The Ilonggo and The Hiligaynon

The Ilonggo and The Hiligaynon

(By DinggolAranetaDivinagracia - IlonggoNationMovement)

Prologue: "In my opinion, Hiligaynon refers to a Language spoken, while Ilonggo refers to both the Language and a People." --dinggol.d~~~

The Lingua Franca of Western Visayas is Hiligaynon, spoken in Iloilo City, and along with the coastal towns to the northeast; also, in all of Guimaras island Province and in the City of Bacolod.

Likewise, in almost all the cities and all the towns in the Province of Negros Occidental. Its variant form is spoken in Roxas City and in most towns of Capiz Province. Also, in some parts of the Masbate island province in the Bicol Region.

However, the northern part of Negros Occidental and the whole of Negros Oriental speaks mostly in Cebuano due to its proximity to the island of Cebu.

Hiligaynon or the Ilonggo (language) is also spoken in most of the areas in Central Mindanao; in South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and North Cotabato in Soccsksargen where almost all the early settlers come from Western Visayas.

The mother language of Western Visayas is "Kinaray-a" or "Karay-a" which evolved from "Hiraya" or "Hiniraya" --many believed to be the language spoken by the early ten Bornean Datus and their tribes who settled in "Aninipay" -the ancient Island of Panay during the 13th century.

Kinaray-a, in its many variants is spoken in the Province of Antique and along with coastal towns south of Iloilo City going to the last town of San Joaquin.

Likewise, all central towns of Iloilo speak Kinaray-a. Parts of Romblon, Palawan especially Cuyo Island and Cagayancillo also speak variants of Kinaray-a.

Akeanon, Aklanon, or Malaynon also in its various versions is spoken in the Province of Aklan and its’ nearby islets.

The child language "Hiligaynon" was developed by the elite Chinese and Spanish Mestizos who lorded over the affluent communities of the area during the Spanish regime. Most especially in Parian (Molo) and Salog (Jaro); including the adventurous scions of the old rich Ilonggo, who together with their families, households and subordinates sailed across the Visayan sea to clear the heavily forested area and developed the fertile volcanic “Isla de Buglas" named Negros Island with its majestic Mount Kanlaon, and now known as "Sugarlandia".

Hiligaynon has many words that derive from the Spanish words including nouns (e.g., santo from santo, or saint), adjectives (e.g., berde from verde, or green), prepositions (e.g., antes from antes, or before), and conjunctions (e.g., pero from pero, or but).

Moreover, Spanish words provides the Hiligaynon base for items introduced by Spain, e.g., barko (barco, or ship), sapatos (zapatos, or shoes), kutsilyo (cuchillo, or knife), kutsara (cuchara, or spoon), tenedor (or fork), plato (or plate), kamiseta (camiseta, or shirt), and kambiyo (cambio, or change).

The Spanish verbs used in Hiligaynon most often remain as unconjugated (have the verb endings -ar, -er or -ir) which in Filipino would almost always be conjugated in the 'vos' form (as in voy, vas, va, vamos, vais, van,) e.g., komparar, pasar, mandar, tener, disponer, mantener, and asistir. 

The Hiligaynon language, also often referred to by most of its speakers simply as Ilonggo, is an Austronesian regional language spoken in and out of the Philippines by about 9.3 million people who are native speakers of Hiligaynon and an additional 5,000,000 capable of speaking it with a substantial degree of proficiency.

Until today, all the aboriginal "Ati's" and other indigenous minorities in the mountains of Panay, Negros and Guimaras have retained and still speak with their very own ethnic languages and refer to their brown brothers in the lowlands as "Ang mga Bisaya". 

This is a clear manifestation of the veracity of the early migration to the land of Marikudo by our ancient sea-faring Shri-Visayan forebears.

Epilogue: "Be that as it may, whether these people speak Hiligaynon or Ilonggo; Kinaray-a or Karay-a; Akeanon, Aklanon, or Malayanon; Hinambal et Ati, or taga bukid - Sulodnon-Bukidnon ligbok, etc. they are all considered by many as “Ilonggos" and are collectively called "BISAYA"." --dinggol.d~~~

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

The Forgotten Ilonggo Revolutionary Leader of 1898

The Forgotten Ilonggo Revolutionary Leader of 1898

(By DinggolAranetaDivinagracia - IlonggoNationMovement)

Hen. Roque Haplasca Lopez, “El Primer Presidente del Estado Federal de Bisayas”

Prologue: “While so many NHI historical markers and concrete monuments; more than life-size statues and bust; textbooks and magazines; main thoroughfares and remote places; and public plazas, schools and government buildings, etc. --were named to honor Don Eustaquio Hechanova Lopez first cousin, the Ilonggo National Hero named Graciano Lopez Jaena, none whatsoever in memory of the Don’s son Roque H. Lopez” --dinggol.d~~~

Brief Backgrounder:

At the turn of the 19th century, Maximo Lopez of Jaro, Iloilo City married Juana Hilaria. They had two sons; Fermin and Placido. Fermin married Fernanda Hechanova while Placido married Maria Jacobe Jaena, the parents of Graciano Lopez Jaena.

On the other hand, Maximo and Juana Hilaria-Lopez' eldest son Fermin who married Fernanda Hechanova were the parents of Eustaquio Hechanova Lopez who later acquired large tracts of land in Negros island and finally settled in Silay, Negros Occidental. The Barangay E. Lopez in Silay City used to be one of his Haciendas in Negros. Don Eustaquio financed his first cousin Graciano's trip to Spain in 1880 that would change the course of Philippine history.

