KURIS: The First Ligad-Rivera Art Exhibit

 

My compadre Ruben “Nonoy” Casuncad, considered by many as the finest artisan in the province, together with Dr. Alexander M. Rivera, (Yes, that EENT doctor) will be launching an art event dubbed Kúris (Arts and Passion): The First Ligad-Rivera Art Exhibit on December, 2021. I am already writing about it now because as I have told you in my recent blog entry about Jun Gulapa, another illustrious artist from Sablayan, the month of February is National Arts Month as declared by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 683.

This brainchild of the two distinguished painters of San Jose is perceived to be held annually and expected to be participated by all painting enthusiasts from all over Occidental Mindoro. Well, to those who are interested, you still have ample time to coordinate with Nonoy and Doc Rivera about this upcoming “art attack” of an event.

Before going to Nonoy, allow me first to acknowledge the painter whose eyes also labored on the painting canvass and brushes and not only through the lens of his otoscope and nasal speculum. Doctor Alex Rivera is a self-taught artist who first discovered his prowess in 1998. He is into “fantastic and erotic arts” as how he described them in his Facebook account. Some of his paintings are displayed in his Barangay V clinic in San Jose. I am Doc Alex’s patient for more than a decade now because of my seasonal and perennial rhinitis.

On the other hand, Nonoy Casuncad is not only a painter, he is an all-around artist. He also make key chains, refrigerator magnet, treated driftwoods, wood carvings and decors, medals, beadworks and other “kung anik-anik”. Just name it.

I first met Nonoy in 1989 while he was working as an artist in the Vicariate-owned In Verbo Tuo Printing Press while I was with the Human Development Office or HDO. In 1998, he decided to pursue with his craft and he started an art shop called Ligad. Ligad, if my memory serves me right, according to Nonoy, stands for “Likhang Isinalalarawan sa Guni-guni at Damdamin”. Ligad has an accreditation with our provincial Department of Trade and Industry Office or DTI. At present he is more involved in wood carving and most of his clients are tourists,-both local and international, and some wholesalers outside of the province. His works always find place in trade fairs and art shows here in our locality and elsewhere for more than 23 years now. At present, he is planning to initiate a province-wide organization of artists through Kúris as its entry point.

By the way, Kúris in Hanunuo language is a stroke made with a knife and the like, a line, a scratch, a score or to line, mark, score and scratch lightly with a pointed tool or instrument. When asked about the title of the exhibit, Nonoy said: “Sa artist kasi, kapag nakaharap ka na sa canvas at nag-iisip (conceptualize) ka ng subject at concept, magsisimula ka sa kuris-kuris hanggang sa makabuo ka ng isang wangis o imahe.” The painting is on and for the period of nine months, from April to December 2021, they aimed at finishing 40 materials or paintings for the show.

The painting exhibit Nonoy and Doc Alex have in mind is something that will be participated by artists from all walks of life. For instance, every year, an exhibit will be participated by women artists, the following year will be from the ranks of the Mangyans, and so forth and so on.  It is also Nonoy’s dream to put up an art gallery in Iling Island to pay homage to the place where most of his materials for wood carvings and inspiration from her painting aside from those motivation that he harvested from the Hanunuos and other ethno-linguistic groups of the Mangyans came from.

From the start, the Local Government of San Jose through Board Member Michelle Festin-Rivera, when she still sits as the municipal tourism head, is so supportive of the initiatives of the town’s local artists. The LGU likewise pledged monetary support for said forthcoming painting exhibit in December. DTI provincial office also vouched for some considerable amount of fund for the endeavor. Nonoy is gratefully thankful of such gesture as local government's manifestation of highly considering art and culture in its PPAs and mandate.

Today, Nonoy is aiming to capacitate the town's gifted and special children with inclination in painting or arts in general from all-over and teach them basic painting lessons. He is looking forward for a future where he is introducing or teaching art to children with special needs. He said that children with such characteristics tend to be most successful when they have their own materials and spaces to work, and are permitted to make as many art products as they like. 

Nonoy believes that art experiences are good ways to hold attention, and provide children with acceptable, enjoyable ways to express their feelings. He intends to solicit funds from good Samaritans of arts to help him make this grand target a sustained, fruitful reality. Knock, knock on your generous doors.

Nonoy Casuncad is in a way building his legacy and in the process, paying it forward.

A meaningful arts month to all!

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(Photo: Ligad File)

Sablayan Artist Jun Gulapa on Komiks, Prisons and Arts

He is tracing his passion for art from two inmates in Sablayan Penal Colony (SPC) way back in the mid-70s when he was ten years old or so.

Now called Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm or SPPF, the facility was established September 26, 1954 by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 72 but was formally opened on January 15, 1955 and became part of Sablayan town in Occidental Mindoro. Diosdado “Jun” R. Gulapa Jr. was born in this place at the foot of the enchanted and majestic Mount Siburan. He and his brothers and sisters grew up in this grandiose natural landscape before the very eyes of men in orange uniform with ball and chain attached to their feet.

Jun Gulapa’s father was first assigned as prison guard in New Bilibid Prison then at Iwahig Penal Colony in Palawan and in the 50s, he was transferred in Sablayan Penal Colony and later served as penal supervisor at SPPF’s Pasugui Sub-Prison until the old sentinel hanged his uniform decades later. Their mother Corazon (nee Del Rosario) is a retired public school teacher and her union with her beloved prison guard produced eleven children.

