in Ateneo and Universitae de Sto. Tomae.
--
Dr. Grego stressed that Rizal indeed carved a head of a carabao during one of his depressive days but he was not a sculptor as historified by Teodoro Agoncillo. His carving was far beyond compare with those of the Igorots’s and the wood carvers in Paete.
--
The national hero was not an ophthalmologist as pictured by other historians when he checked the blurring eyes of his mother. He did not undergo any ophthalmic fellowship, for he obtained a mere licentiate and not a doctorate in medicine, Grego emphasized.
--
“Why do they have to embarrass Rizal with these inaccurate labels in their desperate efforts to justify his proclamation by the Philippine Commission as an American-made National Hero in 1902?” Dr. Grego asked.
--
(Source: ACAbaya’s TAPATT)
----------------------------------------oo0oo------------------------------------
THE EVILS OF DYNASTIES
"Virtual Reality" column of Tony Lopez
June 12, 2007 Issue of The Manila Times
--
Just how bad dynasties are to the economy and the country can be gleaned from the amount of taxpayers' money these people have access to.
--
Take the Senate. There will be siblings - Pia and Alan Cayetano. In addition, Alan's wife, Laarni, took his old congressional seat from Taguig.
--
The No.2 most popular senator, Chiz Escudero, has his father, Sonny, as congressman from Sorsogon, his son's old turf.
--
Ed Angara is senator; his son and namesake is a congressman.
--
A senator draws P200 million in pork barrel; a congressman, P70 million. Therefore, Pia, Alan and Laarni will rake in P470 million a year, or P1.4 billion in three years. Chiz and Sonny will enjoy P270 million per year, or P810 million in three years, just like the Angara father-and-son tandem.
--
How much does the average poor make a day? A third of the 85 million population, or 25.5 million of the people of this country make less than $1 a day, or P365 (or P17,155) a year.
--
According to Ping Lacson, the P200-million pork barrel of a senator is just a starting figure. If a senator sponsors a Cabinet department during the budget hearings and sessions, he/she is given access to P350 million in the line budget of that department. So P200 million plus P350 million, that's P550 million.
--
What do the Filipino people get in return for electing these people? Very little, if any.
--
In the last 100 years since Filipinos began electing their representatives, the Philippines degenerated from being the No. 1 economy, trading and commercial power in Asia to No. 73 least compe-titive country in the world.
--
Today, the Philippines is less free than it was a century ago. Did you know that the Philippines used to be Asia's industrial power?
--
As late as the 19th century, the Philippines was already one of Asia's premier industrialized countries and was the center of culture and education. The country was producing iron-ore sheets, refined iron ore, liquor from molasses using then unheard-of boilers, fine textiles for export, and was using steam engines and steamships. It established the first bank in Asia, made the first typhoon forecast in Asia, and set up the first European-style universities in Asia.
--
Manila had a street car system, just like San Francisco; and had a ferrocarril line from the city to Dagupan in the north and from Manila to Batangas and Bicol in the south. By 1895, Manila had an electric light system. The first taxi fleet, the first airline, the first modern newspapers, the first conglomerate were established by Filipino tycoons. What happened after that?
--
During the last 100 years, Japan became a military power and the world's No. 2 economic power next to the United States.
--
During the last 50 years, Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore became economic miracles. Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore became nation states (they used to be unknown islands while Filipinos were already conducting diplomatic relations with Europe and China).
--
In fact, at one time, the Sultan of Sulu was a frequent visitor in China because he liked it there. He stayed there for three months, but died of syphilis. The Chinese erected a monument in his honor.
--
In the last 30 years, the Philippines became the slowest growing economy per capita in Asia, bar none. During that time, Congress produced 15,000 laws and law schools 30,000 lawyers, half of whom are active. So two lawyers for every one law. Yet, the Philippines has a very poor human rights and economic rights record.
--
We got our priorities wrong. We gave the people the power to vote even before the people and those they elect learned how to govern properly, or at the very least, prepare or educate themselves to have a modicum of competency and honesty.
--
These days, people kill people just to be able to serve the people. People bribe people just to be able to serve the people. That is the meaning of a heated electoral contest. And of fraudulent elections.
--
Should our politicians be blamed for the nadir we have fallen into? I will say No if those families mentioned in the first part of this column will return their pork barrel and declare, "from now on, I will truly serve the people." C'mon, give the money to the 12-million school- age children who are out of school because of extreme poverty. You don't deserve so much money. You didn't earn it.
--
(Email forwarded by Segunda N. Del Mar- INM: SW Washington D.C.)
------------------------------------oo0oo------------------------------------------

Filipino Demoralization: Creation of an Ilonggo Republic
(By: Brig. Gen. Michaelangelo H. Siscar, AFP (Ret,) -INM: Bulacan -Philippines)
Dec. 22, 2007
FILIPINO DEMORALIZATION

In the news recently, it is reported in the Philippine Daily Star that many Filipinos are traveling to Singapore illegally To work as prostitute. Another chilling news is the sale of internal organs by Filipinos to the Americans, British, Canadian, Australian, Japanese in exchange of a few pesos.
--
There are a million and one reasons for all these things that are happening. But the bottom line is that many Filipinos have lost their hope and industry and have succumbed to temptation of easy money.
--
And what is the government doing about this? They are very vocal against these things but no one seem to walk their talk. Corruption continues to stall industry and development. No big fish is caught. And if they are caught they are quickly pardoned. Rapists are pardoned and set free.
--
In the news too today, a well known Congressman who was convicted of raping a minor Is to be set free today after only 13 years of confinement. Another murderer who took the life of an Italian priest is to be pardoned also, according to the news, in a few days.
--
Yes we lack justice. We Do not punish to make the strongest point. We are very merciful in spite of the fact. And so the country is going nowhere. The roads are all tupsy-turvy, full of Holes, large holes and deep holes. The concrete roads are sub-standard, inferior, low class and low quality in exchange for a few kick backs. You can see corruption on the road glaring at you in the face in broad daylight and even in the dark of the night because if you are not careful your car's chassis will get broken because of hard bumps.
--
And yet we will wonder why only a few denounce this kind of governance. And those who would dare question the government are quickly placed in solitary confinement and in limbo. No wonder many are selling their flesh and souls to survive.
--
I hope God Would Enlighten All of Us in creating a New Ilonggo Republic.
--
Reaction:
We need a radical change and let it start in our own ilonggo community.
--
Sylvester from Vancouver, Canada
(INM: Vancouver-Canada)
----------------------------------------oo0oo--------------------------------------
"Weep like a Woman’
(By: Antonio C. Abaya -Jan. 22, 2008)
--
By the year 1482, the Moorish caliphate in the Iberian Peninsula (what is now Spain and Portugal ) had shrunk to a small perimeter around the city of Granada in southeastern Spain.
--
At its zenith, the Muslim armies from North Africa that had invaded the Iberian Peninsula in the years 711 to 718 AD, had conquered most of what are now Spain and Portugal, and had sallied forth into France, where they were finally defeated and driven back by Christian armies led by Charles Martel in the Battle of Tours in the year 732. AD.
--
The Muslim occupation of Spain and Portugal lasted for several centuries leaving an indelible imprint on Iberian culture and civilization. To this day, many modern Europeans sniff that “Africa begins at the Pyrenees .”
--
But by the end of the first millennium (1000 AD), incessant quarrels and fighting among Muslim chieftains – a common enough phenomenon that persists to the 21st century – allowed the Christian kingdoms to fight back and recover lost ground.
--
By the year 1482, the Christians had re-conquered the kingdoms of Toledo , Sevilla and Cordoba .. In the year 1492, when the Italian navigator Christopher Columbus – Cristobal Colon – was sent by the Spanish king on his epochal voyage to the Americas , the Christian kingdoms of Aragon and Castille, reunited by the marriage of their sovereigns, Ferdinand and Isabella, fielded their combined armies and defeated the quarreling Muslims in Granada.
--
The last Muslim caliph in Iberia , Boabdil, was sent weeping into exile back to North Africa . Legend has it that his aged mother bitterly reproached him: “Weep like a woman for the city you would not defend like a man.”
--
Seven years ago, on a scale not quite as grandiose as the events that unfolded in Iberia in 1492, a pretentious rajah – historically the inheritor of the Muslim outpost of Maynilad – also gave up his throne on the banks of the Pasig River as a band of unarmed street demonstrators noisily descended on his Alhambra.
--
His son, the Datu Jinggoy, was weeping openly, and Rajah Erap was teary-eyed, as they and their entourage boarded a motor launch to the rear of their Alhambra that would take them to the relative safety of not quite North Africa, but their scruffy ancestral fiefdom of San Juan.
--
History did not record Erap’s aged mother saying anything quotable during the Teary Escape, but she could just as justifiably have uttered the same humiliating lines hurled at Boabdil in 1492: “Weep like a woman for the city you would not defend like a man.”
--
Whatever happened to Filipino Machismo so often personified – or so I am told – by Erap in his Tagalog movies? Why did he not stand his ground and defend his Alhambra to the death? What was he so afraid of from an undisciplined but unarmed mob?
--
He had his heavily armed Presidential Security Group janissaries, backed up by armored personnel carriers, who would have sent the unarmed mob scurrying for cover with a few shots fired in the air. They may have stopped being under the command of Erap after AFP Chief-of-staff Gen. Angelo Reyes had “withdrawn his support,” but surely Erap’s magic would still have worked wonders with the masa of whom the soldiers were a part...
--
By ignominiously fleeing from the seat of power, Erap gave the Supreme Court the excuse to concoct what only Filipino lawyers could have invented, namely that he had “constructively resigned” from the presidency, thus justifying swearing in his vice-president, Gloria Arroyo, as the new president.
--
Barely five months later, in May 2001, another unarmed mob descended on Erap’s former Alhambra , egged on by the likes of Juan Ponce Enrile and Miriam Defensor-Santiago, this time seeking the “constructive resignation” of Gloria.
--
But unlike the easily frightened Rajah Erap, the steely-nerved Gloria, who has all the intimidating persona of a Girl Scout selling cookies, stood her ground and, in effect, stared the mob eyeball-to-eyeball until they blinked.
--
By hastily abandoning the seat of power without a fight in January 2001, Erap showed himself to be a coward, the exact opposite of the two-fisted Macho Man he liked to portray in his movies and, no doubt, his personal fantasies.
--
Of course, Rajah Erap was following in the footsteps of another Filipino Macho Man, Rajah Ferdinand, who famously but falsely promoted himself as the Most Decorated Filipino Soldier in World War II, with most of his medals awarded to himself decades after the War, when he was already senator……who also abandoned the seat of power without a fight in February 1986.
--
Erap says Jan. 20 2001 was the “death of democracy in the Philippines .” That would have been convincing had he stood his ground and fought heroically to the death.
--
Instead, he “weeps like a woman for the city he was not man enough to defend.” *****
--
(Email forwarded by: Mon B. Jocson-INM: Woodbridge,VA-USA)
------------------------------------oo0oo-----------------------------------

VERY INTERESTING!
--
In the 1400's a law was set forth in England that a man was allowed to
beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb. Hence we have "the
rule of thumb"
--
Many years ago in Scotland , a new game was invented. It was ruled
"Gentlemen Only...Ladies Forbidden".. .and thus the word GOLF entered
into the English language.
--
The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time TV were Fred
and Wilma Flintstone.
--
Every day more money is printed for Monopoly than the U.S. Treasury.
--
Men can read smaller print than women can; women can hear better.
--
Coca-Cola was originally green.
--
It is impossible to lick your elbow.
--
The State with the highest percentage of people who walk to work:
Alaska
--
The percentage of Africa that is wilderness: 28%.
--
The percentage of North America that is wilderness: 38%
--
The cost of raising a medium-size dog to the age of eleven: $ 16,400
--
The average number of people airborne over the U.S. in any given hour:
61,000
--
Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair.
--
The first novel ever written on a typewriter: Tom Sawyer.
--
The San Francisco Cable cars are the only mobile National Monuments.
--
Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from
history:
--
Spades - King David
Hearts - Charlemagne
Clubs -Alexander, the Great
Diamonds - Julius Caesar
--
111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987, 654,321
--
If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in
the air, the person died in battle. If the horse has one front leg in
the air the person died as a result of wounds received in battle. If the
horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural
causes.
--
Only two people signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, John
Hancock and Charles Thomson. Most of the rest signed on August 2, but
the last signature wasn't added until 5 years later.
--
Q. Half of all Americans live within 50 miles of what?
-A. Their birthplace
--
Q. Most boat owners name their boats. What is the most popular boat name
requested?
-A. Obsession
--
Q. If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until
you would find the letter "A"?
-A. One thousand
--
Q. What do bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers, and laser
printers all have in common?
-A. All were invented by women.
--
Q. What is the only food that doesn't spoil?
-A. Honey
--
Q. Which day are there more collect calls than any other day of the
year?
-A. Father's Day
--
In Shakespeare' s time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes.
When you pulled on the ropes the mattress tightened, making the bed
firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase...... ... "goodnight, sleep tight."
--
It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for a month
after the wedding, the bride's father would supply his son-in-law with
all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer and because their
calendar was lunar based, this period was called the honey month, which
we know today as the honeymoon.
--
In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts... So in old England
, when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at them "Mind your
pints and quarts, and settle down."
--
It's where we get the phrase "mind your P's and Q's"
--
Many years ago in England , pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the
rim, or handle, of their ceramic cups. When they needed a refill, they
used the whistle to get some service. "Wet your whistle" is the phrase
inspired by this practice.
--
At least 75% of people who read this will try to lick their elbow!
--
Don't delete this just because it looks weird. Believe it or not, you
can read it.
--
I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg.
The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at
Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a
wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be
in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed
it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey
lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh?
--
(Email forwarded by: Ms. Laura Diago-INM: Southfield,MI-USA)
----------------------------------oo0oo---------------------------------

2008-01-01T23:08:00.029-05:00

============ ========= ========= ========= =========
* Volume No. II * Issue No. 01* Date: January 1, 2008 *
==================================================
CONTENTS:
*The INM * Ang Mabangis!...* The Rise & Fall of the FRV * The Araneta's *
The Locsin's * Layers of Ilonggo Reality * Insights: Foods * Make My Day!
=============================================================
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today in History!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*25th of December*

THE "ILONGGO" NATION MOVEMENT (INM) -Dec. 25, 2007

Introduction:
In observance of the birth date of Jesus Christ "Our Lord and Redeemer"; the 109th anniversary celebration of Spain’s formal surrender to the Federal Republic of the Visayas and the second Foundation Day anniversary of the Ilonggo Nation Movement in Cyberspace --this article is written as a tribute to the ilonggos, a proud and deeply religious people with rich and noble heritage.

Mga Kasimanwa:
The Ilonggo Nation of Western Visayas existed since 1214 up to the early 1900's. It has a seperate and distinct political set-up; its own culture, ethnic languages and traditions; history and aspirations. A proud race of noble heritage.

The Spaniards who colonized the whole archipelago for about 333 years were evidently defeated and formally surrendered to our forebears in Negros and again on December 25, 1898, after the the Federal Republic of the Visayas was legally established based in Iloilo.

Thus, supposed to signal the end of foreign sovereignty and domination. Unfortunately, however, in view of U.S. policy “manifest destiny” imposed upon us and due to the onward march of modern imperialism that substituted centuries of colonialism --this became a travesty of history.

The “Ilonggo Nation Movement” with it's Banwa_Mo eForum .. a group organized in a bold attempt to resurrect our glorious past, redeem the lost prestige of the Ilonggos and hopefully would act as the vanguard to aggressively pursue the revival of our sovereign Visayan Federal Republic. Thereby, create a force to reckon with; that perhaps, might deter perpetuators of the maladies that now confronts our people.

Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, we pray to wage this war not in the fields of battle but initially in cyberspace. The adversaries, not foreign invaders who trampled our sacred shores but a callous and undisciplined (ourselves included) society of apathy and injustice.

The main objective: to instill awareness worldwide; win the hearts and minds of ilonggos of today and generations to come; so that they, may be able to participate in the war against dismal poverty and landlessness due to greed of the oligarchy (the modern day ilustrados); despair and hopelessness due to graft and corruption in all levels of government; and the existence of the well entrenched Political Dynasties "Psuedo Royalties" of traditional politicians who controls "Perlas ng Silanganan" from "Katigulangan Kag Kaapohan"; that's the new "KKK" for you...

Bugtaw na Banwa! .. Pass this on! .. Madamo guid nga salamat!!
------------------------------------------oo0oo------------------------------------
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today in History !
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Deciembre 27, 1898*

