The Other Side on the Life of Dr. Jose Rizal

As we honor every December 30th the memory of our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, the "Pride of the Malayan Race" on the occassion of his death anniversary; let us pause for a moment and seriously think for a while, as to the veracity of all that is attributed to this great man of many talents. -dinggol.d~~~ (Ilonggo National Global Federation)

Rizal: Undeserved Adjectives?

A radical historian who constantly challenges the status quo of historicity urged yesterday future writers on the life, works and heroism of Dr. Jose Rizal to refrain from further embarrassing him with undeserved adjectives that do not faithfully reflect his true being.

Rizal had never seen a corporate boardroom in his lifetime and therefore not a businessman as portrayed by Dr. Ernesto Sibal in his book, Rizal the Businesssman. He merely hawked farm products in the sidewalks of Dapitan, according to author, professor, newspaper columnist, magazine editor and historian Dr. Frank Grego.

The national hero is not a linguist as portrayed by historians Sofronio Alip and Gregorio Zaide. He had no formal studies in linguistics and dialectics who learned Japanese because of his pursuit for the love of O Sei San in Japan; French to communicate with Nely Buosted and Gertrude Becket whom he wooed in Paris; German for his unrelenting interest to his A las Flores de Heidelberg; and Spanish because of his education in Ateneo and Universitae de Sto. Tomae.

Dr. Grego stressed that Rizal indeed carved a head of a carabao during one of his depressive days but he was not a sculptor as historified by Teodoro Agoncillo. His carving was far beyond compare with those of the Igorots’s and the wood carvers in Paete.

The national hero was not an ophthalmologist as pictured by other historians when he checked the blurring eyes of his mother. He did not undergo any ophthalmic fellowship, for he obtained a mere licentiate and not a doctorate in medicine, Grego emphasized.

“Why do they have to embarrass Rizal with these inaccurate labels in their desperate efforts to justify his proclamation by the Philippine Commission as an American-made National Hero in 1902?” Dr. Grego asked.

(Source: "Ang Pungsod Ilonggo” - INM/INGF Blogspot 12-30-2007)

Addendum:

"Our educators today teach us that the meaning of Rizal’s death was that he sacrificed his life for our country’s freedom. That claim is incomplete if not downright inaccurate and preposterous. At the onset, Rizal NEVER wanted to die. That is why he wrote his “Defensa” with the help of his lawyer, Luis Taviel de Andrade. Nick Joaquín had this to say:

"Rizal’s trial, says (León Mª) Guerrero, presents us with a dilemma. Rizal passionately defended himself from the charge that he was involved in or even sympathized with the Revolution — hardly an attitude we would honor him for. “Was he innocent or guilty?” asks Guerrero. “If innocent, then why is he a hero? If guilty, how can he be a martyr?” 

(Source: Pepe at FILIPINO eSCRIBBLES Blog-12-30-2013)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ oo0oo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On December 19th, 2015 - the cozy "Carla's Cafe" at CBS Studio Center in Studio City, CA was venue of the Ilonggo Association of Southern California (IASC), Inc. annual Christmas Celebration.

Facilitated by President-Elect (2016-18) Maribelle Montilla, assisted by Boy and Ester Villarete-Salvilla and with full support of out-going IASC, Inc. President Freddie Abadiano, the X'mas party was a great success. Yes! with the sumptuous dinner-buffet, open (cash) bar, fine music of the yesteryears and of course dance, dance, dance till midnight.

The ever-smiling Fred and his partner-for-life Ma'am Hilda Akol-Yapjoco and my prima Yasmine Araneta with her jolly hubby Toto Castellano and Perla Torrecampo San Agustin led the group dancing participated by the young and young once.

At last, I personally met mutual FB friend namon ni DayGladys Longno, the pretty Evita Peron dlp who did not sing "Don't Cry for me Argentina" but danced the whole night through.

Third Alejandria who arrived solo joined us with a contented smile after he dropped off wifey Zeny in LAX for Pinas. Daw sa Ba-o nga ginhaboy sa tubig kuno! siling ni Jimboy Garcia who came with his fave spirit JW black.

