tagabungtod

Romeo Clarin first appeared in Nabunturan in the late '60s as the boyfriend of Marcelinda “Baby” Barrete, a very pretty and popular lass from barangay Cabacungan who was “crush ng bayan” during her high school days in Assumption. The pair was quite a perfect match because he was a gentlemanly, handsome young man who, like the Barrete family, came all the way from Sevilla, Bohol. Soon enough, after college, they would tie the knot and establish residence in Nabunturan. Romy wasted no time in earning a living for his family by establishing a fertilizer and chemical store. He would later branch out into the transportation business.

One child came after another, too. Presently, all their four children have finished college and are working. Neil (Boyet) is a physical therapist, Glenn (Jojit) is an occupational therapist, Romeo Jr. (Jun-Jun) is a business ad graduate and the youngest Myrocel (My-my) is a medical technologist.

In the early 1990's, Romy was persuaded to run for public office as councilor and he easily topped the winning slate. Romy is not the sociable, gung-ho, pat-your-back type of politician. But he is not new to politics either.

Aside from the many political Clarins in Bohol, his late father-in-law, Juan “Ondoy” Barrete, became a long-time councilor and vice-mayor; he missed becoming mayor by losing just by some 50 votes to then mayor Pros Amatong. Romy's mother-in-law, the late Andresa, was also barangay councilor and later captain of Cabacungan for some time. Furthermore, he also belongs to the big tagabungtod Calamba clan, his mother being a first cousin of the pioneering Calambas from Sevilla, Bohol.

Quiet, patient and sober by nature, Romy completed three terms as councilor and three terms as vice-mayor, a total of eighteen years. He assumed as mayor July 1, 2010.

This blog is taking the liberty of reprinting this full article from Hollywood Bulletin because it makes special mention of Gemma Sotto, a fullblooded tagabungtod. Gemma is the daughter of Milagros Mencidor and the late Cesar Sotto. She was a member of the provincial board of Compostela Valley before she decided to leave for the U.S. Gemma, her son, and a couple of her siblings, Jumilo and Marife, now reside in New York.

Going through the article, the report of the author appears rather inaccurate as she wrote that "...Gemma Sotto... was her nanny while she was in the Philippines." Gemma was already in the U.S. when she became nanny, not to Brook Shields, but to her child. If I recall correctly, Gemma told me that she took care of Brooke's little girl for almost three years.

Gemma's photo album is an interesting collection of pictures showing her posing with the likes of Barbra Streisand, Lou Diamond Philips, and a lot of other famous stars. The pictures were taken on different ocassions when she had to fly with Shields' family to Hollywood. When Brooke Shields and her husband, who also works in the film industry, decided to move permanently to L.A., Gemma chose to stay in New York.

Brooke Shields recalls her Filipina nanny and her trip to the Philippines

“Every time I hear the Philippines, I am reminded of my Tita,” exclaimed the lovely and statuesque Brooke Shields in our recent encounter.

LOS ANGELES – “Every time I hear the Philippines, I am reminded of my Tita,” exclaimed the lovely and statuesque Brooke Shields in our recent encounter.

“Tita” for this former child actress and former Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) guest is Gemma Sotto who was her nanny while she was in the Philippines.

“She was a kind and caring woman,” she pointed out. Brooke was one of the special guests from Hollywood of the former First Lady Imelda Marcos in the controversial MIFF in 1982. That was also the first time I met and interviewed Brooke at the Manila Hotel.

Many years later, we met again when I talked to her about her TV series, “Lipstick Jungle.” “I remember those glamorous days in Manila,” she recalled of her first visit to the Philippines.

Brooke and I recently met again when we had a chat for her upcoming comedy film, “Furry Vengeance,” with Brendan Fraser.
Now a mother of two girls (Rowan Francis, 6, and Grier Hammond, 4), Brooke said that it was indeed the birthday of Grier that day I interviewed her.

“I almost threw a whole premiere for her,” she said laughing. “She’s actually happy to see the movie so that’s a good thing and then afterward, we’re having all her friends, 20 kids, for a barbecue and swim party,” she disclosed.

The 44-year-old actress added, “I’m making my husband (Chris Henchy) do all the cooking and he’s cooking barbecue, burgers, hotdogs, chicken fingers, macaroni and cheese, and big sheets of chocolate cake. He won’t be wearing a princess dress but my daughter will be (laughter). Well, maybe, after a couple of Tequilas… I don’t know, we’ll see.”