Don Eustaquio Hechanova Lopez, first married Justina Haplasca with whom he had a son named Roque. When the Don became a widower, he remarried for the second and later for the third time in Negros.

Meanwhile, Roque H. Lopez who remained in Iloilo, would later join the "Comite de Conspiradores" of Parian (Molo) and expended his inheritance to finance the revolution of 1898 and to personally support families of the poor Ilonggo revolutionary forces, even to the extent of his bankruptcy.

The Comite de Conspiradores

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 City on March 18, 1898. The initial members were "Parianons" that included; Pablo Araneta, Fernando Salas, Francisco Soriano, Jovito Yusay and from Jaro; Roque Haplasca Lopez and Don Simon Ledesma. This became the nucleus that started the highly disciplined and well organized, and the first-ever covert revolutionary movement in the Island of Panay.

Five months later, together with the revolutionary leaders outside the City led by Martin Teofilo Delgado y Bermejo of Sta. Barbara, they formed a revolutionary government and thus, the "Estado Federal de Bisayas" was conceived in the Town of Santa Barbara in Iloilo. Thereafter, Gen. Roque H. Lopez was elected President of the Assembly. . ."

Several Visayan Generals including Gen. Raymundo Melliza and Gen. Pablo Araneta chose Don Martin Teofilo Delgado as "General en Jefe de los Tropas del Ejercito Libertador de Visayas y Governador Politico-Militar” based in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo.

Thereafter, Gen. Roque H. Lopez, the elected President of the Assembly, and Gen. Pablo Soriano Araneta, as the chosen 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 also nearby islands to start the armed uprising in their respective areas. More notably, the brothers Col. Emilio and Col. Eduardo Esteban as commissioned by the Chief of Staff, Gen. Pablo Araneta of the Expeditionary Forces for the Visayas.

Gen. Pantaleon “Leon Kilat” Villegas, of Bacong, in Negros Oriental --as directed by the Negros Island revolutionary leadership organized the Revolutionary forces in Cebu. He began the armed uprising against Spanish authorities in Carcar, Cebu together with Luis Flores, Florencio Gonzales, Candido Padilla, Andres Abellana, and others.

While Don Diego de la Viña, (a Spanish-Chinese mestizo from Manila married to a wealthy Ilongga) organized his rebel forces, mostly composed of his Hacienda Vallehermoso workers in the Town of Guihulngan, Negros Oriental.

Dr. Vicente Armada Locsin, of Janiuay, Iloilo acted as the Confidential Intelligence Emissary Officer of the Central Revolutionary Committee based in Molo, Iloilo City and coordinated with the Panay and Negros revolutionary councils. He later married Doña Trinidad Teves and settled permanently in Dumaguete City.

Fast forward:

On December 2, 1898, After a series of serious discussions and thorough legitimate deliberations on nation-building, it was decided to consolidate all of the cantonal governments in both Central and in Western Visayas into the Panay revolutionary government based in Iloilo; thus, the Estado Federal de Bisayas was established under President Roque H. Lopez with Vicente Franco as his Vice-President (from Dec. 2, 1898 to Jan. 7, 1899).

It is sad and regrettable, however, to note that there is no street named nor a historical marker installed to honor Gen. Roque H. Lopez, the Ilonggo patriot and first President of the "Estado Federal de Visayas" and many other Ilonggo leaders; Don Raymundo Melliza, Don Jovito Yusay, Don Fernando Salas, Gen. Angel Corteza, and others who fought hard and won the revolution against Spanish subjugation, thereby achieved the status as a truly independent and legitimate sovereign nation --before the "Faux pas" U.S. invasion in 1899 of the Visayan Federal Republic.

Epilogue: “Whereas, our main thoroughfares were named to immortalize the memories of our forebears’ adversaries and the revolutionary Losers in Luzon, such as; the Brgy. and street to honor Gen. Robert Hughes, Carpenters Bridge connecting Molo and Tabucan, Mandurriao; the Gen. Luna St. , Bonifacio Drive, M. H. del Pilar St., , J. M. Basa Street, etc., etc. --Likewise, to honor the memories of those former Ilonggo elitist leaders who readily collaborated with the early American invaders. . . Hamak mo ran Banwa!”--dinggolSDname~~~

Footnote:

It should be noted, that the National Historical Institute (NHI) marker commemorating Spain's formal surrender to the Negros Republic was only installed in the City of Bacolod, Negros Occidental --after 109 years on November 6, 2007.

Likewise, it was only in 2008 when the National Historical Institute (NHI) also erected a bust image and the historical marker to honor Don Diego de la Viña (The Liberator of Negros Oriental) at the City of Dumaguete Plaza in Negros Oriental. . . . . “Too late the Hero, sabi dah!” ~~~

25

The Ilonggo Martyrs of Martial Law

The Ilonggo Martyrs of Martial Law

(DinggolAranetaDivinagracia - IlonggoNationMovement)

Prologue: “After Martial Law was declared on Sept. 21, 1972; sooo many of our “Kababayan” cowered in fear and mostly shouted "Alleluia", while many others sang to the tune of "Que sera, sera!" But a few young idealistic brave souls sacrificed their schooling, left the comforts of homes, armed themselves and went to the hills to fight the cruel and oppressive regime.” --dinggol.d~~~

A prelude to the declaration of Martial Law

During the decade of the 1960s, two (2) distinguished college Professors at the University of the Philippines (UP) -Diliman in Quezon City founded movements that would later change the course of Philippine history, namely: Jose Maria Sison and Nurullaji "Nur" Misuari.

