Celebrating Araw ng Kagitingan at Dulaang UP

April 9 is one day of the year when Bataeños like me, take pride in commemorating our courageous forefathers in their gallant last stand against invading Japanese forces during the World War II. And what a great way to spend and celebrate this holiday, watching a performance of the noble members of Dulaang UP Theatre group. On it's 40th season, Dulaang UP is presenting "The Dressing Room", an excellent adaptation from an old Japanese play. Thanks to my son, Paolo, (required to watch the play by his professor), who bought 3 extra tickets for the rest of the family, we had the chance to witness such great talents of Dulaang UP Alumni artists, production and directorial staff and upcoming talents from UP College students.

We were impressed by excellent performances of Frances Ignacio and Ces Quesada, whom we both met and autographed our souvenir booklet after the play, along with their magnificent director and former Dulaang UP Artistic Director, Alexander Cortez. The stage design itself is a work of art, with a very impressive mixture of modernity and tradition, without the usual symmetric platforms and plumbed backdrop elements. The leaning typical Japanese framed partition doubled as screen for projecting text images before and after the play. The uneven and skewed platforms create extra challenge for dancers, making their performances all the more impressive. The music and sound arrangements completed the ingredients, with the needed touch of Japanese art and culture.

UP students and Alumni should be proud of their Dulaang UP Artists who have continuously shared their time, talent, dedication and hard work; the same way I am proud of my brave ancestors fighting for our freedom in Bataan.

As if our day is not yet complete after watching the play, on our way home to Bataan, we dropped by the house of my friend, Raul Pagtalunan, somewhere in Bulacan. Here, we happen to meet equally excellent stage and screen actor couples, Nonie Buencamino and Sharmaine Buencamino (who is also a DUP alumni). Wow, this is already a bonus!

This School Shall Be Great Again

One thing I hate about birthdays is when they coincide with expiration of licenses. This year, both my PRC Civil Engineering and LTO Driver’s Licenses expired on my birthday. One of my current projects necessitates me to immediately renew my PRC ID Card or else it would cause substantial delay in securing the necessary government permits. In order to do this I have to personally apply for renewal at the PRC main office at R. Papa corner Morayta Streets in Manila. Trying to squeeze-in some time in an already tight schedule and the thought of having to immerse into heavy traffic in the area make one feel reluctant. However, on the lighter side of things, I would have the chance to visit the university belt after so many years and reminisce the old times.

Many things have changed. I saw the now abandoned building which housed the Ever Gotesco Mall, the only shopping mall at the university belt that time, and a far cry from the big SM Malls of today. But for us back then, it was a totally complete entertainment center. Even Cartimar and Eastern Cinema is no longer there. The old National Bookstore at the Morayta corner Recto, where we used to read books for free is now replaced by Banco de Oro. I did not notice though if Orient Pearl was still there. It is noticeable that FEU has now gained more satellite campus sites in the belt. The old ice cream parlor in front of FEU (I forgot the name) which is my favorite dating venue is nowhere to be found. Nevertheless, what amazed me is that the old Food House at Lepanto St., our favourite lunch hangout, is still there.

The Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) has likewise improved. A second building has been erected to serve the growing number of Filipino professionals. I was impressed by the Express system employed by the PRC in the renewal of PRC ID Cards. For an additional fee of P450 (not bad), you won’t have to wait in long lines. There are special windows dedicated to cater to these express transactions. Forms are color-coded, express forms are colored orange, and hence, employees easily identify express documents and prioritize processing them. This system eliminates the need for ‘fixers’. I filed the application at 9:30am and am finished with the process in 30 minutes. I was then instructed to come back and claim my new PRC ID at 11:30am. That was great! I guess this system is designed for busy professionals who have limited time to undergo such tedious process and have to go back after about a week or so to claim.

