con't... (message board 37)

Name:   Cesar Torres
Email:   Cesar1185@aol.com
Date:   19 October 2006

To Sonny Cabrales in Los Angeles and bfguillem@aol.com in Las Vegas: (Hino ba iton anak ha gawas ni Badong or bugto ha gawas ni Badong ha Las Vegas? Francis, ikaw man iton paralibak dida because you know so many tidbits, also known as chismis, can you tell me who is a Guillem in Las Vegas?)

Bebot Samson is in Catbalogan right now. And Charo would be there. Fiesta seguro ha Ubanon. Ray, maaram ka man hiton balay nira Charo, can you pakyaw a tricyle and bulabog Charo and Bebot about this book? If they are already asleep, rabaka iton balay. Pero, seguradoha la nga iton Tandaya nira Don Mabulay iton matatama-an. Waray man ngani ito hira mag-daog han World Bank Panibagong Paraan Contest. Sorry Don. Pag Nurse nala para upod kamo ngan hi Laiminh ha Tierra del Fuego. You will be nursing the penguins.

If Bebot Samson has already left for Manila, fly to Manila Ray, bring copies of the "O Catbalogan" book to Manila for distribution here in America. We are going to charge Sonny Cabrales and Badong Guillem and the other Katbaloganons and Samarnons $50 each for the book. After all it is a collector's item now. Even my grandson who is only 7 years old is so proud of this book. He is bringing it to his classes in California to show off to his classmates. He is so proud of this book, honest.

If Sonny and Badong and the others will pay $50 per book, the extra money we will send to Charo and the others who are organizing the Samar Historical Society. Ngan ha imo dida panuba-tuba ngan amot hiton maintenance hiton very famous SamarNews.com.

Pamasahe mo hin areplano ha Manila Ray? Utang dida hin 5-6. Damo iton Usurera dida. Mga powerful people na. Diri ngani, aro from the ones keeping part of the P4 million intended for the ghosts of those who perished in Guinsaugon.

Seriously, Sonny, Badong and all you Katbaloganons and Samarnons in the Internet, we have not had any good news coming from the Island. Puro la corruption, kawat, summary killings, poverty, hunger, political and governmental incompetence, lies, Hell Roads of Samar, deforestation, hopelessness, etc. This book "O Catbalogan" makes up for all our kabido-an. It is so inspiring.

Name:  Girlie Grimaldi
Address:   New York, USA
Email:
Date:   October 18, 2006

From Mr. Cesar Torres' glowing description of the book "O Catbalogan," it seems like a must-have book to own. How do I get hold of a copy? Is it available in the U.S. or who do we order it from in the Philippines? A million thanks to the bright and motivated people behind this wonderful endeavor. Congratulations for a job well done!

Name:   Anastacio Cabrales, Jr.
Address:    Walnut, CA, USA
Email:   cabraless@metro.net
Date:   19 October 2006

Cesar T, the more you write about this "O, Catbalogan!" book, the more I am intrigued and mystified about what its contents really are. Where can I get copies of the book? I need 4 copies - for me and my tres hermanas. This town helped shape our lives in so many ways; after all, it was there where we spent the best of our formative years when we all attended Samar High. Our maternal grandfather was also a Catbaloganon, that's why we are related to some families there.

Name:   Banjo
Address:   Las Vegas, NV
Email:   bfguillem@aol.com
Date:  19 Oct 2006

Good day to you Mr. Torres, I'm just wondering where I can buy that book (O, CATBALOGAN), is there like an email or an address that I can send the payment to?

Thank you and you can help me.

Name:   Waray Waray
Email:
Date:   Octoberr 18, 2006

The much-needed, timely and historic visit of President Arroyo to Calbayog City can be liken to that of the Prince of York's that made summer the winter of people's discontent. The city and Samar in general need warmth in an era of cold and cruel lawlessness in the valley and alms to the distitutes and deprives of Samar.

The President brings hope to the hopeless, light to darkness, food to the hungry, shelter to the homeless, water of kindness to arid places, possibility for peace in a hostile land, unity amid disunion, friendship and brotherhood among enemies, respect to erase contempt and above all, obedience to legal laws and proper authorities.

Democratic ideals are banishing in Samar land. Govt of laws gives way to govt of men, where the strong, like vampires, sucks the life-blood of the weak. Communities have divided loyalties between the duly constituted govt and the quasi-govt of the rebels, resulting in deadly confrontation.