Ang Mabangis! Kalbo nga Agila kag ang Duha ka Adlaw nga Pisu!
(By: dinggol a. divinagracia -INM -December 27, 2007)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On December 27, 1898, the ferocious bald eagle swooped down to Madya-as, waited for awhile, then attacked and began the emasculation of the two-day old "Chick."
---
Thus, was the "manifest destiny" of our short-lived nationhood “Ang Republika Federal sang Kabisay-an“ --at the turn of the last century.
---
Adding insult to injury, the new foreign invaders branded our forebears; the brave revolucionarios and patriots as cultists, brigands, bandits, insurrectionists.
---
Maybe “Uncle Sam” was ignorant of the fact that we were an infant but already a sovereign Nation State with a legitimate form of government --two days earlier. Or perhaps, knew but still refuse to know as the onward march of greed and modern imperialism substituted centuries of colonialism.
---
To entertain the negative notion, a mindset that today we cry over spilled milk over this unfortunate encounter, this travesty of history is not only absurd but sheer ignorance. The objective is not only to remind the whole world of this historical blunder, this diplomatic faux pas ---but more importantly, to instill in the minds and enshrine in the hearts of the young and future generations, a legacy of their proud and noble heritage --nipped in the bud by a socratic irony of fate.
---
That notwithstanding insurmountable odds, our forefathers valiantly fought with dignity against those who trampled our sacred shores.
---
And that we accepted defeat as a victory with a smile; knowing that once upon a time, we as a people in the Visayas --won our freedom in the fields of battle and formally acheived a legitimate independence after more than 333 years of foreign subjugation under Spanish colonial rule and made world history as the first Republic in all of Asia --the Federal Republic of the Visayas!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~oo0oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Rise and Fall of the Federal Republic of the Visayas
(By: dinggol a.divinagracia -INM -December 30, 2007)
------------------------------------------------------------------
Chronology of Events:
---
December 18, 1856: Graciano Lopez-Jaena was born in Jaro, Iloilo City. History recognized him as the first reformist and the acknowledged "Trailblazer" of the Philippine Propaganda Movement. At age 18, he wrote “Fray Butod” that exposed the abuses and unholy alliance between Spanish authorities, abusive encomenderos and the Frailes.
---
In 1880, he reached Spain and together with Dr. Jose P. Rizal and Marcelo H. del Pilar, who arrived in 1882 and 1889 respectively --formed the great triumvirate who advocated reforms for the welfare of the Filipino people.
---
In February 1889, Lopez Jaena founded the "La Solidaridad" that became the mouthpiece of the propaganda movement, with the Noli, Fili and others --it ignited the major spark that started the armed Philippine Revolution in 1896.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After the “Cry of Balintawak” on August 26, 1896, Katipunan Supremo Andres Bonifacio sent home Francisco del Castillo and Candido Iban ----to start the uprising in Aklan (part of Capiz). Gen. del Castillo, who led 82 Aklanon recruits was killed in battle on March 17, 1897. Two days later, the Spanish authorities with local collaborators, enticed his men to surrender with promise of amnesty. But those who gave-up, were deceived, tortured and imprisoned.
---
Nineteen leaders were executed, their dead bodies paraded around Kalibo town Plaza to demoralize the populace. Thus, the short-lived Katipunan led revolution in that part of Capiz ended in defeat.
---
Years later, the patriotic fervor was rekindled and the armed revolution resurrected in the whole Province of Capiz under the able leadership of Gen. Esteban Contreras.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The "Comite de Conspiradores" initiated by Francisco Villanueva and headed by Don Raymundo Melliza was formed in “Parian” now Molo in Iloilo on March 18, 1898. This became the nucleus that started the highly disciplined and well organized covert Revolutionary Movement in the island of Panay.
---
Thereafter, Gen. Roque Lopez -the elected President of the Assembly, Gen. Pablo Araneta -Panay island Commanding General and Chief Expeditionary Forces for the Visayas and other leaders of the council ; secretly maintained liaison with their clan and friends in Negros and nearby island provinces to start the armed uprising in their area.
---
Earlier, Capitan Martin Delgado led the volunteer battalion of ilonggo contingents under the Spaniards who fought against Gen. Aguinaldos forces in Cavite and Pampanga. These military expeditions were mostly financed by Iloilo’s elite; more notably, Gobernadorcillo of "Salog" now Jaro --Don Eugenio Jalandoni Lopez and Don Felix de la Rama of "Parian" now Molo.
---
Later, however, Don Martin secretly worked for the Visayan instead of the Spanish cause and organized for an open armed rebellion against the Spaniards. Several Visayan Generals conferred and chose Delgado as “General en Jefe de los Tropas del Ejercito Libertador de Visayas y Governador Politico-Militar” based in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo.
---
The Visayan leaders recognized Aguinaldo's revolutionary government, since it was for a Federal Republic of the Philippines, with a federal State each for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Later, however, on May 24th upon the advice of Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, an autocratic regime was established with Emilio Aguinaldo as dictator. This move was oppossed by Apolinario Mabini, a Batangueno and by the Visayan leaders, but on the 12th of June, 1898, under this dictatorship Philippine Independence was proclaimed in Kawit, Cavite.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gen. Pantaleon “Leon Kilat” Villegas, of Bacong, Negros Oriental as directed by the Negros Island revolutionary leaders organized the Revolucionarios in Cebu and on the 3rd of April, 1898 led the armed uprising against Spanish authorities together with Luis Flores , Florencio Gonzales, Candido Padilla, Andres Abellana, and others.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
September 21, 1898 -Gen. Leandro Locsin Fullon arrived in Pandan, Antique as Head of the expeditionary forces to Panay sent by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo.
---
However, the Luzon force under his command and Gen. Ananias Diokno's attempt to assert their presence was regarded by the Visayan revolutionary leaders as an ''invasion'' force and met with hostility --since the Visayans did not want to recognize the supremacy of Aguinaldo.
---
Although, they fought side by side for the same cause and under one flag, with the star emblem representing Panay, later symbolizing the Visayas after a federal government was formally established.
---
When the Americans invaded Iloilo, Gen. Fullon joined his cousin Gen. Pablo Araneta and helped in the resistance with other leaders of the Federal Republic of the Visayas. (See related Article in Sept. 1, 2007 issue: The “Revolucionario” of Antique)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
November 5, 1898 -the Independent Negros Republic was declared in Bago Plaza, Negros Occidental by Gen. Juan "Tan Juan" Araneta when Spanish authorities under Col. Isidro de Castro, Politico-Military Governor of Negros Island capitulated. Earlier, Gen. Marciano S. Araneta led the revolucionarios capture the Spanish Cuartel General in "Mangkas" now La Carlota, while Don Diego de la Vina defeated the Spanish authorities in Dumaguete, Negros Oriental.
---
Next day, the 6th of November --Don Diego de los Rios, last Governor-General of Spain in the Philippines signed the Formal Surrender Documents "Acta de Capitulacion" in Bacolod, duly acknowledged by Gen. Aniceto Lacson-Presidente and other officials of the Independent Negros Republic.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Visayas and Mindanao proclaimed by Gen-en-Gefe Martin Delgado during the November 17th “Cry of Sta. Barbara” in Iloilo, was replaced on November 23, 1898 to a politico-military government composed only of the Visayas. The leaders preferred instead a federal arrangement composed of; Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao as a logical substitute because of its indigenous elements.
---
December 2, 1898 -after series of serious discussions and thorough deliberations with the merger of the Independent Republic of Negros, the Cantonal Government of Bohol and other nearby island Provinces --the Panay government, based in Iloilo was formally renamed the Federal Republic of the Visayas.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
By middle of December, the Revolutionaries led by Gen. Esteban Contreras together with Colonels Pascual Barza & Juan Arce with Captain Alejandro Balgos led the Capizenos defeated and drove the Spanish forces out of Capiz, a few days before Spanish authorities totally capitulated to the Visayas Republic in Iloilo City. In Romblon, then still a part of Capiz, Col. Diego de Diaz became commander of the revolutionary forces.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
December 23, 1898 -Governor-General Diego de los Rios, to avoid further bloodshed, relinquished Spain’s banner and official saber --symbol of Spanish authority, for formal surrender to the leaders of the approaching victorious revolutionary forces, thru Iloilo “Alcalde” Jose Ma. Gay.
---
He was the last Spanish “Alcalde Mayor” in Iloilo and the son of Vicente Gay and Trinidad Ditching Soriano, daughter of Don Anselmo Soriano y Flores (Molo Gobernadorcillo-1860) and Maria Dy Ching of Binondo, Manila.
---
Alcalde Jose Ma. Gay, was likewise, a first cousin of Gen. Pablo S. Araneta, Panay Island Commanding General of the revolutionary forces. This act was witnessed by civilian members of the “Comite de Conspiradores” Jovito Yusay and Ramon Avancena with other local officials.
---
The Revolutionary Forces led by Gen. Martin Delgado (Gral-en-Gefe), Gen. Pablo S. Araneta -Panay Island Commanding General, Gen. Leandro Fullon of Antique and Gen. Esteban Contreras of Capiz, after several fierced battles had by then taken all the towns in Panay. While the revolucionarios under Gen. Roque Lopez of Jaro, Gen. Quintin Salas of Dumangas, Gen. Teresa Magbanua of Pototan, Gen. Adriano Hernandez of Dingle, Gen. Angel Corteza of Molo and others had already encircled the whole City of Iloilo.
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December 24, 1898 -Gov. General Don Diego de los Rios, evacuated for Zamboanga on the way home to Spain together with Spanish Politico-Military Governor of Negros, Isidro de Castro and Cebu Politico-Military Governor Adolfo Montero, who hastily created a Cebuano caretaker committee before he left.
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December 25, 1898 -Following the departure of the Spaniards, Gen. Martin T. Delgado led the Revolucionarios made a triumphal entry into the City of Iloilo with victorious parade to Plaza Alfonso XII, where he declared the Independence of the Federal Republic of the Visayas and renamed it “Plaza Libertad “.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
December 27, 1898 -American Military Force led by Gen. Marcus Miller arrived in four US warships to Iloilo harbor to demand the surrender of the City. Several negotiations were made but leaders of the newly established sovereign Visayan Nation based in Iloilo vehemently refused.
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February 2, 1899 -An American naval force appeared along the coastline of Negros ready for war. Gen. Aniceto Lacson -Negros President , seeing no chance of winning against the new invaders opted not to fight and ceded control when guarantees of property rights were made.
---
Moreover, the elite Negros leaders -were more interested in peace with America for commercial consideration as a fertile market for their booming sugar industry.
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February 7, 1899 -Without expecting surrender and peaceful take-over, the Americans began the continious naval bombardment of Iloilo City for about a week --that brought irreparable damages and totally demolished the historic “Fort San Pedro“ citadel.
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February 14, 1899 -American troops led by Gen. Robert Hughes landed at Fort San Pedro, near Santo Rosario in Iloilo and took it by storm. Villages were razed to the ground and hundreds of civilians were brutally killed, including defenseless women and small children. (see related Article in the June 21, 2007 issue: A “Sham” in the Heart of Iloilo City).
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February 22, 1899 -The Fall of Iloilo to the Americans. Ilonggo troops fought the Americans in pitched battles in towns around Iloilo City. The resistance continued even after the surrender of the Visayan Supremo --Gen. Martin T. Delgado.
---
On April 27, 1899, Aguinaldo issued a decree abolishing the Federal Republic of the Visayas, which the Visayan leaders ignored. The embattled Republic continued to function, moving its capital from town to town in the Province of Iloilo.
---
The resistance in Cebu were led by Gen. Juan Climaco and Gen. Arcadio Maxilom. While in Panay, by Gen. Quintin D. Salas of Dumangas-Iloilo --the last Revolutionary General to surrender on October, 1902.
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February 2, 1901 -Surrender of the Panay Forces to the Americans. The Ilonggos resisted but, weary of war and poorly armed, they were soon overwhelmed by the new and well-armed enemy. Many of the leaders surrendered and relative peace was restored.
---
July 4, 1902 -President Theodore Roosevelt officially ended the Philippine-American War earlier known as the “Philippine Insurrection“ by issuing the Peace Proclamation and Granting of Pardon/Amnesty to the "Insurrectionists" who in reality were patriots, fighting for freedom and defending the sovereignty of their independent Nation; the FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF THE VISAYAS.
---
Footnotes:
After the surrender of Gen. Aniceto Lacson to the Americans, Dionisio "Papa Isio" Sigobeyla of Cauayan in Negros --a babaylan declared himself the head of the Revolutionary Government in Negros Island. He fought the American troops for about eight more years until his capture in 1907.
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In 1925 --Florencio Entrencherado, of Central Iloilo in Panay, continued the fight against foreign interference and heavy taxation by U.S. authorities --until he was captured and imprisoned in Manila on May 1927, where he died two years later.
~~~~~~~~~
The United States of America invaded the territories of the Federal Republic of the Visayas; a sovereign independent Nation State recognized by at least one foreign country (Spain) --without a Formal Declaration of War. This is a blatant violation of the "International Rules of War" --an agreement by civilized nations of the world even at that time.
~~~~~~~~~
Nota Bene:
INM Member Benjie Estuche had earlier stated: “It is rather speculative as it is without basis of history if we mean of "history" is that which had been written for us by the “tutas” of our colonial and imperial masters …"
---
(Excerpted: Inquirer 6/13/1999- "View of revolt in provinces spurs revision" by Amando Doronila):
As pointed out by Dr. Ma. Luisa T. Camagay, professor of history at UP, ''for a long time, the history of the Philippines has been written and narrated in a manner whereby events transpiring in the provinces, towns and barrios were but ripples created by Manila, the political, economic, social and cultural center of the country...(The) history of the country has been told and retold with the Philippines being one monolithic homogenous structure with Manilas as the gauge of the national pulse. This kind of historiograpy has persisted for a long time until an awareness of local units exhibited a dynamism of its own.''
---
Recently, we have come to realize that distorted historical facts, were ingrained in our minds as school children and continiously being cited by present day historians and writers.
---
While that’s their prerogative and we respect their opinion, sometimes it is better to believe history handed down from generation to generation --rather than from any Tom, Dick and Harry.
---
Incidentally, some data and informations as contained in above-article were secured personally directly from testimonies of children and grandchildren of the following --who had played important roles during these glorious chapters in our history, to wit:
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Don Raymundo A. Melliza, Gen. Pablo S. Araneta, Gen. Leandro L. Fullon, Gen. Juan T. Araneta, Gen. Aniceto L. Lacson, Gen. Marciano S. Araneta, Don Gregorio S. Araneta, Iloilo "Alcalde" Jose Ma. S. Gay and Gen. Quintin D. Salas.
---
It would also be fair to add, that the author is closely related by consanguinity to all of the afore-mentioned ancestors.
---
Moreover, during the 95th Anniversary of the “Cry of Sta. Barbara” in Iloilo on November 17, 1993 --I had the opportunity to interact with descendants of other 1898 'Revolucionarios' of Panay and Negros during the reunion of members. The celebration was chaired by then Vice Governor of Iloilo, Hon. Demy Sonza -Chairman: Iloilo Provincial Historical Committee and famed ilonggo historian.
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THE ARANETA FAMILY OF THE PHILIPPINES
(By: dinggol araneta divinagracia- #1.111.153.300)

The Early History * Genealogy

The Philippine Aranetas are descended from two brothers who came from the Guipuzcoa Province of the historical region of the Vascongadas or Basque Country in northern Spain. Evidently hidalgos or members of nobility since they possessed a Coat-of-Arms.

During the Galleon Trade in 1723, Baltazar de Araneta y Guyol and his brother Don Jose de Araneta arrived in Manila from Acapulco, Mexico on board the "Nuestra Senora de Guia". Baltazar, an officer in the Spanish fleet married to Manuela de Aguirre served as a Regidor of the Cabildo in Manila and later became the Secretary of the charitable fraternity of the Misericordia. He died in Manila in 1750. His son , Juan Francisco Araneta y Aguirre, a maestre on the galleon "Santisima Trinidad" fought the British forces when they attacked Manila in 1762. He proved his nobility before the justices of Gaiza in the year 1773.

While in 1725, Don Jose de Araneta y Guyol joined the first expeditionary forces for Mindanao together with Don Placido Alberto de Saavedra, to serve the Spanish Politico-Military Government based at Zamboanga City as interpreter of the government and the Sultan of Maguindanao --Sultan Amiril Mamini Camsa, a.k.a. Amir ud-Din Hamza, also referred to by the khalifal title "Amir-ul-Muhminin." Don Jose de Araneta died in line of duty as Royal Interpreter in 1746 at Silangan (Sulugan) the present Anuling in Cotabato, Mindanao. Don Jose's two sons, Mathias and Vicente, both surnamed Araneta y Santa Ana left Zamboanga for Iloilo while another son Jose Benito stayed behind.

Years later, Vicente Araneta y Santa Ana together with his family joined the exodus of the more adventurous prominent ilonggos such as the Yulos' and the Yusays'; the Locsins's and the Lacsons'; the Lopezes' and the Ledesmas'; the Jalandonis' and Javellanas'; the Montinolas' and Montelibanos'; the Valencias' and Villanuevas'; the Salases' and de la Ramas' and others who migrated to the "New Frontier", the fertile island of Negros formerly known as "Isla de Buglas" with its' majestic Mount Kanlaon that eventually became famous as Sugarlandia.
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The Araneta Family and the Philippine Revolution

When the Philippine Revolution against Spain broke out in 1896 and continued during the American regime, the Aranetas' of Molo in Iloilo (based in the Philippine Insurgents Record sub-titled "Las Familias Insurrectos del Pueblo de Molo" of the National Library) actively participated in the revolutionary movement.

The family of Don Felix Locsin-Militante Araneta and Paz Ditching Soriano de Araneta; almost all their children; his sister Ceferina Araneta-Esteban's sons Emilio and Eduardo; and brother Agaton Militante Araneta with his wife Josefa Locsin-Araneta were all listed in the "Insurrectos de Molo" records. Don Felix has a twin brother named Gabriel married to Antonina Gonzales.

While some of Don Felix and Dna. Paz Soriano-Araneta's children were involved in the covert operations of the revolutionary movement, others distinguished themselves in the fields of battle;

Gen. Pablo Soriano Araneta, a Physician-Surgeon by profession, was a member of the Federal Council of the Visayas Republic. He was the Commanding General of the Panay Revolutionary Forces and Chief of the expeditionary forces for the Federal Republic of the Visayas. Gen. Pablo Araneta encountered several fierced battles in Pavia, San Miguel and in the outskirts of Jaro. More notably, the battle of Oton to Arevalo together with Gen. Angel Corteza and Gen. Leandro Locsin Fullon of Antique who fired the first shot. (National Historical Institute marker in honor of Pablo Soriano Araneta - was installed at the facade of Molo Convent facing Molo Plaza in Iloilo City).

Gen. Marciano Soriano Araneta, Administrator of the family-owned Hacienda Paz (named after their mother "Paz") in La Carlota, Negros Occidental, led the revolucionarios valiantly fought and captured the Cuartel General of the Spanish Forces in "Mangkas", now La Carlota City and became one of the founders of the cantonal government of Negros in1899. (National Historical Institute marker in honor of Marciano Soriano Araneta - was installed by the entrance of the old Municipal Building facing La Carlota City Plaza.

Anastacio Soriano Araneta, who served under his elder brother Marciano was killed by remnants of the "guardia civil" who became roving bandits in the hinterlands of Negros after the formal surrender of Spain to the Negros Island Republic on November 5, 1898 that merged on December 2, 1898 with the Federal Republic of the Visayas based in Iloilo.

Jose Soriano Araneta, was appointed "Capitan" assigned at the office of the Panay Revolutionary Forces "Cuartel General" in Pavia, Iloilo together with Capitan Ramon Lopez. He fought in the battle of Tacas, Catmon and Balantang in Jaro in 1899. (National Historical marker in honor of Jose Soriano Araneta - was installed by the entrance of the Municipal Building facing the Pavia Plaza in Iloilo).

Gregorio Soriano Araneta, a lawyer by profession, advocated reforms for the welfare of the Filipino people. He served as Secretary General of Malolos Congress under the revolutionary government of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo in Luzon. (National Historical Institute marker in honor of Gregorio Soriano Araneta was installed at the facade of No.1030 R. Hidalgo Street, Quiapo, Manila, their ancestral home donated as Museum to the Philippine government)

Other members of the Araneta clan in Iloilo; especially the Aranetas' in Anilao; Eusebio Torres Araneta (brother of "Tan Juan") who settled in Anilao, Iloilo; the group of Casimiro, Emilio, Mariano and Faustino all surnamed Araneta; likewise, Miguel Piccio Araneta of Pototan, Iloilo were all officers of the Panay revolutionary forces actively involved in the fight for freedom and independence against the foreign invaders.
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The Negros Island Revolutionary Forces were led by Gen. Juan"Tan Juan"Torres Araneta of the Southern Sector based in Bago, together with his son Col. Jaime Sarmiento Araneta. (National Historical Institute marker in honor of Gen. Juan "Tan Juan" Araneta- was installed by the entrance of their ancestral home in Bago City and his imposing statue mounted on a horse, a revered historical landmark at Bago Plaza).

The Northern Sector was led by Gen. Aniceto Ledesma Lacson married to Rosario Emilia Araneta. (National Historical Institute marker and monument in honor of Gen. Aniceto Ledesma Lacson - was installed in his hometown of Talisay, Negros Occidental).

It is regretable indeed, that the crucial role played by Dr. Vicente Armada Locsin of Janiuay, Iloilo during the 1898 revolution was also relegated in the dustbin of history. He was a Physician-Surgeon who acted as Emisario Confidencial de Inteligencia or Intellegence Emmissary between the Panay and Negros revolutionary governments and reported directly to the Central Revolutionary Committee based in Molo,Iloilo City. This Committee was headed by Don Raymundo Melliza y Angulo composed of Gen. Pablo Araneta y Soriano, Don Francisco Villanueva y Felipe, Gen. Angel Corteza, Don Ramon Avancena and Don Francisco Soriano as members. Dr. Vicente Armada Locsin married Dna. Trinidad Y. Teves and settled permanently in Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental.

It is worthy to note, that in the annals of history, the duly constituted head of the Spanish Empire who colonized the whole archipelago for over 330 years, were defeated and formally surrendered to only two cantonal governments: the Independent Negros Republic on November 6, 1898 in Bacolod City in Negros and to the Federal Republic of the Visayas on December 25, 1898 in Iloilo City in Panay. Both comprised the " Ilonggo Nation".

Likewise, it is interesting to know that only the Araneta family had served in the higher echelons of three revolutionary governments at the same time.