The Kabataang Makabayan (KM)

On November 30, 1964, during Andres Bonifacio Day, U.P. Professor Jose Maria Sison established the KM or the Kabataang Makabayan, and as its founding Chairman, Sison emphasized the continuity of the Andres Bonifacio's Philippine Revolution of 1896. He even invited the famed Nationalist Senator Lorenzo M. Tañada who gave the closing speech at the KM's first-ever national congress and was honored as their consultant and honorary member.

The initial members of KM were mostly from the Students' Cultural Association of UP (SCAUP) in the University of the Philippines. Jose Maria Sison envisioned the youth group as revolutionaries who would later establish the Philippines as a country led by the working class instead of usual oligarchic politicians.

When Mr. Sison re-established the Communist Party of the Philippines in 1968 as a consequence of the dismal failure of the old “Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas”, the New People's Army (NPA) under Bernabe Buscayno with Nome-de-Guerre “Kumander Dante” --was organized as its military wing; the Kabataang Makabayan (KM) then became the NPA's youth arm. It was also one of the groups that later established the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

Mr. Jose Maria Sison authored and published two (2) books; the Struggle for National Democracy and the Movement for the Advancement of Nationalism (MAN). These books clearly explain the ills and maladies that confronts Filipino society, that was brought about by the continuous stranglehold of the U.S. imperialism, feudalism and bureaucrat capitalism; the root causes and the solutions to benefit all, the present and the future generations. Obviously, the basic nationalistic tenor of the two (2) books, touched the patriotic fervor of many idealistic labor workers, peasants, students,and young professionals. As a matter of fact, the two books were considered the bible in the education of cadres and mass activists in the course of the First Quarter Storm of the 1970s.

The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)

Likewise, in March of 1968, the alleged massacre of at least 23 Jabidah trainees on Corregidor island for the Sabah Mission sparked the Muslim rebellion in the south and gave birth to the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founded by University of the Philippines (UP) Professor Nurullaji "Nur" Misuari of Jolo, Sulu in Mindanao.

The Declaration of Martial Law

As the country was at the brink of total anarchy, and Malacañang had to contend with both the left and the right of the political spectrum; likewise, with the ongoing Muslim rebellion in Mindanao, on September 21, 1972 President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos began the revolution from the center and declared martial law "Para sa Ikaunlad ng Bayan, Disciplina ang Kailangan" as he proudly announced --the birth of the "New Society".

Secretary of Defense Juan Ponce Enrile and AFP ViceChief of Staff General Fidel Ramos were then both tasked as the Administrator and the Implementer of the martial law regime, respectively.

The Light-a-Fire-Movement

During the early 1980s,a group of prominent people decided that violence was the only solution against "abuses" of the Martial Law --established a group known as the "Light-A-Fire Movement". In Metro Manila, the core groups operatives of the Light-A-Fire Movement based in the Philippines, were businessman Eduardo Olaguer, professor Gaston Ortigas of the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) and Ester Jimenez, mother of Jim Paredes (of the Apo Hiking Society fame). In the US, its members were Filipino exiles and Filipino-Americans, mostly unnamed but led mainly by Heherson Alvarez, Raul Daza, Bonifacio Gillego and Charles Avila, along with a naturalized American citizen, a Greek native, Steven Psinakis (husband of Precy Lopez of the ABS-CBN Lopez clan).

The Light-A-Fire Movement perpetrated many horrible acts of bombings in Metro Manila in the early 1980s, and blamed it all on the government. On September 12, 1980, bombs went off in Makati Commercial District, one badly damaging the huge Rustan's mall. The explosion at Rustan’s injured 70 people and killed an American tourist. On October 4, 1980, more blasts rocked the Philippine Plaza, Century Park Sheraton, and Manila Peninsula hotels, all in Metro Manila.

(Photo: Doris Nuval Baffrey)

On October 19, 1980, Doris Nuval Baffrey, a Filipina married to an American, detonated an explosive at the Phil. International Convention Center or (PICC) along Roxas Blvd.while President Ferdinand Marcos was addressing an international conference of the American Society of Travel Agents. Ms. Doris Nuval Baffrey and 15 other people were arrested in connection with the PICC bombing. They were all convicted and sentenced to die by electric chair in 1984. Fortunately for them, due to several postponements, they were later spared after the fall of the Marcos regime.

The Butchers in the military and their Safe-houses

Meanwhile, the dreaded butchers in the military intelligence group had their heydays in their safe-houses. They randomly arrest, torture, and even salvage many suspected political detractors; including many members of students, peasants, professionals, and labor activist groups who were opposed to Malacañang.

(Photo: Young PMA officers led by Gringo Honasan and by Red Kapunan)

This included some sectors in the military establishment led by the Philippine Military Academy or (PMA) young officers, who would later conscientiously turn around to advocate reforms in the AFP.

The young Ilonggo Martyrs of Martial Law

(L-R): John (Age 22) and his elder brother Edward Dela Fuente (Age 30)

At the height of the Marcos’ brutal reign in 1983, John Herbert Dela Fuente (22), a young Ilonggo student activist, was shot dead at close range while asleep at a relative’s house in Jaro, Iloilo City.