During his childhood days at the penal colony, the young Jun was hooked and astounded by komiks and began copying the masterpieces of great Filipino illustrators Pablo S. Gomez, Hal Santiago and Jim Fernandez. Supporting his junior’s newly found enthusiasm for drawing and sketching, his old man allowed him to learn from two inmates or persons deprived of liberty who were distinguished painters when they were still freemen. Jun, now 58 years old, narrated that his father even allowed two illustrious prisoners to get out of their cell and teach his kids, Jun and Cel, the fundamentals of drawing and the beauty and mystery of art. The komiks and the crafts of the two inmates opened him in the wonderful world of arts. Even in present-day SPPF or probably in other prison facilities under Bureau of Correction (BuCor), they do not disregard the value of arts much like they regard the crux of rehabilitation. This tenet is kept alive by the present SPPF Superintendent CSINSP Jayferson G. Bon-As who enhanced the souvenir center by changing its location to make it more accessible to customers and visitors. The center showcases work of arts by PDLs such as woodcarvings, sculpture and portraits to this very day.

The Catholic chapel inside the SPPF compound is a living gallery featuring religious icons and artifacts crafted by a certain prisoner of old only known by his surname “Cueso”. B. Cueso was one of the two inmates who impressively influenced and taught the young Jun Gulapa how to draw. He cannot recall now the name of his other former maestro but the man’s memory stays in his mind forever. Incidentally, Jun Gulapa also made a gigantic painting of crucified Christ inside the same chapel and now considered one of the main religious artworks in the place of worship together with the paintings of his former PDL mentor and other artists behind bars.

“Dado”, as he is called by his childhood friends and classmates (in fact, Governor Ed Gadiano was a high school batch mate), finished his Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Advertising at University of Santo Tomas and later worked as computer graphic designer at GMA-7 and later promoted to being associate art director. He told this lowly blogger that he was one of the creative minds behind the making of the famous Encantadia, a television drama fantasy series presented by GMA Network. He also proudly revealed in my interview with him that the title card the comedy sitcom Bubble Gang is using until now was his brainchild and polished by his arty hands. In addition, Jun also crafted Angel Locsin's forehead gear in her Darna outfit including many of the show's layouts and billboards.

Dado worked outside of the province for more than 30 years and within that long years, he missed painting, his childhood passion. He is a product of old school, so to speak, so he truly missed the actual stroking of his brush in the canvass or in any surface. Finally in 2005, he resigned and went back to his land of birth and decided to stay for good in their residence at Barangay Ligaya in southern portion of Sablayan. With his separation pay in his bank account, he started a small business here and continue his passion and accepts mural and wall-to-wall paintings for such form of art now trends in European countries.

The Office of Vice-Mayor Walter “Bong” B. Marquez is on its way of creating an audio visual presentation honoring the town’s artists in lieu of the celebration of 2021 National Arts Month as declared by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). Under Presidential Proclamation No. 683, the Philippines recognizes its culture and art in different forms with the celebration of the annual National Arts Month every February. The AVP project on local artists of VM Bong symbolizes his commitment to honor his town’s homegrown artists and to provide opportunities for them to harness their creative energies in uplifting the people’s spirit, especially during this time of public health crisis anchored in this year’s theme “Alab-sining, Alay-sigla.”

I was tagged along by the members of OVM’s documentation team composed of Jasper Francisco, Erl Favilonia and Mark Marquez for a video shoot and to meet with Jun Gulapa last Tuesday, February 16 at 4-M Fontanilla Resort located in Barangay Tagumpay also of said municipality. He was there doing the large-scale murals and wall-to-wall paintings all over the newly-renovated resort owned by Ms. Maricel Fontanilla, a local entrepreneur. Watch out for the release of that audio visual presentation in the coming days. By the way peeps, the resort is a nice place for a family getaway. 

When asked how he defines “art”, the artist with high Roman nose says, “Art is infinite and it has no barrier.” He also added that in every artistic endeavor, the artist is reasserting his humanity, to remind himself and others that he is free and he exists.

Art, indeed, is the artist’s way of proclaiming, “I am still here and I am free!”

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(Photo: Jasper Francisco/Office of the Vice-Mayor Sablayan file)

 

Ex-Future Congressman Peter Alfaro?

 

Is Vice-Governor Peter Alfaro now the congressman that never will be? 

I have heard from the grapevine that the incumbent vice-governor is already out of the race for a seat in congress at least in 2022, the forthcoming election year, as far as his group is concerned.

People from all sides of political fences said that the former Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) president from 1993-1996 (He was just 20 then.), former successive three-termer Sangguniang Panlalawigan (1998-2007) and sitting vice-governor was voted out of the contest by a party mate who is also enthusiastic to compete for a seat in the province’s lone district in the House of Representatives.

After his term as SK President, he worked as Computer Operator – I and got an employment from the Provincial Government of Occidental Mindoro from 1996-1998. During his tenure as an ordinary employee, he was able to learn the true essence of a public servant and made aware of the responsibilities attached to it.

Today is high time for the time-tested politician to upswing from the ranks, rightfully climbing the political ladder of trust and experience.

The guy is an achiever. He did not stop grinding his tools. While performing his legislative task as provincial board member, he took up Master in Public Administration at Occidental Mindoro State College (OMSC), he also took the Licensure Examinations for Agriculturists and passed with a score rating of 82.83%. In short, he is the most academically prepared for the job at Congress from their group if only given a chance. Though not a lawyer, I think he is the darkest horse in the hippodrome come 2022 for that seat in the HOR.  

This writer is not in a position to censure or say anything about the selection process that the group and the possible candidates have underwent. Those party leaders consulted about the matter have their own mechanisms, criteria and reasons that I do not wish to dip my pen into. That thing is of course internal to them.

Further, I have no idea how VG Peter accepted the decision of his local political group or party, if he is disgruntled or not or if he respects the outcome of the process or what would be his next step. Will he instead slide down as board member or, albeit temporarily, be plain and simple “Citizen Peter”? That I do not want to find out anymore.