(Acknowledgement: Salamat! to my "Primos" Tonypet and Rolly Araneta for additional info on the early history)
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THE LOCSIN FAMILY OF THE PHILIPPINES
(By: dinggol locsin-araneta divinagracia - S#1.127.723)
---
*EARLY HISTORY * GENEALOGY*
---
Sometime in the middle part of the 18th century:
--
Between the years 1747 and 1750, from Amoy..old name for Xiamen, an island known in ancient times as "Gateway to China" --in the southern part of Fujian Province at the mouth of Jiulong "nine dragon" River in China; an adventurous young man named Wo Sing Lok or "SING LOK" arrived in the Philippines. He permanently settled at "Parian" now Molo in Iloilo City.
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In 1780, Sin Lok was christened as AGUSTIN LOCSIN when he married CECILIA SAYSON, a mestisa daughter of an ilongga and a sangley or local Chinaman who were both devout catholics.
---
Thus, the LOCSIN LINEAGE began...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Agustin "Sin Lok" Locsin married Cecilia Sayson *S#1.000.000* (The Ancestors)
---
AGUSTIN "Sin Lok" LOCSIN and CECILIA SAYSON-LOCSIN had six (6) children, namely:
Josef Manuel, Rev. Domingo, Rev. Juan, Rev. Jose, Lucrecia and Silvestra.
--
The Children: (Spouse/s):
I - JOSEF MANUEL SAYSON LOCSIN-s#1.100.000- -(Juliana Florencia Melliza)
--
Josef Manuel Sayson Locsin married Juliana Florencia Melliza, by whom he had fourteen (14) children. In 1831 he was instrumental in building the Santa Ana Church in Molo, Iloilo City.
--
Children: 1/Maxima 2/Ciriaco"Abdon"Manuel 3/Francisca 4/Rev. Roman Manuel 5/Rev. Luis Manuel 6/Rev. Eusebio Manuel 7/Mariano 8/Capitan Ramon 9/Baldomero 10/Lucas 11/Esteban 12/Andres 13/Juan and 14/Tomasa.
--------------------------
II - REV. DOMINGO SAYSON LOCSIN-s#1.200.000 -Second son of "Sin Lok" became the Curate of Bugasong, Antique in the year 1817.
--------------------------
III- REV. JUAN SAYSON LOCSIN-s#1.300.000- -Third son of "Sin Lok" likewise, became the Curate of Bugasong, Antique in 1834. He fathered two (2) children, namely:
--
1/Lucio Locsin -s#1.310.000- -(Benigna Oliveros)
2/Dionisia Locsin -s#1.320.000- -(Leon Solis)
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IV - REV. JOSE SAYSON LOCSIN-s#1.400.000- -Fourth son of "Sin Lok"
--------------------------
V -LUCRECIA SAYSON LOCSIN -s#1.500.000- -Eldest daughter of "Sin Lok" married Francisco Guanzon by whom she had a daughter,named:
---
1/Silvestra Locsin Guanzon -S#1.510.000- -
--------------------------
VI - SILVESTRA SAYSON LOCSIN -s#1.600.000- -The youngest daughter of "Sin Lok " married Antonio Estrella Araneta, second son of Buenaventura Sta. Ana Araneta (Molo Gobernadorcillo "Alcalde Naturales"-1823)
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Nota Bene:
Thanks! to Jeffrey "Sonny" Labayen Abaygar, of the Locsin-Diaz Bacolod Branch for his initiative in maintaining the Locsin Clan Website at: http://www.thelocsinclan.com/ . Likewise, to Carmen Misa, et al ...for up-dating the family genealogy in cyberspace.
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From: Sandra Sotto (By Email)
Date: Nov 26, 2007 5:54 AM
Subject: Layers of Ilonggo Reality
--
MANILA, Philippines - The book, "Iloilo, a rich and Noble Land," launched last week by the Lopez Group Foundation, uncovers the province's agricultural, civic and social history that interweave to form the multi-layered Ilonggo reality that gives the province and its people such a strong identity.
--
Ask any Filipino and he will tell you that Iloilo is unlike any other place in the country. She is one of the few places in the Philippines with an identity and image distinct from that of any other province.
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Filipinos know Iloilo as the gentle, genteel land of smiles, imagining Iloilo days as unfolding graciously and moving in measured choreography of the rigodón, the outdated, stylized dance ritual highlighting each glittering baile (ball) in moneyed mansions.
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Fiesta mode is what Filipinos imagine Iloilo life to be most of the time: laid-back, peaceful, refined and always celebratory.
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Another layer of Ilonggo reality overlaps the celebratory layer. Hard-working Ilonggos are vigorously entrepreneurial.
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In Iloilo , the moneyed and working classes join in business activities that uphold the province as a vital national economic force, a position first attained with the surge of the sugar industry during the later years of the Spanish colonial era.
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The Manila Daily Bulletin reported in September 1907 that the City of Iloilo was "the metropolis of the Visayan Islands , [the] second city of importance in the archipelago and the greatest market for sugar in this part of the world."
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Sugar put Iloilo on the map. In the 1850s, Nicholas Loney, a British merchant, settled there and "fostered the opening up of the sugar lands of Panay and Negros." Loney introduced new technology, improved yield, and improved the quality of Iloilo sugar to world-market standards.
--
Unrivaled
For many years Iloilo prosperity was unrivaled, reaching a peak when the irritating delay and occasional damage to cargo caused by transshipment of sugar through the Port of Manila was finally bypassed, and from 1865 produce was exported directly to international points from Iloilo.
"The condition of business in Iloilo largely depends on the size of the sugar crop and the price of the staple," further reported the Manila Daily Bulletin in 1907. When the sugar trade boomed, so did Iloilo. Now known as the Queen City of the South, roads and infrastructure were laid out, hospitals and schools opened.
--
In 1907, Iloilo was no backwater. " Iloilo has an electric-light plant and the city is well-lighted. There is also an ice factory and cold-storage plant. Among the possibilities of the near future are an up-to-date telephone system and streetcar line connecting all parts of the city.
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One institution Iloilo can boast of, that might well be copied in other parts of the archipelago, [is] an up-to-date department store, Hoskyns & Company, a British firm, was established in 1868. In their large store on Calle Real can be found a complete stock of goods at prices, for the most part, far below Manila prices."
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Iloilo prosperity was on the rise and the grand planter lifestyle had to be lived in worthy surroundings. Mansions were witness to the opulent moneyed lifestyle that has now all but died out due to 21st-century economic and social realities.
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Mansions built on generous plots of land in quiet pre-World War II outskirts were swallowed up without warning by rapid, unregulated urban growth. Now finding themselves situated on valuable city center properties, mansion owners have been forced to reevaluate their properties and lifestyles.
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Some downsized to smaller houses, renting out their mansions to commercial tenants. Others built rental buildings on their front lawns to generate additional income, hiding their mansions behind a layer of nondescript commercial structures built right along the street, changing the streetscape forever.
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A few simply abandoned their mansions. The postwar years saw many of the moneyed Ilonggos moving out of their downtown mansions into smaller houses.
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Mobility, dignity
Today's middle- and working-class homes, smaller and more modest, reflect lifestyle conditions of a majority of Iloilo City residents. Instead of projecting stability and gentility as the old mansions once did, the aura of the middle-class neighborhood is mobility, dignity, work and a strong sense of community.
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Unlike the genteel streets of the moneyed class where nobody is seen outside of their fenced gardens, streets in middle- and working-class districts fill with everyday life. Residents live their lives on the street.
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The local barangay hall spills out into the street, bringing governance to the people level, as it were. The street is where men hang out, drink or play basketball tournaments. The street is a social center, where the overflow of guests at a neighborhood christening, wedding or funeral is seated.
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On the other hand, the rural landscape, dotted with bahay-kubo clustered in barrios and agricultural land, tells another story. To Filipinos, the bahay-kubo are generic, and the Ilonggo house is no exception. But the high level of outstanding bamboo craftsmanship sets the humble Ilonggo kubo far above the typical and generic.
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For many generations, Ilonggo craftsmen embroider not with needle and thread but with bamboo. Their bamboo work achieves a play of texture by mixing peeled and unpeeled strips or combining dyed and natural-colored strips handwoven into repeating diamond patterns for the "lowly" sawali matting.
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Bamboo sections are scored, flattened and framed for wall panels. They are cut into slats for above-the-ground flooring and stripped into ribbons thin enough for weaving. Absolutely amazing are bamboo slat patterns, grilles of most delicately plaited bamboo lacework executed in fine, hand-embroidery quality.
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Ilonggo architectural bamboo craftsmanship, totally unknown and unappreciated, is naïf Ilonggo folk art at its finest.
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Iloilo bamboo houses, solid but fragile, enclosed but transparent, embody the observation that the Philippine bahay-kubo is in essence a "basket for living."
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Romantic view
There exists a romantic view of downtown Iloilo remaining in a time warp, woven around blocks of superlative, intact 1920s-'40s commercial structures, heritage that gives Iloilo one of the most elegant business areas in the country.
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What a graceful, outstanding heritage ensemble, it is probably the best, most extensive remaining collection of heritage commercial buildings in the country.
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Buildings of the same height, size and of similar design line streets, a rare but vanishing example of urban unity of architectural scale and style in the Philippines. Building layouts are similar— shophouse-type, two-story rental spaces connected by an arcaded sidewalk.
The style of embellishment indicates the date of construction. Structures from the 1920s are decorated in the feminine, lacy Iloilo wedding-cake style.
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The next generation of buildings designed in Art Deco geometry of the 1930s is followed by a post-World War II generation of structures in the robust, no-nonsense 1950s International Style.
Not all downtown buildings in Iloilo are of heritage quality. New shopping destinations coexist with the traditional stores that have always been in the city center, heightening the commercial counterplay between old and new.
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An architectural "read" reveals the Iloilo story. A walk through Iloilo today reveals so much more to the city behind the scenes.
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Behind a generic-looking commercial building may stand a grand old mansion. Step back (if Iloilo traffic won't run you over) to discover that a covered sidewalk is part of a sagging heritage commercial building, a redoubtable dowager whose better days can once again be relived after a simple nip-and-tuck operation.
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Heritage surprises
To really know Iloilo today, one must look beyond the overlapping layers of decay, congestion, chaotic architecture and pockets of wealth existing almost side by side with pockets of poverty. Peel back the multiple layers of architecture, bad architectural facelifts and urban blight for the surprise of your life.
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Layer after forgotten layer of the Iloilo story comes to view. Uncover revealing evidence about the city and what her people were like, culturally, socially and economically during key epochs of Iloilo city's rich history.
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Walk the downtown area to the point of sensory overload. Suddenly come to the old, majestic Customs House by the Iloilo River, a monument to the former Queen City of the South.
Around the corner, step farther back to a vanishing era. Find a Spanish colonial-era warehouse where young women still twine abaca strands by hand into rope as they have done for centuries.
Iloilo is at a cusp. The city has to deal with the ill effects of progress, traffic, congestion, uncontrolled development, urban sprawl from the conversion of neighboring agricultural land into middle-class subdivisions.
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The age of super modernization has set in. Iloilo now boasts of a mix of heritage architecture; modern buildings; up-to-date malls; new inner city and suburban land developments; and, at long last, a brand-new state-of-art airport in neighboring Cabatuan.
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Iloilo is alive. Nothing is dormant about her. History and heritage anchor her. They give her an image so singular and unique that no other place in the country has. Her economy provides income-generating activities for anybody in search of it.
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Iloilo's layered existence embraces everyone, old or young, moneyed or working class, educated or uneducated. She democratically offers something for everyone.
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For inquiries on the book, " Iloilo, A Rich and Noble Land ," call 4545192 or 4545195. E-mail the author at pride.place@gmail.com
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INSIGHTS By: CYRUS A. NATIVIDAD
F o o d s
If you think the gastronomic affairs are over, think again. There you are with a purpose to enjoy the party (also, to share a gift or exchange gifts),. But with due respect to our tradition and indulgence, don't ever hesitate to maintain your fidelity with foods. Reality is that you're not about to give up on the delicious, mouth watering, spicy dishes anytime (what else?).
--
So if you were lucky last Christmas eve, you can win another `hospital-free ticket' this time. Make the right choice or you can take the express trip to Takubet (the prime destination for people with indigestion or constipation).
--
You can avoid that trip by:
Choosing the food that does not give you stomach problems.
Reserving some stomach space for the new year's eve episode- another party elsewhere,
tomorrow or later.
--
Taking the right amount of food by your own serving.
By-passing the cholesterol stuff – by smiling and pretending that you are
diabetic(in case you're not)
--
Now, in alphabetical(ABC)order, I have listed the following
Pinoy dishes ( maybe or may not be your favorite).
A – fritada : One of the best beef menus my mother loved to cook (without her crutches).
B – akarita : A relative of Afritada. Beef are sliced in big chunks.
C – alamares : Squid Rings. Breaded or plain.
D – inuguan: Never been absent in my in-laws noche buena.
E – mpanada : minced beef, carrots and spices stuffed in a croissant like specialty.
F – ish fillet : Ladies' choice dabbed Lapu-lapu, Tanguige or Tulingan (Fillet ka lang)
G - inataan : Best with bagoong and pork. The merienda version incudes ube, sago and kamote.
H -alo-halo : Always served cold even when its hot. Best with pinipig and condensed milk.
I – nasal : Popular chicken, beef and pork barbecue.
J -os inato: One of a kind chicken barbecue (available of course at JO's)
K- inilaw: (kilawin in tagalog). Choices of pork, shrimp or fish, laman loob atbp.
L- umpia : preparation easy – second to cheese pimiento sandwich(choices of shanghai or basa)
M – enudo: beef cuts are small. A pinoy specialty- long before the popular Menudo singers came to Manila
N-ilaga: Baka, manok, baboy (the animals are killed first, sliced and boiled)
best with lanka or papaya.
O – range juice: fruit punch or mix with rum, substitute for pineapple or grape.
P- ancit: Choices of canton, loglog, malabon or bijon.
Q – ikiam: finger food, deep fried, best served with oyster sauce or ketchup.
R – ebosado: pulutan (a.k.a. Camaron Rebosado) egg or flour coated shrimp or prawn – deep fried.
S – inigang: ( namit ipares sa sinangag)-cook with chili-hot pepper. Mainstays: pork, shrimp, fish.
T- oron : Tagalog origination/ sugar coated fried lumpia or banana filling.
U-tan: (for vegetarians)/good alternative for meat dishes/ cholesterol neutralizer.
V – ihon: choices of guisado or batchoy.
W – hat else?
X-icharon bulaklak: Don't eat this one too much, or you would have bulak in your nose earlier.
Y- ellow Rice : rice with yellow food coloring/mixed with peas, resin, diced meat, oyster, etc.
(Ito ba yong Valenciana? Yup, kapatid ni Paella)
Z-isig: (best for pulutan) sizzling with cheese or cream, minced sili(zarap and zisig ni Zimo)
Huh, are you looking for the lechon? Ha,ha,ha...Happy New Year!!!
======================
MAKE MY DAY!
Perspective
(By: Perry Diaz -INM_Banwa_Mo: SacramentoCA-USA)
---
One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live.
--
They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.
--
On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?" "It was great, Dad."
"Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked. "Oh yeah," said the son."So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father.
--
The son answered: "I saw that we have one dog and they had four.
We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end.
We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.
Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.
We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.
We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.
We buy our food, but they grow theirs.
We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them."
--
The boy's father was speechless.Then his son added, "Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are."
--
Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have.
-- Unknown Author
============================================================

2007-12-16T21:10:00.000-05:00

============ ========= ========= ========= ====================================
* Volume No. I * Issue No. 011 * Date: December 16, 2007 *
=============================================================================
CONTENTS:
*Treaty of Paris-1898 *Kind Request* Derailing Federalism * More on Federalism*
Reactions to INM eNews*Coal-fired Power Plant*Announcements* Make My Day!
=============================================================================
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today in History
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Treaty of Peace (Paris) of December 10, 1898
(By: dinggol a.divinagracia -INM Banwa_Mo -December 10, 2007)

1898: December 10 -The "Treaty of Paris" to end Spanish-American War was signed. Spanish commissioners argued that Manila had surrendered after the armistice and therefore the Philippines could not be demanded as a war conquest, but they eventually yielded because they had no other choice, and the U.S. ultimately paid Spain 20 million dollars for possession of the Philippines.

It is regretable, indeed --that there was deliberate design by lackeys of the victors; to alter, omit and relegate to the dustbin of history, glorious events in the past. And this may be true not only in the Visayas and Mindanao, but maybe also in Ilocandia, Bicol and other Regions in Luzon.

The Ilonggo Nation Movement, recently discovered and exposed this can of worms.

Perhaps, it is for this reason --that last NOVEMBER 6, 2007 --the long overdue historical marker to commemorate the formal Surrender of Spain to the Independent Negros Republic was inveiled by the National Historical Institute of the Office of the President --in Bacolod City only after 109 years.

Could this be interpreted, that at last! --Malacanang has finally acknowledged this lapses in history and starts to recognize the sovereignty of the independent Visayan Republic?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
KIND REQUEST -
SUBJECT: Article III - Treaty of Paris-1898

Warm Greetings! to our Readers:

Here's copy of coordinates, as contained in theTreaty of Paris-1898 --that shall finally
determine whether the Federal Republic of the Visayas was really included therein.

Anybody qualified, we respectfully request your kind attention and sincere cooperation
interpreting these into laymans lingo; and if it's not asking for too much --may we know if
Panay, Negros, Cebu, Bohol and Romblon are within the enclosed areas.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Treaty of Peace Between the United States and Spain; December 10, 1898

Article III. Spain cedes to the United States the archipelago known as the Philippine
Islands, and comprehending the islands lying within the following line:

A line running from west to east along or near the twentieth parallel of north latitude, and
through the middle of the navigable channel of Bachi, from the one hundred and eighteenth
(118th) to the one hundred and twenty-seventh (127th) degree meridian of longitude east of
Greenwich, thence along the one hundred and twenty seventh (127th) degree meridian of
longitude east of Greenwich to the parallel of four degrees and forty five minutes (4 [degree
symbol] 45']) north latitude, thence along the parallel of four degrees and forty five minutes (4
[degree symbol] 45') north latitude to its intersection with the meridian of longitude one
hundred and nineteen degrees and thirty five minutes (119 [degree symbol] 35') east of
Greenwich, thence along the meridian of longitude one hundred and nineteen degrees and
thirty five minutes (119 [degree symbol] 35') east of Greenwich to the parallel of latitude
seven degrees and forty minutes (7 [degree symbol] 40') north, thence along the parallel of
latitude of seven degrees and forty minutes (7 [degree symbol] 40') north to its intersection
with the one hundred and sixteenth (116th) degree meridian of longitude east of Greenwich,
thence by a direct line to the intersection of the tenth (10th) degree parallel of north latitude
with the one hundred and eighteenth (118th) degree meridian of longitude east of Greenwich,
and thence along the one hundred and eighteenth (118th) degree meridian of longitude east
of Greenwich to the point of beginning.

The United States will pay to Spain the sum of twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) within
three months after the exchange of the ratifications of the present treaty.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm taking this initiative, because just recently I found out --that out of the 7,100 plus islands that
comprised the Philippine archipelago --only 3,141 islands or less than 50% were ceded by Spain
to the U.S. in this treaty of peace that formally ended the Spanish- American War.

Ergo! there's a big possibility that these involved, only territories still under Spain, that included
Gen. Aguinaldos jurisdictions since he never formally won the war v.s. Spain...or is it otherwise?

It should be noted, America formally declared war against Spain (include Aguinaldo's government)
but U.S. forces invasion into the independent & sovereign Visayan territories was a blatant act in
violation to the Internation Rules of War that already existed at that time.

Hence, this diplomatic faux pas should be seriously considered, exposed and acted upon accordingly.

That is the Ilonggo Nation Movement's role; with the help of fellow Filipinos and by the grace of the
Almighty --the U.S. & Spanish governments shall sincerely rectify this travesty of history; kabay pa!!

All the best, sa inyo tanan ...
dinggol a.divinagracia..
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~oo0oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DERAILING FEDERALISM WITH A KISS OF DEATH:
(Statement of the FEDERAL FORUM OF THE PHILIPPINES-FFP)

The Administration recently placed Charter Change and Federalism proposals on the political radar screen. Timed contemporaneously when it was hard pressed to answer serious questions and allegations of corruption involving the National Broadband Network (NBN) Project and the alleged wholesale bribery of Congressmen and local Government Officials, the motive of the administration in doing so is highly suspect. Coming as it does from a 'Poisoned Tree', it can only bear expectedly rotten fruits afflicted with worms. Such was the fate of the Administration –created constitutional commission that lamentably mangled Federalism initiatives as it attempted to serve the selfish ends of several masters (The President, the Congressmen, the Local Officials) rather than the common good.

The administration as proponent of federalism is a Kiss of Death. It is a classic case of the right message delivered by the wrong messenger.

The FEDERAL FORUM OF THE PHILIPPINES (FFP) therefore calls on theAdministration, specifically the president to desist, at this time, from initiating any study on a shift to federalism. Instead of prostituting a most noble pursuit, the Administration should just focus on putting its house in order by beginning to answer the never-ending scandalous charges against it.

While the FEDERAL FORUM OF THE PHILIPPINES - FFP truly believes that only a Federal Philippines will unleash the potential of our composite "nations" that make up our country, the initiative to push it must come from a source without tainted motives. The federalism movement is too important to be perceived and used as a ploy for temporarily diverting national attention.

Sadly, the FEDERAL FORUM OF THE PHILIPPINES – FFP notes that the very issues of grand-scale corruption and patronizing of congressmen and local executives are the very symptoms of a dysfunctional unitary system that contemptuously uses money to self-perpetuate the ruling elite. Development agendas so badly needed by our suffering countrymen who, by the millions, flock to foreign countries that are Federal, are poorly served by the elite politics of our over-centralized, patronage-based political system.

The FEDERAL FORUM OF THE PHILIPPINES – FFP respectfully submits that the movement towards federalism must be inspired by a clear vision of a restructured power arrangement between and among central and local, federal and state organs of governance. It must be led by patriotic individuals and credible civil society groups who see the wisdom in the establishment of a Federal Republic of the Philippines that will open the broad pathway towards peace, prosperity, growth and development.

The FEDERAL FORUM OF THE PHILIPPINES – FFP slams any effort to use Federalism for short-term political maneuvering but welcomes sincere support from Political Parties, true statesmen and all Filipinos of goodwill who like our national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal have prescient, presaged and predicted the future in the coming of age of Federalism.
(NOTE: INM Banwa_Mo is a member of Filipino Federalist Forum Network)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~oo0oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MORE ON FEDERALISM
(By: Vincent `Bentong` S. Isles -INM Banwa_Mo: CebuCity-Phil.)

Federalism is much more than a political party or ideology. It is a philosophy of life, called by different names by different peoples: subsidiarity by the Catholic Church, autonomy by existing states, the separatist imperative for those who believe they cannot work within the existing system.

Understanding federalism this way gives us the hope that when and if federalism is implemented in the country, the role of the trapos will be minimized.

The people then need to be educated that they are responsible for their own destinies. That their lives are not be controlled by barong-ed politicians in big government edifices.

This is power-to-the- people in its truest form. Real democracy in a multicultural state IS federalism. You cannot have a true democracy if you do not have a federal form.

I have some reservations though as to the opinion of Dindo as to the stand of local trapos re federalism. In fact, currently the provincial politicians of Cebu is lamenting the fact that the creation of provinces can be orchestrated from Manila alone (the Cebuano chairman of the committee on local government opting to hold in Manila the "public consultation" re creation of three separate provinces out of Cebu).