Asked how she manages to balance motherhood and career, the “Blue Lagoon” and “Endless Love” star revealed, “I don’t ever really feel like it’s balanced. I always feel like I’m deficient in one area. I maybe here but I’m thinking I hope they’ve got the right shoes on. I hope they’re fine. I hope they’re not giving their dad a hard time.

“When I tried to just be at home with them, I go absolutely stir crazy. I love them. But they make me crazy. I notice that when I have a job, I like to go and come back or bring them with me. But when I have something else that keeps my mind and my creative spirit nurtured, I am more patient with them. I have more fun with them. I’m clearer about my time with them because I’m able to focus on them. If I’m just with them, I’m thinking, God, I’ve got to get a job. That’s just the way I’m built.

“I don’t know if it’s a good thing or not but I do like the idea that I’m showing my girls the importance of having something in their life that is theirs and a vocation. I think it’s important for women to have that message growing up.”

• • •
On her co-star Brendan Fraser, the former Calvin Klein Jeans model said, “It was my first time ever working with Brendan. I had known him a little bit socially. Really nothing – not very much. I have always wanted to work with him. He is truly a hero of mine. I enjoy him so much and it was just such a thrill.

“You never knew what he was going to do. I sort of had to be the through-line through everything and he always said the script was a suggestion (laughing). So I’d be waiting for my cue but he’s very generous with other people around him and that is rare because he could easily steal any scene. He’s fearless. He’s so comfortable allowing other people to have their moment too which is also rare in comedy.”

• • •
The first time I met Lea Dizon, a budding filmmaker, was at a screening of a Filipino movie in LA. The exotic beauty later invited us to the screening of her directorial debut, a short comedy titled “How to Eat Bacon,” at the USC (University of Southern California) School of Cinematic Arts where she is taking her masters degree in film.

A University of the Philippines graduate, Lea is hard working, persistent and focused, especially when it comes to filmmaking. Very passionate and dedicated to her craft, Lea directed another short, a comedy-love story, “Angel’s Bread,” which was co-produced by another Filipina, Pia Chikiamco.

“I would love to be known as a Filipino filmmaker in Hollywood,” the Angeles City native disclosed.

After three years at USC, Lea is now set on doing her thesis film, “Delikadesa,” a short film in Tagalog that is set in the ’80s in Manila. “I need all the help – financial or otherwise – for this film and I am not embarrassed to ask for help,” she said.

Lea explained, “My thesis will be an earnest, charming, poignant movie set in Manila. Eighteen-year-old Paolo is about to go to his engagement dinner to his pregnant girlfriend. While the two families are going crazy trying to plan the wedding and his life, all Paolo wants to do is to tell them that he doesn’t want to get married. It’s for sure a family drama, a comedy of errors, and a coming-of-age film about learning that sometimes doing the wrong thing is the right thing to do.” Visit the website, www.leawdizon.com/delikadesa, to find out more about the film.

In order for Lea to make her thesis film, she will need to raise $20,000. Lea pointed out, “No donation is too small or too big. When you give $6 you are buying one of our crew members one of his or her ten meals during the shoot. About 30 people will be helping to make this film. $110 will enable me to buy a can of film – leaving me with just 16 cans left to purchase. $275 buys an hour of the eight hours that I need to transfer the movie from film to High Definition. $1,000 helps me rent the Super 16 camera.”

She stressed, “I will be grateful for anything that people can extend to me. I am certain that all together we can make this movie, a dollar at a time. Being able to make this film will be the best graduation gift I can ever receive.”

Lea added that they are targeting to be in production in the first week of May in LA. She said, “This film will be submitted to film festivals in the US and abroad. It is my hope that this film not only open doors for me as a filmmaker but will also give honor to my country. I am humbly and boldly asking you to invest in this dream and in myself and help me take this town by storm.”

Formerly a Manila journalist, Los Angeles-based Janet Susan R. Nepales is a member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

E-mail the writer at jrnepales_624@yahoo.com for your comments and questions.

He was born July 6, 1953.

He grew up in Mawab but he chose to reside in Nabunturan after he married his tagabungtod college sweetheart, Gilda Dimson. I first met Edgar during the early '70s when he joined DANECO as one of its pioneer employees. Wala pa'y koryente, naa na sya. A good-looking and amiable person, he easily won tagabungtod friends because he always displayed a very affable smile. The kind of person who loved to listen and exchange ideas and jokes with friends. The tennis court was the weekend hangout.

