My friends, Jimmy Umali and Wilbur Soluren, my son Miguel, and I arrived in Bacolod on Tuesday 20 June 2006. We took advantage of the Cebu Pacific promo that gave ten peso one way tickets. Ed Salgado, Noel Lobrido and Vic Barredo met us at the airport and brought us to our hotel.
We checked in at the Kundutel, a hotel beside the Casino Filipino at Goldenfields. The church of San Antonio Abad is a short walk away from the hotel so I could hear mass at 7:00 a.m. Jim and Wilbur went to Iloilo on Tuesday and came back today, Friday.
It must have been twenty years since I last came here and Araneta Street going south, used to be lined up with sugar cane. The canes are no longer there. After a day, I was able to get my bearings and realize that this street goes to down town where the Cathedral stands. The marker on the cathedral says "Originally a church founded by Bishop Mariano Cuartero, O.P. Cornerstone laid 27 April 1876. Inaugurated 20 January 1882. Fray Mauricio
Ferrero, first parish priest. Became a cathedral 23 June 1933. Repaired and improved 1936, by Msgr. Casimiro Lladoc, D.D. first bishop, 1933-1951."
The other street one should be familiar with is Lacson Street. This goes north and leads to St. La Salle University. I found out that if you take Lacson from the north, you can by-pass dwontown and reach the area where San Antonio Abad is. Straight to Goldenfields.
I visited Sea Breeze Hotel where one can get a view of the sea as it is just along the shoreline. But today, a mall is being constructed which blocks the view. I had a beer there and it seemed to be a fairly nice place to stay, although it has a new competitor right beside it. Sylvia Manor, owned by the Ocana family that runs a chain of copying machine outlets, is barely three months old.
6/23/2006
6/16/2006
My First Brawl
At four years of age, I went to nursery school at the parish convent. My first teacher was Mrs. Lucina Alday who lives in the same street where my father built a new house for us. My favorite school mate was a curly haired kid named Hector. He was very talkative and always had a running nose. I envied kids with running noses and wondered why I didn’t suffer the same privilege.
One day, during the customary recess, I noticed a group of four or five boys at the church patio. Hector was one of them and he seemed to have a nice discussion going on with another boy named Jimmy. I approached hoping to take part in their small convention. As I drew near, I heard Hector tell Jimmy “How about this one, will you fight him?”
Whatever dispute they had then, I did not have any idea. To this day, I still wonder what made Hector do what we did.
Before I knew what was happening, Jimmy and I were throwing fists at each other. Goodness, I never had any idea what fighting was all about. There was no television then and any form of physical combat was not in my vocabulary. But I did lock his neck in one arm and pummeled his head with the other.
Blood gushed out of his nose. No, I was not surprised even if that was the first time in my life that I saw blood. I must’ve thought it was just another case of a running nose.
I don’t know if I was even delighted but I don’t think I had any intention of stopping the fight. I never thought that I should go to my corner. No, I had no intention of allowing my opponent a chance to get his second wind.
Thank heavens, some of the other boys had the sense to stop the fight. I was not mean. I was just a four year old who didn’t know what was going on.
One day, during the customary recess, I noticed a group of four or five boys at the church patio. Hector was one of them and he seemed to have a nice discussion going on with another boy named Jimmy. I approached hoping to take part in their small convention. As I drew near, I heard Hector tell Jimmy “How about this one, will you fight him?”
Whatever dispute they had then, I did not have any idea. To this day, I still wonder what made Hector do what we did.
Before I knew what was happening, Jimmy and I were throwing fists at each other. Goodness, I never had any idea what fighting was all about. There was no television then and any form of physical combat was not in my vocabulary. But I did lock his neck in one arm and pummeled his head with the other.
Blood gushed out of his nose. No, I was not surprised even if that was the first time in my life that I saw blood. I must’ve thought it was just another case of a running nose.
I don’t know if I was even delighted but I don’t think I had any intention of stopping the fight. I never thought that I should go to my corner. No, I had no intention of allowing my opponent a chance to get his second wind.
