Saturday, May 29, 2010
Sunday, March 15, 2009
The Dionela Family Reunion - Last Year
Dateline LIBACAO
By: Alex E. Dionela
In keeping with our well-cherished tradition, the holding of reunions among families and clans had become a convenient way to bring together people of blood relations in order to renew ties among themselves - having come from the same ancestry. It is also an opportunity for the young and old in the family hierarchy to meet each other and enhance further their close personal relationships, including distant relatives already residing in distant places.
The Dionela clan, a large family in northern Antique province particularly in the towns of Pandan and Sebaste held their 1st Grand Family Reunion on April 26, 2008 in hometown Pandan. It was a whole-day affair attended by immediate and extended family members of all ages and from all walks of life coming from different places in the country with some had came home from abroad purposely to be with their relatives on this memorable occasion.
That historic big gathering of people belonging to one family had turned-out into a sentimental homecoming for everyone. It was like seeing once again a long lost family member. The festive mood of the occasion had not even spared those who had figured-in in partisan politics past and present not withstanding their having belonged to opposing camps. Hence, there was no excuse for one to spoil the occasion – an event of a lifetime to treasure and remember. It was very obvious in the faces of those present that everyone seems so aware of having a Dionela blood in their veins and were happy to be part of the whole big family. As if there was an inviolable rule for everyone to be cordial, brotherly and friendly and set aside for the moment one’s personal and political differences so as not to spoil the occasion and thus attain the gathering’s goal – the revival of their once close family relations.
In Pandan one would find a place called “minuro” which is officially named Barangay Dionela. Another Barangay Dionela could also be found in Caluya in the island of Sibay and a school in barangay Pajo in Libertad is named Alejo S. Dionela Primary School, all in the province of Antique.
This family is proud on the many achievements of its sons and daughters who had distinguished themselves in their chosen fields of human endeavor. To name a few, it had the late Fr. Ignacio Dionela who was the first Pandananon catholic priest, former Pandan Mayors the late Miguel Dionela, Felimon Dionela and Arthur Dionela and leading local private physician Dr. Renato DionelaTugon. Other Dionelas had also held various local elected posts and high positions in government, in police and military service and the private and business sectors with some also excelling in specific fields of professions here and abroad.
In Bacolod, the family has lawyer Cris Dionela whose only child Kareen, is young and beautiful physician at the Riverside Medical Center. His brother Edgar, is author of popular cartoon character “Simo” published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer. In nearby Aklan province it has Dra. Agrilita Dionela-Fernandez, recently retired Rural Health Physician of Kalibo whose son Aldrinne is now the young Rural Health Physician in Libacao. Carlito Dionela and Danilo Dionela are Election Officers of Batan and Altavas, respectively and this humble writer is the Civil Registrar in Libacao. Danilo’s brother Megara had figured in many protest rallies and mass actions. And in far away Sorsogon, is Antonio Dionela, a former Mayor of Bacon town. The foremost of these achievers is Peter Dionela Garucho, Jr., then the Tourism and later Executive Secretary of former President Cory Aquino. He is now President and CEO of First Gen Holdings Corp. of the Lopez group of companies. The latest achiever so far is 2Lt. Norman Dionela, a 2008 “cum laude” graduate of the Philippine Military Academy. Of course there are a lot more of these achievers in the clan but sad to say I still have to know all of them. So my earnest apologies to those whom I failed to mention in this enumeration. Perhaps, if a family tree could be made sometime later then no one will be left out as we open the pages of the family’s story and history. Congratulations and best wishes.
Note: A reprint from the Hala Birada Newsweekly in Kalibo, Aklan dated April 24-30, 2008
By: Alex E. Dionela
In keeping with our well-cherished tradition, the holding of reunions among families and clans had become a convenient way to bring together people of blood relations in order to renew ties among themselves - having come from the same ancestry. It is also an opportunity for the young and old in the family hierarchy to meet each other and enhance further their close personal relationships, including distant relatives already residing in distant places.