We just need to reach out to them, lobby them, and at the same time gather enough political backbone to give them the element of incentive. After all no sane politician will not pay even lip service to the objectives of an organization if that organization has say 20% of the existing voters in his district. That should be our goal.

The fact is that we have not done enough to popularize, propagandize and publicize the issue on federalism. Although these we are doing here is a good start, we should never stop here. We should continue converting persons to our cause.

Rome wasn't built in a day, but I hope that I will see in my lifetime the flowering of the State of Central Visayas.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
According to Malcolm Gladwell, "... ideas and behavior and messages and products sometimes behave just like outbreaks of infectious disease. They are social epidemics."

What this means to us is that even if it looks nobody is interested in what we are doing, we'll continue doing it because a "tipping point" will come, when our ideas will be the norm.
--Bentong Isles

Editors Note:
INM Banwa_Mo Member Vincent `Bentong` S. Isles is a patriotic young professional born in Sogod, Cebu --24 years ago.
He was on top of his class since elementary. In March 2005, he graduated Magda cum laude --B.S.E. with major in Physics
and Mathematics from the University of San Carlos in Cebu City, Philippines.

He was a constant DOST Scholar in 2001-2005. At the same time, enjoys scholarship grants through the Netherlands Organization
for International Cooperation for Higher Education-Science & Technology Education Southern Philippines (NUFFIC-STEPS).

The multi-talented "Bentong" research interest includes: science education; natural language processing; translation
software; Philippine history and language policy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~oo0oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
REACTIONS TO “ANG PUNGSOD ILONGGO” E-NEWSLETTER:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From (Group-42): Clirard Paul Castaneda (By Email)
Dear all,
Yes, I must agree to this. The history that has been taught to us is wanting. We, as Visayans, should be able to pass down the stories of our own heroes and heroines unto the next generation. I have been taught "Philippine" history but they are filled only with events that took place in the north.

The facts and figures seem so alien to me. I can't relate too much about it because I do not know where they really are. But if you tell me about what happened on Tres de Abril. Or about General Sanciangko, then I'd be more able to appreciate and be inspired by "Philippine" history because I can relate to it. I can really feel that it is my own people, my own blood who have fought for the independence of this island, of this region, of this nation.

Why can't I be taught of my own history in schools?
Clirard Paul
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From (Group-33): Ted Gonzaga (By Email)
This is very interesting! Up to the present no one can explain yet how the Aguinaldo group in Northern Luzon coordinated their efforts with the revolutionary leaders in Western Visayas .....Gen Martin Delgado, Quintin Salas, Teresa Magbanua, and many more .......

Those Tagalog patriots indeed are fighting against each other, each one tried to grab power for themselves....resulting in the assasinations of some of them. What happened to Graciano Lopez-Jaena's role?

The legend or historical saga of the ten Malayan datus who landed in San Joaquin, Iloilo that started the Malayan influence(hence civilization) in the Philippines could have been emphasized in our history. Is it reasonable for the Ilonggos to claim as the first civilized people in the Philippines. And.....by the way, the rest of the Malayan datus proceeded to the north.