The local constabulary reported that the killing was the product of an “armed encounter” but people know he was really “salvaged” – executed for his activism and support to the fight against the tyranny of a dictator.

His elder brother, Edward Oliver L. Dela Fuente, a student of Central Philippine University (CPU) and a former editor-in-chief of the student publication Central Echo, wrote a poem entitled “Epilogue” to commemorate John’s death, swearing to live on and continue his fallen brother’s plight for the freedom of the country.

Edward and John were the sons of two leaders of the Baptist Church in Iloilo; Johnny and Lucy L. Dela Fuente. Both of them regularly attended church services, and the eldest Dela Fuente brother was also a former president of the National Baptist Youth of the Philippines.

On April 20, 1984, a Good Friday, Edward together with Antonio “Diore” Mijares and one still unidentified person were killed in the village of Unat, a few kilometers away from the town center of Ibajay, Aklan while serving at the remote poor community. The military said they died in an encounter with constabulary patrol.

However, eyewitnesses said Edward and his companions were captured alive, tormented and shot dead. The autopsy reports indicated they had been tortured.

“I thought my son Edward died of natural causes when we came to the morgue to identify his body,” recounted their mother Lucy L. Dela Fuente. “But then I noticed signs of torture: his bloody nails and fingers, bruises and scars, the mark of a boot print on his back, I was shocked and taken aback by the cruelty that Marcos’ soldiers had taken upon my son.”

The web archive of the Bantayog ng mga Bayani – where Edward Dela Fuente’s name is commemorated on the “Wall of Remembrance” – recalls the following exchange the older Dela Fuente brother had with his father, who later shared it after his son passed, once he decided to join the resistance against the Ferdinand Marcos regime:

“I believe that fighting the dictatorship is a noble cause and I would regret it if I don’t join,” he told his father.

“I also believe that it’s a noble cause,” his father replied. “But I do not want to be sending you to your death. I cannot give my permission.”

“Then I’m not asking for your permission,” Edward Dela Fuente replied. “You’ve merely been informed of my decision.”

Even before 1972, Edward Dela Fuente had already joined the Kabataang Makabayan (KM) chapter in CPU. When martial law was declared, he continued organizing clandestinely in school (where his mother was teaching), among students, faculty,and employees.

After taking leave of his family, Edward spent the next years among the poor people living in the central mountain ranges of Panay. He was “Ka Ponso” to them, a skilled negotiator and troubleshooter often sent to expansion areas to settle conflicts or to organize new groups against the dictatorship.

At Edward Dela Fuente’s wake at their residence in Jaro, hundreds of people came to pay their respects. Most of them were peasants from all over Panay. They told us how our son made an impact on their lives, said Lucy.

When it was time to take him to his final resting place four kilometers away, they – the masses Edward aided and helped organize – insisted on carrying his coffin on their shoulders.

A Close Family Friend Testimony

Margaret “Pitsik” Dominado, a family friend and former schoolmate of the Dela Fuente brothers – now a nurse based in Washington, D.C. – still regularly posts about the fallen Ilonggo sons, wanting their memory and sacrifice to live on.

“I grieved with mom Lucy and her family when her sons died. I knew her sons. Edward was an epitome of an intelligent leader. John was my ‘contemporary’ and dear friend. My memories of him were full of laughter,” she shared.

Dominado shares that she was just 13 years old when Martial Law was declared in 1972. She was in her early 20s during the untimely deaths of her friends Edward and John.

“I grieved for and with all the other mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, sisters, and brothers who bore the brunt of the cruelty of injustices and senseless violence perpetuated against [them] under [Marcos’] Martial Law.” She said.

“Each time the grief and sufferings under Marcos [is] negated or ridiculed, I feel a stabbing pain for all those who, like mommy Lucy, had carried the battle scars while surviving this dark side of Philippine history.”

Dominado believes the anniversary of Martial Law should be a day of remembering for the “comrades” who made immense sacrifices – including laying down their lives – to attain the freedom and justice we take for granted today.

“The Filipino people should never forget that the victory won during the EDSA Revolution of February 1986 – otherwise known as the People’s Power [revolution] – was not [possible] without the seeds of resistance planted by these comrades,” she continued.

“We must never leave their stories buried in unknown archives. Such examples of heroism and patriotism should be taught to the next generation and their stories retold to our children and our children’s children,” said Dominado.

Marcos was forced to leave the Philippines in 1986, a result of the very first unified and unparalleled People Power Movement, two years after the death of the dela Fuente brothers, proving that those who fought for what they believed in and those who paid with their life did not die in vain.

Epilogue: Edward and his brother John dela Fuente, the sons of my friends Johnny and Lucy indeed, did not die in vain. With sincere devotion, and firm determination they fought against all odds in their struggle against the martial rule.

We admire their sacrifices and their readiness even to die for the worthy cause they believed in. Yes! we are proud of them! And their memories shall never be forgotten by all freedom-loving Ilonggos wherever they may be! Kabay pa! --dinggolSDname~~~

(Main source: Various news report

 

The Royal Blood at the Iloilo City Waterfront

The Royal Blood at the Iloilo City Waterfront

(By DinggolAranetaDivinagracia - IlonggoNationMovement)

Prologue: “Iloilo City has one of the best, if not the best harbor in the world; according to Merchant Marines of their “Port-of-Call” --while their ships are docked along Muelle Loney or anchored by the Iloilo Strait, many decades ago.” --dinggol.d~~~

The Iloilo River Facilities

Iloilo City is endowed by mother nature with a clear navigable river right at the center of its activities. The long and winding waterway known as the “Iloilo River” --that traverse Iloilo City’s downtown area and Lapuz then a part of Iloilo City’s Lapaz District; where the VISTRANCO, and its dry dock subsidiary Iloilo Dock and Engineering Company (IDECO) were once-upon-a-time operational. Where the Panay Railways, Inc. offices and their employees residential complex, repair shops and its’ depot was once a happy and lively community. Yes! all of these are now gone!

