THE MOLO OF LONG AGO

THE MOLO OF LONG AGO

(By DinggolAranetaDivinagracia- IlonggoNationMovement)

Prologue: (July 26, 2019)

"A tribute to the good people of  "Parian" now MOLO in Iloilo City, Philippines on the occassion of their Annual Fiesta today the 26th of July in honor of their Patroness Nuestra Señora de Santa Ana.

Santa Ana was the mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose name is modernized as "Mama Mary". Mary or Maria is the favorite name emulated and perpetuated by parents for their newly born female babies in Christendom. While by the names of "Maryam and Meriam" in the Muslim world." --dinggol.d~~~

 Molo dubbed as the "Athens of the Philippines" had produced many illustrious sons and daughters who excelled in their respective field of endeavors.

Military Generals during the 1898 Revolution: Pablo S. Araneta, Angel Corteza, Don Raymundo Angulo Melliza; the Molo born Juan Anacleto T. Araneta, Marciano S. Araneta, and Aniceto Ledesma Lacson --who initially fought in Bago, in La Carlota and in Talisay respectively in the Island of Negros.

In the annals of history, only the Araneta family of Molo have three brothers who had served in the upper echelons of three (3) revolutionary government at the same time; Gen. Pablo (Estado Federal de Bisayas), Gen. Marciano (Negros Republic) and Don Gregorio. (Photo of Don Gregorio Soriano Araneta as Secretary General of the Malolos Congress)

 (Photo: Chief Justice Ramon Avanceña of Molo)

In the Judiciary: Ramon Avanceña became the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Gregorio S. Araneta was Secretary General of the Malolos Congress, the first Secretary of Justice and the first Solicitor General, Raymundo A. Melliza and Felicisimo Feria.

In the Philippine Senate: Jose Ma. Arroyo, Esteban de la Rama, Franklin Drilon, Rodolfo Ganzon, Esperidion Guanco, Potenciano Treñas, Francisco Villanueva, Francisco Zulueta, and Jose C. Zulueta.

(Photo:Senator Franklin M. Drilon)

Among the congressmen were: Amando Avanceña, Rodolfo T. Ganzon, Fernando Salas, Jose Locsin Sian, and Jerry Treñas; the delegates to the Constitutional Convention were Manuel Locsin and Efrain Treñas.

The "Parianons"who served as governor of Iloilo Province were: Mariano P. Arroyo, Amando Avanceña, Timoteo Consing, Sr. , Raymundo A. Melliza, Jose Yulo-Regalado, Gregorio Yulo, Mariano Yulo, and Jose C. Zulueta.

Serving as Iloilo City Mayor from Molo were: Leopoldo Ganzon and his son Rodolfo "Roding" T. Ganzon. Likewise, Mansueto "Mansing" Malabor, Jed Patrick Locsin Escalante Mabilog and Jerry P. Treñas.

(Photo: Incumbent Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Perez Treñas)

In the field of Journalism, famous vernacular writers were: Jimeno Damaso, Angel Magahum, Sr. , Rosendo Mejica and Hernando Locsin Siscar, Sr.

 

(Photo: Professor Hernando Locsin Siscar, Sr. PhD.)

The first Miss Philippines and first national suffragette Pura Garcia Villanueva-Kalaw, was an avid "Women's rights advocate". She was a weekly contributor to the "El Tiempo" -Iloilo's most popular newspaper in Western Visayas and she was also a contributor to Metropolitan periodicals with articles, which mostly dwelt on feminine rights.

Institutions for Learning:

During the Spanish era Molo was known as the educational center of the Philippines, thus; the monicker "Athens of the Philippines".

It was perhaps, because it was the only town in the country which had four (4) Colleges -- Colegio de Santa Ana of the Avanceña sisters (Jovita and Ramona), The Centro Escolar de Molo of the Salas brothers (Perfecto and Fernando), the Instituto Ensenanza Libre de Molo of Manuel Locsin and Escuela Publica.

(Photo: Don Rosendo Mejica statue fronting the Baluarte Elementary School in Molo.)