Together   with us in the round table were immediate Past President Joevan and Nenita Panizales (his one & only first lady); Cezar Sam Canto with the love of his life who acted as our photo shooter; Rey Gayomali; Roeben Millan; Anwa Chua and Mando Buenaflor Abalos kag Prexy Freddie nga galumpat-lumpat lamesa.

Kudos! to former IASC first lady Evelyn Aldeguer (who came with past IASC  President Bhoy A.), Rosemarie Balsomo-Chua, Carmina Garcia, Leah Taleon-Edurese and Ms Bongie Sarmiento who led the reception and welcome committee at the entrance that registered about 70 in attendance.

Another former first lady Dr. Erlyn Rodriguez-Zaragoza came with family sans hubby past Prexy "Butch" but with special guest from Capiz, Corrie del Rosario-Miraflores, my new found kin, who I jokingly told not to call me "Tito" kundi Manong ukon Primo lamang! Harakhak!!! .

The low-profile first lady Jocelyn Abadiano of incumbent Prexy Freddie came with unica hija-heredera Marijo A. Bedro and bugtong nga apo Andre.

Migo Rene Toto Aaron, as usual came with the apple-of-his-eye, ang iya Apo the bedimpled "Baby Jaden".

Mimi Lavado was seen chit-chatting and enjoying the company of friends Helen Bernardo and Aimee Romare.

The group of Victoria Jiz Abantao came a little late but not too late

Surprisingly, many inactive members dala na si Raymund Avanceña, tumandok sang Villa, braved the inclement weather and came over with the assurance to be more visible in the forthcoming activities of our Ilonggo Association in sunny Californy! ...

"Malipayon nga Paskua kag Mahamungayaon nga Bag-ong Tuig sa tanan!  Padayon ang hublag Ilonggo!!! -dinggol.d~~~

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS! to Maribelle Adelantar Montilla-Saadnia (President-Elect of IASC, Inc. for 2016-2018).

In the home of our generous host and gracious hostess Boy and Ester Villarete-Salvilla last October 24th in LA, the formal Presidential Election of the Ilonggo Association of Southern California (IASC) Inc. for the next term was a close encounter between 1st VP Maribelle Montilla-Saadnia and 2nd VP Garry Oropel. Just like the worthy incumbent President Freddie Abadiano; both are highly qualified, having the moral integrity, physical capability and financial capacity but most of all, their sincere desire and firm commitment to lead the famed ilonggo group this side of the US west coast in the service to our less fortunate "Kasimanwas" back home.

The winner Maribelle will appoint the new set of IASC, Inc. Officers, while Garry automatically becomes the 1st Vice-President. Members of the Board shall compose of the Ex-Officio Presidentes.

Ang langas-langas sa long table sang mga "Boys" after election, while enjoying the "spirits" with sumsuman-con-todo was that the triumph of President-elect Maribelle was due to the following factors;

 

1. "Women's Power" -as usual, out-numbered ang mga boys.

2. "Seniority" -opsss! I don't mean in age, but in their present position in the association.

 

The affair coincided with the birthdate of the loyal Officer Rey Gayomali who received a "mini-cake" with very big lighted candle to blow from Prexy Freddie.

 

Conspicuously present, were Monette Torilla-Whitman, the active President of our affiliate -the Tigbauan Association of California (TAC) and my FB friend Mariz Miciano who was very eager to join the group. And of course, the officers and pillars of the Association; the Aaron’s & the Aldeguer’s; the Alejandria’s & the Arceo's; the Canto's & the Chuas; the Gayomali’s & the Gotico's; the Mella's & the Oropel's; the Sarmiento's & the Servando's; the Panizales', Zaragoza's & others..

 

Likewise, present were the young ones and the young once that included Jaden the "Apo" upod kay Lolo Rene "Toto" Aaron; the younger generation of the Montilla's in the Republic of California, the graceful dancer Caloy Trespeces with the ever-smiling Freddie & Ma'am Hilda Akol-Yapjoco together with Hermie a,ka. "Mimi" Lavado, etc., etc. kag etc pa!..