As a local political observer, I dire say that the man, if likened to a fruit, is now ripe and ready for harvest, in a manner of speaking. 

He is the best contender among the pretenders and that I need not elaborate. His hour is now. But well, until October comes, nothing is final in the horizon of political alignments.

What Alfaro went through in politics is worth pondering. It will give us a closer and serious look at the political culture and system of Occidental Mindoro. This is the only point I wish underline as a knocker of political happenings.

In the course of 2007 elections, Peter J. Alfaro was one of the four people accused of kidnapping. Hon. Ulysses D. Delgado of Regional Trial Court (RTC) No. 44 issued a Warrant of Arrest in August 27, 2008 against Alfaro and four other individuals. He was the Assistant Provincial Agriculturist then. After almost four months of hiding and spending the holidays “on the road”, they finally go back to the fold of the law and face their accuser(s). He and his co-accused re-surfaced in February 16, 2009.

The case was dismissed by the Court of Appeals (CA) pursuant to the Resolution that was issued by the Secretary of Justice on April 1, 2011 in I.S. No. 2007-164. He and his companions were vindicated in the eyes of God and men.

Remember, I used the word “ripe”, not “rotten”. There is a big, big difference between the two.  A true agriculturist knows that.

But this is what I have learned from my Botany class way back in college: ripe fruit leaves the branch.

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(Photo: Vice-Governor Peter de Jesus Alfaro huddles with San Jose (Occidental Mindoro) IPMR to the Sangguniang Bayan Ding “Talon” de Jesus from the former’s FB page.)

 

 

Occidental Mindoro's 2021 Budget

We are just fooling ourselves by saying that the recent tussle between the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and the PGO over the 2021 annual budget has NOTHING to do with 2022 elections. It was political (partisanship) in every aspect, to put it plain and simple.

This issue came shortly after President Digong's recent disclosure of DPWH alleged anomalies and in the midst of glaring presence or visibility of known political personalities and other serious concerns that Occidental Mindoro are facing with regards to economic and social disturbances brought about by typhoons, the deceptively and highly politicized issue of power, and the COVID-19 pandemic which, as we all know, became a global health debacle.

The budget proposal is amounting to PhP 1.8-billion being the health sector with the highest allocation of P441,008,005.04.

It is easy to say or think that the SP just doing its mandate under the law that is why the prolonged the deliberation. True, under our present democratic set-up, there is separation of power between the three branches of the government: Executive, Judiciary and Legislative. The spirit of check and balances should run in the very veins of our government.

There is only a hairline difference between governance and politicking and only TIME and TENURE could judge us in that aspect. But how will the SP justify the allegation that the process been deliberately fast tracked and some of the members of the august body were not able to participate and considered absent? 

The executive holds the power of the “sword” and the judiciary the “pen” while the legislature has the power of the “purse.” Needless to say, the power of the “purse” is the ultimate weapon of any legislative body in its arsenal that can be utilized in extreme situations such as partisan political ends. In our case, the Governor only proposes the budget but it is still the SP that has the final say on where that budget should go. And that is the main meat of contention.

History taught us that in the Philippines, it is a blatant reality that this so-called power of the “purse” is used as a tool for (partisan) politics. Tell me that this is not true and I will tell you this: “Tell that to the Marines!”

The main target here is not the whole 2021 proposed budget per se but in the long run, the weight of the gavel will be pounded on the specific budget for the Office of the Governor. To assure that the public coffer will not be used for (partisan) political purposes as the elections go near and now that the rivalry of the two personalities vying for gubernatorial seat is very evident at this early point of time.

Budgeting nitty-gritties such as this between the legislative and the executive branch did not happen in recent memory. It is because the governor and the vice-governor came from the same political group. Both of them can cite provisions on fiscal management and common good but, as I have discussed earlier, the grey area in such line of argument is tremendous.

Indeed, with the re-enacted budget, government services will not be hampered, generally speaking. There could be supplemental budget but that could only be availed in the succeeding quarters of the year. Let us not forget that in our battle with the pandemic and the implementation of basic PPAs, specifically AKAP Hub, this administration's banner health program, will be greatly affected ergo, the people will suffer. 

The re-enacted budget really would not all together hamper the delivery of services of the PLGU but that would make it start with the wrong foot, so to speak. If the province will start on the re-enactment budget on the first quarter or second quarter of 2021, the PGO cannot commence its PPAs favorable to its plans, whatever plans they have.

We cannot allow our people, especially those deprived of government services and been neglected for more than 30 years, once again be sacrificial pawns in the altar of "redundant" politics.

This happenstance will surely drop down and be greatly considered come 2022 when the people who are tired of and fed up with long bankrupt political style in the province cast their votes.

The main dough here is (partisan) politics. The rest, like the supposed “unrealistic” target revenues and income projections, the issue of unemployment, etc., are just icings, believe me.

Unless we are just fooling ourselves.

Miss Julie Ovalles, Teacher-Politician

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 93^rd 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 9^th 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

 

 

Go with the Almighty Tiller, Ka Ruben Presilda

Occidental Mindoro lost a farmer leader that will be put to his final resting place in Barangay Central Public Cemetery tomorrow, November 14, 2020.

I remember the man well way back from my younger years. His voice rings last and hit the pages of national media when he spoke against the rice liberalization law last October 2019.  Speaking as national chairman of the Federation of Free Farmers or FFF, Ruben Presilda expresses scepticism in the country’s economic managers saying that they are the ones pursuing said law which is very disadvantageous to the farmers not only here in our province but all over the land.