Thank heavens, some of the other boys had the sense to stop the fight. I was not mean. I was just a four year old who didn’t know what was going on.
6/14/2006
Geopolitics
Whatever understanding Dewey and Aguinaldo may have reached in Hong Kong, some historians claim that geopolitical forces were at play. Dewey received intructions to distance himself from Aguinaldo. It did not take long for the Filipinos to realize the genuine intentions of the United States.
Warships began arriving in Manila Bay from Britain, France, Japan and Germany. The German fleet of eight warships was especially aggressive and menacing. All of these imperial powers had recently obtained concessions from China for naval bases and designated commercial spheres of interest.
American interests had reason to fear that leaving the Philippines to the designs of the imperial powers might exclude the United States from the Asia-Pacific trade altogether.
The precarious and uneasy Philippine-American alliance collapsed on February 4, 1899, when the Philippine-American War broke out and threatened to annihilate the new found freedom of the Filipinos.
Warships began arriving in Manila Bay from Britain, France, Japan and Germany. The German fleet of eight warships was especially aggressive and menacing. All of these imperial powers had recently obtained concessions from China for naval bases and designated commercial spheres of interest.
American interests had reason to fear that leaving the Philippines to the designs of the imperial powers might exclude the United States from the Asia-Pacific trade altogether.
The precarious and uneasy Philippine-American alliance collapsed on February 4, 1899, when the Philippine-American War broke out and threatened to annihilate the new found freedom of the Filipinos.
6/12/2006
Philippine Independence Day
From the balcony of his house in Kawit, Cavite, Emilio Aguinaldo declared on June 12, 1898 the independence of the Filipinos and the birth of the Philippine Republic. For the first time, the Philippine flag, sewn in Hongkong by the womenfolk of the revolutionaries, was unfurled. Two bands played Julian Felipe’s Marcha Nacional Filipina which became the Philippines’ national anthem. The declaration further emboldened the fighting Filipinos.
We cannot dispute the fact that on April 25, 1898 the United States declaration of war on Spain affected the outcome of the Philippine Revolution against Spain. Commodore Dewey entered Manila Bay and by noon of May 1, 1898 his ships had destroyed the Spanish fleet.
Aguinaldo arrived back in the Philippines on May 19, 1898 and resumed command of his rebel forces. The Filipino rebels routed the demoralized Spanish forces in the provinces and laid siege to Manila Although the Spanish troops had been routed in all fronts by the Filipinos, the continuing presence of the Americans was unsettling. Prior to this, Americans had discussions with Emilio Aguinaldo's government in exile in Singapore and Hong Kong.
In Singapore, Aguinaldo met U.S. consul Spencer Pratt who persuaded him to cooperate with the Americans. Aguinaldo was told by U.S. consul Rounsenville Wildman that Dewey wanted him to return to the Philippines to resume the Filipino resistance and to establish a Philippine government similar to the United States. While they pledged to honor and support the Filipinos’ aspiration for independence. Spencer, Wildman, and Dewey would later deny having made any promise or commitment to Aguinaldo.
We cannot dispute the fact that on April 25, 1898 the United States declaration of war on Spain affected the outcome of the Philippine Revolution against Spain. Commodore Dewey entered Manila Bay and by noon of May 1, 1898 his ships had destroyed the Spanish fleet.
Aguinaldo arrived back in the Philippines on May 19, 1898 and resumed command of his rebel forces. The Filipino rebels routed the demoralized Spanish forces in the provinces and laid siege to Manila Although the Spanish troops had been routed in all fronts by the Filipinos, the continuing presence of the Americans was unsettling. Prior to this, Americans had discussions with Emilio Aguinaldo's government in exile in Singapore and Hong Kong.
In Singapore, Aguinaldo met U.S. consul Spencer Pratt who persuaded him to cooperate with the Americans. Aguinaldo was told by U.S. consul Rounsenville Wildman that Dewey wanted him to return to the Philippines to resume the Filipino resistance and to establish a Philippine government similar to the United States. While they pledged to honor and support the Filipinos’ aspiration for independence. Spencer, Wildman, and Dewey would later deny having made any promise or commitment to Aguinaldo.