The Dionela clan, a large family in northern Antique province particularly in the towns of Pandan and Sebaste held their 1st Grand Family Reunion on April 26, 2008 in hometown Pandan. It was a whole-day affair attended by immediate and extended family members of all ages and from all walks of life coming from different places in the country with some had came home from abroad purposely to be with their relatives on this memorable occasion.
That historic big gathering of people belonging to one family had turned-out into a sentimental homecoming for everyone. It was like seeing once again a long lost family member. The festive mood of the occasion had not even spared those who had figured-in in partisan politics past and present not withstanding their having belonged to opposing camps. Hence, there was no excuse for one to spoil the occasion – an event of a lifetime to treasure and remember. It was very obvious in the faces of those present that everyone seems so aware of having a Dionela blood in their veins and were happy to be part of the whole big family. As if there was an inviolable rule for everyone to be cordial, brotherly and friendly and set aside for the moment one’s personal and political differences so as not to spoil the occasion and thus attain the gathering’s goal – the revival of their once close family relations.
In Pandan one would find a place called “minuro” which is officially named Barangay Dionela. Another Barangay Dionela could also be found in Caluya in the island of Sibay and a school in barangay Pajo in Libertad is named Alejo S. Dionela Primary School, all in the province of Antique.
This family is proud on the many achievements of its sons and daughters who had distinguished themselves in their chosen fields of human endeavor. To name a few, it had the late Fr. Ignacio Dionela who was the first Pandananon catholic priest, former Pandan Mayors the late Miguel Dionela, Felimon Dionela and Arthur Dionela and leading local private physician Dr. Renato DionelaTugon. Other Dionelas had also held various local elected posts and high positions in government, in police and military service and the private and business sectors with some also excelling in specific fields of professions here and abroad.
In Bacolod, the family has lawyer Cris Dionela whose only child Kareen, is young and beautiful physician at the Riverside Medical Center. His brother Edgar, is author of popular cartoon character “Simo” published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer. In nearby Aklan province it has Dra. Agrilita Dionela-Fernandez, recently retired Rural Health Physician of Kalibo whose son Aldrinne is now the young Rural Health Physician in Libacao. Carlito Dionela and Danilo Dionela are Election Officers of Batan and Altavas, respectively and this humble writer is the Civil Registrar in Libacao. Danilo’s brother Megara had figured in many protest rallies and mass actions. And in far away Sorsogon, is Antonio Dionela, a former Mayor of Bacon town. The foremost of these achievers is Peter Dionela Garucho, Jr., then the Tourism and later Executive Secretary of former President Cory Aquino. He is now President and CEO of First Gen Holdings Corp. of the Lopez group of companies. The latest achiever so far is 2Lt. Norman Dionela, a 2008 “cum laude” graduate of the Philippine Military Academy. Of course there are a lot more of these achievers in the clan but sad to say I still have to know all of them. So my earnest apologies to those whom I failed to mention in this enumeration. Perhaps, if a family tree could be made sometime later then no one will be left out as we open the pages of the family’s story and history. Congratulations and best wishes.
Note: A reprint from the Hala Birada Newsweekly in Kalibo, Aklan dated April 24-30, 2008
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Antique names outstanding pupils and students
PIA Press Release2009/01/07
San Jose, Antique (7 January) -- The Outstanding Pupils and Students of Antique, Inc. has released the names of its awardees for the year 2009.
For the secondary level: Art John I. Agapito, Laua-an National High School; Garner Algo I. Alolod, Northern Antique Vocational School; Abigaile N. Eco, Antique National School; Nicci Rosietess E. Madarcos, Libertad National Vocational School; Karen Joy I. Mansuelo, Libertad National Vocational School; Joyce Ann B. Padulla, Belison National School; Kim Rommel E. Panaguiton, St. Anthony's College High School; Leny Jane V. Pe, St. Joseph Academy High School; Kimberly Rose C. Pedrosa, Belison National School, and John Ric B. Siladan, Antique Vocational School.