Before that, in 2018, Ka Ruben, father of my former boss and erstwhile station manager of DZYM-AM Glovyn Presilda (now Alegrado), warned that the agriculture sector is about to lose revenue worth P60 billion per year if the rice tariffication bill is enacted, and warned that politicians could get their hands on the collected tariffs. That was Ka Ruben, a fighter who truly served.

The youthful Ruben who was just tied knots with the former Gloria Robles joined the FFF in 1969. History would lead us to information that the FFF is a prominent farmers’ organization and cooperative founded in 1953  by Jeremias U. Montemayor. With the help of Fr. Walter Hogan, S.J., and the Jesuits’ Institute of Social Order (ISO), Montemayor also sought to concretize the social teachings of the Catholic Church.

Ka Ruben was born in Samar but was raised in Manila. He studied in Saint Scholastica School for Boys and later enrolled at the well-known Torres High School in Tondo. He finished (BSBA) Commerce at the University of the East. He migrated to San Jose, Occidental Mindoro when he married his teacher wife in 1967. He became a farmer advocate since then and stood with the working class in their struggle for land reform during Marcos years. 

Ka Ruben lived for five decades for the cause of the farmers and all the programs and policies for the good of the peasantry. He had been close lieutenant of then agriculture secretary Leonardo Q. Montemayor  and helped his principal in accomplishing growth and development of agriculture which is the life-blood of our economy. He will be laid to rest one day before the province he considered home will celebrate its 70th founding anniversary.

In 1988, a year after the so-called EDSA revolution, he was appointed board member of the province. Though he did not pursue his political career for reasons only known to him, he held various chairmanships in many farmers’ organizations and councils that are related to agriculture. He also served as regional chairman of the Agriculture and Fishery Council, among others. Moreover, he also held the chairmanship for the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council from Corazon C. Aquino up to Rodrigo R. Duterte.

He succumbed to massive stroke in Mamburao while having a meeting on taxation at the Farmers’ Training Center at the Provincial Capitol Compound with the provincial treasurer last November 6, 2020.

He died with his farmer’s shoes on, so to speak.

Your life is in itself is a bountiful harvest. The stewards of the soil will surely miss you. 

Farewell, Ka Ruben.

 

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(Photo of Maam Glo and Ka Ruben from Glovyn P. Alegrado's Facebook page)

 

 

 

McCarthyism vs. Arts in the Time of Turmoil

Last Tuesday’s (November 3, 2020) investigation on red-tagging by the Philippine Senate reminds me of the October 1947 hearing of the House Un-American Activities Committee or HUAC on the alleged involvement of some movie personalities in the Communist Party of America. I read about it in the 80s.

That was when McCarthyism invades the very fiber of American society. It was a raucous campaign against alleged communists in the US government and other institutions carried out by Senator Joseph McCarthy in the period 1950–54. Many of the accused were blacklisted or lost their jobs although a huge number of them, in fact, do not belong to the Communist Party.

"May tinatawag po na underground groups sa hanay ng mga manunulat, sa hanay ng mga artista, sa showbiz," a witness said in a Senate hearing yesterday. "Hindi ko na sasabihin yung mga pangalan nila pero ang mga pelikula nila ay [inaudible], 'Maynila sa Kuko ng Agila' at 'Walang Himala,'" he further said.

As a movie fan, this mixing up made my head twirl!

Around 15,000 families in the island province of Catanduanes, some province in the regions of Cordillera, Bicol and Southern Tagalog were affected by the recent typhoon. In Catanduanes, which is directly hit by TS Rolly, is in urgent need of food and water. The devastated island seeks aid, power and telco restoration in super typhoon’s aftermath. Yet, in the halls of the Philippine Senate that very day, McCarthyism prevailed over recovery from disaster, such as relief and rehabilitation missions.

As the hearing in the Senate transpires, the Philippines’ COVID-19 reached 387,161 and additional 1,772 cases plus 49 new deaths was reported by the Department of Health (DOH) when that man appeared before the Senate hearing Tuesday.

To the Filipino McCarthyists, as alleged, are hiding in the government program called National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC). They have included as targets of red-tagging and red-scare our patriotic artists. 

History tells us that Joseph McCarthy was halted by then President Dwight Eisenhower. Red-tagging and red-scare will die and fade away in the long run when the righteous people appear from the political horizon at any given time and situation in the future. That is if we will sustainably expose and oppose such drastic acts detrimental to our enjoyment of our basic human rights.

Arts and truth combined can defeat all fascistic lies in this country and anywhere in the world. Filipino artists will continue heighten their quest for the truth by continuing with their crafts, by proving that in art there is might.

We all look forward for a society freeing up the arts and the whole of Filipino nation. Under those conditions artistic expression, and all other forms of expressions, would be totally liberated from McCarthyism and tyranny in whatever form.

Take no notice of McCathyists, heed the aspirations of the people through arts but not through arms!

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 (Photo: Galloway)

 

The Governor and His Bicycle

True to his promise, Gov. Eduardo B. Gadiano of Occidental Mindoro rode his bike in the morning of July 22, 2020 from the newly-inaugurated extension office of the provincial government in Barangay Magbay to Barangay Caminawit in San Jose town to have an ocular inspection on the situation of roads in that particular span or route and mingle with his constituents along the way.

Since he became governor, Gadiano utilizes a bicycle roving around the capital town of Mamburao in reaching his constituents and rub elbows with them and know the situation of each community. Instead of riding a motorized vehicle in going to those places, he starts his first active hour in the morning on the wheels. Biking almost became part of the governor’s everyday life since he was elected in May last year.

Governance and physical wellness or fitness can be maximized in one particular period of the day. Biking is a natural and commonsensical choice for shorter trips. In such an early morning routine, the governor enable to promote cycling to be seen as an activity for all, rather than a ‘niche’ activity for some.