 

Surprisingly, my long lost close friends of the yesteryears attended, namely; Angel and Rose Pison-Piamonte; Tommy Alejandria upod kay Willie and Remy Morales. Also present were Alden Parreño, Mando Abalos, Nonoy Ecevedo, Anwa Chua, Wills Alejandria, Luing Servando, Cesar "Zambo" Canto, Binggot Herrera, Laurie Tagamolila, C Valencia kag iban pa! -Past President Butch Zaragoza nagpuli una kay may asikasuhon pa kuno!

Salamat! to our designated Driver Roben Millan a.k.a "Robin" who drove "Batman" meaning Freddie kag si akoh, the Joker back home to San Diego about 2-hours drive away in the wee hours na, morning na Sir!. . . hik! . . .Harakhak!!! -dinggol.d~~~

 

(In Photo Left to Right):

Front seated: Alden Parreno, Lady President-Elect Maribelle Montilla, Cesar “Sambo” Canto, Nonoy Ecevedo and Dinggol.D

 

Rear standing: Remy Morales, Rene “Toto Aaron” holding Ilonggo Baby Jaden, Luising “Ing” Servando, Prexy Freddie Abadiano, Mando Buenaflor Abalos, Rey Gayomali, Anwa Chua and past IASC, Inc. President Boy Aldeguer.

 

Addendum:

Ilonggo Nation Grupo (San Diego) headed by Leonor Delarmente Baldonado; (Panorama) by Patrick Contreras Erpe and (Escondido) by Franz Lopez Jereza, all in Southern California were invited but were not able to attend due to previous appointments. Basi sa madason ah! ~~~

 

(Nota bene: With apologies to those not mentioned due to lack of material information.)

 

 

THE FORTHCOMING POLITICAL CONFRONTATION

 

With malice towards none and with due respect to others opinion, this is what I'm inclined to share. Apang ini iya kon sa akon gid lamang! -dinggol.d~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ oo0oo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The United Opposition Kuno!

To the dismay and grave frustration of the "Binayarans", the kalo-kalo BIHON team is apparently jumping from the frying pan to the hottest fire this side of hell . . . BINGO!

 

It is regretable, indeed, that once upon a time these young once were idolized as heroes; one was an active human rights MABINI Lawyer, an aggressive fighter for freedom and justice against an oppresive regime while the other, a reformist in the AFP considered by many as a Knight in shining armor.

 

Obviously, however, both were swallowed by the "Ogres" of the System.

 

The Iloilo Born "Pobresita" and Her "Quezo-de-Bola"

At the risk of being branded as "kutso-kutsero" by pre-empting her DNA result, my spy in Iloilo reported that Edgardo Militar fathered a baby girl by his girlfriend named Naty Contreras, a simple attendant in a modest Beauty Parlor near Jaro Plaza in Iloilo City.

 

The baby girl eventually became a 'Divine Grace" to her childless adoptive celebrity parents. Upon maturity she settled in the land of Uncle Sam and became a citizen thereat. Later, however, to continue Da King's legacy in public service (Ay! maan timo, basi sa Silver Screen tana!) she decided to reclaim her being Filipino to serve Inang Bayan.

 

With the media propaganda machinery and brainwashing engine of a prominent "Opinion Poll-Survey" Company owned and controlled by "Da Kings" first cousin, the "Bakya Crowd" (to borrow the term of the late Movie Director Lamberto Avellana) was greatly mesmerized; the obscure and neophyte politician topped the 2013 Senatorial race.

 

Thereafter, her Senate seat mate, the glibbed tongue lothario appropriately called "Queso de Bola" because of his known betrayal of political allies during election and disloyalty to his very own spouse, was able to convince the new political Star that she is destined by fate to occupy Malacañang; with him of course, by her side.

 

As the "Lutong Macao" survey to her favor continue, her predicament on eligibility cases to serve the nation, likewise, continues.

 

The 2016 Presidential Election

It is common knowledge that sufficient logistical support is the name of the game in any electoral campaign, most especially on the national level. Undoubtedly, the Liberal Party candidates has the edge. Only the Marcoses with their tonnage of gold bullions could equal if not surpass the financial capabilities and well-oiled organizational political machinery of the incumbent administration's team.