In 1905, during the American regime, Don Rosendo Mejica founded Baluarte Elementary School by constructing a nipa building in front of his own home across Baluarte Street near Batiano river in Molo. This became the first known public elementary school in the country. Don Rosendo was also the owner, operator and editor of "Makinaugalingon" --the first and longest vernacular daily in Western Visayas that was popular among Hiligaynon or Ilonggo readers since 1913 until 1946 after world war II. Baluarte Elementary School has already produced a lot of famous and distinguished people, foremost among them is former Senate President and now Minority Floor Leader Franklin M. Drilon and also the late Iloilo City Mayor, Congressman and Senator Rodolfo “Roding” Ganzon.

(Photo: Sen. Rodolfo T. Ganzon statue near the Iloilo City High School in Molo.)

In 1941, the Iloilo City High School (ICHS) was opened in Molo; and which eventually, became the first "free" public high school in the whole Philippines inclusive of books and school supplies during the time of the "Timawa" Iloilo City Mayor Rodolfo "Roding" Ganzon.

In the 1960s, the first college of medicine in Panay was opened by the Iloilo Doctor's College along Infante Avenue, the boundary of Molo and City proper. Along M.H. del Pilar Street also in Molo is the main site of the pioneer private maritime school in the whole Philippines -- the John B. Lacson Maritime University Foundation, Inc. (originally Iloilo Maritime Academy) which was declared a few years ago as one of the best maritime schools in the whole world. St. Therese-MTC Colleges, Inc. and St. Anne College of Iloilo were added in later years.

Molo has also three first-class hotels with reasonable rates, the Hotel del Rio, La Fiesta Hotel and the most modern the Urban Sands Hotel, all along M.H.del Pilar Street in Molo.

Charitable and Religious Institutions:

Along Calle Avanceña in Molo going to Villa Arevalo still stand the Asilo de Molo (photo), the only orphanage in WestVisayas founded in 1934 by Vincentian Fr. German Villazan together with Doña Pilar Advincula de Javellana and Doña Adela Liza vda. de Mapa and being manage by the Daughters of Charity. It is located on the lot generously donated by the family of Don Ignacio Arroyo.

(Photo: Don Ignacio and Dona Maria Pidal-Arroyo with their children; Dr. Mariano Arroyo (married to Dolores Vasquez), Atty Jose Ma. (married Jesusa Araneta Lacson) and Beatriz Rosario who became a Nun).

It is within this area where the mother houses of religious congregations in the Philippines -- Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary founded in 1925 by the first Ilonggo Nun Mother Rosario Arroyo. And of the Mill Hill Missionaries since 1906. Molo also housed the Carmelite Sisters in the Philippines before it transferred to Sambag, in the District of Jaro.

(Photo: The altar of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Calumpang, Molo)

Presently, there are three (3) Catholic parishes in Molo; the original St. Anne's parish, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Calumpang and the San Jose Obrero in Fundidor, Molo.

The Peaceful Chinese Invasion of Molo.

Earlier in Manila, immigrants from China were herded to stay in the Chinese Trading Center called "Parian". After the Sangley Revolt of 1603, this was destroyed and burned to the ground by the Spanish authorities. Three (3) decades later, Chinese Traders built a new and much bigger Parian near Intramuros.

In July 17, 1679, a royal decree was issued during the administration of Gov. Juan de Vargas that compelled all local unmarried Chinese to live in the Parian and all married Chinese to stay in Binondo.

Similar Chinese enclaves or Parian were later established in Camarines Sur, Cebu, and Iloilo.

Many Chinese who fled Southern China during the reign of the despotic Qing dynasty(1644-1912)in the 18th century and arrived in Maynilad; finally, decided to sail farther south and landed at the port of Batiano river to settle in “Parian” permanently --near La Villa Rica de Arevalo in Iloilo. They intermarried with the locals, some with Spanish mestizos and became the progenitors of the Locsin, Lacson, Sayson, Pison, Ditching, Layson, Ganzon, Sanson, Quimsing, Yulo, Consing, Yusay, Tinsay, Jocson, Jason and other Chilonggo families.

Many descendants of these Sino-Ilonggo would later build their magnificent mansions as ancestral homes at Molo in Iloilo City.

(Photo: This popular tourist destination is “The Molo Mansion” that was originally built as ancestral home of the Lacson's”.

(Photo: This Antonio & Manolita Fuentes-Pison mansion now house the Absorbent- Mind Montessori Pre- school of Irwin & Ling Araneta-Corteza.)