Edgar soon married Gilda, whom he described as his fierce academic rival for the top rank in their class during their college days . According to him, in order to ease the tension that was always brewing between them and to get even because she always excelled, he courted her and they became sweethearts. Both graduated with honors and became certified public accountants in no time. Gilda, who also got employed by DANECO, would later resign and join the municipal government of Nabunturan. She is presently the Municipal Accountant.

Meanwhile, Edgar became the Office Manager of the electric coop where he took the opportunity to finish his Masters in Business Administration. Having served DANECO as a board director, myself, I have seen how competent, hardworking, and even-tempered Edgar was. As soon as the late Atty. Jose Amacio retired as General Manager, it was not unexpected that Edgar would take his place.

At the helm of DANECO, he steered the electric coop to become a model of efficiency in the entire country. For example, in instances of power interruptions or brownouts, he was known to be the kind of manager whom consumers can call directly anytime of the day or night. He himself answers his phone, calls and dispatches his engineers and emergency crew to immediately attend to the problem.

A very bright, funny, and articulate guy who had a great knack for explaining accounting and financial gobbledygooks, Edgar shared his talent, together with Gilda, by teaching at the Assumption College for several years. He was known as a very good teacher and was very popular among students. It was at this time that the school introduced a business course with Accounting as a major. In a few years, ACN started producing its own certified public accountants.

As a resident of Nabunturan he immersed himself in community activities by becoming a member of the board of director of the Nabunturan Integrated Cooperative and the Nabunturan Water District, the latter he served for more than 29 straight years starting from its inception in 1981. He was NWD's chairman at the time of his death. He succeeded the late Dr. Rolando Layug in 1997, also a pioneer director who served as chairman of the board for about 17 years.

DANECO and its consumer-members throughout the provinces of Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley lost a very competent general manager. Likewise, his immense contribution to the growth and development of Nabunturan is immeasurable. In my book, he was a true-blue tagabungtod we can always be proud of.

He is survived by his wife, Gilda, two daughters, Anna (now Meneses) and Jan Angelie and a grandson. In the early '90s they lost their second daughter who had a protracted battle with leukemia. On June 19, 2009 he, himself, would succumb to a tumor in his spinal column .

(I am reprinting this "forward-forward" nga email because I find it very funny and full of truisms. Maayo pud ni pangtapal sa panahon nga dili ko kapost sa tagabungtod. I am sure the original author, who is apparently Sugbuanon, and whose memory of his and our generation's childhood is full of humor, would not mind. Read on!)


I was born on this era!

After the local elections in 1988, Mayor Joel O. Bugas, at age 21, became the youngest municipal mayor in the entire country--a position he won by an unprecedented 3-vote margin over his opponent.

Fresh from finishing his A.B. Political Science degree from the University of San Carlos in Cebu, Joel Bugas was thrown into the political fray after his father, Zosimo Bugas, who was a mayoralty candidate at the time, was shot and killed by NPA hitmen right on the stage where they were holding a political rally.

As a town executive, Joel displayed such levelheadedness you could have concluded that he was like a turtle thrown into the water. Not so surprising to most tagabungtod considering that he came from a political family, his father having served as vice-mayor and later as mayor during the 70's. Lauro C. Arabejo, the first municipal mayor and one of the longest serving mayors of Nabunturan, was also his granduncle.

Joel won two more elections which made him mayor for a total of 10 years. When his term as mayor expired in 1998, he could have trained his sights on higher elective political positions and easily win. More so because the new province of Compostela Valley has just been created. But Joel rather chose not to run.

A few months after the 1998 elections, Joel quietly left for the U.S. Years later, he was rumored to have entered the seminary. It turned out to be true. He would be the second Bugas to enter the priesthood, the first one being his first cousin, Rev. Fr. Ricardo Bugas, who is now a missionary in New Zealand.

At 10:00 A.M. on May 30, 2009, Saturday, REV. FR. JOEL O. BUGAS, tagabungtod, third child of the late Zosimo Bugas and Corazon de Ono, will be ordained priest at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe, New Mexico by its Archbishop, the Most Rev. Michael J. Sheehan.

He will celebrate his First Solemn Mass Of Thanksgiving on Pentecost Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 8:30 A.M. at the San Antonio de Padua Parish-Penasco, State Highway 75, Penasco, New Mexico and then to be followed by another Mass at St. Anthony Parish-Dixon at 10:30 A.M., State Highway 75, Dixon, New Mexico.

Two days ago, text messages were flying around informing that former Congressman Prospero S. Amatong was hospitalized becaue of a bad fall while strolling in a New York park where he was vacationing with his family. I just got back from General Santos City when I got this sad message from good friend and fellow-tagabungtod, Mayor Rey B. Navarro, of Laak, Compostela Valley.