 

The Araneta Connection

LP and admin Presidential bet Manuel "Mar" Araneta Roxas II, an Economist of global caliber by profession and a reluctant politician by avocation, is a low-profile public servant of unquestionable integrity. He is a very dedicated person. Whatever he does, he does it with so much passion.

 

He is the duly acknowledged and undisputed "Father of the Call Center Industry". The BPO's success in recent years greatly gave a shot in the arm to the fledgling Philippine economy.

 

Mar married to media icon Korina Sanchez (of the Handog Tsinelas fame) is the son of the late Senator Gerry Roxas and grandson and namesake of the First President of the Philippine Republic Manuel Acuña Roxas of Capiz, who married Trinidad de Leon of Bulacan. President Roxas is blood related to the landed gentry Zobel-Roxas-Ayala clan of Makati.

 

On his maternal side, Mom Judy is the daughter of J. Amado "Amading" Araneta who founded the Cubao business empire in Quezon City that included the famous "Araneta Coliseum" then the world's biggest dome coliseum. But over and above, Amading's wife Ester, also an Araneta, is the "Unica Hija y Heredera" of Don Jorge Leon Araneta and Amparo Bustamante de Araneta, the more prominent and wealthier of the early sugar barons in Negros Island or Sugarlandia.

 

The Marcos-Romualdez Connection

There is no question that Ilocandia is Marcos country and the Waray Nation is Romualdez Country.

 

With the entry of Ferdinand "Bongbong" Romualdez Marcos as independent candidate for Vice-President (perhaps so as not to antagonize presidential ambition of cousin-in-law Mar); the former Cronies, Dummies, AFP Generals, Subalterns, Marcos pa rin! ..etc. who had provided for their future during the heydays of the conjugal dictatorship and had hibernated for decades have began to revitalized to support Bongbong.

 

These included the V.I.P.'s among others; the Taipans headed by Lucio Tan, the Campos' of the giant Pharmaceutical Co., the Ongpins, Estradas, Zamoras, et al of Metro Manila; the "Forgiven" political kingpin of Cagayan Valley; the Muslim Mafia and Warlords; the Banana and Lumber magnates in Mindanao, etc., etc. But most prominent of them all: the powerful El Señor Don Danding Cojuangco, founder of the Nationalist People's Coalition or NPC dubbed as "The Kingmaker".

 

The Marcos-Araneta Link

Probably only few are aware that Bongbong's wife, Lawyer Lisa Cacho Araneta also belong to the illustrious clan of the Concepcion's, del Rosario's, Sitchon’s, Azaola's, and the countless Ledesma's in Panay and Negros islands of the Ilonggo Nation.

 

While his sister Irene is married to Greggy Araneta, a Manila based scion of the Araneta Clan-Iloilo branch.

 

Likewise, Apo Ferdy's brother Dr. Pacifico Marcos has a child married to an Araneta Clan of the Zamboanga branch.

 

The Alleged Ilongga Spoiler

Justifying that since "Dirty Harry" of Davao City, finally shied away from the presidential derby, the fiesty Ilongga who claimed was miraculously healed of her stage 4 dreaded lung cancer disease -filed her COC for President. She declared VP Candidate Bongbong Marcos as running mate but with "no comment" yet from the latter.

 

Many "kasimanwas" of the ex-future Ilongga President are apprehensive as her decision might adversely affect the votes of the other winnable Ilonggo candidate for President. Even Iloilo Governor Art Defensor, a cousin, frown of her illogical move.

 

Inday Miriam first vied for the presidency in the May 11, 1992 election and was second to Fidel Ramos who garnered 5,342,521 votes, while she placed second with 4,468,173. Mr. Tabako, she alleged cheated his way to Malacañang.

 

Her second attempt for the presidency was in the May 11, 1998 election won by Joseph "Erap" Estrada where she got the "Lucky Seven" number, as follows:

 

1st-Joseph Estrada (LAMMP)

2nd-Jose de Venecia (LAKAS)

3rd-Raul Roco (AKSYON)

4th-Emilio Osmeña (PROMDI)

5th-Alfredo Lim (LIBERAL)

6th-Renato de Villa (REPORMA-LM)

7th-Miriam Defensor-Santiago (PRP)

8th-Juan Ponce Enrile (Independent)

 

The 2016 Presidential Election is the "third" attempt of our very own Inday Miriam to capture Malacañang and lead this nation to prosperity kuno!