To maintain peace and order, the govt creates a strong but ineffective military might whose budget could have been utilized in beating guns into plowshares for food production. It's common knowledge that economic projects however small generate prosperity and plenty due to the multiplier effects of investments. Whereas guns have negative economic outcomes always.

President Arroyo, from the pulpit perspective, can bring sunshine to a cloudy province and change dark human hearts to kindness in accord with the purpose of creation.

May the top leaders of Manila continue to pay respect and periodic visits to Samar.

Name:   Cesar Torres
Email:   Cesar1185@aol.com
Date:   17 October 2006

Paean to one of the Greatest Books I have ever seen: "O, Catbalogan!"

Suki Ygat-Segado delivered four copies of one of the most beautiful books I have ever seen in my entire life. And I have seen many, many, many books in my life. The book is "O, Catbalogan!"

Suki and Lily Anne Perez got the books from Jean, the sister of Charo. They were so enthralled with the book and the chismis, they got home at 2:00 AM.

For us Samarnons and Filipinos, "O, Catbalogan!" is not just about Catbalogan, now the capital of Samar (Western Samar), after the island was balkanized to pacify our politikos. Catbalogan was the former capital of our island, the third largest land mass in our 7,107 islands before balkanization.

Anyway, "O, Catbalogan!" evokes a sense of pride. A cry. And an expression of hope for a better future.

Beautiful people, the book is just so beautiful. I cannot find any other appropriate superlative that expresses what I feel about the book. The photograph of the cover by David Nelson Petilla and the cover design by Sonny Bismonte alone can be printed separately, framed and sold. I would buy several and give it to friends as gifts.

In the entire history of Samar, since the beginning of time, "O, Catbalogan!" is one of the most momentous happenings in our history. Of course, I am not forgetting our triumph in the Battle of Catubig and the Balangiga Incident.

If the intention of the Katbaloganon Foundation, Inc. was to come out with this historical and monumental work of art as a "Coffee Table Book", they have surpassed their intentions. It is a food for the soul, food for the intellect, a tribute to all the Samarnons, past, present, and future.

The only complications that I foresee if one will show this book to visitors while they are being served Instant Coffe, the favorite in Pilipinas, especially among the Samarnon machos and barakos, is this: The visitors will love leafing through the pages, going back and forth, forth and back, and reading, beholding, admiring the pictures, the texts, the stories of this work of art. They will linger. They will not leave. And knowing our culture, the coffee and torta will be replaced with kinilaw, with tuba, with singing, and then dancing. All because of this book. They will stay overnight, and sing all our Samarnon love songs, have breakfast, then start with kinilaw again, and so on and so forth, until the wives will threaten them with divorce or have their names broadcast in the radio as missing persons.

I am so proud of the visionaries, and the artists, and the writers, and the Dream Catchers, in the words of Chi Redaja, who made this work of art possible. Henceforth, I would not get ballistic if someone refers to me as a "Waray!" I will just refer him or her to this book, "O, Catbalogan!" as my retort.

Only 1,000 copies were printed, hence it is now a collector's item. The cost of printing is P800,000. They are still raising funds to pay the printer. Otherwise, the assets of the Katbaloganon Foundation will be garnished by the courts.

The cost per book in America is $30. Of course, inasmuch as this is a work of art, it is priceless to me.

I was told that Charo's head would just fall down on top of the table, while working on this. She would fall asleep while seated on a chair, with her head resting on top of a table. She gave it her all.

We really need Charo, and people like Charo, to be our leaders and inspirers in Samar. We respect them, we honor them, we reach out to them. They offer everything they have, even their lives for our causes, for our people. Jensen, can you give way to your Mana Charo for Governor of Samar, please?

I am so glad also that the immortal paean of Estrella Maqueda, aka, Aniceto O. Llaneta, his poem entitled "Catbalogan", is included in the book. It is a lament at the environmental destruction of Samar, Catbalogan, and Maqueda Bay. This Poet Laureate of Samar wrote this poem, long before Rachel Carson, came out with her "Silent Spring", long before Haribon and the Greens could flex their muscles to protect our environment.

Congratulations to the President of the Katbaloganon Foundation, Inc., the Honorable Antonio Eduardo Bermejo Nachura. He is indeed a visionary, a giant intellect not only in Samar but among the 90 million Filipinos. But I cannot help but imagine him as a first-rate "Contortionist". Well, that is the Philippines for us. It is all shades of grey. But someday, with people like Eddie, like Charo, like David, Sonny, Ren, Deng, Chi, and many others, Samar and Philippine society will not be as murky as it is now. It will be like this book, the beautiful, elegant, monumental, historical work of art -- "O, Catbalogan!"