Likewise, right across the wide Iloilo River conveniently located along the Muelle Loney we also used to see the busy loading or unloading terminals of many Inter-island freight, cargo and domestic passenger shipping lines, including the ferry and pump boats serving Jordan and Buenavista piers in Guimaras island.

Along the side was the Panay Railways transport system that reached as far as Roxas City in the Province of Capiz. After the long railroad or sea travel, the commuters could easily access in both the private and public transportation facilities with assistance from the uniform-wearing, courteous and well-disciplined stevedores or the reliable porters.

The familiar festive site was the much- awaited arrival of deep-sea fishing fleet, especially as nightfall up to the wee hours in the morning, where people rushed to buy some seafood cached at a bargain price for home consumption or just grilled nearby with beer-drinking buddies. Today, the action is at the modern Fishing Port that was constructed near the Tanza and Baluarte area in Molo.

The Iloilo Strait, a Haven for Shipping Anchorage

The huge tonnage of ocean-going vessels that many international shipping companies anchored by the Iloilo Strait, were assured of protection from the wrath of nature and other elements with a natural shield that the Guimaras island sub-province provides.

Unfortunately, what people see today in areas along Muelle Loney, are squatter colonies, and except for a few still usable, are remnants of old warehouses and the dilapidated buildings that stands as mute witnesses to the busy hustle and bustle of early trade and commerce; of the glory and splendor of the yesteryear that earned the “La muy leal y noble Ciudad de Iloilo” --the title as the “Queen City of the South”.

The Rise of the Royal Blood on the Waterfront

On June 11, 1914, a baby boy was born “with a mission” in Iloilo City, Philippines. His parents were the modest but upright couple named Jose Morales Espinosa and his wife Monica de la Paz Espinosa. The young boy was christened as Pascual with the nickname “Pascualing”. While studying at A. Montes Elementary School and at the Iloilo High School, Pascualing augmented his meager allowance by taking odd jobs as laborer at the waterfront and by selling newspapers. Likewise, Pascualing worked hard to assist in the needs of his five (5) younger brothers; Franco, Amalik, Deting, Moor, and Benny.

Pascualing Espinosa married the former Ramona Rojas, the daughter of Don Jose Rojas of the illustrious and politically influential clan of Ajuy, Iloilo. They were gifted with twelve (12) children namely: Pascual “Junie”, Jose “Hamy”, Chris “KC”, Jerome, Ramona, Antonio, Oscar “Oskit”, Jesus “Jing” the twins Estrella and Eva, Luz, and Victoria.

The bright young student from the waterfront of Iloilo City pursued his Law Degree at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City and became a full-fledged Lawyer. One of his classmates Enrique Fernando later became the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines.

During world war II, Pascualing Espinosa served as war-time Justice of the Peace, then later served as one of the Technical Assistant to Iloilo Governor Tomas Confesor. When the war ended, Pascualing served as Assistant Provincial Fiscal, and later as City Fiscal of Iloilo City. For his involvement in the labor sector, he rose as Vice President of Federacion Obrera de Filipinas (FOF).

In 1947 Atty. Pascual Espinosa, began his political career when he was appointed as Councilor of Iloilo City. On the same year, he broke his ties with the FOF labor group and accepted the leadership of the government-favored Trade Union, the “Consolidated Labor Union of the Philippines (CLUP)” based near Muelle Loney in Iloilo City. These two (2) Labor Unions became bitter rivals that resulted in violent armed confrontations.

In the 1949 national election, Pascualing of the Liberal Party won the congressional seat of the second district of Iloilo comprising; Iloilo City, and the Municipalities of Leganes and Pavia, also the Municipalities of Jordan, Buenavista and Nueva Valencia in the island sub-province of Guimaras. When he ran for re-election in 1953, he lost to the charismatic Timawa leader of Molo, Roding Ganzon. In the 1957 congressional election, he won again by a slim margin of votes against the Nationalista Party leading candidate Atty. Jose Cabangal Divinagracia.

It would be fair to add, that while Cong. Espinosa was in the August Hall of Congress, he was a pro-people legislator who championed the plight of the poor and lowly workers. He was the author of the Magna Carta of Labor or the Minimum Wage Law; thus, he was called "the Father of the Common Man of Labor". Likewise, he also authored Republic Act 875, otherwise known as the Industrial Peace Act, an act that provides equitable protection for both capital and labor in the industries. He authored the Woman and Child Labor Law or the Maternity Leave with Pay which, until now, is still being enjoyed by working mothers in the country.

The most significant role of Congressman Pascualing Espinosa in his career as labor leader was to secure the movement of his many fellow Ilonggos to Agana, Guam that was devastated during World War II, tasked with rebuilding the US base military facilities, and many other infrastructure projects. The U. S. Navy gave their contract of the project to Luzon Stevedoring Company, Inc. (LUSTEVECO). The local subsidiary in Iloilo City was the VISTRANCO's labor union, the Consolidated Labor Union of the Philippines (CLUP) headed by Congressman Pascualing Espinosa.