6/11/2006
Benjie’s Trade
It’s the third time in four years that I visited Benjie’s place of business at Pedro Gil, this street in Paco, Manila that used to be Herran. I told him that this is the only place I know who repairs repro watches. “I can do original Rolexes. Even Patek Phillipes” he bragged with so much confidence, I am tempted to make him do my original Rolex and my wife’s Omega. The estimates given by the Service Center were atrocious so they have stayed in my drawer for so long.
Benjie showed me a magazine which he pulled from under his work bench. I subscribe to this magazines because I have to know what’s happening in the industry. It looked new but I did not catch the date of publication. Props, this guy knows how to sell his trade. I wonder what his talent is really, in making good impressions or in fixing timepieces.
I asked Benjie how much it will cost to repair the crown of my Rolex and he explains that it is cheaper to use the stainless crown rather than the gold one. We can get the replacement part from this trader that holds office in Nepomuceno Building. He wouldn’t tell me where it was and says, all the watch makers know where that was. Anyway, I was here to have my two repros fixed, a Breitling and a Rolex so I cut the lsmall talk and asked how much he will charge me.
In half an hour, the both wristwatches were working. No waiting for Job Order papers to be processed. I paid Benjie 150 pesos for his service and I got my watches back. How much do you pay for this stand? He showed me a receipt from the City of Manila which says “Manila Hawkers Association” and explains “twenty pesos a day. We all pay City Hall here.” And he points to two other makeshift work benches on the sidewalk. One was a locksmith and I’m not sure what the other bench does.
Benjie and his step-father brings out two plastic glasses and a bottle of Matador brandy. Cheers.
Benjie showed me a magazine which he pulled from under his work bench. I subscribe to this magazines because I have to know what’s happening in the industry. It looked new but I did not catch the date of publication. Props, this guy knows how to sell his trade. I wonder what his talent is really, in making good impressions or in fixing timepieces.
I asked Benjie how much it will cost to repair the crown of my Rolex and he explains that it is cheaper to use the stainless crown rather than the gold one. We can get the replacement part from this trader that holds office in Nepomuceno Building. He wouldn’t tell me where it was and says, all the watch makers know where that was. Anyway, I was here to have my two repros fixed, a Breitling and a Rolex so I cut the lsmall talk and asked how much he will charge me.
In half an hour, the both wristwatches were working. No waiting for Job Order papers to be processed. I paid Benjie 150 pesos for his service and I got my watches back. How much do you pay for this stand? He showed me a receipt from the City of Manila which says “Manila Hawkers Association” and explains “twenty pesos a day. We all pay City Hall here.” And he points to two other makeshift work benches on the sidewalk. One was a locksmith and I’m not sure what the other bench does.
Benjie and his step-father brings out two plastic glasses and a bottle of Matador brandy. Cheers.
6/10/2006
Benjie’s Step-father
He sat in front of his work bench, unmindful of passers-by, indifferent whether or not one may become an eventual customer. Benjie introduced to me a man whom he said was his step-father, a fellow in his late forties, wearing a sleeveless shirt that exposes a beautiful tattoo on his right arm, a bushy salt and pepper mustache, and a pleasant smile.
“I succeeded my grandfather in this business” says Benjie as he tried to refresh his memory about me. “He (pointing to his step-father) is new in this game; he was a cook for ten years at this five star hotel. Yes, he’s good at that, but now he’s learning how to repair watches.”
The step-father tells me he worked in the hotel for ten years, first as a waiter and later as a cook. He didn’t see eye to eye with the Swiss Chef. I thought, good thing for him to quit. Not good to have misunderstandings in the kitchen where knives are all over the place. He was offering to cater for my parties. While I have a few friends who do my catering needs to my satisfaction, I asked myself, “Why not? Yes, for a change. Why not?”
But I won’t let him do my watches.
