CATBALOGAN, Samar –
"O, Catbalogan!" a coffee table book was launched this weekend at Tia
Anita’s residence in San Roque corner Mabini Avenue, Catbalogan, Samar
with no less than Solicitor-General Eddie Nachura in attendance.
Nachura, of real
Catbalogan blood endorses the book in its foreword. He also delivered
a brief speech to extol the artistry and history imbedded in the book.
Nachura who is also
the President of the Katbalaoganon Association in Metro Manila said
that it is his hope that his kind would find in the book a mirror of
their own identity and rekindle in them a genuine interest in the
place of their birth.
The book written by
Charo Cabardo and Rene Nachura is a dream come true for Catbaloganons
who have waited all these years for a book that will encompass all
that there is of Catbalogan.
The book tells of the
beginnings of Catbalogan, wars and heroes, the town of Catbalogan,
then and now. It also includes Catbalogan’s religion, culture,
education, cuisine and the Catbaloganons in other parts of the country
and all over the world.
The book touches
history of the early Katbalaugan (evolving to Catbalogan),
and settlers said to have migrated from Buad (now Zumarraga). The book
mentioned about these fishermen to be just resting on the shore line
with balaug (a shrub that thrived in its seashore). The settlers then
thought of just settling in Catbalogan.
One Professor Cesar
Torres, who is now based in
San Francisco,
USA
summed up the book’s content in a sentence saying, "It is a food for
the soul, food and intellect, a tribute to all Samarnons, past,
present and future."
The 145-page hard
bound book is easily a popular among those who attended the launch
specifically, the middle aged populace, like Eddie, Charo, David,
Sonny, Ren, Deng, Chi, mentioned by Torres whom he believes, have much
to relate with in the pages of the treasured book. Capping the
145-page book is a poem by Estrella Maqueda which laments the
environmental destruction of
Samar.
Catbalogan VIPs who
graced the book launching included Mayor Tekwa Uy. Former Bishop Max
Cruz and a host of young media practitioners who also have joined
Cabardo and Nachura in making the book as real as Catbalogan!