With an hour and a half free time, I decided to visit my Alma Mater, the University of the East, which was at my time was the biggest university in the Philippines in terms of student population. It was also the time when UE always topped the board exams for CPA and Dentistry, and when Allan Caidic and Jerry Codinera led the UE Warriors to UAAP Championships.

I entered through the Lepanto Gate. I was not allowed to enter at first even if I told the guard that I was an alumnus of the university, until I told them that I would like to secure an alumni ID. Hence, I was compelled to go to the Alumni Office and get myself an alumni ID for a fee of P200 (not bad) The process was even faster than my PRC ID since I got it after just 30 minutes. Now I can go back and visit with no hassle and could even use the facilities of the library for free.

It was perfect timing for my visit because it was UE Foundation Week, so there were exhibits and Food Bazaars and bargain booths all over the place. I was amazed on how UE has transformed to what I perceived as a global and competitive university. All offices are computerized, gone are the days when you have to fall in very long lines during enrolment. The LMB (Library and Museum Building) is now the PO Domingo Center for Information Technology. The old Secretarial Building is now the College of Computer Science and Studies Building. The place where the old wooden structure which housed the Elementary Department was located is now a beautiful ecological park. The open area in front of the CAS Building was likewise landscaped with plant boxes and benches. The Engineering Building is currently being renovated. I feel elated when I saw that the organization which we formed, the Association of Civil Engineering Students (ACES) is still active and is tied up with PICE.

I can’t help but enter the old small chapel to pray and reminisce the times when Fr. Oesbrock (I am not sure if I spelled it right) says masses with so many students filling up the area between the CAS and Dalupan Buildings.

As I leave the campus where I spent 8 years of student life, from 2nd year high school to 5th year college, I am relieved with the thought that with the new management under the helm of Taipan Lucio Tan, I am pretty sure that the old times will be back and that this university shall be great again....”Tomorrow Begins in the East!”

Money Flourished in Limay for 2 Days

It was like New Year’s Eve in May. People were all around town buying everything, eating out, shopping...in short, they are spending money...and in big currencies, 1000 and 500 peso denominations.
As a testament to this, my wife’s modest shop, Cuplinx Internet Cafe’ (some advertisement here), had the biggest daily sales for the year last election eve. They all have their hands full that I have to assist in the washing of dishes. Their food ingredients and raw materials, which usually last for 2 to 3 days, were all consumed that night.
On Election Day, people are everywhere, not only in the polling places but even in the market, groceries, shops, etc. The scene is no different to New Year’s Eve, when everybody is rushing to buy last minute groceries for Media Noche. The next day, there was shortage of goods from the market and even from the biggest supermarket in town, so my wife had to buy from Balanga City.
What could have caused all of these? Was it because of the massive vote-buying that was perpetrated by politicians to ensure their victory? According to reliable sources, leaders of two opposing candidates gave out envelops with cash ranging from a minimum of P1000 to as high as P2000. One candidate undertook, what local folks call as “Gapang”, and instructed his leaders, in the wee hours of midnight, to buy out hard-core loyalists of his opponent by an imaginable amount of P3,500 per voter and even placed indelible ink on their fingers as guarantee that they could no longer vote for his opponent. Imagine, for a small family of four voters, that would easily sum up to P14,000! And for a middle income earner, this amount could easily demolish one’s loyalty to a candidate or adherence to principle.
Until we improve the lives of people of the lowest class, which is the majority, vote buying will always be the norm in every election, where the highest bidders are declared winners. The need to satisfy these poor people’s hunger, tend to cut their memories short, as they tend to forget the sins of candidates in the past.
Let us hope and pray that with the looming leadership of Senator Noynoy Aquino, and the strength of the Filipino people, we could finally put an end to all these forms of corruption.