“I succeeded my grandfather in this business” says Benjie as he tried to refresh his memory about me. “He (pointing to his step-father) is new in this game; he was a cook for ten years at this five star hotel. Yes, he’s good at that, but now he’s learning how to repair watches.”
The step-father tells me he worked in the hotel for ten years, first as a waiter and later as a cook. He didn’t see eye to eye with the Swiss Chef. I thought, good thing for him to quit. Not good to have misunderstandings in the kitchen where knives are all over the place. He was offering to cater for my parties. While I have a few friends who do my catering needs to my satisfaction, I asked myself, “Why not? Yes, for a change. Why not?”
But I won’t let him do my watches.
6/08/2006
The Laiya Shoreline
I just got back from Laiya in San Juan, on the southeastern tip of Batangas province. Fast becoming a favorite tourist destination, Laiya is known for its white beaches, good snorkeling and fishing. It is a good 140 kilometers drive from Manila. Resorts along the coastline offer various facilities ranging from simple beach huts to more complex options.
Getting There
There are two routes to choose from when going to Laiya. One is via Lipa and the other is via Candelaria, Quezon. I took the Lipa route passing through Sto. Tomas where I entered the Star Tollway to Lipa and Padre Garcia. Entering the town of San Juan on the road immediately after the San Juan Municipal Hall I saw signs that point to the numerous beach resorts of Laiya and Hugom. Following the road, I passed the towns of Ticalan, Abung, Kalubcob, Bataan, Laiya until I reached Hugom.
Laiya and Hugom
The Laiya shoreline is quite long, about 5 kilometers. The eastern half of the shoreline has very fine sand and the shore slopes very gradually, ideal for people who simply want to enjoy a good swim on a beach.
The western part, the purpose of this trip, is the place for snorkeling, scuba diving and fishing. It has coral reefs and marine life and a fish where one can go snorkeling and see good marine life from waters barely a meter deep and just 20 meters from shore!
Caloy
I spent two well rested nights at Palm Beach, a privileged resort described in their web site as http://palmbeach-hugom.com/ “a private retreat for those who prefer the tranquility and peace of a place with a well preserved natural setting.” It was unfortunate that last month, the typhoon Caloy damaged much of the resorts at Laiya and Hugom. The waves destroyed the corals of Laiya. At Palm Beach, some of the rip-rap were torn down but the cottages were spared. Neighboring La Luz Beach Resort lost some of their cottages and the cook, a young lady, was telling us “Sabi ho ng mga matatanda ay dalawampung taon ang nakaraan ng magkaroon ng ganyang kalakas na bagyo.”
Palm Beach Revisited
It’s my second visit to Palm Beach and in both instances, we were entertained by its owner Marvi Naval, and his wife Marilu who is also my sister-in-law. I was awed impressed with the development since my last visit three years ago. Then, there were only three houses. Now there are some six houses and a pavillon where Resort Manager Roland serves a modest buffet for breakfast, lunch, dinner and merienda. I saw some earthmoving where another casita would soon rise.
Near the beach, there are at least six cottages for the use of the guests. We stayed in one of the casitas with my daughter Carina and her husband Boris Salonga, and son Xavi. They brought two maids Ali and Joy who slept at the attic of the casita. Marvi’s son Marcel Naval and his wife Sally and children Liezel, Steph, Alexi, Belle, and Sophia stayed in another casita.
Stranded
We went to Sunday mass at the San Juan de Nepomuceno Church in town which was a good forty minutes drive. Boris, who panned to go back to Manila on Sunday afternoon, but he suffered a flat-tire. They had to wait for the next day to get the tire fixed. I also left the next day. Thanks to Caloy, corals and rocks were all over the beach; we did not do much swimming. We tried but my wife and I were losing our balance whenever the strong waves came. Oh heck!!! Anyway, it was nice to get some fresh air and be free of city hustle.
I took the same route back but, as Boris forewarned me, I was confronted by Lipa’s circuitous streets, several one-way streets, and few road signs. My wife, a very good navigator, was with me so I didn’t have any problem going. On the way back, I was driving alone and missed the first entrance to Star Tollway. Luckily, I saw another entrance after passing through Lipa and got home safely..