For the elementary level: Christian Rey Y. Amar, Tibiao Central School; Marycon Anne C. Boston, Valderrama Central Elementary School; Isabella Joy S. Dava, St. Joseph Academy Grade School; Arian Claudine F. Esmenos, Sibalom Elementary School; Nozel Christy A. Fabila, Sibalom Elementary School; Gliceria M. Hervias, Antique SPED Center; Shaira Lou O. Mabaquaio, Guintas Elementary School; Christyn Jezza S. Quanico, Antique SPED Center; Vonn Vincent V. Tanchuan, Buhang Elementary School and Anne Therese E. Yee, St. Anthony's College Grade School.
The awardees were chosen based on Interview - 25 %, Written examination - 25 %, Academic performance - 20 %, Leadership and community service - 20 % and Special achievements - 10 %. Special achievements include, among others, the nominee's representation of his school, community or province with distinction, in important events.
Belison National School and Libertad National Vocational School continue to lead the secondary level of TOPS Antique Centers of Excellence with 13 awardees, while Bugasong Central School and Del. Angel Salazar Jr. Memorial School topped the elementary level with ten awardees.
The seventh awarding ceremony will be held on February 27, 2009 at the Sibalom Covered Court and will be hosted by Sibalom Elementary School.
In a related development, Dr. Egidio P. Elio, chairman of the Board of Trustees of TOPS Antique, Inc. announced that the late Dr. Edsel H. Moscoso will be this year's "Dungganon nga Antiqueño" awardee. Dr. Moscoso received his Ph.D. in Christian Archeology Major in Iconography (Summa cum laude) at the Vatican's Pontifical Institute of Christian Archeology in 1986. He is being honored for his distinguished achievements in the arts, particularly in the field of painting. (PIA)
San Jose, Antique (7 January) -- The Outstanding Pupils and Students of Antique, Inc. has released the names of its awardees for the year 2009.
For the secondary level: Art John I. Agapito, Laua-an National High School; Garner Algo I. Alolod, Northern Antique Vocational School; Abigaile N. Eco, Antique National School; Nicci Rosietess E. Madarcos, Libertad National Vocational School; Karen Joy I. Mansuelo, Libertad National Vocational School; Joyce Ann B. Padulla, Belison National School; Kim Rommel E. Panaguiton, St. Anthony's College High School; Leny Jane V. Pe, St. Joseph Academy High School; Kimberly Rose C. Pedrosa, Belison National School, and John Ric B. Siladan, Antique Vocational School.
For the elementary level: Christian Rey Y. Amar, Tibiao Central School; Marycon Anne C. Boston, Valderrama Central Elementary School; Isabella Joy S. Dava, St. Joseph Academy Grade School; Arian Claudine F. Esmenos, Sibalom Elementary School; Nozel Christy A. Fabila, Sibalom Elementary School; Gliceria M. Hervias, Antique SPED Center; Shaira Lou O. Mabaquaio, Guintas Elementary School; Christyn Jezza S. Quanico, Antique SPED Center; Vonn Vincent V. Tanchuan, Buhang Elementary School and Anne Therese E. Yee, St. Anthony's College Grade School.
The awardees were chosen based on Interview - 25 %, Written examination - 25 %, Academic performance - 20 %, Leadership and community service - 20 % and Special achievements - 10 %. Special achievements include, among others, the nominee's representation of his school, community or province with distinction, in important events.
Belison National School and Libertad National Vocational School continue to lead the secondary level of TOPS Antique Centers of Excellence with 13 awardees, while Bugasong Central School and Del. Angel Salazar Jr. Memorial School topped the elementary level with ten awardees.
The seventh awarding ceremony will be held on February 27, 2009 at the Sibalom Covered Court and will be hosted by Sibalom Elementary School.