Though the governor is not directly promoting biking.

In a speech, Akhilesh Yadav, an Indian political leader, explained the power of the bicycle symbol: “The bicycle moves after you strike a balance, of pushing the pedal and holding the handle, and I feel that somehow the bicycle teaches us something. If we move with as much balance as we do while riding a bicycle, we will be successful in life.” This can be a political mantra not only for cyclists and bikers in the province but for all of us.

But with his newly-found hobby, the slipper-wearing Governor Ed places biking as an essential part of his governance. Under his watch, cycling becomes apparently established a symbolical meaning for the province, in one way or another.

Good governance truly empowers the people.  True enough, politics, decisiveness and service are indispensable to each other.

 Just like the pedal and the wheel to a bicycle.

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 Photo: Junjun Alastre, PGO-Occidental Mindoro

 https://www.welovecycling.com/wide/2019/04/19/the-bicycle-politics-throughout-the-history/#:~:text=Party%20leaders%20often%20cycle%20during,out%20bikes%20to%20their%20supporters.&text=The%20bike%20is%20such%20an,the%20Samajwadi%20Party%20for%20years.

 

 

Jade Talampas: The Mindoro Jade

The Mindoro Jade, not unlike similar precious stones unearthed somewhere else, is purified in the hands of a seasoned, tested artisan. Confucius once noted that the wise have likened jade to a virtue. One’s master craftsman or life coach is usually his own father.  The boy was only 12 when he started playing the game invented by James A. Naismith of Springfield, Massachusetts.  

Jade C. Talampas, the 20-year old, 6”2 shooting guard of the Arellano University Chiefs in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) hails from Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro. But before that, he was also in the line-ups of the UST Growling Tigers and the San Beda Red Cubs.

Jade, like a gemstone, during his early days in basketball was moulded, formed and shaped by his father Raymond Talampas into a solid rock of a basketeer. Raymond, the father, is also a star cager in their place which is Barangay Tangkalan of said municipality in northern Occidental Mindoro, the province’s capital town.  They even played in a same team then as Jade Talampas recalled in his memoirs posted by Triple Junard in his blog “Im a Baller” at Facebook last June 28, 2020. In that blog entry, Jade also recalls, “Grabe talaga yung mga panahon na iyon, sobrang determinado kami ni papa sa pag-te-train sa basketball. Nagbunga din naman lahat nang paghihirap namin noong makuha ko yung rookie at MVP awards sa Barangay League.”

Jade Talampas started to pick his first basketball in a high school official game at the campus of Occidental Mindoro National High School (OMNHS) and his skills were polished there with Raymond always in the side line.  Mr. Kristent Leo Tuscano, Jade’s teacher and later his interim trainer recalls, “Nagulat na lang ang lahat sa 360 degrees turn around ng skill sets niya sa basketball.” Unknown to his coaches and trainers in school, Jade is sort of undergoing special training sessions at home under his father Raymond. Their neighbors and townfolks were used to seeing the father and son tandem doing their early morning jog from Tangkalan to the Provincial Capitol compound and vice-versa. Talampas at first was a Sepak Takraw player joining provincial and regional meets when he was in his elementary grades.

Tuscano was Jade’s teacher in Research who gave him some tips in terms of physical and mental preparations. But that was nothing compared to the inputs and lessons Jade gets from Raymond, his father. Tuscano added, “Raymond is hands on up to now in privately coaching his son.” The younger Talampas’s official trainer at OMNHS in the Provincial Meet that year was Jojo Magpantay and their coach was Kristian Orly Benitez.

Sometime in October 2018, in his last year for San Beda High School,  Talampas right from the opening buzzer controlled the game beating Mapua High School in a 84-71 victory in the NCAA 94 Men’s Basketball Tournament that year. Like a precious stone polished by fire, he pumped in 8 points in San Beda’s 15-2 start. At the final buzzer, Talampas scored 26 big points, 10 rebounds and it was a huge double-double in a crucial game.

Basketball is one of the many sports where ultimately things aren’t permanent. A time will come when a boy has to be on his or her own on the road to the pro league, the El Dorado of any sports. The people of Tamarawlandia must keep their fingers crossed for its fruition.

It is the time when the jade is already polished to near perfection by its first craft worker.

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 Photo: From Jade Talampas’ FB account

References: https://sports.abs-cbn.com/ncaa/news/2018/10/26/talampas-peaks-right-time-red-cubs-stay-alive-ncaa-94-48883

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=146152313730434&id=100310224981310

 

 

Chris Lalata, His Roots, His Rooster Dunk

The high-flying Chris Lalata of Bicol Volcanoes in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) is gradually making name in the Philippine basketball scene. He had been in many dunking competitions in the last three years of his stint as a ball player.

Seeing him play for the first time in television for the Olivares College and Technological Institute of the Philippines in the season three of the Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL) in 2018, I immediately browsed Facebook to initiate a contact with him. And we did.

Lalata is known for his power plays. I call his leaper Rooster Dunk. If basketball is a cockfight, he is our manok na llamado, so to speak. Incidentally, he is lovingly called “Manok” by his close friends and bosom buddies in the loop house. He was born and raised in Barangay Mangarin here in San Jose in January 9, 1995. He practically grew in a breeding farm for fighting cocks in their community.

Chris is the son of my classmate Baltazar (or Balting) way back in 1977 or 1978 who was a basketball player himself. He played in various teams in San Jose Summer Basketball League (SJSBL). Like his father before him, Chris, at 6’5, also plays the center position. He roots for San Antonio Spurs in the NBA and a solid Barangay Ginebra fan. In the PBA, he idolizes Japeth Aguilar, Mark Yee and Calvin Abueva.