His short but catchy text message says it all about the long and significant political career of a pioneering tagabungtod:

The great man who "ENGINEERed" the "PROSPEROus" province of Davao del Norte, "FATHERed" Compostela Valley's creation and made the distinction as the only undefeated councilor, mayor, governor and congressman in this part of the country returned to his CREATOR this morning. Join me in praying for the eternal repose of the soul of HON. PROSPERO S. AMATONG.

She was a mother to her children for 50 years.


Patria Villafuerte Gella, was 22 when she met and married my father who was a 38-year old bachelor helping the guerillas as an army medical officer in the island of Panay. After the war, he forthwith brought her to the fertile hinterlands of Compostela Valley in Mindanao. In a span of 14 years, one child came after another. Six boys in a row and later, two girls. I was the fourth.

My father, in his rumination as a government worker, practically left the care of all the children to my mother. In my father's absence, and in her effort to take control of the situation, more often than not, her only appropriate and convenient response to any breach of conduct was anger.

During my childhood, together with friends, I would always wander into the nearby forest or take a dip in the Cabalinan River where I learned how to swim. She always feared I would either get lost, meet an accident or drown.

As a result of my stubbornness, I was the primary beneficiary of her wrath. She devised so many forms of discouragements and deterrents in her effort to keep me home. One very early weekend morning, she discovered I was gone. When she caught up with me, she tied my leg to a bedpost with a sewing thread! Break it and God knows.....

She even developed a special ability to pinch where it hurts the most. Believe me, my cry of "Aray!" came even before her pinch hits the mark. She somehow got tired of doing it so she tried another tack.

Very early each morning, she assigned me the duty of buying the morning's hot pandesal from Pua's bakery. I loved the errand because I had the privilege to eat a few pieces on my way back home. And on Saturdays when my father would be home, she'd ask me to bring a wicker basket to the market with a list of things to buy. I'd hand the list to her kumadre, Irene Bautista-Fuentes or her sister Lourdes "Dondit" Bautista who did the buying. Meanwhile I would be left to sit with a merienda until the marketing's done. I would then bring the goods home for her to prepare and cook. Being the errand boy and the kitchen assistant, I always get first crack at all the delicious food that resulted from her exceptional culinary ability.

For quite a while I was her aide-de-camp. She was satisfied she finally found an effective way of keeping me home. To strengthen our partnership, she bought two pigs which I would feed every morning and afternoon with a bucketful of tahop and shredded tangkong. When it was time to sell the fattened pigs, we both cried. For my effort and good behavior, she brought me with her on a trip to her home province of Antique. I love to think that I was one of her favorites.

An unforgettable experience happened one summer day which would cement our bond of friendship forever. She asked me to wait for the Coca-Cola "panel" so I could purchase a case of the softdrink. She gave me a P5.00 bill, a fortune at that time, with which to pay the salesman. During the '50s, a case of Coke would cost only P1.80 per case. I placed the money in my pocket. While waiting for the truck to pass by, I took time out to play with neighborhood friends.

Finally the truck came late in the afternoon. After they unloaded a case of the softdrink, I reached for the money in my pocket. It was gone! The salesman reloaded his case of Coke and put back the case of empties beside the road and left. I frantically looked for the P5 and it was getting dark. I told my mother I lost the money. She and my playmates helped me look for it in the grassy field where we were playing. It was a futile search.

When my father knew about it, he was so livid with anger. He didn't believe I lost it. He believed I must have spent it on something else like lastiko, candies etc. All hell broke loose in my very young life that evening. I got the worst thrashing I ever received from him. My mother cried for me. All my brothers cried for me.

Later that night, when everybody else was asleep, my mother roused me from a painful slumber and brought me downstairs to my father's clinic. There, in the dim and flickering light of a kerosene lamp, and with tears welling from her eyes, she carefully and tenderly treated all the welts and bruises all over my back, my buttocks and my legs.

No, I never hated my father for what he did to me. We knew the rules. He was always very strict with all his children. And his goodness as a father far outweighed his sometimes mean temper.

What stuck in my mind that evening though, was not the physical pain that was inflicted on me. What I will forever remember and cherish in my memory was my mother's manifestation of maternal kindness, love, and compassion that I saw through the tears streaming down her face.

Years after our father died, we would get to talking about our individual disciplinary experiences with him. We have learned to laugh about those experiences. But insofar as that incident involving me was concerned, our mother would not contribute a single word. She would only listen with a wistful smile.

