Back in the day, it was sara-sara (roasted rice coffee), a poor
man’s hot drink, and years later it was Madam Auring. These are the two symbols
that best minted the long political career of Atty. Ernesto F. Jaravata of San
Jose.
In 1980, Ernesto F. Jaravata
overwhelmingly defeated the longest-serving mayor of San Jose, Mayor Juan G.
Santos. The former is a good orator and teller of naughty jokes during campaign
sorties. Under his administration, he built additional buildings in the old
public market before it was razed down by a fire in 1992. To date, in
his already chronologically challenged age, he is the only Ilocano mayor of
San Jose and the oldest active politician in the whole of Occidental Mindoro. Born October 10, 1942, in Mangaldan, Pangasinan, he is now 79 years old.
His parents, Fernando Jaravata and Marcelina Fernandez migrated to San Jose and lived in Siete Central in 1947. His father is a native of San Fabian, Pangasinan, and Agoo, La Union while his mother came from Mangaldan. They had 6 children and all are boys.
He served this province in various
capacities, from being the people’s lawyer par excellence up to his colorful
political career that lasted for more than 4 decades. In both the figurative
and literal sense, he outlived many of his contemporaries together in public
service and the legal profession. Mind you, he is still a bankable politician,
as he is about to complete again his term as provincial board member, he is
still gunning for councilor of the town come May 2022.
To write a mini-biography of this
respectable man, I preferred to interview my friend and high school classmate,
Rolando “Boy” Ilustre, a remarkable radio personality himself and a political
analyst in his own right and a very close ally of the man whom he considered
as his second father and a political mentor. Boy is a fellow activist, human
rights advocate, and local history
enthusiast gladly granted an interview for a blog entry about the oldest active
politician in the province, the one and only, Board Member Ernesto Jaravata!
When was Atty. Erning
Jaravata’s first attempt in politics?
Rolando C. Ilustre (RCI): “He was the only politician who beat the
late Mayor Santos in 1980. But that was not his first attempt. In 1968 he ran
for Vice Mayor but was beaten by Dra. Anita Villaroza, wife of the then sitting Governor Arsenio
“Senying” Villaroza.”
Was he pro-Marcos that
time?
RCI: “As typical Ilocano yes he’s pro-Marcos but not very vocal in his
political sympathy with the Marcoses. According to him, he is greatly indebted
to Marcos because, in the 1970s, it was
President Marcos thru Assemblyman Antonio V. Raquiza of Ilocos Norte when the Petition
for land distribution of National Investment and Development Corporation (NIDC) property in Central became a reality. Jaravata
was the lawyer of the petitioners then. When he ran for mayor in 1980 he
was under Nacionalista Party (NP). He admired Ferdinand Marcos but he was not
the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan or KBL bet at that time. The NP was considered as
the opposition party during the heydays of KBL. It was only in 1985 in the Snap
Elections when he shifted to KBL because jokingly according to him, he was
“pressured” by First Lady Imelda Marcos using her charm when they were both
onstage watching Marcos delivering his
campaign speech.”
What is the story behind the “sara-sara” symbolism in his politics?
RCI: “That famous “sara-sara” tagline
on him was originally coined by the late local radio host Fernando “Toto
Nanding” Gallenero of DZYM, the province's pioneering station. Toto Nanding, a Visayan, was the station manager and at the
same time host of the early morning show “Pa-Pito-Pito Lang”, a political
commentary program, where he used the word to ridicule, in a friendly manner, his
bosom buddy Erning. That was when the latter was removed as mayor after the
so-called EDSA Revolution and when he lost to the newcomer Mario Gene Mendiola for
a seat in Congress in 1987. Taking a break from politics, he started developing
his mango orchard in Canwaling (now Brgy. San Isidro) but due to financial
constraints, the best he could offer to the laborers are cups of “sara-sara”.
Every morning Toto Nanding calls him “sara-sara” in a special greeting insinuating
that having experienced those two career hiatuses, Erning is just at his farm
swigging roasted rice coffee, doing nothing.”
In every election, he has
a large poster erected in Pandurucan river bearing messages falsely attributed
to the late Madam Auring. What is the story behind his “Madam Auring” political
antics?