In a related development, Dr. Egidio P. Elio, chairman of the Board of Trustees of TOPS Antique, Inc. announced that the late Dr. Edsel H. Moscoso will be this year's "Dungganon nga Antiqueño" awardee. Dr. Moscoso received his Ph.D. in Christian Archeology Major in Iconography (Summa cum laude) at the Vatican's Pontifical Institute of Christian Archeology in 1986. He is being honored for his distinguished achievements in the arts, particularly in the field of painting. (PIA)
Remembering Evelio
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Dateline LIBACAO BY ALEX E. DIONELA
The 11th of February is marked every year as Evelio B. Javier Day which was made an official non-working holiday in the whole island of Panay consisting of Aklan, Antique, Capiz and Iloilo provinces by virtue of an Executive Order issued by then President Corazon C. Aquino in recognition of his heroic death and martyrdom in fighting for freedom and democracy.Many had been said about Evelio as a public official, a martyr and a hero, a man who became great and more popular in death than in life. And to pay tribute to this honorable man as we celebrate this year his death anniversary hence, let me also share with you my personal knowledge about him and his life.I first saw Evelio, as a candidate for Governor of Antique province in 1971 when he was already ending his campaign trail in the northernmost town of Libertad, my hometown. He was young, undeniably handsome, intelligent, a good public speaker and was even so in private conversations except that he has a bad sinus.These and more has made him very appealing to everyone; men, women, young and old including children, the poor, the uneducated, students and the professionals, including priests and nuns. I could still vividly recall the parting words of his political mentor then Antique Cong. Enrique Zaldivar at the end of that campaign saying; “Congratulations, Governor-elect Evelio B. Javier”, which he gladly laughs out loud. And true enough, Evelio at age 28 won by a big landslide over then incumbent Governor Julian Pacificador who at the start merely belittled him saying, he would rather play ‘majong’ and need not campaign anymore with only Evelio as his political opponent. His father named Everardo, was a lawyer who became a judge and his mother, a school teacher by the surname “Bellaflor” was a native of Mabilo, Kalibo, Aklan. He grew up in Hamtic town of decent family, in a home that had inculcated in him the teachings of the catholic faith. His wife, Precious, was a beautiful and equally intelligent woman who came from the landed gentry in Sibalom town who was then a professor at the University of Santo Tomas when he married her.They have two children, all boys; Gideon and David. Gideon when still learning how to speak called Karbaw (carabao) “Kabraw” and David when just about to walk was already shaking the hands of everyone in the house imitating his Governor-father. Evelio would often jokingly complain in public that people would come to him and say that he is so lucky to have married Precious – beautiful, intelligent and good-hearted.But no one had ever told Precious of the same thing on him. He would say, “How could that be when he was also handsome and intelligent and he being the Governor and Precious was only a plain housewife”. Yes, he too was a professor at the Ateneo Law School before he joined politics and was the Editor-in-Chief of the college paper when he was still a law student. After passing the bar he joined the law office of Sen. Raul Manglapus and later as legal counsel of the Free Farmers Federation (FFF).From nowhere, he ran as Delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1970 and lost to Arturo Pacificador and Angel Salazar, Jr. – the 2 slots the province is entitled to. Yet his having ranked number 5 in the multi-race was considered remarkable by many and was already very encouraging for him to pursue his luck in politics.Hence, a year after he was picked-up by Antique Liberal Party stalwart and Supreme Court Justice Calixto O. Zaldivar as the opposition party’s bet for Governor in that local elections where the political landscape was pre-dominantly controlled nationwide by the Nationalista Party under then President Ferdinand Marcos. Obviously, the wave of political change and militant activism prevailing at that time had enabled all the opposition gubernatorial bets in Panay to win by a landslide; Evelio in Antique, Nono Garcia in Aklan, Dodoy Villareal in Capiz and Conrado Norada in Iloilo. Evelio was barely one year in office as Governor of Antique when martial law was imposed in the country where opposition