Lalata’s recent feather on his cap is when he represented the country as member of the MPBL-All Star in Calgary, Canada and that was in December 27 to 28 only last year (2019). Also seen action in the All-Star games are Bacoor's Gab Banal; Davao Occidental's Mark Yee; Manila's Aris Dionisio and Chris Bitoon; Valenzuela's Paulo Hubalde and Val Acuna; Pampanga's Michael Juico; Batangas' Jeff Viernes and Jhaymo Eguilos; Imus' Anderson; and Sarangani City's Spencer Eman. Lalata represented the Bicol Volcanoes in said basketball tour abroad and he is youngest member of the squad.

Chris Lalata was featured in a Facebook personal blog called “Im a Baller” today, July 16, 2020. Recalling his early days as a student and a ball player, he said, “Nahasa din ako nang nahasa sa TRIZJJAM [his former team during his youthful days]. Hanggang sa kinuha din ako ng Pedro T. Mendiola na school ko noong high school para maglaro sa MIMAROPA. 4th year ako that time at in-invite din kami ni Coach Boy Cortado maglaro sa inter-town ng Sablayan.” To those who are willing to know the basketball journey of Chris Lalata, from the old court of Mangarin to Juan G. Santos Memorial Gym, as cager for the St. Francis of Assisi College, to Olivarez College, to Muntinlupa and the Bicol Volcanoes of the MPBL, you may read it directly from Im a Baller. It’s worth reading if you are from the locality, I tell you.

Local basketball player and now Sablayan councilor Jaebee Dawates, who once tried out for the University of the East (UE) Warriors, is greatly amazed how Lalata was able to fine tune his craft since his San Jose days and reached this far. Dawates was a member of the champion team SK-Barangay III way back in 2011 when Lalata was still awkward in his dribbling and shooting. The latter has no match with the former then, defense and offense-wise.

But with Lalata’s big heart for the game and perseverance to succeed, he already jumpstarted his basketball career. Incidentally, Dawates, for one reason or another, did not make it to the UE varsity team. Unlike Chris Lalata who qualified at once to play under the banner of his school, the St. Francis of Assisi College.

Be in the Big League, big man. Make your town mates proud.

Be the next great basketball player born in San Jose. Next to the great Caloy Loyzaga.

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References:

https://rappler.com/sports/mpbl-all-star-squads-take-act-calgary-edmonton-canada

https://www.facebook.com/Im-a-Baller-100310224981310

 

 

Double Entendre: Ang Bomba, si Pikoy at si Boy Sullivan

Sa panahon na tinatawag na Bomba Films noong time ni Marcos, karaniwan na ang mga double entendre sa mga titulo ng sine. Ilan lang sa halimbawa ay ang mga pelikula noong 1970 hanggang 1971 na pinagbidahan ni Rosanna Ortiz gaya ng "Patigasan", "Saging ni Pacing" (na later ang pinalitan ng "Ang Magsasaging ni Pacing"), "Batuta ni Drakula"  (na isang horror-sexy film with Eddie Garcia), "Bukid ay Basa" (1971) na ang tawag dati ng movie scribe na si Nestor U. Torre ay “sexcessively suggestive” movie titles. Mga pelikulang sa Gem Theater malimit ipalabas.

Si Lito Anzures ay si Pikoy sa "Ang Alamat" ni Fernando Poe, Jr. Kanang-kamay siya ng mersenaryong si Adonis (Romy Diaz) na ni-recruit ni Don Joaquin (Nello Nayo) para maghasik ng lagim sa Rio Piedra upang mapagharian niya ang buong bayan na nabubuhay sa pagsasaka. Well, kagaya ng ibang sine ni FPJ, sa paghupa ng umaatikabong barilan natapos ang pelikula, gamit ang kanyang gintong kalibre 45 baril. Mala-Rambo ang istorya ng pelikula, kagaya ng ibang sine ni Da King.

Galit na galit si Don Joaquin sa eksena dahil hindi nila napatay si Igmidio (Pempe Padilla) na lider ng mga nag-aaklas na mamamayan at ito ay nakapagtago. Habang may kaniig na babae sa kanyang kandungan ay binigkas ni Pikoy:

“Ang tapang ng tao’y kadalasang walang silbi

Kapag ginagamit ng wala sa kukote

Ang maghimagsik sa aming ginawa

Iyong tungkulin sa balat ng lupa,

Ang lungga ng ahas ay dapat na hanapin

Pero bawat lungga ay dapat na salaksakin.”

Nang akmang papasukin ni Don Joaquin si Adonis sa silid habang ito ay may katalik ding babae ay bumulalas muli si Pikoy ng patula:

"Lahat ng gawai’y pwedeng abalahin

Ngunit importante inyong sasabihin

Pero kapag ang tandang ay gustong lumimlim

Ay huwag itong abalahin, pati ang inahin."

Nangako si Don Joaquin na kapag napatay nila si Diego (Fernando Poe, Jr) ay babayaran sila ng mas malaki. Si Pikoy na mas ganid sa laman kaysa sa salapi ay bumigkas ng:

“Totoong sa bawat kagat ng tinapay

Yaring aking dila’y talagang naglalaway

Pero kung pandesal ang sa aki’y ibibigay

Huwag naman Don Joaquin, ang gusto ko’y monay.”

Imagine, 10 years old pa lang ako nung una kong mapanood ang "Ang Alamat" sa Levi Rama pero nang panoorin ko lang ito uli kagabi sa YouTube, saka ko pa lang nalaman ang sexual undertones o double entendre ng mga tula dito ni Pikoy. Si Fred Navarro ang screenplay writer nito.