Padayon! To the organizing of the Samar Historical Society.

Name:   Karolyn
Address:   Dasmarinas, Cavite, Philippines
Email:   karolynadolfo@yahoo.com.ph
Date:  Oct.16, 2006

Hello, maopay nga adlaw ha iyo ngatanan! Kamuzta na kaung lahat na aking mga kababayan ko nga mga taga Samar miss ko na kau lahat. Specially to my very own nanay Myrna Montallana, (I recieved ur letter and I’m doing fine, so u dont need to worry about me) at ang aking dear sisters na si Katherine and Karen and to all my relatives and friends specially kanda maam Luz Abog Gingflang Bem-bem and Bing at sa lahat ng family!! Miss ya all!!

Name:   Cesar Torres
Email:   Cesar@aol.com
Date:  15 October 2006

A Love Story:  Liz Tempongko-Figueroa and Rene Figueroa, and Gugma Han Samar

Liz Figueroa is indeed so lovely and so regal. She went to the UP and was past President of the UP Alumni Association of Berkeley. This alumni association has been helping the UP a lot.

Rene Figueroa is a Jet Pilot. He went to the PMA.

Of course, forgive me if I repeat like a sirang plaka that both the UP and PMA are supported by the garbage scavengers of Payatas and the pag-pag subsisting Filipinos, perhaps many of them are from Samar, among many others.

The Jet Pilot Warrior, Rene Figueroa, traces his roots to Calbiga, in the interior of Samar where so many mestisos and mestisos come from. The conquerors and the Indios intermingled when they were trying to escape from the Warriors of the Sultanate of Sulu and Maguindanao during the 400 years war as a result of the Battle of Granada in 1492.

Anyway, to continue with my love story...

We Samarnons because of our love for Samar, our Gugma for Samar, like the love story of Liz and Rene, are undertaking something that may never have been done in the history of Bangsa Kasuko-an. On Tuesday, October 17, 2006, a historic day to us, we Samarnons and our friends from all over the World Wide Web will be starting that Caravan Through the Hell Roads of Samar.

The Caravan will start from the Jet Pilot, Rene Figueroa's hometown of Calbiga, Samar and will proceed to Calbayog City, where President Arroyo is expected there tomorrow, Monday, October 16. But of course, pragmatists and cynics that we are, we don't believe that even if we clone your President 20 times, she cannot turn Samar and Pilipinas into Paradise and transform the Hell Roads of Samar into the Heavenly and Pearly Path to Paradise.

The roads in Samar are so terrible. The primary reason for this I believe is corruption, corruption, corruption. Incompetence, incompetence, incompetence. And Samarnons who have become so opportunistic, so brutalized. Please disabuse your minds that we Samarnons are maisog because we used to be No. 1 in Bilibid. We have been cowed and exploited, and as I say, brutalized. Sometimes, we have hard time in distinguishing between right and wrong.

But I think this brutalization and exploitation will not continue forever. Hence, this Caravan through the Hell Roads of Samar on October 17, 2006.

We have circulated petitions. The mass media has been utilized. Even the priests and the nuns and the lay people in the Catholic Church have been praying. My hope to become a Pope, Bishop Jose Palma, says the roads in Samar are "Disgusting", with a capital "D". And that if the roads are going to be repaired, he will not even say "Thank you." "They" should apologize to us, the future Pope says.

Again, we are not saying that next month, the Hell Roads of Samar will magically be transformed into the Pearly and Heavenly Path to Paradise. Even if you suffocate the powerful people with petitions and the priests and nuns will say 3,000 Hail Mary's every 2 hours, the Trapos and Trapos, the Ninnies and the Ninnies, the Kawatans and the Kawatans will try to intervene.

But we are an optimistic people. And we believe that in the cosmic struggle between Good and Evil, Good will triumph. Like all love stories, like our Gugma Han Samar Cyberspace Movement, like the love story of the elegant and lovely UP alumna, ex President of UPAA Berkeley, Liz Tempongko Figueroa, and his warrior lover, the Jet Pilot from PMA and Calbiga, Rene Figueroa, we will live happily ever after in Samar.

