Have you ever wondered who sponsored the construction of San Jose Liberation Statue at the entrance of the Municipal Compound to commemorate the Mindoro Landing in December 15, 1944?
Today is the 93rd birth anniversary of my former History and Social Science teacher Miss Julia D. Ovalles who was born on December 6, 1927 in San Manuel Pangasinan. She was the youngest child in the brood of nine to parents Lucas Ovalles and Maxima Delarma.
After she finished his course in Education at University of Manila (UM), the young Julie came to San Jose, Occidental Mindoro after being pursued by her brother-in-law, Dorong Andres to apply as teacher here in our province. Dorong or Isidoro was the husband of her elder sister Apolonia. The skinny beautiful Ilocana lass first taught at Southern Mindoro Academy (SMA) when she was offered the job by future provincial governor Federico Castillo who was then the school’s director.
Through her Manong Andres, Miss Ovalles acquired parcels of farm lots in Barrio Aguas in Rizal town and was able to acquire few heads of cattle. During summer breaks, Julie pursues her Bachelor of Arts (AB) course in Manila and return to teaching at SMA during schooldays.
In 1955, Julie the teacher entered in politics. She did not resign from teaching when she joined the fray. She was the first woman politician, as far as I know, in Occidental Mindoro when she ran as municipal councilor of San Jose but lost. She landed in the 9th place in an 8-seat contest. This is due, according to political observers then, to scarcity of campaign fund. Back then, the most dominant political parties are Liberal Party (LP) and Nationalista Party (NP) and she belongs to Partido Democratica which was a minority party. The party’s stalwarts consist of Carlos P. Romulo and Fernando Lopez which was later merged into the NP.
In 1959, she joined the political race once more and this time he ended victorious under the NP flag. In 1963, she became Pandurucan’s vice-mayor and was elected number one provincial board member in 1967. Julie Ovalles was also appointed vice-governor in 1993. She retired from politics and teaching in 1994 and lived in the US but came back after some years.
On April 7, 2010, Miss Julie D. Ovalles gave in to cardiac arrest at age 83. As a teacher of History, she made her best effort in the construction of the oldest and most beautiful statue in the province sculpted by an unknown artist.
Hope my classmates, here and abroad, would say a little prayer for her soul today as we remember her and every time we see that immaculate white sculpture proudly standing at San Jose Plaza today which is part of our youthful memories.
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Reference:
Story of 100 Families, RM Acebes; pp. 304-306
Photo:
WikiCommons