Please expand some more this newsletter.
Thanks for remembering me.
Ted
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From (Group-34): Cyrus Natividad (By Email)
Dear Mr. Divinagracia,
We are pleased to be shared with ideas from your publication via internet. As a journalist,
can I possibly share my articles here.....but how?
Best Rgards,
Cyrus
~~~~~~~~~~~~
From (Group-51): Arnold G. Tanoy (By Email)
Date: Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:06:27 -0800 (PST)
Subject: I wish to Join INM Banwa_Mo
Hello.
I am an Ilonggo based here in India. With a growing confused loyalty due to assimilation of both Philippine and Indian cultures, I am trying to learn more on our Ilonggo heritage, culture and the Hiligaynon and I think that I can learn more by joining the group.

Hopefully, what I learn from you guys I can transfer to my family and friends there in Iloilo.
God speed!
It has been said that something as small as a flutter of a butterfly's wing can ultimately cause a typhoon halfway around the world - THE CHAOS THEORY
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From (Group-62): Jose Abueva (By Email)
Date: Nov 22, 2007 9:31 PM
Subject: Fwd: [BALITA-USA] Readers' Comments on "The 'Cry of Sta. Barbara' in Iloilo"

Another insensitive Filipino commenting on Ilongo ethno-linguistic identity. Nong Pepe
Dr. Jose V. Abueva
President, Kalayaan College at Riverbanks, 1803 Marikina, Philippines
Telefax (632)934 4865 Website: http://www.kalayaan.edu.ph/
Email: joseabueva@yahoo.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From (Group-29): manuel faelnar (By Email)
Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2007 07:08:08 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [DILFED] Re: [BALITA-USA] Readers' Comments on "The 'Cry of Sta. Barbara' in Iloilo"

Manoy Pepe,
Thank you for your email. I agree with you that the views of Oscar Apostol are insensitive. I might add they are not politically correct and smacks of the Marcosian "Isang Bansa Isang Diwa" concept.

This fascistic Marcosian concept would deny the non-Tagalog nations of the Philippines their identities and would disenfranchise and marginalize their non-Tagalog languages It goes without saying that Apostol's concept of Filipino identity is Tagalog identity and Tagalog language....(truncated)..
Manuel Lino G. Faelnar-Director
DILA Philippines Foundation, Inc.(Defenders of the Indigenous Languages of the Archipelago) "Without our language, we have no culture, we have no identity, we are nothing." Ornolfor Thorsson, adviser to President of Iceland.
"When you lose a language you lose a culture, intellectual wealth, a work of art." Kenneth Hale, who taught linguistics at MIT.
"Words, if powerful enough, can transport people into a journey, real or imagined, that either creates a fantasy or confirms reality." Rachelle Arlin Credo, poet and writer.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From (Group-64): Lina Araneta Santiago (By Email)
Subject: Re: [federalist_forum] RE: [BALITA-USA] Readers' Comments on "The 'Cry of Sta. Barbara' in Iloilo"
Date: Sun, 25 Nov 2007 08:38:19 -0800

good news. thanks
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From (Group-29): "joseph vincent m libot" (By Email)
Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2007 02:51:51 -0000
Subject: [DILFED] Re: [BALITA-USA] Readers' Comments on "The 'Cry of Sta. Barbara' in Iloilo"

The Americans call us Filipinos not Visayans, Ilongos, and Tagalogs - very much true, as true as they call all the native people in America Indians.

Unless we recognise that Filipinos are of different ethnolinguistic groups, there could be no unity without wiping out the other groups and favoring only one. There could only be one solution that will make everybody happy - that is stop all these hypocrisies of one Philippine nation with a common language, and accept the reality that Filipino identity is a conglomerate of different Austronesian nations some of which Europeanized, and some Islamized.

That kind of set up might not be as strong enough as Russia, Japan, and USA to invade another territory, but is effective enough in deffending its own as the Swiss Federation has proven.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From (Group-16): Davy Animas-Malones (By Email)
Wed, 28 Nov 2007 17:19:53 -0800 (PST)
Subject: RE: I WISH TO JOIN BANWA_MO EGROUP
kamusta,
gusto ko mag-intra sa inyo nga egroup, paano ako mangin member
ninyo? please advice. thank you …
davy animas-malones (Singapore)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From (Group-52): Placido Calderon
To: ilonggoNation Movement, naffaa_forum@yahoogroups.com,fwopinions@yahoogroups.com
From: Placido Calderon placido05@------
Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2007 16:28:44 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [botomo] Re: -"Ang Pungsod Ilonggo" eNewsletter -Dec. 1, 2007 (GROUP-52)

Thanks for sending me your eNewsletter. It is a very interesting newsletter.
Eddie AAA Calderon, Ph.D.Mpls, Mn 55418USA
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From (Group-37): Linda Nietes -Dec. 4, 2007(By Email)
Hello,I am more interested in the Province of Antique.Do you have anything relevant? Thanks,Linda Nietes
Philippine Expressions BookshopThe Mail Order Bookshop dedicated to Filipino Americans in search of their roots.
2114 Trudie DriveRancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275-2006, USA
Tel (310) 514-9139 FAX (310) 514-3485
e.mail: linda_nietes@sbcglobal.net
We blazed the trail in promoting Philippinebooks in America. 2007 marks our 23rdyear of service to the Filipino American community. Thank you for your support. Mabuhay !

Linda Nietes, a cultural activist, also owned Casalinda, the first all-Filipiniana bookshop in the Philippines, (Metro Manila,1972-1983) and has provided a home for Philippine writings on both sides of the Pacific.
"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave atrail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From (Group-66): Marvin A. Segura (By Email)
Date: Dec. 5, 2007
Thank you.
I was amazed by this one, because here in Beijing, the preservation of its rich cultural heritage has been a priority. I witnessed how they value their culture as seen in their highly protected museums and tourist spots. I guess your site is doing great in digging into the our Ilonggo heritage also.
More power!

MARVIN A. SEGURA
Beijing Language and Culture University
No. 15 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District
Beijing, China 100083
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From (Group-47): Dr. Bo (By Email)
Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 19:30:40 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Time to Start
6th December 2007
Hi Dinggol,
Quite surprising that I am not communicating recently, but it does not mean that I am not reading and following the publications you sent to me all the time and I greatly appreciated that.

Since it is now December, i just would like to find out if you will be coming home to Iloilo for the season? and if yes, please provide me with your local phone or mobile number(s) so that I can personally introduce myself to you and we can have a good social reunion... much more with the intention of what we can do to initiate reform to correct what was done wrong to the Visayan Nation and to us as a people. Correcting the errors of history is a valuable educational upliftment for our country and its people and also to the whole world.

Madamu gid nga salamat.
Dr. Bo
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~oo0oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dr. Lynn on the proposed coal-fired power plant in LaPaz, Iloilo City

We are forwarding the letter of Dr. Lynn R. Panganiban, an Ilongga who heads the National Poison Management and Control Center regarding the proposed coal-fired power plant in La Paz District, Iloilo City.

Dr. Lynn is a Professor of the UP College of Medicine Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, FPSCOT-Fellow of the Phil. Society of Clinical and Occupational Toxicology, and DPAFP-Diplomate of the Phil. Academy of Family Physicians.

Melvin B. Purzuelo -(INM Banwa_Mo: CityProper Iloilo-Phil.)
----------------------------
November 1, 2007

Dear Colleagues in the health profession and concerned Ilonggos / Ilonggas,

Greetings!
Two weeks ago, it was brought to my attention that there is a plan to set up a coal-fired power plant in the City of Iloilo. This news came as a surprise to me since I have the belief that this source of electrical power was no longer an option considering that a few years back, similar proposals were resisted and rejected by the Municipalities of Banate and Concepcion.

As an Ilongga who remains to be appreciative and proud of the City and as a physician-toxicologist who understands the impact of hazardous chemicals on health and environment, I am deeply concerned and saddened about the proposed setting up of the said coal-fired power plant. It is a general knowledge that coal-fired power plants have been the major source of air pollution all over the world. In fact, their emissions have been the major contributors to the global warming phenomenon we are currently experiencing.

Although there have been attempts in addressing the toxic discharges with introduction of new technologies, we are still in the stage of merely reducing these emissions and have no methods of totally eliminating them.
My concern and apprehension with the establishment of the coal-fired power plant is based on the following:

1. Emissions from coal-fired power plants are composed of pollutants such as oxides of sulfur, mainly sulfur dioxide; nitrogen oxides; polynuclear hydrocarbons; total gaseous hydrocarbons; solid particulates, especially PM 10; formaldehyde; carbon monoxide, metals such as mercury and arsenic.

2. The above substances carry with them intrinsic toxic effects. In combination, these effects can be magnified because of chemical-chemical interactions that produce synergistic effects . For instance, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides and particulate matter have common target organs - the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. The combined effects of these substances can be more than the sum of the individual effects on these organ systems.

3. These are members, in the community situated near coal-fired power plants, who are vulnerable to even low concentrations of the above substances. For instance, children may be exposed to more of these substances than adults because they breath more air for their size than adults do. For sulfur dioxide, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) (1999) reports that "Long term studies surveying large numbers of children indicate that children who have breathed sulfur dioxide pollution may develop more breathing problems as they grow older, may make more emergency room visits for treatment of wheezing fits, and may get more respiratory illnesses than other children. Children with asthma may be especially sensitive even to low concentrations of sulfur dioxide." A recent study published in the Environmental Research in January 2007 showed that "air pollution from coal-fired power station, although not exceeding local pollution standards, had a negative effect in children's lung function development."

4. The presence of heavy metals in the emissions of coal fired power plant should be taken into consideration. Mercury has been identified as one of the metals released in coal combustion. Globally, this toxic metal has been caused significant adverse impacts such that in 2005, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Governing Council arrived at the decision that 'urges governments, intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations and the private sector to develop and implement partnerships in a clear, transparent and accountable manner, as one approach to reducing the risk to human health and the environment the release of mercury and its compounds to the environment."

With regards the health effects, it has been found that organic mercury is a potent teratogen and reproductive poison. Its worst effects involve the central nervous system and the onset can be insidious and compose of dysarthria, ataxia, mental retardation, among others.

5. The establishment of the coal-fired power plant is not an economically-efficient way of sourcing energy if we include in the total cost operation the health and environmental impacts. The increased hospital visits, the prescribed medications, the man-hour productive losses because of sickness carry with them monetary equivalents. For an individual who develops mercury poisoning, the cost of the chelating agent alone for c 19-day course is P136, 095.00 The big question is: Who will shoulder these health costs? Have these been taken into consideration?

6. Establishment of a hazardous industry such as the coal-fired power generation, will require stringent and efficient monitoring of its impact on health and environment. Monitoring does not just mean merely using on health and environment. Monitoring does not just mean merely using our sense of smell or sight. This monitoring system means setting up of a scientifically sound technology for measuring pollutant levels in the environment and biologic fluids, their periodic evaluation and provision of appropriate interventions. This system entails money as well when done in an honest to goodness manner. Current cost for each environmental sample runs from P1, 200.00 - P5,000.00. This cost is also the same for biologic samples. Again, has this kind of monitoring system been considered and who will shoulder the cost?

In my 17 years of work as c toxicologist, I still have to see an efficiently operating monitoring system that seriously looks into health and environmental impacts of pollutants in the country.
In light of the above points,
- I urge each and every one of us to take a second look at the proposal of setting up c coal-fired power plant in the city.

- I pray that God will provide us the wisdom to clearly understand the adverse impacts the industry will bring to us and our environment.

- I encourage every one to be vigilant, oppose the setting up of the said plant and challenge our local government to look for safe alternatives to power generation other than coal-fired generated source.

- I enjoin everyone to be in the preventive rather than control mode, accept and promote the precautionary principle that "calls for preventive, anticipatory measures tobe taken when an activity raises threats of harm to environment, wildlife or human health, even if some cause-and-effect relationships are not fully established."

Even the philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 put emphasis on the preventive aspect as what is embodied in its Declaration of Policies that states: 'c policy of the state is to focus primarily on pollution prevention rather than control…"

Galatians 6:9 says: "Let us not become weary in doing good. For at the proper time we will reap c harvest if we do not give up." Let us not give up the good fight.

Remember, that we are doing this for the future of the younger generation.

God bless you and our beloved City of Iloilo.

Very truly yours,
Lynn R. Panganiban, MD, FPSCOT, DPAFP Mandaluyong City-Philippines
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~oo0oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A N N O U N C E M E N T S ______ & ______ M E S S A G E S
Welcome! New INM Banwa_Mo Members:
----------------------------------
*Marvin A. Segura -Beijing, China
---------------------------------
Nota Bene: Easy access to Join! INM Banwa_Mo eGroup, was inadvertently "Closed Permanently"due to wrong key application.
-------------
Hence, to Join! kindly send email to: Banwa_Mo@yahoo.com with the SUBJECT:"I wish to join INM Banwa_Mo eGroup".
Salamat! --the Moderator
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~oo0oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ready! AIM! File!
Association of Ilonggos of Metropolitan Washington D.C. (AIM) Inc.
(Website at: www.tabligan.org/AIM)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I -Subject: Christmas Party
This is the time of the year when we should all be MERRY, JUBILANT, and EXCITED for the coming of OUR SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST!!!!

Let's celebrate Christmas with camaraderie and merry-making! It's a wonderful time to see each other again, renew friendships and acquaintances, and enjoy each other's company!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR DECEMBER 30, 2007!!! The Association, through Lina Divinagracia, our Business Manager, has reserved the Social Hall of St Aloysius Church in Washington DC for our Christmas Party.

There will be a Mass at 1:30 PM and right after, WE WILL PARTY! Please bring your favorite covered dish, enough for 10 people.

THERE WILL BE A TALENT SHOW FOR THE KIDS (ages 3 - 10 years old) SO GET YOUR LITTLE ONES READY FOR THE COMPETITION!!!

They can showcase their talents in singing, dancing, playing musical instruments, karate... anything! WONDERFUL PRIZES AWAIT THE WINNERS!!!

For more information and to let us know that you are coming, and what particular dish you would like to bring, please contact the following:

Marilu-(301)987-2060/Lina-(202)265-1251/Les-(240)477-5500/Zeny-(202)409-8836

We look forward to seeing you there! St. Aloysius Gonzaga Church
900 NORTH CAPITOL St., NW. - WASHINGTON, D.C. 20001

II -Obituary:

Hello Everyone, It is with great sorrow that I inform you that a fellow Ilongga has recently passed away in a tragic car accident.

DR. MARLENE PICCIO AZARCON, formerly from Maasin, Iloilo, died in a car accident last Thursday, December 6, 2007. She was 53 years old. She was driving on her way to her Pediatric clinic when her Land Cruiser skidded on the icy road and crashed on a tree which resulted in the smashing of the driver's side of the vehicle. The accident claimed her life instantly.

Marlene is survived by her husband, Gary Azarcon, and her 17 month old daughter Ingrid Isabel in Lorton, Virginia.

Marlene was loved by everybody who knew her. She was such a compassionate, caring and sweet person with a vibrant personality and zest for life. We will surely miss her.

The Association has made arrangements to incorporate a special intention for the eternal repose of her soul at our Christmas Party Mass on December 30 at 1:30 PM at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Church in Washington, DC.

Funeral services have not been announced yet as of this time.

Let's all join together in praying to the Lord to welcome His daughter Marlene into His heavenly kingdom and to bless her family with the comfort and hope of His grace.

God bless; Zeny

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~oo0oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Make My Day!

The Merciful Sheik & Da' Pinoy!

(Thanks! to Perry Diaz -INM Banwa_Mo: SacramentoCA-USA)

A Filipino, a German and a Pakistani got arrested consuming alcohol which is a severe offense in Saudi Arabia, so for the terrible crime they are all sentenced 20 lashes each of the whip.

As they were preparing for their punishment, the Sheik announced: "It's my first wife's birthday today, and she has asked me to allow each of you one wish before your whipping."

The German was first in line, he thought for a while and then said: "Please tie a pillow to my back."

This was done, but the pillow only lasted 10 lashes & the German had to be carried away bleeding and crying with pain.

The Pakistani was next up. After watching the German in horror he said smugly: "Please fix two pillows to my back."

But even two pillows could only take 15 lashes & the Pakistani was also led away whimpering loudly.

The Filipino was the last one up, but before he could say anything, the Sheikh turned to him and said: "You are from one of most beautiful part of the world and your culture is one of the finest in the world. For this, you may have two wishes!"

"Thank you, your Most Royal and Merciful highness," the Filipino replied.

"In recognition of your kindness, my first wish is that you give me not 20, but 100 lashes."

"Not only are you an honorable, handsome and powerful man, you are also very brave." The Sheik said with an admiring look on his face.

"If 100 lashes is what you desire, then so be it. "And what is your second wish?" the Sheik asked.

The Filipino smiled and said, "Tie the Pakistani to my back" !!!

(Shared by Albert Abellanosa)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~oo0oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Partridge in a Pear Tree

++++++++++++++++++++++

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning:

The surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for religious reality which the children could remember.

-A partridge in the pear tree was Jesus Christ.

-Two turtle doves were the Old and the New testaments.

-Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

-Four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

-Five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament..

-Six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

-Seven swans a-swimming represented the seven fold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

-Eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Fait hfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.

-Ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.

-Eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven disciples.

-Twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostle's Creed.

And to one and all! -----"MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2007-12-01T17:20:00.001-05:00

============ ========= ========= ========= ========= ========================
* Volume No. I * Issue No. 010 * Date: December 1, 2007 * ==========================================================================
CONTENTS:
*Federalism in the Philippines*Reaction to"Cry of Sta. Barbara"*Bayanikasan*Federation
of Mindanao * Mindanao Economy * Announcements * Chickens & Egg. * Who's Colored?* ===========================================================================
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today in History!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FEDERALISM IN THE PHILIPPINES (Deciembre 2, 1898)
(By: dinggol a.divinagracia -INM Banwa_Mo -December 2, 2007)
--
Federalism in the Philippines was first articulated by the ilonggos during the 1898 Revolution, one hundred nine years ago. The Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Visayas and Mindanao; proclaimed during the November 17th “Cry of Sta. Barbara” in Iloilo, was replaced by the revolutionary leaders on November 23, 1898 to a politico-military government composed only of the Visayas.
!!!!!!!!!!
They preferred instead a federal arrangement composed of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao as a logical substitute because of its indigenous elements.
!!!!!!!!!!!!
On December 2, 1898, after series of serious discussions and thorough deliberations with the merger of the Independent Republic of Negros, the Cantonal Government of Bohol and others --the Panay government, based in Iloilo was renamed Federal Republic of the Visayas, patterned after the U.S. Federal and Cantonal government of the Swiss Confederation.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Earlier, Gen. Roque Lopez and Gen. Pablo Araneta of Iloilo secretly maintained liaison with their “Parientes“ in Negros; Gen. Aniceto Lacson of Talisay, Gen. Juan “Tan Juan” Araneta of Bago, Gen. Marciano Araneta of La Carlota, Gen. Leandro Locsin of Silay and others to start the armed uprising against the Spanish forces in Negros.
--
Gen. Pablo Araneta, a Doctor of Medicine by profession, as Panay Island Commanding General and Chief-Expeditionary Forces for the Visayas under Martin Delgado (Gen-en-Gefe), commissioned Colonels Eduardo and Emilio Esteban to coordinate with other Visayan Revolucionarios. While Gen. Lacson and “Tan Juan“ also assigned Gen. Pantaleon “Leon Kilat“ Villegas of Bacong, Negros Oriental (part of Negros Republic) to organize the Cebuano patriots and join in the revolution.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is worthy to note, that evidently --the Spanish Government in the Philippines, formally surrendered to both the Independent Negros Republic on November 6, 1898 and to the FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF THE VISAYAS on December 23rd of the same year.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is regrettable, however, that the heroic triumph of the Visayan Patriots who successfully established an independent and sovereign Nation, became a travesty of history --when modern imperialism substituted centuries of colonialism.
--
Adding insult to injury, minions and lackeys of the victors relegated this events to the dustbin of history; forgotten in the memories of the young; to be erased in the minds of future generations.
--
Hence, the Ilonggo Nation Movement's bold attempt to revive this glorious era of the yesteryears and commemorate --the birth of Federalism in the Philippines.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here's an anniversary comment taken from Manuel Luis Quezon-III(MLQ3) blogsite:
"Manolo, Resil Mojares’s paper delivered at the recent conference on Political Reform and Charter Change, says the Ilonggos (even before the birth of Salvador Araneta) first articulated the federalist dream. He says that in 1898, leaders in Iloilo formed the Federal State of the Visayas, anticipating that a Federal Republic of the Philippines, composed of three states — Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao — would be formed by the Aguinaldo government.
!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mojares further points out that in 1899, some “eminent” Filipinos submitted to the Philippine Commission a draft for a Federal Republic of the Philippines with 11 states. The Ilocano intellectual Isabelo de los Reyes also proposed in 1900 a federal constitution with 7 states.
!!!!!!!!!!
The Tagalogs, of course, were not dreaming of federalism but of a unitary state, with themselves at the helm.
!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Sheila Coronel said this on July 29th, 2005 at 3:57 pm)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ oo0oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Reaction to previous article: “The Cry of Sta. Barbara” in Iloilo.
(From Mr. Oscar Apostol & also our highlighted italic remarks)
--
While we respect others opinion and admire the courage and patriotism displayed by the Tagalogs, albeit unsuccessful armed revolution that started with the "Cry of Pugad Lawin" in Balintawak; we are also proud of the ilonggo Revolucionarios who participated in the "Cry of Sta. Barbara" in Iloilo that culminated in victory against Spanish subjugation and gave birth to an independent and sovereign Nation --the Federal Republic of the Visayas.
----------------------------------------------------
Mr. O.A.: I am somewhat perplexed as to the content and tone of this article. From historical perspective it is interesting to a point. However, I have a feeling the author has a hidden agenda.
----------------------------
Remarks: It's obviously clear, our detractor did not take initiative to view the source cited at the end of the article --everything is contained therein...for all to see at: (www.ilonggoNation.blogspot.com)
----------------------
Mr. O.A.: There is an implicit message to endorse and inhance larger roles for the Ilongos in the fight for independence. It won't happen. They fought bravely and heroically I am sure but why is this surfacing now? It is late in the game. Next thing you know the author would cry foul for making Tagalog the national language of the Philippines.
----------------------
Remarks: Again, I say go to: www.ilonggoNation.blogspot.com . Gen. Aguinaldo's troops, won several battles --BUT NEVER THE WAR against Spain. While evidently, the duly constituted Spanish authorities formally surrendered to both the Negros Republic and the Federal Republic of the Visayas.
-----------------
"True Independence could never be just self-proclaimed (in Kawit, Cavite) nor bestowed upon (July 4, 1946), it has to be won and duly achieved"
----------------
Yes! we vehemently oppose a Filipino-coated "purely Tagalog" national language.
------------------------
Mr. O.A.: Did the Philippine history overlook many of these brave and heroic people mentioned in this article? Is the purpose of this article to correct the omissions? And why is there grandstanding demonstrated and at the same time belittling Aguinaldo? Is the author opposed to a united Philippines? If so, for God sake, the Philippines has enough problems to deal with for the next thousand years. What is the point? It is difficult to rewrite history, period.
---------------------
Remarks: AGAIN! I say, go to: www.ilonggoNation.blogspot.com . We agree, that the Philippines has more than enough problems brought about by the present system, a Manila-based unitarian centrist government.
----------------
It is, therefore, imperative for a paradigm shift to FEDERALISM!
------------------------------------
Mr. O.A.: Years ago, when I was an officer and quite active in the Jaycees in San Francisco, I strongly discouraged new recruits from identifying their provinces of birth. That way we would start thinking we are all Filipinos (as Jose Rizal much earlier urged for a Filipino identity).
----------------------------------
Remarks: It was Jose Rizal, I recall, who said: "Ang hindi marunong lumingon sa kanyang pinangalingan, ay............."
-------------------------------
Mr. O.A.: Americans look at us as Filipinos, not Visayans or Ilocanos. I did not want to perpetuate discrimination among our people. We may have different social and political backgrounds, but hey we are one people. We have difficulty assimilating so why add another layer of problems among our on?
-------------------------------
Remarks: Americans themselves, are likewise, proud being Texans, Californians, New Yorkers, Virginians, etc..etc.. Why give importance, on how they look at us?
---------------
As Visayans, Mindanaonons, Ilocanos, Bicolanos, Tagalogs, etc., we sometimes do not see eye-to-eye, but as Filipinos, we can always go hand-in-hand.
----------------------------
Mr. O.A.: If the intent is to educate or clarify so be it. It is not a unifying article and most non-Ilongos will ignore it for a good reason. It is not worth it to open a can of worms. Most people do not care.
--
Oscar Apostol.
------------------------------
Remarks: There was deliberate design by lackeys of the victors; to alter, omit and relegate to the dustbin of history, glorious events in the past. And this may be true not only in the Visayas and Mindanao, but maybe also in Ilocandia, Bicol and other Regions in Luzon. We read school books mostly depicting only the saga of Aguinaldo and company --glamorizing the losers of the Revolution.
--------------
The Ilonggo Nation Movement, recently discovered and exposed this can of worms.
--------------
Perhaps, it is for this reason --that last NOVEMBER 6, 2007 --the long overdue historical marker to commemorate the formal Surrender of Spain to the Independent Negros Republic was inveiled by the National Historical Institute (NHI) in Bacolod City only after 109 years.
~~~sa guihapon...dinggol a.divinagracia~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~oo0oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Bayanikasan Constitution-Effective Democracy For All
--
The brainchild of Dr. Araneta was based on Philconsa studies (1968 to 1971). It called for a Federal Republic of the Philippines. Because it proposed many drastic reforms that would require time before people would accept the terms, Araneta envisioned this to be adopted in 10 to 20 years.
--
PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY; DEMOCRATIZATION OF WEALTH: A COLLECTIVE LEADERSHIP THROUGH THE TROIKA; MODERATING POWERS IN THE GOVERNMENT; A SEMI-UNITARY GOVERNMENT WITH LOCAL AUTONOMY, WERE ALL PART OF HIS VISION FOR THE FUTURE.
--
The Federal form of government would separate Muslim Mindanao from Christian Mindanao; for greater participation from Christian Mindanao; for greater participation in government, the state would promote the establishment of non profit institutions and foundations that would participate; in nation building with involvement in government affairs especially in legislation and socio economic development.
--
ARTICLE 83 – called for the termination of the treaty allowing the U.S. to maintain based in the Philippines and to work for the international neutralization of the republic of the Philippines.
--
ARTICLE 44 – to remedy the backlog of cases for “speedy and equal justice for all,” it was proposed that a constitutional and Special Courts of original jurisdiction under it, be created to handle all cases involving public law, so that the exixting Judiciary will only have jurisdiction over private law cases. It also urged the creation of temporary additional divisions in the Supreme Court and Court af Appeals and temporary courts of First Instance to exclusively hear and dispose of the backload of cases. Further to reduce the kinds of cases that may be appealed to the court of Appeals and to the Supreme Court.
--
ARTICLE 24 – the creation of the NEDA for achieving a sustainable economy to formulate, in consultation with the NACE (National Authority on Culture and Education) definite national economic and social policies, taking into account the limited fuel resources and foreign exchangae, the high cost of foreign fund, the need to return to a less sophisticated way of life and to nature and the simple way of life in the tropics, the evils of pollution, the need to provide proper balance of available physical and spiritual work to all, and in sum, the promotion of the Bayanikasan way of life and the national purpose. (See Section 4 of the proposed Ordinance)
--
ARTICLE 65 provides – to solve the problem of inflation exiting at the (then) rate of 15% to 20% a year an to simultaneously solve the problem of unemployment – a policy of full employment must be carried out.Unemployment which cannot be absorbed by normal work opportunities could be taken over by such projects, as follows:
--
1. A vast reforestation program program for flood control and tree fuel source;
-------------
2. A bold housing located in new industrial estates;
-------------
3. Essential infrastructure;
-------------
4. A bold program of rural school building;
-------------
5. A program of high school and vocational and academic courses at every municipality;
-------------
6. A program of colleges and universities in every province;
-------------
7. A bold program of hospital builsings using medicines from our flora and fauna along with western medicines, accessible to all families;
-------------
8. Rapid, efficient and maximum development of all new natural resources. Giving high priority to those that are inexhaustible such as the sun wind and the tide and the maximum attention to our water, mangrove, geothermal, petroleum, coal, lime and mineral resources.
-------------
9. Reclamation of our huge marshes leaving about one forth untouched to preserve the ecological balance, three – fourths thereof to be used to convert adjoining blocks: fishponds of about 2 hectares each, alternating with areas to be used for agricultural of urban purpose, of about one hectare each. The urban area shall not extend to one-tenth of the agricultural area which will be irrigated with excess water from the fishponds.
-------------
10. The use of water resources from all our rivers for mini or medium-sized hydroelectric power; also for irrigation and water conservation.
-------------
Editors Note:
The above item, is a capsulized presentation of the "Bayanikasan" concept --were secured,
thanks to Ma. Lina Araneta-Santiago, daughter of the late Dr. Salvador Z. Araneta and
Victoria Ledesma Lopez de Araneta. Salamat!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~oo0oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Federation of Mindanao?
(By: Nathanael"Nat" Gerochi Duenas -INM: BurlingameCA-USA)
-
The Federalization concept is the ultimate resolution to the Muslim conflict giving recognition for the rights of a group of people to govern themselves as provided for the UN Resolution on self-determination and the regional autonomy to our regional unique differences in language, culture and traditions.
--
The historical birth of the Republic of the Philippines in 1946 was a convenience for the America commonwealth system to relinquish its colonizing obligations and reparations of World War II 'granting independence' with 'strings attached' of economic exploitation with no social conscience.
--
The Bangsa Moro and its traditional social and political heirarchy had always been correct in their persistent demands of recognition, as ancestral indigeous peoples of the islands.
--
The Republic must embrace 'all our people' regardless of their regional differences in language, religious affiliations, culture and heritage. The 1997 Indigenous Peoples Act mandates this recognition and equitable acceptance in the same manner that the Federation of Malaysian States (1946) embraced the presence and significance of their unique societies within each Sultanates that presently comprises the 14 Autonomous States.
--
If the predominant 'Christian population' tolerates the various Christian sects to co-exist, other religious affiliations and beliefs guaranteed by the Constitution must co-exist too i.e. the Buddist, Taoist, Islam, Bahai, etc.
--
The Government of the People is required to accept all our people regardless of their religious inclinations or the absence of it. The primary function of government for which the Republic is tasked to provide public service must not selectively discriminate its own people that created government or has not participated in creating government by discriminating them.
--
A Federation shall include all the regional autonomy all over the 7101 islands - not Mindanao alone. The clamor for regional autonomy is not confined to Mindanao or to the Bangsa Moro alone. Other regions have signified the need for a regional autonomy to be able to address their regional concerns better than the present centralized system offered by Malacanyang.
--
The Republic is not MetroManila leadership. A Federation consist of varous State Leaderships emanating from the regional autonomous states sharing a common love for a Nation, a collective endeavor based on a solidarity for a common cause - a sharing of anguish and suffering, of rewards and resources, of success and happiness. This is seldom heard in the politics of a centralized MetroManila leadership - to provide a collective effort of improving a favored region because of a sincerity in seeing the regional citizenship the realization of their dreams and enjoy a better quality of life?
--
What happened to Mindanao and far flung communities from the MetroManila leadership has its historical roots from a centralized system introduced by the Spaniards and later on by the Americans. The centralized system never 'trusted' our regional leadership and capabilities despite the emergence of a new and modern society with technologies and the 85% literacy of our people.
--
To accept regional autonomy is to entrust once again to our people their rights to govern themselves and rely on their regional resources to collectively assist each other during times of need and a federated system that can extend an impounded resources of alleviating a regional cause or need. This is a better alternative than the present 'patronage politics' or dependence to the 'central Malacanyang Palace'.
--
The word 'palace' of the monarchy or the Sultan's palace of the traditional ancestral domain of the regional sultanate connotes the 'colonial' recognition of a 'Governor's Palace' as the seat of governance with its slave subjects. The semantics of a 'White House' as the 'home of the peoples ruler' has a tenure of office. The palace connotes permanence and lifetime tenure as the Monarchy of England, a titular recognition. The INK's palace or the Bishops' palace are nomenclature of respect for our religious belief and culture. We need to rely more in the system of governance, instead of looking up to the 'mansion or the palace' for leadership in public service.
--
Present modern public service management systems allow a 'City Manager or Administrator' to perform the duties of operating a governmental unit. In a Federated system like Malaysia, the autonomous States has a titular recognition of the Sultanate and the Sultan's traditional 'royal lineage' as inherent of their culture. The affairs of public service is provided by the Chief Minister (comparable to a US State Governor) for which the 14 Chief Ministers are under the Prime Minister which manages the whole nation.
--
If this system works for the Federated States of Malaysia and other similar federated systems, I do not see why it will not work for us. Eliminating the protracted war in Mindanao and giving responsibilities to our autonomous regions, the 'rebellions' and the 'unrest' or banditry will be confined at the regional level without disrupting the program of governance of the rest of the regions under the federation.
--
This will also make the Military under the Federation together with other 'federal agencies' responsible in over-seeing the autonomous regions compliance to 'national interest' and its constitutional duties of protecting the interest of the people and the sovereignity of the nation. The weaker regions will then be supported by the collective federated fund contribution of each, thereby eliminating the extreme poverty situation of the present day communities.
--
The OFW Remittance can further support the autonomous regions instead of just the urban centers.
--
Corruption will be minimized and readily monitored with swift action at the regional levels judicial courts.
--
Public Service quality will improve with 75% of the revenue share remaining in the region and the collective 25% (x 18 regions) of regional contribution to the national coffer will suffice to sustain federal operations.
--
Editors Note:
INM Banwa_Mo Member Nathanael"Nat"John Gerochi Duenas has a short stint in the
AFP as Special Task Force Supervisor in middle 1980's assigned to combat global fraud and
international money laundering. He was a former Technical Consultant to the late Sultan
Muhammad Mahakuttah Kiram - Sultanate of Sulu.
--
Architect "Nat" helped organized Katilingban sa Kaayuhan sang Komonidad (KKK) in Pavia,
Iloilo that greatly influenced the final decision making --this area the site of the Regional
Industrial Center in Western Visayas. Presently, he is very active in several Fil-Am eFora.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~oo0oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jump-Starting the Mindanao Economy
(By: Benjamin “Benjie” Estuche -INM: Ft.LauderdaleFlorida-USA)
!!!!!!!!!!!
It is interesting how well-meaninged Christians see that "the greatest asset we have in Mindanao is the Bangsa Moro, etecetera."
!!!!!!!!!!!
Of course, Filipino politicians see that long ago with the idea of an autonomous region in order to hide the fact that there is, in reality, buried under the ocean bed of the Mindanao Deep, the #2 energy source of the future, Deuterium.
!!!!!!!!!!!!
The #1 energy source is the inspiration behind Dan Brown's book overshadowed by the best-seller the Da Vinci Code, about Angels and Demons. In the book, Brown wrote about a clandestine laboratory, CERN, experimenting on producing energy through the synthesis of matter and anti-matter.
!!!!!!!!!
A few pages down this INM website is a posting about this water-based mineral called Deuterium, the exploration of which had been suggested by a group of OFWs experienced in oil-exploration and drilling.
!!!!!!!!!!
It is more interesting than the Dan Brown's best-seller to realize that the Philippine Government never entertained the idea seriously and well-meaninged Christians are now involved in placating the sensibilities of our Muslim Brothers of the Bangsa Moro Nations in presenting overtures of economic development spurred by the "exclusive trade to the Muslim Economy" using our backdoors in importing cheap OPEC oil and exporting agricultural products.
!!!!!!!!!!!!
Five Decades ago, the great Filipino (and Ilonggo) Nationalist and Economists, Dr. Salvador Araneta wrote about Economic Nationalism based on the theory that economic development of a Third-World country such as ours could not rest mainly on agri-based trade but in the development of capital products which is, simply put, INDUSTRIALIZATION. Capital products are those that are used to produce other economic products. Dr. Araneta wrote this inspite of the fact that he owned and ran an agricultural school by that time.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Philippines is a consumer economy. Most of the people's expenditures are spent on consumer goods and they are, therefore, called, end-users.In other words, the money spent by end-users are called "patay nga parada'" because the buck that ends in Juan's pocket left him and the buck does not intend to return there but in the bank accounts of the middle-men and the mall-owners, three of which are not even real Filipinos (refer to 2006 1000 richest men of the world in fortune magazine).
!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Durian, mangosteen, pineapples, bananas, etcetera, that are produced in Mindanao, are all exported abroad including sea and marine products and the poor end-users who have earned their purchasing peso by working abroad could wet their taste buds only with these agri products when they are outside of our country. And who gains in this scenario? Who owns the agri-corporations anyway? Who does the exportation? Of course, not our Muslim brothers of the Bangsa Moro nations! Which of our Muslim brothers own a share in Dole and Del Monte? Does the family of the Sultanate of Sulu own substantial investment in these agri-based multi-national corporations?
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
An agri-based and consumer economy will always remain a third-world economy. Free enterprise or free trade between a third-world country and a highly developed one will always be detrimental to the former. dr. Araneta saw this 50 years ago.
!!!!!!!!!!!!
Who says we can produce cheap energy by expanding our geothermal facilities? Aren't they those who have interests in selling capital goods such as machineries that will make these geothermal facilities ran? Ran-down machineries and plants that are decades old from the Americas and Europe? Remember the Bataan Nuclear Plant? In Iloilo, they are ramming coal-fired plants into the throats of the people there!
!!!!!!!!!!!!
Scroll down on the mineral DEUTERIUM posted a few months ago and have the vision of Dr. Salvador Araneta and we can see that we can bake our economic cake and eat it too!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A group of OFWs say they have the technology to do the exploration. What prevents them from doing so? It is because of the wild-card rantings of people who have pretensions for economic greatness from their swivel chairs perched on their ivory towers?
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We wish that the article on Deuterium be posted again and let us start planning on a liquidation squad to kill (joke lang!) all those power hungry politicians who have enriched themselves and their families through the years since Magellan set foot on Cebu in 1521.