A caveat, to remind you that we Samarnons are not all Waray Waray, Waray Bugas, Manigas, Bahala na Bukas, and that we are cultural barbarians, we have also reached out to our Samarnons artists, the painters. Through Joan of Arc of Samar, Loudette Avelino, whose grandfather -- and the Samarnons -- have been maligned by a malicious, irresponsible press, we have conducted a Logo Contest, to symbolize our Movement, the Gugma Han Samar Cyberspace Movement. There were ten entries. A First, Second, and Third Prize Winners have been selected. We voted through the Internet, something that the Comelec should allow us to do in 2007 for us in Diaspora.

The First Prize of P6,000 will given by the fair haired boy of Samar and the Arroyo legal think tank, whom I sometimes refer to as a "Contortionist", the Honorable Solicitor General Antonio "Eddie" Nachura.

The Second Prize of P4,000 will be given by two children, rerpesenting the future generation of Filipinos all over the world, Paolo Lean Torres Pimentel and Anton Diego Torres Pimentel.

The Third Prize, P3,000, is donated by an ilustrious alumna of the UP College of Medicine, Dr. Libbby Asis Sevandal on behalf of her mother.

The prizes will be awarded in Calbayog, in the afternoon of the 17th, assuming that the Caravan will have arrived in Calbayog by that time.

Other Samarnons from all over the world have donated the Consolation Prizes of P1,000 each.

In this Caravan through the Hell Roads of Samar from Rene Figueroa's Calbiga to Loudette Avelino's Calbayog City, we have been assisted by Anita Sese, our Fairy Godmother from Bremerton. And Bobby Tanchangco that Atenista from Iloilo.

There are many, many who have contributed a lot of work for this Caravan through the Hell Roads of Samar -- the Church through Fr. Cesar Aculan with the imprematur of the eloquent and saintly Bishop Palma; Calbiga Mayor, Luzviminda Latorre Nacario, many others. But our hearts go to Kezia Calubid Badulid Samar and to Loudette Avelino in New York.

Even the Villahanons, that town in Samar where we are repairing an 8-km public through Bayanihan and through the Internet, are sending a contingent in this caravan.

Petron has donated gasoline for the vehicles that will take part in this Caravan. Courtesy of the 7 Sisters and the Oil Magnates all over the world.

Mon R, Spyke Bocacao, Stravinksy, the two Katrinas -- Soco and Segundo -- I dont' need to elaborate on the "cosmic implications" of the collaboration of a young whirlwind, a Calubid in Samar, and an ilustrado in Pilipinas, Mana Luding Avelino, whose Lolo has been maligned so unkindly by an irresponsible press.

We dream that as in all love stories, like the love story of Liz and Rene, there will be a happy ending to this Caravan through the Hell Roads of Samar. We dream of a road so good that Peng and James and Aveen can walk from Mindanao to Aparri, passing by the Samar Roads without swimming through the pot holes and the swimming pools of the carabaos. Because the kawat has been controlled and minimized, if not totally eradicated.

Sometimes the Hell Roads will manifest its true nature, it becomes a Death Road not only for Samarnons, but for all denizens of Bangsa Kasuko-an who are so poor. They die in the Death Road, mangled to bits and pieces, when they have to take the buses in going to and from Mindanao and Luzon.

Name:   Jojo Beldad
Address:   Purok 4, Brgy. Tagnao Gandara, Samar
Email:   Jotrix_rothex89@yahoo.com
Date:   October 15, 2006

Hello, kumusta ngadto san akon mga classmate on batch 2005 in Ramon T. Diaz Memorail High School of Gandara, Samar ang akon masisisring nga namimingay ak ha ira, specially to my friends in Tagnao Gandara, Samar to Glenda I miss u so much.

Name:   Tonyboy Morales
Email:
Date:  14 Oct 2006

In Re: P4 M Donation to Guinsaugon

The evidences that CCATMAN gathered are sufficient for the Office of Ombudsman for Visayas to start an investigation. The investigation though is not necessarily for outright prosecution but for fact-finding since there are missing pieces of the puzzle yet to be located. But, the certifications from the intended recipient that they have not received such donations are enough to establish that no donations were made. It is the disbursement or release of funds that need to be investigated since a resolution from the provincial board was already presented forward.

I guess you will have difficulty squeezing the arms of those in the provincial government to shed light on the issue since they themselves might be involved in this horrendous scam. How about the board members or the provincial vice governor who has always been described in this site as a darling of the press? Aren't they going to help CCATMAN this time? Does the vice governor no longer wants to be a darling of press this time?

I guess the two congressmen of the province are likewise interested in pinning down the lady governor. This would be the best time for them to take a united stand against the governor.

I will try to pass this information to media outfits in Manila. Maybe, the ones with bigger guns can make all of them in the provincial government whimper and start talking.