The Venerable Hwarang

I simply cannot let this pass without sharing just a short blog about last night's episode of GMA-7's Koreanovela, Queen Seon Deok. That was by far the best episode that characterizes the honorable traits of the Hwarangs, knights of Silla (One of the three Ancient Kingdoms of Korea).
It showed the courageous stand of Hwarang Yushin who fought with his last strength, and was ready to die for honor.
At one single moment, I admired Hwarang Bojong, that despite being Yushin Rang's chief adversary, he was first to give encouragement to Yushin Rang, to endure and finish the fight to claim honor for all Hwarangs.
I also had high esteem for the chief henchman of Lady Mishil, Hwarang Chilsuk, when he conceded defeat and declared Hwarang Yushin as the winner of their fight.
If only our leaders of today would have just a small ounce of these respectable traits of the Hwarangs, then our country would be a better place to live in.
I have attached the links to two parts of the episode in Korean but with English subtitles.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbCjjEWWN00&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Jp4KLc02o4&NR=1

Happy Viewing!!

Ang Pagbubunyi 2010

The Santacruzan Season has already started! Here in Limay, the Santacruzan is quite extra-ordinary, and it’s called “Pagbubunyi”. It’s a yearly event organized by the Limay Tourism Council.

What makes it different from the rest is that it literally dramatizes how the Santacruzan originated more than 1600 years ago, in celebration of the triumph of Constantine the Great, the first Christian Roman Emperor, and his mother Helena in the search of the Holy Cross. It begins with a play that starts at the municipal grounds and ends with a battle for the Holy Cross at the market grounds.

After the play, the procession begins with Roman flag bearers and soldiers with Constantine on a chariot. Then followed by muslim captives of Constantine. The procession also includes Roman gods and demi-gods of Roman Mythology, which was their religion before Constantine converted the Roman Empire to Christianity. Then followed by Biblical and symbolic characters like Methuselah, San Macario, Samaritana, Veronica, Reyna Infante and Judith (with the head of one of her adversaries), Reyna Sheba, Reyna Esther, Reyna Baderada, Reyna Justicia, Reyna delos Angeles, Reyna del Mar, Reyna dela Paz, Reyna del Sol, and Reyna delos Flores, ( I hope I did not miss one) all with complete costumes. Even the arch bearers have their own costumes. At the end is Reyna Emperatriz (Constantine’s Wife), Reyna Elena, and finally the carriage of the replica of the Holy Cross.

Pagbubunyi was featured in 2007 in the GMA 7 News. Herewith is the link:

http://www.gmanews.tv/video/7096/Pinagmulan-ng-Santacruzan

Today, the Santacruzan has gradually lost its significance and has become a parade of beauties rather than a procession for the devotees to pay homage to the Holy Cross. Being chosen as the Reyna Elena becomes more of a prestige to beautiful women, as this is like winning a grand beauty pageant. It has also become a parade of beautiful and expensive gowns where costumes have become immaterial. Some have added male escorts (who are actually insignificant) as essential characters in the parade. And if organizers have enough funding, they would get famous actresses even sexy stars to pose as Reyna Elena to attract more attention from onlookers.

Herewith are pictures of the parade, happy viewing!

Home After 8 years

It really feels good to see my younger brother Chito (Ramoncito) again after 8 years. He is also joined by wife Linda (Josefina). They arrived from North Carolina, USA last April 11, just in time for son, Alvin's graduation from Nursing school. My brother-in-law Kuya Joe, (husband of my Ate Gigi), also followed the next day.

After about a week's stay in Manila, I invited them to visit Limay for a change. Together with nephews and nieces, they arrived Limay Friday night (April 23). It's good to hear that my brother has finally came out of his shell and developed some liking for karaoke singing. (with the influence of Kuya Joe, I guess). We provided entertainment for the girls, while they drink 'The Bar' mixed with Orange Juice. The next morning, we had a early morning walk towards the Limay sea shore for some fresh air.

As a celebration of sorts (Alvins'Graduation, Chito's and Paolo's Birthdays), Kuya Joe invited us for a Mango picking picnic at his portion of the farm. He prepared a really big feast by slaughtering 2 goats and a cow. We had Kare kare, Mechado, Beef with Mushroom, and Bulalo. (Sarrrap!!!) Thanks to Sanseng Maria (Susan's sister), who had to stay awake almost overnight for the meat to be tender. Chito and Linda likewise contributed for the drinks, pancit malabon, shrimp, labor fees, etc.