In her advanced years, she would be in and out of the hospital. One day there was only the two of us in her hospital room. At one point, while we were talking, she said, if I don't mind at all, she wanted to ask me a question which has been left unanswered in her mind. I told her to go ahead.

For the first time, after that painful night, she tearfully discussed and recalled the "Coca-Cola" incident. She told me how she sensed that my father felt contrite for treating me so harshly that night.

And then she asked the question, "Did you really lose that P5.00?"

I said, "Yes, I did. Why, did you ever doubt me?"

And with more tears in her eyes she said, "No, I always believed you".

That was the last time I saw my Nanay cry for me.



HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

I must have been in Grade 1 or Grade 2 when we were taught to sing the song “TREES” which was actually a poem written by Joyce Kilmer. As very young children are wont to do, we memorized the first few lines, mumbled through the middle lines and again memorized the last two lines. That was about all I could remember about that song or poem.

A few days ago I was searching the YouTube. I was looking for songs sang by American-Canadian actor/singer Robert Goulet who died in October 2007 at age 73. He was the one who immortalized with his beautiful baritone voice movie and broadway songs like If Ever I Would Leave You, On The Street Where You Live, Impossible Dream, On A Clear Day You Can See Forever, My Love Forgive Me, This Is All I Ask, and many more.

To my astonishment and delight, I saw a very old and very rare video clip of a very young Robert Goulet singing Joyce Kilmer's 'TREES”! Yes, the same song taught to us more than half a century ago by our gradeschool teachers! I never ever thought there was a recording of such a song. What makes it more special is that it was sang by Robert Goulet! And here he sang it so beautifully. I would like to share this with all my fellow tagabungtod, classmates, and friends. Play the video clip, watch and listen, sing along, reminisce and enjoy.

TREES

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a Tree.

A Tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;

A Tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A Tree that may in summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a Tree.

Feb 5, 2009 / Thursday / 8:30 pm ; Hi 9 Lo 4 deg C and Sunny

Trino, et.al.,

Warm Christian greetings from all of us here in BC....

Por vida, bai Trino, ka nindot pud imong introduction nako dah! Anyway, thanks hugely for the generous introduction.

To set the "records" straight, may I correct you on some of the things you mentioned in your blog:

1. My father was not a preacher but was one time barangay councilor nato and treasurer of the NPHS-PTA who, together with PTA president Baking Tupas, et.al. were instrumental in making NPHS converted to NNCHS thru a congressional act. . Dili cya pastor sa United Church of Christ in the Philippines (most organized Evangelical Church in the Philippines -- with roots at Silliman University -- where Pres Fidel Ramos and his sister Amb. Letty R. Shahani, Sen. Osias, Speaker Sonny Belmonte , Senate Pres Jovy Salonga are national members) diha sa ato-a sa Nabunturan or kong hain man. My late Dad was member of the Ruling Board of Elders, though, in the local Church at Nabunturan.

2. I was in the blog picture you posted (Bay Ed, asa ka man diri? Nagtago ka man tingali sa likod sa imong Mama -- tgt), but I was not under my Mom's Grade II class officially as I was under Mrs. Holazo then.

3. In high school at "Probinsyal" (dili pud "Promdi" ("from the Province") kung kang Cebu Gov Lito Osmena pa), our class valedictorian was Francis Vinluan Castro, M.D. of Vigan, Ilocos Norte(?). Modesty aside, I was relegated to salutatorian ra, though, mora ako man unta toh, he he he. Hapit ra ba ko ma-nguyab ato nya pag 1st Class '65 Reunion namo sa Davao City.... joke only, coz naa ra ba ko ato uyab nabilin Cebu.....

4. Mora cge man ta kita ato (?) when I was at the University of Mindanao for my 2 years basic Engineering as a full-academic Scholar/Vice President of the whole freshman organization (again, modesty aside). If my memory serves me right ka batch nako mga Mesiona brothers and even Ruben Flores...... (Koreksyon sa koreksyon: The Mesionas were not brothers. Conrado is the uncle of Venerando but they are of the same age that is why they grew up and went to school together. Conrado is the civil engineer while Venerando became a mechanical engineer. Re: Ruben Flores, from my personal knowledge, he never went to UM for his college studies. He started his Pre-Med in ADDU, transferred to ACN for a semester, and completed it in Southwestern University in Cebu. He finished his medical course in the same university – tgt)

5. Yeah, I am an alumnae of the University of San Jose-Recoletos (the Recollects are the richest Order in the Philippines (headquarters in Spain) with business interest at San Miguel and BPI, etc.; the SVD Fathers of the University of San Carlos borrowed some money from the Recollects to build their new Campus in Talamban, Cebu City). I have been fortunate to be PRO of the Josenians, Inc. for many terms and chairs these constitutional bodies : Recognition and Awards Committee, Special Projects (medical missions, etc.), Publicity and Promotion during grand alumni homecoming every 2 years, Scholarship Committee. Till now I have maintain my close relations with the Recollect Fathers and at many ordinary occasions invited to eat in the convent with them maski "Protestant" ko..... Among my alma maters are: UM, USJ-R, USC, RMC and National Defense College of the Phils in Fort Bonifacio....