 

 

(Photo) Built by spouses Don Roque Locsin Sanson and Doña Isabel Soriano Araneta de Sanson.

 

 

Gourmet Delight: Molo is famous for "Pancit Molo" the nationally-known soup delicacy, favorite in restaurants even in Manila and abroad. The brick-oven baked quality cookies and pastries of the Molo County Bake Shop, and the century-old recipe of Panadera de Molo is favorite “Pasalubong” among travelers.

How Molo got it’s nameMany believe that during frequent raids by Moro pirates in the past, the Chinese in Parian, who found difficulty in pronouncing the letter "R", shouted Molo! Molo! Molo!... instead of Moro; hence, the place came to be called Molo.

Epilogue:

“The Ilonggos claim that Molo is the hometown of the most Blessed Pedro Calungsod, a catechist who died a martyr at Guam on April, 1672 and beatified recently by Pope John Paul. This is borne by the fact that even today many of the Calungsod family who is “Tumandok” or natives of Molo abound in Molo, especially along the Compania Street area.

Incidentally, many Filipinos are eagerly awaiting the impending canonization of another Saint from Molo, the first Ilonggo nun -Mother Rosario Arroyo, O.P. (Maria Beatriz del Rosario Arroyo y Pidal).” --dinggol.d

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Defending the “Maragtas” versus Scott’s Hoax Theory

Defending the “Maragtas” versus Scott’s Hoax Theory

(By DinggolAranetaDivinagracia - IlonggoNationMovement)

 Prologue: “Not only the highest Court of the land (Supreme Court) ignore this misconception propagated by Henry William Scott; but still many, many more respectable institutions, groups, and a great number of enlightened citizenry.

It is regrettable, however, to note that “Maragtas” was stricken-out in Elementary grades textbooks in the late 1960s by the Manila-based Department of Education nationwide due to Mr. Scott’s theory.” --dinggol.d~~~

SCOTT, BIASED AGAINST THE MARAGTAS
(By: Guillermo Gomez Rivera-HispanoFilipino eGroup)

William Henry Scott, we are told was a Mason as well as a sectarian Protestant neocolonizer masquerading as an anthropologist, to distort in many ways the pre-Hispanic Native history and culture.

Calling the Maragtas a "myth" is an insult to all Ylongos. But has any tried to find out why Scott called the "Maragtás" a myth?

We did. And the reason given to us is that it is NOT WRITTEN, therefore there is no document saying that the Marágtas is true. therefore it is a "myth", or a made up story.

Now this argument is atrocious and arbitrary. In the first place nobody said that the Maragtas is something that was originally written. There is such a thing, after all, as ORAL LITERATURE or ORAL TRADITION. And that is what the Marágtas really is. IT IS AN ORAL TRADITION or AN ORAL LITERATURE. Being ORAL, it is but logical to understand that it is not written.

But the Maragtás was later on written down by a Spanish Friar, Tomás Santarén, OSA, in 1853 or 1856. It was written down in its original Kinaray-a language and translated into Spanish. The moment it was written, it also became Written Literature aside from the Oral Literature that it is originally.

So what is the basis for calling it a myth? Nothing.

It is just because a Spanish Friar, a Catholic, is credited for having saved it, its importance to our people is being denied outright!.

It is a fact that the Protestants American colonizers we have do not like the Spanish Friars, their competition in the "religious market" in these Islands, and it is they since 1900 who have been maligning this Friars just to show us that they are better "servants of God" than those Spanish Friar missionaries.

This is downright sectarianism of the worst kind. Together with these Protestant bigots, we have their local converts (I know one of them from Silliman University who talks and talks but says nothing in the long run), who hate what Ylongos, Cebuanos, Tagalos, etc., have as their Spanish heritage.

Let us not believe everything that a Protestant like William Henry Scott writes of plain bigotry, like this one saying that the Maragtas is a Myth. Let us neither believe what his follower, CCP anthropologist Landa-Jocano said that we cannot accept the Maragtas as an historical evidence because it is not a written document.

All this balderdash. Tinunto ni tanan. Binuang!