Getting There
There are two routes to choose from when going to Laiya. One is via Lipa and the other is via Candelaria, Quezon. I took the Lipa route passing through Sto. Tomas where I entered the Star Tollway to Lipa and Padre Garcia. Entering the town of San Juan on the road immediately after the San Juan Municipal Hall I saw signs that point to the numerous beach resorts of Laiya and Hugom. Following the road, I passed the towns of Ticalan, Abung, Kalubcob, Bataan, Laiya until I reached Hugom.
Laiya and Hugom
The Laiya shoreline is quite long, about 5 kilometers. The eastern half of the shoreline has very fine sand and the shore slopes very gradually, ideal for people who simply want to enjoy a good swim on a beach.
The western part, the purpose of this trip, is the place for snorkeling, scuba diving and fishing. It has coral reefs and marine life and a fish where one can go snorkeling and see good marine life from waters barely a meter deep and just 20 meters from shore!
Caloy
I spent two well rested nights at Palm Beach, a privileged resort described in their web site as http://palmbeach-hugom.com/ “a private retreat for those who prefer the tranquility and peace of a place with a well preserved natural setting.” It was unfortunate that last month, the typhoon Caloy damaged much of the resorts at Laiya and Hugom. The waves destroyed the corals of Laiya. At Palm Beach, some of the rip-rap were torn down but the cottages were spared. Neighboring La Luz Beach Resort lost some of their cottages and the cook, a young lady, was telling us “Sabi ho ng mga matatanda ay dalawampung taon ang nakaraan ng magkaroon ng ganyang kalakas na bagyo.”
Palm Beach Revisited
It’s my second visit to Palm Beach and in both instances, we were entertained by its owner Marvi Naval, and his wife Marilu who is also my sister-in-law. I was awed impressed with the development since my last visit three years ago. Then, there were only three houses. Now there are some six houses and a pavillon where Resort Manager Roland serves a modest buffet for breakfast, lunch, dinner and merienda. I saw some earthmoving where another casita would soon rise.
Near the beach, there are at least six cottages for the use of the guests. We stayed in one of the casitas with my daughter Carina and her husband Boris Salonga, and son Xavi. They brought two maids Ali and Joy who slept at the attic of the casita. Marvi’s son Marcel Naval and his wife Sally and children Liezel, Steph, Alexi, Belle, and Sophia stayed in another casita.
Stranded
We went to Sunday mass at the San Juan de Nepomuceno Church in town which was a good forty minutes drive. Boris, who panned to go back to Manila on Sunday afternoon, but he suffered a flat-tire. They had to wait for the next day to get the tire fixed. I also left the next day. Thanks to Caloy, corals and rocks were all over the beach; we did not do much swimming. We tried but my wife and I were losing our balance whenever the strong waves came. Oh heck!!! Anyway, it was nice to get some fresh air and be free of city hustle.
I took the same route back but, as Boris forewarned me, I was confronted by Lipa’s circuitous streets, several one-way streets, and few road signs. My wife, a very good navigator, was with me so I didn’t have any problem going. On the way back, I was driving alone and missed the first entrance to Star Tollway. Luckily, I saw another entrance after passing through Lipa and got home safely..
6/01/2006
Gentle Chris
Chris Acuña*
By Señora Antonia Cruz
This year’s Kawayan was dedicated to this person and following this yearbook’s theme of “ Make me Kuento “, which means “ tell me a story”, I will tell you some stories about Chris but if I speak two minutes for every year of his life at ISM, then I will have to speak for an hour.
Mr. Chris Acuña… or Sir Acuña as he is fondly called by his students … not because Sir is Mr. in Filipino, nor was he ever knighted …has the biggest passion for his Filipino classes and the Phil Cultural Club.
The Philippine Cultural Club is a legacy of Chris to ISM. He has done much promoting Philippine Culture both as a teacher and as advisor of the Philippine Cultural Club; I am amused when students do a “mano po” when they greet him in the hallway, a beautiful Filipino custom given to elders.