6. 6. Ug uban pa ....sa sunod instalment.

Best regards, as usual, to all "tagabungtod".

ed diva

Hello to Tagabungtod (esp . to Trino)

You are right. Roger Puig is my first cousin and Agnes is my niece. The old Puigs (my aunt & uncle) were the original settler in Bugak so with the Paspe Family. My late aunt was really fond of gardening especially flowers but the place is also planted with lots of fruit trees especially pomelos.

I do still remember how I cried a lot everytime my mom brings me to the doctor in downtown Nabunturan. The family doctor was your father. You see I can still recall how he smiled to me and kept on talking to my mom about life & etc.etc..I can also remember how I loved to look at your younger sister's long hair (because her hair looked so different from the rests of the girls, a blond hair).

Remembering the past & the place where we grew up is really nice and makes us smile..but sometimes it makes us sad because we always wanted to go back and bring back the past.

Regards and more power to Tagabungtod.

Sincerely..

LUZ

Lately, much of my time have been diverted to some personal pursuits which I hope would still give me some time to manage this blog. Thank God for fellow-tagabungtods who write to us and give us some very interesting updates and "getting-to-know-you" letters. I will post some of those letters here so that friends, relatives and other tagabungtods may get some news about them and their whereabouts, . Besides, it will help me minimize the gap between blogposts, right? To all our other readers, please write. Let us get to know each other better.

Here is one from Luz Pedroso-Akiatan again. It came as a surprise that she comes from the Puig family. I've been closely acquainted with Roger Puig who for a long time worked with the Nabunturan Integrated Cooperative (NICO) and the municipal government as SB Secretary. I was also quite familiar with Agnes Puig who belonged to one of the smartest and prettiest class in ACN that came a few years later after our batch. (Pero, of course, wala gyuy makalupig sa kabright ug kaguwapa sa HS Class '65.)

During the '50s, my mother would walk all the way to Km. 92 just to talk to the old Puigs and their daughters about the beautiful flowers that they always had then--and until now-- in their frontyard. She would come home very happy because the pretty Puig girls always loved to share stalks and cuttings of "semilla" with her para pud sa iyang garden sa among balay duol sa sapa.

If you happen to be in Km.92 or what we used to know as Bugak (the place is now called Recto and it has become a thriving community), drop by and visit the beautiful gardens of the Puigs.

Dear Trino,

Kamusta ka na..Salamat sa response.

I am from the Pedroso and Puig clans of Km. 92 (Bugak). Am so sure you know the place. The lands situated on the opposite side of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources is where our house is, so with my brothers and relatives. I don't know if you are aware that the land where the office and the fish pond are was donated by the Paspe Family. I grew up in the place, so just figure it out how was life before then! I used to walk two kilometers everyday to go to school. One of my classmates in elementary was Cesar Birondo (his mom was our teacher in Grade One). Flora Secuya, Lucila Flores & Laarni Evangelio were my classmates as well.

I found out about your website through Recto Bote who was my classmate in high school. He told me he also spotted my name in names data base. What a small world! I know Rex Bote is already living in Sydney, Australia. Of course I am familiar with Felisa Chan, a very cute girl but very talented. You mentioned Ernie Diva..I can remember him vaguely and I believed am one year ahead of him.

I've been here in Canada for almost eleven years already. My husband came here first in 1997 and we followed one year later. We have three children (all girls), two finished university here and are already working while my youngest is still in first year university. Living in another place is really hard. Our settling here is just a sheer luck (unintentional) but my husband wants to try it, so far its worth it for the sake of the children.

I am glad to see how you feature those articles and the photos of B.C. You are right on how we manage our environment and resources.

Okey, thanks and talk to you later. Regards to all Tagabungtod and sorry for the saksak sinagol language.