We who have heard the maragtas being told to us by our grandparents as a bedtime story in our childhood can not err if we say that these U.S. WASP missionaries are wrong, and have nothing to do, with what the Maragtas is for all of us who speak Ylongo from birth.
 

Editors Note:
Don Guillermo Gómez Rivera, whose ancestors came from Dingle and Calinog in Iloilo Province is also related to some
illustrious old Sino-Hispano families of "Parian" now Molo, Iloilo City and Negros Occidental.

He is the author of HILIGAYNON HARVEST (Filipino Heritage Encyclopedia, Vol. 6). This former member of the 1971-73 Philippine Constitutional Convention-- National Language Committee was acclaimed ----Laureled Prince of Ylongo Poetry in 1977.
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In Defense of Maragtas: (By Atty. Rex S. Salvilla)
WHAT is Maragtas? It is the folk story of the exodus of ten Malay datus from Bornay (Borneo) to Panay centuries ago led by Datu Puti.

This story was handed down from generation to generation by word of mouth among the inhabitants of Panay. It was first put into print in 1907 authored by Pedro A. Monteclaro of Miagao, Iloilo, a leader of the Philippine Revolution and first president of his town during the American regime. It was published by the Kadampig sang Banwa (Defenders of the Country).

Maragtas is the historical basis of the regional festivals in Panay-Binirayan of Antique, Dinagyang of Iloilo and Halaran of Capiz. The Ati-atihan of Aklan is also based on a peace treaty between the aboriginal atis (Negritos) and the descendants of Datu Bangkaya, one of the ten datus.

Before World War II, textbooks in the elementary grades throughout the country included the Maragtas story up to some time in the late 1960s when it was stricken out of these books.

The reason of the Department of Education then was a book by an American William Henry Scott, Prehispanic Source Materials for the Study of Philippine History published in 1968 allegedly stating that Maragtas is a myth.

This is very glaringly misleading because this is what was actually written by Scott:

"There is no reason to doubt that this legend preserves the memory of an actual event, but it is not possible to date the event itself or to decide which of its details are historic facts and which are the embellishment of generation of oral transmission" (page 103, 1984, Second Edition).

Where does it say here that Maragtas is a myth? Instead, Scott here does not doubt (meaning, he is certain) that Maragtas is "the memory of an actual event." So, the exodus really and actually happened! We wonder how the Department of Education then could have concluded from Scott's work that Maragtas is a myth?

At any rate, let us go to some aspects of Maragtas.

First - This story mentions more than sixty names, which are very difficult to invent. These included the names of the ten datus, their wives, kins, households and subordinate leaders. If Maragtas is a myth, why did the story teller took the trouble of mentioning these so many names?

Second - The story mentions that some time after the ten datus landed in San Joaquin, they took a trip around Aninipay (the name given by the Atis to the island), later changed by the Malays to Madia-as and then by the Spaniards to Panay.

In the story of this clockwise trip around the island, the Malays dropped from place to place some families, which settled there. The names of these places appear to be correct in their geographical order around Panay from Malandog (Antique) back to Bucaya (San Joaquin). Why this accuracy if it is not true?

(Source: Sun Star-Iloilo October 11, 2002)
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Editors Note:
Rex S. Salvilla, a lawyer by profession and famed ilonggo historian is the President of West Visayas Historical Research Foundation, Inc.
~~~~~~~~~~~~ oo0oo ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Reaction: (Benjie E. Estuche-INM-Philly, PA-USA)

The citation made by Atty. Salvilla on the W.H. Scott book simply illustrates the hysteria by which the corruptors of our people and culture react in order to put the nation and its people into a LTML, or "Long Term Memory Loss." Usually, these people come from the religious establishment who are proponents of a "national amnesia" in order to hide their sins of commissions.

And the next accusation that they are going to make is already done by "demonizing" their protagonists. Hehehe! Palaba-laba sungay na lang ini seguro...Pero si Jose Rizal wala man 'to sungay ugaling miembro sang Mason gani ginpapatay sang mga relihiyoso paagi sa pagpusil sa Bagumbayan. Ikapila gani ina nga sugo sa 10 Commandments, Agurang Dinggol, inang siling nila nga mando sang Diyos nga "Dili ka magpatay?"

Hay maan kaninyo! Nagasakit ang dughan ko...Inday Zelds, butwa ka man abi agud to nga magnayanaya ang aton adlaw....