Thereafter, Espinosa was also instrumental in sending Filipino workers by the thousands, mostly from Iloilo City --in the islands of Manus, Saipan, and Tinian. His endeavor paved the way for the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) Program, a novel project still in its infant stage at that time of the National Government.

The Impregnable Fiefdom on the Waterfront

The first generation of the Espinosa clan who lived together with their respective families within the compound of CLUP a.k.a. Espinosa compound near the Muelle Loney area were reportedly Bosses of the waterfront arrastre services in the decades of the 60’s and 70’s. Their hold was bolstered by the political power and influence of their eldest brother Cong. Pascual Espinosa. Thus, the family of the six (6) Espinosa brothers was dubbed as the “Royal Blood” of Iloilo City waterfront. They maintain a stronghold and ruled over their claimed area of jurisdiction, that government authorities and even law enforcers tiptoed as they approached the area.

As the first generation of Espinosa brothers, gradually went beyond the great divide, and while the others retired; their sons took over their share of the lucrative arrastre business at the local pier. The third generation Espinosa children, meanwhile, are poised to inherit the same trade.

The Fall of the Royal Blood on the Waterfront

At some time in the past, as squatters mushroomed around the area, Muelle Loney became synonymous to criminality, to robbery and killings when corpses were often fished-out from Iloilo river. As the news of the Iloilo port's notoriety reached major cities in the country, it discouraged the many prospective entrepreneurs and investors to open up business in Iloilo. Local passengers who are coming in from different parts of the Philippines feared of the port, since not only that these arrastres are rumored to do extortion to all shipping companies and businessmen, but also pickpockets and the almost daily daring hold-ups abound in the area. Many Iloilo born merchants fled the dying city.

The establishment of the Iloilo Integrated Arrastre Services Corporation (IlASCO); where some prominent old Shipping Companies, etc. were represented under the supervision of the Philippine Ports Authority, somehow eased the anxiety.

Eventually, in the early part of year 2000, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) took over the port operations.

The Deadly Family Feud

Every new years eve since way back when, the respective houses of the Espinosa brothers within the compound are filled with each family members, including in-laws for the grand celebration. An open court serves as common ground. Needless to say, beer and hard liquor flow to the maximum, while many long and short firearms are displayed ready to burst come 12:00 o’clock midnight for the loudest explosion.

However, in 1993 neighbors were surprised and alarmed of the premature continued thundering explosions expected for midnight. All Iloilo City radio stations “flash reports” --later announced that before midnight there was a commotion and gunfights inside the Espinosa compound. They confirmed that two (2) first cousins had an argument, shots were fired, pandemonium followed as both immediate family members concerned joined in the shootout.

Naturally, thereafter, ambulance and paramedics came to take the victims to the nearest emergency room, and police arrived to investigate after the gunsmoke was cleared. The final result later, sad to say, revealed six (6) fatalities; Oskit, the son, and two (2) grandsons of Pascualing, and three (3) sons of his brother Franco. Many other brothers, and cousins were seriously or slightly injured with gunshot wounds.

Ongoing Violent Family Feud

In 2002, Rodney Espinosa and Pascual Jesus “PJ” Espinosa were shot to death.

On June 1, 2010, at the Espinosa enclave near the waterfront area, Pascual “Toto E” Espinosa III, and his younger brother Leo (sons of Benny Espinosa) were wounded after they both traded bullets with “Jing-Jing” --the son of their first cousin Jesus “Jing” Espinosa, Sr. (son of Pascualing Espinosa)

Authorities have long speculated a power struggle for control of the waterfront district, particularly the arrastre and cargo handling services between clan members, resulting in violent murders over the years.

However, then PNP Regional Director Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas said it bluntly, that the feud started over who will take in control of the alleged illegal activities and economic operations in the Waterfront area of Iloilo City.

The war between the feuding Espinosa families could be traced back in the 1990s. The tension was temporarily eased up with the meddling of the Espinosa remaining patriarch Atty. Gerson “Deting” Espinosa, but when he passed away, it was a “Free for all”.

A Memorial for Congressman Pascual dela Paz Espinosa

On June 11, 2014 during the centennial birthday celebration of the great Ilonggo waterfront labor leader, the Iloilo City Council approved a resolution officially naming the newly constructed covered gymnasium in Barangay Monica-Blumenritt as the “Congressman Pascualing Espinosa Memorial Gymnasium”. The project was funded under the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of Iloilo City lone district Representative Jerry P. Treñas.

The Dawn of a New Era

In recent years, the political kingpins of Iloilo City joined forces as one to set their acts together under the guidance of the “Numero uno” Ilonggo political “Godfather”, former Senate President Franklin M. Drilon. And with the ready blessings of Malacañang. They were: Congressman Jerry Perez Treñas, Mayor Jed Patrick Locsin-Escalante Mabilog and Vice-Mayor Jose “Joe III” Sanson Espinosa (Son of Mr. Moor Espinosa).

With the cooperation of the Iloilo City business community, the land owners, and residents of the City --the development of idle vacant lands and construction of many infra-structure projects, both vertical and horizontal, were rapidly realized.

Including the “walkers paradise” along both sides of Iloilo River going to the Muelle Loney and the favorite tourist destination the “Iloilo Esplanade” and the wide “Promenade Park”. A long Ilonggo dream come true.