Mula pelikula, punta tayo sa musika. Bago pa man ang "Nilunok Kong Lahat" ni Selina Sevilla at "Jumbo Hotdog" ng Maskulados, isang Pinoy music legend ang sumulat at umawit ng mga kantang may double entendre tulad ng "Ang Mahiwagang Hiwa," "Itlog Ko at Mani Mo" at "O-Tin-Dera". Siya si Boy Sullivan na tambok, este tampok, sa kanyang "Haring Solomon (May Alagang Pagong)" album na lumabas noong 1972.

Si Boy Sullivan, Pedro G. Santos sa tunay na buhay, ay namatay sa edad na 83 noon lamang Hunyo 29, 2020. Siya ay taga-Hagonoy at bago niya isinulat ang mga kanta sa Haring Solomon, siya ay isa sa mga original members of The Big 3 Sullivans kasama si Mar Lopez at Apeng Daldal hanggang siya ay mag-solo. Siya ang kinilalang king of parody and naughty songs noong araw.

Hanggang ang double entendre ay isang literary device, walang makakapigil sa mga manunulat na isingit ito sa anumang likhang-sining na di naman sagarang erotiko.

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(Photo: Amazon.com)

Si Flash Elorde at ang mga Suntok ni FPJ

Kung tutuusin, hindi naman talaga boxing movie ang 1964 film Mano-Mano pero bida dito ang Filipino all-time boxing great Gabriel “Flash” Elorde at si Fernando Poe, Jr., ang King of Philippine Movies directed by Efren Reyes (Hindi si Bata Reyes ha. Ibang tao ‘yun.) Kasama dito sina Paquito Diaz, Lito Anzures, Pablo Virtuoso, Dencio Padilla, Victor Bravo, Vic Varrion, Larry Silva, Johnny Montiero with Rebecca at Mila Montanez.

Ang Mano-Mano ay isang action-comedy film at ang ikaapat na pelikula ni Flash Elorde. Sa kanyang entire movie career, si Elorde ay lumabas sa anim na pelikula bago siya bawian ng buhay dahil sa kanser sa baga noong January 2, 1985.

Ito ay umiikot sa kuwento ng apat na mag-kaibigan, sina Nanding (Poe) at Dencio (Padilla) na mga jobless na nakatira sa Tondo hanggang sa makatagpo nila ang mga bagong salta na sina Bay (Elorde) at Pablo (Virtuoso) na mula naman sa Bogo, Cebu. Sa tunay na buhay, si Elorde ay totoong ipinanganak sa nasabing lugar noong Marso 25, 1935. Siya ay mula sa isang mahirap na pamilya at bunso sa 15 magkakapatid.

Isa lang ang napanpansin ko sa mga sine dati kapag pinapanood ko ang mga ito sa YouTube: natural na natural and akting ng mga gumaganap. Hindi kagaya ngayon na pulos OA na ang pag-arte ng mga artista. Kahit atrasado sa mga aspetong teknikal, ang paag-arte noon ay totoong sining at hindi para lamang kumita, sa tingin ko. Dangan kasi naman, ang hahaba ng mga linya o dialogue noon pero despite of this, yakang-yaka itong i-deliver ng mga artista.

Maraming eksena ng buntalan ang pelikula. Tipikal na sangkap ng mga sine noong kamusmusan ko ang rambulan, suntukang grupo-grupo, walang kawawaang boksingan na matatapos lamang at magpupulasan ang mga nag-aaway kung may paparating na sumisilbatong pulis na may dalang batuta. Walang patalim, walang baril, walang gaanong dugo, basta sumbagan lang at upakan gamit lang ang kamao. Black and white pa noon ang sine.

Nakakatawa rin ang batuhan ng linya nina Virtuoso at Padilla bilang mga sidekick nina Elorde at Poe. Si Pablo sa kanyang Cebuanong diksyon at Batangenyo naman ang kay Dencio. Ipinakita din dito ang galing sa gitara ni Virtuoso at ang kaalaman ni Padilla sa nakatatawang pag-awit. Ito ay sa isang eksena ng harana, isang tradisyong Pinoy na katulad ng itinatampok nating pelikula ngayon ay limot na rin ng panahon.

Sa mga bakbakang kalye sa Mano-Mano ay makikita mo ang ilang galaw na boxing fundamentals, wika nga. Kung napanood mo lang ang mga lumang laban noon ni Flash Elorde at ikaw ay totoong boxing enthusiast, madali mong makita na master na master niya ang distansiya. Magaling siya sa step back habang nagka-counter punch. Signature din niya ang angular in and out movement upang malagay siya sa dominant position para umatake. Mga galaw at kilos na in-improve lang ni Manny Pacquiao nang lumaon, sabi.

Pero si Flash Elorde, hindi kagaya ni Pacquiao, kailanman ay hindi nasilaw sa pulitika. Si FPJ naman, nanalo sana kung hindi lang dinaya.

Pero nauna sa pelikulang Mano-Mano, noong 1962, pinagbidahan ni FPJ ang pelikulang Apollo Robles (Oo, naunang gumamit si FPJ ng karakter na pinangalanang “Apollo” sa isang boxing movie kaysa kay Apollo Creed sa Rocky movie franchise.) na istorya ng isang aspiring boxer na iniwan ang kanyang pagiging medical student at umibig sa isang dalagang itinatakwil ang boksing. Ang Apollo Robles ay tumabo noon sa takilya at isa sa mga kauna-unahang boxing movie sa bansa kabilang ang The Flash Elorde Story (1961) na bio-flick ng Pinoy world boxing champ.  