leaders, activists and suspected subversives were arrested unceremoniously by the military regime including some priests, nuns and religious leaders and in Antique, notably Bishop Cornelio De Witt, who was a Dutch national.Evelio was about to leave and hide in the hills in order to evade possible arrest when his lawyer-father prevailed over him to stay put in his office and face his eventual arrest should there it be But, luckily, no arrest was ever made on him. And so he stayed on reluctantly as Governor of Antique but of course not without any discomfort.As the protégée of then Ambassador Roberto Benedicto, the acknowledged political leader in Western Visayas, Evelio was supposed to run unopposed for re-election under the administration KBL party in 1980 elections.But disapproving of the existing dispensation at that time he relinquished the gubernatorial post to his political mentor former Cong. Enrique Zaldivar and for him to take a fellowship at the Harvard University in the US joining his colleagues in the opposition there, notably Ninoy Aquino and Raul Manglapus where together they conducted symposiums relating to political issues obtaining in the Philippines back home under the Marcos dictatorship.Inspired by the martyrdom of Ninoy Aquino in 1983 Evelio went home to Antique in 1984 to run for Assemblymen in the regular Batasang Pambansa and was pitted against incumbent Assemblyman Arturo Pacificador, a strong political leader and a formidable KBL stalwart. The political contest that ensued was so fierce and heated that it ended in the infamous Pangpang massacre in Sibalom town on the eve of that election with Evelio’s political leaders and supporters as victims. He questionably lost to Pacificador in that election. And in the election protest that followed, yes Evelio finally won but long after his death and already under the administration of President Cory Aquino.In the 1986 snap presidential election, Evelio was Cory Aquino’s campaigner in the whole of Panay Island. It was when he was in the midst of protecting the sanctity of the ballot and ensuring that votes intended for Cory Aquino are correctly counted at the canvassing held at the provincial capitol in the capital town of San Jose when Evelio was shot to death in the front grounds of that building in broad daylight and before the bare eyes of his beloved people.His loving wife Precious has this to say about his death, “The evil of darkness had not crushed Evelio to the ground but rather had elevated him to the galaxy together with the stars in the universe”.Like Ninoy Aquino, Evelio’s favorite song was also the “Impossible Dream” which became his signature music in his campaign caravan and rallies. His birth place of barangay Lanag in Hamtic town was named after him and the plaza fronting the Antique provincial capitol in San Jose is now officially called the, “Evelio B. Javier Freedom Park” where his monument is stately installed.Then Antique Bishop Cornelio De Witt was Evelio’s spiritual adviser. And in his speeches he often uses biblical passages and papal encyclicals as references of his thoughts and ideas. He was a very prayerful person and while serving as Governor he had set the example of honesty in public office. That is why in death he has nothing in his pocket except a rosary.And in his desire to bring about positive change in Philippine politics together with Sen. Raul Manglapus they introduced in the country the values and doctrine of Christian Democrats which is popular in western countries and which became the frontrunner of the National Union of Christian Democrats (NUCD), the party that catapulted former President Fidel Ramos to Malacanang in 1992. Evelio’s dream for Antique is summed-up by his administration platform thus, “Our aim is to establish a just and humane society where everyone could dream and will be able to attain those dreams”. He was pro-environment and wanted Antique to remain a rural community vis-à-vis the race towards the ghastly economic development and urbanization of its neighbors.He was very much against political dynasty and wanted everyone to have equal opportunity in politics and in government service. He was fond of wearing casual wear, boots shoes and pants with big pockets.He drives a vehicle fast but ironically always comes out late in almost all occasions to the dismay of his fans and admirers. And when confronted about it, he would just smile back sweetly. He died at age 42. So far, this is all I could remember of Evelio – Antique’s folk hero..
Note: This writer was Evelio’s private secretary when he ran for Assemblyman in the regular Batasan Pambansa election in 1984.