Epilogue: “Many second, and even third generation of the Espinosa family members on the waterfront are career professionals. They represent varied professions, and many are relatively successful in the respective fields of endeavor.

However, as in any other family, there are always “black sheep of the family” as the saying goes. Thus, they say that you can always choose your friends, but not your relatives.” sabi dah! --dinggolSDname~~~

(N.b: Credit to Nereo Cajilig Lujan for the headline photo)

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The Forgotten “Great” Ilonggo Labor Leader

The Forgotten “Great” Ilonggo Labor Leader

(By DinggolAranetaDivinagracia - IlonggoNationMovement)

Prologue: “To his comrade-in-arms during their guerrilla warfare in the mountains of Panay against the Japanese Imperial Army, he was the courageous leader; to many exploited lowly laborers in the waterfronts and in the sugar industry and manufacturing companies in the Visayas and in Mindanao, he was the savior.

However, to corporate greed in the big businesses and the corrupt politicians, he was the “Kontrabida”. Was he a hero, a true patriot, and a sincere labor leader, or was he really a social demagogue?” --dinggol.d~~~

Family Background:

Jose Maria Nava was born in Iloilo City on July 31, 1892, to Don Mariano Legaspi Nava and Dña. Estefa Nuñal y Carrera de Nava of Iloilo City. --He was first married to Adela Sevilla Carañeta of Pulupandan, Negros Occidental with whom he had eleven ((11) children, namely; Leon, Ricardo, Julieta, Flavio, Benjamin, Valentin, Sigfredo, Esperanza, Adela, Jose Maria, and Napoleon a.k.a. Batotoy. Sometime in 1934, five (5) years after he became a widower, he remarried to Adelina Aldeguer of La Carlota in Negros Occidental. They have eight (8) children, namely; Lohengrin (Cid), Mario (Tobin), Josef, Sumakwel (Makwel), Jose Ma. (Baby), a daughter Libertad, Franklin (Voodoo), and Jonathan (Toto Tambok).

Educational Background:

Aside from his serious home self-studies, he also attended a public Elementary School, and an Iloilo High School -for his secondary education, and also at the Iloilo Normal School, all in the City of Iloilo, Philippines.

The Arts, Theatrical, Journalistic, Sports and Political Endeavor:

Even at a young age, Nava already showed his loved for the arts, drama, and music by attending private lessons. He also engaged much of his time reading Spanish and American novels. Later, he decided to pursue a career in arts and was enrolled in painting at the School of Fine Arts in Manila. He was so fascinated with literature that he even wrote several notable dramas before returning to Iloilo City in 1914.

Apart from arts and theater, he began a career in editorial in 1915 when he served as a correspondent for the “El Tiempo” a local Spanish paper. At the same time, he was also the editor and publisher of the vernacular paper “ Tingog sang Banwa”. Later he became editor-publisher of “El Tiempo” until it was closed down in 1922. Thereafter, Nava founded and became the publisher of Iloilo’s two sister newspapers, the “Prensa Libre” a Spanish daily, and the “Landasan” a weekly issue in the vernacular.

In the year 1922, he won the shooting championship and was given medal as a “sharpshooter” by the Philippine Rifle and Pistol Association and by the War Department of the U.S.A. He founded the first shooting club in Iloilo; the “Sociedad de Tiro al Blanco de Iloilo.

Jose Ma. Nava dedicated long years of his life to the arts and theater but major setbacks at the peak of his career ended his theatrical profession. He tried his luck in local politics and won twice in Iloilo’s Municipal council. Although he did not fair-well in the field of politics, he gained many successes as a newspaper editor for his daring expose’ and his fearless campaign against vices and corruption in the government.

The Labor Movement in the Philippines

When Jose Ma. Nava reunited with his close Iloilo childhood friend Vicente Ybiernas, they organized --the first labor organization in Iloilo City, the Union Obrera de Iloilo in the year 1917.

In 1928, a work-related accident blinded an eye of a worker of Visayan Stevedoring Company (VSC) in Lapuz of Lapaz district in Iloilo City. The worker was able to successfully claim just compensation from VSC through the help of Jose Ma. Nava “Gratis et Amore”.

Thereafter, on July 31, 1928, a group of laborers and peasant workers from the district petitioned Nava to organize a labor union. And right on that same day, the low-profile Union Obrera de Iloilo (UOI) evolved into the Federacion Obrera de Filipinas (FOF), that eventually became to be the largest trade union in the Philippines.

Nava gained distinction for leading one of the largest strikes in the history of the country’s labor movement and as an active journalist stirred the workers’ and peasants’ clamor for improvement of their conditions through labor unions.

The FOF as a labor group introduced itself in the industrial arena when it organized a major strike in 1930 involving some 3000 stevedores. He also organized strikes at sugar plantations and mills in Negros. In 1939, he was elected the National Chairman of the Collective Labor Movement (CLM) the biggest organization of labor before the outbreak of the war.

The Outbreak of World War II:

During the Japanese occupation, after he contacted Army Major Quimbo and Gen. Bradford Chynoweth, the local commander of the USAFFE, Jose Ma. Nava was outright commissioned as Captain of the USAFFE and become the Chief of the Propaganda Unit and Intelligence Unit under Gen. Macario Peralta, Panay Island Commanding General. His 8 sons and daughters were, likewise, all commissioned in the USAFFE as captains, lieutenants, and privates.