~~~~~~~~~~~~ oo0oo ~~~~~~~~~~~~
Reaction: (Zelda Lopez -INM: Ontario-Canada)
 

Mayad nga adlaw lang dyan sa tanan. Ti Nong Rud, Tay Amin, sa diin kita kadya managbalay, sa Capitol Hill ukon sa Roxas Blvd?

Suno sa mga pahayag nanda ngadya ni Mananabang Rex kag ni JGR ang Maragtas ta natabo gid man. Kag bisan pa gani mo. Lima ka libo ka tuig maghalin dukar-on sin-o gid abi ang magtul-id kon ano nga siglo nag abot ya mga kamal-aman naton sa baybay kang San Joaquin?

Indi bala nga gapati man gani kita nga si Noah kag ang anang Arko gin anaw man? Ti, wala man maman-an kon ano nga siglo to. Wala man gani maman-an kon may arko gid man. Ti dya nga mga sugilanon, wala man dya mabalhag kang pagkatabo na gid. Naman-an man naton tanan nga dya nga mga sugilanon history dya kang mga Hudeo.

We all know that the Old Testament bible is the history of the Jews. Nobody questions it's authenticity.

Ti ang akon lang kadya gani hay makarulouy lang kita. Indi bala Tay Amin nga ang hurobaton kang paborito mo nga santo, "Ang wala gabalikid sa anang ginhalinan, indi man makaabot sa anang padulungan?" Ti ano gani ang balikdon mo kon ginpakilo ron nanda ang aton ginhalinan. Ti daad, mahulag ron kita kadya. (Inday Zelds) 

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

Miguel de Loarca: Relacion de las Yslas Filipinas-June 1582.

One could also argue from what the early Spanish explorer Miguel de Loarca wrote in his report (Relacion de las Yslas Filipinas) in June 1582. Writing in Arevalo (Panay), he says: “... since these natives are not acquainted with the art of writing, they preserve their ancient lore through songs, which they sing in a very pleasing manner -commonly while plying their oars, as they are island-dwellers. Also, during their revelries, the singers who have good voices recite the exploits of olden times."

William Henry Scott’s Revised Version-1984:

Yes! Scott himself had no doubt regarding the historicity of an event that led to the transmission of an oral tradition that came to be known as the "Maragtas". He said in the revised version of his doctoral dissertation, published in 1984: "There is no reason to doubt that this legend preserves the memory of an actual event, but it is not possible to date the event itself or to decide which of its details are historic facts and which are the embellishment of generation of oral transmission."

~~~~~~~~~~~~ oo0oo ~~~~~~~~~~~~
Epilogue: “Myth-Busting is fun. Researching some tales from the past, I discovered that “myth” doesn’t necessarily mean “false” --it can also mean “a popular belief or a tradition” that would turn out to be true.” --dinggol.d~~

(Photo Credit: Mr. Art Geroche of Iloilo City)

 

The Case of Malay Datu Putih, et al...The Verdict: A Hoax (Kuno!)

The Case of Malay Datu Putih, Et al...The Verdict: A Hoax (Kuno!)
 

(By DinggolAranetaDivinagracia -IlonggoNationMovement)

On September 15, 1890 --the fifth and last chapter of an essay was published in "La Solidaridad". The title "The Indolence of the Filipinos". The writer was Dr. Jose P. Rizal, a Filipino reformist. 

This article is written as a tribute to The Man of many talents, now considered as the "Pride of the Malayan Race"  and the National Hero of the Philippines." --dinggol.d~~~

Likewise, this article is written with malice towards none but with due respect to the following to wit:

1- The Scholars and Historians who had departed:

1) William Henry Scott -an American Historian who in 1968 started it all.
2) Fr. Horacio de la Costa, S.J. -the First Filipino Provincial General of the Jesuits.
3) Teodoro Agoncillo -the famed Filipino author and nationalist.

4) Gregorio Zaide -notable author of many Filipino History books.

2- And to all the "CONVERTS" of afore-mentioned foreign (U.S) historian.

Excerpts from the article: The Maragtas Legend by William Henry Scott:
( http://www.mts.net/~pmorrow/marag_f.htm )

".... The Legends of Maragtas:
The stories known as the Maragtas are legends that may have been based on actual events in the remote past. They are about the ten datus or chiefs who escaped the tyranny of Datu Makatunaw of Borneo and emigrated to the island of Panay..."
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Remarks: Mr. Scott did not discount the possibility as to its veracity. ("..may have been based on actual events..")
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Pedro Monteclaro's Maragtas:
Even though these legends have been known for generations, the word maragtas itself was unknown until it was used as the title of a book by Pedro Alcantara Monteclaro in 1907...

Monteclaro regarded legends as an important part of Visayan heritage so he collected the various stories of the elderly of Panay and published them in his Maragtas..."
"...A large part of Maragtas appears to be based on a work written in 1858 by Fr. Tomás Santarén, and published in 1902 under the title Historia de los primeros datos. M4 It was a translation of one document of the mid 1800's and another older document..."
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Remarks: What's in a name?... he could have used the words "Estorya kang Aninipay" or "Sugilanon sang Panay" or whatever.. No big deal!
Fr. Tomas Santaren’s “Historia de los Primeros Datos Que, Procedentes de Borneo, Poblaron Estas Islas” were based from the manuscripts of his predecessor Fr. Agustín Rico O.S.A who was assigned as resident priest of Suarangan (San Joaquin) in 1801.
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Dr. Henry Otley Beyer:
The misconceptions surrounding Maragtas were further reinforced when even the highly respected historian, Dr. Henry Otley Beyer called it a prehispanic document. In Philippine Saga which he wrote with Jaime C. de Veyra in 1947, he mentioned a manuscript from Panay known as Maragtas and "the ancient writing in which it was originally inscribed". M7 Then in his Outline Review of Philippine Archaeology of 1949 he wrote the following:

A remarkable ancient document known as the "Maragtas," dating probably from about 1225, was preserved in Panay and transliterated into romanized Visayan in the early Spanish days. M8
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Remarks: Certainly, findings and opinions of the more credible and highly respected world-renowned historian and archaeologist with the caliber of Dr. Henry Otley Beyer hold more ground.
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The Verdict on Maragtas:
Maragtas was finally placed in its proper perspective as a book of legends rather than historical fact in 1968 by William Henry Scott. For his doctoral dissertation at the University of Santo Tomas, Scott made a painstaking investigation into all the sources of information about the Philippines before the coming of the Spaniards.

Rather than merely plagiarizing past historians, Scott examined the original documents and searched archives and museums the world over for supporting documents and artefacts..."

Reference:
A Historian dies, but his story lives
by Joel R. Dizon
EDITORIAL [Gold Ore, Oct. ?, 1993]

William Henry Scott, renowned historian who authoried 15 books in Philippine history including The Discovery of the Igorots, is dead. He was 72 years old....

In it, Scott capsulized 18 years of work, faithfully following a cold trail of yellowed parchment records in some of the most obscure dustbins of history in the world: the Dominican Province, the Augustinian archives in Villadolid, Spain, the archives of the Indies in Seville and the Archivo Historico Nacional in Madrid..."