Editors Note:
INM Banwa_Mo Member Benjamin "Benjie" Estuche y Evicner -a Political
Commentator, was the former Editor/Publisher of the Iloilo's Truth Forum and
fearless Radio Broadcaster of DYRI Radio Agong in Iloilo. He was also a member
of the Panay Peace Monitoring Council right after EDSA-I to oversee the truce
between GRP and NDF armed components;the AFP and the NPA respectively.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~oo0oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*ANNOUNCEMENTS ______&________MESSAGES*
Welcome! New INM Banwa_Mo Members:
----------------------------------
*Mark Anthony Onayan
*Davy Animas-Malones
---------------------------------
Nota Bene:
Easy access to Join! INM Banwa_Mo eGroup, was inadvertently "Closed Permanently"due to wrong key application.
-------------
Hence, to Join! kindly send email to: Banwa_Mo@yahoo.com with the SUBJECT:"I wish to join INM Banwa_Mo eGroup".
Salamat! --the Moderator
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~oo0oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Chickens and the Egg
--
Once upon a time, there was a large mountainside, where an eagle's nest rested. The eagle's nest contained four large eagle eggs. One day an earthquake rocked the mountain causing one of the eggs to roll down the mountain to a chicken farm, located in the valley below. The chickens knew that they must protect and care for the eagle's egg, so an old hen volunteered to nurture and raise the large egg.
--
One day, the egg hatched and a beautiful eagle was born. Sadly, however, the eagle was raised to be a chicken. The eagle loved his home and family, but his spirit cried out for more. While playing a game on the farm one day, the eagle looked to the skies above and noticed a group of mighty eagles soaring in the skies. "Oh," the eagle cried, "I wish I could soar like those birds." The chickens roared with laughter, "You cannot soar with those birds. You are a chicken and chickens do not soar."
--
The eagle continued staring at his real family up above, dreaming that he could be with them. Each time the eagle would let his dreams be known, he was told that it couldn't be done. That is what the eagle learned to believe. The eagle, after time, stopped dreaming and continued to live his life as a chicken. Finally, after a long life as a chicken, the eagle passed away.
--
The moral of the story: You become what you believe you are.
--
Shared by: Mon jocson (INM Banwa_Mo: WoodbridgeVA.-USA)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Who's Colored?
(A poem purportedly written by an African kid):
--
wen i born, i black---wen i grow up, i black.---wen i go in the sun, i black.---wen i scared, i black.
wen i sick, i black. and when i die, i still black.
--
and u white fella, wen u born, u pink.---wen u grow up, u white.---wen u go in the sun, u red.
wen u cold, u blue.---wen u scared, u yellow.---wen u sick, u green. and wen u die, u gray. ---
and u calling me colored?!
--
(Thanks! to witty corner)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2007-11-16T18:09:00.000-05:00

============================================================
* Volume No. I * Issue No. 009 * Date: November 16, 2007 * ============================================================
CONTENTS:
*The Cry of Sta. Barbara *The Filipino Perspective *I Am Bisaya *The Ylongo Composo*
Philippine Society & The Christian Church *Announcements & Messages * PerryScope *
============================================================
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today in History!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The “Cry of Sta. Barbara” in Iloilo (Noviembre 17, 1898)
(By: dinggol a.divinagracia-INM Banwa_Mo -November 16, 2007)
----
In November 17, 1898, one hundred nine years ago --a brave ilongga patriot Patrocinio Gamboa, with a concealed weapon and a flag inside her “patadyong” diverted attention and successfully avoided thorough inspection by “guardia civil” at checkpoints; by acting as the bickering and nagging wife to her meek and supposedly henpecked husband Honorio Solinap on their way to Sta. Barbara some 16 kms. away from Iloilo City riding on a horse-drawn buggy.
--
Upon her arrival, “Tia Patro” handed to Gen. Martin Delgado, a replica of the flag made in Hong Kong by Marcella Agoncillo prepared by the women of Jaro and a saber; a gift from his erstwhile adversary -Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo who had earlier in Luzon, already declared the Revolutionary Government of the Philippines a.k.a. the "Katagalogan Republic". -

Thereafter, Gen-en-Gefe Martin Delgado also declared the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Visayas and Mindanao in Sta. Barbara plaza after the Philippine Flag was hoisted amidst a joyous crowd.
--
This was later replaced by a Politico-Military Government on November 23, 1898, composed only of the Visayas, because the leaders finally preferred instead, a federal arrangement composed of --Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, as a logical substitute because of its indigenous elements.
--
Moreover, since the Visayans did not want to recognize the supremacy of Aguinaldo and the tagalogs.
--
With the merger on December 2, 1898 of the Independent Republic of Negros and the Cantonal Government of Bohol (established in August-1898); the Panay government that included Romblon (part of Capiz), based in Iloilo was renamed Federal Republic of the Visayas, patterned after the U.S. Federal and Cantonal government of the Swiss Confederation.
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Earlier, Capitan Martin Delgado of Sta. Barbara --together with Quintin Salas of Dumangas, Pedro Monteclaro of Miag-ao and Adriano Hernandez of Dingle in Iloilo --led the Volunteer Battalion of ilonggo contingents under the Spaniards who fought against the army of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo in Cavite and Pampanga. These military expeditions were mostly financed by ilonggo industrialist Don Eugenio Jalandoni Lopez of “Salog” (Jaro) and shipping magnate Don Felix de la Rama of “Parian“ (Molo) in Iloilo.
--
This was before the "Comite Conspirador" was formed in Molo, Iloilo on March 18, 1898 that served as the nucleus of the Ilonggo Revolutionary Movement who fought against Spain and later versus the United States of America under the Federal Republic of the Visayas with a tri-star emblem banner; symbolizing Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
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Don Martin T. Delgado secretly worked for the Visayan instead of the Spanish cause and later organized for an open armed rebellion against the Spanish. Several Visayan Generals conferred (among them Don Raymundo Melliza and Dr. Pablo Araneta of "Parian" Molo; Soldier-Farmer Adriano Hernandez of Dingle, Pascual Magbanua of Pototan, and Angel Corteza of Villa de Arevalo), and chose Delgado as “General en Jefe de los Tropas del Ejercito Libertador de Visayas y Governador Politico-Militar” who led the “Cry of Freedom” in Sta. Barbara-Iloilo ---one hundred nine years ago.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~OO0OO~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Response from:
(Nestor Ortiz Sulpico -INM Banwa_Mo: NYCNewYork-USA)
--
"Today we reap the blessings of freedom that our forebears in Panay and in the rest of the country bitterly fought and died for.There are no more colonizers. We face new battles – for nation building, for the progress of our communities, for the advancement of our families.These are no less tough battles, for which we draw inspiration from our Ilonggo heroes......"
--
Editors Note:
INM Banwa_Mo Member Nestor Ortiz Sulpico of Leganes-Iloilo; the humble ilonggo
who gained international fame by returning rare black pearls worth about $70,000 left
by a passenger in his taxi cab in New York City a few years ago..
--
Dubbed by the American mainstrean media as the "Honest Cab Driver of New York" and
in the Philippines as "Bagong Bayani ng Pilipinas", Nestor made all Filipinos proud and
"Taas nuo" to the whole world at the time when we needed it most.
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FILIPINO PERSPECTIVE:
(by: Felimon "Monching" Jocson -INM Banwa_Mo: WoodbridgeVa-USA)
--
After 330 years of subjugation by the sword and the cross, the Philippines developed to the brink of nationhood under Spanish nurture and oppression and with immoral and abusive theocracy.
--
Unfortunately, the Americans intervened in the Filipino Revolution with their typical mixture of savagery and idealism. After a successful policy of subjugation by massacre, starvation and co-option, the Americans set out to be the world's best loved imperialists that succeeded the Spanish colonialists. Filipino national pride was thwarted and has never recovered.
--
Since the so-called EDSA-I and EDSA "Dos" Revolution and/or Coup-de-etat in Metro Manila, which restored the oligarchy and old time politics, and which democratized corruption, the well-being of the people has continued to decline. What government we have since then is not only corrupt but incredibly inept.
--
Meaningful land reform is democratically impossible as modern illustrados who controls the political landscape circumvents the law and blatantly maneuvers the legal system to satisfy their greed and selfishness at the expense of the poor peasants. The past and current political crisis in the country should be blamed on the corruptions that start during elections when mighty and dynastic local politicians who ruled their political "kingdoms" for decades systematically "spread the sunshine" with the intention of R.O.I. plus interest by cornering juicy government contracts to the detriment of their constituents.
--
Since Philippine Independence "kuno" was given to us by the Americans on a silver platter on July 4,1946; record show that there was no sense of permanency nor substantial impovement in the national condition as national leadership changed hands every presidential election --that was always attended by corruption and massive frauds.
--
Today the Philippines is a backwater of Asia; although not many years ago we were among the best off in the whole continent. The prevailing condition of the country has become so precarious and shaky that another blow against it, might cause a devastation so difficult to cope, and would place to kingdom come, the very roots of our existence as a free and sovereign nation.

Editors Note:
INM Banwa_Mo Member Felimon ”Mon” Jocson, is a sportman-
businessman; a sugar cane planter and fishpond operator in Negros
Occidental. Presently, he is the Chairman: Membership Committee of
the Association of Ilonggos-Metropolitan Washington D.C. (AIM) Inc.
and is engaged in automotive parts supply in Northern Virginia, USA.
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I AM BISAYA
(Ni Rex "Akoy" Rocamora -INM Banwa_Mo-China)
--
May I say, that the present person, that I am has multiple identities. This person has the capacity to choose or to prioritize, which identity is more important. Me, I chose bisaya as my base. My first choice. My first preference among different other identities. The person that I am now, at present, is a Subject....not an object. I am a Subject that acts, not an object which is acted upon.
--
Now, as Bisaya person ...I must choose to act ...by bisayanizing hispanic and american influence and all the rest.
--
The action is mine being a subject...I am the one to assimilate all foreign influences in my own land to be rightly and properly part of me, of my own bisaya cultural system. Figuratively, eating and digesting are what I do 'para dili ko mabutdan'. Ug para mabusog ang akong kultura. In terms of foreign ideas and languages, by digesting them means...translating them into bisaya. Translation is important. It's making foreign ideas and influences become truly our own.. It digesting and make part of us what is good and flush down to the toilet that which is not suitable.
--
We just don't copy or imitate completely. Worse, we don't let ours be replaced by theirs. Or let not be the Bisaya in his rightful place be replaced by a foreigner, Tagalog, European or American. Let the Bisaya act as the Subject and Master of his own destiny and territory. Let him welcome with open arms the spanish and american influences and then assimilate these influences, make it his own. Welcoming and yet assimilating.
--
This is the way, the sea welcomes the rivers flowing into it, but then turning the river water into sea water, and make it part of the sea. Thus, writing/translating into bisaya the foreign ideas, good foreign books, etc. is the responsibility of the Bisaya. This is the main one, taking responsibility of one's own language and culture for the benefit of ourselves. Hopefully, it become mutually beneficial, we have done our contribution as Bisayans to the the country, to the world and to the whole humanity. That which, only a Bisayan can do is sharing the bisayan perspective, world view...the bisayan language and culture.
--
Meanwhile I'm acting as a Bisaya.(I may be using English now as a tool to communicate to you. I don't deny it's usefulness. But it would defeat my ultimate purpose....because, the more time I use in writing English, the less time I have for writing binisaya. Imagine. Same goes for my time in writing Spanish.)
--
Now, finally as a Subject of my destiny. I'm still in the process of recovering the 'words' that have been replaced by Spanish and American words. I'm recalling the bisayan words, relearning them, owning them, creating new ones for words are creations or translations. But wait, adding up new languages is okey, but never replacing bisaya with other language. So, what can help me...recover bisaya....but by acting/thinking in the perspective of a Bisaya.....writing in binisaya.
--
This is not purism. Bisayanizing foreign influences is not purism. It is just natural as eating and digesting. So, that our ownbody and soul will grow robust. Let us not be Tagalized, Hispanized or Americanized. ...that's their job for the benefit and growth of their culture. Our job is to bisayanized, to make what's on offer become our own. This the way the bisaya language and culture can grow.
--
The worst is when the reverse happens. When the bisaya or austronesian is being hispanized, an object, acted upon. Same as the Bisaya being americanized. Slowly, gradually... ..the bisaya is eaten up...assimilated by either hispanics or american culture into becoming hispanized and americanized. Later on, you won't recognize the bisaya...In terms of language.... bisaya becomes bislis(bisaya english), just as many words in bisaya are being replaced by spanish and english words....then more and more bisayan words will be forgotten. The language goes extinct. This happens when the Bisaya doesn't act as a Subject, or when he doesn't take responsibility of his own language.
--
Now, taking responsibility of our own language and culture is first and foremost. But secondly, we are encourage to learn and make use of foreign languages and culure. We will add up. We have in our history the spanish language and cultural influence. We also have the american language and cultural influences. We can make use of it for our own advantage. We can make use of their languages for commerce etc. They have already become very much part of our culture, by virtue of colonialization. Then, the rule of the game is forced on us. Now, let us be free, we are free. Let us be the subject and master of our destiny. No forcing. No mandatory thing. As free person, we do have now the capacity to choose and prioritize.
--
I have just shown my priority. Bisaya priority. Bisayanizing all for the benefit and growth of Bisaya. It is like eating all, including foreign things, for the benefit of my Bisayan cultural body.
--
Editors Note:
INM Banwa_Mo Member Rex "Akoy" Rocamora, is a Bisaya who grew up in Mindanao.
He is an expert in indigenious peoples and has been staying in China in furtherance of his
research and studies on this subject, among others.
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THE YLONGO COMPOSO: SINGING THE NEWS
(By: Guillermo Gomez Rivera -INM Banwa_Mo: HispanoFilipino eGroup)
--
A stronger Spanish influence brought the composo into the scene as a literary medium. It was a stronger medium – a decidedly more powerful instrument for oral mass communication – than the newspaper which was then, as now, not a very effective vehicle of communication among the Filipino masses. Every town and barrio had two or three manog-composo.
--
The composo singer, for a small fee, would sing out to the people in minstrel fashion, the latest "news." In the other Philippines regions a sort of a town crier was employed – perhaps for lack of composo singers.
--
The composo is superior to the hurubaton in music, or tono. In a flamenco-like manner, Spanish guitar lends color to the narration. While the hurubaton is ad-libbed at the climax of the story, the composo is sung from start to finish. The melody is either a pasacalle, a pasadoble lento or a seguidilla rendered in the mounting style of Ravel’s Bolero. When the narrative nears the decisive part the voice range of the singer, together with his strumming, gets tighter and faster in crescendo until the climax is reached. After a postclimatic pause the epílogo begins. This is where the listeners get the moral of the story. After that comes the usual despedida.
--
O, mañga señores
akon na tapuson
ining diutay nakon
nga composó.
---
Pañanglit may sayop,
inyong dispensaron,
bag-o lang mag-alam
sining verso nakon.
---
(Oh gentlemen,
I am now going to end
this small
composition of mine.
If there be any mistake,
kindly pardon me,
I have just learned
this verse of mine.)
--
Editors Note:
INM Banwa_Mo Member Guillermo Gómez Rivera, whose roots are "tumandok" of Dingle,
Passi and Calinog in Iloilo --is also related to the old Sino-Hispano families of Molo-Iloilo and
Negros Island. He is the author of HILIGAYNON HARVEST (Filipino Heritage Encyclopedia,
Vol. 6). This former member of the 1971-73 Philippine Constitutional Convention -- National
Language Committee was acclaimed --Laureled Prince of Ylongo Poetry in 1977.
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Philippine Society and the Christian Church
(By Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on -INM Banwa_Mo: JaroIloilo-Phil)

(5th Convention Baptist Youth Fellowship of the Philippines Spiritual and Ecumenical Formation Seminar - October 28, 2005, Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches Headquarters)