LUZ Pedroso AKIATAN

(Nakadawat ko ug sulat pinaagi sa email gikan sa usa ka Tagabungtod nga karon lumulupyo na sa Vancouver, Canada. Giganahan ko kay kinasingkasing gyud ang pagkasulat ug gihan-ay gyud sa pulong nga binisaya ug may ginagmay'ng pinisik nga tagalog ug pulong nga inglis. Ang iyang gisulat adunay dakong kahilambigitan sa pinakabag-ong tala nga akong gisulat kagahapong adlawa. tgt)

December 31, 2008

Dear Tagabungtod,

Ako tagabungtod gayud ug dinha gipanganak, mi graduate ug elementary sa Nabunturan Central Elem (1966) ug high school sa Nabunturan National Comp High (1970). Apan lagi kay kitang mga Pinoy mangita man gayod ug maayong pangabuhian (greener pastures) so naa na ko karon dinhi sa Canada (lower mainland Vancouver).

Makaguol gayod nga hunahunaon ang akong nabasa ug nakita sa mga kahoy nga gipamutol. Unsa man ang gihunahuna sa atong gobyerno nga wala man lang timbang timbanga kung unsa ang kapuslanan sa mga kahoy sa atong palibot?

Dinhi sa Canada maski pagputol sa kahoy sa imong kaugalingon nga yuta ug lote dili gayud itugot sa gobyerno. Multahan ka ug presohon pa maski naa na ang punong kahoy sa imong luna. Kung duna may mga development ginakuralan gayud ang puno sa kahoy para dili man lang masamad ang puno ug maputol ang mga sanga.

Pwede man unta to nga i-trim lang o buhinan ug gamay ang mga sanga, nganong giputol man gayud? Wa ba sila kahibalo nga dugay pa kaayong mga panahon ang paabuton para lang modaku ang isa ka punuan sa kahoy?

Daghan pa ang dapat tun-an sa atong mga kababayan kung "greener earth" ug sustainability and atong estoryahan. Kanus-a pa kita makakat-on niini. Tingali panahon na para pag-isipan kini sa atong gobyerno. Daghang salamat sa tagabungtod! & mabuhay!---

LUZ Pedroso Akiatan

May we all have a happy 2009!

More than two years ago, I had the opportunity to visit Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada. Canadians unabashedly and proudly promote their country as “the most beautiful place on earth”. Judging from what I have seen and observed, limited though they were, and based on my own prejudices, I would concede that indeed their place is the most beautiful place on earth. My agreement is simply anchored on one aspect: the ubiquitous TREES that you see everywhere. Canadians love their trees so much that they protect them as if their entire lives and the lives of so many generations to come depended on it.

One day, on our way to Victoria Island, we drove to Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal. While waiting to board the ferry boat, I took the chance to stroll inside the terminal building where they have coffee shops, restaurants, bookstores, fast foods, souvenir stores, etc. Just like any other places you go to in Vancouver, the terminal was spotlessly clean. But what struck me most were these pieces of information which I instantly and unhesitatingly took pictures of. These reminders were prominently displayed at the information center for all the visitors to read and appreciate:





Talking about our forests, I can only paraphrase a popular '60s song:

Where have all our forests gone
Long time passing
Where have all our forests gone
Long time ago......

When will we ever learn
Oh, when will we ever learn.

Three weeks ago, I went to Tindalo, Mainit at the invitation of Ago Maglana who was "soft-opening" a farmhouse. Made of bamboo and other indigenous materials, this is a farmhouse which he shares with brother Nelson. It has an open living/dining area, a kitchen, a small pahuwayan bedroom, a loft, toilet and bath and two sets of stairs with perfectly measured steps on both sides of the house. Aside from the usual coconut trees, several fruit trees like mangosteen, lanzones and rambutan surround the house (click picture to enlarge).

While you may enjoy this very cute and elegant farmhouse, here is a sad story:

Driving with a couple of friends on our way to Tindalo, upon nearing Mainit poblacion, we were aghast and horrified when we found out that the trees that the late Eloy Secuya planted on both sides of the road have ALL been cut!! Telltale signs indicate it was very recent because branches and drying leaves were still strewn all over both sides of the road. A very sickening feeling overcame me because it was only three months back that I wrote about these trees in this blog (“Want To Live Another One Hundred Years?”, posted September 10, 2008). The idea of taking a picture of the “mass murder” of hundreds of 20 year-old mahogany trees immediately came to mind. But I did not have the heart anymore to stop and do it. The tree stumps were a very sorry and unconscionable sight to behold.

“Naunsa man!!”....”Buanga oy!!”.... “Sayanga ato, oy!”....”Nganong gipamutol man intawon to?” were all the incredulous questions most of us in the car could only ask. Nobody among us could provide an answer.