After the fall of Bataan, and USAFFE surrendered to Japan, many of his friends collaborated with the Japanese regime. While Nava, his family, and many FOF members remained loyal to Uncle Sam --in the hinterlands of Panay as Ilonggo guerrilla fighters until the end of the Japanese-American war.

The Post War Era Politics:

On July 4, 1946, Philippine independence was granted by the United States to the war-weary Filipino people on a silver platter with strings attached. While many rejoiced, patriotic leaders of labor and peasant organizations who triumphantly fought the Japanese during the war, especially the “Hukbong ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon” or the HUKBALAHAPS were all vehemently opposed to the Bell Trade Act, the Parity clause for Amendment to the Constitution, and the Military Bases Agreement in exchange for US rehabilitation funding. They believed these as an inexcusable surrender of our national sovereignty.

To secure the majority votes necessary to pass the amendment, President Manuel A. Roxas arranged for the six (6) duly elected members of Congress in 1946 led by Luis Taruc who belong to the opposition party, Democratic Alliance (DA) under Sergio Osmeña, Sr. ejected from their offices by the Commission on Elections on the grounds that they had been committing election fraud and terrorism.

The Collective Labor Movement (CLM) and CLUP

Seven years earlier, on June 29, 1939,at the Manila Grand Opera House, a total of seventy-six (76) labor organizations held a National Convention.

After due deliberation, a resolution creating the Collective Labor Movement (CLM) was approved. A Presidium was formed and the affiliated unions signed a pact to the effect that they would, among other things, stick together through thick and thin.

Elected to the Presidium were: Jose Maria Nava (National Chairman), Isabelo Tejada, Pedro Abad Santos, Mateo del Castillo, Juan Feleo, Luis Taruc, Pedro Castro, Antonio Paguia, Manuel Palacios, Manuel Joven, Mariano Ponce, Florentino Tecson, Mariano Balgos, Rufo Covacha, Luis Pilapil, Luis Adriano, and Guillermo Capadocia as Secretary General.

FOF President, and former CLM National Chairman Jose Ma. Nava allied himself with his pro-worker, pro-peasant, and pro-people group to the consternation of his personal, professional and political detractors.

In 1947 Atty. Pascual “Pascualing” Espinosa, a former vice president of Federacion Obrera de Filipinas (FOF), broke his ties with the FOF group and accepted the leadership of the government-favored “Consolidated Labor Union of the Philippines (CLUP)” based near Muelle Loney in Iloilo City. The two (2) labor unions, the rightest and the leftist became bitter rivals that resulted in violent armed confrontations.

The Twilight Years and the Last Hurrah!

Meanwhile, in 1951, government Militia filed a case against Jose Ma. Nava for his involvement in the 1950 murder of an alleged under-cover government agent. Likewise, he was also linked to the rebellion case of his sons; Ricardo, Flavio a.k.a. “Ugat”, and Napoleon a.k.a. “Batotoy”, and his son-in-law Alfredo Palmejar a.k.a. “Ibarra”; together with his co-labor leader Guillermo Capadocia a.k.a. “Juan Bantiling”, et al. As more violence erupted, Constabulary troops were ordered to secure in detention the then already weak Jose Ma. Nava, and his co-accused at the Iloilo provincial jail on charges of subversion in 1951.

During the trial in the lower court, two of the accused in “absentia”, namely, Guillermo Capadocia the top leader of the Communist movement in Panay was killed in punitive expeditions of the armed forces. And Paterno Patrimonio a.k.a. “Kulafu” leader of the dreaded bandits who plunder and rape, brutally kill and burn huts of even simple farmers along their path.

In April 1952, the Iloilo Regional Trial Court Judge Magno Gatmaitan found him guilty of the accusation and sentenced Jose Ma. Nava to death. After conviction, he was transferred to the Muntinlupa Bilibid Prison (together with son Flavio) where he spent his remaining years writing and reflecting. His poor health condition suffered due to imprisonment and his real estate properties were sold at a bargain because of the lengthy trial.

(Photo of the funeral entourage along Calle Real during Jose Ma. Nava interment in the City of Iloilo)

While waiting for the final judgment of the Supreme Court on his appeal, Jose Ma. Nava died from heart disease on January 14, 1954, at the Manila Sanitarium while on a hospital leave from the Muntinlupa Bilibid Prison.

Thirteen (13) years after the guilty verdict was rendered by the Iloilo lower court, the Supreme Court of the Philippines found the accused innocent beyond reasonable doubt and dismissed the subversion and criminal cases filed against Ilonggo labor leader Jose Ma. Nava and his family.

Accolade from the President of the United States of America

After almost sixty (60) years since the end of world war II, the 42nd US President William “Bill” Jefferson Clinton sent an acknowledgement to the loyal and devoted USAFFEE Captain Jose Maria Nava for his sincere service to the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

Too late the hero, “Better late than never, but better never late” as the saying goes! ~~~

Epilogue: “As a growing kid from age 5 to 10 years old living at No. 19 Valeria Street in Iloilo City, whose family were good neighbors and close friends of the Nava’s, this writer is a living witness to the rise and fall of the greatest Ilonggo labor leader of them all, Don Jose Maria Nava, Sr.

I vividly recall, thousands of serious-faced lowly laborers and peasant workers on parade along Calle Valeria with FOF streamers and red banners, shouting on top of their voice in unison; “Handa kami kon kami ang may pana!” --dinggolSDname~~~

(Nota bene: Salamat! to Jose Marte Nava for some of the precious family photos and info) ~~~

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