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Remarks: Relying mostly on evidence, documents concocted by self-serving chroniclers, some frayles of dubious origin, who together with the Conquistadores went on world rampage of plunder, rape, massacre and land grabbing using the sword and the cross in the name of GOD! and their KING! to me is unacceptable!.
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A panel of Filipino Historians:
Scott successfully defended his dissertation before a panel of eminent Filipino historians, some of whom had formerly endorsed and promoted the erroneous facts of Philippine history. The panel included Teodoro Agoncillo, Horacio de la Costa, Marcelino Forondo, Mercedes Grau Santamaria, Nicholas Zafra and Gregorio Zaide.
 

Scott's meticulous research was published in 1968 in his book Prehispanic Source Materials for the Study of Philippine History and since then no historian has contested his conclusions. M12
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Remarks:
*Teodoro Agoncillo - We have yet to see copy of his position on this controversy.
*Horacio de la Costa -a member of the Jesuitic hierarchy
*Gregorio Zaide -continued to include information from Maragtas in his works but revised by daughter Sonia after his death.

But who are these three supposedly eminent Filipino historians? Will somebody tell me, please! Marcelino Forondo; Mercedes Grau Santamaria; Nicholas Zafra.
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The Result of Scott's Discoveries:
Most continued to reprint their old texts while others wrote new books that still contained the old mistakes. Take for example this quote from Ang Pagsulong ng Pamayanan (1981):

Maragtas' Code is the premier example of written law and it has been considered the oldest because it was in effect from 1250. M13...

Jose Villa Panganiban used Maragtas to trace the origin of the Tagalog language in the preface of the very popular English-Tagalog Dictionary by Fr. Leo James English in 1965. M14 To this day it remains unrevised in spite of many reprintings.

Even one member of Scott's dissertation panel did not appear to be eager to set the record straight. Gregorio Zaide continued to include information from Maragtas in works such as Pageant of Philippine History in 1979, History of the Republic of the Philippines in 1983 and Philippine History 1984...

Postscript:
To this day ignorance and misunderstanding of the true nature of Maragtas is still prevalent throughout Philippine society even among its highest institutions and organizations. Evidence of this can be seen in the following list of web sites:

*Supreme Court of the Philippines
*Department of Education, Republic of the Philippines
*Governor's Office, Province of Antique
*Mayor's Office, City of Iloilo
*Madya-as Heritage Foundation Inc.
*Save Madya-as, Save Panay.
*Akaenon.Com
*Confederation of Madyaas.
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Remarks: Not only the highest Court of the land (Supreme Court) ignore this misconception propagated by Henry William Scott; but still many, many more respectable institutions, groups and a great number of enlightened citizenry.

It is regrettable, however, to note that “Maragtas” was sticken-out in Elementary grades textbooks in the late 1960’s by the (Manila) Department of Education nationwide due to Mr. Scott’s theory.
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The Indolence of the Filipinos
English translation by Charles Derbyshire. The article by José Rizal, originally written in Spanish, was published in La Solidaridad in five installments, from July 15 to September 15, 1890.

Part-III
"...Wherefore, Gaspar de San Agustin, O.S.A says: "Although anciently there were in this town of Dumangas many people, in the course of time they have very greatly diminished because the natives are the best sailors and most skillful rowers on the whole coast, and so the governors in the port of Iloilo take most of the people from this town for the ships that they send abroad . . . When the Spaniards reached this island (Panay) it is said that there were on it more than fifty thousand families; but these diminished greatly . . .

Part-IV
"...Speaking of Ipion, in Panay, Padre Gaspar de San Agustin says: "It was in ancient times very rich in gold . . . but provoked by the annoyances they suffered from some governors they have ceased to get it out, preferring to live in poverty than to suffer such hardships." (page 378)

For some time the friars have deceived many by making them believe that if these plantations were prospering, it was because they were under their care, and the indolence of the natives was thus emphasized; but they forget that in some provinces where they have not been able for some reason to get possession of the best tracts of land, their plantations, like Bauan and Liang, are inferior to Taal, Balayan, and Lipa, regions cultivated entirely by the natives without any monkish interference whatsoever...."
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Remarks: Evidently, descendants of these early Malay Datus abounded in "Araut" or Dumangas in Iloilo and "Taal" in Batangas as contained in my article---The Descendants of "Datu Puti" which is in contradiction to Mr. Scott's theory but conforms with Dr. Jose Rizal' essay.
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I wonder how this retired lay missionary of the Episcopal Church from New Jersey USA, in a short span of only nine (9) years since his 1954 arrival in the Philippines was able to twist the minds thereafter, of some people to forget their glorious past and noble heritage.