 

This time she said she was confident that she would be successful. . . “Third time’s always a charm,” she said.

 

May the next Philippine President be either an Ilonggo or an Ilongga, kabay pa! ~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ oo0oo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

The Ilonggo Association of Southern California (IASC) Inc. registered about 25 participants during the TIGBAUAN ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA (TAC) "Benefit - Dinner Ball" held at DoubleTree by Hilton in Torrance, CA. last Saturday, the 5th instant.

Led by IASC, Inc. President FREDDIE ABADIANO and VP MARIBELLE MONTILLA, the delegates were warmly welcomed by a Committee headed by the generous hostess, TAC Prexy MONETTE TORILLA-WHITMAN.

Guest of Honor and Speaker during the affair was Hon. SUZETTE TENEFRANCIA ALQUISADA - Mayor of Tigbauan, Iloilo. The young lady Mayor, a Lawyer by profession, crossed the Pacific Ocean together with the town's delegation from the land of the "Tigbaos" to witness a successful fund-raising event in sunny California to benefit their less fortunate "Kasimanwas" back home in the Philippines.

Padayon ang mga hublag Ilonggo! --dinggol.d~~~

The Modern Day "Ilongga" Rebel
(By: dinggol araneta divinagracia * Ilonggo Nation Global Federation * August 3, 2015)

The warrant served to arrest "Concha", except for slight bruises in her arms when the raiders forced themselves inside her rented house in Molo, Iloilo City, was relatively peaceful and orderly. Hoping that the interrogation process as required by law shall, likewise, be done with utmost consideration due to her advanced age and poor health condition. And that the wheels of justice shall, of course, grind accordingly.

During the turbulent years of the "First Quarter Storm" in the early 1970's, many bright young students and professionals including several members of our very own family sacrificed their schooling, left the comfort of life in luxury, armed themselves and went to the hills to fight the oppressive regime.

While most of our "Kababayans" cowered in fear, and reluctantly joined the "New Society" kuno! -these young generation of revolutionaries with sincere devotion and firm determination fought against all odds in their struggle for national democracy. They even embraced, perhaps, by force of circumstances and for convenience, the Godless foreign ideology just to be in equal footing to the on -going actual and psychological global warfare.

While many of us never subscribed to their particular brand of idealism and principle and does not necessarily belong to the same political spectrum; nonetheless, we respect their decision and still love and care for them for their willingness to sacrifice and readiness even to die for the worthy cause they believed in. Yes! we are proud of them! ...

It is regretable, however, that several lives were lost and many families were adversely affected by the unwanted war between Filipino brothers. Needless to say, collateral damages certainly took it's toll on both sides of our embattled society.

With the advent of a "New Era" due to the impending 2016 election, the results we hope shall truly reflect the will of the people, a ray of light shines upon our "Inang Bayan" for a "Corrupt-Free Philippines" --notwithstanding the dark forces of evil that have been very active raiding government coffers; brainwashing and misleading especially the "Hoi polloi" and the smart-aleck among politicians joining the scenario with pecuniary consideration in the windmills of their mind or "Ang mga Binayaran"!

Lastly, our dear Ma. Concepcion "Concha" Divinagracia Araneta, now known as Concha Araneta Bocala, the former Assumption-Iloilo Convent breed young girl who blossomed into womanhood as a University of the Philippines (UP) Coed, and thereafter, became a deeply committed and an avid revolutionary leader since age 21 (turning 65 this month) is now in the hands of responsible authorities to face the fate she deserves. At least, the family can heave a deep sigh of relief, knowing that once again she could be together with loved ones that missed her for so long and so much, even in the twilight of her years! ..... Good Luck and God bless!!!

~~~

The younger version of Ilonggos in San Diego, CA. USA (LtoR): Pia, Josh and Mick..

Ang futuro sang "Pungsod Ilonggo" diri sa sunny SanDie Californy, Padayon!!!! -dinggol.d~~~

History repeats itself. Historians repeat each other. ~ Philip Guedalla 


(Photo LtoR): Dinggol  Araneta Divinagracia, Hon. Demy Sonza and Nereo Cajilig Lujan.

"Padayon ang Pungsod Ilonggo!"