He is unpretentious and modest in his ways. A far cry from what you expect from Chris who hails from Tondo… that section of Manila which occupies the waterfront. Yes, Tondo is a tough district, which explains why, despite his gentle ways, Chris has had little difficulty dealing with ruffians in class.
In spite of his coming from way out there, at the far end of the metropolis, Chris is among the early ones to arrive in school. He tells me that he gets up at four in the morning and has time to do some walking.
I believe that in all these years that Chris has been at International School, as he has taught good values to his students, he has also shared and showed us how to be gentle.
We may not see Chris next year in person but we can still see him on TV because he is a big PBA or Philippine Basketball fan, specifically a Giñebra fan. Chris does not watch the Professional Basketball games on TV… He goes to the games at the Coliseum or wherever they hold them and even has a box seat… and a season ticket or possibly a lifetime ticket. I know this because whenever I need a ride out of school, I could always rely on Chris for a ride out… except when there’s a basketball game!
Chris is a devoted son and brother who looks after his sisters and mother. One sunny day, when his mother passed away, the modern language teachers were going about their usual business teaching. But on that day. everyone complained about a strong scent, the fragrance of perfume, or more like flowers, wherever Chris was to be found in the ML faculty lounge. We even asked him to stop wearing that cologne but he said he wsn’t wearing any…and guess what… I don’t believe in ghosts.
Let me end my “cuentos“ by rephrasing Captain Mike Kennedy of the New York Fire Department.. “We'll never forget you, Chris, and we are better persons for having known you. But I make you this one promise: Next August, when that bell rings, we will be back in class, gentle as you were the gentlest of the gentle.”
This year’s Kawayan was dedicated to this person and following this yearbook’s theme of “ Make me Kuento “, which means “ tell me a story”, I will tell you some stories about Chris but if I speak two minutes for every year of his life at ISM, then I will have to speak for an hour.
Mr. Chris Acuña… or Sir Acuña as he is fondly called by his students … not because Sir is Mr. in Filipino, nor was he ever knighted …has the biggest passion for his Filipino classes and the Phil Cultural Club.
The Philippine Cultural Club is a legacy of Chris to ISM. He has done much promoting Philippine Culture both as a teacher and as advisor of the Philippine Cultural Club; I am amused when students do a “mano po” when they greet him in the hallway, a beautiful Filipino custom given to elders.
He is unpretentious and modest in his ways. A far cry from what you expect from Chris who hails from Tondo… that section of Manila which occupies the waterfront. Yes, Tondo is a tough district, which explains why, despite his gentle ways, Chris has had little difficulty dealing with ruffians in class.
In spite of his coming from way out there, at the far end of the metropolis, Chris is among the early ones to arrive in school. He tells me that he gets up at four in the morning and has time to do some walking.
I believe that in all these years that Chris has been at International School, as he has taught good values to his students, he has also shared and showed us how to be gentle.
We may not see Chris next year in person but we can still see him on TV because he is a big PBA or Philippine Basketball fan, specifically a Giñebra fan. Chris does not watch the Professional Basketball games on TV… He goes to the games at the Coliseum or wherever they hold them and even has a box seat… and a season ticket or possibly a lifetime ticket. I know this because whenever I need a ride out of school, I could always rely on Chris for a ride out… except when there’s a basketball game!
Chris is a devoted son and brother who looks after his sisters and mother. One sunny day, when his mother passed away, the modern language teachers were going about their usual business teaching. But on that day. everyone complained about a strong scent, the fragrance of perfume, or more like flowers, wherever Chris was to be found in the ML faculty lounge. We even asked him to stop wearing that cologne but he said he wsn’t wearing any…and guess what… I don’t believe in ghosts.
Let me end my “cuentos“ by rephrasing Captain Mike Kennedy of the New York Fire Department.. “We'll never forget you, Chris, and we are better persons for having known you. But I make you this one promise: Next August, when that bell rings, we will be back in class, gentle as you were the gentlest of the gentle.”
* Chris Acuña is a high school teacher of Filipino at the International School-Manila..
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