RCI: “The Madam Auring thing is just a juice coming from his creative
and witty brain. Knowing him so well, it is normal for him to crack a casual joke.
As far as I can remember, it started when he come back as a board member after
losing his candidacy for Congressman in 2007. Beneath such antic is a
philosophy that he believes in. He trusts in destiny and that is his expression
of his faith in his career. It was in 2013 when he run again after two
consecutive losses when the tale of Madam Auring, a Filipino fortune-teller and
actress, became part of his propaganda strategy and however how cheap is that,
it worked since then. He even uses a combination of Tagalog and Ilonggo
languages to attract the attention of the passers-by. He has never been
defeated since 2013 when he first employed the Madam Auring trick.”
How do you see him as a
lawyer before he entered politics?
RCI: “Atty. Jaravata as a lawyer before entering politics had a very
brilliant career. He was appointed fiscal, later on, as municipal judge of
Rizal town also here in Occidental Mindoro. He graduated from San Beda College as a low-profile
lawyer. According to him, he was not a brilliant student but an average one.
But he was a lion inside the courtroom mastering the craft due to active
practice as a trial lawyer. Jaravata's sympathy for people made him a lawyer
for the poor. His free legal service to poor litigants particularly when he
served as a public attorney made him more popular to the masses.”
He can fluently speak
Kinaray-a and Ilocano, of course aside from English and Tagalog. How come?
RCI: “He is an Ilocano by regional
origin. As a son of Ilocano parents, they migrated to Mindoro in
the 1950s. They first settled in Tanyag, Calintaan, and had purchased land
ideal for tobacco growing. His parent had a friend who encouraged them to sell
dried tobacco leaves in Pandan, Antique. As the trade prospered, they took
their children in the place to help them in their newly-found business venture.
The Jaravata siblings resumed their education in Antique and Iloilo. Erning
involved himself in speaking his fourth tongue, so to speak, which is Kinaray-a,
and became fluent at that. He finished high school at Panday Bay Institute in Pandan, Antique. Knowing these two dominant parlances, he identified
himself with both the Ilocano and Visayan voters that he woo when he came back
to Mindoro as a politician. He is effortless in four languages: Tagalog,
Ilocano, Kinaray-a, and English.”
He ran for a seat in
Congress and lost, when was that? Please, enumerate his political career from
Day One to 2022 except for those already mentioned above?.
RCI: “He ran twice for Congress in 1987 and 2007 but both chances slipped
through his fingers. In 1987, after EDSA he did not place himself in alliance
with the local traditional politicians who unite themselves to beat the
influential KBL candidate in the province. Instead, he ran without any political
backing from national-level politicians and parties so he lost to Mario Gene
Mendiola, who got the sympathy of the people because of his father’s death. In
sum, here’s the chronological order of his political career: 1980-86 -Mayor of San Jose;1987 - run and lost for Congressman; 1998- 2007
Elected Board Member of Occidental
Mindoro; 2007- run and lost for Congressman; 2010- lost for Board Member; 2013-2022- elected Board
Member.”
What can you say about him
as a private citizen, a family man, a public servant, and as a politician?
RCI: He's
an extraordinary person. I never heard him praising or boasting about his
accomplishment nor cursing or ranting against anybody. Very cool and has a very
admirable composure. He cannot be rattled even during a situation under
pressure. He knows how to listen to anybody even with different views. He will
not engage anybody in a debate. For him, he will only argue inside the court or
during the official forum. I never saw him raising his voice even to his
workers or to anybody. He's the only person I know who has this kind of
character. He always showed sympathy to people maybe that’s the reason why the opposite
sex used to admire him. But that’s another story and will not dwell on that for
obvious reasons (laughs). Seriously, for me, that is the most important trait I
learned from the man.
He
was a good provider to his family and very caring to his wife Sonia. Living a very
simple and frugal life he had sent his children to schools. Never got angry
with them in any situation. He just accepted things as they come. He's also
very generous in helping people in his little way. He's not a Santa Claus type
but he has his means to extend material assistance for the needy.
As
a public servant, he's not the ambitious type. He will submit himself to the disposition
of his allies. He will not push himself to acquire any ambitious title. I
remember in 2004 when Ricardo “Ding” Quintos, the Dream Team figurehead, wanted
him to run for vice-governor and that irked Ramon Atienza, a party mate.