~~~~~~~~~~~ oo0oo ~~~~~~~~~~





ANOTHER ILOILO GREAT EVENT IN THE OFFING!

Photo (LtoR): Gina Barte (Phil. Representative to ICOM); Dinggol Araneta Divinagracia (INGFED); Gina Sarabia Espinosa (Museo Iloilo EVP/Board); James Mozart Amsua (Museo Iloilo Curator) and Jose Nereo C. Lujan (Chief, Public Information & Community Affairs Office-Province of Iloilo)

June 26, 2015: Initial meeting facilitated by Dinggol Araneta Divinagracia at the Museo Iloilo, to discuss possibility of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) Asia Pacific 2015 Conference and General Assembly to be held in Iloilo City, Philippines on December 4-7, 2015. With the Theme on Pathways for Museums for Sustainable Societies. Thereafter, the follow-ups in Manila with appropriate officials have been relatively encouraging. Kabay pa! --dinggol.d~~~

Don Diego de la Viña, the forgotten Revolutionary Hero from Guihulngan, Negros Oriental deserves a Statue or at least a Historical Marker in Guihulngan City Plaza. --dinggol.d~~~

Excerpted from: The Long "Ilonggo" Journey (by: dinggol araneta divinagracia at "Ang Pungsod Ilonggo" INM eNewsletter - March 5, 2008)

" ....(Negros Oriental)

In Guihulngan, Ben Bacalso Ricarte told me that the mother of Ilokano revolutionary leader Gen. Artemio "Vibora" Ricarte (who never pledged allegiance to the U.S.) was from Mambusao, Capiz. This I have to check.

Rey Serion of Vallehermoso, great grandson of Don Diego de la Viña informed me that "Don Diego" had three daughters, who married a Serion, a Morales and a Villegas. He also said the historical marker in his honor was put up in Dumaguete City only very recently (2008).

Don Diego de la Viña, a Manila born Spanish-Chinese mestizo who married a wealthy Ilongga, owned large tracts of land in Negros Island including Hacienda Vallehermoso in Guihulngan. He led the revolucionarios who defeated the Spanish authorities in Dumaguete City. (As contained in "A Chronology: The Ilonggo Nation" first posted in INM website on December 25, 2005).

It should also be noted, that the Bacolod City historical marker commemorating Spain's formal surrender to the Negros cantonal government was also erected in Bacolod City only after 109 years on November 6, 2007 ---after the afore-mentioned INM article was published. The Negros Occidental Provincial Information Office under the late Gov. Joseph Maranon acknowledged INM's article contribution...."

A Glimpse of Ilonggo History: Dr. Vicente Armada Locsin


The "Comite de Conspiradores" initiated by Don Francisco Felipe Villanueva and headed by Don Raymundo Angulo Melliza was formed in Parian, now Molo in Iloilo, on March 18, 1898. The members were "Parianons" that included; Pablo Araneta, Fernando Salas, Francisco Soriano, Jovito Yusay and from Jaro; Roque Lopez and Simon Ledesma. This became the nucleus that started the highly disciplined and well organized covert revolutionary movement in the Island of Panay. Five months later, together with the revolutionary leaders outside the City led by Capitan Martin Delgado of Santa Barbara, they formed a revolutionary government and thus, the "Estado Federal de Bisayas" was conceived.

Thereafter, Gen. Roque Lopez, the elected President of the Assembly and Gen. Pablo Araneta, Panay Island Commanding General and Chief Expeditionary Forces for the Visayas and other leaders of the Movement secretly maintained liaison with their relatives and friends in Negros and nearby provinces to start the armed uprising in their areas. More notably, the brothers Col. Emilio and Col. Eduardo Esteban as commissioned by the Chief of Staff, Gen. Pablo Araneta of the Visayas Expeditionary Forces.