Dateline LIBACAO BY ALEX E. DIONELA
The 11th of February is marked every year as Evelio B. Javier Day which was made an official non-working holiday in the whole island of Panay consisting of Aklan, Antique, Capiz and Iloilo provinces by virtue of an Executive Order issued by then President Corazon C. Aquino in recognition of his heroic death and martyrdom in fighting for freedom and democracy.Many had been said about Evelio as a public official, a martyr and a hero, a man who became great and more popular in death than in life. And to pay tribute to this honorable man as we celebrate this year his death anniversary hence, let me also share with you my personal knowledge about him and his life.I first saw Evelio, as a candidate for Governor of Antique province in 1971 when he was already ending his campaign trail in the northernmost town of Libertad, my hometown. He was young, undeniably handsome, intelligent, a good public speaker and was even so in private conversations except that he has a bad sinus.These and more has made him very appealing to everyone; men, women, young and old including children, the poor, the uneducated, students and the professionals, including priests and nuns. I could still vividly recall the parting words of his political mentor then Antique Cong. Enrique Zaldivar at the end of that campaign saying; “Congratulations, Governor-elect Evelio B. Javier”, which he gladly laughs out loud. And true enough, Evelio at age 28 won by a big landslide over then incumbent Governor Julian Pacificador who at the start merely belittled him saying, he would rather play ‘majong’ and need not campaign anymore with only Evelio as his political opponent. His father named Everardo, was a lawyer who became a judge and his mother, a school teacher by the surname “Bellaflor” was a native of Mabilo, Kalibo, Aklan. He grew up in Hamtic town of decent family, in a home that had inculcated in him the teachings of the catholic faith. His wife, Precious, was a beautiful and equally intelligent woman who came from the landed gentry in Sibalom town who was then a professor at the University of Santo Tomas when he married her.They have two children, all boys; Gideon and David. Gideon when still learning how to speak called Karbaw (carabao) “Kabraw” and David when just about to walk was already shaking the hands of everyone in the house imitating his Governor-father. Evelio would often jokingly complain in public that people would come to him and say that he is so lucky to have married Precious – beautiful, intelligent and good-hearted.But no one had ever told Precious of the same thing on him. He would say, “How could that be when he was also handsome and intelligent and he being the Governor and Precious was only a plain housewife”. Yes, he too was a professor at the Ateneo Law School before he joined politics and was the Editor-in-Chief of the college paper when he was still a law student. After passing the bar he joined the law office of Sen. Raul Manglapus and later as legal counsel of the Free Farmers Federation (FFF).From nowhere, he ran as Delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1970 and lost to Arturo Pacificador and Angel Salazar, Jr. – the 2 slots the province is entitled to. Yet his having ranked number 5 in the multi-race was considered remarkable by many and was already very encouraging for him to pursue his luck in politics.Hence, a year after he was picked-up by Antique Liberal Party stalwart and Supreme Court Justice Calixto O. Zaldivar as the opposition party’s bet for Governor in that local elections where the political landscape was pre-dominantly controlled nationwide by the Nationalista Party under then President Ferdinand Marcos. Obviously, the wave of political change and militant activism prevailing at that time had enabled all the opposition gubernatorial bets in Panay to win by a landslide; Evelio in Antique, Nono Garcia in Aklan, Dodoy Villareal in Capiz and Conrado Norada in Iloilo. Evelio was barely one year in office as Governor of Antique when martial law was imposed in the country where opposition leaders, activists and suspected subversives were arrested unceremoniously by the military regime including some priests, nuns and religious leaders and in Antique, notably Bishop Cornelio De Witt, who was a Dutch national.Evelio was about to leave and hide in the hills in order to evade possible arrest when his lawyer-father prevailed over him to stay put in his office and face his eventual arrest should there it be But, luckily, no arrest was ever made on him. And so he stayed on reluctantly as Governor of Antique but of course not without any discomfort.As the protégée of then Ambassador Roberto Benedicto, the acknowledged political leader in Western Visayas, Evelio was supposed to run unopposed for re-election under the administration KBL party in 1980 elections.But disapproving of the existing dispensation at that time he relinquished the gubernatorial post to his political mentor former Cong. Enrique Zaldivar and for him to take a fellowship at the Harvard