Again, kudos to CCATMAN for standing for what is right and noble. Please prepare your documents that the newsmen from Manila may require from you.

Name:   Ingrid Palacio-Arzaga
Address:   Canada
Email:   ingrid-arzaga@hotmail.com
Date: Oct.13, 2006

This message is for Bing2 Balleta, bing! wherever, you are in the state please reply.

Name:   Antonio Morales
Email:
Date:   October 12, 2006

I congratulate the fact-finding work of CCATMAN to unravel the truth behind the P4 Million donation of the Province of Samar to Brgy. Guinsaugon. The only problem with that report is the absence of reaction from the side of the purported donor, the Province of Samar. While we can deduce that corruption was present, we should dig deeper to know the truth. The questions that need to be answered are as follows: First, did the provincial government through the Sangguniang Panlalawigan authorized through an enabling act the donation of such amount? You could ask the provincial vice governor or the provincial secretary to validate that fact. Second, based on the above-mentioned approval from the board, did the treasurer disbursed funds to the intended beneficiary? You could ask the provincial treasurer to validate that fact. Third, did the provincial governor in the person of Mila Tan signed the release of such funds as the chief executive of the province? You can look at the supporting voucher that the provincial treasurer/provincial accountant could provide. Fourth, in what form was the release of funds made? In cash? In check? In goods? You could see that also in the voucher. The fifth point was already established. The province of Southern Leyte or the Municipality of St. Bernard or the Barangay of Guinsaugon have certified that they have not received the donation.

Now, can the responsible provincial government officials answer the four questions? I doubt they could. But, in the interest of fair reporting, we should allow them to air their side. Nonetheless, the other side of the story has already been established that there were no donations received from the province of Samar. If indeed the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Samar intended a donation to Brgy. Guinsaugon, more questions need to be answered. Who benefited from that? In what way have they been able to subvert the internal control procedures being implemented by the Commission of Audit (COA) in the province? Who needs to buried in the landslide of public outrage and disgust? It is so frustrating that some people have the guts to do such an immoral act.

While the intention of the provincial board was noble, the actions of those responsible for the disappearance of that donation are undoubtedly cruel. Cruel because they know that the donation was intended to help ease the tragic effects of a devastating calamity. It is similar to rubbing salt to a wound or adding insult to injury. Such is the state of our leaders' minds that they have gone nuts to the extent of doing these kinds of dastardly acts. Where are your conscience? Are they buried in mud too?

[The article do mentioned the authorization given by the SP for this purpose thru a resolution and a web link to it. The CCATMAN investigation in Guinsaugon was conducted last August. The reason why the story was only published after two months was the desire of getting the side of the provincial government thru the office of the governor and the departments involve in the capitol but to no avail. - editor]

Name:  Budol
Address:   Brgy Lusong, Villareal, Samar
Email:
Date: Oct 12, 2006

Mr Absalom Navora,

Christine Cabueños is from Villareal Samar. She is the daughter of Ex-Mayor Tanting Cabueños of Villareal samar. If she is the one you are referring to waray pa ito hiya asawa nagbibiling pa la. :-)

Name:   Heide
Address:   Newark, CA
Email:   heidelabian@yahoo.com
Date:  10/09/2006

Kumusta sa mga taga Calbayog City & Catbalogan Samar labi na sa mga taga Matuguinao, Samar especially my dearest Nanay.... and to my brothers and sisters in Calbayog City as well....

Hello :) too to the originator of this website...Congratulations and Thank You for a fabulous website... I happened to surf only now and it is very informative....

I see, (Mano) Cesar Torres is a regular writer/contributor of wisdom and as usual very outspoken....(saludo anay!)
I find the messages informative, amusing and interesting with all the thoughts and ideas about the Maharlika Highway....

God Bless everyone!

Name:   Marissa Laure De leon
Address:   Toronto, On., Canada
Email:   rizaje@hotmail.com
Date:   Oct. 8, 2006

Maupay nga adlaw han mga taga Brgy. 13 dida ha Km1 South Road, kanda Resty Lozares and family, Luz Dabuet and family, kumusta na kamo?

Name:   Gemma Lozares
Address:   Brgy. 13 Km1 South Road Patag District, Catbalogan, Samar
Email:   Simplegiel@yahoo.com
Date:  Oct. 7, 2006

Hi! Just want to greet my friends namely Leria, Rica D., Tess, Gina B. and family, Mr and Mrs. Jed & Marlyn Brozas, Shiela and family. I miss you all guys......