This reminds me of a court trial scene in a movie of long ago. I believe the title was "Shake hands with the Devil". The setting was Ireland. Charged for treason, the accused freedom fighter was asked if she has anything to say before the verdict is read. And she said: "What is an English Judge doing in an Irish Court?"

Epilogue:

The "Maragtas" is a perceived myth that became a legend, and the legend that turned out to be the true history of a People who established the cradle of an ancient Filipino civilization in this part of the world, the Ilonggo Nation!... Padayon! --dinggol.d~~~

The Flamingo Hotel-Casino and The Araneta Center-Cubao

The Flamingo Hotel-Casino and The Araneta Center-Cubao

(By DinggolAranetaDivinagracia - IlonggoNationMovement)

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail” --Ralph Waldo Emerson

In 1945 Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel, the dreaded American Mobster of Jewish descent began his dream of building a gambling mecca along the long dusty road in the vast hot expanse of the blistering old Nevada desert called “No man’s land”. And people called him crazy.

Together with his girlfriend Virginia Hill and with the $5-million funding loaned from the coffers of the “La Cosa Nostra” under the “Capo di Tutti Capi” named Don Charlie “Lucky” Luciano, the construction of the Flamingo Hotel and Casino began. Bugsy Siegel would later be fatally gunned-down for non payment of his account with the crime syndicate. But the project he initiated ignited the spark that successfully developed, massively the once- upon-a-time God forsaken area into what it is today --Las Vegas!

Las Vegas in the State of Nevada with it’s moniker “Sin City” is now the “Numero Uno” destination of the global thrill seekers, the vacationers and both domestic and foreign tourists. “What happened in Las Vegas, stays in Las Vegas as the saying goes!

Today, Mr. Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel is known by many as the “Father of Las Vegas”.

Corollary to the above:

At the turn of the decade of the 1950s, the most notorious main thoroughfare in what is now Metro Manila was the North-South Circumferential Road popularly known as Highway 54. This long span of mostly unpaved road full of tall talahib or cogon grass along its peripheral areas from Pasay City to Caloocan City traversed the towns of Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasig, San Juan and the District of Cubao in Quezon City, all within the Morong (Rizal) Province.

Local authorities would frequently discover dead bodies of salvaged victims dumped along it’s curve and gutter or open canal. While Police blotters were also filled with reports of alleged criminal activities, such as; robberies and hold-ups, tortures and rape cases committed within the Highway 54 vicinity. Commuters fear and refrain traveling along this area especially during night time.

In the year 1952, Don J. Amado “Amading” Araneta, an Ilonggo Industrialist and a member of the prestigious Araneta clan of the Negros branch, purchased about 35 hectares of prime land between Quezón Street (now Aurora Boulevard) and the North–South Circumferential Road or Highway 54 (now EDSA), from the American owned Radio Company of America (RCA) and also some from the Tuazon estate. Amading Araneta started developing his land into residential and commercial areas, enticing many of his friends, relatives and business associates in Manila and in Panay and Negros to settle in his area within the District of Cubao in Quezon City.

The first edifice built by Don J. Amado “Amading” Araneta on his newly acquired property was the family mansion along P. Tuazon Boulevard and the North–South Circumferential Road (Now Epifanio de los Santos Avenue or EDSA).

During the late 1950s, the Cubao district was still bare, but Amading Araneta was able to fulfill his dream of the Cubao as a premier commercial district in Quezon City, with the completion of the world's biggest Dome Coliseum. The Araneta Coliseum.

Construction of the Araneta Coliseum was started in 1957 and finished in late 1959 by cousins Architect Dominador Lacson Lugtu and Engineer Leonardo Onjunco Lugtu. From 1960 to 1963, the Coliseum received international recognition and was recognized as the largest covered or dome coliseum in the world. Today, it remains one of the largest clear span domes in the world and the largest indoor facility in Asia.

The coliseum formally opened on March 16, 1960, with the Gabriel "Flash" Elorde successful boxing bout for the World Junior Lightweight crown versus American Harold Gomes.

Among the notable events to take place at the arena were the 11th and 34th FAMAS Awards, the 1975 "Thrilla in Manila" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, and the annual Binibining Pilipinas beauty pageant. The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) has played about a thousand games at the Araneta Coliseum as of 2008. Etc.

In the 1960s, there was rapid development after the opening of the Araneta Coliseum. In the 1970s, many buildings around it start to appear that included Ali Mall, SM Cubao, New Frontier Theater, Plaza Fair, the Fiesta Carnival, Uniwide Cubao, COD Department Store, the Aurora Tower among many others.

The Araneta Center at the crossroad of Cubao in Quezon City founded by Don J. Amado “Amading” Araneta y Sitchon, a daring Ilonggo visionary and business forecaster from Bago, Negros Occidental stands as a testament to how one man’s unwavering vision can truly become reality. Today, it is considered as a well established modern community with an outstanding commercial development in Metro Manila, Philippines. ~~~