First, we will discuss the Philippine national situation. Second, we will discuss Biblical justifications why the Christian Church should get involve in societal issues.
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Philippine National Situation:
-
National Government Outstanding Debt
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During Erap’s time, our foreign debt amounted to P1.5 trillion. When GMA took over, the debt ballooned:
2003: Domestic – 1,708,781 Foreign – 1,651,327 Total: 3,355,108
2004: Domestic – 2,001,220 Foreign – 1,810,734 Total: 3,811,954
2005: Domestic – 2,034,992 Foreign – 1,856,040 Total: 3,891,032
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This year we will be paying 1.48 billion pesos a day, or 62 million pesos an hour, 1.03 million pesos a minute.[1] If you divide this to 85 million Filipinos, each of us has a foreign debt of about P50,000 pesos.
--
The bulk of the P1.05-trillion proposed national budget for 2006 are earmarked for debt service payments. "Thirty-three percent (33%) of our budget this year went to debt servicing and a measly one percent allocated for health services," said Villar, chairman of the Senate committee on finance. "In the proposed budget for next year, such is the case again, P340 billion will go straight to interest payments. Such disparity has become the norm rather than the exception," he said.[2] The amount is P38.3 billion higher than interest payments for 2005. Next year (2006), foreign debt interest payments will amount to at least P931 million daily or will likely exceed to P1 billion a day.
--
This means that the Philippines is caught in a “debt trap.” The debt trap “remains a major reason why poor countries remain poor and are unable to make progress…In a shameful, persistent, and systematic global injustice, debt servicing continues to drain resources away from the poor to the rich of the world on a grand scale.” [3]
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We cannot even lower down the principal amount. No wonder why we are in deep financial crises. The consequence of automatic debt servicing is that only a small percentage of our national budget is allocated to the basic social services of the people. For example, last year, the military and police received P90 billion which was equivalent to budget given to the Department of Education. Meanwhile, the budget given to the agriculture and social security sectors was P60 billion each. Worst, the Department of Health received P9 billion only.
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"Debt servicing continues to corner the bulk of the country’s yearly budget and revenues to the detriment of allotment for social services for the people. The health, education and social welfare sectors have to take a backseat to interest payments. This vicious cycle has got to stop once and for all," Senator Villar said.[4]
-
This shows that our government spends more money in paying the interests of debt, buying bullets and guns than in buying medicines, textbooks and improving the agriculture sector. This is the grim reality of the pro-poor policy of our present government.
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The basic question is: why do we borrow? It is because domestic income (tax collections and revenues from government controlled corporations) is not sufficient to finance the projects needed by the government for the growth and development of the country. In short, we have a budget deficit. Borrowing is the simplest way to address this problem. Why in the first place do we have a budget deficit? It is because of graft and corruption, tax evasion and mismanagement of Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs).
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Graft and Corruption, Mismanagement and Tax Evasion
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Morgan Stanley, a respected financial institution reported that the money lost in graft and corruption in the Philippines from 1965 to 2001 amounts to $204 billion or about P12 trillion. Last year (2004), Teodoro Benigno reported that we lose P230 billion each year to government graft and corruption.[5] The P12 trillion pesos loses to graft and corruption is more than enough to pay the almost P4 trillion outstanding debt.
-
Last year (2004), Transparency International reported that we are the 3rd most corrupt country in Asia and number 11 in the world. Last January (2005), we got a higher rating. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Standard and Poor agency reported that the Philippines is the number 2 most corrupt country in the whole world, second only to Bangladesh. With this kind of development, our country may become the number 1 most corrupt country by next year.
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It was also reported that the projected losses to be incurred by 25 Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) this 2005 will be P105 billion. One prime example is NAPOCOR. Because of heavy losses, the Government borrowed for the rehabilitation of NAPOCOR. Thus, NAPOCOR’s share on the debt is P1.3 trillion.
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On the issue of tax evasion, the government of Ramos (1993) slapped a P26-billion tax evasion case against Lucio Tan because Tan did not support the candidacy of Ramos. Tan is chairman of Philippine Airlines with interests in banking (Allied bank), beer (Asia Brewery) and tobacco (Fortune). Forbes magazine lists him among the world's billionaires, with assets of up to US$1.5 billion (euro1.14 billion) as of last February 2004. As one of the country's richest men, his case was put into suspension and later dismissed by the BIR because of the political compromises done by the Estrada and lately, the GMA governments.
---
Tan’s tax evasion case is just one example on how the “elite” of this country are avoiding taxes and on how also the government is making a decision based on political compromises.
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Thus, these are the main reasons (graft and corruption, tax evasion and mismanagement of Government Owned and Controlled Corporations) why the vicious cycle of “utang” continues.
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Poverty, Unemployment and Underemployment
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This is the reason why 88% of Filipinos are living below the poverty line. The poverty threshold is estimated at about P12,500.00. This means that 88% of Filipinos have an income below P12,500.00. What is more alarming is that 50% of the 85 million Filipinos are living below the subsistence or survival level of income which is estimated by the government for a family of five to be more than P5,000.00 a month. 1/3 or 28 million Filipinos are living on less than P33 pesos a day.[6]
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The unemployment rate as of October 2004 was 11% while the underemployment rate was 17%. This means that about 9 million Filipinos have no jobs and about 14 million Filipinos have jobs not related to the degree which they graduated from.
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The reasons for these realities are the unequal distribution of wealth, unequal distribution of land, government failure to generate income opportunities or jobs, the maintenance of the status quo through bureaucrat capitalism, foreign domination of the economy, and feudal backwardness.[7]
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The Exodus of OFWs
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Because of these realities, the Department of Foreign Affairs reported that last year (2004), 4,000 Filipinos are leaving the Philippines daily to seek “greener pastures” abroad. In 2003, it was only 3,500 while in 2002 it was only about 1,500 people. Soon, thousands of nursing students now will join with other Filipinos in going out of our country. SOME ten percent of the country's more than 80 million people or 8.08 million Filipinos have left the Philippines as of December 2004, said the Commission of Filipinos Overseas (CFO).[8] Some estimates the number of Filipinos living in abroad to 10 million.
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One sad consequence of the flight of our OFWs is the so-called “brain drain.” No competent skilled workers will soon be left in our country. Thus, we will soon suffer or is now suffering the effects of “brain drain.” Just imagine also the multiplication of family problems because of absentee parents, and the problem of sexual immorality of our OFWs.
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The Philippine government is promoting the flight of OFWs rather than making industries and opportunities for the people to stay here. Nobody wants to leave his/her country if the situation is not bad here. But why does the government continue to export our workers? It is because the dollar remittances of these OFWs are the only thing that makes the Philippine economy afloat. If these remittances will stop, the Philippine economy will collapse.
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Last year (2004), close to 10 million Filipinos overseas remitted a total of US$8.5 billion or P467.5 billion to the Philippines . This is 9.2% higher than the US$7.6 billion total of 2003. This is aided by the government pursuit of its labor export program that targets 1 million Filipinos deployed annually. For the first half of this year, 502,772 OFWs were deployed abroad compared to the 483,496 OFWs deployed in the same period in 2004.[9]
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From 1990 to 2001, Filipino migrants remitted a total of $50 billion through the formal banking system. Between 1990 and 2000, remittances made up 5.2 percent of the country’s gross national product.[10] In 2004, almost 10 percent of the Gross National Product is composed of OFW remittances. The amount P467.5 billion is more than half of the 2005 national budget (P907 billion). Now why you see why the Philippine government is so dependent by these remittances.
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We are a nation that is export oriented and import dependent. We do not cultivate our own land and resources for our own but we are dependent to the dole-outs of foreigners. This is our colonial mentality.
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Free Trade and Globalization
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It is sad to say that after the so called ‘liberation’ on World War II by the Americans they introduced into us forcefully its own policies and objectives that transformed us into a ‘neocolony.’ It was a new kind of colonization in which extended the old colonial pattern.
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The financial crisis faced by the Philippines was partly caused by the Bell Trade Relations Act. The Philippine economy started to go down when the Act was accepted in 1946. It was a free trade act that meant unlimited entry of American goods to the Philippines and restricted entry of Philippine goods to the United States . It also deprived the Philippines of its currency sovereignty by fixing the rate of dollar-peso exchange and provided that the rate of exchange could not be changed without the U.S. approval. Agoncillo lamented that “the bad feature of the law, in so far as the Filipinos were concerned, was the provision giving ‘parity’ (equal) rights to Americans in the Philippines, according to which they would have the right to dispose, exploit, develop and utilize all ‘agricultural, timber and mineral lands’ of the Philippines , together with the operation of public utilities and the exploitation of the ‘waters, minerals, coal, petroleum, and mineral resources of the Philippines .’”[11]
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America left the Philippines with no choice but to accept the Bell Trade Act because if the Philippines had decided not to embrace it, the Filipino people will not be able to receive war damage payments. The unfair condition led to the amendment of the Philippine Constitution in order to give “parity” rights to the Americans and granted the retention of American bases in Subic and Clark for a period of ninety-nine years.[12] “As a result, American goods swamped the country so that by 1948, imports had increased substantially. The imports drained the Philippines ’ dollar reserves.”[13]
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Bishop Camba, former Dean of the School of Divinity, Silliman University, has this to say about our hope and struggle to free ourselves from foreign domination, “There is a new religion in our midst now. Its name is Globalization. The gods of this religion are the members of the G-7. Their prophets are the economists and their temples are the megamalls.” This type of domination is very subtle and cannot be understood by most of us but it is very much true. Because of globalization our economy becomes an ‘import dependent, export oriented’ type of economy. Addition to this misery is the GATT or the General Agreement of Tariffs and Trade in which the main sponsor of this bill was no less than President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, while she was still a senator. We opened our doors to the World Trade Organization that resulted to big disasters than gains. Just take a look of our rice and sugar industry, we are now importing rice and sugar from countries all over the world and in order for our local goods to compete in the market our farmers lowered down the prices resulting to big losses. Another addition to the pain in our necks is the OPEC or the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries that control the number of barrels of oil pump everyday and the prices in the world market.
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This is our national situation today in a summarized and comprehensive form. Now, let us go to second part, the Biblical justifications why the Christian Church should get involve in societal issues.
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Biblical/Theological Reasons why the Church should get involve in contemporary and social issues
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1. God is the Creator of everything. Meaning, our mission is not limited in the four corners of the church and other “churchy” affairs but anywhere and for everyone.
Genesis 1:1
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2. God is interested in the affairs of His people. Thus, as Christians, we must involve ourselves in the affairs of the people of God.
Exodus experience. Exodus 3:7-10
Not a distant God. Exodus 13: 21-22
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3. God appointed Prophets to remind the people what kind of society God wants. Meaning, we have a prophetic ministry. We are modern day prophets and prophetess. Throughout the Bible, prophets do not concern themselves in predicting the future but on preaching on an impending disaster if the people will not repent and turn away from their wicked ways.
Rebellious nation. Isaiah 1:2-23
Authority to rebuke. Jeremiah 1:10
Warning to people. Ezekiel 3:17-21; Amos 5:11-15
God does not want worship without action. Micah 6:6-8; Amos 5:21-24
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4. God has given His people the responsibility to be the stewards of His creation. Meaning, we have the mission of restoring the “image of God” - integrity of creation. Restoration of the dignity of people (from death nekros to life kabuhi nga may ginhawa). As God’s stewards, we are “in-charge.” Let us not abuse our “home” – the oikos. The oikomene (whole inhabited world) is where we should practice our ecumenical spirituality.
Genesis 1:26-30
Psalm 8:3-9
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5. God sent Jesus Christ to teach us how we ought to live. Thus, as Christians, we ought to live up to the name “Christian.” If we cannot, then it is better not to call ourselves as such because it will only ruin the name of Jesus Christ.
Salt and light of the world. Matthew 5:13-16
Love God and Neighbor (Good Samaritan). Luke 10:25-29
Mission of Jesus. Luke 4:18-19.
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6. God’s message through the Epistles.
Overcome evil with Good. Romans 12:9-21
Reconciling the world back to God. 2 Corinthians 5:17-20
Fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:13-26
Faith and Works. James 2:14-16
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7. God has envisioned a kind of world which we will live in. We should practice “proleptic anticipation.” Meaning, we must be active in doing what God has envisioned this world to be.
No more violence. Micah 4:1-5
Peace. Isaiah 11:6-9
New heaven and earth. Isaiah 65:17-25; Revelation 21:1-4
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It is hoped that this analysis of Philippine society and theological reflection will help us in continuing the mission of HOPE started by our Lord Jesus Christ. By doing HOPE (Healing, Organizing, Preaching, and Educating), we are instilling hope in the hearts of all people. A Hope that will ignite the Filipino spirit in saying, “TAMA NA! SOBRA NA! PALITAN NA!”
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May the Father’s Love, the Peace in Jesus Christ and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all as we continue to live out our FAITH in the SERVICE of the people of God. Amen.
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References:
[1] http://freedomfromd/ ebtcoalition. org/[2] http://www.newsflas/ h.org/2004/ 02/be/be003209. htm[3] South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, in, Noreena Hertz, The Debt Trap, in, Boo Chanco, “Demand and Supply,” The Philippine Star, September 2, 2005. [4] http://www.malaya/. com.ph/aug26/ news9.htm[5] Teodoro C. Benigno, “Here’s the Score,” in, The Philippine Star, March 10, 2004.[6] http://qc.indymedia/ .org/news/ 2005/07/4026. php[7] Jose Maria Sison, “CHRONIC FINANCIAL CRISIS AND THE WAY OUT”, in, http://bulatlat/. com[8] http://www.sunstar/. com.ph/static/ dum/2005/ 08/30/news/ 10.of.filipinos. left.rp.as. of.04.html[9] Lualhati Roque, International Migrant Resource Center, in, http://qc.indymedia/ .org/news/ 2005/07/4026. php[10] http://bulatlat/. com/news/ 2-50/2-50- braindrain2. html[11] T. Agoncillo, 1990, 433.[12] T. Agoncillo, 1990, 522.[13] H. L. Funtecha and M.J. Padilla, 2000, 148.
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Editors Note:
INM Banwa_Mo Member Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on, is the
Assistant Director, Office for External Affairs and Public Relations of the
Central Philippine University (CPU) -Jaro, Iloilo City. He is also the Host
of "Angtanay sa Katin-aran" CPU Alumni TV Channel-8 in Iloilo City.
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*ANNOUNCEMENTS ______&________MESSAGES*
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Welcome! New INM Banwa_Mo Members:
--
*Arnold Geronilla Tanoy -India
*Jard Ryan -Tarawa, Kiribati
*Laura Diago -Ferndale, Mi-USA
--
Nota Bene:
Easy access to Join! INM Banwa_Mo eGroup, was inadvertently "Closed Permanently"
due to wrong key application.
--
Hence, to Join! kindly send email to: Banwa_Mo@yahoo.com with the SUBJECT:
"I wish to join INM Banwa_Mo eGroup".
--
Salamat! --the Moderator
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ready! AIM! File!
Association of Ilonggos of Metropolitan Washington D.C. (AIM) Inc.
(Website: www.tabligan.org/AIM)

OBITUARIES:
Dear Everyone;
--
*Betty Magalona Gomez, mother of Marylou Gomez, one of AIM, Inc's pioneer
members died last month in the Philippines.
--
*Last October 29, 2007, Eulogio (Oloy) Garganera, Jr., brother of Pearl Gauzon
(AIM, Inc's past President and presently Vice President for External Affairs died
also in Iloilo City, Philippines.
--
I am asking everyone to please remember to include Betty and Oloy in your prayers.
Let us all pray and ask the Lord to grant them eternal rest.
--
"Although we pass through the valley of the shadow of death,
God is with us all the way (Ps. 23:4). His hands are on the helm
as He guides us to the heavenly haven He has prepared for us
(John 14: 1-3).
--
"Say not it's a dreadful journey, when the Savior leads the way;
It's but passing through the shadows, to the land of endless day!
- Bosch
--
The Magalona-Gomez' and Garganera-Gauzon families are in need of our comfort and
compassion. May they find peace, grace and faith with the thought that we are all with
them in their hour of bereavement.
--
GOD BLESS!
--
For AIM, Inc.,
Zeny A. Tabligan-President
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~oo0oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PerryScope!
(By: Perry Diaz -INM Banwa_Mo: SacramentoCA-USA)
--
BILL GATE RECRUITS A NEW CHAIRMAN
--
Bill Gates organized an enormous session to recruit a new Chairman for Microsoft Europe.
5000 candidates assembled in a large room. One candidate is MARIO DIMACULANGAN.
--
Bill Gates: Thank you for coming. Those who do not know JAVA may leave.
--
2000 people leave the room.
--
MARIO says to himself, 'I do not know JAVA but I have nothing to lose if I stay.
I'll give it a try'
--
Bill Gates: Candidates who never had experience of managing more than 100
people may leave.
--
2000 people leave the room.
--
Mario says to himself ' I never managed anybody by myself but I have nothing
to lose if I stay. What can happen to me?' So he stays.
--
Bill Gates: Candidates who do not have management diplomas may leave.
--
500 people leave the room.
--
Mario says to himself, 'I left school at 15 but what have I got to lose?' So he stays
in the room.
--
Lastly, Bill Gates asked the candidates who do not speak Serbo-Croat to leave.
--
498 people leave the room.
--
Mario says to himself, ' I do not speak one word of Serbo-Croat but what do I have
to lose?' So he stays and finds himself with one other candidate.
--
Everyone else has gone.
--
Bill Gates joined them and said 'Apparently you are the only two candidates who
speak Serbo-Croat, so I'd now like to hear you have a conversation together in
that language.'
--
Calmly, Mario turns to the other candidate and says 'Ano ba yun, pare?'
--
The other candidate answers 'Ewan ko ba pare....'
--
Editors Note:
INM Banwa_Mo Member Perry Diaz, a successful Realtor, Businessman and
Columnist, served as Commissioner of the Sacramento Human Rights and Fair
Housing Commission in California. He is presently the Publisher and Editor of
BALITA-USA an eNews Bulletin with over 3000 subscribers worldwide.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~oo0oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2007-11-01T22:27:00.000-04:00

============================================================
* Volume No. I * Issue No. 008 * Date: November 1, 2007 *
============================================================
CONTENTS:
*Cinco de Noviembre Celebration*Ilonggo Family Feuds*Coal-fired Power Plant &
Reactions * Public Administration & Governance * Words of Wisdom*Locsin Clan
Invitation * Spanish Lesson * Coincidence, anyone? *
==================================================================
CINCO DE NOVIEMBRE CELEBRATION
(An October 31, 2007 EMail Message from Negros-Philippines))
--
Hello, Mr. Divinagracia,
--
Thanks a lot for sending me the materials on our history. Had been busy with preparations for November 5 and 6 commemorative activities here in Bacolod. Glad to tell you that the National Historical Institute will be installing a marker on the site of the surrender of the Spaniards in Negros on Nov. 6, 1898 on the present grounds of Bacolod City Hall, that will be unveiled during a program at 5 p.m. November 6, 2007. NHI Executive Director Ludovico Badoy will lead in the unveiling rites, together with Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Gov. Joseph Marañon. Please refer to attached materials we disseminate in commemoration of this particular historical event. Thanks and regards.
--
Marlin
-------------------
MS. MARLIN P. SANOGAL
Provincial Information Officer
Negros Occidental, Philippines
--
Salamat! for your prompt response.
--
Amo ini ang naga kadapat nga serbisyo publiko. Aksyon Dayon!
--
Matinahuron...dinggol araneta divinagracia
(Founder: Ilonggo Nation Movement)
http://www.ilonggonation.blogspot.com/
-------------------------------------------------------------