Dr. Vicente Armada Locsin, of Janiuay, Iloilo acted as Confidential Intelligence Emissary Officer of the Central Revolutionary Committe based in Molo, Iloilo and coordinated with the Panay and Negros revolutionary councils.

Later, Dr. Vicente Armada Locsin married Dña. Trinidad Teves and settled permanently in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental. Above-photos show their heritage home along the street named in his honor.   --dinggol.d~~~
 

The Untold Story of the Philippine Revolution.

The Untold Story of the Philippine Revolution.

The leadership of Aguinaldo imposed on the revolutionary masses was all along illustrado, meaning, coming from the elite of the Philippine society of that time. The assasination of the Bonifacio brothers of Tondo, Manila; Gen. Antonio Luna of Ilocandia; perhaps, even of Pantaleon "Leon Kilat" Villegas of Negros Oriental in Cebu, et al.. completed the elitist design to wrestle the revolutionary leadership from the plebian to the landed illustrados of Cavite to pave the way for a dictatorial government.

For all intents and purposes, the surrender of the Spaniards to the American forces at the Bagumbayan field should only be construed as those territories which were under the sphere of influence of the Aguinaldo forces. Resistance continued in some parts of Luzon under Gen. Miguel Malvar of Batangas and Gen. Artemio Ricarte of IIocus Sur as well as  the forces led by Gen. Servillano Aquino of Tarlac, grandfather of the late Ninoy Aquino. Malvar declared  his own Philippine Republic in Sto. Tomas, Batangas  and a series of declaration of independence of pocket republics from Southern Luzon to the Visayas and Northern Mindanao followed including those that were cited by Agurang Dinggol Araneta Divinagracia.

The Treaty of Paris (TOP) covered the whole Philippine Archipelago as the country was considered owned by the King of Spain under the stewardship of the Encomienderos and the Catholic Church which collected taxes for the Spanish royalty although their collection were sent to the Vatican in the form of tithes called Peter's Pence. After all, it was Pope Alexander VI (of the infamous Borgia Spanish Papal Mafia) who authorized the spread of Catholicism to the South Americas and the Far East Asia by dividing the discoverable world into hemispheric areas under the maritime powers from the Iberian Peninsula: Spain and Portugal. Historian Sonia Magbanua Zaide flounts this fact that we were blessed to be under Spanish influence rather than the more barbaric Portuguese.

Who, then, received the $20 million from the government of the United States should be made to account for the territories being ceded under the TOP because of the "prior surrender" of Governor-General  Diego de los Rios, the last duly constituted Spanish authority in the Philippine archipelego  to the Revolutionary Forces of the Republic of the Visayas. Surely, it was the representative of the Spanish monarchy who did not forget that the Philippines were owned by Spain in the name of God which is the reason why the religious orders existing in the country by that time became owners of large landed estates even up to now.

Efforts should be made towards letting Spain realize this diplomatic faux pas.The residual government of Spain should correct this error in history and start to amplify to the world its recognition of the "Estado Federal de Bisayas" spearheaded by the "Ilonggo Nation" during those revolutionary times. The Vatican should also follow up this move otherwise they should surrender all their real estate holdings in the territories of the Republic of the Visayas and give these to the poor and the landless. They owe this to God whose name they used when they discovered the archipelago.

This is the mission brought upon the shoulder of the Ilonggo Nation Movement (INM) Global Network, precursor of The Ilonggo Nation Global Federation.

AGURANG AMIN (INM Co-Founder)-(Oklahoma, USA)

THE IMPORTANCE TO RETAIN OUR VERY OWN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

THE IMPORTANCE TO RETAIN OUR VERY OWN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
 
Agurang Dinggol,

Salamat, ti ari na gid ko ya.

Nindot ning ginsiling mo: "In short, I would still prefer to believe history handed down from generation to generation rather than from any Tom, Dick and Harry."

Mopati gid ko nimo nga:

1. "History"is handed down from generation to generation. On-going "history" is handed down from communities or families from one generation to the next.