When we got to the farmhouse, Nab mayor Dodong Humol was there so that was the first question we asked of him. He himself did not know why those trees were cut and who might be responsible. When he passed by earlier, he said he was just as sorry and surprised as we were to find out the trees were all gone.

A week later, through a text message from Nelson who is married to Judith, eldest daughter of Eloy Secuya, we got to learn why the trees were cut. This same message is posted on the comments section of the blog article:

“Bro,

You are right, that portion of the road in Mainit lined on both sides by mahogany trees planted by Tay Eloy WAS really landong, bugnaw and very refreshing mao daghan motorists didto magpahulay/mokaon.

"WAS" because the trees had to be cut by Transco kay it was getting in the way daw sa transmission lines nila sa koryente, fyi.Bro.”

(Nelson provided this low res picture of the trees when they were still “alive”. I believe this picture was taken around noontime. See, how beautifully they shade the highway? What you don't see here in this picture is mas baga pa gyud ang kahoy sa pikas sa highway.)

Questions: Couldn’t have Transco (formerly Napocor or National Power Coporation) moved their power lines instead if only to save those trees? Couldn’t they have just trimmed those mahogany trees instead of cutting them altogether? Those trees have been standing there majestically for maybe more than 20 years, why complain about them getting in the way only now?

Is the right of government agencies, like Transco, to cut trees so absolute that it cannot be contested by private individuals? Couldn’t the Department of Environment and Natural Resources which oversees these trees, or the Department of Public Works and Highways which maintains the national road like that one going to Mainit, file a test case against Transco just so there will be a clear interpretation and implementation of the law against tree-cutting? Where do we draw the line between saving our trees and the need of government to maintain its infrastructures?

O di ba kaha giputol to kay naay taga-gobyerno nga gusto himoon tong kahoy nga negosyo? It is not an uncommon practice that some people in government make business out of our regulatory laws.

Daghang pangutana. Sa atong klaseng panggobyerno, ambot kung naay tubag..

The last few days, people here in Davao City have been rushing everywhere to go shopping for christmas gifts and attending parties. So many vehicles are clogging the streets. Maayo na lang gani, traffic lights have been installed and activated this year. Driving is no longer as nerve-wracking as it was before. Still you have to stretch your patience insofar as jeepney and taxi drivers are concerned. They have the habit nga mohunong sa tunga, mosingit, dili molugar, kalit ug liko, etc. Wala gyud sa ilang bokabularyo ning road courtesy and discipline.

Naa pa gyud ning mga motorcycle nga pwerteng daghana na kaayo. Unya hawod ug hambog pa gyud nga magpaikis-ikis sa karsada nga murag wala'y kamatayon. An orthopedic surgeon friend told me last month nga since these motorcycles proliferated, everyday, repeat, everyday, he gets at least two cases of broken and shattered bones from these motorcycle daredevils. Makalagot ug makalingaw daw. Makalagot kay ang iyang time tua na tanan sa hospital sige ug sinumpay sa mga nabali nga bukog ug tinapak sa mga nabuak nga mga ulo. Makalingaw pud daw kay samot daw kadaghan iyang kwarta (he was not so serious when he said this but I am sure he was not joking either).

Ang sitwasyon sa Nab, mao-mao na pud. Pwerteng daghana na ang pedicab sa poblacion. Dugangan pa gyud aning mga habal-habal (kanang motorcycle nga moangkas ug tulo ka pasahero ug isa sa atubangan.) nga midaghan na pud. Kanang naay paryente all ober da world (Amerika, Australia, Japan, Hongkong, Taiwan, Middle East, Europe, Africa ug uban pa) ug makadawat gani ug "remittance" kay ang unang paliton: jeep, pedicab o motorcycle. Panginabuhi lagi kuno.

Dunay mga gabii nga gina-extend sa mga habal-habal drivers ang ilang livelihood. Pinaagi sa pag pustaanay. Believe it or not, naga drag race ning mga tonto gikan sa kanto duol sa amoang balay hangtud didto sa tulay sa Sta. Maria! (Dili ka katulog kay tungang gabii man ni sila mag karera.) Mao na nga ubay-ubay na pud ang nangadakdak. Daghan-daghan na pud atong nacontribute sa mga hospital ug sa punerarya.

Karong panahona we just hope and pray nga kining atong mga kaigsoonan maghinay-hinay unta gamay aron makalikay sa disgrasya. Ug para malipayon pud ang ilang pasko.