THE IlONGGO FAMILY FEUD: "Arroyo v.s. Lopez"
(dinggol a.divinagracia -INM * November 1, 2007)
--
Three scores and seventeen years ago, on October 7, 1930 -American Governor General in the Philipines -Dwight F. Davis ordered Iloilo Provincial Governor Mariano Pidal Arroyo relieved of his post for corruption.
---------
The disgraced ilonggo Governor from “Parian” Molo, iloilo was the younger brother of the late Senator Jose Pidal Arroyo, grandfather of First Gentleman Miguel “Mike” Tuason Arroyo. He was replaced by another “Pari-anon”, Dr. Timoteo Consing, a good friend and recommendee to Philippine Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon by Don Eugenio “Ening” Lopez of Jaro in Iloilo.
---------
The bad blood between these old super rich ilonggo families, the Arroyo v.s. Lopez and their bitter fight for Iloilo’s political supremacy; started in 1929, when the popular local newspaper the times or “El Tiempo” precursor of ABS-CBN Network owned by the Lopezes began a crusade against Chinaman and gambling lord Luis ”Sualoy” Sane and the corruption his “Jueteng” created in local government involving the Iloilo Governor, Iloilo City Mayor, Chief of Police and his Congressman brother.
---------
Due to public outrage and media pressure created by “El Tiempo” and the incriminating testimonies against the Governor by his own childhood friend and supporter, Pio Sian Melliza --the trial on Administrative charges resulted in the ouster of Governor Mariano Arroyo and he later faded into obscurity. Likewise, it caused the suspension of the Iloilo City Mayor and the Chief of Police.
----------
It seems that the family feuds between these ilonggo oligarchic clans of the Arroyo and the Lopez is still alive and kicking even today, seventy seven years later.
------------
Then:
-Iloilo Governor Mariano Pidal Arroyo and family.
Versus:
-El Tiempo of the Lopezes with President Manuel L. Quezon on their side.
---------
Now:
-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the Arroyo family.
Versus:
-ABS-CBN of the Lopezes with Nini Quezon-Avancena on their side. Plus former President Cory Aquino, who returned the Lopez Media empire after EDSA-I and former President Erap, whose daughter married a scion of the Lopez clan.
------------
Please take note, the recurrence of similar topics; “Corruption“-“Jueteng” -“Lord Luis S.”
------------
And by the way, PGMA die-hard ilonggo Justice Raul Maravilla Gonzalez --is the son of Delfin O. Gonzalez, the last Mayor of Jaro City that was subsumed into Iloilo City when he caught the ire of then President Quezon.
--------------
Indeed, the family feud continues or is it that --history repeats itself as the saying goes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~oo0oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
COAL-FIRED POWER PLANT
AFTER SPONSORED TRIP TO TAIWAN
Iloilo officials give nod to coal-fired power plant
(By Nestor P. Burgos Jr. *Inquirer 10/22/2007)
----
Returning from a controversial Taiwan trip sponsored by proponents of a local coal-fired power plant project, city officials are now urging residents to be open to what they call a “clean and safe” source of energy. Vice Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and seven city councilors said any source of energy should be acceptable “as long as it is a private investment that adheres to and promotes strict environmental conformity.” While the officials said their report to Interior Undersecretary Austere Panadero should not be considered a technical opinion, they noted the cleanliness and safety of coal plants, and the “state-of-the- art pollution abatement systems” of three plants they visited in Taiwan on Oct. 12-14.
---
Joining Mabilog on the trip were Councilors Lyndon Acap, Julienne Baronda, Jose Espinosa III, Ely Estante Jr., Marietta Orleans, Nielex Tupas and Eduardo Peñaredondo. The officials visited the Zin Shin plant and noted its location near commercial and residential areas, “surrounded by healthy trees and plants.”“We have also observed that the leaves of plants around the plant are free of dust,” the report said.It noted that Formosa Heavy Industries Corp. (FHIC), which sponsored the trip, has been using a “circulating fluidized combustion bed” that purportedly ensures its plants meet standards for coal combustion set by the World Bank and the Taiwanese government.
---
The officials implied in the report that the plants were acceptable to residents living nearby. “Residents of surrounding communities and business proprietors do not seem to mind having the white steam-spewing smokestacks of the coal-fired power plants,” stated the report. Environmental groups earlier criticized the Taiwan visit as illegal and unethical for the officials. Air fare and accommodation costs were shouldered by FHIC and its partners, Global Business Power Corp. (GBPC)-Panay Power Corp. (PPC).GBPC-PPC, the main power supplier of the city, wants to build a 100-megawatt coal-fired power plant at its plant in Barangay (village) Ingore in La Paz District.
---
The Responsible Ilonggos for Renewal Energy (Rise) has filed administrative and criminal complaints against Mabilog and Mayor Jerry Treñas for allegedly violating Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. Treñas earlier made a similar trip. The officials have denied violating any law. They pointed out that under a new directive of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the approval of local governments was not necessary in securing permits for projects like the construction of coal plants.
---
They said the trip was authorized by the Department of the Interior and Local Government. Lawyer Romeo Gerochi, who filed the complaints, said the officials’ report to the DILG only proved that the trip was related to the “exercise of their duties and official functions and serves as a strong evidence that they violated the law.”
---------------------------oo0oo--------------------
Reaction from Melvin B. Purzuelo -(INM: CityProperIloilo-Phil.) :
--
One of the hot issues in Iloilo City now is the proposed establishment of a 100MW (megawatt) coal-fired power plant in Brgy. Ingore, Lapaz. In the discussions, we should remember that the proponent, Panay Power Corp. (PPC), is one of the 2 characters who promised us in 1997 that they will lower the cost of electricity in the city and provide stable supply with the construction of their diesel power plants in the same location in Brgy. Ingore.
---
The other character is PECO that, to have its contract with PPC approved and renew its franchise included a provision that they will sell electricity equal to or lower than that of Napocor. It is a provision that has been grossly violated since then. Now PPC is selling to PECO at more than P7/kwh (kilowatt-hour) while Napocor sells at P2.90/kwh. This duo has given the distinction to Iloilo City as probably one of Asia's city with the most expensive electricity.
--
It is disturbing how the city public officials, after having been junketed to Taiwan, would parrot the marketing pitch of this duo to sell their dirty coal plan. Mayor Jeronimo P. Trenas, Vice-Mayor Jed Mabilog and several city councilors are now campaigning for the coal plant while totally silent about these corporations abuse of their monopolistic market power. They argue that Iloilo City needs the 100MW coal-fired power plant because it has very expensive and unreliable electricity supply. Practically the same argument used in 1997 and look at the energy situation of the city now.
---
Why is Iloilo City suffering from very expensive and unreliable electricity supply?
--
We have one of the most expensive electricity not only because of the rising cost of diesel fuel and the tolerated pilfering but more so because consumers pay for electricity that has not been generated and they have not used!
--
The power purchase agreement between PECO and PPC provides for an escalating 'minimum guaranteed electricity quantity' (MGEQ) from 313.6 million kwh/year in 1998 to 511.6 million kwh/year in 2004 when our actual demand was only 258.8 million kwh in 1998 and 325.3 million kwh in 2004. So, in 2004 the un-utilized electricity was 57.3% of actual demand!
--
It is so incomprehensible how Mayor Trenas and the other public officials could be so detached with this injustice and the heavy burden caused on the City residents. If not for the vigilance of Atty. Romeo Gerochi and the Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC-Iloilo) , the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) could not have ordered PECO in 2005 to refund P3.89 billion for overcharging, reconnect with the Napocor and approved the lowering of the MGEQ to 373 million kwh/year (31 million kwh/month).
--
These are still hollow victories as PECO is doing everything to delay the P3.89 billion refund and continue to swindle the consumers even with the reconnection. After more than 18 months since the ERC order, PECO finally reconnected with Napocor in June 27, 2007 for a 15MW baseload demand. This is equivalent to about 10 million kwh per month of cheaper and cleaner electricity mainly geothermal from Negros.
--
Logically, the cost of electricity in Iloilo City should have markedly gone down when the price of 10 million kwh out of the 30 million kwh monthly demand has been reduced by P4/kwh. But this never happened because PPC is still charging P3/kwh for the capacity and energy fees of the 10 million kwh that is sourced from Napocor as they argue it is still within its MGEQ with PECO. So consumers pay PPC P30 million a month for electricity that it does not utilize and PPC is not generating.
---
RISE (Responsible Ilonggos for Sustainable Energy) is also concerned with the statement of Mayor Jerry Trenas that Megaworld need 35 MW (megawatt), not only because it is embarrassing for the city to have a Mayor churning out grossly erroneous figures but more so for the grave economic implications if they really put up such capacity. Basic arithmetic would show that with a computer using from 40 to 100 watts, it would only need at most 0.5 MW to run 5,000 desktop units at the same time. A building normally uses 30-40% of electricity on ventilation and air conditioning systems. A condominium unit can use 1,200 watts for air condition, so an 800 units residential building would need from 2.4 to 3 MW electricity. Using green technologies, proper architectural designs and employing a good energy service company (ESCO) could reduce demand by as much as 40%.Even if the good Mayor assumed that all the possible electrical appliances, tools, devices and apparatus would be turned on most of the time in all the condominium units, which is highly improvable, the 35 MW figure is still very high. A 35 MW capacity produce 25 million kwh (kilowatt-hour) per month that is eighty percent (80%) of the whole current demand of Iloilo City, which is about 31 million kwh. If, in a month, the whole of Iloilo City uses only 31 million kwh how can a single property use 25 million kwh?
--
The 35 MW is about the same capacity of Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corp. in Cebu in the 1980s when it was the third largest copper mine in the world. It run 3 mills with each having giant rock jaw and cone crushers, dozens of very huge ball and rod grinding mills, machine shop servicing fleets of giant Wabco haulers, smelting plant in Sangi, port facilities, etc. How can a property even with a convention center, call center, training center, residential building, etc. compare in terms of electricity demand with the third largest copper mine in the whole world. With the climate crises everyone of us is called to reduce our 'carbon footprints,' we hope Megaworld should be responsible enough to address this concern and Mayor Trenas to be critical with the data.
--
It is as if we do not learn from the fiasco's like the Pavia Housing Project, Drilon Bridge and the Infante Fly-Over that burden each City taxpayer.
--
Editors Note:
INM Banwa_Mo Member Melvin Baylon Purzuelo, a graduate of Don Bosco Technical School in Victorias, Negros Occidental studied Metallurgical Engineering at Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT). He heads the environment watch group GREEN FORUM Western Visayas as Principal Coordinator. Melvin is the Convenor of Responsible Ilonggos for Sustainable Energy (RISE).
--
During the Guimaras Oil Spill crises, his group the SAVE OUR SEAS MOVEMENT's active and sincere recovery participation, earned them the title "Guimaras Nature's Warrior" from a grateful populace.
---------------------------oo0oo--------------------
Reaction from Nathanael "Nat" Duenas -(INM: BurlingameCa-USA) :
--
Coal is fossil fuel extracted from mines which recently had several accidents trapping and killing miners in Utah and other similar mines worldwide.
--
The PNOC Energy Dept., Coal Division is a quasi government corporation in-charge of the importation and local development of coal mines like the one in Semirara. Imported coal from Indonesia and China are the nearest source of coal ideal for power generation.
--
My professional involvement with power generation projects in the Philippines was during my Consultancy with PBOC Energy undertaking projects for the geothermal and coal facilities in Tonginan, Palimpinon, Poro Point, Semirara and other facilities in MetroManila, Batangas, and Surigao.
--
The MAPCO Port and Rail Project in Palembang, Indonesia was another project I worked with while employed with Bechtel, Global Strategic Planning & Project Feasibilities Division. This project provides the transport system for the coal mines operations in Palembang which supplies the coal needs of power generating plants in Asia.
--
A coal-fed electric generating plant in Batangas (a Bechtel project) had been in operation since the FVR era and has emission filters meeting strict emission standards. The real problem is the operational aspect, the maintenance and the sustainability.
--
The international emission standards are being upped to further improve emissions of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxides which are harmful to the ozone layer. This standards has to be constantly met with upgrades which could be costly up the road.
--
Generating electricity to support industries that can subsidize the cost of household consumers is the logocal way in investing on a long-term project. The primary concern of government is public service with uninterrupted power supply to sustain a quality of life styles. For industries that creates employment, jobs and economic opportunities, adequate power allows growth and business expansion and more investment in the region.
--
Geothermal power from Palimpinon supplies the power grid of Panay, through NaPoCor, the proposed Iloilo Power Plant as a private investment initiative that requires City permits and a Public Hearing process to hear the concerns of the city residents, regardless of the DENR or Malacanyang investment approvals.
--
What the City of Iloilo need to insure the concerns of its residents is a Development Agreement stipulating the best interest of the residents and end users in compliance with strict guidelines based on the possible changing international emission standards.
--
The Development Agreement further defines the various mitigation measures, special assessments for community improvements, parks and recreation, etc. that the Project Proponents shall extend to the community. The consumer unit rates of electrical usage must be forecasted at a long-term basis to prevent surprises to r4esidential end users of potential rate increases or adjustments.
--
In cases of several US privately owned utilities, energy saving incentives programs and scholarship programs are enticement for end users responsible usage of power. Another aspect will be for a thrid party air quality evaluation system shall be in-place to monitor and warn the public of the emission of the plant and the sorrounding air quality with adequate warning system and remedial measures for evacuation or emission controls.
--
On the fuel supply end, importation of coal increases the imbalance in trade which further deteriorates our national economy's health.
--
The ethical behaviour of the city officials accepting the offer for an evaluation tour of similar facilities is legally violating comparable to the 'Browns Act' in California, where the presence of two or more City councilors could be construed as conspiracy.
--
The repercussions can both be devastating for the Bidding company and the public officials involved. A Public Hearing allows the input of local residents especially those directly within the sphere of influence of the plant.
--------------------
Editors Note:
INM Banwa_Mo Member Nathanael"Nat"John Gerochi Duenas has a short stint in the AFP as Special Task Force Supervisor in middle 1980's assigned to combat global fraud and international money laundering. He was a former Technical Consultant to the late Sultan Muhammad Mahakuttah Kiram - Sultanate of Sulu.
--
Architect "Nat" helped organized Katilingban sa Kaayuhan sang Komonidad (KKK) in Pavia, Iloilo that greatly influenced the final decision making --this area the site of the Regional Industrial Center in Western Visayas. Presently, he also acts as Moderator in several Fil-Am eFora.
------------------------o0o----------------------
Reaction from Eduardo L. Antonio -(INM: TorontoCanada):
--
One of the issues currently being discussed is the plan to put up a coal powered electric generation facility in Iloilo City. The plan is fraught with adverse effects on the environment. Once the environment goes also goes the quality of life. The ecology forum host by Professor Aurora Lim at CPU is doing a fantastic job in spite of its modest budget. There is a demand for energy due to increased economic activity but the environment should be protected.
-------------------oo0oo---------------
(Reaction from Mon Ramirez -The Bicol Region-Phil.):
--
Coal-fired power plant in Iloilo City OK'd after sponsored field trip abroad. The proponent for the coal-fired power plant funded the trip to Taiwan of the vice-mayor of Iloilo City and 7 city councilors. After seeing the coal-fired power plants there, they return and now say it is alright to have a coal-fired power plant in the city. Indeed, travel to other countries broadens the mind. -- --
It is a different story in Kansas:" The Kansas Department of Health and Environment yesterday became the first government agency in the United States to cite carbon dioxide emissions as the reason for rejecting an air permit for a proposed coal-fired electricity generating plant, saying that the greenhouse gas threatens public health and the environment." (news, appended) Mon
-----------------------
Power Plant Rejected Over Carbon Dioxide For First Time
(By Steven Mufson-Washington Post Staff Writer* October 19, 2007)
--
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment yesterday became the first government agency in the United States to cite carbon dioxide emissions as the reason for rejecting an air permit for a proposed coal-fired electricity generating plant, saying that the greenhouse gas threatens public health and the environment. The decision marks a victory for environmental groups that are fighting proposals for new coal-fired plants around the country. It may be the first of a series of similar state actions inspired by a Supreme Court decision in April that asserted that green house gases such as carbon dioxide should be considered pollutants under the Clean Air Act. Sunflower Electric Power already operates a coal-fired power plant in Holcomb and had proposed to build two more units. (By Charlie Riedel -- Associated Press)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~oo0oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Public Administration and Governance: A Timely Lesson to the Public
(By: BGen. Michaelangelo H. Siscar (Ret) -INM: Bulacan-Phil.)

Good Governance which is being pursued by the government in all sectors of the country - private or public - is a beautiful ideal dream that if implemented truthfully and faithfully will make the Philippines a very strong, rich, and progressive country.
--
The ideal principles of good governance, Philippine Style, includes the following:
1) transparency, 2) accountability, 3) predictability, and 4) participatory.
-
1. First is, what is transparency for? It means that everything that one does, in private or in public capacity, in private or government institutions, personally or officially, should be seen by everyone because there is nothing that is anomalous about it that should be hidden from the eyes of everyone. So everyone knows what the thing is all about. If there is nothing to hide, then why not publish it in news papers for the information of everyone concerned, who are themselves the tax-paying citizens of the republic.
-
In this regard, if done public so, everyone knows that there is nothing to hide and the thing is good for everyone. Everyone will be able to way the pros and cons of the thing and they will know, by their simple understanding and common sense, that the thing is beneficial to them or not. And if it is considered to be beneficial to everyone, who will oppose such good plan? Every one will be happy, especially the public because everyone knows that the proponent (whoever he may be) has nothing to benefit from it personally (for he is not given any dole out or bribe money or commission money, or sex gifts, or a hidden bank account for his disposal, or whatever anomalous things that he will later enjoy to his personal advantage - economically, politically, socially, or even spiritually - if in case he donates a small part of these anomalous benefits to the church).
-
A warning about the principle of transparency is that, in every adjective that we set to guide us to be good, there is always the extreme of it that makes as bad. The extreme of transparency is to be absolutely transparent that no one can see anymore the things that are supposed to be seen by everyone. Why? Because the thing has become extremely transparent that you cannot see anything anymore. It is like having a window with a stained glass that you cannot see the things outside. This is because the stained window is not transparent. Now to let you see the things outside of it we make the window transparent by changing the stained glass with a transparent glass. Then you see the people outside of the window. You also see the books and documents that are carried by the people in the street through the transparent window. Now to make it more transparent, you remove the books and documents in the hands of the people walking in the street and further remove the people walking in the street and you find out that there is nothing that you can see anymore because everything have become transparent - or in other words - hidden. This is the joke of making things "too transparent. "
--
2. Second is, what is accountability? Accountability is making yourself answerable for all the things that you made, act, do - or did not do, good or bad, intentionally or unintentionally, foolishly or wisely, godly or evilly, treacherously or lovingly, villainously or heroically, dumbly or genius, and etc.to the Supreme Court or to your God, Country and People. That you are ready to face the firing squad bravely if need be because of what you did. And so let the people look and see and decide for what you did. A good man is never afraid to be accountable for what he does. Many a good man died for his principles that were really good and made them a hero as a lasting example for others. But a bad man and and evil one will always ran away and hide from accountability because he is afraid of what he did and that at the very beginning he pretty well know it was wrong. So if you are accountable you should be transparent and not afraid in showing the score to everyone. Suppose to be, our Justice system should make everyone accountable. At least the Sandigan Bayan made Estrada accountable. For the others yet, I do not know.
-
3. The third is, what is predictability? It means that a good public or private servant should not hide his intentions. That in all that he will do, it will be known, expected and seen by everyone, and that it can be anticipated by everyone to be the right one or a bad one. In other words, if one is going to make political statements or pronouncements to the public or the private sector, he or she must be clearly predicted to walk his or her talk and do the best he or she can to give flesh and reality to those political statements and pronouncements. It is not to fool everyone either. It is not to mislead everyone either. It must be something that can be seen and anticipated by everyone that what you have stated will come true and will be delivered in due time for the enjoyment of everyone. To be predictable, of course, one has to be transparent and accountable. The absence of anyone of these principles will show that the person is not going to be true and dependable. He will only be fooling everyone, including himself.
-
4. The fourth is, what is participation? Participation is allowing all stakeholders, yes all of the stakeholders, all the citizens for that matter, to know and see (for your being transparent) , behold and believe (for your being accountable) , and praise (for your being predictable) that everyone is welcome to come, see, know, ask, comment, suggest, and recommend, in the public discussion regarding the subject matter presented for consideration, especially when this subject matter will cost the government and the Filipino people $400 million for the project. There should be public bidding for this project of course. It should be published in the newspapers and announced over the radio nationwide. All interested parties should be known for that matter. The date of submission of bids should be published, and who are the contenders. What are the backgrounds of these contenders? Are they fly-by-night companies who have no offices and no capitalization or are they dependable large companies who can also bribe and get away with the laws of the land? Let us make the people know these.
--
Who are the people in the government who are in high positions who are backing these bidders? And why are they backing these bidders? Who are the Presidential hopefuls at this point in time who wants to raise campaign money for the coming 2010 elections, which is not very far from now? And why are there so many voices denouncing one another? Was he not able to get the large contract? Was he only offered a small pocket money to be silent? Will somebody pocket a bigger amount at the expense of another one? Will a godfather be getting more than one half of the amount because the contract is padded to much? Are everyone now envious with everyone? Are these guys fighting for the health of the country or their own health? Are these guys fighting to make the poor Juan Tamad eat three times a day instead of only once a day or are they fighting because they want to eat a thousand times a day at the expense of Juan Tamad. These the questions that should be hurled at them right now. And they should have a very transparent, accountable and predictable answer to this.
-
So? The lesson here is to make everything transparent, accountable, predictable and participatory. Unless we do these kind of governance in the public sector or management in the private sector, we will never make this country peaceful, respectable, and happy. There will always be internal problems. Each to his own survival and syndicate. Such as the Communists, the Separatist, the Terrorists, the "Democratists" (these are the democrats that Philippine Government), the Nationalists, the Liberals, the Anak Pawis, the Ang Bayan, the Rainbow Coalition, etc..there are still many other political parties in the country, and they are still sprouting like mushrooms in an anthill. All of them, I tell you, have their syndicates to earn and live and survive. I did not even include here the rising numbers of religious sects that have risen in numbers too, who also have to make their existence and living too. What a wonderful world indeed here in the Philippines. Nothing is monotonous. There are plenty of surprises and menu to select on. So many different kinds of people, thinking, belief, worship, intentions, plans, and what have you.
-
Now what I am saying here can be related to the issues being broadcast over the radio and the T.V. everyday and given spices by such tormentors and agitators the likes of Mr. Diyo Macalma of the Bubuwit and Special na Balita Fame, the DZRH jokers and spectators like the Okay Okay ni Manang Kikay, the serious GMA news makers and reporters like Mike Enriquez and partner, and many many others. If you only would listen to all of them in the AM radios and the TV every day you will likely get dizzy and collapse, for you will not know where you are standing. Even they do not know where to side because they try to be in the middle. For that is how they earn their living too. I tell you there are really so many syndicates in this country. This is what happens to a country when everyone values the real Truth but are not very serious about it. No one knows what is good and bad now. Maybe what they know is "goad." Anyway the People also enjoy the Zarzuela and the Drama (including Marimar, Ang Mata ni Angelita and etc.) even if they know they are the small pawns who are to bear the burden of paying all the government debts that was enjoyed by a few people in Power. A Great Pity for Juan Tamad.
--
Hopefully we will get our due if we only would work harder for the country.
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Editors Note:
INM Banwa_Mo Member Brig.Gen. Michaelangelo Hubero Siscar (Ret) is the first in Pavia-Iloilos’ history to earn an AFP Star Rank. He is, likewise, the first Editorial Board Chairman of the AFP Website. Before his recent retirement, he is the Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications Electronics and Information Systems (J6) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
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“Michael” was trained in the US (Signal Corps) in all communications equipment used in aircraft. He was also commander of the 1st Signal Long Lines Battalion of the AFP for three years, holder of three Masters’ degreesand he will be graduating this year with a Ph. D. in Public Administration from UP Diliman.
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WORDS OF WISDOM:
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On being awarded the Legion of Honor by President Corazon Aquino, Joaquin ‘Chino’ Roces, publisher of The Manila Times, pleaded with the president:
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"Please allow me to remind you, first. That our people brought a new government to power because our people felt an urgent need for change. That change was nothing more and nothing less than that of moving quickly into a new moral order. The people believed, and many of them still do, that when we said we would be the exact opposite of Marcos, we would be just that.
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Because of that promise which the people believed, our triumph over Marcos was anchored on a principle of morality . . . . To our people, I dare propose that new moral order is best appreciated in terms of our response to graft and corruption in public service. We cannot afford a government of thieves unless we can tolerate a nation of highwaymen."
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The Locsin Clan Invitation:
Invitation to JOIN! The Locsin Clan in Cyberspace
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Greetings "Parientes":
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Free Membership exclusive to descendants of "WO SING LOK" or "SIN LOK" --the first Locsin in the Philippines; who was christened as AGUSTIN LOCSIN when he married Cecilia Sayson (1780) of "Parian" now Molo in Iloilo City.
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Early history & genealogical diagrams are contained in this streamlined and user friendly new website; also photos, relevant articles, up-dated Family Trees, announcements, etc.
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Please go to http://www.thelocsinclan.com/ and click "Contact the Administrator"below the long in page to get your password. Please include your name and email address.
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"May the spirit of our ancestors, continue to guide future generations"
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The Locsin Clan Web Administrator
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Subject: Spanish lesson
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A Spanish teacher was explaining to her class that in Spanish, unlike English, nouns are designated as either masculine or feminine. "House" for instance, is feminine: "la casa." "Pencil," however,! is masculine: "el lapiz." A student asked, "What gender is 'computer'?"
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Instead of giving the answer, the teacher split the class into two groups, male and female, and asked them to decide for themselves whether "computer" should be a masculine or a feminine noun. Each group was asked to give four reasons for its recommendation.
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The men's group decided that "computer" should definitely be of the feminine gender "la computadora" , because:

1. No one but their creator understands their internal logic;

2. The native language they use to communicate with other computers is incomprehensible to everyone else;

3. Even the smallest mistakes are stored in long term memory for possible later retrieval; and

4.As soon as you make a commitment to one, you find yourself spending half your paycheck on accessories for it.

The women's group, however, concluded that computers should be Masculine "el computador", because:

1. In order to do anything with them, you have to turn them on;

2. they have a lot of data but still can't think for themselves;

3. They are supposed to help you solve problems, but half the time they ARE the problem; and

4. As soon as you commit to one, you realize that if you had waited a little longer, you could have gotten a better model. The women won....like always!!!

(Thanks! to Kenneth Benedicto)

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Coincidence -- anyone?
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Abraham Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846.
John F. Kennedy was elected to Congress in 1946.
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Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860.
John F. Kennedy was elected President in 1960.
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Both were particularly concerned with civil rights.
Both wives lost their children while living in the White House.
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Both Presidents were shot on a Friday.
Both Presidents were shot in the head.
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Lincoln 's secretary was named Kennedy.
Kennedy's Secretary was named Lincoln.
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Both were assassinated by Southerners.
Both were succeeded by Southerners named Johnson.
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Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Lincoln, was born in 1808.
Lyndon Johnson, who succeeded Kennedy, was born in 1908.
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John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated Lincoln, was born in 1839.
Lee Harvey Oswald, who assassinated Kennedy, was born in 1939.
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Both assassins were known by their three names.
Both names are composed of fifteen letters.
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Lincoln was shot at the theater named 'Ford.'
Kennedy was shot in a car called ' Lincoln' made by 'Ford.'
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Lincoln was shot in a theater and his assassin ran and hid in a warehouse.
Kennedy was shot from a warehouse and his assassin ran and hid in a theater.
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Booth and Oswald were assassinated before their trials.
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Before Lincoln was shot, he was in Monroe, Maryland
Before Kennedy was shot, he was with Marilyn Monroe.
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(Thanks! to Zenith Tenebro)
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