Quintos and Atienza were already in conflict at that time which might split the
party. But Jaravata advised Quintos to choose Atienza instead. If he did not drop
the suggestion, maybe his career will be a lot different today.
As
a politician he's but just an ordinary one. He will not assert himself. He just
relies on his jokes and the magnitude of supporters to gain votes in every poll
capitalizing on the magic and solidity of his Ilocano and Visayan voters.
Thrifty as he is, Atty. Jaravata will not spend millions on his campaign. He
uses the cheapest propaganda materials, employing his common tao's jokes to persuade
and win votes.”
His most notable
achievements as a legislator (SP)?
RCI: “Jaravata's golden years as a legislator was highlighted by his crucial
opposition to Governor Jose T. Villarosa’s (JTV) attempt to loan the province
for more than Php 300 million in 2004. At the justification of development, JTV
had almost succeeded but he was stopped by the bright board member. Thru
his brilliant argumentation in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan session, JTV was totally
annihilated in the deliberative exchanges. It's crucial because once it was
granted, JTV could have used it for his reelection in 2007. In his recent SP
stint, he's not usually the proponent but more as a legal authority to make
sure that all the agenda and by-products of what was being passed and approved must
have no legal impediments or whatsoever. He provides comic relief when issues are hotly contested in the legislative hall.”
What are the life lessons
you have learned from him?
RCI: “A lot of lessons I learned from him. That’s his belief in destiny,
compassion, and being humble, not to become a braggart and commanded by
egocentric ambition. His adherence to peace is also exemplary. I remember when
most board members avail their firearms privilege. It was only him who was not
tempted to acquire a weapon. For him, having a gun is putting more risks to his
life. He has no bodyguard. He only has his nephew Robert Jaravata as his
driver.”
What about his philosophy
that you admire most?
RCI: “I remember him always saying that a man should imitate a bamboo tree,
that the more it gets taller, the more it stoops down.”
Any messages, or
reflections about the man?
RCI: “I wish him long life. I believe that Jaravata's absence will create an imbalance in the equilibrium of Occidental
Mindoro politics.
He was the one who helped me survive when at 32, I returned home in 1997. I was down and out, separated from my family, jobless and hopeless. I have nothing. But Erning saved me not primarily by extending material
help but by the guidance he shared. I
was his secretary in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and until now we are very
close to each other. I know his story like an open book on my palm.
I
can't forget the old motorcycle that he gave me in 1998. It was an old Suzuki
scrambler. He told me to use it. It helped me recover and fight life’s
obstacles. And like Che Guevara, the motorcycle and the ride gave me hope. That
is for every kilometer I explore, it provided me new willpower to overcome
my demoralization.”
(End of the virtual interview.)
Well, that’s Ernesto Jaravata for you
folks as told by his longtime friend and associate Rolando “Boy” Ilustre. Allow
me to add that Boy’s son was named after Jaravata who happens to be the namesake
also of Guevara.
The two Ernestos are both Ilustre's lifetime idols.
(Note: This has been edited
for conciseness and clarity- NAN)
******
TAILPIECE: Dr. Rodolfo "Rudy" Jaravata, a virtual friend and younger brother of Bokal Erning Jaravata, sent me a message of thanks today, December 27, 2021, for writing this blog entry. He said, "On behalf of my brother, I'd like to express our gratitude and appreciation for the excellent raw and factual write-up of his political career. I believe politics and a simple life are what he wants in life. He forfeited his US Green Card two or three times without regret. Serving the people of San Jose and the whole Occidental Mindoro is probably his mission in life."
Dr. Rudy and his wife Victoriana (nee Yason) now reside in Maricopa, Arizona. The former municipal health officer of San Jose reminisced further that, "[Erning's] extra-ordinary talent for public speaking and debate could be gleaned earlier in his student days in San Beda, as he was a member of the debating team of the college. I believe he is in the league of Perry Fajardo of Dalaguete, Cebu."
(Note: Perry Fajardo, now 73 years old, is a veteran columnist and a political think tank, and like Erning Jaravata, he also filed his candidacy for municipal councilor for the 2022 elections.- NAN)
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(Photo courtesy of Boy Ilustre)