Ayon sa ulat, kinunsulta umano ng mga production staff at ni Gerardo “Gerry” de Leon na direktor nito si Flash Elorde para sa mga boxing and fight scenes ng Apollo Robles. Sinulat ni Simon Santos sa kanyang blog entry noong June 2008 na, “Those pointers became very crucial later in many fight scenes the actor made in his movies. He integrated part of Elorde’s styles and techniques to his own styles and came up with a unique “FPJ rapid and lightning punches” we all know.” So, iyon pala ang umpisa ng cinematic punching style ni Da King na nadala niya hanggang sa Durugin si Totoy Bato (1979) in the coming years.

1950s nang makilala sa mundo ng boksing si Flash Elorde. Sabi nga ng sikat na boxing journalist na si Nigel Collins, “[Flash Elorde] galvanized the nation and carried boxing to greater heights than ever before.”

Noong 1993, si Elorde ang kauna-unahang Asyano na na-induct sa New York-based International Boxing Hall of Fame. Kahit matagal na siyang yumao, mababasa pa rin ang kanyang istorya sa mga text book sa mga paaralan sa buong bansa.

Halos lahat ng pelikula ni FPJ ay kakakitaan ng kanyang rapidong suntok (Gaya sa Roman Rapido), suntok sa mukha pababa sa bodega ng goon na may grand finale na pompyang o kaya ay matitinding wind mill uppercuts. Sa lahat ng sine ni Da King ay may mapapanood kang signature rolling punch.

Bagay na hindi kinayang gawin kailanman ni Flash Elorde sa buong buhay niya.

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(Photo; Advocacine’s Blog)

http://fpj-daking.blogspot.com/2008/06/da-king-meets-da-flash.html

https://www.kcet.org/history-society/from-villa-to-pacquiao-filipino-boxing-in-la-and-the-power-of-a-transnational-punch

Subi

Sa Sungka na isang tradisyunal na larong Pilipino ay may tinatawag na “subi”.

Ang kauna-unahang diskripsyon ng Sungka ay sa isang diksiyunaryong Cebuano na isinulat noong 1692 ng isang Heswitang prayle na si Father José Sanchez. Doon ay sinabi niya na may nilalaro ang mga katutubo na kung tawagin ay Kunggit. Ito raw ay paglalaro ng dalawang tao (kadalasan ay mga babae) ng mga maliliit na sigay sa isang tabla na hugis bangkang kahoy na may mga butas.

Ewan ko kung sa panahon ngayon ng kuwarentina ay may naglalaro pa nito. Sa panahon ng mga makabagong gadyet, wala ng puwang ang mga larong ganito sa ating lipunan ngayon, may pandemya man o wala.

Pero parang isang Sungka sa ilalim ng itim na kumot na walang nakakakita kung papaano “nilalaro” ng mga kinauukulan ang mga nalikom na pondo mula sa mga donasyon ng pribadong organisasyon para kalabanin ang veerus na ito at sasabihing wala tayong pera. Ito ay sa kabila na wala namang tahasang ulat sa kalalagayang pananalapi ng mga programang kontra COVID-19.

Mismong ang World Health Organization (WHO) ang nagsabing ang Pilipinas ay nakatanggap na ng at least $130.4 million na halaga ng financial aid — o lampas P6.5 billion — laan para sa mga programang kontra COVID-19 ng gobyerno.

Sabi pa ng WHO sa kanyang 39^th situation report sa paglaban ng Pilipinas sa pandemya, ang mga donasyon ay galing sa private sector, nongovernment organizations, and other international groups. Maliban dito, sinabi din sa ulat na ang Pamahalaang Duterte ay naka-kuha ng $1.1 billion loan mula sa World Bank at $1.5 billion mula sa Asian Development Bank (ADB) — na may suma-tutal na $2.6 billion, o P129.9 bilyon.

Pero ang Sungka ay nagbusod din ng mga superstitious belief sa atin kagaya ng iba pang katutubong laruan. May mga manghuhula at mga albularyo sa maraming dako ng bansa sa kanayunan ang gumagamit pa rin ng sungkaan sa kanilang panghuhula at paggagamot. May paniniwala din na dapat itong laruin sa labas ng bahay dahil kung sa loob, masusunog daw ang inyong bahay. Sa laro, may ginagamit din kasing terminong “sunog” na kung saan ay makakain ang lahat ng iyong naipong pitsa. Sa ilang lugar, ang matatalo sa laro ay tinatawag na “bangkay” o “patay”.

Sabi ng nanay ko noon, malas daw laruin ang Sungka dahil kapag natalo sa laro, kahit sa totoong buhay ay mauubusan ka ng mga ari-arian. Maghihirap ka, malamang sa hindi. Pero hindi yan ang dahil kung bakit hindi ako naglalaro ng Sungka. Ang totoong dahilan ay ang sakit ko. May dyscalculia ako noon hanggang ngayon!

Huwag na kayong magtatanong kung nasaan na ang mga pondo kontra pandemya. Huwag na kayong maghintay ng pinansiyal na pag-uulat. Pagod na pagod na sila, hindi na nila kayang gawin iyon sa malmang pagod. Kawawa naman sila.

Henga pala, ipinapalagay na ang Sungka ay totoong dito sa Pilipinas nagsimula kahit malaki ang pagkaka-pareho nito sa larong Congkak ng Indonesia.

O, baka naman nasungka na ang pondo kontra COVID-19. Sa Sungka kasi, matatapos lang ang laban kung said o urot na ang lahat ng sigay sa butas. 

Ang mas maraming maisusubi sa kanyang “balay”, kagaya rin sa halalan, ay siyang siguradong magwawagi.

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Reference : https://mancala.fandom.com/wiki/Sungka

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1288898/ph-has-received-p6-5-billion-worth-of-donations-for-fight-against-covid-19-who

Photo: https://steemit.com/travel/@dansellcai/sungka-game