The venue of the affair was the common area of the farm. (the lot where the St. Jerome Chapel and the swimming pool is located.) As usual the kids enjoyed swimming in our modest but private pool. I have to bring our videoke for added recreation. Alfonso 13 brandy was courtesy of Kuya Andrew and the beer was courtesy of Jaidol and Kuya Joe.

It's nice to see Chito and Linda seeing long lost relatives and additional members (our grandchildren from Ate Meling and Kuya Andrew) of the family. Herewith are pictures of the event. Happy Viewing!

Araw ng Kagitingan ng Bataan

Hello Guys! I’m finally back. I know this topic is kinda late but I can’t let this pass without sharing my thoughts about why this day is very important to me. I wonder what is the f___ing idea behind the law changing Bataan Day to Araw ng Kagitingan.

I was watching the news in GMA-7 last April 9, and in one news segment, the reporter was asking common people on the street on why this day, April 9, is called Araw ng Kagitingan. Being a Bataeno, it really hurts that only 2 out of about 10 who were interviewed answered correctly. People have already forgotten the valiant stand of thousands of Filipinos defending Bataan from the advancing Japanese Imperial Forces for more than three months, despite lack of logistics, until they finally surrendered on April 9, 1942.

The last stand of USAFFE Forces in the Philippines was code named by General Douglas Mc Arthur as War Plan Orange-3 (WPO-3). This was a pre-war plan to retreat to the Bataan Peninsula, regroup, fortify and hold defensive lines across the peninsula, until the U.S. Pacific Fleet could be mustered at full strength. Without this stand, the Japanese might have quickly overrun all of the U.S. bases in the Pacific. Bataan forced them to slow down, giving the allies valuable time to prepare for conflicts such as the Battle of the Coral Sea and the Battle of Midway, which followed closely thereafter.

Ultimately, more than 60,000 Filipino and 15,000 American prisoners of war were forced into the infamous 60- mile Bataan Death March. My late father had many stories of how he (who was still in his early teens) witnessed the gruesome long line of the Death March as they likewise walked from Limay to Orani, Bataan and rode a banca towards Manila. They too had to leave Limay which was completely burned by Japanese forces.

Allow me to quote the radio broadcast aired by the Voice of Freedom at the Malinta Channel in Corregidor in the morning of April 9, 1942.

“Bataan has fallen. The Philippine-American troops on this war-ravaged and bloodstained peninsula have laid down their arms. With heads bloody but unbowed, they have yielded to the superior force and numbers of the enemy.


The world will long remember the epic struggle that Filipino and American soldiers put up in the jungle fastness and along the rugged coast of Bataan. They have stood up uncomplaining under the constant and grueling fire of the enemy for more than three months. Besieged on land and blockaded by sea, cut off from all sources of help in the Philippines and in America, the intrepid fighters have done all that human endurance could bear.

For what sustained them through all these months of incessant battle was a force that was more than merely physical. It was the force of an unconquerable faith--something in the heart and soul that physical hardship and adversity could not destroy! It was the thought of native land and all that it holds most dear, the thought of freedom and dignity and pride in these most priceless of all our human prerogatives.

The adversary, in the pride of his power and triumph, will credit our troops with nothing less than the courage and fortitude that his own troops have shown in battle. Our men have fought a brave and bitterly contested struggle. All the world will testify to the most superhuman endurance with which they stood up until the last in the face of overwhelming odds. But the decision had to come. Men fighting under the banner of unshakable faith are made of something more that flesh, but they are not made of impervious steel. The flesh must yield at last, endurance melts away, and the end of the battle must come. Bataan has fallen, but the spirit that made it stand--a beacon to all the liberty-loving peoples of the world--cannot fall!”