University in the US joining his colleagues in the opposition there, notably Ninoy Aquino and Raul Manglapus where together they conducted symposiums relating to political issues obtaining in the Philippines back home under the Marcos dictatorship.Inspired by the martyrdom of Ninoy Aquino in 1983 Evelio went home to Antique in 1984 to run for Assemblymen in the regular Batasang Pambansa and was pitted against incumbent Assemblyman Arturo Pacificador, a strong political leader and a formidable KBL stalwart. The political contest that ensued was so fierce and heated that it ended in the infamous Pangpang massacre in Sibalom town on the eve of that election with Evelio’s political leaders and supporters as victims. He questionably lost to Pacificador in that election. And in the election protest that followed, yes Evelio finally won but long after his death and already under the administration of President Cory Aquino.In the 1986 snap presidential election, Evelio was Cory Aquino’s campaigner in the whole of Panay Island. It was when he was in the midst of protecting the sanctity of the ballot and ensuring that votes intended for Cory Aquino are correctly counted at the canvassing held at the provincial capitol in the capital town of San Jose when Evelio was shot to death in the front grounds of that building in broad daylight and before the bare eyes of his beloved people.His loving wife Precious has this to say about his death, “The evil of darkness had not crushed Evelio to the ground but rather had elevated him to the galaxy together with the stars in the universe”.Like Ninoy Aquino, Evelio’s favorite song was also the “Impossible Dream” which became his signature music in his campaign caravan and rallies. His birth place of barangay Lanag in Hamtic town was named after him and the plaza fronting the Antique provincial capitol in San Jose is now officially called the, “Evelio B. Javier Freedom Park” where his monument is stately installed.Then Antique Bishop Cornelio De Witt was Evelio’s spiritual adviser. And in his speeches he often uses biblical passages and papal encyclicals as references of his thoughts and ideas. He was a very prayerful person and while serving as Governor he had set the example of honesty in public office. That is why in death he has nothing in his pocket except a rosary.And in his desire to bring about positive change in Philippine politics together with Sen. Raul Manglapus they introduced in the country the values and doctrine of Christian Democrats which is popular in western countries and which became the frontrunner of the National Union of Christian Democrats (NUCD), the party that catapulted former President Fidel Ramos to Malacanang in 1992. Evelio’s dream for Antique is summed-up by his administration platform thus, “Our aim is to establish a just and humane society where everyone could dream and will be able to attain those dreams”. He was pro-environment and wanted Antique to remain a rural community vis-à-vis the race towards the ghastly economic development and urbanization of its neighbors.He was very much against political dynasty and wanted everyone to have equal opportunity in politics and in government service. He was fond of wearing casual wear, boots shoes and pants with big pockets.He drives a vehicle fast but ironically always comes out late in almost all occasions to the dismay of his fans and admirers. And when confronted about it, he would just smile back sweetly. He died at age 42. So far, this is all I could remember of Evelio – Antique’s folk hero..
Note: This writer was Evelio’s private secretary when he ran for Assemblyman in the regular Batasan Pambansa election in 1984.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Mayor Bert Raymundo
Mayor Bert Raymundo (Yellow T-shirt) with PGMA
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo accepts the resolution and action agenda from the participants of the local peace and security assembly represented by Libertad, Antique Mayor Norberto Raymundo Jr, Volunteer Task Force Detainee Cecilia Sunico, Director of Business Resource Center of the University of St. La Salle and Candoni, Negros Occidental Mayor Cicero Borromeo. (PIA Bacolod)
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Bong Eliab on Vacation in Canada
Niagara
Butterfly Sanctuary near Niagara
The Famous Mechanical Clock in Niagara, Canada
Mist in Niagara Falls
The Moose inside the Niagara Center
Niagara Casino Hotel
Marriot Hotel, Toronto - Meeting the Ateneo Alumni Association
Niagara
Driving in San Simeon, California with my uncle's red SUV
Mark Twain, Niagara
With friends and classmates at San Jose, California
Butterfly Sanctuary near Niagara
The Famous Mechanical Clock in Niagara, Canada
Mist in Niagara Falls
The Moose inside the Niagara Center
Niagara Casino Hotel
Marriot Hotel, Toronto - Meeting the Ateneo Alumni Association
Niagara
Driving in San Simeon, California with my uncle's red SUV
Mark Twain, Niagara
With friends and classmates at San Jose, California
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