2. Families or communities of Tom, Dick and Harry hand down their victor's version of history. On the other hand, the likes of 'Paguntalan' hand down their own version of history to their offsprings' generation and the next.

3. There are different interpretations of 'history'. Which 'history' do you prefer to believe? Which interpretations? Which re-interpretations?

4. The point is: 'history' as an interpretation depends on the interpreters. It depends on the parents, their offsprings and the next generation of families, how they understand and judge the experience being passed on from parents and ancestors. It depends on the 'integrity' or truthfulness of the interpreters. It depends on the authenticity of the interpreters(ancestors and offsprings, the historians), that is, depending on their level of attentiveness to experience and research, level of understanding of what actually happened, use of reason for right judgment, and level of responsibility and success on passing it on to the next generation.

And would it be received successfully, rightly and intelligently by the next generations, givent the records and stories?

5. Nevertheless, what is being interpreted are the facts or evidence of 'history' (or lack of it. ). Thus, 'history' as what actually happened is the answer of questions, such as what actually happened in such a place in such a time in such persons or community? True 'historians go beyond interpretations to get the right judgment of what actually happened with the use of reason and rationality. Previous interpretations are continuously disproven or reinterpreted in the light of new understanding given the discovery of the new data or evidence, until they get the right judgment on what actually happened, on the first place, in that place, in that moment of history.

6. Generally speaking, We, who should be (supposedly) attentive, intelligent, rational and responsible human beings do experience, understand, know and responsibly live in this constantly changing and historical world!

7. Lived history is ongoing. It has moments in the past and continuing moments of today in the lives of communities. Communites have common meanings and understandings of truths to be passed on for the following generations or communities who would successfully (or unsuccessfully) receive and pass them on. If one generation today die without passing them on, if the records and evidence are destoryed and lost, buried in time and oblivion, then their story or 'history is cut off, the previous chapters are lost, and the values and meanings that have to be passed on are not received by the next generation of 'witnesses' and interpreters and carriers of history. The lived story or history can't go on, can't move forward.

8. Like the story of Jesus too. If he had no disciples nor followers, then no one would have heared him, understood him, believed in his truth, and wrote or passed on his 'good news' . Thanks to the witnessing of the communities that continually pass on the story of Jesus through the retelling of his story in words and action, and specially in lived witness. Yet, even Jesus said 'blessed are those who believe even though they have not seen him'. Those who came to believe but have not seen him came to believe in the truth of Jesus through the living witness of his followers, disciples and believers through out history.

9. They came to believe in the light of faith. They came to believe through their own experience, understanding, judgment of the veracity of Jesus' story. They have been experiencing and living in faith and knowledge of his undying love and care for them concretized in the faithful witnessing communities and individual Christians. If there were no living witnesses nor scriptures nor traditions of Christian communities from the early history of early Christianity, the martyrs and church fathers, the mytics and monks, the religous and the laity through medieval times up to modern times, who believed Jesus' story, then it would would have been lost or ended in oblivion long time ago.

10. But the story does end or it could end if only one generation refuses to receive and pass it on, or preserve its records and traditions to be given and reinterpreted for the next generations.

11. Same story for the Ilonggo Nation Movement. It has a story, moments in the past and still on-going now in the reinterpreting and knowing of what actually happened. But it could end soon, if this generation fails to pass on or retell or reinterpret the story. It fails if one generation fails to faithfully live out the values and meanings that have been received from parents and communities.

12. In hope, may the young generation and the next understand and own the story, their history, their cultural values and received traditions. Hopefully, it will be received through the language or symbols or perspectives appropriate for Toto and Inday, easy to be deeply understood by the 'pakaisa' ug 'pakaduha', to be true to the Ilonggo people, true to their own perspective as a nation. You just wonder what people's vision, world view, meaning, joy, texture, sensitivities and sentiments and jokes and all the rest are gone or off, when the nation's language is diminished or gone extinct. Or not spoken anymore.

Ti, sayang gid. Namit tani ang tono kag pamatyag.

"kon di ka mapati sa akon ginasiling, ti, ikaw ang 'magsiling' ako ang mapati",
Agurang Akoy (INM- Shanghai, China)